Transcript Highlights:

• At the point of intake, it can be done through technology.
• So that person doesn't have to fill out five different forms, and it just works based on the technology
• Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding that if there were federal funds paid for a technology
• thinking of the state of Mississippi because I know they've done a lot of work in this space with technology
• and then again making them not be about one program, about all the programs, and then using the technology

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Nick Moore, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Office of Career and Technical Education, on efforts to better align workforce, education, and human services programs. Moore argued that WIOA, Perkins, and ESSA were designed to function as an integrated talent system, but that federal and state bureaucracy has kept them siloed. He said the Department of Labor and OCTAE are working on more integrated state plan guidance, including a 2026 plan modification timeline, combined Perkins/WIOA plans, and greater use of labor market information to align training with in-demand jobs and Workforce Pell. Moore emphasized reducing overhead, cross-training staff, using common intake and integrated case management, and focusing on the “shadow labor force” of people facing benefit cliffs, child care barriers, or other obstacles to work. He repeatedly urged states to use waivers and flexibility where possible, to consolidate or streamline local workforce structures, and to hold programs accountable through measures such as labor force participation, training-related employment, retention, and cost per successful outcome. Members asked about the balance between flexibility and accountability, the role of employers versus postsecondary institutions, rural “training deserts,” state waivers, and data systems such as Mississippi Spark and Arkansas Launch. Moore said states should use technology and integrated intake to co-enroll eligible participants in multiple programs and better match people to jobs. In response to questions, Moore said some federal rules cannot be waived, but many reporting and administrative requirements can be streamlined, and he encouraged Arkansas to propose ideas for waivers or state-level integration. He also discussed the need for enhanced wage records and state longitudinal data systems to improve workforce planning and economic development. After Moore’s presentation, DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Director Jay Hill gave a brief update on reimbursement rates, saying the department had compiled more than 100 public comments, recommended holding the current rate, and was awaiting executive review; they estimated the process could take 30 to 60 days. The committee then adjourned, noting a later audit presentation scheduled for the afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have our labor and technology chair Aino, Judiciary Chair Rose, WAM Chair Dela Cruz, staff and
• We also have our labor and technology<00:02:43.599> chair<00:02:43.840> Aino<00:02:44.400
• > Judiciary<00:02:44.879> Chair technology chair Aino Judiciary Chair technology chair
• The bill prohibits the use of facial recognition software, biometric identification technology, photo
• clarifies that this prohibition does not apply to automated license plate readers or non-biometric technologies

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The conference committees met several times on April 25, 2025, to resolve a number of bills, often delaying items until later in the day because of missing FIN/WAM releases or lack of quorum. Early in the day, SB 382 was discussed briefly but not advanced because finance would not release it. HB 1064, relating to the state fire marshal, was taken up and approved after conferees confirmed a $2,212,000 appropriation for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to fund eight positions in the Department of Law Enforcement. Members thanked the many agencies, staff, and advocates involved, and the bill passed by unanimous votes of those present. Several other measures were rolled over to later conference-room meetings, including HB 423 on workers’ compensation, HB 214 on government, HB 1036, HB 1037, and HB 1039 on public employment cost items, SB 828 on workers’ compensation medical benefits, SB 717 on collective bargaining, and HB 286 on the individual housing account program, all pending FIN/WAM release or further agreement. A larger housing agenda was also postponed to 4:30 p.m. in Room 225, including bills on housing, transportation, transient accommodations development, rental housing revolving funds, dwelling unit revolving funds, and low-income housing credit. At the later transportation and housing sessions, HB 1231 was adopted as a conference draft establishing a $5 county motor vehicle registration surcharge for the Safe Routes to School special fund and clarifying rules for automated enforcement citations and liability. HB 4209 on transit-oriented development also passed; it defined transit-oriented development, created a mixed-income subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund, and authorized HCDA to use the definition in planning. HB 1298 on housing passed with amendments to support a government employee housing program tied to a transit-oriented development site, including funding for planning and an HHFC position. HB 830 on historic preservation reviews also passed with amendments limiting third-party review to residential or mixed-use development and setting staggered effective dates. Later, SB 662 on transportation passed with amendments authorizing county police officers to enforce the statewide traffic code on public streets, roadways, and highways. Several other bills remained pending and were recessed for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• As technology evolves, so do we.
• Minnesota's broadcasters have embraced new and emerging technology to stay connected with their communities
• clarify who is impacted, though we are continuing to evaluate its potential impact on our members as technology
• I know from my previous career in technology that data mining is a very profitable industry.
• It's not because the technology doesn't exist.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, it's making much better use of technology.
• Are you looking into how to apply technology algorithms, for example, to go through all the five?
• Now I think there was some some technology transitions during COVID where we went to more e-mail and
• know, there are some existing laws on the books about that, but additional clarity regarding new technology
• And we put up with this on almost a per media. basis, is that technology is ahead of the law.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've also suggested that as technology is upgraded, each county has some more, some less, but they all
• rely on some level of technology, that as they make changes in the technology, they would include this
• We've also suggested that as technology, as they upgrade the technology, each county has some more, some
• less, but they all rely on some level of technology.
• That as that technology, they make changes in the technology, that they would include this.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jim Wood here on behalf of Fireicide, a technology-based wildfire risk management company, in support
• Today, we are, I would argue, living and witnessing the most substantial advent of technology on the
• Today, we are, I would argue, living and witnessing the most substantial advent of technology on the
• And that is the rapid evolution of some of the most powerful technology every.
• What happened to the country that put people on the moon with 1960s technology?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill advances technological improvements in service delivery by requiring all counties to provide
• Additionally, AB 2224 eliminates add-on fees that are outdated and have been augmented through technology
• We encourage the committee to advance an equitable, technology-neutral approach that protects security
• Has demand increased as technology or operations evolve?
• So this bill allows our agencies to look at emerging technologies and recommend best practices.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We equip students with the technical and the durable skills that employers demand across technology,
• complete programs at their own pace, and they take pauses without penalties. by completing our technology
• Our technology is made by our own engineers for adult learners specifically, so it can connect students
• We have provided the Department of Technology with a plethora of information showing the planning that
• the Chancellor's Office is not subject to the direct authority of the California Department of Technology

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the California Community Colleges budget proposal, including Proposition 98 funding, a 2.41% COLA for apportionments, enrollment growth funding, repayment of an apportionment deferral, and one-time investments for a student support block grant and deferred maintenance. The Department of Finance described the Governor’s package as providing significant new resources, while the LAO recommended prioritizing COLA and enrollment growth within available funds but raised concerns about some smaller proposals, including making the Healthy School Food Pathways Program ongoing and adding more funding for credit for prior learning before outcomes are known. The Chancellor’s Office supported the COLA, enrollment growth, and one-time investments, and said current projections suggest enrollment growth closer to 3%, with about $85 million to $90 million in ongoing costs if fully funded. Members focused heavily on enrollment growth, the 10% district cap, and whether the state should continue funding growth in the current year and budget year. The Chancellor’s Office said some districts, especially in the Inland Empire and Central Valley, are growing rapidly and that about seven districts are above the cap, with roughly 1,563 FTES and about $30 million in ongoing costs tied to that issue. Members also discussed hold-harmless districts and whether declining campuses should be required to produce turnaround or right-sizing plans. The Chancellor’s Office said districts are already having local conversations and that state funding provides time to adjust, but no formal plan requirement was proposed. The committee then took up common course numbering, where the Chancellor’s Office said all 115 community colleges have implemented the first phase and more than 550,000 students enrolled in the first six commonly numbered courses. The office argued that CCN improves clarity but does not yet guarantee that credits will transfer with full value across UC and CSU, because articulation is still handled campus by campus and can require more than 3,500 separate reviews. Members expressed concern that students can still be forced to retake courses such as calculus or ethnic studies even when they have the same common number, and urged the systems to develop a stronger statewide articulation mechanism tied to outcomes and transparency. The item was left open. Finally, the committee heard the Governor’s proposal to make Calbright College’s funding ongoing at $53.1 million. The LAO recommended instead transitioning Calbright to the student-centered funding formula, with one-time bridge funding in the meantime, arguing the Governor’s proposal lacks a clear enrollment-based rationale and performance expectations. Calbright’s leadership defended the college’s competency-based, flexible model for adult learners, citing more than 6,800 students served, over 2,200 certificates awarded, and wage gains for graduates; they said enrollment is expected to grow from about 7,000 students now to roughly 8,000 to 9,000 next year and around 10,000 over the next couple of years. Members pressed for clearer enrollment and funding data before deciding how Calbright should be funded going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, there's always a lot of talk about uh the technology we can use to sterilize the insects, but
• I think another thing that we heard this morning or this afternoon was about the technology that produces
• , test those new technologies out, make sure the flies are actually working the way they should work,
• Um, Obviously it's a little bit older technology.
• You know, hopefully have some efficiency gains over the years with technology, those kind of things.

Transcript Highlights:

• Robert Malone, who's a biochemist and biologist and the creator of mRNA technology, and it changes people's
• Robert Malone, who's a biochemist and biologist and the creator of mRNA technology, and it changes people's
• Robert Malone, who's a biochemist and biologist and the creator of mRNA technology, and it changes people's
• Robert Malone, who's a biochemist and biologist and the creator of mRNA technology, and it changes people's
• Robert Malone, who's a biochemist and biologist and the creator of mRNA technology, and it changes people's

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Education met on April 1 at 2:04 p.m. and first heard HCR 129/HR 125/HD1, which asks state and county transportation and education agencies to work together on pedestrian safety and traffic congestion around Haiku Elementary School. The Department of Education said it stood on its written testimony, and no other testimony was offered on that measure. The committee then took up HCR 173/HR 169/HD1, urging the Department of Health to begin education outreach and vaccination drive efforts at schools with vaccination rates under 30 percent, starting in the 2025-26 school year. The Department of Education and Department of Health both supported the resolution and stood on their written testimony. Support also came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Nurses Association, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Health Committee, and Free Citizens of Malua. A number of testifiers opposed the measure, arguing that vaccination efforts do not belong in schools, that the proposal would pressure families and undermine parental rights and religious freedom, and that it could create liability and misuse public funds. Several opponents also raised concerns about informed consent, government overreach, and vaccine safety. One supporter, Kye Swan, said vaccines are the way to fight infectious disease and asked the committee to pass the resolution so children could be vaccinated before the school year starts. No vote or final committee action on the resolutions was announced in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the behavior of buyers has changed due to technology.
• They're very, very not very much into really new technology.
• It's fairly simple technology. It's using industry-standard components.
• They will have both control of the cost and the technology for it.
• We adopt new technology often at utilities.

Bills: SB75, SB715, SB776, SB1299, SB1405, SB1968, SB2021, SB2077, SB2148, SB2321, SB2330, SB2411

Keywords: electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and favorably reported several bills without objection or by recorded vote, including SB 783, SB 1238, SB 1706, SB 1791, SB 458, SB 1644, and SB 1810, with some of them also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then moved into hearings on additional bills. SB 1968, by Senator Schwertner, would update the Real Estate License Act by repealing subagency, requiring written buyer-agent agreements before showings, and clarifying when a formal buyer representation agreement must be signed. Texas Realtors testified in support, saying the bill modernizes agency rules and increases transparency, while a committee substitute corrected drafting issues. SB 2411, the annual update to the Texas Business Organizations Code, was also laid out and left pending after supportive testimony from the Texas Business Law Foundation and drafting committee representatives. The committee also heard SB 2321, which would codify ERCOT’s current practice of notifying TCEQ when backup generation needs enforcement discretion for grid reliability; Sierra Club and a chamber of commerce witness supported it with suggestions for clearer emissions reporting, and the bill was left pending. SB 2077 would broaden eligibility for the Texas Mutual Insurance Company board by narrowing conflict restrictions tied to insurance-related interests; Texas Mutual supported the change and the bill was left pending. SB 1405, a broadband bill, would align state law with FCC standards and streamline Broadband Development Office processes; it was left pending after supportive testimony. SB 1299, protecting nonprofit donor privacy, drew support from privacy advocates and concerns from one witness about transparency for publicly funded nonprofit operations; it was left pending. The committee then heard SB 776, which would bar government construction contracts from shifting delay damages to contractors when delays are caused solely by the public owner. Contractors, surety representatives, and water infrastructure advocates supported the bill, arguing it would improve fairness and reduce inflated bids, while water utilities and critical infrastructure entities opposed it, warning of more litigation and higher costs; the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 715, which would apply reliability requirements retroactively to all generation resources in ERCOT, drew opposition from renewable and storage groups and support from some critics of renewable subsidies, with witnesses split over whether it would improve reliability or raise costs; testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so things go up and down, trend lines change, technology changes, changes, changes, um, and you know
• Um, so things go up and down, trend lines change, technology changes, changes, changes, um, and you know
• Um, so things go up and down, trend lines change, technology changes, changes, changes, um, and you know
• Um, so things go up and down, trend lines change, technology changes, changes, changes, um, and you know
• Things go up and down, trend lines change, technology changes, changes, changes, um, and you know, just

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bowan's opinion concerning where we are with the technology for clean things up. Sure.
• and the reason is because the technology and the reason is because the technology is<00:43:18.720
• for clean things with the technology for clean things up<00:43:59.240> sure<00:43:59.920>
• The technology was poor when we built the third boiler.
• So, 700 tons of waste on the CO2 emissions is none, depending on what you use and the technology you

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first heard Senate Bill 151 relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and geothermal development on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL and Ulupono Initiative testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance clean energy goals, create economic opportunities, and support DHHL’s mission. Fine Electric also supported the bill. Several members of the public testified in opposition, raising concerns about consultation with beneficiaries, water impacts, land issues, and the scale of the proposed spending. In response to questions, DHHL staff explained slimhole drilling, the permitting distinctions between water exploration and geothermal exploration, and said prior studies and geophysical testing had been done. The chair then recommended passage with amendments, including SMA technical amendments, a directive to establish a permitted interaction group to study geothermal options, removal of the appropriation language, and a new effective date. The committees adopted the recommendation and passed SB 151 with amendments, with one senator voting no and several excused. The joint committees then took up Senate Bill 371 on property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. The Department of the Attorney General supported the bill with amendments, recommending broader critical infrastructure language to cover systems such as transportation, gas, power, water, and oil, and suggesting additional changes to improve prosecution. Utility and other supporters also testified in favor. The chairs proposed adopting the AG’s amendments except one, and further expanding the bill to make manslaughter explicit when a death results from disruption of critical infrastructure, and to add water as a covered infrastructure category. The committees adopted the amended recommendation and passed SB 371 with amendments. Finally, the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee heard Senate Bill 585 on special purpose revenue bonds for Bana Pacific. The Attorney General noted a possible issue with the company’s entity status and the bill title, but Bana Pacific stated it was in the process of converting from an LLC to a corporation and was satisfied with the title. The State Energy Office supported the concept, and Bana Pacific described the project as an integrated biogas and green hydrogen facility that would support energy security, create jobs, and reduce emissions. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 964 on waste-to-energy, where the State Energy Office offered supportive comments but many testifiers opposed the measure, arguing incineration is costly, polluting, and inferior to recycling. Written testimony showed more opposition than support, and public testimony focused on environmental and cost concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, using technology that was not available a decade ago to actually do the work we intended
• and adding technology that we did<01:40:52.360> not<01:40:52.600> have<01:40:52.880>
• In<01:41:27.640> addition, In addition, In addition, using<01:41:29.400> technology<01:
• Over the years, we have not utilized technology probably as much as we should to verify those things.
• ,<01:58:24.320> some tool we've not used is technology, some tool we've not used is technology

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Anthony Phillips, and dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee reports. The chamber also recognized several guests in the galleries, including family members of senators, medical professionals for Early Childhood Day, and advocates and local officials. After introductions, the Senate moved into the calendar and began considering bills and motions. Among the measures taken up, the Senate passed House Bill 1393 to create the Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund, with the sponsor explaining it would allow MDA to support energy projects and require compliance with state procurement laws. The Senate also passed House Bill 420, which provides a full homestead ad valorem tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans age 85 or older and allows an unremarried surviving spouse to keep the exemption; senators asked about eligibility, age limits, and safeguards against improper exemptions. Another bill passed was House Bill 1941 on the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, which would allow funding through bonds or other means in addition to direct appropriation and raise the DFA processing cap from 2% to 3%; several senators raised concerns about state debt and the funding mechanism. The Senate concurred in Senate Bill 2906, which gives the Secretary of State additional time to establish minimum cybersecurity standards for county election systems. It also adopted motions to table reconsideration on several House bills, including House Bill 908 on absentee ballot receipt dates, House Bill 525 on mandatory minimum penalties for sexual battery, and House Bill 538 on sanctuary policies and immigration enforcement. The chamber voted to reconsider and then again pass House Bill 1613, described as a bill on aggravated trafficking weight and pill counts that also included a chemical abortion ban, after some senators who were absent earlier asked to go on record. For House Bill 2409, dealing with a comprehensive mitigation program for retrofitting insurable homes, the Senate voted not to concur and invited conference. The Senate also passed and retained numerous other items as it worked through the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:58.399> to tools and cutting edge technology to tools and cutting edge technology to
• <00:37:34.720> I<00:37:35.040> don't ancient technology with AI?
• I don't ancient technology with AI?
• Our ability from a technology perspective, uh, in today's technology marketplace, to interface with those
• Current law has mandatory... the tech technologies and capabilities the tech technologies and capabilities

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, relatively new technology, I think, and this is where you have a policy consideration.
• We've talked a lot about the developing technology in that area.
• We, as stated earlier, we don't know what technology is going to look like.
• We, as stated earlier, we don't know what technology is going to look like.
• We, as stated earlier, we don't know what technology is going to look like.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk of the House announced the House amended and passed Senate Bill 228 relating to use of technology
• Senate Bill 228 relating to use of technology and child abuse and neglect investigations.
• aid services to supplement existing departmental staff with administrative support, using a human technology
• aid services to supplement existing departmental staff with administrative support, using a human technology

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first considered confirmations from Senate Executive Message No. 4. On a 33-0 vote, it confirmed all nominees except number 54, then separately confirmed nominee 54 on a 30-3 vote. The special order of business was then closed. The chamber then took up a series of House-amended bills and generally concurred in the amendments before passing each bill. These included SB 723 on law enforcement cooperation with bordering states; SB 947 on birth certificate copies for homeless minors; SB 392 on personal income tax reduction; SB 54 on criminal penalties for abuse or neglect of incapacitated adults; SB 228 on technology in child abuse and neglect investigations, including a three-county caseworker aid pilot; SB 231 on value-based payment requirements; SB 402, the Workforce Readiness Opportunity Act, with House removal of tax credits and other provisions while retaining micro-credential programs; SB 553 on transfer of contractor licenses to qualifying immediate family members; SB 575 on refusal review hearings; SB 686, the Coal Tenancy Modernization and Miners' Protection Act; SB 906 on lawful prescription of crystalline polymorph psilocybin under FDA recommendations; and SB 1226 on penalties for disturbing religious worship. Most final passage votes were unanimous or near-unanimous, and several bills were made effective from passage or given a specific effective date. Later, the Senate concurred in House amendments to SB 63, the Creating Sustaining Opportunities for Academics and Rural Schools Act, after discussion noting the House removed county charter school language and changed the effective date. The bill passed 32-2 and was made effective from passage. The Senate also concurred in amendments to SB 502, the Women's Collegiate Sports Protection Act, and SB 153, creating the Unemployment Automation and Administration Fund; SB 502 was set to take effect July 1, 2026, and SB 153 was also made effective July 1, 2026. Finally, the Senate reconsidered and again passed SB 392 by a 32-2 vote. The session ended with several introductions, announcements, and a recess until 5:30.

Transcript Highlights:

• So just because we've got hundreds of years of oil and gas technology, we're taking oil and gas out of
• 08:46.800> gas got hundreds of years of oil and gas got hundreds of years of oil and gas technology
• 08:48.880> oil<00:08:49.040> and<00:08:49.200> gas<00:08:49.440> out technology
• , we're taking oil and gas out technology, we're taking oil and gas out of<00:08:49.760> the<00

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Business, Labor, and Technology. Mr.
• Governor, >> business,<00:31:06.720> labor,<00:31:07.039> and<00:31:07.279> technology
• >> business, labor, and technology. Mr. >> business, labor, and technology. Mr.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units; Review of the Residual Risk and Technology
• In the proclamation, I determined that the technology to implement the rule is not available.
• Pollutants: Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units; Review of the Residual Risk and Technology
• In the proclamation, I determined that the technology to implement the rule is not available.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 14, 2025, 1012, house, all