Transcript Highlights:

• of East Boston, Those kinds of dollars can go to, again, the Commonwealth, such as our economic development
• By attempting to keep these payment issues from clogging our courts, development of a cottage industry
• of other cottage industries in the provider, billing, and legal communities, and then comes the development
• now hybrid with the accident, complicated, technical accident avoidance systems in them, hybrid technology
• and costs, offering continued protection. ...keep pace with changes in technology and costs, offering

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Financial Services Committee heard testimony on several insurance, transportation, and labor-related bills. Senator Edwards supported bills addressing app-based delivery workers, arguing that food-delivery drivers should be treated as employees with protections and mileage reimbursement, and that a small surcharge on app-based deliveries could raise revenue for the Commonwealth and localities. Kevin Brousseau of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO also backed the delivery-worker bill, saying it would preserve employee status, add data transparency, and create a process for challenging deactivations. MAPC supported a bill to change transportation network company fees from a flat per-ride charge to a percentage-based assessment, saying the current fee is outdated and that a higher fee could raise more transportation revenue and help address congestion and emissions. A large portion of the hearing focused on auto insurance and collision repair issues. Insurance industry witnesses supported a bill to limit attorney’s fees in PIP cases by giving insurers 30 days after a complaint is served to pay amounts due without fee exposure, arguing that PIP litigation has surged, is clogging courts, and is being driven by out-of-state firms. They also opposed auto body labor-rate bills, saying the market is already adjusting and that a statutory floor is unnecessary. In contrast, auto body shop representatives and the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Massachusetts urged favorable action on bills to raise and regularly update collision repair labor rates, saying current reimbursement levels are far below market, have not kept pace with inflation or vehicle technology, and are making it hard to retain workers and keep small shops open. One witness also supported a bill to limit insurance surcharge points for low-damage accidents or minor moving violations. Committee members asked questions about deactivation rights for delivery workers, the mechanics of the PIP litigation issue, and the gap between body-shop and mechanical labor rates. Testimony emphasized that current auto body reimbursement rates are around the mid-$40s per hour, while mechanical work can be reimbursed at much higher rates, and that advisory-board discussions have produced only limited progress. At the end of the hearing, the chairs asked if anyone else wished to testify, then moved to close the hearing; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leadership development has been a big piece along with our strategic plan. Any questions?
• Probably not, although we are continuing to develop at Flag Mountain.
• We have one contract; it's a NetSmart Technologies Incorporated.
• development with Desert Wing.
• It's for our assisted technology program. Any questions?

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After the form was closed, we developed a Q&A document and sent that out to all parents on our campus
• The state department will develop that program... ...department will develop that program, and it will
• the ability to analyze that it means... even developed to analyze that it means that versus the other
• I encourage anytime we can make our young folks talk to each other, interact with each other, to develop
• We just want to bridge it so that we embrace the technology and the piece that says, "I need you to be

Bills: SB92, HB9, HB9

Keywords: K-12 education, wireless communication devices, digital safety, social media education, classroom distraction, three-cueing system, reading instruction, structured literacy, scientific strategies, elder abuse, elder exploitation, financial exploitation, elderly person, senior abuse, probate, inheritance forfeiture, slayer statute, intestate succession, will contest, joint tenancy

Transcript Highlights:

• development.
• development um development has to development um development has to increase<01:43:20.000> but
• real estate development. real estate development.
• Commercial developer Morgan, Commercial developer Morgan, >> I. >> I. >> I. >> Commercial developer Christine
• emerging technologies. emerging technologies.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's actually built on technology from the late '70s, if that makes you feel any better, right?
• And so that's kind of a high level of technology scope.
• There's no such thing as just a technology project in my mind, right?
• It will be meaningful to the development of our budgets under our purview. This is a...
• It will be meaningful to the development of our budgets under our purview.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of Financial Services on the My Safe Florida Home program, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot, and the Florida PALM financial system replacement project. For My Safe Florida Home, Stephen Fielder explained the wind-mitigation grant program, including its inspection-first process, two-to-one matching grants for most homeowners, low-income exemptions from the match, and eligible improvements such as roofs, clips/straps, water barriers, and opening protection. He reported roughly 109,000 initial inspections, nearly 59,000 grants approved, 31,000 final inspections, 25,000 reimbursements, and about $240 million paid out through the end of 2024. Members asked about premium savings, contractor pricing, fraud, owner-builder eligibility, reimbursement timing, and whether the program should have a dedicated funding source; Fielder said the program is currently closed, more than 40,000 people have signed up for updates, and the office has seen some price-gouging and impersonation issues but no major fraud trend. The committee also discussed the new prioritization rules that took effect July 1, 2024, which direct grant awards by age and income. Fielder said the program used a survey of existing applicants to implement the new priority groups and that the first group was over age 60 and low-income. Members raised questions about how premium reductions are measured, whether insurance company changes or rising insured values affect the data, and whether the program can track long-term outcomes after reimbursement. Fielder said the office reports raw premium changes based on declarations pages, knows the insurer for participants, and has validated results with multiple insurers, but does not track homeowners after they leave the program or enforce continued insurance coverage. For the My Safe Florida Condo Pilot, Fielder said the program is modeled on the home program but uses association-level applications, a maximum grant of $175,000 per association, and a similar two-to-one match. He said the application window opened briefly in November and was closed quickly because available funding could be exhausted and the department is prohibited from creating a waiting list. He identified several needed statutory changes, including better distinguishing condos from single-family homes, adjusting roof requirements for flat concrete roofs, and revisiting the unanimous unit-owner vote requirement, which he said has been a major obstacle. Chair Lopez noted the pilot is intended to be a learning process and thanked DFS staff for identifying implementation issues. The final presentation covered Florida PALM, the state’s effort to replace the 40-year-old FLAIR accounting system with a PeopleSoft-based financial management system. Fielder and PALM Director Jimmy Cox said the project began in 2014, the state contracted with Accenture in 2018, cash management went live in 2021, and the project was paused in 2022 for legislative review and remediation. They said the system is expected to go live in 2026, possibly in July rather than January, and that the project has spent about $225 million to date, with a current-year budget of about $60.9 million and a projected next-year request of about $64 million. Members asked about cybersecurity, cloud hosting, project scope, and whether the system is unique to Florida; staff said the system is not Florida-specific, access is credentialed through agency identity management, and the cloud host location is confidential. After the presentations, Chair Lopez assigned members to work with specific agencies on budget review meetings, asked them to discuss agency structure, priorities, staffing, waste reduction, and other budget issues, and set a deadline to report findings in the first week of regular session. The meeting then adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:11.360> or place with their local um developer or place with their local um developer
• <00:13:14.639> however the market was still developing however the market was still developing
• that market has matured and technology that market has matured and technology has<00:13:17.800><
• <00:58:50.240> have been wronged by solar developers have been wronged by solar developers
• developments where things where uh solar developments where it<01:08:23.440> can<01:08:23.920

Bills: HF845

Keywords: net metering, distributed generation, solar energy, rooftop solar, renewable energy, utility rates, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, net billing, bill credits, cost of service study, standby charge, qualifying facility, energy policy, clean energy, customer generation, interconnection, Minnesota Statutes 216B.164

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:26:30.640> that And it uses existing technology that And it uses existing technology that
• that<02:32:07.439> we've most disruptive technologies that we've most disruptive technologies
• <02:35:01.040> brains to their developing brains to their developing brains um<02:35:03.520
• <03:19:16.560> this want this, why don't they develop this want this, why don't they develop
• It's emerging technology.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took the roll, establishing a quorum. The chamber received a House message announcing passage of Senate File 3720, a workers’ compensation bill adopting 2026 recommendations of the Workers’ Compensation Advisory Council, and then moved through routine author changes and motions, including sending House File 3825 to the Finance Committee and advancing House File 3298, which was described as funding the removal and replacement of underground tanks to protect water supplies. A major floor item was Senate File 4282, the education forecast-adjustment bill. Senator Kunish explained that the conference committee updated appropriations to reflect forecast changes, added language on highly qualified paraprofessionals for Title I special education, provided tribal contract aid if a permanent school fund amendment passes, allowed districts to use operating capital for utility costs, extended grants for gender-neutral bathrooms, and made two school district fund transfers. The Senate adopted the conference report and passed the bill 34-33. The Senate then considered House File 3489, which would establish a felony offense of grooming, require reporting to licensing boards, update school and mandated reporter rules, and add funding for investigators. Supporters framed it as a child-protection measure based on a survivor’s testimony and a teacher-abuse case; one member also spoke in favor, while another offered a strongly partisan critique of public education. The Senate adopted the A11 amendment, gave the bill third reading, and passed it 66-0, then recessed briefly to honor guests in the gallery. After recess, the Senate took up House File 5074, the annual claims settlement bill. Senator Clark said it appropriates just over $5.1 million for claims including exoneration payments and a permanent injury claim, highlighting compensation for James Lamar Davis, Clayton Douglas Groves, and Marvin Haynes. The bill drew some debate over the Haynes payment and the calculation for an ankle injury claim, but it ultimately passed 64-2. The final item was House File 4074, the 2026 omnibus pension bill, described as improving public safety and other public employee retirement benefits, removing a COLA delay, creating work groups on duty disability, and addressing pension provisions for probation officers, 911 telecommunicators, St. Paul teachers, and other groups; the discussion was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• But also, are you familiar with the company called Leo Technologies? Vaguely.
• Well, up to this point we've given Leo Technologies about 4 and 1/2 million dollars.
• Leo Technologies? Vaguely. Leo Technologies? Vaguely. Okay. Okay. Okay.
• <00:28:22.440> his And that was that he has developed his And that was that he has developed
• Uh, we got one contract today, and that is with Red Mountain Technologies LLC.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislative session is developed by the Parliamentary Any questions regarding the rules?
• We develop State Implementation Plans to comply with Clean Air Act requirements.
• The reality is this industry is getting smart about what they're doing with technology.
• In an era when key national security and cutting-edge technology projects are looking to locate and develop
• of continued development development of LNG facilities to move that into the global marketplace is just

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what economic development is.
• So, from that perspective, when we talk about economic development, we talk about economic development
• On behalf of the Economic Development Collaborative, which houses the Small Business Development Center
• On behalf of the Economic Development Collaborative, which houses the Small Business Development Center
• We also teach development courses. Next slide, please. We also teach development courses.

Summary: The committee held an information hearing on California’s economy and household affordability, with the first panel focusing on inflation, housing, energy, wages, and the likely effects of new federal tariff policy. PPIC’s Sarah Bone said Californians remain deeply pessimistic about the economy, with inflation the main driver of concern; she noted prices are still about 23% higher than in January 2020, with especially large increases in food, energy, and housing costs. LAO’s Brian Euler emphasized that housing is the largest household expense and pointed to insurance, electricity, gasoline, and health care as other major cost pressures, urging the Legislature to review whether existing policies are actually reducing costs and to consider studies of why recent housing laws have not produced more units. UC Davis economist Catherine Russ warned that tariffs on China, Canada, Mexico, and potentially broader imports could raise consumer prices, disrupt supply chains, and hurt California exporters, farmers, and small businesses; she suggested monitoring prices, strengthening food assistance, and preparing transition support for affected workers and producers. Members pressed the panelists for concrete, near-term policy ideas, especially on housing and tariffs. Questions centered on whether accessory dwelling units are making a meaningful dent in affordability, how to improve implementation of pro-housing laws at the local level, and how to measure the impact of tariffs on consumers, health care, and agriculture. Panelists said ADUs help but are limited, that state laws can be undermined by local implementation and litigation, and that tariff effects may show up quickly in prices and later in hiring and investment. Several members stressed that the tariff issue is not a minor disruption for constituents and asked for more data on consumer impacts, food aid needs, and crop-specific farm losses. The second panel shifted to regional economic development and small business support. Go-Biz’s Derek Kirk described California Jobs First and the state economic blueprint as a first-in-decades, regionally informed strategy to create good-paying jobs, support key sectors, and align workforce and business development across 13 regions. The California Association for Local Economic Development’s Gerbach Sahota argued that local governments need practical tools, stable policy, and stronger partnerships with the state, while warning that prosperity is not always perceived as shared and that rural communities can be left behind. He urged the Legislature to use hearings, local input, and existing funding streams more effectively, including for recovery and infrastructure. David Fitzgerald of the Small Business Development Centers said California’s SBDC network serves hundreds of thousands of clients, many of them women and historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and has generated billions in economic impact, capital access, revenue, and jobs. He said the biggest gaps are outreach to the state’s many self-employed businesses with no employees, better labor data on those workers, and more flexible support for direct services. Committee members then asked what small businesses need most in the face of inflation and tariff shocks, including lower licensing costs and other relief, and the discussion continued on how to better target state support to businesses and households under pressure.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is based on the evolution on the criminal organizations that we investigate and their technology
• Today we are 16 people, starting with 3 working incredibly complex and technologically sophisticated
• cutting edge technology to combat these high-tech crimes.
• These reforms were developed and agreed upon by all key stakeholders the city of San Antonio, the San
• How would this address those or is that something that we're just gonna have to see how that technology

Transcript Highlights:

• The criminal organizations that we investigate and their technology are constantly evolving.
• Additionally, we work with every federal law enforcement agency, and we're at the forefront of developing
• cutting-edge technology to combat these high-level crimes. tech crimes.
• Regarding a definition for months of service for members, these reforms were developed and agreed upon
• I think that's probably a different technological question than the actual physical gift card. in the

Bills: HB3014, HB3109, HB3126, HB3474, HB3594

Keywords: gift card fraud, counterfeit gift card, gift card tampering, gift card theft, prepaid card, stored value card, retail fraud, financial crimes, consumer protection, organized retail crime, gift card skimming, magnetic stripe, chip card, redemption information, gift card packaging, Penal Code, felony theft, state jail felony, third-degree felony, second-degree felony

Transcript Highlights:

• that we're looking to have developed that we're looking to have developed will<00:08:35.760>
• though is that it's with the technology though is that it's with the technology we<00:13:59.680>
• lists that are there use the technology lists that are there use the technology that's<00:26:56.480
• But I expect that we're going to see more developments.
• concerns about people developing concerns about people developing inappropriate<01:10:35.120>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, HB 1590 by Gates relating to multi-family residential developments
• water rights and residential rural property before the Committee on Trade Workforce and Economic Development
• AB 2445 by Dutton relating to the cardiogenic risk level and the development of certain environmental
• of a dwelling creating criminal offenses or for the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development
• Development HB 2485 by vote ruling to the personal need for wellness provided by public school employees

Transcript Highlights:

• His response was, "Never bet against innovation and technology."
• You're going to see a different customer base develop.
• I mean, it may take you a year to develop your leasehold.
• Interest in developing electrolysis projects has waned.
• Be used as it's developed.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes $5 million in the first year and $2 million in the second from the Workforce Development
• We regulate and help develop new programs.
• program I've been working to develop program I've been working to develop apprenticeship<00:26:55.679
• The development of a registered teacher apprenticeship program is a significant task.
• , the money for the Workforce Development Fund for youth skills, Workforce Development Fund for administration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Water Development Board Representative: Well, the process is Water Development Board Representative:
• Water Development Board Representative: We affectionately refer Water Development Board Representative
• And sometimes the models are developed by the Board, sometimes they're developed by the Board through
• Is that Water Development Board?
• The Water Development Board has developed a new model for the Southern Trinity Aquifer.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, technology perhaps not my you.
• not fully developed when you're born. not fully developed when you're born.
• So using it on a techn technology basis.
• Uh what kind of<00:51:10.000> professional<00:51:10.640> development of professional development
• <01:53:40.080> and professional development and professional development and instructional

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:04 Approval of Minutes – 0:03:57 United Way of Southern Kentucky –0:04:30 Preschool Education – 0:36:46 School Safety Updates – 1:01:41 Kentucky Association of School Superintendents – 1:41:47 Educational Cooperatives – 1:55:18 Adjournment – 2:07:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth meeting of the 2025 Interim Joint Committee on Education, confirmed a quorum, recorded attendance votes, and approved the minutes. Chair Lewis reminded presenters to keep remarks brief because of the full agenda and limited time. The first presentation was from United Way of Southern Kentucky, with Anne Puckett, Craig Browning, and Warren County Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton introducing a regional early childhood initiative. The presenters argued that kindergarten readiness and early childhood support are critical to later academic and life outcomes. They cited research and statistics about brain development in the first five years, the effects of unprepared kindergarten entry, and links between low literacy, school discipline, dropout rates, and incarceration. They said their region’s readiness scores fell during COVID and after a tornado, and that the most effective response was in-home parent education to help families support children from birth to age five. They described the model as voluntary, community-based, and not requiring new buildings, and said similar programs have been successful in Missouri. The group said it had already raised more than $1 million in private donations and committed three years of funding for four additional staff, expanding service in Allen, Logan, and Warren counties. They requested $600,000 per year for the next two-year budget cycle to add 12 more educators, serve about 360 families and 660 additional children, and build evidence for a possible statewide model. Members generally expressed support for the concept, with Representative Tipton and Representative Jackson discussing a prior home-based preschool pilot and the importance of starting early. Representative Calloway questioned whether increased family chaos and government involvement justified the approach; presenters responded that the program uses community educators, not a government-run organization, and is aimed at helping overwhelmed families. Representative Stalker asked about eligibility and early intervention, and presenters said the program serves children from birth to age five and can help identify needs early enough to connect families with services such as First Steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• Elevated ESF balances present an opportunity to develop investment policies for longer term growth and
• America is at risk of losing the technology race. China outspends us 4 to 1 on quantum computing.
• America obviously needs these new technologies too, but the question is how.
• Um, and I think that if the state could develop a mechanism by which passive income replaced property
• Technologies for Texas companies and ultimately the Texas taxpayers, is that correct? Yes, sir. OK.

Bills: HB104

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tax rate election, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, de minimis rate, local government, special district, tax increase, tax notice, public hearing, tax code, Health and Safety Code, Texas property taxes, taxing unit, election threshold, two-thirds vote, majority vote, budget approval

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would require statewide health coordinating council to develop a long-range plan for improving
• Innovations that are being developed for acute and chronic kidney disease in Texas with new spatial Technologies
• You may not be able to stall the, you know, development of high blood pressure and diabetes.
• We'll position Texas as a leader in harnessing technology to enhance patient care and outcomes.
• Embracing these modern technologies and this technological revolution we have is going to save so many

Bills: HB46

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits