Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a local program might offer technology assistance, social engagement, activities, caregiver
• Helping older adults avoid isolation, remain engaged, access technology, and recognize scams are not
• That can be problems with technology. That can be financial fraud issues.
• That can be problems with technology. That can be financial fraud issues all around them.
• So many of the activities contemplated by SB 971, whether that's technology assistance, social engagement

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care met without an initial quorum and heard four Senate bills focused on older adults and people with disabilities. SB 837 by Senator Reyes would require Aging and Disability Resource Connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness education tailored to older adults and people with disabilities. Supporters, including the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and the California Commission on Aging, cited recent wildfire deaths and the need for better evacuation planning and preparedness. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management. SB 971 by Senator Choi would create a Healthy Aging Community Partnerships Program to encourage voluntary local partnerships, including with community colleges and other entities, to support social connection, technology help, caregiver resources, and other healthy aging activities. Supporters said it would promote independence and prevent isolation at no mandated cost, while one member questioned whether the bill addressed a current legal gap and whether public health departments should be involved. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion and re-referred it to the Committee on Health. SB 1261 by Senator Laird would allow Aging and Disability Resource Connections to continue operating for one to two years during transitions when an area agency on aging or independent living center operator changes, preventing service disruptions. Testimony from Access Central Coast and the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging emphasized the importance of continuity for thousands of clients. The committee passed the bill and re-referred it to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 991 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to classify substantiated abuse in residential care facilities for the elderly by specific abuse type rather than a broad residents’ rights category. Ombudsman advocates argued this would improve transparency and accountability; members also discussed whether similar protections should extend to younger adults in other licensed settings. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, a local program might offer technology assistance, social engagement, activities, caregiver
• Helping older adults avoid isolation, remain engaged, access technology, and recognize scams are not
• That can be problems with technology. That can be financial fraud issues.
• That can be problems with technology. That can be financial fraud issues all around them.
• So many of the activities contemplated by SB 971, whether that’s technology assistance, social engagement

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• extending up to five years if the contract is for the procurement of educational materials with a technology
• bodies shall not obligate funds beyond a period of one year except for contracts executed to procure technology
• Local fiscal bodies must justify entering into multi-year technology license service agreements by maintaining
• bodies shall not obligate funds beyond a period of one year except for contracts executed to procure technology
• Local fiscal bodies must justify entering into multi-year technology license service agreements by maintaining

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up several House bills with strike-and-insert amendments. House Bill 5510 was amended to incorporate provisions from Senate Bills 1065 and 928, modernizing Alcohol Beverage Control licensing and adding rules for low-proof spirit alcohol products, including a $1.25 per gallon tax; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Bill 5453 on school funding. After discussion of a proposed block-grant system and supplemental aid for special education, the committee adopted an amendment replacing much of the bill with weighted funding for level two and level three special education students, exempting those funds from block grant rules and limiting their use to direct instruction. The committee also adopted a clarification to extend the special education funding to charter school students and reported the amended bill to the Senate. House Bill 5412, dealing with multi-year technology licensing contracts for local fiscal bodies and science-of-reading training for K-5 teachers, was amended to clarify contract language, delay implementation dates, change “endorsement” to “training,” and require charter school teachers to participate; it was then reported. The committee next amended and reported House Bill 4006, which creates aerospace development and workforce grant programs, changing the funding mechanism to use Department of Commerce reporting and personal income tax proceeds rather than direct employee withholdings. It also took up House Bill 4009, combining voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors with microcredentialing and an expanded apprenticeship tax credit, adopted the Finance Committee amendment, and reported it. Finally, House Bill 4004 creating the Recharge West Virginia training reimbursement program was amended to raise the annual employer reimbursement cap from $50,000 to $100,000 while keeping the $10,000 per-employee limit, and the committee reported the bill. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't want the public to know their statistics in terms of case management and technology, etc.
• There's statistics in terms of case management and technology, et cetera.
• The intent of the exemption for wastewater was to incentivize oil and gas companies to invest in technologies
• A lot of this is because of the technology that people began to invest from 2007 going forward.
• emission reduction committee, the tobacco settlement permanent trust account, and the jobs, energy, technology

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1574 by Senator Zaffirini, which would codify the Texas Judicial Council’s Centers of Excellence Program for courts and judges. Testimony from judges and the Office of Court Administration emphasized that the program promotes transparency, procedural fairness, mentoring, and public trust. A committee substitute expanded eligibility to justices of the peace and municipal judges and removed a merit-pay reference to eliminate fiscal impact. After quorum was established, the committee adopted the substitute and later voted it out favorably, though it was not certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also heard SB 2774 by Senator Hinojosa, which would amend the Tax Code’s retail trade definition to include industrial uniform and linen rental businesses so they qualify for the lower franchise tax rate. Supporters said the change would put rental textile businesses on equal footing with other rental industries and help Texas employers and customers. The bill was reported favorably to the full Senate. Members then considered SB 1211 by Senator Perry, which would broaden the existing fracking-related sales tax exemption for equipment used with non-fresh water sources, including recycled, produced, and brine water. The bill’s supporters argued it would conserve freshwater and reduce litigation over water definitions, while the Comptroller’s office discussed the fiscal note and production-related revenue effects. The committee also heard SB 2873 and SB 2900, both by Senator Kolkhorst and presented by Senator Nichols; SB 2873 would require electronic filers to file electronically, and SB 2900 would eliminate certain Comptroller-related advisory committees and boards. Both were later adopted in committee substitute form and reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HJR 4, sponsored by Senator Parker, proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit new taxes on securities transfers or financial transaction processing. Supporters said it would protect investors, especially retirees, and help position Texas as a financial center. The committee voted to report HJR 4 favorably to the full Senate. In each recorded vote after quorum was present, the measures passed with nine ayes and no nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• Innovative technologies for harmful algae blooms at $15 million.
• All IT recommendations were included in the Information Technology, Budget, and Policy Subcommittee recommendations
• All IT recommendations were included in the Information Technology, Budget, and Policy Subcommittee recommendations
• All IT recommendations were included in the Information Technology, Budget, and Policy Subcommittee recommendations
• The technology, budget, and policy subcommittee recommendations were issued last week.

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met to consider three bills before moving to its budget presentation. HB 843, relating to Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trust funds, was explained as a set of clarifying changes to improve budget flexibility, including use of certain trust funds for law enforcement and other conservation-related purposes. After questions about whether the bill would shift resources away from conservation, an amendment removed the sections dealing with the Administrative Trust Fund and the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund. The amended bill received support in public testimony and was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 295, which directs the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by 2026 based on prior recycling recommendations. Supporters, including students involved in an “Ought to Be a Law” program and representatives from the waste and recycling industry, said the bill would create a roadmap for improving recycling and waste diversion. An opponent argued the state should instead enact more direct statutory changes on issues such as food waste, yard waste, and manure handling rather than study them further. Members praised the student participation and the bill passed. HB 339, creating a temporary alternative credentialing pathway for surveyors and mappers, was presented as a response to workforce shortages and an aging profession. The sponsor said the bill would help meet demand while preserving oversight, and an amendment added a four-year work requirement and adjusted renewal provisions. After brief supportive debate, the amended bill passed. The subcommittee then received its Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget proposal, which emphasized spending reductions, vacant-position cuts, and a smaller overall budget than the current year while still funding water resources, Everglades restoration, resiliency, land management, cleanup programs, agriculture facilities, and other projects. Members closed by thanking the chair for an inclusive budget process, and the meeting adjourned after a motion to rise.

Transcript Highlights:

• um all of your technology improvements. um all of your technology improvements.
• those technology replacement programs. those technology replacement programs.
• We don't know what it's going to cost. technology program. technology program.
• <03:34:56.399> And technology, this Bitcoin technology.
• And technology, this Bitcoin technology.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can leapfrog that type of technology and create the levels of transit that is required in a community
• It's a technological advancement that will enhance their lives.
• It's a technological advancement that will enhance our lives.
• This is a technological investment that's worth the, the progress and the cost to enhance our lives.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I don't know a lot about technology, but I know that technology can sure help in this way.
• But I know that technology can sure help in this way.
• We didn't have today's technology.
• Does the technology exist?
• Is there the technology? Is it available?

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness and flooding hearing opened with quorum calls, prayer, testimony time limits, and remarks from legislative leaders emphasizing decorum, respect, and the goal of learning from the July 4 flood to prevent future loss of life. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows said the special session and hearings were intended to hear directly from local officials and residents, and that the state would pursue immediate and longer-term legislation and continue working beyond the current session. The committee then heard invited testimony from Kerr County, Kerrville, Kendall County, Real County, and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, followed by member questions. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, and emergency management coordinator William B. Thomas described the flood as a sudden, unprecedented event that overwhelmed local systems before many officials or residents understood the danger. They said the county received multiple National Weather Service and IPAWS alerts, but the rain fell in remote upstream areas with limited gauges, and the flood rose too quickly for normal response. They detailed the emergency response, including dispatchers handling heavy call volumes, deputies and volunteer firefighters conducting rescues, and state and federal partners assisting. County officials said 108 people died, including 37 children, and two remained missing. They called for better real-time flood detection, stronger rural emergency management resources, improved broadband and cell coverage, and more funding for swift-water rescue and warning systems. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring and City Manager Dalton Rice said the city had floodplain rules, emergency plans, and prior preparedness efforts, but the event exposed gaps in communications and regional warning capacity. They urged the Legislature to fund a flood warning system, whether sirens, automated alerts, or a hybrid, and asked for support for predictive weather modeling, broadband expansion, a hazard mitigation fund, and disaster recovery resources. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority said it had long funded gauges and pursued flood-warning and mitigation projects, including a new software-based flood prediction system and possible retention dams, and planned to dedicate reserve funds to feasibility studies and infrastructure improvements. Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said his county’s emergency action plan and early alerts helped prevent deaths there, and he recommended easier access to alerting tools, a river-wide warning system, simpler grant applications, and regional coordination. Real County Judge Bella Rubio said rural counties face major challenges because of limited cell service, broadband, staffing, and funding, especially for camps and visitors along the Frio and Nueces rivers, and argued that reliable alert systems should be treated as a necessity, not a luxury. Members asked about the timeline of the flood, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and funding, and several witnesses said the key lessons were better communications, better warning systems, and more investment in rural flood mitigation and emergency response.

Transcript Highlights:

• bringing a Renaissance to us technology bringing a Renaissance to us technology manufacturing<02
• And you get the union going, oh, no, you can't use technology.
• And you get the union going, oh, no, you can't use technology.
• The fact of the matter is a technology change. Do you now go home and hit a button?
• Maybe the revolution is the way you stabilize U.S. debt: stop being afraid of technology.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, March 6, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:10:34.319> feasible<04:10:34.720> and technologically feasible and technologically
• efficiency technologies. efficiency technologies.
• New standards must be technologically feasible and economically justified.
• And over time, technology has improved time and time again.
• time<04:41:40.718> and<04:41:40.878> time technology has improved time and time technology

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mentioned all those three because they’re kind of, well, not exactly in order of emerging technology
• And that’s basically the kinds of technologies that are either present or emerging.
• that are either present or technologies that are either present or emerging<00:24:05.120> um<
• <00:39:14.119> like rate payer uh you know Technologies like rate payer uh you know Technologies
• Others say that, you know, the technology has risen to the point where it's clean and safe.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And create a plan for future sensors that use advanced technology.
• We didn't have today's technology.
• Does the technology exist?
• This technology backs up, goes back to like 1948.
• There are many military events that have utilized this technology.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, heat pumps are very efficient water heating technology.
• My comments are more heating technology.
• in the state of the only technology in the state of Hawaii<00:41:59.280> that<00:41:59.599>
• written imposes a 15-year uh technology written imposes a 15-year uh technology limit<00:42:09.839
• <00:42:53.280> um<00:42:53.440> or other water heating technology um or other water

Bills: HB1739, HB1741, HB2606, HB2362, HB2608, HB2294, HB2431, HB2375, HB2582, HB2585, HB2231, HB1601, HB2424, HB1956

Keywords: transit-oriented development, zoning, land use, urban planning, density, local governance, housing, inclusionary zoning, inclusionary mandate, affordable housing, below-market-rate housing, inclusionary housing, development exaction, impact fee, housing affordability impact fee, needs assessment study, financial feasibility, rough proportionality, essential nexus, county ordinance

Summary: The committee on Water and Land met on February 19, 2026, and the chair opened by emphasizing strict time limits and that all bills would be deferred if the agenda was not completed before the noon session. The first major measure discussed was HB 1739 HD1, which would preempt county land-use authority in transit-oriented development areas. The Department of Planning supported the bill, saying it could promote state-funded TOD and infrastructure, while the city and county’s position was raised in questioning. Unite Here Local 5 opposed the bill, arguing it would strip counties of self-determination, disrupt state-county policy collaboration, and remove a check on unrestrained development. Committee members pressed the supporters on whether the bill was really about higher density and whether it would override local zoning and sustainability concerns. The committee then heard testimony on HB 1741 HD1, a housing bill described by supporters as reducing inclusionary housing mandates and increasing supply. Grassroots Institute of Hawaii argued affordability mandates reduce overall housing production and raise market-rate prices, while a Zoom testifier said the bill would improve housing stability, health, and community outcomes for working families, kupuna, and young residents. Members asked about the bill’s needs assessment and who would conduct it, with a witness saying the counties would likely contract it out but that the bill did not clearly specify the reviewer. HB 2668 HD1, dealing with water heating systems, drew testimony from the Hawaii State Energy Office and industry representatives. Supporters generally backed adding heat pumps to the law, but one solar-water-heater industry witness asked for amendments to remove or extend the current 15-year statutory life limit for solar water heaters and to update outdated standards and variance rules. A Kauaʻi Climate Action Coalition witness opposed the existing solar-only structure, arguing heat pump water heaters are cheaper, align with climate goals, and should be allowed without a variance. The Energy Office said the current law already allows variances in some cases, suggested adding high-efficiency heat pump water heaters to the exemption, and said the 15-year figure may be too short, with 18 years mentioned as a possible alternative. The committee also briefly moved through several other bills, including HB 2606 HD1 on off-site construction and HB 2362 HD1 on housing, with no notable testimony or action recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We plan to use these funds for election technology infrastructure, specifically upgrading our e-poll
• Upgrading election equipment is essential, as it strengthens our overall technological infrastructure
• election technology election technology infrastructure<00:46:52.680> specifically<00:46:53.319
• <00:47:00.599> infrastructure overall technological infrastructure overall technological infrastructure
• <01:00:45.160> election<01:00:45.680> resources technology election resources technology

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The three things we're talking about here are transportation, training, and technology.
• Transportation training and Technology Transportation training and Technology here's<01:31:12.199
• Lastly, the issue of technology—I know this isn't a big expense item, but when you're in some schools
• Lastly, the issue of technology—I know this isn't a big expense item, but when you're in some schools
• use and how do we use that technology use and how do we use that relationship<01:37:40.960> that<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Education Finance Committee met on January 28, 2025, to receive updates on chronic absenteeism work funded in the 2024 education finance bill. The chair introduced presentations from districts in the student attendance pilot program—Minneapolis, Columbia Heights, Chisago, and Rochester—and noted that the committee would also hear the student attendance and truancy legislative study group report and later a bill from Senator Weber. The chair also thanked educational assistants and paraprofessionals for their work in schools. Minneapolis Public Schools described common attendance challenges across pilot districts, including inconsistent attendance coding, weak family communication, difficulty identifying interventions, and uneven responses to absences. The district said pilot districts want statewide definitions for absences, tardies, and exempt codes, as well as better internal dashboards and clearer procedures. Minneapolis also highlighted strategies such as attendance teams at each school, quarterly postcards to families after five or more absences, Promise Fellows, home visits, multilingual communication through TalkingPoints, and a morning nurse line to help parents decide whether a child should stay home. The district said its main attendance goal is to raise consistent attendance from 68 percent to 80 percent by 2026. In response to committee questions, Minneapolis said its main post-COVID absenteeism reason has been illness or medical issues, followed by transportation problems, and that it does not penalize students for transportation-related absences. The district said it counts secondary absences when students miss more than three periods in a day, with truancy beginning after seven such absences, while elementary students are counted absent for the full day. Members also asked about whether reduced truancy referrals reflected more attendance or diversionary supports; the district said its approach is to focus on understanding root causes and providing support rather than quickly referring students to truancy processes. The district reported improved communication, greater parent awareness, and fewer truancy referrals so far, and said the attendance team model should be sustainable because it uses existing staff with clearer direction.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, incorporating energy efficiency technologies that recycle steam and heat, installing wind
• that recycle steam and technologies that recycle steam and heat,<00:27:58.080> installing<00:
• , all of these things that as technology, all of these things that as we<01:25:31.920> have<01
• The question relates to the technology that we are in process of acquiring. It is called Clear.
• <01:29:38.480> that it's a Thompson Reuters technology that it's a Thompson Reuters technology

Bills: HF3217, HF2252

Keywords: bioindustrial facilities, economic development, renewable energy, advanced biofuels, state funding, HF2252, Minnesota bonding, volume cap, private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, public facility bonds, public facilities pool, unified pool, bond allocation, municipal finance, bond cap, housing bonds, residential rental projects, manufacturing bonds, enterprise zone bonds

Summary: The committee first approved the prior day’s minutes as amended, correcting the meeting number from the 46th to the 45th meeting. It then took up House File 3217, which would restore funding for the Minnesota Bioincentive Program. Representative Kisha argued the state should honor commitments made to companies that met program requirements and had not received full reimbursement. Testifiers from the Great Plains Institute and Minnesota Biofuels Association said the program has supported bioeconomy investment, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and generated strong economic returns, but has been underfunded, leaving unpaid claims. Members raised questions about whether the bill was retrospective and whether it should be reviewed by another committee; the bill was laid over for further consideration without a vote. The committee then heard House File 2252, a proposal to modernize Minnesota’s private activity bond volume cap by shifting unused allocation from the small issuer/manufacturing bucket to the public facilities bucket while leaving the overall cap unchanged. The bill’s public finance testifier said the current allocation formula is outdated, housing would remain the top priority, and the change would be budget neutral. Testifiers from the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and Minnesota Biofuels Association supported the bill, saying it would better align financing with rural infrastructure, clean water, manure management, renewable natural gas, dairy processing, and low-carbon fuel projects, and could lower borrowing costs for those sectors. Members questioned whether the bill fit the committee’s jurisdiction and noted it might be more appropriate for another committee; the bill was also laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• This isn't only happening to out-of-touch consumers who struggle with technology.
• We experience this every day technology.
• I'm not sure when those laws got repealed, but I'm sure it's when the technology caught up.
• <01:17:52.880> And<01:17:53.120> so, when the technology caught up.
• And so, when the technology caught up.

Bills: SF1750, HF4250, HF3938, HF3904, HF3642

Keywords: common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan

Transcript Highlights:

• > uh<01:32:46.159> These<01:32:46.400> funds<01:32:46.920> are updated technology
• uh These funds are updated technology uh These funds are very<01:32:47.440> much<01:32:48.080
• members in those regards, and they're holding those dollars for future equipment purchases, for technology
• members in those regards, and they're holding those dollars for future equipment purchases, for technology
• members in those regards, and they're holding those dollars for future equipment purchases, for technology

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:05.359> etc environment with modern technology etc environment with modern technology
• pleased about in partnership with our Fairview partners, um, will not provide the cutting-edge technology
• um will not provide the cutting partners um will not provide the cutting edge<01:21:22.480> technology
• modern<01:21:24.080> ecosystem<01:21:24.719> that<01:21:25.040> we edge technology
• modern ecosystem that we edge technology modern ecosystem that we will<01:21:25.360> need<01:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:22:35.720> So,<01:22:35.880> it the new AI technology economy.
• So, it the new AI technology economy.
• <01:25:13.520> one, technological one, technological one, you<01:25:14.480> know,<01:25
• And the fact the one with technology.
• Just things are technology and that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all