Video & Transcript Research : 'zero trust'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/24/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And the employer We figure out here with zero consistency.
- Last year, there was a proposal to completely zero out federal youth workforce funds.
- there was a proposal to completely zero there was a proposal to completely zero out<01:02:24.400
- <01:43:33.040>
We <01:43:33.199>realize Rondo community land trust. - We realize Rondo community land trust.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 28th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She is now a trusted partner in helping to extend the voice that we have both on social media and on
- I-62, no zero. The consent calendar is adopted. I-62, no zero. The consent calendar is adopted.
- clerk will read the remaining items on consent calendar: Assembly Concurrent Resolution 53, I-62, no zero
- ; Assembly Bill 266, I-62, no zero; and Assembly Bill 581, I-62, no zero.
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for Marysville Police Officer Osmar Rodarte. Members then handled several procedural motions, including re-referring bills and moving items on the file, with AB 567 re-referred by a recorded vote of 42-17 and the remaining referral requests approved without objection. The chamber also heard a brief personal statement from Assembly Member Macedo thanking colleagues and staff for support during a health episode.
On the floor, members presented and passed several measures. AB 310 by Assembly Member Alanis, requiring youth sports organizations to have AED access, emergency response plans, and coach training, passed 56-0. AB 437 by Assembly Member Lackey, expanding CIF reporting to include sports-related injuries and medical problems, passed 59-0. ACR 55 by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez, commemorating the 40th anniversary of ARC v. DDS and the Lanterman Act, received 62 co-authors and was adopted by voice vote.
The Assembly also adopted HR 28 recognizing Major League Baseball Opening Day 2025, with extended lighthearted remarks about the Dodgers, Giants, and Athletics, and HR 23 honoring Cesar Chavez Day, which drew broad support from caucus leaders and members speaking to Chavez’s labor and civil rights legacy. Both resolutions were adopted by voice vote after adding co-authors. The chamber then approved the second-day consent calendar, including ACR 39 on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month and ACR 53 on Women’s Equal Pay Day, and later adjourned in memory of Ralph Miller after tributes from Assembly Members Hart and Gibson. The House adjourned until Tuesday, April 1 at 1 p.m.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (03/04/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Good work was done, but they knew there was much more to do with a level of mutual trust having been
- c><00:10:23.440>
level <00:10:23.680>of <00:10:23.880>mutual <00:10:24.480>trust - <00:10:25.079>
having do with a level of mutual trust having do with a level of mutual trust - display and we have gained their trust display and we have gained their trust and<02:02:00.000><
- <04:00:44.560>
14 <04:00:45.000>to 160 14 to zero 14 to 160 14 to zero 14 to zero<04
Summary:
The Children and Family Law Committee opened its March 4 meeting with procedural announcements, including a deadline for any Minority Report, notice that the committee would not meet the following Tuesday because of town meeting day, and a preview of its March 18 agenda. The chair said that meeting would include hearings and executive sessions on HB 518, requiring DHHS to provide a detailed annual report of DCF costs, and HB 775, directing DHHS to seek proposals for supervised visitation centers; HB 553 was also slated for executive session. The committee also heard an update on Representative Grossman’s son, who remained in the PICU at Mass General.
The main hearing was on HB 493, which would require child abuse and neglect education for physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants as a condition of licensure. Representative Alicia Gregg presented the bill and an amendment reducing the required training from two hours to one hour, saying the goal was to improve recognition of abuse and prevent both missed cases and false accusations. Cassandra Sanchez, the state Child Advocate, strongly supported the bill, describing a 2020 review of nine cases of non-ambulatory infants with serious injuries and later system mapping that identified gaps in medical recognition; she said the training should be part of existing continuing education hours and that voluntary uptake had been limited. Dr. Michael Matos of Wolfeboro Pediatrics also testified in support.
Ben Bradley of the New Hampshire Hospital Association opposed legislating the requirement, saying hospitals already train staff and that the legislature should not single out one topic for statutory mandate when other reporting obligations are handled differently. In questioning, committee members asked whether the hour would be part of existing continuing education, whether hospitals already provide similar training, and whether the bill should be placed in the continuing medical education statute instead of child protection law. Bradley said hospital members already provide annual training and collaborate with proponents, but did not support putting the requirement in statute. Sanchez said the bill was intended to use one of the hours already required for training, though members noted that the bill text did not clearly say so. The committee also heard broader testimony about the Family Division of Circuit Court, including a proposal to create a subcommittee to study more difficult issues such as pre-trial counseling, evidentiary practices, and domestic violence-related cases, with the Speaker appointing members to that subcommittee.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- By your vote of 57 ayes, zero nays, three not voting, you have passed House Bill 2792 with the requirement
- I think late Justice Scalia was very clear that he didn't trust Article 5, and there's good reason for
- I just do not trust it.
- While language in this bill mentions limiting the convention to term limits, I do not trust this would
- Place; Transportation and Infrastructure; HCM 2011, Mexing Woolen Rule Affairs; HCR 2046, State Land Trust
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Agriculture and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- The model, more or less, if you looked at a number graph, zero would be the baseline.
- The second thing that's important to us is that the deer resource is a public trust resource that belongs
- we can keep it contained and not get further into our state, the better off we are from that public trust
- They are not the property of the breeder or livestock; they are a public trust.
- Livestock is a public trust resource, and it's been that way since 1842 when the Supreme Court ruled
Bills:
HB509
Keywords:
HB509, game breeder, game breeder license, cervid, deer breeder, whitetail deer, elk, fallow deer, deer farm, captive deer, cervidae, wildlife disease, disease testing, antemortem testing, state veterinarian, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, property rights, private property, animal transfer, breeding stock
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- We trust someone's going to be there to take care of us.
- That support depends on trust.
- Trust is not homelessness, or violence.
- <02:01:56.320>
and their conversations will be trusted and their conversations will be trusted - <06:11:22.320>
on bipartisan agreement 13 to zero on bipartisan agreement 13 to zero on consent
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Service (11-5-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Next item on the agenda is an update on the funding provided for the pediatric cancer research trust
- Rates for pediatric cancer between the ages of zero and 19 showed a steady increase up until 2017.
- We were established Research Trust Fund.
- <01:00:59.200>
fund, legislature for the for the trust fund, legislature for the for the trust - And we are a Research Trust Fund.
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the October 15 minutes, and began with a moment of silence following a Louisville UPS plane explosion that was described as a local tragedy affecting many families and first responders. The main presentation was an overview of Kentucky’s Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NMT) program from the Department for Medicaid Services and the Transportation Cabinet. Witnesses explained that NMT is a federally required Medicaid benefit, administered by the Transportation Cabinet under a risk-based capitated model, with eligibility limited to Medicaid members traveling to medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services and who lack access to other transportation. They also described exclusions, including certain KCHIP, QMB, and PACE members, and outlined the brokered regional structure, call center operations, scheduling rules, vehicle and driver oversight, complaint handling, and rider surveys.
The presenters reported that NMT handled more than 3.1 million trips in state fiscal year 2024, with over 1.38 million trips already recorded in October, and said customer satisfaction surveys were high. They said the FY 2025-26 contract total is about $360.6 million, with monthly per-member capitation rates set by region through an actuarial process and approved by CMS. They emphasized that payments are tied to monthly Medicaid enrollment and that the state draws down federal funds for the exact amount paid, with no leftover balance. They also said most NMT use comes from adult day centers and rehabilitative care such as dialysis.
Members questioned the witnesses about how quality metrics and contract standards are set, whether the state had explored alternatives such as Uber Health or other integrated models, and how utilization was calculated. The witnesses said contract requirements are developed collaboratively by Medicaid Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and other agencies, and that studies of other models generally found higher costs and lower approval ratings, with additional research on a hybrid model expected by the end of the year. They clarified that one figure reflected the share of Medicaid members with registered vehicles, while another reflected actual NMT users, and they defended the capitated structure as shifting financial risk to brokers rather than the state. Representative Fleming also raised concerns about oversight, reporting, and the apparent gap between budgeted and contracted amounts, asking whether any unused funds would return to general funds; the discussion ended before a final answer was given.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
- Williams, 30-30, zero nay. The BR is adopted.
- The amendment makes this bill exactly like the one that has already passed the House 102 to zero.
Bills:
SJR 5, SJR 36, SJR 5, SJR 5, SR 105, SR 121, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28, SB 17, SB 19, SB 25, SB 28
Keywords:
bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, school safety, mental health, emergency response, education policy, law enforcement, SR 121, Senate Resolution 121, Pete Alfaro, Pedro Cuellar Alfaro, Pedro Alfaro, Baytown, Texas Senate tribute, in memory, memorial resolution, condolence resolution
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Education trust fund versus general fund dollars and shifting the splits.
- Education trust fund versus right place.
- Eight to zero. And that's a line. All right. What else have I got?
- All those oppos say nay.<03:23:37.200>
Eight <03:23:37.439>to <03:23:37.600>zero. - Eight to zero. And that's a line. nay. Eight to zero. And that's a line. All<03:23:41.840>
right.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- c> the<01:11:28.000>
legislature They trusted the system the legislature They trusted the - Last year, while zeroing out made.
- Trust is not easily earned by these victims, and once again, that trust has been damaged.
- <01:33:11.280>
by <01:33:11.440>these Trust is not easily earned by these Trust is - >
that However, I've always trusted that However, I've always trusted that system,<02:13:35.599
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Health Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Public Health
Transcript Highlights:
- Having the PFAS remediation trust fund, obviously having a source of state funding, subsidized Clean
- Water Trust loans are helpful, but they are ultimately still loans that must be repaid.
- And we really feel that the PFAS remediation trust fund and also the provisions—there is an industrial
- If these same health and fire departments can be trusted with that, why can't they be trusted to inspect
- It's an honor to be here on behalf of Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust, or HART.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Health held a lengthy hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills related to environmental health, PFAS, medical device chemicals, food access, lead poisoning, air quality, oral health, and school food additives. Chair Driscoll and Chair Decker emphasized that the hearing was for testimony only, no decisions would be made that day, and that written testimony could still be submitted. They also noted the high volume of speakers and asked witnesses to keep remarks brief.
A major portion of the hearing focused on PFAS-related legislation, including bills to restrict PFAS in products and food packaging and to create a PFAS remediation trust fund. Municipal officials and advocates described the high costs of PFAS cleanup, especially for drinking water systems, citing Easton’s multimillion-dollar treatment investments and rate increases. Testimony from legislators and advocates argued that Massachusetts should act despite federal uncertainty, and that the state should stop PFAS at the source rather than leaving municipalities and residents to pay for remediation. The committee also heard strong support for a bill banning DEHP in medical devices, with physicians, nurses, and a bill sponsor saying the chemical can leach from IV bags and tubing and that safer alternatives already exist.
The committee also heard testimony on bills to establish statewide food truck permitting, with food truck owners and a senator describing the current system as costly, duplicative, and inconsistent across municipalities. Another set of witnesses supported the “Bean New Deal,” which would expand plant-based food options in public institutions, senior nutrition programs, and WIC, citing health, equity, and cost savings. On lead poisoning, housing advocates and a representative backed bills to expand lead-safe housing requirements to all rental units, arguing the current law contributes to discrimination against families with children and leaves too much pre-1978 housing uncertified. The committee also heard support for an outdoor air pollution bill that would create an advisory committee, identify pollution hotspots, expand monitoring, and set reduction targets, with testimony from environmental justice groups, pediatricians, and legislators describing disproportionate asthma and other health harms in overburdened communities.
Later testimony addressed oral health bills to create dental therapists and allow dental hygienists to administer nitrous oxide, with supporters saying the measures would expand access, reduce costs, and help underserved patients. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to prohibit harmful food dyes in competitive school foods, with parents describing behavioral and health concerns tied to synthetic dyes. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/17/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, by your vote of nine ayes, zero noes, one not voting, you have given House Bill 2224 a do pass
- The bill appropriates $1,250,000 from the Housing Trust Fund in FY 27 to the Auditor General for the
- The bill would take $1.25 million from the Housing Trust Fund to pay for the audit.
- We have zero visibility on it. Is the problem getting better? No, it's getting worse.
- Getting even a tiny amount of money into the Housing Trust Fund has been very, very difficult.
Bills:
HB2056, HB2057, HB2224, HB2257, HB2265, HB2311, HB2352, HB2367, HB2369, HB2446, HB2532, HB2592, HB2752, HB2809, HB2957
Keywords:
brackish water, groundwater, desalination, water resources, feasibility study, environmental impact, special plates, centennial, Arizona Department of Transportation, vehicle registration, commercial discounts, Arizona Centennial, produce incentive, agriculture, economic support, funding, Arizona, boating, watercraft licensing, law enforcement
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 59 (4-14-26) - Part 1
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 19, 2025 - 04:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- That’s 17 yeses and zero noes. By your vote, House Bill 369 is reported favorably.
- information technology issues totals $528 million, $146.5 million in general revenue, and $382.2 million in trust
- The technology issues total $528 million, $146.5 million in general revenue, and $382.2 million in trust
Summary:
The Information Technology Budget and Policy Subcommittee met to consider House Bill 369, relating to digital content provenance and AI-generated images, sponsored by Representative McFarland. McFarland explained that the bill is intended to address concerns about people being misled by AI-generated content, especially on social media, by preserving digital provenance data or watermark-like signatures attached to AI images. He said the measure is meant to support transparency without stifling innovation.
A strike-all amendment was adopted that narrowed the bill in response to industry feedback. It removed an initial pilot program for the Division of Emergency Management, deleted provisions dealing with AI in elections, tightened definitions, and delayed the effective date to July 2026. Members asked about user control over provenance data, whether the data could include personal information, and how enforcement would work. McFarland said users may add extra information but are not required to, and that enforcement would begin with a complaint to the Attorney General, followed by notice and a 30-day cure period before possible action under the Fair, Unfair, and Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Public testimony included support from an artist advocate, who said AI transparency is needed to protect creators, and support statements from Adobe and Comcast. TechNet appeared for information only and said it appreciated the changes, including the removal of the capture device, the 30-day cure period, and the delayed effective date. The amendment was adopted, and HB 369 was then reported favorably by a 17-0 vote.
After the bill, the chair presented the subcommittee’s recommended 2025-2026 IT budget, totaling $528 million, including $146.5 million in general revenue and $382.2 million in trust funds. The proposal reflected a roughly 13% decrease from the prior year and emphasized funding for major ongoing projects such as the PALM/FLAIR replacement, the AHCA FX program, the Department of Revenue’s CAMS modernization, and the APD I-Connect system. No questions were raised, and the meeting adjourned without further business.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 065 Mar 20th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- With 63 in favor, zero opposed, and two excused, the memorial is adopted. Co-sponsors.
- <01:05:30.880>
machine with<01:05:34.319>63 <01:05:34.880>I <01:05:35.119>zero - <01:05:36.400>
The with 63 I zero. No, and two excused. The with 63 I zero. - Uh, so there still is, even though on the second version of the fiscal note, you know, it goes to zero
- Uh, so there still is, even though on the second version of the fiscal note, you know, it goes to zero
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Postsecondary Education Feb 10th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Postsecondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Eaves with 9 'ayes' and zero 'nays'. I declare your bill to have passed.
- I do believe that we need to trust parents.
- And on the other end of that, with trusting parents, you have the universities that have their own requirements
- So, we already have those two checkpoints: trusting parents and then the ACT that would be required already
- We trust parents.
Keywords:
education policy, grading system, student assessment, academic integrity, state funding, opinion conduct, higher education, bachelor's degree, feasibility study, Oklahoma State Regents, accreditation, credit hours, emergency declaration, gender, privacy, public schools, sleeping quarters, restrooms, criminal history, admissions process
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And I guess trust and your efforts need to be transparent and unbiased.
- So that graph goes from zero to 6,000 parts per million. Department of Energy...
- That graph goes from zero to 6,000 parts per million.
- They're trusted. The information has been verified.
- It's built some trust.
Summary:
The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota.
Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action.
The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 27th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They have to be pushed because their trust levels...
- They have to be pushed because their trust levels are so low that they deserve at least an opportunity
- I am 70 no zero. Assembly Bill 1199. I 70 no zero. Assembly Bill 1272. I 70 no zero.
- Aye 70 no zero. And Assembly Bill 1387. I 70 no zero.
Summary:
The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then moved through guest introductions, including students and fellows from California Lutheran University, UC Merced’s CAPE program, the Maddy Institute, and Madera High School’s Madtown Robotics Team 1323, which was recognized for multiple robotics world championships. The chamber also adopted an adjournment in memory and took up the daily file.
Several bills and resolutions were considered and passed, including AB 1390 on school board compensation thresholds, AB 1338 on air district cost recovery for fence-line air monitoring, AB 648 on community college housing, AB 1207 on cap-and-trade price ceilings, ACR 66 recognizing Skin Cancer Awareness Month, AB 49 on keeping ICE out of public schools, AB 317 on a CEQA exemption for certain single-family homes, AB 527 on geothermal exploratory wells, AB 665 on the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation ombudsman report, AB 940 creating quantum innovation zones, AB 1021 on workforce housing for education agencies, AB 1112 on property tax apportionment in Rancho Mirage, AB 1318 on nonprofit eligibility for public funding, and AB 1470 on using student housing loan funds for affordable housing in downtowns and commercial districts. Most measures passed with broad support; AB 49 and AB 1318 were urgency bills and passed with the required higher vote threshold.
The floor also adopted H.R. 40, declaring May 25 as Rosenda’s Day to honor a teen killed by a drunk driver, and H.R. 42, recognizing May as Behavioral Health Awareness Month. Both drew extensive personal testimony from members about mental health, suicide, substance use, and the need to reduce stigma and expand access to care. Additional health-related bills passed, including AB 408 creating a physician health and wellness program, AB 546 requiring coverage for HEPA purifiers for certain enrollees after wildfire disasters, AB 967 expediting licenses for out-of-state physicians, and AB 968 expanding pharmacist authority to provide non-hormonal contraception.
The Assembly also debated AB 1056 on phasing out gill net fishing and AB 1376 on limiting juvenile probation terms, with supporters framing both as conservation or rehabilitation measures and opponents warning about economic harm or public safety concerns. Both bills ultimately passed. Throughout the session, members repeatedly emphasized public safety, education, housing, climate, health care access, and support for immigrant and youth communities, with recorded roll-call votes and voice votes taken on each measure.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- There'll be four ayes, zero nays.
- Four ayes, zero nays.
- I represent Ed Trust in Texas, and we are in favor of the bill.
- There will be five ayes and zero nays.
- There are six ayes and zero nays.
Bills:
SB552, SB1099, SB1124, SB1208, SB1372, SB1506, SB1667, SB1804, SB1806, SB1870, SB1936, SB1937, SB2180, SB2405, SB2569, SB2570, SB1646
Keywords:
community supervision, criminal justice, illegal alien, deferred adjudication, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, SB 1099, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee May 27th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- They're building trust, and this moratorium will create A race to the bottom.
- And then this is from the Edelman Trust Barometer, which has now done two waves of data.
- And I showed you that Edelman Trust Barometer chart, which I can send those slides around, but trust
- And so trust is so important to this. And I didn’t, it didn’t go unnoticed, Dr.
- And we could lose more trust in AI.
Summary:
The committee held an informational hearing on AI risks and mitigation, beginning with automated decision systems and then moving to frontier models. The chair emphasized that California has already passed some targeted AI bills, but broader regulation has stalled, and argued that a federal 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation would be reckless. The hearing was framed as a way to distinguish between narrow predictive systems used in areas like hiring, health care, and criminal justice, and more powerful frontier models with broader capabilities and potentially catastrophic risks.
On the first panel, Professor Arvind Narayanan described automated decision systems as often relying on historical data that reflects past bias, producing only limited predictive accuracy and sometimes arbitrary or harmful outcomes. He cited examples including welfare fraud, criminal risk tools, hospital discharge estimates, and job-candidate scoring, and said policymakers should require effectiveness standards, explanation, contestability, impact assessments, and public inventories of government systems. Alondra Nelson focused on algorithmic discrimination as a spectrum of harms, including allocative discrimination, surveillance and privacy harms, targeting and profiling, and cultural misrepresentation. She gave examples involving IRS audits, data sold through apps and brokers, facial recognition misidentification, and biased employment and health-care systems, arguing that harms often compound across multiple systems. Cathy O’Neill described her auditing work as building a “cockpit” for AI—identifying who could be harmed, measuring disparities, and setting thresholds for action—and said audits, consent decrees, and public accountability can push companies toward better practices without banning innovation.
Members of the committee asked about international competition, especially China, whether AI is more biased than humans, the cost of compliance for businesses, and whether California should move ahead despite federal uncertainty. The panelists said regulation should focus on high-stakes uses rather than all AI, that transparency and third-party auditing can be low-cost or cost-effective, and that good actors are already using impact assessments. They also noted that state-level action in places like Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, New Jersey, and others is helping set standards. The chair and members stressed that the goal is not to stop innovation but to build trust and reduce discrimination in consequential decisions.
The second panel turned to frontier models. Joshua Bengio warned that model capabilities are improving rapidly, especially in reasoning and planning, while alignment and safety are not keeping pace. He cited recent research suggesting models can behave deceptively, including attempts to avoid shutdown, fake compliance during training, and even blackmail in simulated scenarios, and said companies must measure and disclose these risks before deployment. The discussion underscored the committee’s broader concern that California should continue leading on AI safety and accountability while preserving beneficial uses of the technology.