Transcript Highlights:

• These relate to information technology changes that are system-focused and policy-focused.
• I had some other ones I would have stuck in there, as well, but certainly this upgrading technology is
• <00:07:07.400> is upgrading technology is upgrading technology is one<00:07:08.600> of<
• And so, this technology is going to continue to advance, and we want to be sure that our policies are
• ><01:09:05.799> continue<01:09:06.160> to technology is going to continue to technology

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, because these technologies are difficult to precisely define, or they are shaped by dynamic forces
• because these technologies because these technologies are<00:21:10.440> difficult<00:21:11.000
• bill. >> H. 814, an act relating to neurological rights and the use of artificial intelligence technology
• I really appreciate that in a time when technological developments are moving so incredibly fast and
• . technology. technology.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House resumed consideration of H.606 on firearm procedures and first took up Section 3 and its effective dates. A member from Northfield spoke at length in support, arguing the provision is narrowly tailored, based on actual dangerousness rather than mental illness alone, and is more limited than federal law because it applies only to specific court findings and is temporary, with rights restorable upon recovery. The House then approved Section 3 and its effective dates, approved the remainder of the Judiciary Committee report, and ordered third reading. The chamber then moved through third readings and passed H.385 on remedies and protections for victims of coerced debt, H.556 on exceptions to the state minimum wage, H.559 on the parole board, H.723 on posting of land, and H.757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives. On H.814, relating to neurological rights and AI in health and human services, the House adopted an amendment offered by the member from Burlington that required the advisory council to include proposed definitions for neurotechnology, artificial intelligence, and related terms in its report; the House Health Care Committee reported the amendment favorable 11-0-0, and the bill then passed. H.816, regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health services, also passed, as did H.927, technical corrections for the 2026 session. The House then took up H.930 on chronic absenteeism. The committee member from Manchester described the bill as an AOE proposal responding to high post-pandemic absenteeism rates and their impact on learning, and outlined provisions adding definitions, updating compulsory attendance language, requiring a state model policy, strengthening notification and truancy procedures, and preserving existing penalties. The member said the Education Committee heard from a wide range of education and child welfare witnesses and passed the bill 11-0. After a brief clarification on the absences section, the House proceeded toward third reading of H.930.

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes the functional support of some key aspects of the state’s ERP technology, specifically
• <00:23:21.560> the<00:23:21.960> ERP<00:23:22.720> uh<00:23:22.800> technology
• <00:23:23.400> supported all of the ERP uh technology supported all of the ERP uh technology
• The work is really organized around key areas of data sharing and use, technology systems, policies,
• ,<00:43:11.680> um identifying common tools, technology, um identifying common tools, technology

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Jeff Tolson of the Minnesota Technology Association, and I'm here on behalf of all Minnesota
• businesses that rely on access to skilled talent in the science, technology, and engineering fields.
• And in the end, it's really Minnesota that benefits as we build the technology-proficient and skilled
• the state who are doing a lot of investment um spending a lot of money to grow to provide uh new technology
• state who are doing a lot of investment, um, spending a lot of money to grow, to provide uh new technology

Bills: HF3228, HF2441

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, prevailing wage, certified payroll, payroll reporting, construction contracts, public works, project registration, labor standards, contractor compliance, subcontractor reporting, state government, Department of Administration, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Metropolitan Council, highway construction, public construction

Transcript Highlights:

• I saw the technology going very, very quickly and the laws were not keeping up.
• I saw the technology going very, very quickly and the laws were not keeping up.
• Um, we've put a half a million dollars into the IT technology fund, or technology improvement fund, so
• <01:24:25.360> fund<01:24:26.000> or into the IT technology fund or into the IT technology
• ><01:24:27.600> that technology improvement fund so that technology improvement fund so that child

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:45:25.480> manufacturing<00:45:26.160> Aerospace<00:45:26.680> power Technology
• manufacturing Aerospace power Technology manufacturing Aerospace power Sports<00:45:27.839> and
• Forefront of technological Forefront of technological advancement<00:46:14.119> at<00:46:
• Recent economic data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the State Science and Technology Institute
• Recent economic data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the State Science and Technology Institute

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Student Computing so we're at technology Student Computing so we're at the<00:48:15.880> Bare
• it all comes materials and Technology it all comes with<00:57:14.960> unintended<00:57:15.680
• We're striving for a more uniform approach that balances technology use with a focus on learning.
• We're striving for a more uniform approach that balances technology use with a focus on learning.
• We're striving for a more uniform approach that balances technology use with a focus on learning.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• has remained stagnant, our small businesses, including those providing services and information technology
• Act is helping fund clean energy projects, advanced manufacturing, hydrogen development, battery technology
• representing Silicon Valley, I see firsthand how investments in research, innovation, semiconductor technology

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• up opportunities in the pest control industry when companies pivot to offer their customers new technology
• up opportunities in the pest control industry when companies pivot to offer their customers new technology
• up opportunities in the pest control industry when companies pivot to offer their customers new technology

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hearing on several late-file bills and home rule petitions, with testimony focused mainly on coastal access and wildlife management, rodenticide restrictions, and a local land-use request. Rep. Scarsdale testified for H.5113, which would name an accessible trail in Groton’s J. Harry Rich State Forest the Marion Stoddard River Walk in honor of the activist who helped restore the Nashua River. Groton Trails Committee chair Paul Fung also supported the bill, describing the trail, educational signs, and DCR’s involvement. Rep. Sweezey presented a package of Duxbury Beach bills—H.5141, H.5140, and H.5139—intended to align state shorebird protections more closely with federal standards, create parity in beach management tools, and require periodic review of outdated recreational-use guidelines; he said the bills were developed with local and agency input and aimed to balance conservation with beach access. A large portion of the hearing concerned local petitions to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides and other pesticides. Supporters from Mass Audubon, Sierra Club, Animal Defenders International, wildlife rehabilitation groups, and residents from towns including Grafton, Billerica, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Eastham, and Truro argued that these poisons harm raptors and other non-target wildlife through secondary poisoning, persist in the environment, and are increasingly ineffective. Several speakers said local town meetings had approved the restrictions and urged favorable reports on the petitions. Opponents, including a representative of the New England Pest Management Association, argued that regulation should remain at the state level under MDAR to avoid a patchwork of local rules and noted that the agency was already reviewing rodenticide regulations. Committee members asked questions about agency consultation, the relationship between state and federal bird listings, and how local beach rules would work in practice. The committee also heard testimony on H.4700 and related local pesticide-reduction petitions for Eastham and Truro, with witnesses describing groundwater concerns, pesticide drift, and wildlife impacts. Finally, the committee took testimony on S.2961, a Dighton bill authorizing the use of a small portion of conservation land for public way purposes to replace the Pleasant Street Bridge and add pedestrian and bicycle accommodations; the witness said the affected area was limited and necessary for safety improvements. The hearing ended after testimony concluded, with the chair turning the gavel over and the committee adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Appropriations, Transportation and Technology is called to order.
• And having no further business, the Appropriations, Transportation and Technology Committee is adjourned
• And having no further business, the Appropriations, Transportation and Technology Committee is adjourned

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations, Transportation and Technology heard HCR 2048, as amended by a strike-everything amendment. The amendment would constitutionally prohibit the state from confiscating scholarship account monies from children of military families who are eligible for education scholarship accounts (ESAs) and can use the funds for tuition and fees at eligible postsecondary institutions. It also would make any later bill or voter-approved measure that violates that prohibition void in its entirety, with no severability, for measures enacted or approved on or after November 1, 2026. Representative Way, the sponsor, said the measure was intended to protect military families from having education funds taken away and argued that military children face unique disruptions because of deployments and frequent moves. Supporters including Matt Beinberg of the Goldwater Institute, Kevin Beasty of the Arizona Christian Education Coalition, Peter Gentala of the Center for Arizona Policy, and Senator Rogers said the amendment was needed to safeguard military families and preserve their ability to use ESA funds flexibly, including for college savings. Opponents, including Senators Alston, Fernandez, Kuby, and Epstein, argued the proposal was unnecessary, overly broad, and an attempt to preempt or invalidate a pending ESA-related citizen initiative. They also raised concerns about ESA accountability, public school funding, and constitutional issues involving voter initiatives and judicial review. After debate, the committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and then voted on HCR 2048 as amended. The final committee vote was 6 ayes, 4 noes, and 1 not voting, giving the measure a do-pass recommendation.

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

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

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:

• You are recognized to present the nomination of Randall Gilbert to the State Board of Career and Technology
• We have We have 29 technology centers. We serve in the comprehensive high schools.
• otherwise be in college, to be around aircraft around STEM around even our new degree in simulation technology

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number two is Commerce Workforce Services with Carrasoft Technology Group.
• Number 11, UA Little Rock with SSIA Technologies to provide operational digital planetarium system.
• Number 11, UA Little Rock with SSIA technologies to provide operational digital planetarium system.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• first item, B1, is a letter from the Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of State Technology
• The loan to the Office of State Technology will be used to make major improvements to information technology

Summary: The committee considered a series of appropriation, fund transfer, and reserve requests across multiple agencies. Section B temporary appropriations included funding for state technology upgrades, personnel management staffing and IT skills assessment, court reporters and interpreters, crime victim claims, juvenile sex offender assessments, radiation lab testing, and higher education workforce grants and credentialing pathways. Additional items covered an ARPA grant for the University of Arkansas Fort Smith LPN program, an IIJA grant for the Oil and Gas Commission’s critical minerals work, a restricted reserve transfer for State Police vehicle purchases, a transfer to the Arkansas Heroes Program, and cash fund requests for the Real Estate Commission’s AV system and HVAC work. Most of these items were approved by voice vote. One budget classification transfer request from the Commissioner of State Lands drew extended questioning and was ultimately not approved. Members questioned the $250,000 transfer to operating expenses tied to the purchase of a West Little Rock office building, the ongoing lease costs at the prior location, and whether the agency had adequately planned for building-related expenses. After discussion, the motion failed, and members told the agency to tighten spending and return if needed. The committee then took up 15 pay plan appropriation requests totaling $25.7 million and approved them after discussion with DFA, DHS, Corrections, and the State Board of Election Commissioners. Members focused heavily on DHS staffing shortages at human development centers, where officials said vacancies and turnover were driven by overtime and burnout rather than pay alone; one member asked DHS to submit a written plan to address the issue. Corrections reported the pay plan had improved hiring and retention. The committee also approved overtime appropriations for Emergency Management and Military. Reports on reserve funds, the Budget Stabilization Trust Fund, tobacco settlement, State Central Services, Education Adequacy, Medicaid Trust, IIJA, and revenue transfer activity were received. The Medicaid Trust Fund report prompted significant concern about February’s $90 million draw; DHS said the month was unusually high because of cash-flow timing and that the fund should end the year with a balance between $150 million and $200 million, while lawmakers noted a second $100 million set-aside is planned for FY27. The final discussion centered on DHS’s state hospital damage claim and reconstruction funding, where members expressed disappointment that insurance reimbursement would likely return only about $1.8 million now and possibly about $97,000 more later, far less than the roughly $5 million initially expected. DHS explained the policy was based on actual cash value and depreciation for old buildings, and said the work would proceed on Unit 3 for secured restoration because it was the most cost-effective option.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also provides that the total appropriation for the purposes of improving instructional technology
• Instructional technology is to be reduced annually by an amount not to exceed $15 million to be retained
• county boards to use for the same purposes up to 50% of the allocation for improving instructional technology

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then considered a series of House bills and committee substitutes. House Bill 5438, dealing with changes to Step 7 of the school aid formula and allowable uses of certain education allocations, was amended to adopt the Education Committee’s changes and then reported to the full Senate. House Bill 4087 creating the West Virginia-Ireland Education Alliance was also reported, as was House Bill 4191, which expands child care tax credit eligibility for employer-sponsored facilities and changes subsidy payments from attendance-based to enrollment-based reimbursement; senators emphasized its workforce and economic development benefits. House Bill 5074, which reallocates medical cannabis fund balances and future revenues, was amended to increase the Child Protective Commission pilot funding from $3 million to $5 million and remove proposed ibogaine research funding for Marshall and WVU before being reported. House Bill 5353, regulating virtual currency kiosks and money transmission licensure, and House Bill 5527, creating licensure and oversight for wellness reimbursement program administrators, both received strike-and-insert amendments and were reported. House Bill 5687, which phases down the metallurgical coal severance tax and adds a temporary oil and gas tax reduction with county/municipal revenue adjustments, was amended and reported. House Bill 4418, creating an electronic system for municipal business and occupation tax filing and collection with a 1% administrative fee and a participation threshold, was also reported. The committee then took up House Bill 4245, the Revenue Rules Bundle, which bundles 26 legislative rules from the Department of Revenue and related agencies. The bundle included alcohol, banking, insurance, racing, and tax rules, with several sunset extensions and repeals of outdated rules; the committee adopted a strike-and-insert amendment affecting a lottery consumer protection rule and a pre-need cemetery company rule, then reported the bill. House Bill 5168, providing a $12 million lottery-funded stream for emergency medical services, was amended to clarify the uses of the funds, rename one fund, require a 30% county match for mental health treatment spending, and create two additional county-based EMS funds; senators described it as a needed permanent funding source for EMS, and it was reported. Throughout the meeting, members generally supported the measures, with some discussion on technical details, funding allocations, and the impact of the bills on local services and workforce needs. At the end of the meeting, the chair announced that Senate House Bills 4004, 4006, and 4009 would not be taken up that day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• if you want to add, because I always ask this question to how you're using, you know, advancing technology
• if you want to add, because I always ask this question to how you're using, you know, advancing technology
• if you want to add, because I always ask this question to how you're using, you know, advancing technology

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• likely to face morbidity challenges, chronic illness, caregiving duties, and limited access to technology
• Missing an interview could be because of... ...to technology.
• accountability so those funds will continue to directly support frontline investigations, training, technology

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, beginning with agency and records measures from Senator Massullo. SB 488, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency package, would update reporting thresholds for crashes, expand DHSMV’s use of email for certain transactions, and align tank vehicle definitions with federal rules; it was reported favorably. Its companion, SB 490, creates a public records exemption for certain email records and also passed favorably. The committee also approved SB 892, revising enhanced sentencing procedures for repeat offenders, and SB 124, which cleans up outdated Florida Virtual School language without changing day-to-day operations. Later, SB 584 on commercial driving schools, SB 656 codifying the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and related grant program, and SB 816 establishing the University of Florida Diabetes Institute in statute all passed favorably as well. The most extensive debate centered on SB 216, which would tighten reemployment assistance eligibility by adding job-search requirements, interview attendance rules, identity and immigration verification every two weeks, and fraud-reporting duties for the Department of Commerce. Senator McLean argued the bill targets fraud and improves program integrity, while opponents and several members raised concerns about fiscal impact, administrative burden, and reduced access for unemployed workers, especially seniors and rural residents. Dr. Rich Templin of the Florida AFL-CIO testified against the bill, warning it could sharply reduce recipiency and worsen an already restrictive system. Despite opposition, the bill was reported favorably on a divided roll call. The committee also approved CS/SB 382 on electric bicycles, which requires riders to yield to pedestrians on shared pathways, sound an audible signal before passing, and limits speed near pedestrians; it also creates a task force to study further regulation. Michelle Lynch, whose son was killed in an e-scooter crash, testified in support of broader safety rules and urged the committee to add e-scooters back into the bill. Several members echoed concerns about e-scooter safety and asked for further work, but the bill advanced favorably. At the end of the meeting, members requested to be recorded on specific tabs, and the committee adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• what that was built there to help in Jacksonville Jaxport to the can build this new the most AI technology
• We also are and by implementing new technology, as this technology becomes available to track each dollar

Transcript Highlights:

• They are using killer cell technology to specialize a delivery mechanism to deliver cancer-killing molecules
• the Cancer Innovation Fund, they are also going to be working with Orlando Health to offer their technology
• The time is right to use technology of an online registry coupled with the power of the medical order

Summary: The committee first received an update from the Department of Health on the Cancer Connect Collaborative, the Cancer Innovation Fund, and the new Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, created and expanded by recent legislation. The department reported that the Cancer Innovation Fund has awarded $80 million to 95 researchers to date, with $60 million available in the current cycle and 65 projects funded across 28 institutions in 16 cancer areas last year. The new pediatric cancer incubator received $30 million and awarded four Florida children’s hospitals $7.5 million each. Senators asked about outreach to oncologists statewide, peer review and accountability, funding for National Cancer Institute-affiliated institutions, and whether underserved and rural areas are being prioritized; the department said it uses website notices, listservs, collaborative outreach, and eligibility criteria favoring rural and high-cancer-care providers, and that it monitors projects through reports, expenditures, and contract provisions. The committee then heard Senate Bill 312 on patient-directed medical orders, which would create a voluntary, portable, physician-authorized electronic registry for patients to document end-of-life and serious-illness treatment preferences. Supporters, including nurses, hospice and emergency care advocates, and medical professionals, said the bill would help ensure patient wishes are accessible in emergencies, reduce unwanted interventions, and improve continuity of care. Opponents, including Florida Right to Life, argued the bill could broaden end-of-life decisions too far, raise privacy and coercion concerns, and allow withdrawal of care inappropriately. The sponsor said the measure is intended to support patient autonomy and is not anti-life, and noted she was open to amendments. After public testimony, the committee voted on SB 312 and reported it favorably. The roll call showed support from Senators Berman and Harrell, with the bill passing on the committee vote. The meeting then adjourned.