Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Felicia Sry, a senior this year.
• Felicia sry a senior this year I support Felicia sry a senior this year I support Senate<00:04:21.840
• needed in order to help students learn needed in order to help students learn in<00:04:46.639>
• to do is focus on being able to learn to do is focus on being able to learn and<00:07:38.160>
• important for them to be able to learn important for them to be able to learn well<00:07:43.080>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are programs that can learn from large training sets, and then they can actually make predictions
• I have a guest from there on my program a lot, and I've just learned a ton.
• They're years out.
• It learns from data.
• how to learn things.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, establishing its purpose as a study and policy-development body rather than one aimed at producing many bills. Majority Leader Hogue urged members to move quickly, focus on federal and other states’ AI laws, consider possible federal preemption, child protections, and the siting and economic impacts of data centers. Committee leadership echoed that the goal is practical, balanced governance that protects North Dakota while allowing innovation to continue. Legislative Council staff provided a background memo and NCSL presented a detailed overview of AI concepts and the current state legislative landscape. The presentations distinguished narrow AI, generative AI, agentic AI, and theoretical AGI/ASI, and summarized major state policy themes: comprehensive AI laws in states such as Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois; targeted laws on deepfakes, chatbots, health, education, notifications, and digital likeness; and growing use of appropriations and agency inventories. Members asked about Colorado’s repeal and reenactment, Texas’s sandbox and training provisions, oversight structures, and whether AI regulation is bipartisan; presenters said most issues cut across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfakes but more division on broader regulatory approaches. The federal update focused on executive orders, preemption, and congressional activity. NCSL described a White House framework favoring a single federal standard, a DOJ litigation task force, Commerce Department review of state laws, and possible funding conditions tied to state AI policy, though no formal state-law challenge had yet occurred. The presentation also covered a recent executive order creating a voluntary federal vetting process for advanced frontier models after safety concerns, and congressional proposals including a failed 10-year state moratorium, Senator Blackburn’s child-safety bills, the Kids Online Safety Act, a House-passed children’s digital safety package, a Senate data center moratorium proposal, and a House ratepayer/data-center bill. The committee took no formal action beyond receiving testimony and asking questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the next two years are obviously our build-out for the program.
• year 2027.
• But because a program of transportation is not going to be set up until the second year of the biennium
• But because a program of transportation is not going to be set up, $5 million each year of the biennium
• , but because a program of transportation is not going to be set up until the second year of the biennium

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so all of our programs must become federal program.
• We're learning we are many of our programs develop here, mentoring program, which is very successful.
• And in those 10 years we have developed 35 programs.
• an employer as an employer of the year or employing complete years of our program.
• And so we were interested in learning more about our inclusive Education Services program.

Transcript Highlights:

• over year.
• over year.
• The first is the Capital Infusion Program. That's just $3 million a year.
• So in 2021, our last year, actually, we started the program.
• We do a program called Supervisor Development Academy, where we've done 20 cohorts in the last five years

Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were bouncing around a couple points year over year.
• The first is the capital infusion program. That's just $3 million a year.
• In August 2012, I enrolled in WEVE's Self-Employment Training Program, a 14-year program. week course
• So in 2021, or last year actually, we started the program.
• We do a program called Supervisor Development Academy, where we've done 20 cohorts in the last five years

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We would like to continue to build and expand that program over the next two years.
• We would like to continue to build and expand that program over the next two years.
• I learned many things from and learning.
• year 2026 and 250,000 in fiscal year year 2026 and 250,000 in fiscal year 2027<00:56:18.160>
• Paul has over 20 years of experience in providing high-quality youth internship and training programs

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I saw MPB, I learning uh program.
• 38.320> teaching program a year-long student teaching program a year-long student teaching experience
• That program was the first year the state funded it last year because it had been funded through Kellogg
• But for years and years, when I was a district superintendent, I always asked for a benchmarking program
• But for years and years, when I was a district superintendent, I always asked for a benchmarking program

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 14 January, 2026; 1:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard a budget presentation from a charter-school authorizer agency. Witnesses explained that the agency no longer receives the federal CSP grant, that a one-time $499,000 equipment grant was not recurring, and that in FY25 they also had no general fund appropriation. They said their special-fund revenue has grown but is not enough to sustain operations alone, especially because the money arrives once a year and the agency needs a cash balance in advance. Their budget request sought a mix of general and special funds, but the legislative budget recommendation stayed near the FY26 appropriation level. Members asked about salary growth and contractual spending; the agency said higher salaries reflected doctorate-level staff and a planned sixth position, while contractual costs covered technical assistance, consultants, CPA reviews, and outside legal support. The agency also said a pending bill, identified as House Bill 2, could significantly affect its operations and revenue. Members asked about Republic, and the agency said a peer report had just been released, the school had made operational changes, and progress was being made though questions remained. The Library Commission then presented its budget request. The outgoing director announced retirement and introduced the incoming director, and praised the agency’s recent federal and state audits with no findings. The commission asked to restore two headcount reductions in the budget recommendation, saying the positions were hard to fill because they require specialized librarianship credentials and that losing them would cost about $130,000. It also asked to restore federal spending authority in case IMLS funding became uncertain, and requested about $173,000 for a 5% salary progression pool because turnover had reached 35% and many employees were near the start step. Senators asked about the open positions and turnover; the commission said one position had been open 10 months, another about eight months, and some turnover was due to retirements. Mississippi Public Broadcasting then presented its request for an $18.153 million appropriation. The agency said it wanted salary progressions to retain staff, four new vehicles for engineering and transmitter work, and $522,000 in reappropriated digitization funds to continue a project that has digitized more than half its library holdings for online access. The director also highlighted programming and outreach, including a new food-focused show, a music program, live coverage of the National Folk Festival, a Medgar Evers documentary now in national distribution, and expanded radio programming. He said MPB reaches nearly 1 million TV viewers annually, has strong radio and app usage, and continues to provide required weather, Silver Alert, and Amber Alert notifications. He also described a partnership with the Department of Education using e-glass technology to connect teachers to classrooms lacking instructors, saying the program is already serving multiple districts and drawing national interest.

Transcript Highlights:

• this year. this year.
• years ago. years ago.
• Throughout her elementary school years, we were in and out of different schools and day treatment programs
• year. He was 10 years old. year. He was 10 years old.
• learning needs. learning needs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• years, and we are opening two new programs next year.
• years, and we are opening two new programs next year.
• years, and we are opening two new programs next year.
• And then this is the first year that Kapolei Middle has their own program, that's a program of Kapolei
• years to stand up the program.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education resolutions, beginning with HCR 11 and HR 14, which ask the Board of Education and the State Public Charter School Commission to report on improving access to stable, suitable, and affordable facilities for public charter schools. The Charter School Commission supported the measure, and OHA also supported it while noting long-standing facility challenges, the lack of a dedicated facilities appropriation, and the strain on charter schools that have had to use operating funds for buildings and temporary structures. Kealakehe Academy, Hawaii Technology Academy, and several individuals also testified in support. The committee then took up HCR 181 and HR 171, which seek a shared decision-making committee to develop an action plan for a K-12 Ka Waihona School in Kapolei. The Department of Education said it has already developed a strategic plan for Kaipuni education, has expanded immersion programs over the past decade, and is addressing growth through interim guidance and a new priority placement process. Community witnesses, including representatives of Ke Alo Ever, strongly supported the resolutions, emphasizing the need for a K-12 pathway, the importance of Hawaiian language and culture, and the role of community voice in planning. They argued that teacher shortages, especially for licensed Hawaiian immersion teachers, remain a major barrier and proposed a kumu recruitment and retention program tied to community, UH, and DOE partnerships. The committee also heard HCR 187 and HR 177, which urge the Department of Education to begin initiatives to address teacher retention statewide. DOE and the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education said teacher retention is already being addressed through the Teacher Education Coordinating Committee, a five-year plan focused on building capacity, improving satisfaction, and compensation, and a new DOE human resources plan. In response to questions, DOE said it is seeking better school-level data on why teachers leave, is preparing for contract negotiations, and is working with the standards board and DLIR on an apprenticeship-related grant. TECC representatives said the group has been working since the pandemic era, may narrow its focus to retention as the most actionable area, and expects to provide more concrete recommendations in its annual report. The transcript ends as the committee moves on to the next item, HCR 47 and HR 43, without showing any votes or final actions on the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, years ago, parents were program.
• I would recommend taking some time to learn about this incredible program through Up for Learning, a
• I would recommend taking some time to learn about this incredible program through Up for Learning, a
• I would recommend taking some time to learn about this incredible program through Up for Learning, a
• getting to wide program up for learning getting to wide program up for learning in<02:46:06.960> Vermont

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, it was 33. A year before that, it was only 16.
• But last season was a lot like the year before, and the year before that, and the year before that.
• and bad years.
• We need on the order of $20 million to $30 million a year to keep these monitoring programs going throughout
• I also want to note that we had 10 years of CDFW trying to put in place a watershed-wide permitting program

Summary: The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture held its annual State of the Fishery forum, focusing on salmon, Dungeness crab, kelp, ocean conditions, and related aquaculture and committee reports. Opening remarks from committee leadership emphasized climate impacts, reduced federal NOAA support, state investments through Proposition 4, coastal resilience funding, and the importance of fisheries to rural economies and tribal communities. Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot described a decade of drought and climate stress, highlighted progress such as Klamath River dam removal, wetland restoration, and the state’s salmon strategy, and warned that federal funding uncertainty and staffing cuts could undermine restoration and fishery recovery efforts. Senator Cortese raised concerns about illegal cannabis cultivation damaging riparian habitat and water flows, and both Crowfoot and Fish and Wildlife Director Bonham said enforcement against illicit grows remains a major environmental priority but is constrained by resources. Director Bonham provided a broad update on California fisheries, reporting encouraging signs for salmon after several difficult years, including improved ocean conditions, stronger returns in some runs, and successful short recreational openings in 2025. He also noted major challenges, including reduced federal hatchery production at Nimbus, ongoing uncertainty around winter-run and spring-run recovery, and the need for continued habitat restoration, monitoring, and hatchery investment. On Dungeness crab, Bonham said the fishery remained valuable but constrained by whale entanglement risk, warming ocean conditions, and domoic acid concerns; he described new marked-line distribution, ropeless and alternative gear trials, and ongoing aerial and vessel monitoring. He also said the department’s unified cannabis enforcement task force had served numerous warrants and seized large amounts of illegal cannabis, but more funding is needed for sustained operations. In the salmon panel, Yurok Tribe fisheries director McCovey said the Klamath still faces low run sizes, climate-driven warming, wildfire impacts, and federal uncertainty, but he pointed to dam removal, restoration work, and AB 263’s river-flow protections as major advances. PCFFA president Bradshaw stressed that the three consecutive salmon closures have devastated coastal communities and argued for major reinvestment in aging Central Valley hatchery infrastructure and better broodstock management at Fall Creek. CalTrout’s Schneider said salmon remain at risk statewide, but cited Prop 4, habitat reconnection, floodplain restoration, improved water management, and monitoring as the main tools for recovery. In the crab panel, CDFW’s Schumann reported that the 2024–25 season produced record prices per pound and about $55 million in value despite delays and trap reductions, but he warned that three confirmed whale entanglements and elevated whale presence could force a conservative opener for 2025–26. PCFFA’s Domrash supported marked line, alternative gear, and a new gear-recovery network, while also criticizing the current ramp system as a response to a problem not fully grounded in science.

Transcript Highlights:

• for 14 years.
• This proven program is a cornerstone of DEED's small business programs, and through a competitive process
• Business Assistance Partnership Program Business Assistance Partnership Program has<00:02:01.439
• I am constantly learning as I go.
• I am constantly learning as I go. Um, there is I am constantly learning as I go.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This year marks their 50th anniversary of the El Dorado Rose program, a cherished tradition that celebrates
• Hart has given 54 years of his life to Loma Linda, including 18 years as president, and his impact has
• She leads outreach, education, and program implementation efforts for the sidewalk vending program, helping
• Hart has done over the years. And with that, I also ask that you Hart has done over the years.
• He was only 26 years old at the time.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also statutory requirement for the programs to answer survey in academic year. 23. 24, we conducted
• But I do want you to see how here from academic year 20 to 23 to academic year. 23 to 24 rp and programs
• When we look at our current programs, I'm going to present the are in programs divided by program type
• year 2022. 3, 2023 to academic year. 23 to 24 our ad.
• , the ad and programs and the DS and programs statewide.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill that this committee heard last year, but this year it's SB 534, which creates the Hunger-Free
• And we're now six and a half years in, soon to celebrate seven years in completion in June.
• I volunteered for two years before I was able to work there.
• Naturally, we want a cookbook, and this year we're celebrating seven years of doing impactful work.
• It's helping you learn how to prepare it.

Summary: The committee first considered and unanimously recommended confirmation of Melanie Ressler to the Florida Citrus Commission. It then took up SPB 7020, a Department of Agriculture bill to reenact an expiring public records exemption for certain aquaculture production records held by the department. The department supported the measure, and the committee adopted a motion to submit it as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Next, the committee heard SB 534, which would create a Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Senator Bernard explained that the program would target campuses with high percentages of Pell-eligible students, require a survey and SNAP-related assistance, provide at least one food pantry on participating campuses, and direct a report to the Governor and House Speaker by December 1, 2028. A supporter waived in, there was no debate, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then received a lengthy presentation from Carla Bristol and youth ambassadors from the St. Pete Youth Farm. They described the farm as a youth-led response to local food access problems after grocery store closures, and outlined programs in leadership, financial literacy, career readiness, mental wellness, composting, aquaponics, community education, and food production. Members praised the program and asked about expansion, including a culinary kitchen or food truck, partnerships with schools and colleges, and how the initiative began. Bristol said the farm is funded mainly through local redevelopment dollars and that future plans include a food truck, more youth opportunities, and a possible culinary kitchen. The committee concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• over year, right?
• The ability to program human immune cells to recognize and kill cancer cells is a result of 40 years,
• When these professionals are forced to leave the state after five years or ten years or 20 years of dedication
• Over the past five years, CEE has built this program into a nationally recognized online workforce development
• That program was to EPA, and EPA's program was cut.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development held a hearing on the DRIVE Act, a proposal to invest $400 million in Massachusetts research and innovation without new taxes. Governor Healey and administration officials said the bill would direct $200 million to public higher education research and regional partnerships and $200 million to a research funding pool for hospitals, universities, and other institutions, with the goal of retaining talent, leveraging private and philanthropic dollars, and offsetting major federal R&D cuts. They argued that research is a core economic engine for the state, supporting jobs across labs, construction, services, and surrounding businesses, and said the bill would help protect the Commonwealth’s tax base and competitiveness during a period of federal uncertainty and cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and other programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether Fair Share surtax dollars should instead be used for K-12 and other community needs, whether the proposal is enough given the scale of lost federal grants, and how the money would be allocated. The governor responded that the funds are one-time surplus dollars, that most surtax revenue already supports education, and that the bill is meant as a bridge to stabilize public higher education and research. She also said the legislation includes a review board and could support a revolving or matched-fund approach in some cases. Several members pressed for more detail on selection criteria, future funding, and whether private companies and large endowments should contribute more. University of Massachusetts leaders and researchers testified that federal grant cancellations and delays are already causing layoffs, furloughs, rescinded admissions, and lost research capacity. UMass officials said the bill would help preserve faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and research programs in medicine, climate science, marine science, Braille instruction, and AI decision-making. They emphasized that the funding should be merit-based and that the state needs to act quickly to prevent talent from leaving Massachusetts. Business, labor, and industry groups, including MassBio, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, AIM, the AFL-CIO, and Building Trades, supported the bill, saying it would protect jobs, sustain the innovation ecosystem, and reinforce Massachusetts’ national leadership in research and life sciences. No vote was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the first year to the second year.
• We are exceptionally grateful for the support that we've had for this program over the years.
• We've had articulation agreements with community colleges for years and years and years and it would
• This program has grown each year since 2018 and presently has 168. students with a projection of 300
• Becker as a 26-year-old first-generation student in our Occupational Therapy program.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:13.200> for program per legislated fiscal year for program per legislated fiscal year
• <00:36:22.400> $167 the 20 years of the program um $167 the 20 years of the program um $167
• Arizona campus is our next, and they too offer a four-year program.
• Arizona campus is our next, and they too offer a four-year program.
• Arizona campus is our next, and they too offer a four-year program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , but five years and 10 years from now?
• This actually doesn't even cover all of the programs that touched San Pete County last year, but you'll
• And then Volunteer for Good is we are just beginning the second year of a four-year pilot for this program
• that is engaged... ...is we are just beginning the second year of a four-year pilot for this program
• We also have a math mentor program that last year reached 2,100 students, where we're seeing really tangible

Keywords: 985, all