Transcript Highlights:

• There is also an air handling unit appropriation, which is now putting us in the engineering design phase

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All the students and tell you, yeah, we're going to be the little engine that could.

Transcript Highlights:

• These companies are powerful economic engines creating local jobs, drawing tourism. dollars and earning

Bills: SB2053, SCR19, SCR23, SCR29

Keywords: Governor's Medal of Service, Texas award, state honor, public service recognition, Governor's office, Governor's award, Texas Government Code Chapter 3108, ceremonial award, honorary medal, state service award, local government retirees, private sector contributions, Texas Legislature recognition, gift acceptance, donations, grant funding, executive recognition, Texas Life Monument, human life, preservation

Transcript Highlights:

• These companies are powerful economic engines creating local jobs, drawing tourism dollars, and earning

Transcript Highlights:

• These are our future teachers, our future engineers, our future workforce of California.
• I am a secretary at Cal State Los Angeles, majoring in electrical engineering.
• Crystal Brubaker, and I am a second-year student at Cal State Los Angeles, majoring in electrical engineering
• Engineering students must participate in a summer transition program called STEP.
• I understand your concern around the percentage piece and the difference with engineering programs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, in my research, I may reverse engineer the implementation of a consumer device that collects
• It kind of negates this need for me to go through and reverse engineer all of these implementations just
• I'm a computer science PhD at Harvard University, and I have previously worked as a software engineer
• advocate, but you may not know that I have a master's and bachelor's in electrical and computer engineering
• As a resident of Massachusetts, an engineer, a maternal health advocate, a woman, and a mother, I am

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a package of Massachusetts privacy and technology bills, especially measures to ban the sale of location data, establish a comprehensive consumer data privacy law, and regulate biometric recognition and surveillance pricing. Chairs and sponsors argued that self-regulation has failed, that data brokers and large tech companies routinely collect and monetize sensitive information, and that state action is needed because federal protections are weak or absent. Several speakers tied the bills to reproductive health, gender-affirming care, domestic violence, children’s data, and other sensitive uses of location and biometric information. Supporters included legislators and advocates who backed H. 86/S. 197 (Location Shield), H. 78/S. 45/H. 104/S. 29 (comprehensive privacy bills), H. 99/S. 47 (surveillance pricing in grocery stores), and H. 36/S. 36 (biometric recognition accountability). They emphasized data minimization, bans on selling sensitive data, consumer rights to access, delete, and opt out, and in some cases a private right of action. Several witnesses said Massachusetts should lead or align with other states, while others argued that stronger protections are needed because data can be weaponized by stalkers, anti-abortion actors, abusive partners, insurers, or law enforcement. Industry and coalition witnesses urged the committee to favor a more standardized, interoperable framework modeled on laws already adopted in other states, warning that novel definitions, data-minimization rules, and private rights of action could create compliance burdens, confusion, and costs for businesses, including small businesses. They argued that entity-level exemptions for sectors already covered by federal laws like HIPAA or GLBA promote consistency, and that Attorney General enforcement is preferable to private lawsuits. Committee members questioned witnesses on patchwork concerns, the scope of exemptions, and whether the proposed bills would harm or help consumers and small businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; written testimony was noted as due later, and the committee continued taking testimony from multiple panels and virtual witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• produced, SAF is ready to drop into the existing fuel transportation infrastructure and current aircraft engines
• produced, SAF is ready to drop into the existing fuel transportation infrastructure and current aircraft engines
• 17:04.600><c> aircraft</c> infrastructure and current aircraft infrastructure and current aircraft engines
• c> supplement</c><00:17:06.079><c> and</c><00:17:06.240><c> ultimately</c><00:17:06.800><c> a</c> engines
• as a supplement and ultimately a engines as a supplement and ultimately a replacement<00:17:07.720><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a tough one because I very much, as somebody who is very familiar with social engineering, is very
• :01.679><c> familiar</c><01:38:02.000><c> with</c><01:38:02.159><c> social</c><01:38:02.560><c> engineering
• and Senator Heman, you haven't spoken about artificial intelligence, but the techniques of social engineering
• police body cams and ALPRs and other technologies, we didn't outright prohibit them. of social engineering
• are only going to of social engineering are only going to advance. advance. advance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today testifying is Matthew Kremens with the International Union of Operating Engineers.
• Matt Kremens here on behalf of the California, Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers.
• They're routinely visited by project managers, engineers, and city staff.
• And the big businesses that work with the small businesses, that’s the economic engine of our growth
• Shane Gussman, on behalf of the Engineers and Scientists of California, in support.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with testimony largely focused on transparency, public health, labor enforcement, health privacy, high-speed rail oversight, and antitrust policy. AB 1544, by Assemblymember Crowell, would strengthen transparency and access to courthouses; the author said it was aimed at protecting press and public access, and the bill was pulled pending quorum. AB 1604, by Assemblymember Stephanie, would ban BPA and other bisphenols in thermal receipt paper by 2027-2028; supporters from Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Californians Against Waste, and a broad coalition argued receipts are a major source of toxic exposure and recycling contamination, while the author said she would continue working with opposition. AB 1859, by Assemblymember Jackson, would let Joint Labor Management Committees visit public works sites to help identify wage and safety violations; labor groups supported it as a low-cost enforcement tool amid a large wage-theft backlog, while contractors and local government groups opposed it as creating private enforcement, liability, and safety concerns. The committee later took up AB 1930, by Assemblymember Burr and sponsored by Attorney General Bonta and Equality California, which would require notice to the Attorney General before certain entities respond to subpoenas or inquiries involving legally protected reproductive or gender-affirming care; supporters framed it as a patient privacy and anti-intimidation measure, while opponents said it would shield providers from scrutiny and interfere with lawful investigations. The bill was approved on a 6-2 vote and placed on call. The consent calendar, including several unrelated bills, was also approved. The committee also heard AB 1584, by Assemblymember Jackson, which would create an Office of Civil Rights within the California Air Resources Board to provide training, language access, and compliance oversight. Supporters said CARB needs a stronger legal framework and dedicated office to enforce civil rights commitments, while an opponent argued CARB already has a civil rights office and should expand existing structures instead of creating a new one. The bill was moved to Appropriations after a roll call vote. AB 1608, by Assemblymember Wilson, would expand the powers and staffing tools of the High-Speed Rail Office of the Inspector General, including public reporting requirements and authority over classifications and purchasing; supporters said stronger independent oversight is needed for the costly project, while opponents criticized the project itself and raised concerns about confidentiality and who should receive reports. The bill was also passed to Appropriations after extended discussion. Finally, AB 1776, by Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry, would revise California antitrust law to address single-firm conduct under the Cartwright Act. Supporters, including small business and labor advocates, argued dominant firms can harm competition and that the bill would protect small businesses and workers; opponents from business, biotech, retail, housing, and other sectors warned it would create legal uncertainty, expand litigation, and chill investment. The transcript ended during that bill’s testimony and debate, before a final vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're doing a research partnership in agroscience, biochemistry, molecular biology, some chemical engineering
• But what we do care about is computer sciences, planetary sciences, engineering, physical astronomy,
• as Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Beijing Institute of Technology; Harbin Engineering
• as Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Beijing Institute of Technology; Harbin Engineering
• What sort of... are we talking about semiconductor engineering? Are we talking biomedicine?

Summary: The committee heard an extended presentation and discussion on Arizona higher education research security, focused heavily on Arizona State University’s foreign funding, international partnerships, and alleged ties to Chinese military-affiliated institutions. The presenter argued that ASU and the Arizona Board of Regents had not been transparent about foreign gifts, contracts, and research collaborations, especially those involving the Chinese “Seven Sons” universities, and said the committee would pursue a congressional referral and other federal review. A strike-everything amendment to SB 1060 was described but then withdrawn; the underlying SB 1327 was then taken up as a companion measure requiring ABOR to adopt university research security policies and submit annual reports on those policies and on foreign contributions over $250,000. The committee heard testimony in support from Marina Macklin, who said the bill would help protect dual-use and defense-relevant research from being funneled to China’s military ecosystem, and she answered questions about biosecurity, semiconductors, AI model theft, and election systems. After debate, SB 1327 was approved on a 4-2 vote, with Delos Santos and Marquez voting no and Colloden, Powell, and the chair voting yes; the chair stated his support was to keep missile, armor, guidance, and other technology safe from the Chinese government. The committee then heard SB 1803, a veterans’ consumer-protection bill regulating private companies that help veterans file disability claims. The bill would prohibit unaccredited persons from preparing, presenting, or prosecuting veterans’ benefits matters, require service agreements to be filed with the Attorney General, cap compensation, ban certain practices such as overseas call centers and in-house doctors, and create consumer-fraud enforcement authority. Sponsor Sen. Gallin said the measure was intended to add guardrails for veterans and prevent bad actors from taking excessive fees or misleading claimants. Testimony from Veterans Guardian representatives supported the bill as a way to create transparency and preserve veterans’ choice while regulating the industry; they said many veterans seek private help after unsuccessful attempts with free services and that the bill would not eliminate competition. Opponents and skeptical members questioned whether the bill would effectively legalize one business model while restricting others, whether the contingent-fee structure was consumer-friendly, and whether the companies were engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. The discussion also referenced prior federal and state litigation involving similar laws and the possibility of future federal accreditation reform. The transcript ends during continued questioning on SB 1803, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fifth grade, I wrote an award-winning essay telling the world I want to be an engineer.
• Iranian-American, my choices, according to my parents and ancestors, were limited to being a doctor, engineer
• landscapers, farmers, entrepreneurs, teachers, firemen, realtors, veterans, moms, dads, cops, and engineers
• landscapers, farmers, entrepreneurs, teachers, firemen, realtors, veterans, moms, dads, cops, and engineers
• estuaries, wetlands, and coastlines are not only environmental treasures; they are also economic engines

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Army Sergeant Benjamin Pennington, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum and journal business before taking up the special order calendar. Several bills were explained and moved through amendment and final passage, including CS/SB 590 on the statute of limitations for mandatory reporters’ child-abuse reporting violations, which was clarified on the floor to apply prospectively only and passed 111-0. CS/SB 418 on law enforcement interactions with individuals with autism spectrum disorder was amended to align with the House version and passed 111-0. The chamber also recognized Spina Bifida Week and guests in the gallery before considering additional measures. Members then passed CS/CS/SB 1668 on the Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA), described as preserving the program’s actuarial soundness, by a 112-0 vote; CS/SB 1246 on the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund, expanded to support broader health science education programs and non-health-care partner contributions, by 112-0; CS/CS/SB 1404 on memory care facility standards by 111-0; CS/CS/SB 1030 on recovery residences, including transfer-of-ownership and MAT-related provisions, by 168-0; CS/CS/SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, allowing limited coach support for student welfare with parental consent and other guardrails, by 112-0; CS/CS/SB 422 on automatic dependent surveillance broadcasts, limiting use of ADS-B data for airport billing, by 108-2; and CS/CS/SB 598 on funeral, cemetery, and consumer services, modernizing licensure and exclusivity rules, by 111-0. The House also took up CS/SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related restrictions. The sponsor argued the bill would prohibit counties and municipalities from official DEI actions and related funding while preserving numerous exceptions for holidays, observances, public safety, and other activities. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect local programs, events, and offices, and Representative Gant offered an amendment to narrow the bill’s DEI definition by removing two prongs; debate centered on vagueness, enforcement, and local-government impacts. The transcript cuts off during consideration of that amendment, so no final action on the bill is shown. The session also included lengthy farewell remarks from Representatives Eskamani and Overdorf, reflecting on their service, staff, constituents, and policy priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• The roadmap provides suggestions that could be part of a workable improvement plan, a way to re-engineer
• The roadmap provides suggestions that could be part of a workable improvement plan, a way to re-engineer
• plan,<00:02:03.600><c> a</c><00:02:03.840><c> way</c><00:02:03.920><c> to</c><00:02:04.159><c> re-engineer
• </c><00:02:04.719><c> the</c><00:02:04.960><c> state's</c> plan, a way to re-engineer the state's plan
• , a way to re-engineer the state's approach<00:02:06.159><c> so</c><00:02:06.399><c> as</c><00:02:06.640

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Heintzman, in the matter of prepayments, the one that was mentioned was to the Army Corps of Engineers
• one is an anomaly, but it's also standard operating procedure when working with the Army Corps of Engineers
• the<01:03:09.040><c> Army</c><01:03:09.280><c> Corps</c><01:03:09.440><c> of</c><01:03:09.520><c> Engineers
• </c><01:03:10.680><c> And</c><01:03:11.080><c> then,</c> the Army Corps of Engineers.
• And then, the Army Corps of Engineers.

Bills: HF3564

Keywords: Greater Minnesota, regional parks, trails, grants, local government, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We hired some engineers, one of them from the middle part of the state went down and said after we'd
• We hired some engineers, one of them from the middle part of the state, went down and said after we'd
• prison.<00:16:46.560><c> We</c><00:16:46.720><c> hired</c><00:16:47.040><c> some</c><00:16:47.199><c> engineers
• We hired some engineers one of prison.
• We hired some engineers one of them<00:16:48.079><c> from</c><00:16:48.240><c> the</c><00:16:48.399><

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would say we've been revving up the engine, and I mean that in multiple ways.
• So, we are concerned about this, and this would really help support that engine that we've really revved
• 00:14:28.720><c> that</c> really help support um that uh that really help support um that uh that engine
• </c> engine that we've really revved up here. engine that we've really revved up here.

Bills: SF0025, SF0027, SF0043, SF0066

Keywords: landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, game management, hunting regulations, black bear, tracking dogs, wildlife conservation, conservation, contracting, supervisor, funding, districts, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations

Transcript Highlights:

• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers in opposition.
• Operating Engineers Local 3 in support. Sing testimony in support. Thank you.
• Operating<01:30:45.760><c> Engineers</c><01:30:46.239><c> Local</c><01:30:46.560><c> 3</c><01:30:46.800
• </c> Operating Engineers Local 3 in support. Operating Engineers Local 3 in support.

Bills: HB1719, HB1742, HB1737, HB2049, HB1725, HB1726, HB1738, HB1799, HB1700

Keywords: housing crisis, manufactured homes, factory-built housing, zoning, relocatable housing units, farm employee housing, agriculture, Hawaii Revised Statutes, agricultural districts, land use, regulation, renewable energy, community development, housing, affordable housing, real estate, state regulation, building codes, construction, permitting

Summary: The joint public hearing covered several housing-related bills and one building-code measure. HB 1719 would make manufactured homes a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots in the urban district, HB 1742 would authorize self-contained relocatable housing units with restrictions, and HB 1737 would clarify that a farm dwelling in an agricultural district may include an accessory employee housing structure. Testimony on these bills was overwhelmingly supportive from groups including Hawaii Realtors, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Modular Building Institute, the Hawaii Farmers Union, and others, with a few agencies offering comments. No one testified in opposition on HB 1719 or HB 1742, while HB 1737 drew one opposition and one comment in addition to broad support. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided. A major portion of the hearing focused on HB 2049, which restructures the conveyance tax into a marginal-rate system and changes how the revenue is allocated, including funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the rental housing revolving fund, while also affecting the legacy land conservation fund. Supporters, including DHHL, Hawaii Appleseed, Aahu Youth Action Board, Hawaii YIMBY, and others, argued the bill would help Native Hawaiian housing and, for most transactions, function as a tax cut. Opponents, including NAP Hawaii, Hawaii Realtors, Hawaii Land Trust, Mhai Land Trust, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, objected to using conveyance tax as a revenue-generating tool and raised concerns about higher upfront costs and reduced funding for other housing uses. Committee members and staff discussed the bill’s revenue estimates, the reduced percentage but higher cap for the land conservation fund, the effect on rental housing funding, and the bill’s cost-of-living adjustment language; staff said a line-by-line comparison of the current and proposed tax structure would be provided before decision-making. The hearing also took up HB 1725, which would extend the state building code adoption cycle from two years to six years, apply the IRC to triplexes and fourplexes, allow counties to adopt more or less stringent amendments, and appropriate funds for code adoption work. Most testimony supported the bill, with advocates saying the current process is unmanageable, too resource-intensive, and creates confusion because state and county codes can diverge; supporters said a longer cycle would improve clarity and allow more focused review. The International Code Council and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers opposed the measure, warning that delaying adoption could have negative consequences and urging the committee to let an existing statewide code-adoption strategy proceed first. Members asked about sequencing, county implementation, and whether the longer cycle would create catch-up problems, but no action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we had already done a site plan, traffic flow, worked with our own engineers, but because of what
• So, we had already done a site plan, traffic flow, worked with our own engineers, but because of what
• /c><03:47:57.760><c> own</c> traffic flow, worked with our own traffic flow, worked with our own engineers
• 59.359><c> because</c><03:47:59.600><c> of</c><03:47:59.760><c> what</c><03:48:00.000><c> they</c> engineers
• , but because of what they engineers, but because of what they found<03:48:00.640><c> and</c><03:48:00.960

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 1334, which would remove the Education Freedom Account scholarship organization’s authority to approve “any other educational expense” under the EFA statute. The prime sponsor, Representative Porchelli, said the bill would narrow the law to the specifically listed qualifying expenses, avoid broad interpretation, and shift any questions to the Department of Education or the legislative oversight committee. In response to questions, she said she did not think the open-ended category had been needed and that the statute already clearly lists allowable expenses. A representative of the Children’s Scholarship Fund testified in opposition, saying the category is used rarely but is important for unusual cases, especially students with special needs, and that removing it could create unintended consequences. After testimony, the chair closed the hearing on HB 1334. The committee then heard HB 1513, which would move several EFA reporting and oversight requirements from administrative rules and the contract with the Children’s Scholarship Fund into statute. Representative Porchelli said the bill would consolidate existing requirements on timely responses to oversight requests, publication of expense reports by category and provider, and transmission of eligibility and enrollment data to the Department of Education. She described the bill as mostly a clarification and transparency measure rather than a substantive policy change. Members asked about the meaning of “timely access,” the 45-day deadline, whether the contract already covered these duties, and whether the scholarship organization had ever failed to comply. The Children’s Scholarship Fund said it had generally met the 45-day deadline, had not knowingly refused information requests, and that the quarterly reporting requirement could add cost; the sponsor said the DOE had provided guidance and was neutral. The hearing on HB 1513 was then closed. Finally, the committee heard HB 1256, which would repeal the state librarian’s authority to award scholarships for graduate library school attendance at American Library Association-accredited schools. Representative Drago said the law was unnecessary because the state does not currently have a state librarian, scholarships are not typically granted by statute, and he objected to the ALA accreditation requirement and what he described as the association’s political advocacy. In questions, he clarified that the bill targets the accreditation requirement rather than a specific school and said he did not think the state should direct taxpayer-funded scholarships toward ALA-accredited programs. A member raised First Amendment concerns, but the sponsor said the issue was not speech itself, only the use of taxpayer dollars and state law to support that direction. The transcript cuts off before any vote or final action on HB 1256.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, allowing a voluntary relocation ensures that the casino's applicant's economic engine could
• Instead, allowing a voluntary relocation ensures that the casino's applicant's economic engine could
• ensures that the casino's applicant's ensures that the casino's applicant's economic<01:33:20.239><c> engine
• <c> choose</c><01:33:21.920><c> to</c><01:33:22.239><c> move</c><01:33:22.880><c> to</c> economic engine
• could choose to move to economic engine could choose to move to another<01:33:23.520><c> location</c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• American Council of Engineering Companies, in support. Gavin Roth, Santa Cruz YIMBY, in support.
• bill sponsors, the California State Council of Laborers and the International Union of Operating Engineers
• Keith Dunn here today on behalf of the California State Council of Laborers, the Operating Engineers,
• Selecting with the American Council of Engineering Companies, also in support. Thank you.
• Selecting with the American Council of Engineering Company, also in support. Thank you.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 753, which would modernize California’s shopping cart recovery rules by allowing cities and counties to return abandoned carts directly to retailers, recover documented retrieval costs, and avoid the current impound-and-wait process. The author and supporters, including San Jose officials and the League of California Cities, said the bill would help clear streets, sidewalks, and waterways and reduce local costs. Grocers and retailers opposed the measure unless amended, arguing it would turn cart retrieval into a new cost burden and could create incentives for cities to charge too much for stolen property. After extensive discussion about notice periods, cost caps, and local ordinances, the committee adopted amendments and passed the bill 6-0 as amended. The committee then took up SB 445, which would speed up permitting and approvals needed for high-speed rail by requiring early engagement, setting rules for third-party coordination, and creating a dispute-resolution process. The author said the bill was narrowed from an earlier, broader transit proposal and was intended to reduce delays caused by utilities, local governments, and other entities. Supporters said permitting bottlenecks add major costs and delays to infrastructure projects, while opponents from utilities, cities, counties, telecoms, and special districts raised concerns about safety, reliability, affordability, and the need to review the pending amendments. The bill passed 8-1 to the Utilities and Energy Committee. The committee also heard SB 9, a narrower housing bill focused on accessory dwelling units. The author explained that it would require local ADU ordinances to be submitted to HCD for review and would make state standards control if a local agency fails to submit a compliant ordinance or respond to HCD findings. Supporters from housing and YIMBY groups said the bill would improve enforcement of state ADU law and prevent local barriers from slowing housing production. There was no opposition, and the bill passed 6-0. The committee then began hearing SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops; the author and supporters framed it as a response to the housing shortage and transit underuse, and the hearing continued with extensive support testimony as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forty-two years ago, I came to the University of Minnesota to study engineering, and I took away a lot
• My engineering background is such that I take time to look at all of that information, all the different
• all the different variables and<01:39:38.159><c> and</c><01:39:38.480><c> my</c><01:39:38.639><c> engineering
• </c><01:39:39.119><c> background</c><01:39:39.520><c> is</c> and and my engineering background is and
• and my engineering background is such<01:39:39.920><c> that</c><01:39:40.080><c> I</c><01:39:40.239>

Keywords: 1183, house