Video & Transcript : 'technology services' :
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ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Mar 24th, 2026
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Maybe go into the service.
- Maybe go into the service.
- Technology, transportable, Dry storage is very successful technology, transportable.
- on this technology.
- It's not an enrichment technology.
Summary:
The committee met to hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear economics, workforce, community impacts, and financing. Nucleon Energy’s William Bridge presented a report estimating the economic impacts of hypothetical 200-megawatt and 600-megawatt SMRs, including construction and operating jobs, local spending, tax revenue, and the private-sector conditions needed to attract investment. He said the report used nth-of-a-kind cost assumptions, discussed security and water siting considerations, and argued that early community engagement and permitting work should be timed to when projects are closer to being economic. Committee members questioned cost assumptions, security staffing, transmission and water siting, and whether large reactors or SMRs are more likely to be financed in the near term.
Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning. She described declining labor-force demographics, the need for hundreds of thousands of new energy workers by 2050, and six workforce priorities: career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and non-traditional pipelines. She highlighted the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, robotics, and when training should begin relative to future plant construction; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers broadly and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan.
Red Wing, Minnesota Mayor Gary Yako described hosting the Prairie Island nuclear generating facility. He said the plant provides a large share of the city’s property tax base, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to local emergency preparedness, and is a strong community partner through donations and employee involvement. He said the city supports relicensing, has regular emergency drills, and has had no issues with dry cask storage. The committee also heard from NEI’s Benton Arnett, who reviewed the current financing landscape, including federal tax credits, DOE loan authority, offtake agreements, and the shift toward project developers and special-purpose vehicles. He said early projects face high first-of-a-kind costs, but federal support and long-term power purchase agreements are helping make projects financeable. Finally, DOE’s Julie Kazeraki described the Office of Energy Dominance Financing and its role in supporting new nuclear, restarts, uprates, and supply chain investments, emphasizing that federal loan and tax-credit tools are intended to reduce upfront risk and improve project affordability.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (02/11/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Um the office services and support.
- </c> service at the lowest possible cost. service at the lowest possible cost.
- ,</c> Military Affairs and Veteran Services, Military Affairs and Veteran Services, uh,<00:50:43.040>
- </c> from the department on behalf of service from the department on behalf of service members,<00:50
- these types of capabilities for service members and former service members, as well as their spouses
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, September 15, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> puts our service members first. puts our service members first.
- These are service members. They I this? These are service members.
- </c> several years of service in the VA. several years of service in the VA.
- </c> a service connected disability. a service connected disability.
- </c> in the Sunday adult service. in the Sunday adult service.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Information Technology Committee Jul 8th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Information Technology Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Into the service fund. Correct, into the service fund.
- That would also have been an hourly service.
- Most things are moving toward platform as a service, software as a service.
- An additional $1 million of dedicated emergency communication service revenue for prepaid wireless service
- We needed some help with service desk.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 15th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- How can we accommodate that, leveraging technology and virtual after-hour service deliveries?
- Having those after-hours service delivery options would be great. Improved customer service.
- How can we accommodate that leveraging technology in virtual. who might need some services provided after
- How can we accommodate that leveraging technology and virtual after-hour service deliveries?
- Oh, those are the supportive services. That's kind of the supportive services pieces.
Summary:
The meeting focused on Arkansas’s workforce development reorganization and a set of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate and streamline the state’s WIOA system. Commerce officials said the department has already centralized shared services, split the old workforce agency into reemployment and Arkansas Workforce Connections, and submitted a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan. They described nine waiver requests, including replacing local workforce boards with a single statewide board, creating one planning and accountability structure, allowing more flexible movement of funds across regions, easing the “last-dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, reducing required youth program elements, and allowing affiliate sites instead of mandatory comprehensive centers. Officials said the goal is to reduce administrative costs and redirect more money to training, supportive services, and employer-driven programs.
Legislators raised concerns about rural representation, local employer relationships, and whether local offices would close. Commerce officials said local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired, and regional business councils would preserve local employer input. They said the current system is fragmented and expensive, with roughly $14 million in federal workforce funds flowing through local boards but only about $1.9 million spent on training and supportive services last year; they argued the reorganization could raise training spending to about $6 million to $7 million annually. Questions also addressed board composition, performance accountability, and how funds could be shifted between regions when needs change. The State Board of Workforce Development had approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Members also discussed workforce access for people with disabilities, child care and transportation supports, and the role of Arkansas Launch, apprenticeships, and career and technical education. Officials said vocational rehabilitation now has better access to the state job board and that referrals and data-sharing with DHS and other partners still need improvement. Several legislators emphasized the need for training to align more closely with employer demand, especially in manufacturing, technology, health care, and rural areas. The committee also heard a brief overview of Workforce Pell, with staff explaining that the new federal short-term Pell option has narrow eligibility rules and may not fit many existing programs, including some CDL and CNA programs.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (04/07/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- more</c><04:04:11.600><c> rapidly</c> technology is even more rapidly technology is even more rapidly
- technologies technologies are.<04:17:45.120><c> So</c><04:17:45.439><c> that's</c><04:17:45.760><c>
- </c> technologies in place. technologies in place.
- So, um, I think I would encourage the bill to be technology agnostic and explore all technologies.
- agnostic uh and explore be technology agnostic uh and explore all<05:00:03.840><c> technologies.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Mar 18th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- The Social Services Fund, which is allocated to the Department of Human Services, there's a $236 million
- , and the Social Services Fund will get $250 million of oil taxes.
- The Siteimprove licensing is $508,000 for a two-year service.
- It provides movement of goods and services for residents, farmers, school buses, and emergency services
- The committee will turn to Job Service at this point.
Summary:
The Budget Section met with a quorum, approved the December 10, 2025 minutes, and received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. OMB reported the state was about $2 million ahead of forecast biennium-to-date, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397.5 million. Joe Morset also reviewed balances in major funds, oil tax revenues, interest income, federal grant reporting, fiscal irregularities, the voluntary separation incentive program, vacancy savings, and the FTE pool. Members asked about the higher-than-forecast interest income, the effective oil tax rate and stripper-well production, the impact of temporary pay adjustments and vacancy savings, and whether the voluntary separation program could reduce institutional knowledge or shift duties to remaining staff.
The committee then approved four Emergency Commission requests: $5.26 million for DPI to support an AI-enabled tutoring platform, $105,000 from the general fund contingency for Corrections GPS monitoring, about $1.963 million for HHS SPACES eligibility system upgrades tied to Medicaid work requirements, and about $1.2 million for SNAP eligibility IT improvements. Legislative Council reported remaining interim spending authority after those approvals, and NDIT gave an update on digital accessibility compliance efforts, saying the state has made substantial progress on websites and PDFs but that applications will take longer to remediate. NDIT also reported on the Infinite Campus student information system rollout, noting data migration remains the biggest challenge and that a supplemental vendor is being brought in to help get districts ready for summer go-live. Greg Hoffman then gave a brief update on NDIT’s operational fund, saying cash remains negative in PeopleSoft but accounts receivable keeps the fund functioning within federal limits.
The Supreme Court reported on its new and vacant FTE funding pool, saying it has filled 7 of 10 new positions and has realized some vacancy savings, and Legislative Council provided a similar report for the legislative branch along with a reminder that budget action reports are available online. The Department of Transportation presented its Flexible Transportation Fund, explaining the fund’s allocation formulas and ranking process, and sought Budget Section approval for two projects over the $10 million threshold: a Medora city streets and sidewalk project and a Cass County bridge replacement. Members questioned whether funding Medora streets could set a precedent for city street reconstruction and whether the bridge application process fully reflects statewide needs. DOT said the projects were scored competitively and that the bridge list does not capture all deficiencies statewide.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> have to append some sort of Technology have to append some sort of Technology on<00:37:12.040><c
- Vehicle Services technology account, although for some of the transactions you'll see a line 2.11, part
- ><c> for</c> services technology account although for services technology account although for some<00
- and vehicle services.
- most</c><01:14:37.840><c> of</c> services and vehicle services most of services and vehicle services
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Apr 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- and technology continues to expand.
- We try to rebalance and focus on new technology, but I would just...
- Sometimes some investments in technology, for example, if you want to have technology that kind of looks
- As a society, we've always had difficult pain for fire services.
- The biggest technology investment I would hope we would make is.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (01/28/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The optical technology is a mature technology, as you heard. It's been around for a long time.
- There are challenges with that technology, like many other technologies.
- um the optical technology is a mature<00:57:46.000><c> technology</c><00:57:47.000><c> uh</c><00:57:47.160
- </c><00:58:51.039><c> that</c> transponders uh GPS technology that transponders uh GPS technology that
- </c> um passeng passenger related um services um passeng passenger related um services and<02:23:29.359
Summary:
The Public Works and Highways Committee heard testimony on House Bill 375, which would allow municipalities to designate certain road segments for ATV travel, create maps and signage for those routes, set seasonal limits, and require certain equipment on ATVs such as lights, a horn, flashers, and directional signals. The sponsor, Rep. Dan Maguire, said the bill is intended to support tourism and give towns a structured, optional way to permit ATV use on roads, not to override existing uses. Members asked about possible overlap with agricultural vehicle rules, golf carts, speed limits, and whether the bill could allow ATV use on busier roads or expressways; the sponsor said he did not intend to interfere with existing lawful uses and believed golf carts would only be included if they met the relevant statutory requirements.
NHDOT State Maintenance Engineer Alan Hennessy said the department had concerns with language exempting municipalities and the Bureau of Trails from the permitting process, arguing that the existing permit system provides needed review, public notice, and signage requirements. He also raised questions about road funding and maintenance if ATVs were allowed on state highways. Fish and Game Captain Michael Eastman testified that his commission opposed the bill as written, citing concerns about the ATV definition, the distinction between ATVs, UTVs, and other OHRVs, and the potential impact on state highways and road maintenance. He said towns can already open roads to OHRV use under existing law, and he noted that accident data for road use would generally be handled by local police or State Police rather than Fish and Game.
Craig Reny, chief of the Bureau of Trails, said the current Bureau of Trails/DOT permit process for highway crossings and connectors works well and is used to ensure safety through engineering review. He said his bureau was not taking a position on the bill but wanted to clarify that existing procedures already address many of the issues the bill appears to cover. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses Apr 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Technology has changed. Finances have changed. Many of you have laptops on your desk.
- Are you in quick service? Are you in fast casual or are you in full dining?
- Are you in quick service? Are you in fast casual or are you in full dining?
- Today, the payments industry is not simply a financial service.
- , but across retail, hospitality, health care, logistics, and technology.
Summary:
The commission met to continue studying credit card payments, interchange fees, fraud, chargebacks, and the impact of card processing costs on small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members heard extensive testimony from credit unions, retailers, restaurant owners, payment-industry representatives, and an airline trade group. Supporters of reform argued that swipe fees are a major and rising expense, that businesses are paying fees on sales tax and tips that are merely pass-through amounts, and that merchants have little negotiating power. Several restaurant and retail witnesses described thin margins, higher costs for card-not-present transactions, and chargebacks that they said usually favor cardholders and leave merchants absorbing losses and fees.
Witnesses from the Cooperative Credit Union Association cautioned that state-level interchange regulation could reduce revenue used for fraud prevention, compliance, and member services, and could lead to higher rates or reduced access. Retail and restaurant representatives countered that fees have risen sharply, that statements are difficult to decipher, and that rewards programs and card-network pricing are subsidized by merchants and ultimately by all consumers. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association and independent operators urged legislation to bar fees on tax and tip portions of transactions and to allow businesses to pass along card fees if they choose, saying this would improve transparency and fairness and help keep small restaurants open.
Other testimony came from the National Restaurant Association, which supported interchange reform and said modern point-of-sale systems can already separate tax and tip amounts, and from a payments-industry group that emphasized the broader economic benefits of digital payments and warned against state-by-state rules. Airlines for America opposed changes that could undermine airline credit card rewards programs. Commission members asked detailed questions about fee structures, card types, chargebacks, POS systems, and whether consumers paying cash are also affected. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- When you talk about these new technologies, one of the things that I agree with you on is getting PDV
- ready so we can be shovel-ready for new technologies moving in.
- IRBs with large manufacturing or technology companies? Mr.
- Regarding the technology side of it, can you explain exactly what you're trying to achieve?
- we meet that technology deadline in April of 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 6th, 2026
Natural Resources
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I am the board member for the Idaho Education Technology Association, which represents most of the technology
- staff in Idaho schools, also a school technology director myself.
- Fourth, it provides structure amid rapid technology growth.
- More people utilizing those services, more people available.
- Technology and another $10 million to service Luma, bringing them online.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 1227, which would direct the State Board of Education to develop a statewide framework for generative AI in K-12 schools and require local districts to adopt related policies. Senator Cook said the bill is meant to promote AI literacy, transparency, privacy, and human oversight without mandating AI use, replacing teachers, or collecting new student data. Committee members asked about facial recognition, student data, parental opt-out, and age-appropriate use; Cook and supportive witnesses said existing privacy law covers data concerns, local districts would handle opt-out questions, and the framework is intended to start early with age-appropriate instruction. Testimony in support came from the Workforce Development Council, Idaho Education Technology Association, St. Luke’s Health System, Idaho PTA, and others, who said the bill would help prepare students for future jobs while protecting privacy and keeping humans in charge. The committee voted to send Senate Bill 1227 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee then received a budget briefing from Joint Finance Appropriations Committee staff on public school support and higher education. Analysts explained that the public school budget is driven largely by support units and the Public Education Stabilization Fund, and that the governor’s FY27 recommendation is about $152 million below the agency request, with reductions tied to statutory population adjustments, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, virtual school transportation, and supplemental learning funds. They also noted recent enrollment declines and discussed how policy changes affect school funding. In higher education, staff outlined a combined $753 million request for colleges and universities, with the governor recommending about $11.5 million in rescissions across the institutions, plus separate health education programs totaling $30.4 million and recommended enhancements for 15 GME residents and fellows, including family medicine and psychiatry.
JFAC staff also reviewed the state’s broader fiscal picture, saying ongoing revenues are not keeping pace with ongoing appropriations and that the legislature may need to rely on one-time money or policy changes to restore structural balance. They discussed the impact of tax conformity legislation, revenue forecast changes, and the growth of major budget areas such as public schools and Medicaid over the past decade. Committee members asked follow-up questions about enrollment trends, university enrollment weighting, rescissions, Medicaid expansion costs, and the effect of prior tax policy decisions. No votes were taken on the budget presentations, and the meeting adjourned after the informational briefing.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 083 Apr 7th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Services Senate Services Correctly<00:27:40.480><c> revised</c><00:27:40.840><c> House</c><00:
- </c> Committee on Health and Human Services Committee on Health and Human Services had<00:28:59.120><
- ,</c><00:29:53.120><c> after</c> Business, Labor, and Technology, after Business, Labor, and Technology
- </c> agricultural industry and our technology agricultural industry and our technology industries.<00
- ambulance services and air ambulance services, to be essential services.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And so we're honing in on another topic here technology-wise.
- Here technology-wise. So this is going to be known as the Conversational AI Safety Act.
- and making these services accessible to adults and youth in Idaho.
- So this is for conversational services. Follow-up, Representative Ehlers?
- I truly wish we had been this proactive when we saw other innovative new technologies move forward.
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, approving minutes from several February and March meetings, and thanked the page for her service. It then took up Senate Bill 1354, which would create a statewide framework for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), requiring cities over 10,000 population to allow one internal or attached ADU per lot while preserving existing HOA restrictions and historic district exemptions. Supporters argued the bill would expand housing options, protect property rights, and help families with aging parents, adult children, or rental income; opponents from the HOA and insurance community warned it could increase density, rentals, parking and utility strain, and insurance costs, especially if short-term rentals increase. After sponsor clarifications on county exclusion, HOA rules, and infrastructure limits, the committee passed SB 1354 on a 10-4 roll call vote and sent it to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 1297, the Conversational AI Safety Act, which would set transparency and safety standards for conversational AI services, especially for minors. The bill requires disclosures that users are interacting with AI, guardrails against sexually explicit content and romantic/sentient personas for minors, limits gamification techniques that encourage addictive use, and parental controls. Google testified in support, saying it already uses similar safety-by-design measures and that the bill would create consistent industry standards; members asked about how operators would identify minors and whether the bill would apply to out-of-state providers. The committee approved SB 1297 as amended and sent it to the floor with a do-pass recommendation.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1352, which would require cities over 10,000 population to allow “starter home subdivisions” with smaller lots and modest setbacks, while preventing higher fees for those homes and allowing denials for infrastructure, safety, or environmental reasons. The sponsor framed it as a response to rising home prices and delayed first-time homeownership, while supporters from housing and building groups said smaller lots could lower costs and expand supply. City and resident testimony opposed the bill as a state override of local planning and zoning, arguing it would impose high-density development and weaken local control; city representatives also said the bill’s lot-size language was being misunderstood and that they had not had enough input in drafting. Despite those concerns, the committee passed SB 1352 as amended with a do-pass recommendation after discussion of its effect on local land-use authority and deed restrictions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 4/7/25
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> can see on the health and human services can see on the health and human services line,<00:07:28.639
- ,</c><00:10:33.519><c> or</c> used for tax cuts, debt service, or used for tax cuts, debt service, or
- </c><00:13:54.320><c> access,</c> school-aged care, technology access, school-aged care, technology access
- <00:18:50.799><c> and</c> services and services and supports.<00:18:52.720><c> It</c><00:18:52.880><c
- The human services line for our Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration block grants
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the posture of United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by a closed ses Feb 13th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, General, for... for your service to this country.
- You get into the safe city technology.
- Chair, and thanks to our witnesses for your service.
- the use of these new technologies.
- And so that's where it's at right now, the services. So it's coming out of the services pockets.
Keywords:
national security, China, Russia, cybersecurity, border security, military deployment, transnational crime, defense modernization, military strategy
Summary:
In this meeting, key topics included national security concerns with an emphasis on threats from China, Russia, and transnational criminal organizations. Senior military officials provided testimony on the evolving risks posed by these adversaries, particularly focusing on cybersecurity and advancements in weaponry. The discussion highlighted the importance of a cohesive strategy among government departments to effectively respond to the challenges presented by these threats, emphasizing the need for modernization in defense capabilities. Committee members grilled the witnesses on border security and the implications of deploying military resources in domestic operations.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Deploying advanced nuclear reactor technologies for national security.
- as well as the technologies that we develop.
- So they have special technologies that we don't have, and I remind everybody who asks: those technologies
- And what size area can it service?
- That kind of service, if you will, is appealing to these companies.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from January 14 and January 28. It then considered RS 3-2904, a bill from the DOGE Committee to remove 19 obsolete code sections, including provisions related to hazardous waste facility siting and the Big Payette Lake Water Quality Act. The sponsor urged the committee to print the bill so members could review possible unintended consequences, including whether the changes would shift responsibilities or reduce public testimony. After a question about Department of Environmental Quality involvement, the committee voted to introduce RS 3-2904.
The remainder of the meeting was a presentation by Dr. John Wagner, director of Idaho National Laboratory, on energy dominance and security through research, development, and demonstration. He described INL’s role in nuclear energy, critical infrastructure security, and critical minerals, and said the current federal administration has accelerated nuclear policy through executive orders aimed at expanding reactor deployment, reforming NRC processes, and supporting advanced reactor testing. He highlighted INL’s work with private companies on small modular reactors, microreactors, fuel fabrication, and used nuclear fuel research, including projects tied to AI/data center power demand and Department of War applications.
Members asked about used fuel storage, Idaho’s potential role in nuclear recycling and reactor development, transmission and water constraints, public acceptance, and the timeline for deployment. Wagner said Idaho’s advantage lies in its expertise, existing infrastructure, and a regulatory environment that provides certainty, while noting that transmission, water use, and workforce remain key issues. He also said the legislature can help by signaling receptiveness, clarifying policy, and supporting infrastructure and workforce development. The committee took no further action after the presentation and adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (12/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> department of health and human services department of health and human services and<00:02:58.000
- </c><00:03:04.000><c> any</c> again health and human services any again health and human services any
- </c> about the innovative technologies? about the innovative technologies?
- </c> it is really about uh using technology it is really about uh using technology with<00:15:57.040>
- These attorneys provide services in the These attorneys provide services in the same<00:18:19.760><c>
Summary:
The Fiscal Committee met on December 19, with Senators Long and Lang serving as replacements. The committee approved the November 21 minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two Department of Health and Human Services items for separate discussion. It then took up an HHS request involving nursing facility rates, where Nathan White explained that $2.2 million would be transferred from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract to the nursing facilities budget. He said the funds would offset an otherwise projected 3.9% average rate decrease and bring the overall average change to zero for the next six months, with rates reset again in July under state law. Members asked about the budget adjustment factor, bed counts, and whether additional funds could raise rates further; White said the factor is statutory, capped at 28.76%, and that more money would lower the factor and increase rates. The committee also corrected a date in the request from February 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026, and approved the item.
The committee next approved another HHS item related to rural health transformation grants. Members confirmed the request covered the full amount applied for this biennium, and asked about the technology component. HHS said the grant is not solely about AI, but about broader technology improvements such as electronic medical records, back-end systems, and tools to improve access and sustainability in underserved areas. The committee approved that item as well.
The Judicial Council then requested funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed-fee basis. The council said current funds had already been exhausted and that the new appropriation would be used immediately. Members questioned the size of the request and the number of people awaiting counsel; the council reported about 150 incarcerated people and about 300 non-incarcerated people waiting for counsel, more than in recent years. It attributed the increase to competition for attorneys, public defender offices closing intake in some locations because of caseload limits, and broader case and court-system changes. One member raised constitutional concerns about delays in counsel for incarcerated defendants. The committee ultimately amended the request downward to $1 million, approved it, and then approved a motion to place several annual financial reports on file and release them to the public when available. The committee also discussed dashboard reporting from HHS, asking for more detail on community mental health center caseloads and budget-reduction information, and HHS agreed to provide more useful monthly detail.