Transcript Highlights:

• The technology has um come a long way. You technology has um come a long way.
• There are things that technologies. There are things that technologies.
• And I'm talking about on technologies. And I'm talking about on technologies.
• . point through these online technologies. point through these online technologies.
• commun communications decency act.

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, the one section is the Yuma Center for Desert Agriculture and some of the technologies and stuff
• As agriculture changes and develops into new technologies, trying to adapt those things, farmers and
• , and with that I am... ...supporting our rural agriculture communities, and with that I am...
• I'm the interim director of the community initiatives team out at Luke Air Force Base.
• , how they operate, the interoperability of the communications devices, if surveilled, can certainly

Summary: The Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs heard four measures and advanced each on a do pass recommendation. SB 1199 was amended to require the Arizona Department of Agriculture to post the Salt River horse herd agreement on its website. Supporters said the change would improve public transparency and access to the agreement governing the Salt River wild horse herd; the department said it was neutral and noted the agreement is already on the state procurement website. The bill passed 6-3 after members debated whether the requirement should be in statute or handled administratively. SB 1761 appropriates General Fund money to the University of Arizona for the Yuma Center for Excellence for Desert Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, and the Arizona Experiment Station over multiple fiscal years. Senator Tim Dunn and supporters from the Arizona Farm Bureau said the funding would strengthen agricultural research, extension services, rural counties, and water and crop-related innovation. Several members said the bill was important to Arizona agriculture even though the amounts would still be subject to budget negotiations; it passed 6-1 with one present vote. SB 1198, as amended, continued the Arizona Beef Council and the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board for eight years. Testimony from the Beef Council and veterinary board emphasized that both entities are industry-funded or self-funded and provide ongoing services without taxpayer dollars. Some members objected to combining the two continuations and to the eight-year term, but the bill passed 4-3 with one present vote. SB 1683 expanded restrictions on land ownership and related transactions involving foreign adversary nations and agents, especially near critical infrastructure and military installations. Supporters, including representatives tied to Luke Air Force Base and the bill sponsor, argued it would address national security risks and protect training and mission security. Opponents said the bill broadened the scope of prior law too far without enough justification. It passed 5-3 and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Maricopa County and Santa Cruz counties, Native American communities in rural Arizona have borne the
• We must modernize both our technology and the connections between our divisions.
• We must modernize both our technology and the connections between our divisions.
• My goal in this role is steady leadership, open communication, when concerns come in.
• Why were these payments made so late and not in line with what the agency had communicated to CMS?

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held another oversight hearing on Access, focusing on fee-for-service behavioral health management, prior authorization and claims processing, the Targeted Investment Program (TIP), and network adequacy. The chair criticized Access for implementing a covered behavioral health services guide without public comment and for failing to produce records such as decision-making documentation, work group minutes, and public/tribal feedback. Members also raised concerns about ARPA compliance, the reduction of intensive outpatient reimbursement to a $157 per diem, and the impact of these actions on providers and Native American communities. Interim Director Roberta Harrison said Access had improved fraud controls and operations after the sober living fraud crisis, including tripling prior authorization speed, reducing denial codes by 64%, cutting claims processing to under 30 days, and adding dashboards and staffing. She said the agency is modernizing outdated systems and invited fraud referrals. On questions about claims and prior authorizations, Access reported average processing times of six days overall and 17 days for behavioral health prior authorizations, and said it had hired Constellation under a direct procurement to help with claims backlog. Harrison acknowledged that a proposal language suggesting higher ROI from denying more claims was not part of the contract scope. The committee also pressed Access on TIP delays. Staff explained that TIP payments depend on provider documentation, programmatic review, and allocation across many sites, and said year one of TIP 2.0 had been paid while years two and three had not yet been distributed. The chair requested a formal plan within 30 days to pay the delayed year two and year three TIP funds, estimated at about $122 million, along with all CMS-related TIP 2.0 documentation. On network adequacy, Access described its standards and annual MCO reporting process, but acknowledged gaps in tracking and said it would follow up on whether a fiscal year 2025 report was submitted to CMS. Members cited a federal ghost network report finding 28% of providers in Santa Cruz County inactive or unavailable, and requested unredacted network adequacy reports and further information on CMS engagement. The hearing ended with the chair noting some improvements but saying more oversight may follow, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, after discussions with our in-house technology experts and external vendors, we determine that
• However, after discussions with our in-house technology experts and external vendors, we determine that
• Certainly not speaking for them, but their communications to us is that they don't have any cost concerns
• So we're very confused by why the bill would want to remove us from providing care within the community
• The Home and Community-Based Alternatives Waiver Program in Medi-Cal is an extremely cost-effective way

Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations met with a quorum present and heard a large suspense-file agenda, noting that most authors waived presentation and the Department of Finance had no comments on the bills. The committee reminded witnesses to focus on fiscal issues. AB 1999 by Assembly Member Kalra, presented by Senator Grayson, drew support from the California Veterinary Medical Association, the Veterinary Medical Board, and Social Compassion in Legislation; it was described as a measure to ease veterinary staffing shortages and improve access to care. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 1999 to the Senate floor and placed it on call for additional members to add on. The remaining measures were largely taken up without presentation, testimony, or committee questions and were moved to the suspense file without objection. Bills sent to suspense included SB 1096 and numerous Assembly Bills such as AB 308, AB 441, AB 2640, AB 805, AB 1871, AB 2176, AB 2206, AB 2436, AB 907, AB 2002, AB 1048, AB 1049, AB 2251, AB 1116, AB 1836, AB 1149, AB 1552, AB 1153, AB 1969, AB 1996, AB 1301, AB 1359, AB 1961, AB 2756, AB 2765, AB 2769, AB 1382, AB 1567, AB 1574, AB 1576, AB 1598, AB 1602, AB 1983, AB 1628, AB 1630, AB 1980, AB 1645, AB 1662, AB 1694, AB 1703, AB 1715, AB 2720, AB 1721, AB 2060, AB 2440, AB 1734, AB 2081, AB 1741, AB 2592, AB 1743, AB 1755, AB 1759, AB 1932, AB 1763, AB 1916, AB 1789, AB 2241, AB 1813, AB 1906, AB 1981, AB 1907, AB 1925, AB 2122, AB 2038, AB 2157, AB 2270, AB 2339, AB 2524, AB 2633, AB 2660, and AB 2664. A few measures drew brief public testimony on fiscal impacts or policy-related cost concerns. AB 1116 prompted opposition testimony from the Secretary of State’s office, which said the bill would create significant cybersecurity and operational challenges and could cost up to $10 million in one-time implementation costs, plus ongoing expenses. AB 1382 received support from Social Compassion in Legislation, which argued it would help address shelter costs and pet overpopulation. AB 2081 was supported by a sponsor representative who said the Medi-Cal waiver proposal was cost-effective and that budget funding had been included for administrative costs. AB 1703 drew opposition testimony from a group of internationally trained practitioners who said the bill would unfairly target their work and shift costs to counties. The committee took no further action beyond moving the suspense-file candidates to suspense and adjourning after the agenda was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 90,000 births in the US were achieved with the help of IVF technology.
• You know that come from your community.
• are about about your own life experiences and what you bring to the table, uh, in your respective communities
• This is a the technology is safe um and.
• Why would we deny the ability, if the technology exists, then not deny the ability for that technology

Bills: HB201, HB272

Keywords: disabled veteran, partially disabled veteran, veterans property tax exemption, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax relief, surviving spouse, appraisal district, Tax Code, local government revenue, homestead portability, service-connected disability, veteran benefits, Texas property tax, residence homestead, disability rating, disaster response, financial assistance, helicopter, municipalities

Transcript Highlights:

• CAREER CERTIFICATES AND APPLIED TECHNOLOGY DIPLOMAS ARE THOSE NON COLLEGE CREDIT OFFERINGS AT THE DISTRICT
• THE APPLIED TECHNOLOGY DIPLOMA IS FOR THE DISTRICTS A NON CREDIT CERTIFICATE THAT REALLY HAS EMBEDDED
• THESE ARE COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE NOT DEPENDENT UPON ADULT EDUCATION MOMENTS AND WHILE MANY
• SO MAKING SURE THAT THESE ARE AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY WE WANT TO OFFSET SOME OF THESE COSTS.
• EVERYTHING FROM THE LARGEST ONE THAT IS VALENCIA AND THEN THERE'S HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE ALSO

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:51.759><c> that</c> that the city and the community that that the city and the community that
• </c><00:08:18.319><c> No</c> uh our community. No one likes death. No uh our community.
• The reality is that in the ranching community, the agricultural community, email is still not the way
• We've talked a lot about the developing technology in that area.
• We, as stated earlier, we don't know what technology is going to look like.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then since 2021, we have been communicating limiting capacity to these customers.
• So, but that's certainly a big benefit to our community.
• Developers pay, in our community, impact fees. So they contribute to housing projects.
• Specifically, ...and that they empower rather than harm frontline communities.
• I'm here today on behalf of the California Community Choice Association.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Committees on Utilities and Energy and Privacy and Consumer Protection focused on the energy impacts of AI and the rapid growth of data centers in California. Chairs and members emphasized that the state wants to support innovation and data center development, but only under terms that protect ratepayers, preserve reliability, and avoid stranded grid costs. Testimony from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the California Energy Commission, the CPUC, CAISO, PG&E, Silicon Valley Power, and the Data Center Coalition described the scale of projected load growth, the uncertainty in forecasting, and the need for coordinated planning across agencies. Dr. Nate Gleason of Lawrence Livermore said data centers are a major and fast-growing share of electricity demand, with planning challenges driven by short construction timelines for data centers versus long lead times for transmission and generation. He urged stochastic planning, co-optimization of generation, storage, and transmission, and greater use of flexible load and demand response. CEC Director Alicia Gutierrez described the CEC’s bottom-up forecasting approach, based on utility energization requests and load profiles, and said California has over 23,000 megawatts of data center capacity requests in the CAISO footprint. CPUC Deputy Executive Director Luan Tesfai outlined recent actions on energization timelines, flexible service connections, PG&E’s Rule 30 tariff, and the commission’s resource planning and transmission permitting work. CAISO’s Neil Miller stressed that large loads affect transmission planning, interconnection, and reliability standards, and said the agency is preparing additional stakeholder work on technical issues. Utility and industry witnesses said California is already seeing substantial data center interest and is building out infrastructure accordingly. PG&E’s Mike Medeiros said the utility has more than 10 gigawatts of data center interest in its territory, has shifted to cluster studies, and is using flexible interconnection tools such as FlexConnect to speed service while protecting reliability. Silicon Valley Power’s Nico Prokos said data centers account for about 55% of its power use and that the city is investing heavily in transmission and local system upgrades to support projected load growth. He also warned that AI loads may be more variable than traditional cloud loads and that backup generation and air quality constraints complicate curtailment strategies. The Data Center Coalition’s Karabonder argued that data centers are also driving efficiency gains and support critical digital services, while urging better forecasting methods, more transparency, and regular backcasting. Members asked about statutory authority, data availability, flexible load, and whether current forecasts are sufficient for long-lead infrastructure planning. Witnesses said California already has authority to pursue flexible service and rate design, and that the CEC and CPUC have access to utility data, though out-year demand remains highly uncertain. CPUC representatives noted an advanced rate design rulemaking and said the commission is opening additional work on ratepayer impacts. No votes were taken during the informational hearing, and the discussion ended with continued questions about how California should structure planning, pricing, and reliability rules as AI-related load grows.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 1166, uh, disability services technology 1166, uh, disability services technology and<00:09:50.399
• </c> providing for investments in community providing for investments in community first<00:21:05.360
• 22:02.559><c> and</c> Disability services technology and disability services technology and advocacy
• </c> communities, and for our futures. communities, and for our futures.
• It's community inclusion.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• May their work enhance our communities and build up the common good.
• His technology is being deployed across the world and has been featured in Forbes and the History Channel
• leaders and community partners unite efforts to make early diagnosis of cerebral palsy in Arizona a
• reality. ...and community partners unite efforts to make early diagnosis of cerebral palsy in Arizona
• And both the Senate Finance Committee chairman, myself, the tax community, you know, evaluate this bill

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Laura Mercer. Members also made several personal privilege introductions, including guests for National Women’s History Month, Father Andres Arango and Interfaith Day participants, Jeremiah Pate, and a proclamation recognizing March 25, 2026, as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Representative Simacek and others highlighted United Cerebral Palsy’s work, early diagnosis, and expanded services for people with cerebral palsy. On the floor, the House announced committee substitutions and bill referrals, then moved into Committee of the Whole. Three Senate bills received do pass recommendations: SB 1092, described as ending probation or early release for people convicted of dangerous crimes against children; SB 1097, the annual claimant bill; and SB 1135, a government-related measure. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and referred those bills to engrossing. The House then took up SB 1430, a tax corrections bill. Representative Calles raised concern that a provision might remove multiple tax exemptions, while Representative Olson said the measure was a technical cleanup and that any policy-changing language had been removed in committee. The bill passed 51-0, with nine not voting, and was sent back to the Senate. The House also received committee meeting announcements and adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then at the same time, New Mexico has invested substantially in case management technology upgrades
• So, as we evaluate, we'll look closer at caseload patterns, case management technology, and staffing
• In order to, we'll be looking at caseload technology, caseloads, technology modernization efforts that
• Like, and what community engagement and outreach they're required to provide. Mr.
• I mean, there's some new stuff that they did this last year with technology that's really great.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's included in one of our requests, along with technology refreshes, furniture and appliance
• The next rider request is capital budget flexibility related to information resource technology.
• I'm looking forward to rejoining our Texas communities as productive members of our society.
• We are requesting for 26 additional IT staff to support. the technology that we have out there in the
• Specifically, women through technology upgrades.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:45.680><c> Some</c> and their communities of practice.
• Some and their communities of practice.
• </c> before implementing a new technology before implementing a new technology process<00:21:08.480><
• I believe we do have technology side.
• </c><00:57:09.040><c> at</c> communication studies faculty member at communication studies faculty member

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Information Technology and with me today Information Technology and with me today is<01:02:23.400><c>
• Technology Center with a request of 9.8 Technology Center with a request of 9.8 million<03:31:38.040>
• </c> 2019 NCC engineering technology 2019 NCC engineering technology renovation<05:03:18.520><c> that's
• Community Community College<05:03:46.798><c> seeing</c><05:03:47.320><c> none</c><05:03:47.798><c> gentlemen
• </c> scavenged parts from other communities scavenged parts from other communities um<05:54:16.160><c

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining how agencies assess facility needs, rank projects, and submit requests to the governor’s office. DAS described its Plant and Property division, which maintains 96 state buildings, and Public Works, which develops detailed cost estimates for selected projects. Officials said the governor’s office has traditionally narrowed requests into priority tiers, but this year all projects were estimated, creating more work and less detail. They also emphasized that the capital budget book functions as legislative intent and can be binding on how approved funds are used. On the substance of the request, DAS highlighted several priorities: continued funding for the state ERP system upgrade to the cloud, with about $5 million requested for sustainability and related Treasury functions; emergency fund and annex renovation work; a sprinkler replacement at DMV; and elevator repairs at the main building. Karen Rocky also identified maintenance projects that rose in priority after a facility condition assessment, including HVAC work for Portsmouth Circuit Court and Coos County Courthouse, boilers and controls for Carroll County and Lebanon Circuit Court, brick repointing at the main building and annex, window replacement at Spalding, and Brown building elevator replacement. Officials noted that the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and no projects for the Bureau of Court Facilities. The committee also discussed lapses and reprogramming of prior appropriations. DAS said the first eight projects approved in 2023 remain under construction and should be extended, while many 2021 projects are delayed because of ARPA-related workload and broader construction backlogs. Members reviewed a 2019 project list and agreed to lapse project number 49, the Spalding roof project, with about $81,000 remaining. DAS also said some small 2019 balances, including courthouse generators, a boiler, cooling and controls, roof and exterior repairs, and the State House Annex elevator, could be redirected through Capital Budget Overview toward the Hillsboro County South Cell Block project. The hearing ended with questions about project schedules, ARPA deadlines, and the division of authority between DoIT and DAS for the ERP system.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of progress with technology mapping.
• Due to very similar disease pathologies, the scientific community must... ...the scientific community
• They represent a very substantial burden to the whole community.
• The whole community of dementia in the future.
• adult community.

Bills: SB5, SJR3, SB 5, SJR 3

Keywords: dementia, research institute, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, funding, grants, state health initiatives, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, district apportionment, legislative rules

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> communities.
• The technology is proven, communities.
• Communities that price volatility.
• </c> specific community. specific community.
• So with that, I am I communities.

Bills: HF4560, HF4559, HF2317, HF3179, HF4880, HF2862, HF4374

Keywords: Public Utilities Commission, PUC, energy regulation, utility regulation, electric utility, public utility, rate case, multiyear rate plan, decoupling, rate decoupling, greenhouse gas, social cost of carbon, environmental cost, resource planning, certificate of need, distributed renewable energy, interconnection, budget billing, electronic filing, contested case

Transcript Highlights:

• I feel like it'll be a good stimulus for uh investment back in the communities that are producing oil
• So then, so they will use that new technology.
• So by investing in these communities, it recognizes these communities' vital role.
• Or reinvestment from stakeholders within the community.
• I'd be remiss if I didn't thank them for their reinvestment in the community. Thank you. Yeah.

Bills: HB188, HB 265, HJR35

Keywords: emergency preparedness, flood-prone communities, Texas Rural Emergency Preparedness Fund, disaster relief, funding, youth camp, safety regulations, advisory committee, child welfare, health standards, summer camp, camp safety, child abuse reporting, child neglect, mandatory reporting, background check, criminal history check, sex offender registry, CPR training, first aid

Transcript Highlights:

• Certainly the association recognizes that noise ordinance have a purpose in our community.
• And for every dollar spent in a restaurant in your community, it's $1.99 back to that local community
• It's just triangulated communication and it's a duplication of that. fees.
• It enables the use of smart technology that can automate the bill. plan review.
• I'm testifying on behalf of the Community Association Advocates.

Bills: SB264, SB542, SB924, SB1008, SB1029, SB1036, SB1057, SB1058, SB1185, SB1202, SB1358, SB1364, SB1376, SB1569, SB1664, SB1697, SJR50

Keywords: SB 264, Texas Workers' Compensation Act, group self-insurance, self-insured groups, workers' compensation, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, certificate of approval, guaranty fund, trust fund, wind down, dissolution, labor code, insurance regulation, employer coverage, risk pool, business and commerce, trade workforce economic development, property owners' association, water conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• I love<00:33:39.960><c> technology.</c> love technology. love technology.
• </c> folks we care about in our communities. folks we care about in our communities.
• </c> communities against one another. communities against one another.
• </c> of our many Granite State communities. of our many Granite State communities.
• </c> their communities. their communities.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are a part of our identity, our history, and our rural communities.
• Thank you also for your service and commitment to community and our community and technical colleges.
• It's the economic engine, literally, of our community.
• And then also the advancement of technologies.
• Electricity so that we are not burdensome for the local community.

Bills: SGA9314, SGA9282, SGA9288, SGA9296, SGA9232, SGA9233, SGA9235, SGA9236, SGA9237

Keywords: 904, all