Transcript Highlights:

• We know that they are using AI-supported software, access through the.
• So our defense acquisition paradigm is very focused on engineering the highest quality technology and
• building it oftentimes in a vacuum. vacuum to the highest engineering specifications.
• Are you going to allow an inexperienced team of software company interns to look at our most critical

Keywords: Steven Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense, national security, budget cuts, military readiness, global threats, Department of Defense

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the nomination of Steven Feinberg as Deputy Secretary of Defense. The committee emphasized the urgent need for strong leadership in response to a complex array of global threats posed by adversarial coalitions, including China, Russia, and Iran. The discussions highlighted concerns regarding budget cuts and personnel reductions within the Department of Defense, showcasing the challenges posed by the current economic context and the pressing need to maintain military readiness and capabilities. Various members expressed their apprehensions about how impending layoffs and budget reductions would impact the defense workforce and national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm assuming that's maybe software or licenses for software for the permitting process.
• Uh, I'm assuming that's maybe software Uh, I'm assuming that's maybe software or<04:16:58.720>
• 00.239> the or licenses for software for the or licenses for software for the permitting<04:17
• <05:22:10.878> Um<05:22:11.840> engineers and have it be effective.
• Um engineers and have it be effective.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Patient portals are a software tool that allow patients to interact with their care, send messages to
• Patient portals are a software tool that Patient portals are a software tool that allow<01:16:57.520>
• So, and the the impetus is it's kind of a little reverse engineered, but if they're gaining uh $60 per
• So, and the the impetus is it's kind of a little reverse engineered, but if they're gaining uh $60 per
• So, and the the impetus is it's kind of a little reverse engineered, but if they're gaining uh $60 per

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He was a former engineer uh cabinets.
• He's doing computer engineering now.
• He's doing<03:07:01.200> computer<03:07:01.600> engineering<03:07:02.000> now.
• <03:07:02.240> I<03:07:02.399> mean, doing computer engineering now.
• I mean, doing computer engineering now.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• teachers and our parents, we give future generations the greatest chance at keeping this Texas economic engine
• I am a successful software engineer. I'm the senior engineer at Omega Airline Software.
• In my work as senior engineer and project manager for a mega airline software, I work with cybersecurity
• other mom adjusted the budget for the PTA to make sure that we were covering critical education software
• we send over for it. the budget for the PTA to make sure that we were covering critical education software

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Several senators emphasized support for public education, teacher pay and safety, parental choice, and the combined K-16 jurisdiction of the committee. The chair also reviewed hearing procedures, including public testimony registration and time limits. The main item was Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, laid out by Chairman Creighton. He described the bill as an education savings account program intended to expand school choice, with a $200 million universal eligibility pool and an additional $800 million targeted to students with disabilities and lower-income families. He said the bill includes anti-fraud safeguards, criminal background checks for vendors, reporting requirements, data protections, and annual testing for participating students, while not imposing STAAR on private schools or homeschoolers. He also said the bill removes a prior hold-harmless provision for public schools and is separate from public school funding and teacher pay legislation. Members questioned the bill’s income threshold, lottery and priority structure, treatment of homeschoolers, microschools, charter schools, religious freedom protections, citizenship/lawful presence language, cybersecurity, open records, and disability-related issues, including whether 504 students and foster children should be included. Creighton said the bill is designed to prioritize former public school students with disabilities or lower incomes, while also allowing universal eligibility within the program’s first funding tier, and that the Comptroller would oversee vendor screening and cybersecurity rules. He said the bill does not direct curriculum or interfere with religious beliefs and that amendments may be offered later on citizenship and other issues. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, starting with EdChoice representative Robert Inlow, who testified in support of SB 2 and cited national growth in school choice programs and studies he said show positive effects for students and public schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• lanes throughout the program area, which means there are seven interchanges that we would have to engineer
• . ...throughout the program area, which means there are seven interchanges that we would have to engineer
• , our customer They already have systems in place, including back-office system software, customer service
• So I think it's, you know, maybe in the order of a third-ish, but I'm not an engineer, so my math skills
• I'm not an engineer, so my math skills are not that close. But those are the numbers.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The audit found that faulty software systems and complete disregard by management resulted in improper
• The audit found that faulty software systems and complete disregard by management resulted in improper
• Ted Toppin, for the California State Retirees and also now the Professional Engineers in California Government

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Proper software, additional staff, and accurate digital data collection must be addressed as soon as
• I'm a licensed professional engineer and assistant director at Austin Water.
• My name is Scott Stewart, and I represent the American Council of Engineering Companies of Texas here
• I'm Adam Eaton, a licensed professional engineer and chair of the Government Affairs Committee for ASCE
• As a community of civil engineering professionals, we believe the state should fund water source and

Bills: HB16, HB16, HB1618, HB2692, HB2712, HB2970, HB3609, HB3628

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been the amount of open-source software, the robotic platforms that now can be purchased, and community-supported
• We have people in this industry trained in engineering, genetics, AI, robotics... ...people in this industry
• trained in engineering, genetics, AI, robotics, aquatic animal health, and climate resilience systems
• so beautifully presented, aquaculture already plays a key role in providing much-needed economic engines

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture convened, took roll, and heard Senate Bill 58 by Senator Harrow, which would create regulation for companion animal cremation. Harrow described a case involving mishandled pet remains and said the bill would require written service descriptions, prohibit false or misleading statements, require certification with returned remains, authorize Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services rulemaking, and impose civil penalties for violations. With no questions or public opposition, the committee voted the bill favorably. The committee then heard presentations on robotics in agriculture and aquaculture. Dr. Nathan Boyd of UF/IFAS discussed the rapid growth of agricultural robotics, including AI-driven weed detection, targeted spraying, autonomous tractors, and harvesting technology, emphasizing reduced pesticide use, lower input costs, and labor-saving automation. Dr. Nicole Kirchoff of Live Advantage Bait and Adrian Johnson of the Florida Shellfish Aquaculture Association highlighted aquaculture’s economic and environmental value, Florida’s strong position in the industry, and challenges including hurricane losses, lack of insurance, land-use instability, capital access, and water quality. They urged support for working waterfronts, risk mitigation, and policies to help the sector commercialize and expand. The committee also heard from dairy producers Kevin Lusher and Jacob Larson. Lusher described his family’s dairy and artisan cheese business, noting reliance on USDA grants, rising costs, labor shortages, and regulatory burdens, and asked for more grant support, marketing for Fresh From Florida products, and permanent funding for Farmers Feeding Florida. Larson discussed the broader dairy market, declining herd sizes due to efficiency gains, high production costs in Florida, and competition from out-of-state processing, suggesting incentives for local processing and supply management. Finally, FDOT Chief Planner Wayway Schen presented on arterial and local road funding programs, including ART, ARTW, SCOP, SCRAP, CIGP, and TRIP, and said rural road needs remain significant, with more than $16 billion in unfunded or partially funded project needs. The committee adjourned after brief discussion and thanks to the presenters.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's some of the essential hardware or software for that particular service.
• It's some of the essential hardware or software for that particular service.
• There's a continual training and skill set. software for that particular service.
• example, we don't review anything from higher ed, from the adjutant general, or like maintenance and engineering

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• projects are the ones that put plumbers to work, electricians to work, laborers to work, operating engineers
• Purdue Northwest bachelor's degree in computer software and media applications.
• Why would we want to put at risk a program at Purdue Northwest around computer software?
• The University of Southern Indiana master's degree in mental health and social... ...computer software

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico will continue to lead in aerospace education through its superb science, technology, engineering
• bill expanding the Department of Information Technologies' equipment replacement plans to include software
• and renaming the Equipment Revolving Funds as the Equipment and Software Replacement Revolving Funds
• . ...replacement revolving funds as the Equipment and Software Replacement Revolving Funds.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so this is a lot of information, but if someone is a software engineer like my husband is, and two
• It has a doctrine called cyberinformed engineering.
• It has a doctrine called cyberinformed engineering.
• You could, end for the engineering side.
• 01:59:11.040> and<01:59:11.360> I have a software background and I have a software background

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe we've got to spend a whole lot more money with software in order to help our employees out.
• So what can we do with software?
• What can this committee do with software that would help your department?
• So, what can we do as a committee to help you with the software that you need so that this error rate
• So I would encourage you to do that, and I would encourage whatever you need to do with software.

Transcript Highlights:

• Emile Michael to be Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, and Mr.
• Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, as well as the Office of the Secretary of Management
• This will require strengthening connections between research and engineering activities and the service
• He is, at heart, a true engineer.
• Really focusing on getting engineers, keeping them, rewarding them to produce great things.

Keywords: Air Force modernization, fighter aircraft, autonomous systems, air superiority, national security, recapitalization

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on military procurement and modernization, with significant discussions surrounding the Air Force's capabilities and strategic needs. Key topics included the urgent need for recapitalization of the Air Force's fighter squadrons, as well as the importance of integrating new technologies like autonomous systems to bolster military effectiveness. Several senators raised concerns about the current resources available to the Air National Guard and the potential loss of skilled service members if recapitalization plans are not swiftly developed. There were also discussions on the importance of maintaining air superiority in light of evolving threats, particularly from adversaries like China.

Transcript Highlights:

• one, two; I have to go find a qualified individual who will take the job with their architect or engineer
• Number one, if I have a professional where there’s an architect or engineer doing... ...is based on fact
• And I think that any of the architects, engineers I’ve been doing phase one inspections will tell you
• So that structural engineer presumably... ...delivered it to Daniel Lozuna, the building manager, who
• Do you want, like, nail salon technicians and structural engineers?

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met for a panel discussion on current issues affecting Florida condominiums. DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin highlighted the department’s expanded condo education, complaint, and ombudsman services under HB 1021, including new online resources, board member certification, increased outreach, and broader complaint jurisdiction. She said the division has filled most of its new positions and that the new condo website is intended to improve transparency and access to records and information. Other panelists focused on insurance, inspections, and market impacts. Insurance agent Mike Clarkson said the condo insurance market remains difficult, especially for older buildings, and raised concerns about roof replacement demands, Citizens’ depopulation practices, and the mismatch between reserve studies and insurer timelines. Building officials representative Ron Laceca described challenges with phase one and phase two inspections, including incomplete databases, limited contractor capacity, and the need for local flexibility and better recordkeeping. University of Florida researcher Bill Hughes said his data show the condo market has not suffered a major overall decline from the new laws; he argued the rules have made costs more transparent and may strengthen the market over time. Community association manager Jamie Ballard said the biggest pressures on associations are rising insurance costs and early roof replacement requirements, and she supported board certification while opposing the continuing education exemption for long-tenured CAMs. In committee discussion, members pressed witnesses on whether recent condo laws caused insurance and roof-cost problems, and witnesses generally said those issues are driven more by the market than by the legislation. Senators also discussed possible reforms, including better data collection, clearer reporting duties for managers, and possible changes to insurance and reserve practices. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• engineers, I should say, that are willing to help out as well.
• some of these engineers?
• It was one of I was not a nuclear engineer; I'm an aerospace engineer.
• With this software, they'll start it, they'll stop it.
• So maybe you could give us some and an engine room that had main engines and turbine generators for electricity

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the one after that is pre-engineering technology in 2021, item two.
• And then the one after that is pre-engineering technology in 2021, item two.
• And then the one after that is pre-engineering technology in 2021, item two.
• And then the one after that is pre-engineering technology in 2021, item two.
• <05:03:17.320> technology 2019 NCC engineering technology 2019 NCC engineering technology

Keywords: 928, house, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• lanes throughout the program area, which means there are seven interchanges that we would have to engineer
• beginning of September this year, and then having the federal government issue that entry into engineering
• , our customer They already have systems in place, including a back-office system software, customer
• So I think it's, you know, maybe in the order of a third-ish, but I'm not an engineer, so my math skills
• I'm not an engineer, so my math skills are not that close. But those are the numbers.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the question remains what occurs when the State Board of Engineers evaluates K-12 courses.
• technology, and there's little accountability regarding the efficacy of the software.
• Currently, software is being developed and adopted quickly.
• One of my colleagues actually has two. software than really what is the point.
• We're not here to get in the way of the adoption of HR software for instance.

Keywords: 988, house, all