Video & Transcript : 'communication technology' :

Page 197 of 500
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session Mar 4th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • You must be able to communicate. It teaches communication so that you can express those ideas.
  • You're communicating to a particular group of people, but the communication, that's not DEI.
  • The LGBT community to have equal access to certain things in the community, medicine for people with
  • Technology that can influence... Technology that can influence them. That shouldn't be an opt-out.
  • My community is not like Jim Boy's. My community... My community is not like Jim Boy's.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a lengthy special order calendar. Early business included unanimous passage of CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, with supporters describing it as a way to expand access to debate programs statewide, create a Hall of Fame, support public-private partnerships, and train coaches. The bill drew broad bipartisan praise for teaching civics, critical thinking, and conflict resolution, and passed 37-0 after adoption of a delete-all amendment. The Senate also passed SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force after clarifying amendment language stating the bill does not restrict criticism of Israel and is consistent with First Amendment protections; members emphasized rising anti-Semitic incidents and the need for recommendations on prevention, law enforcement training, and community relations. The chamber then approved CS/CS/SB 1230 / HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals, phasing out firefighting foam containing PFAS, requiring reporting and biosolid testing, and authorizing DEP rulemaking, assistance, and enforcement; the bill was described as protecting firefighters and water supplies and was dedicated in memory of former firefighter Joe Casello. Senators also passed SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training in schools, SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 990 creating protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 modernizing nonprofit corporation law, SB 560 streamlining child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684 on electronic signatures for total-loss vehicles and vessels, and SB 778 on forensic services for certain defendants. Most of these bills were taken up with identical House companions, no amendments, and unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most extended and contentious debate centered on SB 1134 regarding official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. Sponsor Senator Yarbrough argued the bill would stop counties and cities from funding or promoting discriminatory or indoctrinating DEI practices, citing examples from several local governments. Multiple amendments were offered, including proposals to narrow the bill to spending, add an intent requirement for penalties, and broaden exceptions for holidays and observances; these amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor did accept some clarifying changes, including language protecting certain nonprofit services, heritage resources, and the Pulse Memorial, and he answered questions about Black History Month and at-risk youth services. The transcript ends while the Senate is still working through the amendment process on SB 1134, with no final vote on the underlying bill shown in the excerpt.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/16/26

Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:02:59.519><c> Wallen</c> and our communities prosper. Wallen and our communities prosper.
  • ,</c><00:04:57.520><c> and</c> assisting, medical lab technology, and assisting, medical lab technology
  • Uh communities of which uh we live in.
  • </c> communities, and strengthen our economy. communities, and strengthen our economy.
  • Um, and community for over 22 years.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The goal of the training is to make communities safer.
  • Different barriers affected community and cultural awareness training.
  • And so I'd like to know how that is communicated and is it in writing.
  • And effectively connect Washingtonians to technology?
  • community action plans.
Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee heard three State Auditor’s Office performance audits: implementation of the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act, Washington’s digital equity planning, and the Department of Commerce’s Digital Navigator Program. In the law enforcement training audit, the State Auditor found the Criminal Justice Training Commission had developed most required training content but had not developed all required topics, lacked a systematic project management approach, and had weak tools to ensure participation and compliance. Auditors said most officers had not completed the required 40 hours, patrol tactics training was a major bottleneck, and the Commission’s reporting did not clearly show statewide compliance. The Commission said it generally agreed with the recommendations and had begun implementing some changes. Committee members raised concerns about staffing, liability, incentives, and whether the law had enough enforcement “teeth.” In the digital equity audit, auditors said Washington lacked a comprehensive, unified statewide plan, a designated leader, and reliable funding for digital equity efforts. They said existing plans were fragmented, with the NTIA-approved plan the most complete but no longer fully funded after federal changes. The State Auditor recommended the legislature establish oversight authority and require a lead organization to coordinate and evaluate statewide digital equity efforts and develop a unified plan. The Department of Commerce and Office of Equity agreed with the need for clearer leadership and coordination, and a public witness described ongoing coalition and local planning work. Committee members asked about best practices from other states and whether the auditor could provide additional research on coordination models. In the Digital Navigator Program audit, the State Auditor concluded Commerce did not consistently follow core grant-management practices, including competitive award processes, vetting of grantees, clear contracts, performance monitoring, and reimbursement controls. Auditors said Commerce expanded grants without a new competition, lacked adequate documentation and reporting, and paid out millions without sufficient support; they also cited management decisions that overrode staff concerns. Commerce said it had already begun major contract-management reforms, created a new contracts and compliance structure, and was working on risk assessments, documentation standards, and staff training. Members pressed Commerce on accountability, possible recoupment of improper payments, ethics issues, and whether the agency had clear performance metrics for the program. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended after public testimony and committee discussion.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment (7-16-26)

Economic Development & Workforce Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Communities as we can. Uh, so we haven't announced the exact communities we'll be in yet.
  • </c> community together to really drive it. community together to really drive it.
  • It changes community.
  • It changes community.
  • It changes community.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Committee on the Census Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Senate Committee on the Census

Transcript Highlights:
  • Census Bureau will communicate to all 351 cities and towns.
  • If they don't, some communities—I think when I was talking to our census division folks—some communities
  • It was definitely a community effort to do that.
  • So are the remaining 70-odd communities mostly very tiny communities?
  • We are a rural community, and I was very interested. I did...
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census held a hearing on September 22, 2025 focused on preparations for the 2030 census, with an emphasis on Massachusetts’ role in building a complete address list and improving local participation in census-related address review programs. Chair Brownsberger and witnesses from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, the UMass Donahue Institute, Watertown, and MassGIS described the importance of accurate address data for congressional apportionment, federal funding, and state and local planning. They also discussed the first major upcoming step, the Block Boundary Suggestion Project, and the later Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) process, both of which rely on municipalities reviewing and correcting census geography and address files. John Rosenberry of the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office said outreach to cities and towns is beginning now, with a likely December start for the block boundary process based on the 2020 cycle. He stressed that local officials, clerks, building inspectors, housing authorities, and GIS staff should be engaged early, especially to capture new development and conversions created under the state’s housing policies. Susan Strait of UMass Donahue explained that LUCA allows local governments to compare their address lists with the Census Bureau’s master address file, and that Massachusetts had very high participation in 2020; she cited examples where local review added hidden or newly built housing units and noted that Boston later corrected a group-quarters undercount of about 6,000 students through a post-census review program. In response to questions, she clarified that those corrections affected annual estimates and funding formulas, but not the 2020 apportionment count. Watertown City Manager George Proakis described how local address review is complicated by accessory dwelling units, single-family to two-family conversions, and large multifamily projects, and urged continued state support for local governments doing this work. Dan Marrier of MassGIS then outlined the Massachusetts Master Address Database, explaining that it combines multiple sources, including E911, assessor, voter, and municipal data, to create a standardized residential address repository used for census preparation and other state functions. He said the database has helped improve census accuracy, including by updating more than one million Census Bureau address-point locations before 2020, and noted that local municipalities remain the final authority on addresses even as MassGIS standardizes and reconciles variants across the Commonwealth.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • Our community has skin in the game.
  • Our community has skin in the game.
  • </c><00:24:03.280><c> and</c> that is the Mazeville Community and that is the Mazeville Community and
  • </c><00:46:42.640><c> build</c> steps to help local communities build steps to help local communities
  • </c> local communities and the legislature. local communities and the legislature.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met for an information-gathering session and opened by clarifying that the subcommittee would not be voting on budget requests. Because there was no quorum at first, the committee did not take up approval amendments. The first presentation focused on a budget request to incentivize national certification for school social workers and school psychologists. Rep. Vanessa Gracal, along with Amy Oats and Leslie Gilpin, argued for a $500,000 annual appropriation to provide $2,000 salary supplements to nationally certified school social workers and school psychologists working primarily in their certification areas. They said the stipend would help recruit and retain professionals amid shortages, noted that current Kentucky certification numbers are low, and explained the rigorous certification and renewal requirements. In response to questions, they said there is currently no appropriation for this purpose in HB 500 and none they were aware of in HB 6 in 2024. The next topic was school facility funding needs, led by Rep. Bob McCool, Johnson County Superintendent Tom Cochran, Commissioner of Education Robert Fletcher, and other district representatives. They described the “gap funding” issue for school construction projects that had already started before COVID-era inflation sharply increased costs. Johnson County and Harrison County were highlighted as examples of districts that had already committed local funds, passed nickel taxes, and begun construction but now need additional state support to finish projects. Speakers emphasized that many projects were audited and approved, that the state has already funded about half of the gap, and that roughly $130 million more is being sought in HB 500 to complete the remaining work. They stressed that unfinished projects would leave districts with half-built schools and that completing them would bring long-term savings and better facilities for students. The committee then turned to testimony from KASA representatives on the impacts of HB 500 as introduced. The witnesses discussed the importance of school psychology and school social work certification, the benefits of advanced training for student services, and the need to recognize and support highly qualified staff. A member asked whether HB 500 or HB 6 included an appropriation for the certification stipend, and the witnesses answered no. The meeting also included a motion to approve the minutes from the prior meeting once a quorum was present, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Health and Human Services May 14th, 2025

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • So as patient safety advocates, we know that one of the biggest things is communication between doctors
  • But, of course, that's how we communicate now. So thank you for that.
  • I'm a communications director and co-founder. We helped parents involved in the CPS system.
  • The other thing about the technology, even back then 10 years ago, you don't need any new technology
  • So I don't think that there's any necessity of new technology for this bill.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of health and human services bills and left each one pending after public testimony. HB 4655 would expand financial literacy instruction for youth aging out of foster care to include credit scores, predatory lending, scams, banking, budgeting, and related consumer topics; the sponsor and Buckner International described the need to protect foster youth from financial pitfalls. HB 923 would add three public members and one physician to the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel; supporters said it would improve informed consent and patient voice, while a witness raised concerns about a House amendment requiring a physician majority for decisions and senators questioned scope-of-practice limits. HHSC said the panel is an independent body and the bill expressly bars it from changing scope of practice.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 20th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Please... ...to innovate and to provide services for our communities.
  • , to utilize any remaining state distribution for classroom technology as discretionary funding.
  • We've seen it in the rural community. They use this all the time.
  • My daughter actually had to go to school away from my community because that was the year we had huge
  • My daughter actually had to go to school away from my community because that was the year we had huge
Summary: The committee first approved a technical correction to the Health and Welfare Division of Licensing and Certification budget, restoring 2 FTP that had been cut in error while leaving funding unchanged. It then adopted language extending the deadline for Medicaid comprehensive managed care-related state plan amendments and waivers from July 1, 2026 to 2027, and passed that language after brief discussion about MMIS delays and legal issues. The committee recessed briefly before moving to public school support items. For the Division of Student Support, the committee approved a FY 2026 supplemental adding $7.8 million in federal spending authority, then considered several FY 2027 budget motions and related language. After debate over special education high-needs funding, ELL funding shifts, health insurance, classified staff, and virtual-school funding, the committee ultimately adopted a motion reducing the division’s general fund by $16,222,300, adding $4,141,200 in dedicated funds and $7.8 million in federal funds, and passed several pieces of accompanying language. Those language items included a $3 million reduction to virtual-school discretionary funding, a $7.5 million transportation funding reduction tied to prior statutory changes, reporting requirements for virtual programs, a one-time ELL distribution shift to LEAs, a change to technology curriculum contract requirements, and a special education expenditure report to JFAC. The committee then turned to the Idaho Digital Learning Academy. After extensive debate over alleged “double dipping,” rural access, and the need for policy changes, it rejected a proposed $15 million cut, then approved a smaller $13,500 reduction tied to a pending policy bill. It also adopted language restricting PCIF access and directing IDLA to reduce offerings as needed, plus reporting language on DEI compliance and a usage/enrollment report with more detailed data on synchronous versus asynchronous courses and LEA-level enrollment. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again Monday to take up the Secretary of State budget and trailer bills.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Mar 12th, 2025

Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Additionally, we had the most comprehensive genetic testing with newer technology that was completed
  • My name is Caitlin Clibbin, and I am the director of community and health care services at Disability
  • So it's important that we keep up with technology, with medicine, and make sure that we in that the DCF
  • in the system is prepared to address new technologies, that we can DCF in the system is prepared to
  • address new technologies so that we can resolve situations much more quickly and that parents do have
Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs met with a quorum and considered five bills. SB 1174, by Senator Jones, would simplify the process for transferring a family foster home license when a foster parent moves within Florida. A friendly amendment clarified that the transfer applies to the same licensed person, not a different individual, and directs DCF to prioritize amended licenses. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 558, by Chair Grall, created a framework for voluntary post-adoption contact agreements between adoptive and biological parents, including contact with siblings, with court filing and enforcement procedures. A strike-all amendment changed the child’s party status age from 14 to 12, required court filing in the adoption case, set a preponderance standard, and moved the effective date to January 1, 2026. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 1626, also by Chair Grall, was substantially revised by a strike-all addressing unaccompanied alien children reporting and custody procedures, military family child protective investigations, domestic violence shelter certification, children’s services councils, criminal-background exemptions, group home rates, subcontractor indemnification, child care licensing extensions, small residential group home fire suppression rules, and missing-child jurisdiction issues. After testimony both supporting and opposing parts of the bill, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 738, by Senator Burton, updated child care and early learning licensing rules, including expedited licensing for compliant providers, faster background screening and provisional licensure, online training/testing, exemptions for certain military and employer-provided child care, and removal of a residential insurance provision from the bill. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 304, by Senator Sharief, known as Patterson’s Law, addressed child abuse investigations involving rare genetic or metabolic conditions that can mimic abuse. The strike-all required more detailed medical analysis in reports, allowed second opinions, and set procedures for experienced physician review and judicial resolution. After extensive testimony from affected families, advocates, and DCF, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. At the end, Senators Harrell and Rouson asked to be recorded as voting favorably on additional bills, and the committee adjourned.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Budget Feb 4th, 2026 at 08:15 am

Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think the department does a good job of communicating.
  • I believe that has been communicated.
  • I believe that has been communicated.
  • Next up is Missouri Assistive Technology.
  • This is for statewide assistive technology administered by the Missouri Assistive Technology Council,
Keywords: 959, house, all
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 42nd Legislative Day Jun 30th, 2026

Delaware Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • President, any communications from the House?
  • Secretary, communications. Madam President, communications from the House.
  • of residents in the community in any community that I can think of.
  • That's clean energy technology.
  • Once you are released to the community, you're under community supervision.
Summary: The Senate received communications from the House on numerous measures, including several bills and resolutions passed with amendments, committee reports on bills such as large energy use facilities, campaign finance, voting rights, and appropriations, and a list of pre-file legislation. The chamber then moved through a long floor session with confirmations, bill readings, and roll-call votes, ultimately confirming the nomination of Morgan T. Zern to the Delaware Supreme Court by a 21-0 vote. Among the major policy items considered were property tax and school tax measures tied to the statewide reassessment. The Senate passed House Bill 460, clarifying monthly municipal permit-data reporting to New Castle County; House Bill 461, granting temporary authority for New Castle County school districts to reset school tax rates for one cycle; and House Bill 462, making the split school tax rate permanent with a lower nonresidential cap. Members discussed the fiscal effects at length, including testimony from a school district finance officer that HB 461 would allow revenue-neutral rate setting and offset the fiscal note on HB 462. The Senate also passed House Bill 365 creating a Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, House Bill 458 on backflow requirements for low-hazard buildings, Senate Bill 27 establishing the Office of New Americans with a sunset and interagency coordination, and Senate Bill 315 on the Delaware Technical Innovation Program. The chamber also approved Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300, a firearms dealer regulation bill, after extensive debate over amendments, confidentiality, background checks, and the balance between public safety and burdens on lawful dealers. Several members raised constitutional and practical objections, while supporters argued the bill would reduce trafficking, straw purchases, and theft from dealers. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 305 creating a diabetes wellness pilot program, with supporters emphasizing the state’s diabetes burden and the program’s federal funding, and House Concurrent Resolution 157, which asks the State Lottery Office to report on iLottery’s impact on small businesses. Senate Bill 325, a fire prevention/background-check bill, was laid on the table after concerns about a late House amendment and requests for more time to consult stakeholders.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Higher Education - 02/13/25

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I stopped communicating.
  • I stopped communicating.
  • I stopped communicating.
  • I stopped communicating.
  • I stopped communicating.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Nov 17th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Communities.
  • And isolate themselves from community and get DoorDash three meals a day.
  • and community engagement requirements for Medicaid.
  • I guess another aspect is the jobs that you need, but we have technology and those technological advancements—that's
  • It stays in the community; it's spent immediately. Encourage us, Mr.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Among young people, for our communities.
  • As technology evolves, so do we.
  • Minnesota's broadcasters have embraced new and emerging technology to stay connected with their communities
  • </c> As technology evolves, so do we. As technology evolves, so do we.
  • And in my community for the past, you know, five, seven years, we've had our mental health communities
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The committee took up House File 3117, which would impose an excise tax on social media companies based on Minnesota monthly users and data-mining activity, and adopted an A1 amendment that added clarifying language identifying social media platforms. Chair Gomez described the bill as a way to tax companies profiting from data mining and social media use, citing concerns about child bullying, misinformation, and wealth concentration. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Supporters testified that the measure would help raise revenue from a highly profitable industry and better align the tax code with the social costs of data collection and social media use. Pastor Julie Thompson, MAPE representative Tanner Fritzinger, Council Member Sue Bud, and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota all backed the bill, arguing that social media companies extract value from users’ data, contribute to mental health and social harms, and should pay more toward public needs. Bernstein also framed the tax as a way to broaden the tax base and fund schools and other services. Opponents warned that the bill could sweep in local broadcasters, newspapers, and other businesses that use digital platforms and collect some user data, and that costs would likely be passed on to consumers. Wendy Pollson of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association said the definitions were too broad and could unintentionally include local media. Deb Peters, speaking for Americans for Digital Opportunity, argued the tax would raise costs for small businesses and consumers, create legal risks, and amount to double taxation. Several members echoed concerns about regressivity, administration, and whether the bill actually addresses online bullying or data privacy, while supporters said it is a first step toward taxing a new, lightly taxed industry.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 13th, 2026 at 11:25 am

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Communities and the agriculture industry in New Mexico. Mr.
  • The New Mexico Community Foundation is led by Justin Heaman.
  • They are the conduit, so to speak, of new technology.
  • The development of technology is amazing.
  • Communities generation after generation.
Keywords: 996, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Feb 19th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • , there was $155,000 appropriated for ongoing costs associated with the Industrial Commission's Technology
  • The hope was for the support to be provided by the Office of Information Technology Services, but they
  • And really, I think it's important that we continue to invest in Idaho's business community.
  • The development community has tons... ...of LLCs. I mean, that's a part of it.
  • There's other types of filings that our office also happens to handle in the business community.
Summary: The committee heard budget reviews for the Industrial Commission, the Public Utilities Commission, and the Secretary of State. For the Industrial Commission, analysts and agency staff described the agency’s dedicated funds and FY27 requests, including ongoing support for the IRIS technology system, additional funding for the annual seminar and CWICS training, an increase for the Peace Officer and Detention Officer Temporary Disability Fund due to rising claims, and replacement IT hardware. Members asked about the IRIS maintenance contract, the seminar pricing and audit finding on the miscellaneous revenue fund, and the crime victims compensation program and its general fund support. Agency staff said the IRIS support is still being provided by an outside vendor because OITS is not yet able to assume the work, that seminar and training spending will increase rather than fees being reduced, and that the disability fund increase is ongoing. The committee also discussed concerns that reductions in the crime victims compensation general fund appropriation could affect services, though staff said dedicated and federal funds could help cover shortfalls if needed. The Public Utilities Commission presentation focused on its single utilities regulation program, dedicated funding sources, and FY26 and FY27 budget items. Analysts reviewed the new workload created by the wildfire standard of care law enacted in 2025, which added staff and one-time funding in FY26, and noted a FY27 request for IT hardware. Questions centered on why indirect cost recovery spending was far below the amount budgeted; the administrator said the variance was largely due to timing and the fact that rent was not paid from that fund at the time. A senator praised the commission’s work implementing the wildfire legislation. The Secretary of State budget review covered elections, business services, the Commission on Uniform State Laws, and the Idaho Code Commission. Analysts noted the office’s general fund budget, the large FY24 election system upgrade, and FY27 requests for $350,000 ongoing for a voter pamphlet and guide, a $20,000 ongoing transfer for post-election audit overtime, and replacement technology items; a reappropriation item for a double-filled business director position was later withdrawn. Secretary of State Phil McGrane said the office is handling sharply increased business filings, generating more revenue than its budget and returning excess revenue to the state, but also facing longer processing times. He defended the ongoing voter pamphlet request as tied to recurring election requirements and said the overtime request reflects election-cycle workload. He also said the office is using outside vendor support for election IT, is considering AI tools cautiously, and would not be materially affected if ballot counting methods changed, since counties handle tabulation. The committee ended with procedural remarks about upcoming budget-setting work, a FY26 rescission bill still being processed, and a reminder that alternate motions must be submitted by 5 p.m.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Transportation Feb 26th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also have—there are some parks in my community that, when you drive by, you don't necessarily see a
  • So everyone who knows me knows I love bikes, and we're seeing a whole bunch of great new technology in
  • Different areas of the state, the community culture is very different. In your... Thank you.
  • The state, the community culture is very different.
  • WSDOT may use speed reduction methods, approaches, and technologies to reduce speeding within the crash
Keywords: 904, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Regulated Industries Jan 20th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • By banning public smoking of marijuana, we are protecting community health and quality of life, as well
  • Nationally, we've seen how data centers can transform communities for the better, bring economic impact
  • They're the backbone of modern technology.
  • They support health care systems, aviation, logistics, banking, agriculture, and the everyday technology
  • They're the backbone of modern technology.
Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and voted on several bills. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and also restrict smoking in rooms and bars; the sponsor said it is intended to protect public health and outdoor spaces, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on designated smoking areas, and cannabis advocates warned about unintended effects on patients and property rights. The committee reported SB 986 favorably. The committee also passed SB 678, which restores statutory authority for DBPR’s long-standing rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise taxes; a strike-all amendment was adopted, including retroactive application to January 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 800, which increases penalties for repeat unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts, was amended and reported favorably as well. Members then considered SB 408 on vaccine advertising and liability. The sponsor argued the bill would address declining public trust in vaccines by allowing claims against manufacturers that advertise in Florida, while opponents said the measure is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and would create unnecessary litigation. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported SB 408 favorably. The committee also heard SB 484 on data centers, which would set PSC tariff requirements so large load customers pay their own costs, preserve local planning authority, and limit water permits for large data centers; testimony was mixed, with supporters emphasizing ratepayer protections and economic benefits and critics warning about overregulation and confidentiality limits. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1118, which creates a time-limited public records exemption for certain data center development information held by local governments, after the sponsor said it was meant to prevent extended NDAs while still allowing local notice and input. SB 1050, requiring veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after several members recorded votes on bills they had missed.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Fiscal Committee (04/18/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> 10 years with regard to the technology 10 years with regard to the technology that<00:13:07.200>
  • Included in your materials is our opinions and our required communications letter.
  • </c> as the retirement system, the community as the retirement system, the community college<01:09:23.759
  • </c> you know, Quickbooks and the technology you know, Quickbooks and the technology and<01:14:55.440
  • </c> to have the appropriate technology to have the appropriate technology upgrades<01:15:03.440><c>
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state. A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item. The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Human Services Committee May 27th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • So what Community Action Partnership and Presentation Partners What Community Action Partnership and
  • It seems to be a concern primarily in our urban communities, but also in some of our rural communities
  • and community land trusts.
  • language of communication.
  • We've got technology issues. Keith, do you get bonus pay when you help with technology?
Keywords: 908, all