Transcript Highlights:

• That premise is that a small number of technology companies caused the decline of local news and that
• Technology and social media companies did not create the structural challenges facing journalism today
• I am the lead advocate and trauma transformational coach of the Silent Task Force, which serves people
• Is the technology to scale anywhere? Yeah, it's there. The technology is there. Okay. Thank you.
• It hasn't been shown that that can be done technologically safely.

Bills: SB6294, SB6211, SB5650, SB6033, SB6297, SB6343, SB6067, SB6082, SB6323, SB6324, SB5862, SB5923, SB6151

Keywords: local government finance, Washington state, RCW, real estate excise tax, REET, sales and use tax, property tax levy, county tax, city tax, affordable housing, housing services, behavioral health, mental health, developmental disabilities, children and families services, youth services, utility tax, low-income utility assistance, veterans assistance, homelessness

Transcript Highlights:

• For year 25/26, information technology totals $525 million.
• Members, this is the proposed fiscal year 25/26 information technology budget. Thank you.
• It is transformative.
• Show the bill rolled over for third reading procurement transformation.
• If electronic prescribing is not available due to a temporary technological or electrical failure, so

Bills: HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, SB 14, HB 12, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912, HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, HCR 123, HCR 124, HR 57, HR 87, HR 111, HR 228, HR 230, HR 322, HR 624, HR 625, HR 626, HR 627, HR 628, HR 630, HR 631, HR 634, HR 635, HR 636, HR 637, HR 638, HR 639, HR 640, HR 645, HR 646, HR 648, HR 649, HR 651, HR 652, HR 653, HR 654, HR 664, HR 665, HR 668, HR 675, HR 676, HR 678, HR 679, HR 680, HR 683, HR 686, HR 688, HR 689, HR 694, HR 695, HR 697, HR 698, HR 699, HR 472, HR 622, HR 632, HR 633, HR 643, HR 655, HR 657, HR 660, HR 661, HR 662, HR 663, HR 667, HR 670, HR 674, HR 681, HR 682, HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• He created uh refrigerated trucking and was able to um have uh create the technology that allowed us
• also we have a small urban farm on Lake Street where we train the youth and the women that also we transform
• also we have a small urban farm on Lake Street where we train the youth and the women that also we transform
• them</c><01:01:51.440><c> sometime</c><01:01:51.839><c> from</c><01:01:52.480><c> the</c> also we transform
• them sometime from the also we transform them sometime from the city<01:01:52.880><c> of</c><01:01:53.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Keeping up with that technology is very helpful for avoiding impacts to the state, and that's part of
• As you've heard during the hearings, information technology and cybersecurity are huge concerns as we
• assets... ...to the information and technology assets and cyber threats.
• Funding for information technology may enable the community college to keep pace with technology needs
• And we've also had turnover in our information and computer technology.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing reconvened with testimony from several agencies on their capital budget requests. The Department of Environmental Services requested a little over $38 million, with major emphasis on dam repairs and design work for aging state-owned dams, including a $5.25 million match for possible FEMA BRIC funding at Pawtuckaway/Tuckaway and other projects such as Milton Three Ponds, Murphy Dam, and Lakeport Gates. DES also requested funding for state revolving loan fund matches, a Superfund match for the Savage Well site, IT and air-monitoring upgrades, and a new $750,000 cybersecurity request for water and wastewater systems. Committee members asked about FEMA eligibility, the distinction between design and construction money, and the timing and risk of banking funds if federal grants do not materialize. The University System of New Hampshire requested $20 million in state support, primarily $15 million for a major Diamond Library renovation at UNH to create a student support hub and reduce/repurpose collection space, plus $2.5 million each for deferred maintenance at Plymouth State and Keene State. The Community College System requested about $16.6 million across seven projects, led by critical maintenance, campus safety/security upgrades, IT infrastructure, parking and site improvements, HVAC replacement at White Mountains Community College in Littleton, a building management/energy system, and modernization of NHTI’s dental clinic and radiology spaces. The Department of Education requested $29.5 million, including a $4.9 million internal management platform to replace paper-based and siloed systems, plus career and technical education capital projects; Milford’s CTE project was described as being revised after repeated failed bond votes, while ConVal said its revised project would focus on modernizing existing CTE space and adding a security vestibule. Fish and Game requested $1.075 million for three facilities: Sewall Falls in Concord, the Lancaster Armory, and the Bunker Lane Barn in Durham, focusing on structural repairs, security, reconfiguration, and in one case replacement of a failing barn with a new 40-by-60 building. The department also said hatchery work is ongoing but that it is taking a cautious approach because of the planned New Hampton Hatchery and future capital needs. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources requested $9.26 million for eight projects, including campground electrical upgrades at Ellacoya and Lake Francis, White Lake water system replacement, Mount Washington fuel tank and safety work, Odiorne Point visitor center work funded through parks revenue, roofing and parking lot repairs, Fox Forest office safety upgrades, and historic site repairs at White Island and Fort Constitution. Members asked about revenue-based capital, the stability of the parks fund, and flexibility in choosing projects as bids come in. The Department of Transportation began its presentation at the end of the transcript, but its detailed requests were not yet discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we're honing in on another topic here technology-wise.
• Here technology-wise, so this is going to be known as the Conversational AI Safety Act.
• AI technology, I think, why now: AI technology is rapidly advancing, and the abilities and use of conversational
• technology, and we would encourage your support.
• I think it's incredibly important for us to get out in front when innovative technology comes along but

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from several prior meetings, then heard Senate Bill 1354, which would create a statewide framework for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The bill sponsor said it would expand housing options, allow one internal or attached ADU on qualifying lots in cities over 10,000 population, preserve existing HOA restrictions, require architectural consistency, and exempt historic districts. Supporters from the Realtors, housing advocates, and builders said ADUs are a flexible, low-impact way to add housing and help families, seniors, and workers. Opponents from HOA and insurance groups argued the bill could increase density, rentals, parking and utility burdens, and insurance costs, and raised concerns about limiting future HOA authority. After questions about how the HOA language would work in new developments and whether cities could deny projects for infrastructure reasons, the committee voted 10-4 to send SB 1354 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1297, the Conversational AI Safety Act. The sponsor said the bill would set baseline transparency and safety standards for conversational AI services, especially for minors, including disclosures that users are interacting with AI, limits on sexually explicit or romantic/sentient simulations for minors, anti-gamification provisions, and parental controls. Google testified in support, saying it already uses safety-by-design measures and that the bill’s standards were workable and consistent with efforts in other states. Members asked about how operators would identify minors, what the disclosures would look like, and the bill’s scope. The sponsor said operators can use account and usage signals rather than collecting personal identifiers. The committee then adopted a motion to send SB 1297 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1352, which would require cities over 10,000 population to allow starter home subdivisions and prohibit them from imposing minimum lot sizes above 1,500 square feet in those subdivisions, while still allowing denials based on infrastructure, safety, or environmental constraints. The sponsor framed it as a response to Idaho’s housing affordability crisis and said it would help create entry-level homes without eliminating local safety authority. Supporters, including affordable housing advocates and builders, said smaller lots and predictable rules would make workforce housing more feasible. Opponents, including city officials and residents, argued the bill would override local planning, increase density, and conflict with comprehensive plans and local control. Testimony also raised concerns about investor purchases and the lack of deed restrictions or owner-occupancy requirements. The discussion was still ongoing at the end of the transcript, with no final vote on SB 1352 shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state have installed thousands of energy-efficient irrigation systems, planted cover crops, transformed
• And finally, emerging enteric methane mitigation technologies, such as feed additives, reduce methane
• These are emerging technologies. They have not been deployed yet.
• technologies like using seaweed and things like that would also be applicable.
• And then any new technologies coming down that you see? Yeah.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2700, establishing the Technology First Study Committee.
• House Bill 2700, establishing the Technology First Study Committee.
• And what the Science and Technology Group will do.
• Those are committed, and what the Science and Technology Group will do now.
• Specifically, it's in the governor's application for the rural health transformation funds.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These groups have the power to transform lives, but they can only grow if everyone has access to the
• There is a lot of language referring to complex rehabilitation technology devices.
• Complex rehab technology is the terminology for the devices that you see in front of us. Thank you.
• I'm the General Counsel for the Department of Information Technology.
• And these agencies are all on different information technology networks.

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 66, which would expand and restructure the Health Care Professional Loan Repayment Fund. The sponsor said the substitute narrows the bill to a $25 million fund, with 50% reserved for physicians and the rest for other health professionals, and raises physician awards to at least $75,000 per year for a four-year commitment. Supporters from nursing, physical therapy, health systems, social work, and advocacy groups said the program would help recruit and retain providers in New Mexico. The committee moved the substitute and then passed the bill on a do-pass motion. House Bill 38, dealing with coverage for prosthetics, orthotics, and mobility devices, drew extensive testimony from amputees, Paralympians, clinicians, and disability advocates. The bill would clarify and expand coverage for activity prosthetics, activity wheelchairs, and related complex rehab technology, with limits on the number of devices and replacement tied to physiological changes. Supporters said access to these devices is medically necessary for physical and mental health, independence, and participation in sports and daily life. After questions about provider qualifications, insurance contracting, and replacement for growing children, the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill. House Bill 257 would appropriate funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement for vagus nerve stimulation implants for drug-resistant epilepsy. The sponsor and manufacturer’s representative argued current reimbursement is too low, leaving only UNM Hospital performing the procedures and limiting access statewide; they said better reimbursement could reduce emergency visits and long-term Medicaid costs. Members raised concerns about the bill’s language, including whether it could allow payment above allowable rates or create uncertainty about the reimbursement standard. A motion to table failed, and the committee then passed the bill 5-4, with several members noting they supported the concept but wanted the language tightened before the next committee. The committee also passed House Bill 178, which appropriates $3 million for shade structures in rural parks and outdoor recreation areas, after testimony that the project would reduce sun exposure, heat illness, and skin cancer risk. House Bill 198, which provides $2 million for peer-to-peer mental health training and treatment for first responders, also advanced on a do-pass without recommendation after members said they supported the goal but wanted clearer language on training standards, liability, and administration. Finally, House Bill 202, which would require data-sharing agreements to help the Office of Child Advocate access records from state agencies, drew support from child advocacy groups but concern from IT and family advocates about timelines, system complexity, privacy, and the need for family collaboration; the discussion continued with suggestions to refine the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can they be compliant and meet their accessibility and reliability using newer technologies with any
• New Mexico technology backbone is aging.
• You should watch the five leading hedge funds in the U.S. and where technology is today.
• It's a great place to do technology, to develop, to launch, to test.
• It's a great place to do technology, to develop, to launch, to test.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 152, which would create a low-income telecommunications assistance program and continue support for rural broadband operations and maintenance through the State Rural Universal Service Fund. Senator Padilla and Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Director Jeff Lopez said the bill responds to the loss of federal affordability support and would help low-income households pay for broadband, while also preserving funding for rural carriers and maintenance. Supporters included the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the New Mexico Exchange Carrier Group, tribal telecom representatives, and several rural providers, who said affordability is the main barrier to service and that the bill would help families, students, and rural communities. A few witnesses opposed parts of the bill, arguing that the ARS funding should be redirected entirely to broadband affordability and that legacy POTS-line support should sunset. Committee members asked about ETC requirements, satellite and wireless options, rural density, and the sunset provision; the sponsor said the sunset on ARS would be removed and that stakeholder discussions would continue in the interim. The committee voted due pass on the Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 152. The committee then took up Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 132, which would add software planning and replacement to the state’s equipment replacement fund. The sponsor and expert said state agencies now rely heavily on software for core services and that planning for software alongside hardware would improve efficiency, security, and long-term sustainability. There was no opposition, and the committee voted due pass on the substitute. The meeting then shifted to a lengthy discussion of Senate changes to House Bill 2, the budget bill. Senate Finance staff described roughly 300 changes, including additional funding for fire response, early childhood, housing, health care, quantum initiatives, public safety, courts, transportation, education, and several social service programs. Members questioned cuts or reallocations affecting state employee pay, public school capital outlay, the state fair redevelopment, CARA, personal care services, the Office of Child Advocate, and other items. The presenters repeatedly defended the Senate’s use of funds as a way to preserve reserves while prioritizing health care, housing, education, and other recurring needs, and said reserves would remain above the target level even with the changes discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:50:38.319><c> moments</c><00:50:38.880><c> to</c><00:50:39.880><c> get</c><00:50:40.680><c> technology
• </c><00:50:41.280><c> up</c><00:50:41.480><c> and</c> few moments to get technology up and few moments
• to get technology up and running<00:50:42.000><c> so</c><00:50:42.240><c> members</c><00:50:42.680><
• the local Soil and Water Conservation districts and others that can help with the upkeep and the technology
• This is this transformation from geopolitical-boundary-based water management to watershed-based management

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That discovery launched the modern American oil industry and transformed southeast Texas into a national
• That discovery launched the modern American oil industry and transformed southeast Texas into a national
• southeast Texas into a transformed southeast Texas into a national<00:19:07.039><c> energy</c><00:19
• is there and the building technology is there and the building materials<00:37:48.160><c> are</c><00
• , plan for the future, and technology, plan for the future, and succeed.<01:50:38.800><c> In</c><01:50

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, January 9, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But generative AI is the most exciting technology I've seen.
• The technologies are a powerful tool.
• From our perspective, using technology or not using technology doesn't change whether you have violated
• I think it's from our perspective, using technology or not using technology doesn't change whether or
• But I know that they need this technology.

Summary: The committee heard several AI- and consumer-protection-related bills, with extensive testimony from authors, supporters, and industry opponents. SB 53 by Senator Wiener would create transparency requirements for large AI developers, including disclosure of safety and security protocols, reporting of critical safety incidents, whistleblower protections, and the CalCompute public cloud. Supporters said it is a narrower, transparency-based follow-up to last year’s vetoed AI safety bill, while opponents argued it still relies too much on company size, could expose trade secrets, and should be narrowed further. The committee approved SB 53 on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members. SB 766 by Senator Allen would codify the FTC’s Cars Rule and create a three-day cooling-off period for certain used-car purchases, along with stronger disclosure rules on pricing, add-ons, and government affiliation claims. Supporters said it would save consumers money and time and help buyers avoid bad deals, while dealer and industry groups said amendments addressed many of their concerns. Several former opponents moved to neutral, and the committee passed SB 766 unanimously as amended to Appropriations. SB 7 by Senator McNerney would regulate automated decision-making systems in employment by requiring notice, human review for discipline and termination, and limits on predictive behavior analysis. Labor and consumer advocates supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or overly automated workplace decisions, while employer and industry groups raised concerns about scope, notice burdens, and the predictive-analysis ban. The committee passed SB 7 to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote, with the roll held open. SB 833, also by Senator McNerney, would require human oversight of AI used in critical infrastructure, along with training and system assessments; it drew limited opposition focused on scope, and the committee passed it as amended to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote, also holding the roll open. Later, the committee took up SB 11, which would address AI-generated voice, image, and video cloning and deepfakes by clarifying likeness protections, requiring consumer warnings, and addressing misuse and evidence tampering. Supporters framed it as a targeted response to nonconsensual deepfakes, while industry groups said recent amendments improved the bill but still had concerns about penalties and warning language. The committee also heard SB 720, the Safer Streets Act, which would let cities opt into a revised red-light camera system that shifts from driver to owner liability, removes facial identification, makes violations civil rather than criminal, and directs revenue toward transportation safety projects; the author presented the bill, but the transcript ends before any final action on SB 720.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have GM550, Radiologic Technology Board, David Wodsworth.
• Radiologic Technology Board, David Wodsworth. >> Um, David, are you present?
• </c> technologies. Right. technologies. Right.
• </c><00:17:24.959><c> and</c> about how with today's technology and about how with today's technology
• How I mean so I through technology.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on a series of gubernatorial nominations to health, disability, aging, and advisory boards. Early nominees included Pria Tay for the Kauaʻi Service Area Board on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, who emphasized her 25 years in the mental health field and commitment to community access to training and resources, and Ashley Mishihara for the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee, who described her involvement in the Red Hill response and ongoing concern about protecting the sole-source aquifer and ensuring remediation. Christopher Luthie, nominated to the State LGBTQ+ Commission, said he wanted to advocate for LGBTQ+ residents statewide and help improve programs so people are not overlooked, and he received support from commission member Michael Galuyo Jr., who said the commission had lacked a Hawaii County representative since December. The committee also heard from nominees to the Radiologic Technology Board, including David Wodsworth and Reena Shimata. Wodsworth said the board should modernize rules and regulations, while the Department of Health supported him and clarified that the board focuses on policy and procedures rather than direct licensing decisions. Shimata said she wanted to help protect patients, technologists, and the public from radiation exposure, and the Department of Health and several medical professionals supported her, with one witness noting that modern technology reduces dose but competent technologists remain essential to avoid unnecessary exposure. The committee deferred GM712, a nomination not present at the hearing, until Monday, March 9. Additional nominations included Judy Pike for the disability communications/access board, who cited her prior DECAP staff experience and long involvement in disability access work, with strong support from a current board member; Rick Taber for the Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, who sought a second term and highlighted his committee leadership and long mental health career; Amy Healey Austin for the Statewide Health Coordinating Council, who said she wanted to represent rural health needs and described her leadership roles in West Hawaiʻi health care; and Ed Chevy for DECAB, who stressed the importance of interpreter access and communication access, with support from Christine Pagano. The committee took no final votes in the portion of the hearing provided, and several nominees were told their decisions would be taken up later in the meeting or at the end of the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• McMahon's serious concerns with this bill and its potential transformative effect on the institution
• The technology is used by law enforcement to compare plate numbers against stolen cars or cars driven
• The technology can also be used for non-law-enforcement purposes, transportation research, commercial
• So allowing surveillance technologies without any oversight... ...cases like warrantless searches.
• The bill does attempt to regulate the use of this surveillance technology that... ...what it does not

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on four bills. SB 5925 would expand the Attorney General’s civil investigative demand authority to investigate possible violations of the U.S. and Washington constitutions, certain labor and civil rights laws, law enforcement use-of-force issues, and jail-related statutes. Supporters, including the Attorney General’s office, Teamsters 117, and Working Washington, said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases. Opponents, including police, sheriffs, cities, counties, and retail and business groups, argued it would give the AG broad investigative power without enough threshold showing, could burden local governments and employers, and raised constitutional concerns about speech and search protections. No vote was taken. SB 5906 would codify and expand protections for non-public spaces in schools, child care facilities, health care facilities, higher education institutions, and county auditor election areas by limiting immigration enforcement access without a judicial warrant or court order and restricting collection of immigration-related information about students and families. Supporters said the bill would reduce fear, protect privacy, and make existing Keep Washington Working policies clearer and more durable, with testimony from immigrant rights groups, faith organizations, students, PTA, and health advocates. Some organizations, including health care and child care stakeholders, supported the goal but asked for amendments to clarify definitions, create model policies, add training and enforcement provisions, and adjust warrant/subpoena language. The committee also heard strong opposition concerns about federal immigration enforcement, but no action was taken. SB 6070 would expand missing-person tools by allowing certain digital investigative tools to be used in missing endangered person cases, creating new Abney and Purple Alerts for missing Black people and people with disabilities, and broadening the definition of missing endangered person. Supporters included prosecutors, law enforcement, tribal and disability advocates, families of missing persons, and students who argued that faster alerts and better digital tools save lives and address racial and disability disparities in missing-person responses. Testimony described delays in prior cases and the need for more urgent, targeted alerts. The committee then heard SB 6002, which would regulate automated license plate reader systems, set registration, use, retention, audit, and disclosure rules, and prohibit certain uses such as immigration enforcement and surveillance near protected locations. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create statewide guardrails for a technology already in use, and testimony was expected to continue after the excerpt ended; no vote or final action was recorded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• To me that connotes driving system is the manufacturer's technology.
• And, and I'm for the technology.
• Um, so there's a, there's an answer for this, you know, autonomous technology is advancing rapidly.
• economy through AV technology with the right legal framework in place.
• Uh, first, they erode Texans' trust in this emerging technology and understandably so.

Transcript Highlights:

• The technology modernization request number two exceeds our current revenue.
• For exceptional item number two, you're asking for $4.7 million for information technology modernization
• To manage workload effectively, additional staffing is necessary in key areas of information technology
• One last exceptional item is technology and system upgrades.
• Now it's ancient, as technology goes, and we need a new system.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:03.440><c> opportunities</c> know these transformative opportunities know these transformative
• “And then there's the next-level skill, which is now how do you quickly learn this new technology and
• and incorporate them into technologies and incorporate them into your<01:09:30.159><c> work</c><01:09
• and then there's learn new technology and then there's the<01:09:54.000><c> next</c><01:09:54.239><c
• </c> you quickly learn this new technology you quickly learn this new technology and<01:09:59.360><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the state have installed thousands of energy-efficient irrigation systems, planted cover crops, transformed
• , The program supported by cap-and-invest revenues gives producers support to adopt technologies that
• These are emerging technologies. They have not been deployed yet.
• And then any new technologies coming down that you see? Yeah.
• You've seen the changes in technology.

Summary: The joint informational hearing examined how agricultural programs have used cap-and-invest funding and what role agriculture should play in future climate investments. The chairs opened by noting that agriculture had been largely left out of the cap-and-invest reauthorization, despite prior support through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and framed the hearing around climate-smart agriculture, food security, rural vitality, and the need for measurable co-benefits such as water savings, soil health, and air quality improvements. The first panel included CDFA Deputy Secretary Virginia Jamison and LAO analyst Helen Kirsten. Jamison described CDFA’s climate-smart portfolio, including the Healthy Soils Program, SWEEP, the Alternative Manure Management Program, and dairy methane reduction efforts, saying roughly $727 million has supported these programs and produced estimated reductions of 31 million metric tons of CO2e, 1.6 million acre-feet of water savings, and about 4,000 projects. She emphasized technical assistance, oversubscription of the programs, and the need for continued investment and better measurement/verification. Kirsten outlined the cap-and-invest structure, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and the state’s emissions inventory, noting agriculture is about 8% of California’s GHG emissions and that funding for tier-three programs may remain constrained. She also said prior LAO work found the programs have significant reduction potential but that some estimated benefits may be overstated, recommending further evaluation. The second panel featured UC researchers Alexandra Hill and Ermi Kibreab, who presented on the economic importance of California’s working landscapes and on dairy methane reduction pathways. Hill said working landscapes are a major part of the state and national economy, with agriculture driving most of the sector’s sales and jobs. Kibreab explained that dairy is central to methane reduction because it accounts for a large share of agricultural methane emissions, and described herd efficiency, digesters, alternative manure management, and emerging feed additives as complementary strategies. He said digesters and other incentive-supported measures are helping California move toward its methane goals, while noting feed additives such as 3-NOP and seaweed-based approaches could offer additional reductions in the future. The third panel brought contrasting views from environmental advocates, farmers, and industry representatives. Phoebe Seaton argued that further state funding for dairy digesters is not environmentally or economically justified, citing concerns about methane, nitrous oxide, groundwater impacts, odors, and high cost per ton reduced. Brian Shobe of CalCAN supported continued funding for programs like AMP, SWEEP, and Healthy Soils, saying they provide multiple co-benefits and that farmers need stable, incentive-based support to comply with climate and water regulations. Cannon Michael of Bowles Farming Company described his farm’s investments in organic and regenerative practices, composting, drip irrigation, solar, habitat management, and workforce programs, and said consistent funding helps farms plan and remain viable. Tricia Gerringer of the Agricultural Council of California urged funding for FPIP, the Farmer Program, methane reduction programs, and sustainable ag waste management, arguing they deliver immediate, measurable reductions and co-benefits. Members and witnesses debated the relative merits of digesters versus alternative manure management, the role of regenerative agriculture, and whether agriculture should be treated as a distinct policy category. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment supporting agricultural climate funding and a request to include agriculture in broader cap-and-invest discussions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think The other thing that's not addressed is technology in education.
• There's an assumption That younger teacher candidates know all about technology, but integrating technology
• We cannot transform learning in this state without doing this.
• The next slide shows, to the left, the immersive classroom that really will utilize technology.
• Of technology is part of the 5 million budget request.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, I have been profoundly impressed by the transformative work these teams have undertaken
• This transformation is driven by the comprehensive, collective, and coordinated passion, wisdom, and
• </c><00:20:35.280><c> work</c><00:20:35.559><c> these</c><00:20:35.679><c> teams</c> by the transformative
• ><c> to</c><00:20:36.919><c> revolutionize</c><00:20:37.760><c> our</c> This transformation is driven
• The idea being there were language barriers and technology barriers that were limiting access to the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all