Transcript Highlights:

• This, in contrast, is strengthening, sort of defending and securing what we have as a state.
• Speaker and Chairman, that Social Security is only solvent to 2033. Less than a decade away.
• And as far as food security goes...
• So in this changed federal environment, how much is new technology? How much is it new people?
• Do they even have social security numbers, and how does that work with those?

Transcript Highlights:

• A couple of information technology projects, although there are a few other items in there, and you'll
• And technology projects at the community colleges.
• California science and technology industries represent 17% of the state's economy. generating over half
• enterprise security that was included in the governor's budget.
• So just to clarify with all the uncertainty, as was noted, the Library Services and Technology Act grant

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another thing we did, which I didn't have time to put in here, is that we did away with a technology
• Everything that really touches safety and security within a prison.
• Our drone technologies we're working on drone Detection, first of all.
• But for a brick and mortar already stood up secure facility, that was fine.
• CCA did into upgrading the pumps, the security systems, and the doors and locks.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Three, securing justice for Texans. Four, protecting Texans from fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Just this past July, I was able to secure a **$1.4 billion** settlement with MEDA to stop the company's
• Okay, and you have to have the technology, but also specifically the strategy, as **Brent** mentioned
• **Senator Creighton**: Put $186 billion into helping Ukraine secure their borders.
• Trump a $10 billion to $15 billion to $18 billion refund for what the state of Texas has done to secure

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, Attorney General, budget recommendations, funding swaps, salary increases, Landowner's Compensation Program, public testimony, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting focused on the budget recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), where key issues included the proposed decrease of $163.9 million for the 2024-25 biennium and various methodology swaps for funding. Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing litigation expenditures and emphasized the need for continued investments in agency staffing to address rising demands within law enforcement. Notably, he requested a 6% salary increase for 2026 and 2027 to retain talented personnel amidst competitive job markets. Public testimony highlighted community awareness challenges regarding the Landowner's Compensation Program, indicating a need for enhanced outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman And it was originally just for school districts that did not participate. in Social Security
• Our state employees and retirees do participate in social. security.
• So they do get Social Security benefits.
• Social Security does have a cost. increase embedded in it, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention
• We have 482 FTEs that focus every day in a committed every day to securing the state's water future.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:33:19.920> guards estimated number of security guards estimated number of security guards
• disclosures must include the digital security presence such as drones and security cameras and contain
• <01:35:10.560> disclosures as well is that the security disclosures as well is that the security
• must include the dig digital security must include the dig digital security president<01:35:14.159
• Ring came AI technology has either.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, information technology is performed by an outside vendor.
• Um, information technology is performed Um, information technology is performed by<00:29:05.440> an
• <01:08:54.400> Um,<01:08:55.040> and the security features of today."
• Um, and the security features of today."
• By the size, sophistication, and use of technology in those industry types. So mortgage was first.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 22 January, 2026; 8:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The hearing began with the State Board of Architecture’s budget presentation. The executive director described the board’s mission to regulate architecture, landscape architecture, and certified interior design to protect public health and safety. He highlighted the board’s consolidated structure, license totals, high reciprocity rate, recent rule changes to reduce barriers to practice, and a proposed FY 2027 budget of $368,123, which included a 5% staff salary increase and higher operating costs. He also noted a newly identified need to modernize the licensing system, estimated at at least $25,000, and asked that the board not be reduced below the requested level. A board member also praised the small staff’s responsiveness and effectiveness. The State Board of Public Accountancy then presented its budget and policy requests. The executive director said the board regulates CPAs and CPA firms, oversees the CPA exam process, and has about 3,600 active individual licensees and 800 firms. The board requested only a 3% compensation increase for staff, plus a special request to allow an audit supervisor to repay the cost of a Becker review course through payroll deduction as part of succession planning. She also described a board-approved waiver program that began January 1, eliminating application fees for CPA exam candidates and retakes; 42 candidates had used the waiver in the first two weeks. In response to questions, she said the board does not assist CPAs with IRS disputes, but it does investigate complaints from the IRS, SEC, PCAOB, or others. Finally, a representative presented for the Board of Licensed Professional Counselors. She explained that the board regulates licensed counselors and psychotherapy providers, meets frequently, and has two staff members. The board’s main request was for additional investigative capacity: a full-time investigator and related funding, because complaints are currently handled by part-time investigators, contractors, and sometimes board members, which can require recusals from hearings. She said the state auditor had recently flagged complaint backlogs at regulatory agencies, supporting the request. The board also sought funding for a contractual administrative position, salary progressions, and a one-time technology increase to modify its new licensing system for the counseling compact and better search functions. Members questioned the board about its large cash balance, which was reported at about $860,000, and whether it should provide fee relief or other benefits to members; the presenter said the board would look into that and noted that revenues had increased significantly in recent years, partly due to out-of-state and telehealth-related licensing demand.

Transcript Highlights:

• think we have some experience in setting up data-sharing infrastructure to make sure it's safe and secure
• It's safe and secure and it works.

Bills: SB2901, SB2902, SB2903, SB2904, SB2905, SB2906, SB2907, SB2908, SB2909, SB2910, SB2911, SB2912, SB2913, SB2914, SB2915, SB2916, SB2917, SB2918, SB2919, SB2920, SB2921, SB2922, SB2923, SB2924, SB2925, SB2926, SB2927, SB2928, SB2929, SB2930, SB2931, SB2932, SB2933, SB2934, SB2935, SB2936, SB2937, SB2938, SB2939, SB2940, SB2941, SB2942, SB2943, SB2944, SB2945, SB2946, SB2947, SB2948, SB2949, SB2950, SB2951, SB2952, SB2953, SB2954, SB2955, SB2956, SB2957, SB2958, SB2959, SB2960, SB2961, SB2962, SB2963, SB2964, SB2965, SB2966, SB2967, SB2968, SB2969, SB2970, SB2971, SB2972, SB2973, SB2974, SB2975, SB2976, SB2977, SB2978, SB2979, SB2980, SB2981, SB2982, SB2983, SB2984, SB2985, SB2986, SB2987, SB2988, SB2989, SB2990, SB2991, SB2992, SB2993, SB2994, SB2995, SB2996, SB2997, SB2998, SB2999, SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum

Bills: SB2901, SB2902, SB2903, SB2904, SB2905, SB2906, SB2907, SB2908, SB2909, SB2910, SB2911, SB2912, SB2913, SB2914, SB2915, SB2916, SB2917, SB2918, SB2919, SB2920, SB2921, SB2922, SB2923, SB2924, SB2925, SB2926, SB2927, SB2928, SB2929, SB2930, SB2931, SB2932, SB2933, SB2934, SB2935, SB2936, SB2937, SB2938, SB2939, SB2940, SB2941, SB2942, SB2943, SB2944, SB2945, SB2946, SB2947, SB2948, SB2949, SB2950, SB2951, SB2952, SB2953, SB2954, SB2955, SB2956, SB2957, SB2958, SB2959, SB2960, SB2961, SB2962, SB2963, SB2964, SB2965, SB2966, SB2967, SB2968, SB2969, SB2970, SB2971, SB2972, SB2973, SB2974, SB2975, SB2976, SB2977, SB2978, SB2979, SB2980, SB2981, SB2982, SB2983, SB2984, SB2985, SB2986, SB2987, SB2988, SB2989, SB2990, SB2991, SB2992, SB2993, SB2994, SB2995, SB2996, SB2997, SB2998, SB2999, SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum

Transcript Highlights:

• He serves as the point of contact for homeland security for Montgomery County, overseeing funding for
• And uh that's where this bill originated from is a way for us to have a security system or security cameras
• a security system or security<00:44:04.319> cameras<00:44:04.800> at<00:44:04.960>
• , humans as well as instrumentality such as security alarms.
• gt; So this covers security >> So this covers security systems<00:44:57.760> or<00:44:58.480

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Social Security cap. That's $185,000. Social Security cap. That's $185,000.
• You would try to integrate technology.
• . technology. technology.
• Uh they don't pay social security<00:57:16.319> tax.
• They don't pay Medicare security tax.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And other cruise ships or vessels that come in, they already have the technology for shore power.
• existing technologies that's out there to kind of notify the driver through vibration and audio when
• :43.760> as<02:21:44.160> I<02:21:44.479> understand as the technology, um, as I
• It establishes a clean vehicles special fund and a transportation affordability energy security tax.
• I now focus on securing legally dire.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2021, a transportation measure creating a framework for electric bicycle and micromobility regulation. The bill would define electric bicycle and electric micromobility device, set age and helmet rules, restrict class 3 e-bikes from sidewalks, allow limited sidewalk use for class 1 and 2 bikes, prohibit high-speed electric devices and certain nonconforming devices in specified locations, update county tax definitions, and change related terminology. Testimony was largely supportive from DOT, police, Honolulu officials, Hawaii Bicycling League, AAA Hawaii, the Hawaii State Teachers Association, and several individuals, while DCCA’s Insurance Division asked for clarity on whether insurance would be required. Committee discussion focused on safety, enforcement, and the fact that no insurance market currently exists for these e-bike classes; members also discussed the need to target bad actors rather than ordinary riders. The chair then proposed and the committee adopted amendments to HB 2021, including clarifying that road-legal, permitted, classified electric bicycles are not subject to insurance requirements at this time; allowing properly classified electric bicycles on sidewalks at 10 mph or less subject to county restrictions; barring high-speed electric devices and other nonconforming devices from public roadways; authorizing impoundment of non-road-legal or improperly registered devices; and requiring direct parental supervision for riders under 16 on class 2 or 3 e-bikes. The committee also made technical and effective-date changes. The recommendation to pass HB 2021 with amendments was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee next took up HB 1641, a related transportation bill addressing high-speed electric devices. The chair explained that the measure would prohibit the sale, lease, rental, distribution, possession, or operation of high-speed electric devices and establish penalties, but the committee’s version would narrow the focus to devices covered by HB 2021. The amended bill would prohibit offering high-speed electric devices for lease or rent, require sellers to comply with the new regulatory framework, ban operation on bicycle lanes, highways, roadways, and streets, and set a civil penalty of $250 to $1,000 per violation. After no further questions, the committee voted to pass HB 1641 with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The meeting then moved to HB 1709, which would transfer regulation of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation and make conforming changes with an appropriation. DOT testified in support, while the PUC and DCCA’s Consumer Advocacy Division raised concerns about preserving consumer protections and the complexity of moving the regulatory framework. Young Brothers supported the bill and said the current system is outdated, but the discussion remained ongoing; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 1709 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have applied technology diplomas.
• But students in welding technology and advanced welding technology truly have so many opportunities to
• Moving on to another one of our flagship programs: our welding technology and welding technology advanced
• He's about to finish welding technology advanced.
• We opened up the Academy of Science and Technology.

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee met to hear an overview of Florida career and technical education (CTE) from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell and presentations from Big Bend Technical College and Santa Fe College. O’Farrell described Florida’s CTE structure, including career clusters, postsecondary program types, enrollment and completion growth, apprenticeship expansion, and the state’s credentials review process. He said postsecondary CTE enrollment is near 480,000 students and completions reached a record 76,806, with strong growth in nursing, law enforcement, EMT, and other public-safety credentials. He also discussed the CTE audit, which uses retention/success, employment or continued education, and labor-market demand metrics; programs not meeting thresholds would eventually require phase-out plans beginning in 2026. He highlighted the workforce development capitalization grant as a major driver of program expansion and facility renovation, and answered questions about business outreach, construction trades, apprenticeships, and space-industry training. Shelby McCall of Big Bend Technical College described how the college responded to hurricanes, mill closures, and regional economic disruption by expanding rural workforce training. She highlighted aluminum welding, millwright, welding technology, health sciences, and a new advanced manufacturing facility funded by state grants and local partnerships, along with a new LPN-to-RN bridge program. She said the college has strong placement and certification results and is working with employers such as Lippert, NAMO, and others to align training with local demand. Senator Simon praised the college’s role in Taylor County’s recovery and workforce development. Dr. Paul Brody of Santa Fe College said state workforce grants have helped the college expand nursing, skilled trades, apprenticeship, automotive, diesel, and manufacturing programs, including partnerships with Bradford County Technical College, UF Health, Habitat for Humanity, and local employers. He reported growth in CTE enrollment, nursing credentials, apprenticeship enrollment, and job placement rates, and described new efforts in semiconductor training, CDL training, and a charter school model that combines high school, an AS degree, and industry credentials. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentations and adjourned after Senator Berman moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:31:59.920> Um,<01:32:00.639> e- ...information technology projects.
• I'm here on behalf of Secure Democracy, and they are in support of this bill.
• Things have moved fast with internet, you know, technology, etc.
• Things have moved fast with internet, you know, technology, etc.
• Things have moved fast with internet, you know, technology, etc.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and new programs in training for agricultural technology.
• The FAMU SWAC championship women's volleyball team secured their third championship in four years.
• Women's volleyball team secured their third championship in four years.
• Read the next bill: Senate Bill 7026, a bill to be entitled an act relating to information technology
• Read the bill: Senate Bill 7026, a bill to be entitled an act relating to information technology.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects. Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• contract with a qualified public or private entity to advance this state's defense aerospace dual-use technology
• contract with qualified public or private entity to advance this state's defense aerospace dual-use technology
• and To advance this state's defense aerospace dual-use technology and national security innovation ecosystem
• employers pay a fee equal to 3.15% of their UI tax liability each quarter to the Department of Economic Security

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with a qualified public or private entity to advance this state's defense, aerospace, and dual-use technology
• contract with qualified public or private entity to advance this state's defense aerospace dual-use technology
• and ...to advance this state's defense, aerospace, dual-use technology, and national security innovation
• employers pay a fee equal to 3.15% of their UI tax liability each quarter to the Department of Economic Security

Summary: The meeting covered a series of fiscal year 2027 budget and budget-related bills, beginning with the general appropriations and tax package. Staff and the chair highlighted a budget built around about $1.4 billion in tax cuts, a one-time 2.5% agency reduction, major funding for state employee health insurance, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, and other supplemental appropriations. The chair repeatedly urged support for the package, emphasizing the size of the tax cut and noting that the committee’s joint vote had only three no votes out of 28 members. Members then reviewed several smaller budget implementation bills affecting racing and gambling, capital outlay, commerce and defense innovation, corrections, environment and water policy, higher education, human services, K-12 education, county finance, tax administration, state data governance, and state office rent rates. Key provisions included extending or modifying funds and fee structures, transferring surplus or unneeded monies, creating or revising oversight boards and pilot programs, increasing K-12 funding by 2% for inflation, adjusting university retention limits, expanding SNAP and housing-related requirements, and changing tax conformity and credits. Several members asked clarifying questions about specific items such as electric vehicle charging funds, mobile home relocation payments, university funding, and the new health insurance oversight board. The chair also explained the tax bill’s major changes, including conformity to federal tax law, a larger dependent tax credit, changes to deductions, repeal of certain tax credits, veteran property tax relief, limits on data center tax incentives, and provisions affecting manufacturing infrastructure and unemployment insurance administration. The committee discussed the Budget Stabilization Fund, debt repayment, and education rollover balances, with the chair arguing for using surpluses to pay down debt. The final item discussed was a behavioral health bill creating a home and community-based services program for adults determined to be seriously mentally ill, with a stated FY 2027 total fund appropriation of $7.8 million contingent on federal approval and matching funds. The meeting ended with a reminder that floor action would begin the next day at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• establishing a centralized crime laboratory portal to process record requests and facilitate the secure
• counties with populations exceeding three... 3.3 million are authorized to independently utilize this technology
• What this would do is if they have access to the technology, they also take on liability.
• now, Fort Worth PD is liable for what happens if Tarrant County Sheriff's Department uses their technology
• Additionally, a 2024 Department of Justice report found that 91% of girls in our secure facilities in

Bills: SB1099, SB1896, SB1980, SB127, SB614, SB955, SB1278, SB1372, SB1936, SB1937, SB2580, SB2595, SB2798

Keywords: SB 1099, illegal alien, undocumented immigrant, unauthorized immigrant, immigration status, felony sentencing enhancement, criminal penalty increase, Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, affirmative finding, judgment finding, deportation, public safety, immigration enforcement, sentencing reform, felony offense, first-degree felony, minimum sentence, Criminal Justice, Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• They are the conduit, so to speak, of new technology.
• The development of technology is amazing.
• We talk about how technology has advanced just between our personal cell phones.
• The world in which we engage through technology has developed immensely.
• And technology will only continue to advance to strengthen these cases and support survivors.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on Ways and Means, makes an appropriation to the Nevada System of Higher Education for safety and security
• on Ways and Means, makes an appropriation to the Nevada System of Higher Education for safety and security
• general fund appropriations of $11 million to the Nevada System of Higher Education for safety and security
• makes appropriations to the Department of Corrections for various purposes relating to certain technology
• makes appropriations to the Department of Corrections for various purposes relating to certain technology

Keywords: 909, all