Video & Transcript : 'technology services' :

Page 173 of 500
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Transcript Highlights:
  • We also have communication access training and technology services, or CATS, which MCDH has dedicated
  • There are three different groups of organizations that provide services, including assistive technology
  • And that includes the assistive technology and person. services and that includes the assistive technology
  • I do think that self-direction, in addition to some of the services through technology that we have,
  • I do think that self-direction, in addition to some of the services through technology that we have,
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing was an informational and oversight session of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, with chairs and members hearing agency updates from several commissioners. The Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition described its maternal and child health work, including home visiting, early intervention, WIC, newborn hearing screening, and cross-agency efforts on prenatal substance exposure, respite care, children’s vision, and maternal health initiatives. DPH emphasized that federal grant cuts, layoffs, and the loss of data systems such as PRAMS would weaken services and planning, and members asked about Title V funding and the impact of federal uncertainty. The Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing highlighted communication access services, interpreter and CART referrals, emergency after-hours support, family navigation, and independent living services. Commissioners and members discussed the shortage of ASL interpreters and the need to expand training pipelines, including partnerships with colleges and possible ASL programming for younger students. The Department of Developmental Services reported serving nearly 50,000 people and focused on youth and adult services, transition-age supports, autism services, self-direction, respite, and new high-acuity residential models. Members asked about respite availability, self-direction outcomes, and workforce shortages; DDS said it was expanding clinical capacity and provider rates while monitoring possible federal Medicaid, SNAP, and immigration-related impacts. The Commission for the Blind described services for about 28,000 legally blind residents, most of whom are older adults, including social rehabilitation, orientation and mobility training, children’s services, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 supports. The commissioner discussed a UMass-based effort to build the workforce pipeline for blindness services and said the agency was watching federal restructuring but had not yet seen direct cuts. MassAbility’s leadership then warned about major federal changes affecting Social Security disability determinations, including staff restructuring, office closures, and a new overpayment repayment policy, and said the agency was preparing for possible increases in claims and uncertainty around reallotment dollars that help fund services. The Disabled Persons Protection Commission closed the hearing with an update on its abuse investigations and protective services for adults with disabilities. DPPC reported rising hotline calls and investigations, a growing caseload, its sexual assault response team, the abuser registry, and a new interagency protective services integration system funded by ARPA dollars through 2027. The agency also flagged new federal rules that could affect funding eligibility and said it may need statutory changes to comply. Members asked about funding, reporting pathways, and how complaints reach DPPC, and the commissioner said the agency uses both mandated reporting and proactive outreach to identify and respond to abuse.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • This will provide access to essential services.
  • services.
  • New Mexico technology backbone is aging.
  • 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.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Jan 28th, 2026 at 02:47 pm

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, it's just going to result in curtailment of services.
  • How many AmeriCorps service members would that include?
  • How many AmeriCorps service members would that include?
  • And the reason why we asked for the money in workforce technology is right now we fund all our technology
  • One of them is the quantum technology advanced grant—I forget the name of it.
Keywords: 996, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Regulating AI in psychotherapy 3/24/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It does not prohibit the use of technology and is not anti-technology; SAVE is not anti-technology either
  • It does not prohibit the use of technology. It is not anti-technology, and neither is SAVE.
  • </c> applies to clinical therapy services applies to clinical therapy services rather<00:10:37.680><c
  • ,</c><00:12:57.720><c> you</c> therapy, therapeutic services, you therapy, therapeutic services, you
  • </c> therapeutic services. therapeutic services.
Keywords: 1183, house
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • GLAD TO HAVE ALSO HERE OUR PRESIDENT STACY COMPLETING THREE DECADES OF SERVICE AND CONTINUING IN ANOTHER
  • AS HELPFUL AS THIS OFFICES THERE IS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AND NEED TO PARTNER WITH
  • DIVING BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY.
  • ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY WE DISCUSSED WIND TURBINE TECHNICIANS.
  • BECAUSE OF HIS PUBLIC SERVICE WITH HIS PARENTS.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • It's going to be a great, great service to our country.
  • About half of SBIR grantees actually produce commercialized technology.
  • SBIR awards lead to commercialized technology, but half don't.
  • Way to these important technological breakthroughs, whether in the area of bioscience, technology, AI
  • One of the things that I always talk to my team about is customer service.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Agriculture Jan 27th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • The term portable devices does not extend to motor vehicles, automobiles, or any production or service
  • Next, I have Christian Camara with the Consumer Technology Association speaking. You're recognized.
  • My name is Christian Cameron with the Consumer Technology Association.
  • Christian Cameron with the Consumer Technology Association is recognized.
  • It also allows students to win awards and participate in service-based learning and more.
Summary: The Agriculture Committee took up SB 806, the consumer and agricultural equipment right-to-repair bill by Senator Trumbull. Trumbull said the measure would expand repair options for portable wireless devices and farm equipment while protecting trade secrets. The committee adopted two amendments: one clarifying the bill does not apply to motor vehicles, and a technical staff amendment. Testimony was mixed: an Everglades Equipment representative opposed the bill, warning it could weaken local dealer support, reduce parts inventory, and increase downtime for farmers; the Consumer Technology Association also opposed the bill in its current form, citing concerns about a patchwork of state repair laws, private lawsuits, and inconsistent standards. The bill was reported favorably as CS for SB 806 by a roll call vote of 4-0, with Senator Rouson not voting. The committee then heard a presentation from Florida 4-H state officers Timmy Hawes, Summer Wayne, and Taylor Thigpin. They described 4-H as a youth development organization focused on citizenship and leadership, agriculture, STEM, and healthy living, serving more than 216,000 youth statewide. They highlighted personal stories about how 4-H built confidence, leadership, and entrepreneurship skills, and they outlined goals to grow participation to 300,000 youth and to invest in 4-H camps, especially Camp Cherry Lake and Camp Timpoochee, as year-round learning sites. Senators praised the program and asked questions about how youth get involved and what drives participation. Florida FFA state officers Hope Storder and Isabel Jenkins then presented on agricultural education and FFA. They explained FFA’s three-part model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and leadership development, and noted that Florida now has more than 65,000 FFA members and that state funding has allowed all agricultural education students to participate at no cost. They emphasized agriculture’s role in feeding a growing population and discussed how technology, innovation, and urban agriculture can help meet future production needs. Senators commended the organization’s work and its role in preparing future leaders and agricultural professionals. At the end of the meeting, Senator Burton requested a group photo with the students, and the committee agreed.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The system itself, the technology, is acquired as a service through our vendor partners.
  • Our fifth and final finding is that 911 technology will continue to evolve.
  • We don't have to translate between one vendor's technology and another vendor's technology.
  • expand critical services for homeless youth another five-year grant cycle.
  • I'm a division director with Larkin Street Youth Services in the Bay Area.
Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation heard updates from the Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the Department of Justice. Cal OES Acting Director Tina Curry described the department’s proposed budget, disaster response and recovery work, Los Angeles wildfire recovery, FEMA reimbursement delays, hazard mitigation grant applications, planning for major events like the FIFA World Cup and LA28 Olympics, and the state’s next generation 911 priorities. Senators raised concerns about Operation Stonegarden, small-disaster recovery delays, FEMA reimbursement timing, VOCA funding, and the need for more detailed reporting on federal grants and recovery costs. The committee then focused on Next Generation 911. Cal OES staff said the current regional deployment encountered call-routing and transfer failures, leading the department to pause further rollout and propose a new phased plan centered on a statewide provider, followed by an open procurement for a long-term vendor. They said the plan is intended to improve reliability, simplify architecture, and support Los Angeles-area PSAPs ahead of the Olympics, with a target of full statewide transition by summer 2030. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to pause major changes until it receives more information, including a clearer explanation of the problems, alternatives considered, costs, cybersecurity and privacy issues, and oversight needs. Members expressed mixed views, with some supporting a joint oversight hearing and requesting quarterly fiscal reports and monthly progress updates. The Department of Justice then presented its overall workload, emphasizing public safety enforcement, fentanyl and human trafficking prosecutions, housing enforcement, civil rights work, and extensive federal litigation against the Trump administration. DOJ said the additional federal accountability work has significantly increased staffing and overtime demands, though it has hired 44 additional employees. The committee also heard DOJ’s firearms workload proposal, including funding for SB 704 implementation, continued firearms IT modernization, and a proposed shift of Bureau of Firearms costs to the General Fund. The LAO recommended using special funds and loans instead of ongoing General Fund support where possible, and asked DOJ to develop a framework by January 2027 for determining which firearms and ammunition workload should be supported by fee revenue. The Department of Finance largely agreed with the need for SB 704 funding but disagreed with the LAO’s proposed loan approach for the firearms account.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hearings to examine the STOP CSAM Act. Mar 11th, 2025 at 01:30 pm

Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Find new ways to use the internet and technology to exploit our children.
  • , and you have the technology to detect it?
  • And I agree that, you know, they have the technology. They know the customers.
  • The beautiful thing about the technology is it works hand-in-hand with every other law enforcement technology
  • This technology can work beautifully if victims and parents actually have power.
Summary: The committee meeting centered around the urgent need to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, focusing primarily on the testimony and discussions surrounding the Stop CSAM Act. Several witnesses, including representatives from law enforcement and advocacy organizations, highlighted the significant drop in reports of child exploitation cases despite an alarming increase in actual incidents. Concerns were raised about tech companies' reporting practices, with calls for more stringent requirements to ensure timely and accurate reporting of suspected abuse. The legislation aims to fortify protections for child victims by imposing stricter obligations on tech platforms to report incidents and support law enforcement in investigations.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • In the years since, these services have continued to grow.
  • But public transit service ended at midnight.
  • I know you all provided a tremendous service.
  • who were impacted to use your service at no cost.
  • You're providing a service.
Summary: The hearing focused on transportation network companies in California, with the chair framing it as an informational hearing on the history, regulation, safety, climate, accessibility, and data issues surrounding Uber, Lyft, and smaller or autonomous TNC services. The CPUC described its decade-long regulatory role, including safety rules, background checks, insurance requirements, reporting obligations, and two major legislative programs from 2018: the Clean Miles Standard and the Access for All program. Members asked about complaint trends, data collection and disclosure, program implementation, and how the CPUC uses annual reports for policymaking, compliance, and program oversight. Uber and Lyft said the statewide framework has supported growth while providing safety and access benefits, but both companies emphasized that insurance is a major cost driver and argued that California’s UM/UIM requirement is unusually high compared with other vehicles. They said the Clean Miles Standard is pushing electrification but faces headwinds from EV affordability and charging infrastructure, while Access for All has expanded wheelchair-accessible service but still needs continued support. They also discussed transit partnerships, wildfire response, and the potential role of autonomous vehicles, with both companies saying human drivers will remain important and that future regulation should account for new technology. The final panel, including the San Francisco County Transportation Authority and UC Berkeley researchers, presented evidence that TNCs have increased congestion and reduced transit ridership, especially in dense urban areas. They described prior research showing TNCs contributed to congestion growth in San Francisco and noted that this work helped spur local taxes on ride-hailing trips to fund safety and transit improvements. The panel also discussed the CPUC’s evolving data-disclosure decisions, arguing that public access to TNC trip data is important for understanding transportation impacts and informing local policy.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Higher Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • With amazing state-of-the-art labs in nursing, radiological technology, paramedicine, and surgical technology
  • And thank you for your time and your service.
  • Thank you both so much for your service and your testimony today. for your service and your testimony
  • and for other decarbonization technologies.
  • So geothermal networks are the most efficient technology.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education held its second public hearing of the 194th General Court on capital investments in higher education, focusing primarily on H.54, the Bright Act, along with H.1426/S.949 on green and healthy public colleges and universities and deferred maintenance, and H.1424 on capital investment in Gateway Cities. Chairs and administration officials framed the hearing as a response to aging campus infrastructure, climate goals, workforce needs, and federal pressures on higher education, and explained that testimony would be taken from pre-registered speakers in person and virtually. University of Massachusetts leaders strongly supported the Bright Act, describing large deferred maintenance backlogs, aging buildings, and the need to decarbonize campuses while modernizing research and teaching facilities. UMass officials said the bill would help keep tuition and fees lower by reducing the need for campuses to finance capital work themselves, and argued that the investments would improve competitiveness, support research, and create construction jobs. Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary of Education Tuttweiler, and Secretary of Administration and Finance Gorzkowicz also backed the bill, saying it would leverage Fair Share surtax revenues for a proposed $2.5 billion in campus investments plus additional targeted grants, and that it would support affordability, economic growth, and climate resilience. Committee members asked about the balance between deferred maintenance and decarbonization, the role of grant programs versus direct spending, the impact on tuition and fees, and how the plan would help campuses respond to federal cuts such as NIH and NSF funding. Administration officials said the proposal was designed to be phased in quickly, with some projects ready to start immediately and others taking longer, and that the grant programs would be structured to include all campuses equitably. They also said the plan would build on an existing financing model similar to the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and could help campuses avoid future tuition increases tied to capital costs. Additional testimony came from MassBay Community College, where President David Podell and recent nursing graduate Deanna Cavazos described the benefits of a new Framingham campus building and said community colleges need modern labs, better planning capacity, and deferred maintenance support to serve the enrollment growth from MassReconnect and MassEducate. State university leaders, including President Mary Grant, President Linda Thompson, and President John Keenan, said their campuses face outdated classrooms, insufficient electrical capacity, and aging facilities, and urged passage of the Bright Act as a long-overdue investment in student success and workforce preparation.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • We've held public listening sessions on sterile fly production technology, eradication tools and technologies
  • And then there's other technology... ...will be, but I know it's a priority for them.
  • And then there's other technologies outside of the GE fly.
  • out that technology, I think, is still an open question for a number of our scientists.
  • We know there would be an increase in production if that technology is proven out; it works.
Summary: The joint hearing focused on preparedness for the New World screwworm threat and brought together the House Committees on Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and Agriculture and Livestock. USDA officials, Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, and Texas Animal Health Commission leadership described the pest as a serious risk to livestock, wildlife, rural economies, and beef prices, and emphasized coordination among federal, state, industry, and Mexican partners. Witnesses repeatedly stressed that Texas is currently seeing no confirmed U.S. detections, but that recent confirmed cases in northern Mexico, including Nuevo León, remain a concern because of their proximity to the border. USDA testimony outlined current surveillance and response efforts, including more than 120 screw worm-specific traps along the Texas border and neighboring states, thousands of additional dual-purpose traps, wildlife inspections, weekly coordination with Mexico’s Senasica, and a new USDA New World Screwworm Directorate. Officials said the existing Panama sterile fly facility is maxed out at about 100 million flies per week, while a dispersal facility in Tampico is helping move flies farther north in Mexico. They also described plans for a retrofitted sterile fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, expected to come online in 2026, and a new domestic production facility at Moore Air Base, with phase one targeted for late 2026 or early 2027 and phase two adding substantially more capacity later. Members pressed USDA on timelines, production capacity, the reliability of Mexican reporting, the risk from wildlife, and whether modular or mobile facilities could be deployed faster. USDA said it is also exploring innovative technologies, including a genetically engineered sterile male fly, but that such tools still require EPA review and field validation. Commissioner Miller highlighted Texas biosecurity efforts, five permanent inspection stations, cooperation with FDA and EPA on treatments such as Exzolt, and other pest issues affecting Texas agriculture. He also noted research into fly bait and private-sector efforts to speed sterile fly production. Texas Animal Health Commission officials described extensive state preparedness work, including weekly coordination calls, field response trainings, outreach to producers and veterinarians, and a Texas Screwworm Response Team. They said Texas has trained more than 100 inspectors and other personnel, with additional trainings planned, and that the state is expanding its cattle fever tick rider program. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing; the main action was the exchange of testimony and questions about readiness, surveillance, and facility timelines.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-03-17 - 10:00AM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • and human services.
  • </c> human services, and beyond. human services, and beyond.
  • . technology. technology.
  • </c> health and human services. health and human services.
  • </c> health-related services. health-related services.
Keywords: 926, house, all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee Jan 22nd, 2026 at 09:00 am

A&B Education Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Technology centers operate in two houses.
  • That's why there's a request for the workforce training and technology centers.
  • Most of you would remember two years ago, we had the first service from a technology center into the
  • We are the largest training entity for direct business service in Oklahoma.
  • The biggest change has been AI technology.
Keywords: 914, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

JHA Info Briefing - Tue Sept 16, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We offer our services and efforts.
  • Um, one is in service spheres.
  • </c> clearance a routine government service clearance a routine government service that's<01:02:16.480
  • </c> opening open to looking at technology opening open to looking at technology and<01:24:17.360><c>
  • It's a free legal service to clinic.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs held an information briefing on expungement and record clearance, with Chair David Tarnis and Vice Chair Mahina Poo Poy emphasizing second chances and the legislature’s recent work on state-initiated relief. The chair reviewed prior measures, including Act 62 (2024), which created Hawaii’s first state-initiated expungement pilot for certain non-conviction cannabis-related arrests, Act 159 (2023), which required automatic sealing or removal of expunged records from the judiciary’s public database, and Act 241 (2024), which created the Clean Slate Task Force. He said the committee invited the Clean Slate Initiative and Code for America because of their national experience with state-initiated record clearance systems. Phil Hickden of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and Attorney General’s office reported that Act 62 was implemented using existing resources and no new funding, initially covering single-charge, pre-2020 arrests in Hawaii County for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and later expanded by Act 005 (2025) to all arrests under HRS 712-1249 regardless of drug type. He said the project identified 2,268 potentially eligible records, with 1,072 processed so far, 989 granted and 83 denied, and that the work has taken about 872 staff hours and roughly 45 days per expungement. He also said the office has identified about 412,000 people who could potentially qualify for expungement under broader legislation, though that estimate does not include case-by-case research. Michelle Acasta of the judiciary explained that Act 159 changed the process so HCJDC now digitally transmits expungement certificates to the court, eliminating the applicant’s second step of filing paperwork with the court. She said the courts still manually review eligibility, but the process is easier because certificates now include a case ID and HCJDC provides additional information to help locate records. She reported that since implementation the courts received 125 certificates in July and 87 in August, with 17 court orders filed in July and August, including 81 in the First Circuit, 14 in Maui, 7 in the Third Circuit, and 15 in the Fifth Circuit. She also noted that the Hawaii Supreme Court’s State v. Rogan decision affects procedure by requiring a written request or motion, an opportunity to be heard, and written findings for sealing court records, and that new Supreme Court rules are expected for public comment. Members asked about qualitative outcomes and whether the process could be expanded statewide; staff said they do not track recidivism or personal stories, and the chair encouraged further discussion before the next session to identify barriers and capacity needs.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/27/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Health and Human Services. SP 3046, access free-for-service claims. Health and Human Services.
  • Appropriations and Transportation Technology. SB 1421, undocumented aliens and financial services.
  • Health and Human Services and Appropriations, Transportation, Technology.
  • Appropriations, Transportation, Technology.
  • Appropriations, Transportation, Technology.
Keywords: 1182, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Apr 7th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Human Services.
  • the Committee on Human Services.
  • for the Department of Human Services.
  • for the Committee on Human Services.
  • services.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/16/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 2402, Ambulance Services Certificate of Necessity.
  • HB 2700, Technology Study Committee, Assistive Technology.
  • I think we need to use technology and emerging technology that is available.
  • HB 2620, appropriation: homeless veteran shelter services. MABS and ATT.
  • Transportation and Technology at 1:30 in Senate Hearing Room 109.
Keywords: 1182, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

04/14/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • President, your Committee on Appropriations and Technology, having under consideration HB 2592 relating
  • to our official state information technology, submits the following report.
  • President, your Committee on Appropriations and Technology, having under consideration House Bill 2752
  • President, your Committee on Appropriations and Technology, having under consideration House Bill 2752
  • Modern technology, there we go. I know it sounds like you know about those.
Keywords: 1182, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Oct 15th, 2025

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • for the better good at UF. really amazing technologies for the better good.
  • What this policy then gives really credence to all the things in emerging technology.
  • generative AI, but AI technology.
  • ..seeing how we can force technologies into our current system or change the system.
  • This technology development cycle is so rapid.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, the benefits of AI for personalized learning and teacher support, and the risks involving data privacy, overreliance, hallucinations, and misuse. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which published statewide guidance in March and is now providing professional development, case studies, surveys, and resources for teachers and families. She also noted that teacher preparation programs and microcredentials are being developed, but there is not yet a statewide baseline standard for teacher AI training. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district policies and implementation efforts. Hillsborough adopted an AI governance policy, created an implementation guide, and set rules barring generative AI use for students in pre-K through 7th grade while allowing limited, teacher-approved use for older students with district-vetted tools. Pinellas emphasized digital responsibility, parent transparency, data-use agreements, and a governance process for approving tools. Both districts said AI is being used for lesson planning, tutoring, reading-level adjustments, scheduling, and other administrative tasks, but they do not yet have reliable evidence that AI is improving academic performance. They also discussed teacher training, stipends, and certification efforts, including partnerships with universities and vendors such as Microsoft, Google, Magic School, and Gemini. Drew Allen of FSU Inspire offered an industry-focused perspective, arguing that AI is not new but that education must adapt more quickly to industry needs. He described Inspire’s workforce and research mission, its AI and robotics training for teachers, and the need to build teacher comfort and confidence through incentives and applied training. Committee members raised concerns about student dependence on AI, academic integrity, mental health, moral decision-making, data privacy, and whether schools should return to more paper-based testing. The panel generally agreed that AI should be used with strong guardrails, human oversight, and a balance between technology use and traditional learning. No legislation was considered, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.