Transcript Highlights:

• to a minimum they are conversations to a minimum they are directional<00:20:27.120> so<00:20:
• I just want to let you know that we are very excited because we are going to use AI.
• So, I'm really excited about the opportunities that AI may open up for us.
• And I'm hopeful next year we can come, we can talk about the audits where we actually use AI to become
• So, I'm really excited about the opportunities that AI may open up for us.

Bills: HB2240, HB2272, HB2273, HB2274, HB2275

Keywords: appropriations, legislative expenses, auditor, legislative reference bureau, state ethics commission, ombudsman, government transparency, HB2272, Act 026, public employment cost items, emergency appropriations, collective bargaining, bargaining unit 11, BU-11, state employees, excluded employees, salary increases, cost adjustments, health premium payments, benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's how we took the approach to make that allowable based on that conversation.
• . conversation. conversation.
• We hear about the data centers and AI.
• various plants to do AI and data in<00:52:29.360> Wyoming.
• , uh, with data and AI, uh, with data and AI, uh,<00:59:09.160> are<00:59:09.360> also<

Bills: HB0116, HB0056

Keywords: water rights, beneficial use, industrial production, hydrogen, applications, public welfare, carbon capture, energy standards, public utilities, environmental regulation, state law, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had enormous conversation about this since January of 25.
• Only post 73, then we're certainly up into those conversations. Thank you for that.
• to me on multiple times, like why can't you just put AI on that?
• And So the providers now, and you and I have had great conversations about this.
• This is quite a bit back in our conversations.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I sit on the Appropriations Committee, International Trade, and new AI.
• I sit on the Appropriations Committee, International Trade, and new AI, so Justin must be doing something
• to upskill with AI skills.
• Most of the stuff we're doing right now is going to be on the AI side of things.
• Most of the stuff we're doing right now is going to be on the AI side of things.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House Committee on International Trade held its first meeting of the year, with members introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing Arizona’s role in foreign relations, especially with Mexico. The committee then heard presentations from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and related local partners about the region’s importance as a trade, tourism, agriculture, logistics, and mining corridor. Chamber representatives described efforts to support small businesses with bilingual resources, digital and procurement assistance, entrepreneurship training, Google certificates, and workforce development tied to the South32 mine and other emerging industries. They also highlighted tourism promotion efforts to counter negative perceptions of Nogales, noting increased online engagement and stronger visitor activity. Members asked about state and federal improvements that could help trade, and witnesses said the top needs were infrastructure upgrades, especially roads and port-of-entry access, along with more pedestrian-friendly crossings and housing to retain workers. The Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District described its unusual provisional status, its contract with Pima College, and the challenge of limited spending authority despite expected revenue growth from mining. The college said it is expanding workforce training, especially in AI, advanced manufacturing, trades, and ESL support, and is working toward eventual accreditation. The committee also heard from cattle industry representatives from Cattlemex, T4 Ranch, and J.M. Fletcher Cattle Co. They urged the reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports, arguing that Sonoran cattle are safe, traceable, and vital to Arizona’s economy and the national beef supply. Witnesses said the New World screwworm-related border closure has reduced imports, raised beef prices, hurt feedlots and packing plants, and shifted cattle trade to other states. They asked lawmakers to advocate with USDA for a Sonora-specific reopening and to support Arizona’s livestock infrastructure and grazing lands. No bills were heard and no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And quite frankly, even if you can't get it done this year, it's a worthwhile conversation.
• Absolutely, it's a worthwhile conversation.
• It's an ongoing conversation, but that is what is before you today.
• Secondly, borrowing an idea from Senator Bradley, the amendment states that AI cannot be used as the
• AI tools are really adapting and changing very quickly.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several insurance, financial regulation, and public safety bills. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1656, a major Office of Insurance Regulation bill covering reciprocal insurers, rate transparency, data calls, cybersecurity notification, and stronger oversight of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). The sponsor and OIR described the bill as aimed at transparency and preventing insolvencies, especially after recent CCRC failures. CCRC residents and industry representatives testified both in support and in opposition, with supporters emphasizing resident protection and opponents warning about liens, reserve requirements, management-company regulation, and higher costs. After debate and assurances that problematic provisions would be refined, the committee adopted a delete-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1658, which creates a public records framework for the uniform mitigation verification of inspection form database while protecting policyholders’ personal information; a clarifying amendment was adopted before the bill was reported favorably. SB 1612 on financial institutions was approved after a substitute amendment restored current limits on credit union investments and kept only reimbursement, not salary, authority for certain board members and officers. SB 1740, an insurance bill intended to reduce premiums and insurer insolvency risk, was amended to prioritize rate-decrease filings and prohibit claim denials based solely on AI, then reported favorably. Two public-safety bills also moved forward. SB 1212 on firefighter health and safety would update OSHA-related protections, address toxic exposure in gear, encourage safer replacement equipment, and support best practices and mental health resources; an amendment refined terminology and added related provisions, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1184 on residual market insurers was amended to preserve existing consumer protections and disclosure rules for excess and surplus lines and to clarify Citizens-related appointment requirements before being reported favorably. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly noted ongoing stakeholder negotiations and intent to refine several bills further in later committee stops.

Transcript Highlights:

• It might be worth a conversation, either here in this committee hearing or over the next few months,
• We look forward to this conversation continuing.” “Thank you.
• POPI is a secure, centrally managed gen AI service provided by CDT to support state of California and
• AI service provided by CDT to support State of California employees.
• Parking spaces and our kind of holistic evaluation of return-to-work conversations.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation. Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs. The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then can you remind us of what authority you have if it is AI generated?
• As far as the AI-generated, if you have an AI-generated image, we're treating that as child pornography
• As far as the AI-generated, if you have an AI-generated image, we're treating that as child pornography
• That was AI-generated, treated the same, and it needs to be.
• In that same bill, you also created an ability for us to go after AI-generated CSAM.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to hear the Attorney General’s budget and related agency presentations. Legislative Council first reviewed the compliance with legislative intent report and the base budget worksheet, highlighting current and ongoing appropriations, FTE changes, one-time funding items, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked about items such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding, and staff explained the funding sources and status of those programs. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then outlined the Attorney General’s office structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal and investigative work for state and local governments, and concerns about attorney salary competitiveness, the new and vacant FTE pool, and the impact of the 3% operating budget reduction on BCI, IT, and the crime lab. Members also discussed AG opinions, boards and commissions training, and the office’s litigation and settlement recoveries. Ness and committee members raised the possibility of broader attorney salary benchmarking across state government. The crime lab director described severe space and infrastructure constraints, including overcrowding, shared workspaces, glycol leaks, air handling limits, and aging fire and burglar alarm systems. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that a new building on the current health department site would best address the lab’s needs. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, drug, fingerprint, and firearms work, though toxicology had a recent delay after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director described the unit’s fraud, abuse, and neglect work, noted federal-state funding and recent federal scrutiny, and said the unit needs more staff. The gaming division reviewed charitable gaming growth, e-tabs, trust accounts, and compliance issues, while BCI covered its caseload, cybercrime and child sexual abuse material investigations, the missing indigenous person task force, and the use of lottery funds for drug task forces. No formal votes or budget actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• and how AI may erase jobs. future of AI and how AI may erase jobs and erode certain industries that
• Every government entity, local county hospitals conversations, intergent care provider conversations.
• I think AI is going to help us. I'm not a big AI person.
• I think AI is going to help us. I'm not a big AI person.
• Federal conversation.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As the gentleman approaches the mic, could members please take their seats and refrain from conversation
• The breadth and perspective of those conversations has led to the bill that's before you.
• And I think for all the reasons the chairman touched on, and as we see the increasing prevalence of AI
• The issues of AI are complex. The issue of election misinformation, not so much. So H-15.
• And the threat is the use of AI-generated deepfakes combined with false information are manipulating

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow consideration of a petition to designate the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court as the Judge Leslie E. Harris Courthouse. It then took up two election-related bills reported out of Ways and Means: House 5093, to protect against election misinformation, and House 5094, to enhance disclosure requirements for synthetic media and political advertising. Supporters described both measures as targeted responses to AI-generated deepfakes and deceptive election content, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and protecting voter trust rather than banning speech outright. House 5094 was debated first. An amendment was adopted to exempt certain broadcasters, cable/satellite operators, program producers, and streaming services when paid to broadcast deceptive election-related material. The bill then passed to be engrossed on a roll call of 156-0. House 5093 was then debated, with supporters saying it would prohibit deceptive AI use within 90 days of an election and address materially deceptive audio, visual, and election-related communications. Two amendments were offered and defeated: one to move the state primary earlier, and another to narrow the bill’s scope by striking part of the definition of materially deceptive media. The bill passed to be engrossed on a roll call of 153-3. Earlier in the session, the House also passed to be enacted several local bills, including measures affecting Rockland’s charter, Williamstown’s senior property tax exemption eligibility, and Rochester’s fire chief employment. Later, the House rejected concurrence with Senate amendments on a bill related to teacher preparation and student literacy and instead appointed a committee of conference. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for former Quincy public servant Arthur Tobin before adjourning to meet the next day at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason this is an idea that makes sense today is because of this AI data center growth.
• This is an idea that makes sense today because of this AI data center growth.
• AI can, by the way, tell if they're sending us the same photo for different addresses.
• Yeah, so step one would be really dealing with the largest AI data centers.
• So when we are building these things off-grid, we want to eventually have a conversation.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had conversations: is video monitoring about catching fraud?
• We just passed my bill the other day to ban the use of notification technology in AI.
• We just passed my bill the other day to ban the use of notification technology in AI.
• material that makes AI-generated CSAM. material that makes AI-generated CSAM.
• having this conversation with you today. having this conversation with you today.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up an urgency motion to recall House File 3819 from committee and advance it to final passage. Supporters said the bill was needed to address fraud in the child care assistance program (CCAP), citing recent FBI raids on child care centers, prior audit findings, and long-standing concerns about weak oversight. They described the bill as restoring a penalty of perjury for attendance records, requiring electronic attendance tracking, mandating unannounced inspections, and requiring camera monitoring for higher-funded providers so the state can verify attendance and reduce improper payments. Opponents argued the bill was not ready, raised concerns about cost, implementation, and the inclusion of camera surveillance, and said the language could create problems related to retention and possible misuse of video. One member said the state had already taken bipartisan action on child care fraud in prior sessions and that the larger fraud estimates being cited were overstated compared with convictions. Another member emphasized that electronic attendance monitoring was the one part they supported, but said the bill lacked clarity and a Senate companion. Members also discussed the history of CCAP fraud investigations, including earlier OLA reports, criminal investigations within DHS, and allegations that fraud vulnerabilities had been known for years. Supporters argued the bill would help recover taxpayer dollars and improve affordability by reducing fraud, while critics warned that added camera requirements could increase costs for providers and potentially threaten child care center viability. The debate included questions and answers about video retention, with the bill author stating the intended retention period was 90 days, though a member noted that language was not clearly visible in the version before the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is in the AI super cycle.
• So on the opportunity capture an AI super cycle, I agree with you, and TSM is in my district.
• The first is in the AI super cycle.
• an AI super cycle I agree with you and TSM's in my district I am thrilled with them and and what we're
• So there's data center and AI and the water field all related, but they weren't in the slides together

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee met to review the governor’s fiscal 2027 budget presentation, with the chair repeatedly asking members to keep questions brief and avoid speeches. The discussion focused first on the overall revenue and spending outlook, including concerns from members that the executive forecast was more optimistic than the JLBC baseline and that the budget appeared to front-load revenue and expenditure growth. The governor’s budget team said the forecast was close to JLBC’s, that the budget was structurally balanced, and that differences were roughly $100 million per year on ongoing revenue. Members asked for follow-up calculations in writing, including the total multi-year gap and the amount of revenue enhancements above base revenues. A major portion of the meeting centered on tax and fee proposals tied to data centers, water use, and sports betting. The governor’s team defended eliminating the existing data center tax incentive as the removal of a loophole rather than a new tax, arguing the incentive had already succeeded in attracting major investment. They also described a proposed Department of Water Resources fee-setting authority for data centers to support a new Colorado River Protection Fund, and said the proposal would apply to existing and future facilities without a grandfather clause. Members raised concerns about fairness, competitiveness, and whether the changes would require a supermajority vote. The team also discussed increased sports betting fees, saying the revenue forecast did not include dynamic behavioral effects. The committee then moved through major spending areas, including corrections, public safety, border security, cybersecurity, K-12 education, Medicaid, and developmental disabilities. The governor’s budget includes ongoing funding to prevent correctional officer pay cuts, money to comply with prison health care court orders, probation funding, body-worn cameras, law enforcement staffing, fentanyl task forces, and cyber readiness grants. Members questioned the lack of funding for a prison oversight committee and asked for corrections spending totals over the administration. On border security, the executive said it was seeking about $759.7 million in federal reimbursement for border-related costs and that the governor had met with federal officials, including Secretary Noem and Tom Homan, about the request. In education, the budget proposes renewing Prop. 123, adding K-12 base funding, and issuing $1.5 billion in school facilities bonds over three years; members debated whether the proposal was appropriate and whether Prop. 123 revenues could support the debt service. The meeting also covered AHCCCS cost growth and federal HR1 impacts, with the executive warning of major coverage losses and hospital funding reductions, and DDD funding, where the governor’s team said the budget fully funds services and includes about $120 million in supplemental needs. No votes were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session only.

Transcript Highlights:

• My next question was going to be an AI question.
• I'm using AI. And it is happening. Okay, so they are required. I'm using AI.
• So to be clear, AI, LLM, chatbots don't have intention.
• Additionally, we have discussed AI, and we are considering the use and integration of AI research in
• It's a conversation.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, we're not doing generative AI because we don't trust it to give you the proper tax data, so
• to track— not for, um, not using generative AI chatbots to interact with customers, but sort of more
• And so I'm just wondering if you guys are using AI in any of those ways.
• <00:21:58.200> in wondering if you guys are using AI in wondering if you guys are using AI
• Increased use of AI, we just mentioned, to answer basic questions, and we are shrinking our physical

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a personal touch today's conversation.
• So look forward to today's conversation and I can't wait to hear the other panelists today.
• I think we live in a world where AI and other, you know, and AI is a big conversation in the state of
• Fifth, national security and economic security are now the same conversation.
• And I'd also like to see how topics like AI are addressed in that as well.

Summary: The joint hearing of the Assembly Select Committee on California-Mexico Bi-National Affairs and the Assembly Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Committee focused on the USMCA and how the agreement affects California’s economy, jobs, supply chains, and competitiveness. Opening remarks emphasized California’s heavy trade dependence on Mexico and Canada, the importance of stable trade rules, and concerns that tariffs or uncertainty could harm workers, small businesses, agriculture, logistics, manufacturing, and border communities. Members said the hearing would help inform a future legislative report or resolution on California’s priorities for the agreement’s review. Academic and policy witnesses argued that the USMCA is central to North American economic integration and California’s role in it. Testimony from UC San Diego and CETYS University described California and Mexico as co-producers rather than simple trading partners, highlighting sectors such as medical devices, aerospace, semiconductors, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Witnesses also warned that the upcoming review could involve not just trade but security and immigration issues, and they urged a stronger, longer-term agreement with more certainty, better border efficiency, and new tools such as specialized technician visas, binational certification standards, innovation zones, and a technology fund. Go-Biz and chamber representatives said USMCA provides predictability, market access, and support for small and medium-sized businesses, while also creating compliance burdens through rules of origin, labor standards, and customs procedures. They pointed to California’s trade missions, export support programs, and state-level cooperation with Mexico and Canada as ways to help firms participate in regional supply chains. Mexican government and business representatives said the agreement is largely functioning well, that Mexico’s public consultation process received nearly 800 submissions and about 2,000 chapter-specific comments, and that many stakeholders favor maintaining or extending USMCA. No formal votes were taken; the committee heard testimony and asked witnesses for follow-up information to inform its report and future recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's going to start some more conversations about how everyone can work together, and for the
• Conservation is at the forefront of every conversation. Florida is a destination state.
• standard in AI.
• I ask that each one of you go and look up the fairly debatable standard in AI.
• I literally used AI as we've all been challenged to do in many of our committees this week. ...used AI

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard a full agenda of local and policy bills, with most measures receiving favorable reports. Early in the meeting, the committee approved HB 4019, capping Lake County inmate health care and emergency transport reimbursements at percentages tied to Medicare; HB 97, allowing small counties to opt back into transportation concurrency; HB 267, expanding SHIP/local housing assistance eligibility to mobile home owners paying lot rent; HB 351, creating a framework for concurrent state jurisdiction over certain matters involving military installations, with an amendment changing the bill to say the state “may accept” jurisdiction; HB 4013, revising and merging fire district boundaries in Lee County; HB 481, increasing public nuisance fines and strengthening nuisance abatement and foreclosure procedures; HB 4025, conveying state land to the Village of Tequesta for continued park use; and HB 4017, repealing an obsolete Nassau County recreation and water control district, as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 299, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which would create a voluntary framework for very large developments that dedicate 60% of land to conservation while allowing compact, walkable development and affordable housing on the remainder. The sponsor argued it would balance growth, conservation, and housing affordability without new bureaucracy, while opponents from Audubon Florida, county groups, and local governments warned the bill could weaken local planning, lack enforceable conservation safeguards, and allow nonconservation uses within reserved areas. Supporters said it could preserve large tracts of land at no taxpayer cost and improve long-range planning. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying reserve areas, allowing use of the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, requiring easements be provided without charge, and aligning affordability definitions with existing programs. The bill then passed favorably as amended, with some members voting no. The committee also approved HB 4023, a local bill adjusting the boundaries of the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District in Collier County, with no change to the district’s powers and duties. Several bills drew supportive testimony from local officials, industry groups, or affected residents, and some had amendments adopted without objection. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted it was the last interim committee week meeting, thanked members and staff, and encouraged continued stakeholder engagement ahead of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is simply where um AI material.
• ask AI if it's an AI generated image and AI might tell us what it is.
• ask AI if it's an AI generated image and AI might tell us what it is.
• ask AI if it's an AI generated image and AI might tell us what it is.
• AI-generated image and AI might tell us what it is.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can always have the conversation when we come back in January.
• You can always have the conversation when we come back in January.
• <00:45:43.000> about just to have a conversation about just to have a conversation about creating
• <01:02:18.000> for States to have an FDA-cleared AI for States to have an FDA-cleared AI for
• Uh what the AI module does is haystack.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth and final interim meeting with roll call, quorum confirmation, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief change in agenda order to preserve quorum and accommodate presenters’ schedules. Members then moved through several proposed health-related items with limited discussion, and the chair noted the committee would reconvene in January for further conversation. The first substantive item was a proposal relating to utilization controls for non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid. Senator Gerald Neal and Tara Hyde of People Advocating Recovery argued that pain parity is needed so patients can access non-opioid options without prior authorization or step therapy barriers, especially in acute pain situations and for people in recovery. Senator Berg supported the concept and suggested expanding the approach to other prescriptions by allowing physicians to explain why step therapy is inappropriate at the time of prescribing; another member cautioned against unintended cost increases if non-opioid drugs are used as add-ons to opioids. The committee then heard a proposal on physician assistants from Senator Scott and Andrew Rutherford of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants. They described a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model, with practice scope set at the practice level, limited Schedule II prescribing authority under guardrails, and permission for PAs to perform driver’s license vision testing. Supporters said the changes would improve rural access, reduce administrative burden, and align Kentucky with neighboring states; a question from Representative Bratcher focused on experience requirements and how the proposal compares with nurse practitioner rules. No vote was taken. Finally, Representative Nancy Tate, Adia Wuchner, and Representative Jason Nemes introduced a 2026 proposal aimed at “protecting vulnerable people.” They described a broad package focused on abortion pill trafficking, marketing to minors, commercial surrogacy, assisted suicide, and organ procurement safeguards, arguing that current law leaves gaps and that additional criminal and civil penalties are needed. The presentation was informational only, with no action taken before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• AI and safe public education.
• It establishes an AI and intelligence.
• use of AI and safe public education. use of AI and safe public education. requires<00:16:03.519>
• documentation from a vendor of an AI documentation from a vendor of an AI tool<00:16:09.920>
• regarding AI. regarding AI.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Education and Higher Education committees met on February 10, 2026, first hearing HB 1676, which would create an AI and education task force, require documentation from AI vendors before procurement or use, and appropriate funds. The Department of Education, Public Charter School Commission, and University of Hawaii all supported the bill’s intent and described existing AI literacy efforts, teacher training, guidance for students and staff, and privacy/monitoring safeguards. DOE said it had already convened an AI task force, produced a report, trained over 10,000 educators, and embedded AI into computer science and broader curricular guidance. Members questioned DOE about student privacy, harmful content monitoring, personal devices, cell phone policy, teacher training, and whether AI literacy should extend beyond computer science into all subjects and across rural schools. After discussion, the chair announced HB 1676 would be deferred to Friday, February 13, and that a HD1 draft would be prepared. The chair said the committee would revisit the task force composition and procurement standards, with possible elimination of the procurement section, and circulate the revised draft before the next hearing. The committee then recessed and later reconvened for HB 1811, a student loan repayment program for educators. Testimony from the Department of Education, Public Charter School Commission, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Teacher Standards Board, HSTA, and the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus was generally supportive, with HSTA and the Teacher Standards Board emphasizing teacher recruitment and retention, student loan burden, and the need to address the teacher shortage. In decision-making on HB 1811, the committees adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments. The main amendment collapsed the repayment structure into a single disbursement of up to $25,000 after five years of service, with technical/non-substantive changes and a corrected effective date. Both the Education and Higher Education committees voted unanimously in favor. Later in the meeting, the Education Committee began hearing HB 1561 on student meals, which drew broad support from the Public Charter School Commission, Department of Health, HSTA, Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and many individuals. Appleseed requested amendments to ensure charter schools are treated the same as other public schools if eligibility expands and to address reimbursement issues for schools already participating in the federal Community Eligibility Provision; members discussed those concerns but no action was taken in the portion of the transcript provided. The committee then moved on to HB 779, on expanding student meal coverage, where DOE supported the intent but said it could not support the bill in its current form because of fiscal constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Leak, I'm sorry we didn't get to have a longer conversation today about this legislation.
• They've been AI before AI was cool, so to say, but they constantly rebuild themselves so that they can
• And Senator Leak, I'm sorry we didn't get to have a longer conversation today about this legislation.
• that are brought up, but looking forward to you've got a heavy lift this year between this and the AI
• And it's, you know, they've been AI before AI was cool to say, but they constantly rebuild themselves

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and first postponed SB 1650. The committee then heard and favorably reported SB 308, which implements the Florida Museum of Black History task force recommendations by designating St. Johns County as the museum site and creating a board to work with a supporting nonprofit. It also favorably reported SB 7020, which reenacts a public records exemption for certain Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services aquaculture and shellfish production records. Members then considered SB 692 on cybersecurity standards and liability. The bill creates a presumption against liability for private businesses that follow updated cybersecurity frameworks and reporting requirements, and a similar protection for local governments that comply with state standards. An amendment was adopted to prevent local governments from imposing separate cybersecurity standards on vendors and to clarify vendor definitions and effective dates. The Florida Justice Association opposed the bill, raising concerns about local government immunity, the practical effect of the presumption for private entities, and retroactivity, while business and industry groups supported it. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also favorably reported SB 572, which updates ethics law to include legally recognized foster parents and foster children in the definition of relative; SB 1442, which revises the long-range program plan to require more specific performance metrics and agency-specific measures; SB 1106, which replaces references to the West Bank with Judea and Samaria in state agency and educational materials; SB 474, which revises military leave and related benefits for public employees and officials, with three amendments adopted; and SB 350, which revises public records protections for crime victims and law enforcement officers who are victims, including a 72-hour confidentiality period for officers in certain cases. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to shift more fleet management responsibility from DMS to state agencies while preserving reporting to DMS. The meeting ended after members recorded additional votes and the committee adjourned.