Transcript Highlights:

• machine, which looks very similar to an ATM, to purchase crypto and send it to a digital wallet, often overseas
• machine, which looks very similar to an ATM, to purchase crypto and send it to a digital wallet, often overseas
• digital purchase crypto and send it to a digital wallet,<00:21:05.520><c> often</c><00:21:06.000><c> overseas
• </c><00:21:07.120><c> We</c><00:21:07.360><c> continue</c><00:21:07.600><c> to</c> wallet, often overseas
• We continue to wallet, often overseas.

Committee: House Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• the large companies just packed up and moved out of state because most of these scammers are from overseas
• 00:13:10.880><c> scammers</c><00:13:11.400><c> are</c><00:13:11.560><c> from</c><00:13:11.920><c> overseas
• </c> most of these scammers are from overseas most of these scammers are from overseas and<00:13:12.680

Transcript Highlights:

• You be overseas a favor board. Thanks, sir. And you have the next one, too. So stay up there, Mr.
• You be<00:11:24.160><c> overseas</c><00:11:24.560><c> a</c><00:11:24.640><c> favor</c><00:11:24.959><
• </c> be overseas a favor board. Thanks, sir. be overseas a favor board. Thanks, sir.

Bills: HB304 , HB285 , HB312 , HB311 , SB60 , HB304 , HB285 , HB312 , HB311 , SB60

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: impoundment, driver licenses, vehicle redemption, local identification cards, law enforcement, HB285, TJ's Law, traffic infraction, traffic ticket, uniform traffic ticket and complaint, minor driver, juvenile driver, parent notification, guardian notification, emergency contact, citing agency, traffic citation, driver safety, youth safety, Alabama traffic law

Transcript Highlights:

• engaging with them to understand what their needs are so we can have everything in place for this deployment
• Duval to have an opportunity and to reach your community for sure through that BEAD on the non-deployment
• Through that BEAD on the non-deployment aspect of workforce development as well as the digital literacy
• needing at the moment and what they anticipate it being as we go through the next few years of deployment
• And then after deployment, we have to maintain those networks that we're building.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Tourism met briefly and first announced that Senate Bill 232 by Senator Rodriguez was temporarily postponed at the sponsor’s request. The main item was a presentation from Leo Garcia of the Office of Broadband on Florida’s broadband programs, current deployment progress, and upcoming funding opportunities. Garcia said the office is administering multiple grant programs that have awarded hundreds of millions of dollars for broadband infrastructure, community facilities, and digital device access, with a focus on rural areas, workforce development, and digital literacy. He also described the state’s strategic plan and partnerships with local governments, ISPs, workforce boards, community colleges, and community action agencies. Garcia explained that Florida has already deployed over 1,100 miles of fiber and enabled about 4,300 connections, and said the remaining unserved and underserved locations should drop significantly by the end of 2026 before the BEAD program addresses the rest. He said BEAD is a fully federal program for Florida, providing $1.16 billion from NTIA, with most of it reserved for infrastructure and additional amounts for workforce training and cybersecurity/digital literacy. He noted that Florida is prioritizing fiber but will also use fixed wireless or satellite where fiber is not cost-effective or feasible. He also said the office is seeking additional spending authority for the Digital Capacity Grant Program. Members asked about county coverage, especially Duval County, and Garcia said Duval and Monroe had not yet received funds because they currently have limited unserved or underserved areas, but they are expected to be addressed through BEAD and related workforce and literacy efforts. Senator Davis raised permitting delays as a major challenge, and Garcia said the office is exploring ways to help local communities process permits more quickly. Senator Wright asked about competition with satellite-based broadband providers, and Garcia said the state is technology-agnostic but prioritizes fiber for reliability. There were no public comments, no votes or formal actions taken, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• After the deployment, 305 in the same month.
• , it was 59 prior to the deployment, it was 59 distracted<00:06:47.120><c> citations.
• After the deployment,<00:06:49.759><c> 305</c><00:06:50.960><c> in</c><00:06:51.199><c> the</c><00:06
• </c><00:06:52.720><c> And</c> deployment, 305 in the same month.
• And deployment, 305 in the same month.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it had various requirements for deployers.
• They focus more on developers and deployers in a general sense.
• broadband issues and may well be looking at its non-deployment funds.
• I think we're all waiting to see what happens with the non-deployment funds.
• And that's the non-deployment of B that's basically on hold right now.

Committee: Joint Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, establishing its purpose as a study and policy-development body rather than one aimed at producing many bills. Majority Leader Hogue urged members to move quickly, focus on federal and other states’ AI laws, consider possible federal preemption, child protections, and the siting and economic impacts of data centers. Committee leadership echoed that the goal is practical, balanced governance that protects North Dakota while allowing innovation to continue. Legislative Council staff provided a background memo and NCSL presented a detailed overview of AI concepts and the current state legislative landscape. The presentations distinguished narrow AI, generative AI, agentic AI, and theoretical AGI/ASI, and summarized major state policy themes: comprehensive AI laws in states such as Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois; targeted laws on deepfakes, chatbots, health, education, notifications, and digital likeness; and growing use of appropriations and agency inventories. Members asked about Colorado’s repeal and reenactment, Texas’s sandbox and training provisions, oversight structures, and whether AI regulation is bipartisan; presenters said most issues cut across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfakes but more division on broader regulatory approaches. The federal update focused on executive orders, preemption, and congressional activity. NCSL described a White House framework favoring a single federal standard, a DOJ litigation task force, Commerce Department review of state laws, and possible funding conditions tied to state AI policy, though no formal state-law challenge had yet occurred. The presentation also covered a recent executive order creating a voluntary federal vetting process for advanced frontier models after safety concerns, and congressional proposals including a failed 10-year state moratorium, Senator Blackburn’s child-safety bills, the Kids Online Safety Act, a House-passed children’s digital safety package, a Senate data center moratorium proposal, and a House ratepayer/data-center bill. The committee took no formal action beyond receiving testimony and asking questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the Committee on Finance be relieved of H. 727, an act relating to sustainable data center deployment
• the Senate Finance Committee be relieved of H. 727, an act relating to sustainable data center deployment
• an act relating to sustainable data an act relating to sustainable data center<00:07:46.440><c> deployment
• ><c> that</c><00:07:47.480><c> the</c><00:07:47.560><c> bill</c><00:07:47.880><c> be</c> center deployment
• , and that the bill be center deployment, and that the bill be committed<00:07:48.520><c> to</c><00:07

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.
• What specific interactions are we allowed to have with the deployment?
• Because each one of these environments would be a completely separate deployment.
• It would allow us a deployment of a newer system in a much more organized, strategic approach.
• We're not maybe looking at a three-, five-, six-, seven-year deployment anymore.

Committee: Joint Information Technology Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds a definition of pre-deployment, impact assessment, and system card.
• activities regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and we think it will help the developer, deployer
• And so I am hoping that we have some sort of a guideline in our laws that shows developers and deployers
• And so I am hoping that we have some sort of a guideline in our laws that shows developers and deployers
• He said they can work with stakeholders and developers and deployers to make sure the bill fits their

Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee first met in executive session on House Bills 2157, 2351, 2365, 2357, and 2446. Staff briefed proposed substitutes and amendments for each bill. HB 2157, concerning high-risk AI systems, was amended to exempt activities regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act and covered entities under HIPAA; members discussed balancing consumer protections with flexibility for developers and deployers. HB 2351, addressing protections for emergency responders and emergency operations, was described as clarifying definitions and procedures, including a mental health crisis defense and changes to emergency operation zone notifications; some members raised concerns about deconfliction and implementation details. HB 2365, on digital equity, was amended with several definitional and data-sharing proposals, though some amendments were rejected over fiscal concerns. HB 2357, creating the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department, passed without amendment. HB 2446, on developing a quantum technology industry strategy, was amended to extend the strategy deadline, broaden who Commerce may contract with, and correct terminology; members noted concerns about industry involvement in the strategic plan and fiscal impacts. All five bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, with recorded votes of 8-5 on HB 2157, HB 2351, and HB 2365, unanimous support for HB 2357, and 12-1 for HB 2446. The committee then held a public hearing on HB 2523, which would make the community reinvestment program ongoing, require periodic updates and reporting, and direct a study of fund distribution and use. Testifiers from workforce boards, tribal programs, reentry services, community organizations, and Commerce described successful uses of the program for job training, reentry, small business support, legal services, and economic mobility, and urged the bill’s passage. Some suggested strengthening accountability, reporting, and access for new organizations. Commerce staff said the program has served more than 190,000 people and supported over 400 organizations, and asked for technical adjustments to keep administrative costs low. The bill was then closed for hearing. The committee also heard HB 2606, which would revise the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and performance measures, remove some reporting requirements, and add review of agency AI projects. The prime sponsor described it as a “stay-in-your-lane” cleanup bill responding to JLARC recommendations, and the state chief privacy officer testified in support, saying the office could implement the changes within existing resources. After questions about local government support and public resources, the hearing on HB 2606 was closed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Deployment at the Clean Air Task Force.
• My name is Nicole Pavia, and I'm the Program Director for Clean Energy Infrastructure Deployment at the
• the provisions of NEPA are not to blame for the most delays and inefficiencies in transmission deployment
• The permitting process is not keeping up with the deployment rates of transmission that we need to unlock
• They might not be, you know, 100% ready for deployment, but I think this all stems from a process that

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Keywords: environmental review, permitting process, infrastructure, bipartisan legislation, economic growth, Nucor, West Virginia

Summary: The meeting focused on critical discussions surrounding the need for modernizing the federal environmental review and permitting processes. Witnesses from various sectors, including Nucor, provided testimony on the delays and costs associated with current regulations, emphasizing the impact on infrastructure and economic growth. Major projects in West Virginia, such as the Corridor H and Coalfield Expressways, were highlighted as examples of initiatives stalled by excessive permitting hurdles, prompting calls for bipartisan legislation to streamline these processes while maintaining environmental protections. The committee expressed a commitment to address these issues immediately, highlighting the urgency to enhance efficiency in permitting to facilitate economic development.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have developers, and then you have deployers, and then you have users.
• The deployers would typically be associated with, like, for example, if they have a built-in system prompt
• know, give me a recipe for something that will make somebody sick, well, that's the user, not the deployer
• Developer and deployer are the more commonly accepted language, not manufacturer or owner.
• So the liability would lay on the person, not on the developer or the deployer. Does that help?

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bills 2404 and 2172, then voted the substitute do pass by a roll call vote of 10-2. The bills were not discussed in detail, but the action advanced them out of committee. The committee then took up House Bill 2989, a large gaming-related bill sponsored by Representative Hardwick. Hardwick described numerous changes in the substitute, including removing references requested by the Highway Patrol, clarifying tax reporting, extending local opt-out time, changing the effective date from August 2027 to August 2028, reducing a felony penalty to a misdemeanor, increasing a casino-related fee from $2 to $4 with the extra amount going to the Missouri Veterans Commission, and adding non-severability language. Members adopted three committee amendments, including language barring previously illegal gambling machines from being licensed as video lottery terminals and requiring games to be out of line of sight from the front entrance, then adopted the revised substitute and voted HCS HB 2989 do pass by an 8-5 vote. The committee then moved to public hearing on House Bills 1746 and 1769, both related to artificial intelligence. Representatives Miller and Amato presented the bills as an effort to establish that AI has no personhood and to create a framework for responsibility and accountability. They said the legislation was informed by outside experts and other states’ efforts, and Miller emphasized using the National Institute of Standards and Technology AI risk management framework as a baseline. Members questioned how liability would work, especially for developers, deployers, and users, and raised concerns about undefined terms such as “harm” and about possible conflict with federal policy discouraging a patchwork of state AI laws. The sponsors said the bill would be cleaned up further and that liability should generally rest with the person using or deploying the AI, not the AI itself. During public testimony, one witness spoke in favor of the AI bills, arguing that states should act proactively rather than wait for problems and noting concern about prior federal efforts to limit state AI legislation. No witnesses spoke in opposition during the hearing. The committee then closed testimony and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have developers, and then you have deployers, and then you have users.
• The deployers would typically be associated with, like, for example, if they have a built-in system prompt
• give me a recipe for something that will make somebody sick... ...well, that's the user, not the deployer
• Developer and deployer are the more commonly accepted language, not manufacturer or owner.
• So the liability would lie on the person, not on the developer or the deployer. Does that help?

Committees: House Emerging Issues , House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The Emerging Issues Committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bills 2404 and 2172. The committee adopted a House Committee substitute for both bills and then voted the substitute do pass by a 10-2 roll call vote. The transcript did not include substantive bill discussion beyond the substitute adoption and final vote. The committee then took up House Bill 2989 in executive session. Sponsor Representative Hardwick described a large House Committee substitute with numerous changes, including technical cleanup, a longer transition period for gray machines, lowering a felony provision to a Class A misdemeanor, increasing a casino-related fee with proceeds going to the Missouri Veterans Commission, and other revisions to gaming-related language. Members adopted three amendments, including one barring previously illegal gambling machines from being licensed as video lottery terminals and another requiring games to be out of line of sight from the front entrance. The committee then adopted the revised substitute and voted House Bill 2989 do pass by an 8-5 vote. In public hearing, Representatives Miller and Amato presented House Bills 1746 and 1769, which focused on artificial intelligence. They said the bills are intended to establish that AI has no personhood and to create accountability and risk-management standards, with discussion centered on using the NIST AI risk management framework and clarifying liability among developers, deployers, and users. Committee members asked about liability, harm definitions, and possible conflict with federal policy; the sponsors said the bill would be refined further. One public witness testified in favor, saying states should act proactively on AI rather than wait for problems, and no opposition testimony was offered before the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• On S. 23779 slash H. 3634, we strongly support the bill's pathway to deployment, but again we encourage
• TechNet supports a framework for testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles, similar to what we see
• A framework that allows for the driverless deployment of AVs is necessary to realize the full range of
• We are concerned the proposed bills would impede the state deployment of AV technology in Massachusetts
• Twenty-six states expressly allow for autonomous vehicle deployment, and none of these states requires

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 46 bills covering bicycle and pedestrian safety, autonomous and specialty vehicles, street design, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate co-chair Brendan Crighton opened the hearing, noted that Senate Bill 2347 was postponed at the sponsor’s request, and explained the hearing procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. A major portion of testimony focused on autonomous vehicles. Labor representatives from the AFL-CIO, Teamsters, Machinists, and app-based driver organizations opposed bills that would authorize fully autonomous vehicles, arguing they could displace workers, weaken bargaining power, increase congestion, and create safety and data-privacy risks. Waymo and Chamber of Progress supported legislation creating a framework for autonomous vehicles, saying the technology has strong safety results and could improve mobility and economic opportunity, but they opposed provisions requiring a human operator in the vehicle. Transportation and environmental advocates urged stronger oversight, local control, crash-data reporting, and privacy protections before deployment. Several bills on pedestrian and bicycle safety drew support from advocates and affected residents. Testimony backed measures to improve crosswalk timing for slower pedestrians, raise penalties for crosswalk violations, expand truck sideguard and safety-device requirements, and improve roadway marking reflectivity. AARP, MassBike, and other advocates emphasized the need to protect older adults, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, while some speakers opposed bills expanding e-bike access to sidewalks and natural-surface trails, citing safety concerns. The committee also heard strong support for the Blue Envelope program for drivers with autism and developmental disabilities, with testimony from the Arc of Massachusetts, the Developmental Disabilities Council, families, and individuals describing how the program can reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops and crashes.

Transcript Highlights:

• On top of that, following last year's deployment of one-third of the Army National Guard, we anticipate
• an attrition increase of 5 to 7%, which is not uncommon following any deployment.
• of a one-third of the Army deployment of a one-third of the Army National<00:02:27.599><c> Guard,</c
• </c> not uncommon following any deployment. not uncommon following any deployment.
• deployment. and upon returning<00:02:51.280><c> will</c><00:02:51.519><c> face</c><00:02:51.680><c>

Bills: SF0012 , SF0013 , SF0067

Committee: House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• living overseas So, anybody living overseas can<02:54:29.359><c> sign</c><02:54:30.640><c> the</c><02
• </c> be overseas be overseas in<03:08:09.680><c> New</c><03:08:09.920><c> Hampshire.
• ,</c> assigned duty overseas, assigned duty overseas, uh<03:08:51.520><c> they</c><03:08:51.760><c> are
• </c> if they are an overseas if they are an overseas voter.<03:09:08.160><c> In</c><03:09:08.399><c>
• </c> overseas with no intent to come back. overseas with no intent to come back.

Committee: House Election Law

Bills: HB3418 , HB3985 , HB3463 , HB3002 , HB4303 , HB3919 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3415 , HB2206 , HB3414 , HB3265 , HB3310 , HB3413 , HB4486 , HB1219 , SR39 , SB1177 , HB3298 , HB2696 , HB3941 , HB3970 , HB3264 , HB3321 , HB2650 , HB3497 , HB3980 , HB3981 , HB4421 , HB3177 , HB3322 , HB3499 , HB3500 , HB3845 , HB3742 , HB3622 , HB1250 , HB2710 , HB3831 , HB4408 , HB1002 , HB3008 , HB3086 , HB3595 , HB3678 , HB4107 , HB3695 , HB3315 , HB3590 , HB3006 , HB3151 , HB2959 , HB2398 , HB3026 , HB3467 , HB4268 , HB3372 , HB2210 , HB4359 , HB4427

Keywords: public works, bidding procedures, construction contracts, transparency, public trust, electronic bidding, school districts, property rights, public nuisance, compensation claims, government enforcement, Oklahoma Safe Neighborhoods Act, municipal audit, state auditor, local government, financial transparency, gasoline tax allocations, counties, county officers, education

Bills: SB2901 , SB2902 , SB2903 , SB2904 , SB2905 , SB2906 , SB2907 , SB2908 , SB2909 , SB2910 , SB2911 , SB2912 , SB2913 , SB2914 , SB2915 , SB2916 , SB2917 , SB2918 , SB2919 , SB2920 , SB2921 , SB2922 , SB2923 , SB2924 , SB2925 , SB2926 , SB2927 , SB2928 , SB2929 , SB2930 , SB2931 , SB2932 , SB2933 , SB2934 , SB2935 , SB2936 , SB2937 , SB2938 , SB2939 , SB2940 , SB2941 , SB2942 , SB2943 , SB2944 , SB2945 , SB2946 , SB2947 , SB2948 , SB2949 , SB2950 , SB2951 , SB2952 , SB2953 , SB2954 , SB2955 , SB2956 , SB2957 , SB2958 , SB2959 , SB2960 , SB2961 , SB2962 , SB2963 , SB2964 , SB2965 , SB2966 , SB2967 , SB2968 , SB2969 , SB2970 , SB2971 , SB2972 , SB2973 , SB2974 , SB2975 , SB2976 , SB2977 , SB2978 , SB2979 , SB2980 , SB2981 , SB2982 , SB2983 , SB2984 , SB2985 , SB2986 , SB2987 , SB2988 , SB2989 , SB2990 , SB2991 , SB2992 , SB2993 , SB2994 , SB2995 , SB2996 , SB2997 , SB2998 , SB2999 , SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum

Transcript Highlights:

• myself, we don't really have to look terribly far back to see kind of the danger of a careless deployment
• myself, we don't really have to look terribly far back to see kind of the danger of a careless deployment
• myself, we don't really have to look terribly far back to see kind of the danger of a careless deployment
• discussed by Sam Gordon as well, workers face potentially life-altering job displacement due to the deployment
• discussed by Sam Gordon as well, workers face potentially life-altering job displacement due to the deployment

Transcript Highlights:

• So it had various requirements for deployers.
• They focus more on developers and deployers in a general sense.
• broadband issues and may well be looking at its non-deployment funds.
• And non-deployment funds are, you know, things that are not kind of shovel-ready projects, Non-deployment
• And that's the non-deployment of B that's basically on hold right now.

Committee: Joint Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• certified, and compliant workforce in the field and that we will do so without interrupting broadband deployment
• certified, and compliant workforce in the field and that we will do so without interrupting broadband deployment
• will do so without interrupting uh will do so without interrupting uh broadband<00:08:12.400><c> deployment
• </c><00:08:12.800><c> or</c><00:08:13.039><c> the</c><00:08:13.199><c> bead</c> broadband deployment
• or the bead broadband deployment or the bead program.<00:08:14.240><c> So,</c><00:08:14.639><c> appreciate

Committee: Senate Labor