Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things also is that our eligibility system is technology from the 1990s.
• So the next recommendation is what is called technology-first.
• of technology.
• So these are just types of efficiencies that technology can bring about.
• These are just types of efficiencies that technology can bring about.

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Technologies to protect the quality and Technologies to protect the quality and quantity<00:13:41.240
• and for a really exciting technology and for a minor<00:54:02.079><c> change</c><00:54:02.359><c> of
• out, so they don't want to give away their technology.
• out, so they don't want to give away their technology.
• out, so they don't want to give away their technology.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's all kinds of new cutting-edge technology that we think emergency personnel should be equipped
• Right now, we've got an Office of Wildfire Technology Research and Development within Cal Fire, and this
• bill builds on that existing operation, but creates programs that will connect those technologies with
• It also ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent on technologies that have been rigorously tested and
• Taxpayer dollars are spent on technologies that have been rigorously tested and validated by operators

Summary: The committee first heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair subsidence damage in the State Water Project and to fund Delta levee repairs. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to protect water deliveries for 27 million Californians, prevent major infrastructure and flood risks, and address long-term threats to California’s water supply. Support came from a broad coalition of water agencies, local governments, environmental groups, and business interests; there was no opposition testimony. Members discussed the scale of the funding, the beneficiary-pays issue, and whether the bill should more clearly address risk and identify likely project areas. The committee adopted amendments, and SB 872 passed 5-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. The committee then took up SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author, tribal sponsors, and conservation supporters framed the bill as a science-based roadmap that would examine habitat, impacts, and implementation, while recognizing the grizzly’s cultural significance to tribes and its ecological role. Opponents, including sheriffs, cattle groups, county representatives, and a former Fish and Wildlife law enforcement official, argued that California lacks the staffing, funding, and public-safety capacity to manage another apex predator and that the state is already struggling with wolves and mountain lions. Members raised questions about the scope of the feasibility study, local control, and whether the bill should address conflict risk earlier in the process. The author agreed to work on additional amendments, and the bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations and remained on call. SB 1079, creating a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to speed the testing and deployment of wildfire technologies, was heard next. The author and supporters said California has strong wildfire innovation but lacks a formal pipeline to move promising tools from pilot projects into statewide use. Supporters included Megafire Action, Fireworks, the Orange County Fire Authority, and the California Association of Realtors, which sought amendments related to nonprofit administration of grants. There was no opposition testimony. The bill passed 5-0 to Emergency Management and was placed on call. The committee also heard SB 997, which would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to collect fines and fees tied to its groundwater sustainability plan. Supporters said the change would allow more efficient enforcement and avoid lengthy civil litigation; no opposition appeared. Members asked whether the authority should be extended more broadly to other statutory GSAs, and the author said discussions were ongoing. SB 997 passed 2-0 to Judiciary and was placed on call. The committee later caught up on votes for the earlier bills and then moved to SB 894, a wildfire resilience loan program modeled on Go Green to help homeowners finance home-hardening measures; it passed 5-0 to Emergency Management and was placed on call. Finally, SB 1229 was introduced by Senator Allen to strengthen coastal protections for rebuilding after disasters, beginning with the Palisades fire context, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full hearing concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the section regarding procurement of information technology.
• It removes the section regarding procurement of information technology.
• However, for any man-made or technological emergency, monies may only be used after the first 60 days
• Yes, man-made, natural, and technological emergency, so health could be included in those, yes.
• Representative, the provisions related to man-made or technological emergencies, is that just for new

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, technology alone cannot solve the challenges of these incidents.
• Modern technology is useful; a lot of camera systems have AI technology that really are useful in identifying
• And the cheapest things we can invest in is new technology.
• There's just amazing new technology out there. And things like Axon Fusus is...
• New technology out there.

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico, as you well know, has a deep, rich history of technological research and innovation, and
• We're looking at our companies and looking at our technologies and what's coming out of the labs and
• In addition to research and development, we're also seeing actual deployment of some of these technologies
• For example, there are a limited number of people nationwide who are experts in nuclear fusion technology
• It looks like they're all really in a new technologies kind of sector.

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> gaps in aging technology, gaps in aging technology, disconnected<00:04:22.920><c> data,</c><00:
• </c><00:05:10.360><c> for</c> It enables us to use technology for It enables us to use technology for
• that we have ways to do technology that we have ways to do modernization?
• </c><01:19:36.520><c> capabilities,</c> some of the technology capabilities, some of the technology capabilities
• </c><01:20:18.480><c> that</c><01:20:18.640><c> you</c> uh, camera technologies that you uh, camera technologies

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 581, Senator Jennings, Department of Information Technology, statewide information technology
• This bill requires the Secretary of Information Technology to post a statewide information technology
• ,</c> Department of Information Technology, Department of Information Technology, statewide<00:36:54.560
• technology master statewide information technology master plan<00:36:56.560><c> reporting</c><00:36:
• to post a statewide uh technology to post a statewide uh information<00:37:08.160><c> technology</c>

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School. The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles. Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment. One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> still in use and some of the technology still in use and some of the technology there<00:15:51.839
• </c><00:56:49.119><c> and</c> differences between the technology and differences between the technology
• I like the differences in the technologies. It just feels a little not focused.
• I like the differences in the technologies. It just feels a little not focused.
• I like the differences in the technologies. It just feels a little not focused.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so while the economic technology.
• carrier of last resort technology carrier of last resort obligations<00:19:22.640><c> remain</c><00:
• <00:25:17.520><c> and</c><00:25:17.760><c> advance</c><00:25:18.240><c> broadband</c> technology and
• We need laws today that reflect technology and what consumers really want and need.
• </c> so I I understand the the the technology so I I understand the the the technology challenges<00:

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal is to take our strategic plan and implement it, which will fuel technology and engineering to
• We're the workforce in... ...really for agriculture technology.
• We need technology in there. And this is so exciting.
• Technology. Technology indeed.” “Yes, okay. Yes, we hear you now.
• Second, leveraging my experience in growth, marketing, and technology to help you.

Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2809, statewide science and technology. HB 2812, accumulated government.
• HB 2332, prohibition MRNA technology. HB 2335, health professionals patient status.
• corporation 2330 line sitting vectors 2330 one electrical service providers 2332 Prohibition MRNA technology
• contracts public works. 2698 rental assistance study committee, 2699 contracts public works, 2700 technology
• With your permission, the Committee on Science and Technology will not be meeting today. Thank you.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. Members then introduced the Doctor of the Day, Dr. John Lynch, and recognized several guest groups in the gallery, including Arizona electric co-op representatives, March of Dimes participants, CRNAs, AEA retirees, a University of Arizona legislative fellow, and ACLU visitors. Attendance was recorded at 58 present, one absent, and one excused. The chamber handled routine floor business, including temporary committee replacements, referral of HB 2677 from Judiciary to Public Safety and Law Enforcement, and the first reading and referral of a large number of House bills and one concurrent resolution. The bill list covered a wide range of topics, including education, appropriations, housing, taxes, health care, public safety, energy, water, labor, elections, and several measures related to abortion, firearms, and tribal affairs. Second reading of bills was also announced for another extensive set of measures. During announcements, members promoted a blood drive, a Veterans Caucus coffee-and-donuts event and lunch with a Department of Defense speaker, and several committee meetings or cancellations. No substantive debate or votes on legislation occurred beyond the procedural motions and the final motion to adjourn. The House adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It all starts with local governments, as well as local technology planning teams, throughout the state
• It all starts with local governments as well as local technology planning teams, community organizations
• The Digital Connectivity Technology Program is a program that has awarded 15 grants across 25 counties
• We understand that we're technology agnostic for sure.
• We understand that we're, you know, technology agnostic for sure.

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:

• Mariko Yoshihar, on behalf of the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy, in support.
• And there is no perfect transcription, whether it's human or whether it's technology.
• And like I said, it's already included in the remote proceeding technology. Thank you. Thank you.
• Third, the technology behind pricing algorithms is relatively new.
• We should allow the technology to develop and, of course, police use of the technology through existing

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 2, which would create enhanced civil penalties for large social media companies when negligence proven in court causes harm to children and teens. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to address addictive algorithms and harmful content, while opponents warned it was vague, could chill speech, and might be preempted by federal law. Members largely focused on whether the bill changed the standard of care or burden of proof; the bill passed out of committee on a roll call vote, with some members noting concerns but supporting it to continue the discussion. AB 282, dealing with housing vouchers and source-of-income discrimination, would clarify that housing providers may prioritize applicants who qualify for rental assistance without violating fair housing law. Supporters from housing authorities, local governments, and advocacy groups said it would help voucher holders find units and improve use of housing funds. There was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a roll call vote, with two no votes. The committee also considered AB 882 on court reporter availability and electronic recording in certain cases when a court reporter is unavailable. Supporters said the bill is a temporary, narrowly tailored response to a shortage of reporters and would preserve access to accurate records, while opponents argued it was too narrow, raised access-to-justice concerns, and should be broadened. Members from both sides emphasized the importance of court reporters and electronic recording as a backup; the bill passed with an urgency clause and was sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 325 on algorithmic price fixing, AB 935 on civil rights data clarity, AB 1414 on tenant choice of internet service provider, and AB 67 on Attorney General enforcement of the Reproductive Privacy Act; each drew support from sponsors and advocacy groups, opposition centered on overbreadth or policy concerns, and each advanced on committee votes, with several members requesting further amendments or clarification.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm owner and CEO of Impulse Healthcare and Technology out of Sugar Land.
• company, and now we're under the name of Impulse Healthcare and Technology.
• Impulse is a trusted distributor of technical heart... ...care and technology.
• Healthcare and technology and distribution and our specialization in that area.
• The state needs companies like Impulse Healthcare and Technology to serve the people and the students

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we don't want to get too caught up in technology.
• As technology continues to develop, some states like Utah and New Jersey have started putting privacy
• This is not anti-technology. It's about keeping technology a choice and voluntary.
• Do you, taking this kind of the extreme the other way, is there, let's say as technology advances and
• I'm just trying to think into the future as it gets more and more technology.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard a series of routing slips and bills, mostly on property, housing, elections, state investment, and government administration. Several RSs were introduced to print without objection, including a memorial recognizing Idaho rangelands and pastoralists, a fee increase proposal to raise Idaho State Patrol trooper pay, penny-rounding guidance for cash transactions, updates to a bill involving state universities, limits on reappointing a gubernatorial appointee after Senate rejection, ADU and duplex/starter-home housing measures, a fix to the education career ladder for teachers returning from administrative roles, a private-property measure allowing farmers to gift five acres to immediate family, a partisan countywide highway district election proposal, and memorials recognizing Taiwan and Italy-related ties. One wildlife crossings memorial was flagged as incorrectly drafted in the wrong form and was not acted on pending correction. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1338, which would allow the state treasurer, with advisory board approval, to invest idle state funds in gold or silver bullion stored in a class-one vault, including possible storage in Idaho, Utah, or Texas. Supporters argued it would diversify investments and hedge inflation; some senators expressed caution but the bill advanced on a due-pass recommendation, with several senators recorded voting no. Senate Bill 1323, which would enforce gold-clause contracts involving precious metals, also advanced to the floor with a due-pass recommendation after brief discussion. Finally, Senate Bill 1299, dealing with digital ID, was discussed at length. The bill would prohibit government from requiring digital identification, preserve physical ID as valid, and bar government from requiring someone to unlock a phone for identification. Senators questioned the civil penalty language and whether the bill was proactive or would affect current Idaho practice; the sponsor said it was intended to prevent future mandates, not ban digital ID. On motion, the committee sent the bill to the 14th order for possible amendment rather than advancing it directly. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we don't want to get too caught up in technology.
• As technology continues to develop, some states like Utah and New Jersey have started putting privacy
• This is not anti-technology; it's about keeping technology a choice and voluntary.
• Do you, taking this kind of the extreme the other way, is there, let's say, as technology advances and
• I'm just trying to think, you know, into the future as it gets more and more technology.

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Technology passroom chair, questions on the bill.
• So, at the end of the day, yes, this ADSB system, this new technology, has enabled a new avenue to ensure
• It's a, you know, very simple technology.
• you, these third-party vendors, there's some of them with camera-based systems that utilize that technology
• do in terms of just the access to personal tracking data, kind of maybe the over leveraging of technology

Bills: SB1312 , SB1323 , SB1599 , SB1863 , SB1932 , SB1950 , SB1956 , SB1958 , SB1966 , SB1970 , SB2052

Committee: Senate Aeronautics and Transportation

Keywords: vehicle registration, automatic payments, Service Oklahoma, taxes, motor vehicle, prepayment program, memorial designation, highway, Sheriff Marty Grisham, transportation, Oklahoma Statutes, memorial bridge, dedication, Oklahoma, commemoration, memorial highway, road designation, John Skelley, motor carrier, administrative hearing

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyway, House Bill 939 deals with the issue that we talked about a few days ago, which is hunting technology
• Basically, what we try to do with this legislation is take the intent of the rule of managing hunting technologies
• The main goal here is to make sure that we are not allowing some of these technologies that significantly
• increase hunter success rates and thereby... ...not allowing some of these technologies that significantly

Summary: The Resources and Conservation Committee met at 8:00 a.m. with a quorum present. Representative Petsky presented House Bill 939, which would restrict certain hunting technologies during big game season, including night vision, thermal devices, transmitting trail cameras, and drones, while adding carve-outs for predator control (wolves, mountain lions, and other predatory wildlife), agriculture, retrieving wounded animals, and monitoring traps. Petsky said the bill was intended to balance conservation and hunting opportunity with practical uses of the technology, though he acknowledged some enforcement questions may need to be revisited later. Representative Mickelson moved HB 939 to the floor with a do pass recommendation, and Dexton Lake of the Idaho Farm Bureau testified in support, saying the organization appreciated the collaboration and supported the bill. Representative Manwaring asked to move the bill to second reading for time reasons, and the committee agreed by unanimous consent. The committee then voted aye to send HB 939 to the floor with a do pass recommendation. The committee also took up Fish and Game rule docket 13-0108-2401. Representative Boyle moved to adopt the docket except for sections 410(04)(G) and (H), citing concerns about conflicts with the Idaho Constitution’s right to hunt, fish, and trap, state law on taking wolves, the Fish and Game Commission’s authority, and administrative procedure requirements. The committee approved the motion and accepted the docket with those two sections rejected. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• is aimed at ensuring that we can attract the best and most talented teachers to teach career and technology
• teacher shortage in industry-based certification areas is concerning, including health science technology
• , culinary arts, law and public safety, automotive technology, and more.
• shortage of teachers in Texas, any incentive to bring qualified professionals into the career and technology

Bills: HB 1057 , HB1876

Committee: House S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Keywords: teacher salary, retirement benefits, career education, work experience credit, Texas Education Code, technical training, workforce development, grants, education funding, 1184, house, all