Transcript Highlights:

• of $24.1 million, primarily due to additional customer Service Center staff.
• Walt Goodson, Lieutenant Colonel, Law Enforcement Services.
• But our motto is courtesy, service, protection.
• That's a problem and there's technology to fix every one of those.
• So, you know, the better we do on That, I call it customer service.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The last bucket is technology. You're going to hear me talk a lot about technology.
• Now everything is in technology. It's in the digital world. A lot of those technologies...
• A lot of those technologies are still the original late 90s, early 2000s technologies.
• I want to end with emerging technology. So I've talked about technology a lot.
• So technology is going to... I've talked about technology a lot.

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs. Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency. The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Technology. I'm very No. Okay. One more moment. Technology.
• This is a U.S. technology, okay?
• I love technology. I love the whole AI thing. I was doing... I'm a tech junkie. I love technology.
• So I'm not against technology and AI.
• Terms and conditions of retail electricity service is usually a state public service commission issue

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The same services.
• engineering and assistive technology services.
• The rehab tech department provides specialized engineering and assistive technology services designed
• support, rehabilitation technology services, workplace accommodations, and other supports.
• Support, rehabilitation technology services, workplace accommodations, driver training, and vehicle modifications

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have budget, collective bargaining, and civil service protections against that.
• We don't have a master plan on how to really integrate this technology.
• Let us, who are the experts in how this process actually works before technology and post technology,
• Of fear with technology, right? And some of it very much well-founded. Some of it not.
• This isn't just a headache; it's a barrier to service.

Summary: The committee began with an informational hearing on the second amendment to the tribal-state gaming compact with the Yurok Tribe. Governor’s office staff and Yurok Tribal Chairman Joseph James explained that the amendment is a narrow, technical one that extends the existing 2006 compact through December 31 to preserve the status quo while longer-term negotiations continue. Members asked about the compact process and why Bureau of Indian Affairs approval is not needed for a simple extension; staff said only substantive compact changes require federal approval. No vote was taken on the informational item. The committee then heard AB 2156, which would designate March 31 as Farm Workers’ Day in California. Supporters, including the authors’ representatives and members of the committee, described the bill as a way to honor farmworkers and the broader farmworker movement, especially in light of recent allegations involving the holiday’s prior namesake. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the floor. The committee also approved several consent calendar items and later advanced SB 1044, which raises the small business procurement cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and indexes it to inflation; supporters from the Hispanic and Asian Pacific chambers of commerce and veteran business groups said the change would expand access to state contracts for small, micro, and disabled veteran-owned businesses. That bill was sent to Appropriations. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1114, which would restrict state agencies from sharing LGBTQ-related SOGI and intersex data with federal agencies except where legally required. Equality California and other supporters said the bill would protect trust and prevent misuse of sensitive data, while no opposition testified. The committee passed the bill to Privacy. Cabaldon also presented SB 1248 on automated decision systems in state government, arguing it would create baseline guardrails, require human review for adverse decisions, and improve service delivery. Labor groups opposed it, saying the bill authorizes use before establishing enforceable standards and that workers were not adequately included in stakeholder discussions. After extensive debate about AI, collective bargaining, and implementation, the committee voted to send the bill to Privacy. The committee also advanced SB 1273, which would allow short-form social media videos to promote instructional events at wineries, and SB 917, which would loosen farmers’ market rules so more small wineries can sell wine there; both were supported by wine industry representatives and sent forward on due pass motions. The transcript then began SB 1240, which would create an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to help nonprofits navigate state procurement, grants, and payment systems, with strong support from nonprofit organizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Laurie Broden, Healthcare Technology Instructor, Quincy High School.
• Alexander Liu, Healthcare Technology, Quincy High School.
• , healthcare, metal fabrication, and joint technologies, as well as plumbing.
• , healthcare, metal fabrication, and joint technologies, as well as plumbing.
• In my program, healthcare technology, students participate in clinical placements.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held an informational hearing at Quincy Public Schools focused on career and technical education (CTE). Committee members said the visit was intended to gather input for statewide CTE legislation, including efforts to expand awareness and access, improve middle school exposure, invest in equipment and facilities, and strengthen ties to workforce boards and labor pathways. Quincy officials described their CTE system as integrated with academics and highlighted support from district, city, and state partners. School leaders outlined Quincy’s CTE offerings, including 15 Chapter 74 programs at Quincy High School and four at North Quincy High School, with about 1,360 students enrolled. Presenters emphasized curriculum aligned to DESE frameworks, work-based learning, industry-recognized credentials, safety training, business electives, dual enrollment and articulation with Quincy College, and grant funding such as Skills Capital and Perkins. They also discussed support liaisons for nontraditional careers and military pathways, advisory committees, and plans to seek Chapter 74 approval for an engineering program at North Quincy, along with new computer science and business offerings. Testimony from MassHire South Shore described workforce partnerships, YouthWorks, job fairs, resume workshops, and the Credit for Life Fair, while the assistant superintendent explained Quincy’s MyCAP planning grant and efforts to build a student-driven college and career readiness system. Three students testified about their pathways in welding, early education and care, and healthcare technology, describing hands-on learning, certifications, clinical or co-op experiences, and future plans for college and careers. Committee members praised Quincy as a model for combining CTE with general education, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn and unanimous adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public Service Commission, right?
• Technology. I'm very No. Okay. One more moment. Technology.
• I love technology. I love the whole AI thing. I was doing... I'm a tech junkie. I love technology.
• Terms and conditions of retail electricity service is usually a state public service commission issue
• Terms and conditions of retail electricity service is usually a state public service commission issue

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's what brought me to public service.
• Some of the most consequential technologies in the world.
• , quantum and biotechnology and fusion technology.
• And yes, I completely agree on the importance of storage technology.
• the discovery and commercialization of new technologies?

Keywords: nominations, Undersecretary of Energy, Undersecretary of Science, Preston Griffith, Dario Gil, energy policy, scientific innovation

Summary: The meeting was convened to discuss several significant nominations, particularly focusing on Preston Wills Griffith III for Undersecretary of Energy and Dr. Dario Gil for Undersecretary of Science. The committee underscored the importance of these roles in shaping American energy policy and scientific innovation. The discussion highlighted the nominees' backgrounds, with Griffith having extensive experience at the Department of Energy and the White House, and Gil bringing expertise in quantum technology and energy research. Members expressed a strong desire to understand the nominees' perspectives on current challenges facing the energy sector, including regulatory mandates and national security concerns. The meeting concluded with a commitment to ensuring thorough evaluations of the candidates and their proposed approaches to pressing issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's even newer technology now, so if you're in parts of the state where there is not cell service
• We have the technology to detect all these drones, and there's technology to take them down.
• But if there's no service, there's no service.
• technology...
• Phone service, sure. Yes, yeah.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So at the university, as I said, we can bring that technology...
• I'm the founder and chief technology officer of Lunisand.
• We have a technology called geo-radio-tomography.
• That's a technology that's been really useful in archaeology.
• That's a technology that's been really useful in archaeology.

Summary: The Committee on Science and Technology heard Senate Bill 1046, which would prohibit critical telecommunications infrastructure in Arizona from using equipment manufactured or owned by a foreign adversary, require annual certification to the Corporation Commission, impose civil penalties for noncompliance, and bar violators from receiving certain public funds for telecom infrastructure. Marina Macklin testified in support, arguing the bill would reduce cybersecurity and national security risks tied to Chinese-linked telecom equipment and that states have an important role in procurement and infrastructure protection. Members asked about examples such as Huawei, the cost of compliance, whether the threat is current, and whether the bill duplicates federal efforts; Macklin said the measure targets public procurement, addresses existing risks, and complements rather than conflicts with federal action. The committee then voted 5-1 to return SB 1046 with a do pass recommendation, with one member citing concerns about timing and implementation. The committee also received a presentation from Craig Luxbacher of the University of Arizona on mining technology and the state’s role in critical minerals. He described Arizona as a hub for mining innovation and discussed university work on autonomous equipment, microgrids, pilot processing, tailings recovery, workforce training, and heat-stress monitoring. Members asked about microgrids, legal and policy changes needed to de-risk domestic mining, tariffs, workforce decline, and whether AI and automation would reduce jobs; Luxbacher said automation is driven by economics, not just regulation, and would likely create more skilled maintenance and technical jobs rather than eliminate the workforce. Jeremiah Pate of Lunisand then presented on subsurface imaging technology using geo-radio-tomography, which he said can image deep underground from airborne platforms and help locate critical minerals, aquifers, tunnels, and buried military infrastructure. Members asked about applications for archaeology, identifying mineral types, water detection, uniqueness of the technology, and possible defense uses. Pate said the company is working toward better mineral identification, can detect aquifers readily, and is currently the only company fielding this type of airborne subsurface imaging. The chair closed the meeting after thanking members and speakers, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• services, offset by increases for operating costs and an... ...of shared technology services, offset
• For shared technology services and telecom, cost of services is estimated, and it's based on customer
• Item 2 offers a snapshot of anticipated shared technology services spending by customer agencies.
• through our shared technology services.
• And so within the shared technology services contracts, within the telecommunications contracts, when

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee first heard the Legislative Budget Board and Secretary of State Jane Nelson on the Secretary of State budget. LBB said the recommendation would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million overall, with major changes including removing federal HAVA funding and one-time business system replacement money, adjusting the agency’s base request, deleting an outdated Interstate Crosscheck rider, and directing HAVA funds to be drawn down first. Secretary Nelson and staff defended the agency’s needs, emphasizing election security, business filings, international protocol, and the Texas Register, and requested additional staff, a new website, digitization of records, IT and cybersecurity upgrades, and renovation of the Rudder Building. Senators discussed voter-roll maintenance, cross-checking data, call-center response times, and the need for online voter registration and more efficient election administration. No votes were taken. The committee then took up the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB outlined a $2.4 million decrease for the office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs, driven by unexpended balances and the removal of one-time federal and border-security items, while noting continued funding for disaster response, victim assistance, and $2.9 billion for border security at roughly the prior level. Governor’s staff said Texas remains focused on border security, economic development, and public safety, and discussed efforts to seek federal reimbursement for prior border spending. Members asked about the National Guard’s status, possible federal assumption of border costs, the music incubator program, the Semiconductor Innovation Consortium, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, defense economic adjustment grants, and a new $5 million nonprofit security grant proposal. Staff said the semiconductor program has 12 approved projects totaling about 948 jobs and $17 billion in capital investment, and that the nonprofit security request was added late to address threats to houses of worship and other nonprofits. No formal action was taken. Finally, the committee heard the Texas Facilities Commission and lease-payment recommendations. LBB said the Facilities Commission recommendation would reduce appropriations by about $2.0 billion, mainly by removing border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, while adding money for higher utility costs, Rudder Building refurbishment, and additional staff. The lease-payment recommendation would decrease general revenue by $9.3 million. LBB also noted new riders related to completing the State Library and Archives building, tenant communication during disruptions, and a space-utilization report. In agency testimony, members asked about border wall maintenance responsibility, total facilities-related debt, and the status of capital complex construction. The Rudder Building renovation and related security needs were repeatedly discussed as important one-time infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your service, sir.
• House Bill 2960, relating to veteran services.
• services.
• No sales tax on services in Arizona.
• Opening money to the team and services.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is a better technology.
• technology, you have to first develop it before you make revenue.
• critical in the development of new technology.”
• We provide advanced computational services.
• services, and quasi-state agencies across New Mexico.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> assisted technologies in New Hampshire. assisted technologies in New Hampshire.
• So we changed that everywhere in the bill to read assistive technology instead of a technology-first.
• On line J, you'll see one representative from an assistive technology or medical technology business
• On line J, you'll see one representative from an assistive technology or medical technology business
• </c><01:49:44.480><c> So</c> default service. It's a pass through. So default service.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services are delivered via telehealth or in person.
• by establishing priority in the program for the review of health technology technologies that are recommended
• by establishing priority in the program for the review of health technology technologies that are recommended
• Technology is always changing.
• As we're talking about technologies and the availability of technologies to aid in our medical care,

Summary: The committee held public hearings on Substitute Senate Bill 6183, which would require health plans to cover all FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without prior authorization, step therapy, or other utilization management, with only one therapeutically equivalent option required if equivalents exist. The prime sponsor said the bill is part of Washington’s effort to end HIV/AIDS, citing ongoing new diagnoses and the need for immediate access to treatment, especially for late-stage cases. No one testified in person or remotely, and public testimony was closed with written comments invited. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6226, which limits the Board of Hearing and Speech from adopting rules that would prevent licensed audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and hearing aid specialists from using clinical judgment to choose telehealth or in-person care. Supporters said teleaudiology improves access, especially in rural areas and for patients with mobility barriers, and that the bill preserves professional autonomy. Some testifiers raised patient-safety concerns about first-time hearing aid fittings and asked for amendments or more time to study safeguards, while others said the bill should move forward to protect access. In executive session, the committee advanced several measures. It adopted amendments and reported out Substitute Senate Bill 5185 on international medical school graduate physician licensing, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5845 on claims payment timing and refund requests, Senate Bill 5915 on the health technology assessment program, Senate Bill 6025 on the definition of fetal death, and Senate Joint Memorial 8802 requesting federal Medicare changes. The committee recessed briefly for caucus before taking final votes, and each bill or memorial was reported out with a do pass recommendation; 5845 and 5185 were reported out as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• increase of 24.1 million primarily due to additional customer service center staff.
• Walt, Walt Goodson, uh, Lieutenant Colonel Law Enforcement Services.
• And there's technology that, that, uh, now that will help us do that.
• And there's technology to fix every one of those.
• So, you know, the better we do on that, I call it customer service.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this technology will help people lower their costs.
• I try to be open with new technology, but I do thank you.
• Data centers to support the emergence of this technology.
• , new Require certain things on individuals or technology, new advancing technology, which makes it more
• We live in an era of unprecedented demand for digital services.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approvals for portable plug-in solar devices while setting safety standards. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and homeowners with high electricity bills by allowing low-cost balcony solar systems to reduce monthly costs, and they emphasized that the devices would not feed power back to the grid. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, solar advocates, and many members of the public. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, overloading, and the need for California-specific building standards. After discussion, the author agreed to committee amendments and later to add compliance with the California Electrical Code in addition to the National Electrical Code; several opponents said that change would move them to neutral. The committee then voted to pass SB 868 out as amended to Senate Judiciary, with some members expressing support while reserving concerns about safety as the bill moves forward. The committee then took up SB 886, dealing with data center electricity use and ratepayer protections. The author said the bill is intended to prevent large data centers from shifting grid and infrastructure costs onto other customers, citing rapid growth in data center demand and examples from other states. Supporters, including TURN and climate groups, said the bill would require data centers to pay for their own grid impacts, pre-fund long-term clean energy resources, participate in demand response, and cover related costs. Opponents from the data center industry, tech and business groups, utilities, and some energy users argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC processes, and could create discriminatory rate treatment or operational problems, especially around mandatory demand response and limits on backup generation. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing a storage requirement with a long-term zero-carbon procurement mechanism, and exempting certain public and utility facilities. Members discussed the balance between affordability, reliability, and clean energy, with the bill framed as a way to protect ratepayers while allowing data center growth.

Transcript Highlights:

• Laurie Broden, Healthcare Technology Instructor, Quincy High School.
• , North Quincy High School; Alexander Liu, Healthcare Technology, Quincy High School.
• Alexander Liu, Healthcare Technology, Quincy High School.
• , healthcare, metal fabrication, and joint technologies, as well as plumbing.
• And our information support networking service.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So moving on to Veteran Services.
• Though for the Veteran Services Department for that.
• This technology is going to lead the next generation.
• But this is one of those technologies.
• Technologies in New Mexico, not just doing the R&D.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We save lives every day with technology.
• We save lives every day with technology.
• For patients, AI technologies are improving health care outcomes.
• It is definitely a needed service. Just a couple of comments.
• I can tell you there are a lot of services for veterans.

Summary: The committee heard AB 2575 on health care AI guardrails, with the author and supporters from the California Nurses Association and labor groups arguing that AI should support, not replace, clinical judgment. They said the bill would require basic disclosures about AI tools, protect workers from retaliation for overriding AI in good faith, and prevent developers or employers from shifting liability to frontline clinicians. Opponents including the California Medical Association, CalChamber, hospitals, and other health care organizations argued the bill would add costs, create uncertainty, and discourage useful AI applications. Committee members discussed bias in health care and accepted amendments narrowing the disclosure provisions; the bill was moved with a 7-1 vote and re-referred to Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement. AB 634 would ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of products containing tianeptine, described by supporters as “gas station heroin.” The author and law enforcement supporters said the substance is dangerous, easily accessible, and can cause opioid-like addiction, while no opposition came forward. The committee also heard AB 1607 to extend the Maddy EMS Fund, which reimburses emergency providers for uncompensated care. Supporters said the fund is essential to keeping emergency departments staffed, especially amid expected coverage losses; an ACLU representative opposed the funding source because it relies on criminal and traffic fines. Members supported the need for the fund but raised concerns about the fairness and long-term stability of the revenue source, and the bill advanced on a 8-0 vote. AB 1906 would require coverage of at-home cervical cancer screening tests without cost sharing, and the author said the bill would improve early detection and reduce disparities, especially for rural and working Californians. Support came from Planned Parenthood, Health Access, and several health and labor organizations; insurers said they appreciated the amendments and were reviewing their position. The committee adopted amendments aligning the bill with clinical guidelines and passed it 6-0 to Appropriations. The committee also took up AB 2247, the Thrive Act, to create a pilot program for trauma and mental health services for youth affected by gun violence in four counties. Supporters described barriers survivors face in accessing counseling, while members questioned the narrow focus on gun violence, the choice of counties, documentation requirements, and whether the program should instead be housed in victim compensation. The bill passed 8-0 to Judiciary. Later, AB 2531 would expand California’s uncompensated care program so veterans denied abortion care through the federal VA system could receive coverage in California, and would add an abortion resources link for veterans. Supporters framed it as filling a gap created by federal restrictions; opponents argued state funds should not support abortion. Members noted the VA already provides many reproductive services but not this one, and the bill passed 7-0 to Military and Veterans Affairs. The committee also heard AB 1915, which would modernize restaurant facility rules and create a self-certification pathway for some equipment installations. Restaurant and business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce costly delays, while the Contractor State License Board opposed the self-certification provision over safety and inspection concerns. Members generally supported streamlining but echoed public safety concerns and indicated further work was needed.