Transcript Highlights:

• I can do it on the computer, but I can still do it with a slide ruler.
• The state has invested a lot of money in funding science already.
• Chair, Representative, in terms of the science of reading.
• , elementary, bilingual, political science, and sociology.
• Political science and sociology.

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 47, the amendment proposes to eliminate the computer science education appropriation.
• <00:09:12.800> science<00:09:13.200> education eliminate the computer science education
• eliminate the computer science education appropriation.<00:09:14.720> This<00:09:14.880> is
• /c><00:42:31.280> madam<00:42:31.520> chair computer science and uh that madam chair computer
• Because there isn't widespread equal access to computer science instruction, the students in our club

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is for their Allied Health and Sciences Building Project.
• It is for their Allied Health and Sciences Building Project.
• Number seven, with DHS and Computer Aid Incorporated, this is Amendment 4 to an existing contract to
• Number seven, with DHS, with Computer Aid Incorporated, this is Amendment 4 to an existing contract to
• science.

Summary: The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees. Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hi, I'm a current student pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Texas
• I am a faculty member in electrical and computer engineering.
• science and astronomy.
• I am an associate professor of political science at Texas A&M University, San Antonio.
• As both a former and current graduate student in both a hard science and social science, I can see...

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Notice the departments: Physical Sciences, Biology, Agriculture, Food Science, and Kinesiology.
• And now he's gone on to work in the physical science field.
• But again, in terms of science, that kind of negative part is positive because we said, you know, Edison
• Cybersecurity Needs at Institutions of Higher Learning, New Mexico Council for Higher Education Computing
• So it's much larger than just, you know, we have some impacts on some computer systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost of computers. All those things are going up. We don't necessarily see it.
• Personally, I was a computer programmer, so I always loved computers, but I think they're a big problem
• Keeping them away from the computer or cell phone so they sleep at night is a parent thing.
• And having time to be able to understand how to teach the science of reading takes years.
• I urge the study to keep in mind that our greatest asset is our teachers, not computers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet I see STEM students transform in humanities and social science classes and develop the curiosity
• Inevitably, SB 37 will devalue the Maggie DeSanza: humanities, social sciences, arts, and other fields
• These are rare earth minerals that we're using in our cell phones, computers, EVs, and renewables.
• science, astronomy, math, statistics, English composition, sociology, and social work.
• And so as both a former and current graduate student in both the hard science and social science, I can

Bills: SB 37

Keywords: fetal development, education, public health curriculum, middle school, age-appropriate instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• local school districts cannot easily provide on their own at a cost-efficient basis, specifically computer
• science training and education.
• 31.280> specifically coste efficient basis specifically coste efficient basis specifically computer
• <00:04:32.320> science<00:04:32.600> training<00:04:32.919> and<00:04:33.440>
• education computer science training and education computer science training and education this<00

Keywords: Consideration of HB 73 02:23 Consideration of HB 441 07:24 Consideration of HB 462 18:44, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. House Bill 73, as amended by committee substitute, added We Lead CS to the list of agencies participating in the Teachers’ Retirement System administrative provisions. The sponsor explained the bill corrects an oversight involving a computer science education service provider established in 2022. A question about fiscal impact was answered with no expected fiscal note or actuarial impact. The committee adopted the substitute and passed HB 73 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 441 addressed teacher shortages by expanding the number of retired teachers and critical-shortage-area teachers school districts may hire. The sponsor said districts could hire retired teachers up to 10% of staff and critical shortage area teachers up to 10%, replacing lower current limits and a temporary COVID-era provision that had expired. Members asked about work limits, salary rules, and how often shortage areas are identified; the sponsor said retired teachers remain subject to existing earnings limits, critical shortage teachers are paid at least a rank-two, 10-year salary, and shortage areas are identified annually by the Commissioner of Education. Supportive comments noted the bill was a stopgap and that long-term solutions should include recruitment, retention, and pay. The committee passed HB 441 19-0 with favorable expression. House Bill 462 would allow county clerks to correct marriage applications or licenses by affidavit, without requiring a lawsuit in circuit court, when there are obvious errors or omissions. The Kenton County clerk and another clerk testified that the change would help people who need corrected records for Social Security, Real ID, inheritance, and other legal purposes, while still preserving data needed by Vital Statistics. Members described the bill as a practical efficiency measure. The committee passed HB 462 19-0 with favorable expression, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the Chair of Science and Tech, who's listening.
• They have five different projects on here that are for computer systems enhancement.
• Well, five different projects for different things, but it's all computer related.
• We'll let you get the computer set up, and we'll go from there.
• So line 67, science technology business Startup grants. How would those be set up?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It specifies that if a high school computer science course includes instruction on artificial intelligence
• , that instruction should include foundational understanding. ...computer science course includes instruction
• science courses that use AI, and also requires that the Department of Education create new computer
• Committee Substitute for House Bill 1503, a bill to be entitled an act relating to computer science education
• science courses, but removes from the bill the requirement to create new computer science educator certificates

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including a resolution honoring Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a special-order calendar with multiple bills, many of them paired with House companions and amended before final passage. Early action included adoption of a tax conformity bill tied to federal changes in the Internal Revenue Code, with a 34-0 vote. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described provisions to strengthen fraud enforcement, impose work requirements for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid drug purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Democrats offered amendments to delay work requirements until Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP users such as caregivers, seniors, disabled individuals, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators also questioned implementation details, exemptions, and potential effects on vulnerable populations. After debate, the bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a public records exemption and related Parkinson’s Disease Registry measures, designation of the SS American Victory as the state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on legal tender recognition for gold and silver, public records protections for financial and digital-asset custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government budget transparency, digital voyeurism, insurance customer representative licensing, and a medical freedom bill with amendments on vaccine-related materials and anti-kickback provisions. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though the public records bill for gold/silver custodians and the legal tender repeal drew a few dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the very first iteration of our program was called the Battleground Science and Technology Center.
• So the very first iteration of our program was called the Battleground Science and Technology Center.
• And From homeschool families and say, come on in and take a science class with us.
• There was a collaborative effort with the Northwest Council of Computer Educators and our Association
• We've really developed computer science pathways K-12, really strong partnerships with our neighbors

Summary: The committee met to hear an overview of Washington’s alternative learning experience (ALE) programs and then an update on artificial intelligence in schools. OSPI’s Anissa Sherritt explained that ALE is a course-level funding designation for instruction that occurs partly or wholly away from the traditional seat-time model, with online, site-based, and remote course types. She emphasized that ALE is still basic education, subject to the same public school requirements, and that OSPI provides technical assistance, annual reporting review, and program reviews. Representatives from several programs described different models: Washington Virtual Academy (a large online ALE operated through Omak School District and partnered with for-profit Stride), Columbia Virtual Academy in Valley School District (a district-run, nonprofit online/remote program), Pearl in Quilcene (a K-8 remote parent partnership program), and River Home Link in Battleground (a site-based hybrid program). They discussed student supports, special education, enrichment, family choice, transportation, and how they measure outcomes. Members asked for follow-up information on funding, demographics, racial and ethnic data, multilingual learners, and post-graduation outcomes, and OSPI agreed to provide additional data where available. The committee then heard from OSPI and several districts about AI guidance and implementation. OSPI’s Holly Ryan Calloway described the agency’s human-centered AI framework, three guidance documents for schools, statewide professional learning, an AI innovation summit, and new AI literacy and informatics course frameworks and CIP codes. Quincy School District described a multi-year effort to integrate AI by centering student needs, creating district policy and classroom guidance, and training teachers to use AI responsibly while building an AI readiness plan from elementary through high school. Peninsula School District described its AI action research team, teacher professional learning, and classroom uses of generative AI to support science instruction, communication, and prompt engineering, while stressing that AI should enhance rather than replace learning. Members raised questions about privacy, energy and water use, prompt engineering, workforce and university connections, and the need for clear standards and ongoing educator training. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, the national labs have made advances in quantum computing, nuclear reactors, and fundamental
• scientific research that promise a new era of science and engineering.
• We mean actually conducting science in close proximity to the scientists that are already working at
• The national labs are fundamental not just to the research and science that I mentioned a second ago,
• Yeah bad idea Okay, so PNNL as it relates to grid modernization chemistry material science.

Keywords: nuclear energy, permitting process, energy production, public lands, national parks, uranium imports, legislative bills, infrastructure development

Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions on a variety of legislative bills including major topics such as nuclear energy advancement, the effects of regulatory hurdles on energy production, and proposals to improve national park staffing and maintenance. Members expressed concerns over the federal government's handling of uranium imports and the necessity for maintaining a robust domestic nuclear supply chain. Efforts to streamline permitting processes to facilitate more efficient energy project development were also a focal point, alongside public testimony from stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands while addressing climate change impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• artificial intelligence tools and, as applicable, related subject areas such as software engineering, computer
• The bill also encourages high school computer science courses that include AI to provide instruction
• The bill also encourages high school computer science courses that include AI to provide instruction
• I'm involved with the Science Fair meeting right now as well, so I have Science Fair folks right here
• We're trying to look and see what the success and the future of the Science Fair in Florida looks like

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will lead to improved test scores, greater equity in the areas of computer science and digital citizenship
• This will lead to improved test scores, greater equity in the areas of computer science and digital citizenship
• This will lead to improved test scores, greater equity in the areas of computer science and digital citizenship
• <01:18:45.159> science<01:18:45.560> and<01:18:45.760> digital of computer science
• and digital of computer science and digital citizenship<01:18:47.280> and<01:18:47.400> an

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's be smart on crime and follow the science and better protect public safety and support positive
• You will hear a lot about brain science today, but I saw it every day in action.
• , social science, and years of doing it.
• While that language leaves too much ambiguity, the medical science is clear.
• They could go look on the computer, and he didn't have a restraining order.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with procedural remarks and acknowledgments of Rosh Hashanah, followed by testimony on several criminal justice bills before the Joint Committee on the Judiciary. A major focus was S. 1061, the “Raise the Age” bill, which would gradually move 18- to 20-year-olds into the juvenile justice system. Supporters included youth and young adult advocates, former juvenile court Judge Jay Blitzman, ACLU and CPCS representatives, Roca, United Way, Citizens for Juvenile Justice, and Senator Brendan Crichton. They argued that young adults are still developmentally immature, that juvenile court services improve education and rehabilitation, and that adult-system involvement leads to higher recidivism and racial disparities. Committee members asked practical questions about how the bill would work, and witnesses explained that it would expand access to juvenile court diversion, probation, and DYS services for the covered age group. The chairs also noted a notice issue, clarifying that the hearing had been posted seven days in advance rather than the usual ten. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to revise accomplice and joint venture murder liability and sentencing. Representative Sam Montaño and Senator Liz Miranda supported the reform, arguing that current law can impose life sentences on people with limited or no knowledge of a killing and that the doctrine contributes to racial bias and disproportionate punishment. A law professor, a former defendant, and advocates from the National Council for Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls described cases where people were punished far beyond their actual role and said the bill would better align charges and sentences with individual culpability. Related testimony also supported a proportionality-focused reform to reduce the harshness of joint venture sentencing. Several other public safety and criminal justice bills drew testimony. Senator Robin Kennedy supported a bill redefining strangulation in domestic violence law, saying the current “substantial pressure” standard is too vague and that strangulation is often lethal without visible injury. District Attorney Ryan and a retail business executive backed a bill on organized retail theft, saying it would give prosecutors more flexible charging options and better address coordinated theft rings. Representative Vieira and the family of Kiana Barros urged action on Kiana’s Law, which would improve restraining-order notification and enforcement after Barros’s daughter was killed after an order was not served. The hearing also included support for the HALO Act, which would create a 25-foot safety zone around first responders and penalize harassment or obstruction, and for a bill to enhance courthouse security by creating specific protections for judges and their families. No votes were taken during the hearing."} 0}]}

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond the computers, are there any written versions of these for younger kids?
• At the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.
• I double majored in four years; I got a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology
• Then I went on to get my Master's in Medical Sciences from the University of North Texas Health Science
• I had a 3.3 GPA in science, which is low for an applicant.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also important, we seek support to build a science and engineering technology complex to address the
• been used over the past 3 years to supplement the existing funding in high-demand fields such as computer
• science, engineering, and management information systems.
• Rural Texas is especially at risk as strong science on water availability, recharge, and projections
• These new programs cover areas in engineering technology such as computer, electronics, electromechanical

Transcript Highlights:

• Also important, we seek support to build a science and engineering technology complex to address the
• used over the past three years to supplement the existing funding. in high-demand fields such as computer
• science, engineering, and management information systems.
• Rural Texas is especially at risk as strong science on water availability, recharge, and projections
• These new programs cover areas in engineering technology such as computer, electronics, biomedical and

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , AI, climate science, wildfire science, and on and on.
• , AI, climate science, wildfire science, and on and on.
• The Legislature has an opportunity to continue to fund science and to invest in California's science
• We are going to fund science.
• I teach AP Environmental Science and Biology at Albany High School.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on June 24, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum and began by hearing presentations only. SB 308 was presented as a bill to streamline fiscal reporting for California community colleges by combining two overlapping annual audit reports into one. SB 895, the California Science and Health Research Bond, drew extensive testimony from the authors and many supporters, who argued it would help offset federal research cuts, protect California’s science infrastructure, support jobs, and preserve life-saving research in areas such as cancer, HIV, Parkinson’s, ALS, climate resilience, and quantum computing. The bill was described as a bond measure that would require a three-party agreement and was sent to suspense. After quorum was established, the committee took up the consent and suspense calendars. Several bills were approved on consent, including SB 308 and a large group of other measures, while the suspense calendar was deemed approved, including SB 895 and other bills listed by the chair. Public comment on SB 895 continued for a long period, with many researchers, students, labor representatives, university officials, and patient advocates speaking in strong support and urging the bill be moved to the floor. The committee also heard SB 1350, which would expand green hydrogen by allowing renewable portfolio standard credits for certain hydrogen use in power generation; the author and supporters said it would help clean energy development, create jobs, and support projects like ARCHES and Element. Later, SB 1306 was presented to align California law with federal exemptions for certain chemical mixtures containing GBL used in semiconductor manufacturing research. The author and SEMI’s representative said the bill would reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, avoid disrupting semiconductor supply chains, and not change rules for pure GBL. The bill passed out of committee on a roll call vote, with one no vote and one not voting. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and there are great doctors science and there are great doctors working<00:04:25.400> on<00:04
• , health technology, and quantum computing, as well as digital infrastructure.
• <00:14:37.519> on<00:14:37.680> the Quantum Computing on the Quantum Computing on the
• think we should limit to Computing think we should limit to Computing because<00:31:35.399> Computing
• <01:08:37.560> bioprocess Professionals in food science bioprocess Professionals in food science

Keywords: 1183, house