Transcript Highlights:

• We support the use of non-combustion technologies like gasification, what we refer to as biomass energy
• These benefits would be even more significant if the wood is processed through an advanced technology
• SB 567 would create a pathway to pilot and study the use of gravity wells and how this technology may
• with appropriate and rigorous testing and reporting afterward to determine the impacts of this new technology

Summary: The Assembly Natural Resources Committee met with some initial delay while waiting for quorum, then approved the consent calendar items SB 234, SB 484, and SB 839. The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire mitigation, biomass use, climate resilience, and geologic hazard mapping. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance climate, air quality, public health, and land management goals, with testimony both supporting and opposing biomass-related proposals. SB 88 (Caballero) would direct state agencies to support beneficial uses of forest and agricultural biomass, including biochar and low-carbon energy. Supporters argued it would reduce open burning, improve air quality, and create rural economic opportunities; opponents, including environmental groups, argued woody biomass energy is costly, polluting, and harmful to forests and communities. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. SB 653 (Cortese) defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management also passed, with supporters describing it as a voluntary framework to align wildfire fuel reduction with biodiversity and habitat restoration; no opposition was heard, and a member requested to be added as a coauthor. The committee also approved SCR 50 (Stern), which urges state climate agencies to define maladaptation and develop criteria for reviewing climate-related policies and investments, and SB 567 (Limón), a pilot program to study converting idle oil wells into gravity energy storage wells. SB 567 drew support from the sponsor and labor/local government witnesses, while the Water Replenishment District opposed unless amended, citing groundwater protection concerns in key basins and asking for additional safeguards. Finally, SB 831 (Limón) passed, clarifying the scope of geologic hazards to include conditions tied to climate change and natural disasters such as post-fire debris flows, subsidence, and coastal erosion. All measures were reported out of committee, with several absent-member votes later added to complete the roll.

Transcript Highlights:

• Evidence that the individual uses technology, including the Internet and social media, to advertise the
• The key takeaway of the proposed changes ensures that the law reflects the evolution of technology in
• the United States. and the use of technology to communicate and recruit criminal activity.
• networks these groups operate through so that we can effectively target and dismantle them across technologies

Bills: SB2199, SB2200, SB2201, SB2949, SB2332

Keywords: overweight vehicle, vehicle weight limits, hazardous materials, hazmat, cargo tank, fuel transport, trucking, commercial vehicle, Transportation Code, criminal penalty, second-degree felony, loading violation, truck weight, axle weight, gross weight, public safety, commercial carrier, Texas, commercial truck, truck route

Transcript Highlights:

• GAMING EXPERTS AND TECHNOLOGICAL EXPERTS DON'T REALLY FULLY UNDERSTAND HOW THEY WORK BUT THEY DO KNOW
• THE PROGRAMMERS ARE NOT USING LAWFUL GAMING TECHNOLOGY.
• IS A BECAUSE WE ARE NOT PROPERLY EQUIPPING YOU AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY AND RESOURCES TO GO
• ACTUALLY SEE THINGS BUT MY CONCERN IS OF THE 3 MILLION IN THE BUDGET OR'S GOVERNMENT 740,000 ARE FOR TECHNOLOGY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• not have been made, for new evidence that comes to light several years after the fact, for new technology
• <00:21:26.400> being<00:21:26.720> available fact. for new technology being available
• fact. for new technology being available that<00:21:27.440> wasn't<00:21:27.760> available
• that wasn't available at the technology that wasn't available at the time.<00:21:38.559> Um time
• available now that wasn't at technology available now that wasn't at the<00:35:54.000> time.

Bills: HB1997, HB2343, HB2566, HB2493

Keywords: students with disabilities, individualized education programs, emergency plans, evacuation procedures, support services, Hawaii education law, HB2343, Maui State Veterans Home, veterans home, veterans, long-term care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, hospice, Alzheimer's care, respite care, assimilate, transfer deadline, Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1997, which would require IEPs for students with disabilities to include individualized emergency accommodations and evacuation supports. The Attorney General’s office supported the intent but recommended amendments to explicitly include students with Section 504 plans and to change references from “department schools” to “public schools” so charter school students are covered. Testimony in support came from disability advocates and several individuals, including Peter Fritz, who said emergency evacuation planning should be made explicit because it is not clearly required by federal law, and Ka Swan, who emphasized student safety during emergencies. No vote or final action was taken on the bill in the transcript. The committee then took up House Bill 2343, relating to the Maui State Veterans Home. The measure would repeal a deadline for transferring the home to a state agency with a Maui affiliation and instead require the transfer to occur as soon as practicable. The Department of Defense, the Office of Veterans Services, HHSC Oahu Region, and several individuals testified in support. Committee members asked whether a more definite deadline should be used, but the department said the open-ended language was preferable because the Maui entity is not yet ready and Oahu is currently providing oversight. No vote or final action was recorded. House Bill 2566, authorizing special license plates for Hawaii Civil Air Patrol members, was also heard. The City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services testified in opposition, while Johnny Perry testified in support. The committee did not take a vote in the transcript. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2493 on wrongful imprisonment compensation procedures. The Attorney General’s office opposed the bill, arguing it would create an automatic payment mechanism without a sufficient finding of actual innocence, could trigger payments within five days of dismissal, and raised concerns about insufficient time for prosecution review and about funding and appropriation issues. Supporters, including people who said they had been wrongfully convicted and later found actually innocent, argued the bill would reduce delays and help released individuals survive while awaiting compensation. Judiciary staff requested technical amendments and said operational details still needed review. Members questioned the AG about the meaning of “actual innocence,” burden shifting, and whether the bill would better define the standard, but no vote or final action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's technology that went through and scanned and saw that I'm on an automatic payment that I get
• That's what this does by using technology.
• AFC is the premier trade association representing the largest financial technology, or fintech, companies
• AFC is the premier trade association representing the largest financial technology, or fintech, companies
• So the technology is there, whether you agree it's going to come here or not.

Bills: HB2118, HB2181, HB2308, HB2309, HB2402, HB2476, HB2682, HB2698, HB2875, HB2877, HB2903, HB2910

Keywords: mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, HB2181, death certificate, death certificates, vital records, funeral establishment, funeral home, human remains, medical certification of death, death registration, state registrar, local registrar, county medical examiner, alternate medical examiner

Transcript Highlights:

• But those cases get solved using modern technology.
• Our software technology is pretty sophisticated.
• It's nearly 95% employee compensation and technology.
• of DPPC's technology resources.
• We anticipate some needed technology upgrades, including to our abuser registry.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:31:29.920> Uh, the division technology services.
• Uh, the division technology services.
• would uh answer that from a technology would uh answer that from a technology perspective.<01:37
• I'm not that technologically question.
• <01:51:16.320> and Commonwealth Office of Technology and Commonwealth Office of Technology

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:05 Approval of Minutes 00:01:48 Welcome New Members 00:02:03 Information Items 00:02:35 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:03:33 A. Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:04:00 B. Kentucky Department of Education 00:17:03 C. Education and Labor Cabinet 00:29:33 D. Energy and Environment Cabinet 00:42:38 E. Finance and Administration Cabinet 0:53:30 F. Justice and Public Safety Cabinet 01:13:28 G. Personnel Cabinet 01:31:04 H. School Facilities Construction Commission 01:41:39, 958, all

Summary: The meeting was the first of the year for the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Members were called, a quorum was confirmed, new co-chairs and members were welcomed, and the board approved the prior year’s meeting minutes. The chair also reviewed the capital planning timeline, packet organization, and the list of agencies that submitted plans but would not testify. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services presented first, outlining priorities centered on public safety, protecting existing infrastructure, preventive maintenance, and improving service delivery. Its major requests included a $21 million maintenance pool for 14 campuses and 175 buildings, phase 2 construction funding for a new public health laboratory, an 18-bed psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents with severe mental health needs, and several projects at Western State Hospital, Western State Nursing Facility, Hazlewood, and Oakwood. Members asked about the youth facility’s relationship to a separate DJJ project, vacant buildings, the high per-bed cost of the children’s hospital, and how the cabinet determined the need for the youth facility. CHFS said the youth project would be a separate facility serving high-acuity youth, the cost reflected the specialized nature of the unit and an 18-bed cap, and the broader youth plan also includes prevention, in-home services, and coordination across agencies. The Kentucky Department of Education then described projects for its three state-operated facilities: the Kentucky School for the Deaf, the Kentucky School for the Blind, and the FFA leadership training center. It requested additional funding for the FFA classroom and activity building after bids came in higher than expected, plus funding for a new education finance application system to support SEEK budgeting. Other priorities included a maintenance pool, FFA pool renovation, electrical upgrades, campus education enhancements, lighting improvements, safety and security work, door and window replacements, and HVAC maintenance. Members asked about student outcomes, the size of the FFA pool, and construction cost assumptions; the department said it tracks students through the schools and short-course programs, the pool size figure may have been a typo, and current construction estimates are being adjusted upward because of inflation and supply-chain pressures. The Education and Labor Cabinet began its presentation with 12 priority projects, including a state labor exchange system to connect job seekers and employers, renovation of the McDow Vocational Rehabilitation Center, and a new adult education and family literacy management information system. The cabinet said the labor exchange would help match workers with employers at no cost, while the McDow renovation was needed because the 30-year-old facility has safety and code concerns. The adult education system was described as outdated and lacking adequate case-management and tracking capabilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• As technology evolves, so do we.
• As technology evolves, so do we.
• I am not a technology nerd, so I don't get on to all these different platforms.
• I am not a technology nerd, so I don't get on to all these different platforms.
• I am not a technology nerd, so I don't get on to all these different platforms.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Steel and the KTAC plant, developing that technology for them as they are building it 20 miles down the
• <00:02:55.599> for plant developing that technology for plant developing that technology for
• able to have the facilities and capabilities and the people to be able to onboard cutting-edge technology
• onboard and the people to be able to onboard cutting<00:04:30.000> edge<00:04:30.320> technology
• to bring it here cutting edge technology to bring it here in<00:04:31.520> the<00:04:31.680><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Geothermal technology is not new, but the use of it at scale to help us transition our building sector
• Geothermal technology is not new, but the use of it at scale to help us transition our building sector
• Geothermal technology is not new, but the use of it at scale to help us transition our building sector
• We are an energy technology company focusing on Good afternoon, Chair Acomb and Chair Swedzinski, and
• We are an energy technology company focusing on Good afternoon. My name is Willie Miley.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House Republicans invested in state-of-the-art border technology to stop the trafficking of drugs and
• But beyond technology, the Freedom Train carried our founding documents and civic ideals to the people
• rolling off our factory technologies rolling off our factory floors.<02:23:04.080> It's<02:23
• Speaker, I rise today to recognize General Atomics, a world-leading technology company headquartered
• detailed and very technologically detailed and very technologically aggressive<07:31:19.440>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• automated vehicles, I think there is going to have to be at some point a general revisit on the new technology
• automated vehicles, I think there is going to have to be at some point a general revisit on the new technology
• automated vehicles, I think there is going to have to be at some point a general revisit on the new technology

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee met in a subcommittee setting to hear SB 26, a follow-on bill to last year’s AB 1755 dealing with California’s Song-Beverly “Lemon Law” process. Senator Umberg explained that the measure is intended to preserve the compromise reached last year while allowing automakers to opt out of the new framework and return to the prior law, with the goal of speeding up discovery and helping consumers resolve claims more quickly. Committee members and the author also noted the bill’s connection to concerns about court congestion and the need to revisit the law as vehicle technology evolves. Support came from Consumer Attorneys of California, Toyota, and several automakers and manufacturers, including General Motors, Rivian, Honda, Hyundai, Lucid, Tesla, Kia, Volkswagen Group, and Mercedes. Toyota said the bill gives automakers a five-year opt-in choice and reflects the negotiated deal. In soft opposition, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety said it preferred more manufacturers opt out, but remained concerned about AB 1755’s reduced statute of limitations and repose, negative equity deductions, and the broader impact on consumers with defective vehicles. After quorum was established, the committee took up the motion and passed SB 26 on a roll call vote, with all members present voting aye. The chair thanked the stakeholders for reaching a compromise and indicated the bill would move forward, with immediate referral anticipated after floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:24:30.040> Instead,<04:24:31.040> long investing in technology.
• Instead, long investing in technology.
• Uh unlike the uh member technology cost.
• <05:06:33.638> advancements services more technological advancements services more technological
• that they're using the latest technology that they're using the latest technology to<05:06:49.840

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that and I'm going have my technology that and I'm going have my technology that and I'm going have
• The technology has um come a long way. You technology has um come a long way.
• There are things that technologies. There are things that technologies.
• And I'm talking about on technologies. And I'm talking about on technologies.
• . point through these online technologies. point through these online technologies.

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• districts are required to have a silent panic alert technology.
• Would it be training or would it be technology?
• You know, I think technology and technology... An additional investment, what would that look like?
• You know, I think technology and training would go hand in hand.
• , there's different technology that helps officers as they enter into one of these scenes.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• homes and businesses will not be able to get wireline service and will have to use alternative technology
• homes and businesses will not be able to get wireline service and will have to use alternative technology
• And in the final third round is where we're going to have to really look at alternative technology if
• Midco originated in Minneapolis in 1931 as a theater company and has evolved with technology to become
• <00:43:05.319> to and have evolved with technology to and have evolved with technology to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commerce and Consumer Protection in a joint committee hearing with the Hawaii State Senate Labor and Technology
• Okay, for the committee on labor and technology, same recommendation as CPN to pass with amendments.
• Okay. for the committee on labor<00:04:56.720> and<00:04:56.960> technology.
• <00:04:57.680> Same labor and technology. Same labor and technology.
• been with evolution of technology been with evolution of technology changing<00:43:53.359> technology

Bills: SB3326, SB2911

Keywords: renewable energy, energy storage, cost reduction, public utilities commission, Hawaii energy policies, intoxicating liquor, direct shipment, breweries, distilleries, Hawaii, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard SB 3001 on artificial intelligence in a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Labor and Technology hearing. Testimony included support from the Department of Education and Google, comments from the Office of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General’s office, and late opposition from Agentic LLC. The Attorney General raised constitutional and vagueness concerns and suggested clarifying amendments, while Google said the bill’s risk-based approach and proposed amendments could help establish industry-wide safety standards for minors. The committees recessed and then voted to pass SB 3001 with amendments, adopting DCCA/OCP recommendations on data minimization for minors and UDAP clarity, the Attorney General’s proposed clarifications and deletions, and Google’s nonconflicting amendments; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050. The vote passed unanimously among members present, with some members excused. The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee then took up several previously heard measures in decision-making. SB 2045 on combat sports passed with amendments reflecting DCCA and boxing commission recommendations, including clarifying the on-site medical professional requirement, reporting duties, promoter payment, removal of the combat sports registry and ambulance requirement, and other technical changes; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050. SP 2347 on the residential landlord-tenant code passed with amendments striking landlord requirements so OCP could work on a multilingual tenant-rights notice, and SP 2495 on consumer protection passed with amendments requiring OCP to publish an annual report on potential code violations. SB 2777 on insurance was deferred to February 17, 2026 for further decision-making. At a later CPN decision-making agenda, SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons, passed with amendments clarifying the preamble, removing language about foreign artificial persons, and making other consistency and non-substantive changes; both effective dates were moved to January 1, 2027. SP 2033 on renewable energy also passed with amendments clarifying the definition of grid-ready homes, cost-sharing provisions, applicability to interconnecting customers, and safety/certification compliance, with the effective date deferred to July 1, 2050. In each case, the committee voted to adopt the recommendations without objections from members present. The committees also heard SB 3000 on insurance, which would authorize the Attorney General to bring civil actions to recover costs and losses tied to climate-attributable harm and future climate risk, including costs incurred by state insurance-related entities. The Insurance Division and Attorney General’s office offered comments seeking clarification and warning about redundancy, implementation issues, possible representation of private insurers, and concurrent litigation concerns. Supporters, including the Center for Climate Integrity, a resident testifier, Sierra Club, and Green America, argued the bill would help shift insurance costs to fossil fuel companies responsible for climate harms and address rising premiums and nonrenewals in Hawaii. Opponents, including the American Petroleum Institute, argued the bill singled out one industry, raised constitutional concerns, and should be deferred because related climate litigation is already pending. The transcript ends with the committee continuing testimony and discussion on SB 3000 and then moving into SB 3326 on energy, where the consumer advocate and Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill’s proposed separation of generation from transmission and distribution, while the PUC stood on written testimony, Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported it, and Life of the Land raised concerns about assumptions and the need for more substance.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation in support.
• 00:21:52.559> have<00:21:52.679> the<00:21:52.799> Hawaii<00:21:53.120> technology
• you oh we have the Hawaii technology you oh we have the Hawaii technology Development<00:21:54.120
• <00:41:51.560> industry be uh in in the U technology industry be uh in in the U technology
• wayfinding Technology wayfinding Technology uh<01:30:25.040> modified<01:30:25.520> to

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we know that technology exists. And actually refuses to send them.
• So we know that technology exists for these companies to put AI in place when you're uploading an image
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee
• The motion is due pass to the Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then just— A final thought on that: would you say that technologies will continue to advance?
• ensure that the funding is there to help and assist these water agencies to be able to have the technology
• It also recognizes the opportunity for improving EVs and alternate technologies that are clean for the
• I think specific to any technology, I want to just first begin the conversation with just how we plan
• I think the specific to any technology, I want to just first begin the conversation with just how we

Keywords: 987, senate, all