Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the bottom right of the screen here, you'll see some unique technology that Florida Highway
• That's a technology-based university USF has their job, their cyber capability.
• trooper, you know, I think about my 35 year career in law enforcement, helpings of change Hill technology
• Aircraft sets as director Colonel mention of the technology is analyst and software and artificial intelligence
• important that we drive the safest vehicles on the road that are the best equipped with the best technology

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the bottom right of the screen here, you’ll see some unique technology that the Florida
• We have UCF, that's a technology-based university. USF has their cyber capability.
• Technology has changed. We talk about drones, aircraft assets, as Director Turner mentioned.
• The technology is in analysts and software and artificial intelligence, and just how things have progressed
• important that we drive the safest vehicles on the road that are the best equipped with the best technology

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Summary: The committee heard a series of domestic security and law enforcement presentations from the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Highway Patrol, and FDLE. Sheriff Rob Hardwick outlined the sheriffs’ legislative priorities, focusing on adding xylazine to Florida’s trafficking statute and increasing penalties for luring or enticing a child under 12 from a misdemeanor to a felony. He also discussed domestic security coordination, fusion center intelligence sharing, and jail-based reentry efforts. Members asked about xylazine prevalence in Broward County and whether canine units can detect it; Hardwick said he would follow up with data and noted that dogs are not specifically trained for xylazine, though fentanyl-certified dogs may alert on mixtures. Chief Charlie Vasquez of the Florida Police Chiefs Association presented three priorities: stronger protections for law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and their families when threatened because of their jobs; faster and more consistent access to blood-borne pathogen testing results after exposure incidents; and mandatory life without release for anyone convicted of murdering a police or correctional officer, reviving a version of the Jason Raynor Act. Senators asked about delays in blood testing after exposure, and Vasquez said officers can be forced to take prophylactic medication while waiting for results and that the process should be streamlined. Florida Highway Patrol Director Dave Kerner described FHP’s domestic security role, including criminal interdiction, canine units, traffic homicide investigations, aviation, drones, border operations, and responses to threats such as human smuggling and the October 7-related security posture at synagogues and campuses. He said staffing remains constrained by vacancies and pay disparities, so he was not seeking more authorized troopers at this time. FDLE Deputy Commissioner David Binder then reviewed the state’s domestic security structure, fusion centers, critical infrastructure assessments, and grant funding, warning that federal homeland security dollars have declined sharply while threats remain high. He highlighted work on drone mitigation, radiological detection, vehicle barriers, and school security assessments, and emphasized the need for continued interagency coordination. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• CTA is the trade association representing the U.S. consumer technology industry.
• CTA is the trade association representing the U.S. consumer technology industry.
• CTA is the trade association representing the U.S. consumer technology industry.
• CTA is the trade association representing the U.S. consumer technology industry.
• </c> manufacturers of electr Technologies manufacturers of electr Technologies collectively<00:37:14.040

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• first in health care means more than just having the best doctors and having the most advanced technology
• Technology has advanced to positively... ...impact clinical care, but only for some.
• of their diagnosis and their conditions, and struggling, no matter what they did, to engage in technology
• We want to make sure that we create a sustainable community-level change, and we build the best technology
• There are health inequities with regard to broadband and technology to use this magical type of treatment

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing with testimony on several health care bills, with most of the discussion focused on primary care access, community health center reimbursement, midwifery and birth centers, telehealth, hospital-at-home, direct primary care, and trans-inclusive health care access. Chair Feeney and Chair Murphy opened by noting the large number of signups and asking testifiers to keep remarks brief because of time constraints. Legislators and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that Massachusetts’ primary care system is under strain and that federal policy changes and reimbursement gaps are worsening financial pressure on providers. On community health centers, Representative Blay, Senator Lovely, Michael Curry, Bethany Keeley, Jag Deep Trevetti, Sean Cahill, and Christina Severin all supported H. 1096/S. 711, which would require commercial insurers to pay federally qualified health centers at least the MassHealth prospective payment system rate. They argued that commercial plans currently reimburse health centers below Medicaid rates, threatening sustainability, staffing, and access, especially as federal cuts and coverage losses could increase uncompensated care. Testifiers said the bill would stabilize health centers, protect primary care access, and not cost the state money. A second major topic was H. 1117/S. 784 on sustaining birth centers and the midwifery workforce. Senator Lovely, Senator Miranda, Emily Anesta, Rebecca Orden, Catherine Rushworth, Nishira Burrill, Joel Sutherland, Rachel Blessington, Joelle Ward, and others described the 2024 maternal health omnibus as an important first step, but said birth centers and midwives still face low reimbursement, workforce shortages, and financial instability. They urged reimbursement parity, a workforce development fund, and support for freestanding birth centers, citing improved outcomes, lower C-section rates, better patient experience, and racial equity in maternal health. Several speakers shared personal birth stories and said the bill would help preserve and expand birth options in communities like Roxbury, Worcester, and the North Shore. The committee also heard support for H. 1343 on direct primary care from Dr. Garofalo, Dr. Altman, Dr. Nair, Stephanie Cameron, Dr. Haley Moke-Blessed, and others, who said current insurance rules force patients to use a separate in-network primary care doctor for referrals and sometimes prevent physicians from dispensing medications. They argued the bill would reduce delays, administrative burden, and costs while improving continuity of care. In addition, Dr. Miklides and Sue Stempeck supported H. 1141 on hospital-at-home parity, saying the model has strong outcomes and should be reimbursed at the same rate as brick-and-mortar hospital care. Heather Myers and Katrina Cook testified on telehealth and digital health equity, urging broader coverage for asynchronous care, remote monitoring, interpreter services, and digital literacy supports. SEIU Local 509 supported H. 1188/S. 681 on trans-inclusive health care access, saying it would remove arbitrary insurance barriers to gender-affirming care. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also recommend that you approve the firearm information technology system modernization request in
• He added that the cutting-edge DNA technology has advanced significantly in the last five or six years
• He said the technology can also be used for other cold cases, not just unidentified persons found on
• He explained that DNA technology has advanced so much in the last five or six years that, instead of
• He said the technology can be used for other cold cases, not just unidentified persons found on or near

Summary: The hearing focused on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) grant program under the Board of State and Community Corrections and related Department of Justice efforts. BSCC reported that it now administers 36 MMIP grants across three cohorts, with awards ranging from $436,000 to $1 million, plus five collaborative grants at $2 million each, totaling $35.4 million awarded to federally recognized tribes. Testimony from tribal leaders and grantees described how the funding supports prevention, family advocacy, domestic violence services, law enforcement coordination, youth programming, culturally grounded healing, and new tribal public safety positions such as investigators, social workers, and drone operators. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the crisis is longstanding, tied to generational trauma, and that the grant has helped build trust and infrastructure in tribal communities. Several witnesses and committee members urged continued and preferably ongoing funding, noting that demand now exceeds available one-time money. BSCC and tribal representatives described outreach efforts that increased participation from four applicants in cohort one to 20 in cohort two and more applicants than funding in cohort three. Tribes also raised implementation concerns, especially the burden of quarterly narrative reporting, limited staff capacity, and the need for flexible administration. BSCC said it uses steering committees, separate small- and large-project categories, orientations, monitoring visits, and technical assistance to support grantees. Tribal leaders and advocates stressed that the program should remain accessible without requiring a waiver of tribal sovereignty. The second major topic was DOJ’s update on AB 3099, the Tribal Assistance Program, and the tribal police pilot under AB 134. DOJ officials said the Office of Native American Affairs and the Division of Law Enforcement have been conducting outreach, trainings, listening sessions, and coordination with tribal, local, state, and federal partners to address Public Law 280 jurisdictional issues, improve reporting and data, and support Feather Alert and MMIP-related resources. DOJ said the AB 3099 report is in internal review and that the tribal police pilot is moving forward with the Yurok Tribe as a participant, with a July 1, 2026 start date. DOJ and tribal witnesses said the pilot’s main barriers are cost and, for some tribes, the waiver of sovereign immunity. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with broad support for expanding and sustaining MMIP-related funding and infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as we know, uh, as these vehicles become more enhanced or improved through technology, it may require
• or vehicles become, uh, more enhanced or improved<00:13:55.360><c> through</c><00:13:55.680><c> technology
• technology, it may require<00:13:57.760><c> additional,</c><00:13:58.959><c> um,</c><00:13:59.360><c
• <00:18:31.039><c> the</c><00:18:31.600><c> um</c><00:18:31.760><c> current</c><00:18:32.080><c> technology
• </c> feasible with the um current technology feasible with the um current technology that<00:18:33.039

Bills: SB2543 , SB2435 , SB2352

Committee: Senate Government Operations

Keywords: state construction, construction manager, design review, public works, capital improvement, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, DOE, Department of Education, comptroller, pilot program, design review special fund, county permit review, accessibility compliance, Disability and Communication Access Board, state infrastructure, government construction, project oversight, civil service exemption, county agencies

Summary: The Committee on Government Operations reconvened on February 10, 2026, to take up measures previously heard on February 5. It advanced SB 2983 on criminal destruction of trees with technical, non-substantive amendments and a committee report note asking Judiciary to clarify that removal of invasive species remains allowed; the measure passed with one no vote. SB 2930 on the state risk management revolving fund also passed with amendments, including blanking out the amount, setting a defective date, and directing Ways and Means to review a spreadsheet before further action. The committee likewise passed SB 2928 on making the small business procurement program permanent and SB 2970 on standards of conduct for state agency contracts, adopting the Ethics Commission’s recommended language assigning compliance responsibility to department directors and deputy directors. SB 2927 and SB 3068 on procurement were deferred to a time certain on February 12, and SB 3015 on personal information, SB 2929 on public notice, and SB 2938 on search and rescue were also deferred for further discussion or to avoid re-referral issues. SB 2662 on external consultants was amended to remove a cap and preemptive approval language, narrow the expertise standard, and note possible auditor staffing or appropriation needs; it then passed with amendments. The joint GVO-EIG hearing then took up SB 2543 on state construction projects and an Office of the State Construction Manager within DAGS. Testimony from the Hawaii Iron Workers Stabilization Fund strongly supported the bill, saying it could reduce wasteful spending on large design-build projects and free money for tax credits and other public needs. DAGS, the University of Hawaii, and DLNR offered written comments, while one witness from KIC opposed the measure and asked for an exemption for member-owned electric cooperatives. A Hawaii Solar Energy Association witness also supported the bill but asked that landscape architects be excluded from the bill’s definition of design professionals, and Rocky Mold said Kauai permitting was efficient enough that he had no objection to carving it out. The committee adopted amendments from DNR, DAGS, and UH and passed SB 2543. The hearing also considered SB 2435 on EV charging infrastructure at state facilities. DAGS and the Hawaii State Energy Office supported the concept and explained that the goal was to retrofit managed parking facilities with infrastructure that can meet current and future EV needs, while acknowledging that some stalls can sit unused and that the state must balance space and enforcement. Members raised concerns about whether dedicating 25% of stalls to EV charging would reduce usable parking, and about rural and Big Island conditions where EV range and battery capacity remain limiting. The discussion noted that DOT, DNR, DOE, and DOH may have their own parking facilities outside DAGS control. The committee then indicated it would broaden the bill to apply to all state agencies and lower the threshold in response to member concerns, with final action not fully shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's talk technology.
• also known as Pastor Richard Vega, out of Houston, Texas, with His Feet Ministries and Community Transformation

Bills: SB7 , SB14

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, with the author and committee substitute explaining that the bill would require public facilities to designate multi-use private spaces by biological sex, restrict access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping quarters, shelters, and correctional facilities, and create civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Members asked about how the bill would apply to family violence shelters, children in mixed-family settings, venue layout, and venue for lawsuits; the author said the bill was similar to prior legislation but with stronger penalties and the 15th Court of Appeals as the exclusive intermediate appellate court for challenges, while clarifying that trial venue should generally be local except for state agencies. The committee also heard that the bill would be amended to better address local venue concerns and shelter-related issues. Invited testimony was largely in support of the bill from witnesses who described personal experiences in women’s sports, prisons, shelters, and public facilities, arguing that single-sex spaces are necessary for privacy and safety. Supporters included parents, former incarcerated women, a Republican county chair, a legal advocate, and a prison educator, who cited incidents involving transgender-identifying individuals in locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and restrooms, and said the bill would restore sex-based boundaries and protect vulnerable women and girls. One witness from Texas Values said the bill was needed despite the recently enacted Women’s Bill of Rights, and another ADF witness said the measure would protect privacy in schools and shelters. Opponents testified that the bill would harm transgender and intersex Texans, create harassment and “gender policing,” and expose cisgender women and children to invasive enforcement. Several witnesses argued there is no evidence that transgender women pose a restroom safety threat, while others said the bill would worsen mental health, employment, and school conditions for trans people and could conflict with prison standards and federal law. Family violence advocates urged changes to protect shelter operations and clarify that children can stay with parents, while other witnesses said the bill would create barriers for victims seeking help. The hearing featured extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reason I am in support of this bill is because I have personally witnessed the transformation that
• amended by adding the following language: As used in this section, we're defining qualified high technology

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As an organization that supports the growth of Hawaiʻi's technology sector, we believe this bill will
• We very much look forward to partnering with the transformational work happening as part of the Space

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 707, which would create a state income tax deduction for contributions to Hawaii 529 college savings accounts and conform state law to federal changes allowing 529 funds to be used for K-12 expenses. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the bill as written. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure but asked that ABLE accounts be included and that the program title be changed; the Department of Taxation indicated the title issue could be a problem because the bill’s expanded purpose may not fit the current program name. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 617, which would fund a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. UH Community Colleges supported the bill, and Maui nursing staff testified that faculty recruitment is challenging but manageable, clinical placements are available, and the campus already has a statewide RN-to-BSN pathway; they said the new program would create two tracks, including a four-year BSN option. Members also heard support from several organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, nursing groups, and health care associations. No action was taken. Next were several UH-related measures. HB 718 would fund faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine; the dean and other supporters testified in favor. HB 1279 would create a medical education liaison position tied to Project ECHO; the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns about statewide concern and grant standards, while an individual witness supported the concept but suggested the bill should focus on liaison/support functions rather than program administration. HB 1169 would consolidate conference center revolving funds, and HB 1168 would authorize up to $800 million in UH revenue bonds; UH’s CFO said both were procedural/housekeeping measures and supported them. On HB 1168, members questioned debt service, possible uses, and whether deferred maintenance would be included; the CFO estimated annual debt service could be about $33 million to $41 million at current rates, said likely uses could include student housing and research facilities, and said deferred maintenance was not the current strategy. The CFO also explained that revenue bonds require both legislative authorization and a Board of Regents resolution approving the project and amount. Finally, the committee heard HB 548, which would authorize revenue bonds and appropriations to acquire the St. Francis School campus for UH Mānoa. UH supported the bill but noted the property is privately owned and not known to be for sale. A supporter described the site as a unique 11-acre parcel contiguous to the main campus and urged the committee to seize the opportunity for future generations. No vote or final action was taken on the bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then horizontal technology came along, and they were recoverable.
• Technologies just improve, and more oil and gas becomes available.
• There will be a lot of technology that comes through.
• And you see that technology coming through the Haynesville.
• Technology has improved. The Haynesville Shale has improved the technology.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to become a parent does so technology to become a parent does so with<00:03:00.840><c> their</c><00:
• When we look deeper into the process of these technologies, we face difficult ethical dilemmas.
• ,</c> into the process of these technologies, into the process of these technologies, we<00:15:56.920
• Nationally, 37% of assisted reproductive technology cycles resulted in a live birth.
• ><c> improve</c><01:03:15.440><c> and</c> technology continues to improve and technology continues to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I've learned more than I ever would have liked to about technology systems in the last several months
• So with regard to the technology that we're using and need to change to go from paying on attendance
• Once we make that technology change, we cannot undo that?
• Next up is Missouri Assistive Technology.
• This is for statewide assistive technology administered by the Missouri Assistive Technology Council,

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The committee first heard the Office of the Governor’s FY 2027 budget request from Adam Gresham. He explained the office’s staffing and noted a $500,000 core reduction, along with a reallocation of three positions and about $168,000 from the governor’s office to the mansion operating fund to better reflect where those employees work. Members asked about the National Guard emergency line, which Gresham said had already spent about $63,457 in FY 2026 and could be used again for disaster activations, though he did not expect to use the full $4 million. He also said the agricultural resiliency transfer fund had not been used and had no current transfer plans. Several members commented on the size of the governor’s cut and whether the judiciary and other offices were also being asked to reduce budgets. No votes were taken. The committee then moved to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood and early childhood-related budget items. DESE staff described funding for the Office of Childhood, MoQPK child care provider grants, LEA pre-K grants, early childhood special education, Parents as Teachers, First Steps, preschool coordination, after-school programs, and child care subsidy. Members asked extensively about the MoQPK grants, including why Head Start providers were eligible, how curriculum approval works, and what safeguards exist against fraud or improper payments. DESE said it conducts physical inspections, desk reviews, payment-system checks, and investigations as needed, and that it had not had findings in this area. Some members questioned whether DESE or DSS was the right home for early childhood programs, while others defended the partnership and the role of early educators in identifying child needs. A major portion of the discussion focused on early childhood special education and the child care subsidy program. DESE explained that First Steps serves children birth to age three, while early childhood special education covers ages three to five and is driven by IEP eligibility; members asked for more data on diagnoses, trends, and how many children come off IEPs. The committee also discussed the child care subsidy budget and the governor’s proposed shift to paying providers based on authorization and at the beginning of the month. DESE said the change is being piloted, that a wait list is expected to begin around March 1, and that a May rollout is being considered, but only if software testing and fiscal projections show the system is sustainable. Members expressed frustration that promised changes had been delayed and that providers had been told different timelines, while DESE said the delay was driven by software issues, fiscal caution, and the need to avoid repeating prior payment problems. The hearing ended with the committee in recess before later resuming discussion of the subsidy program; no final votes or actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, all the technology associated with all this is, of course, complex.
• Technology within the Transportation<01:14:19.120><c> Cabinet.
• Now, all the technology associated with all this is, of course, complex.
• </c><01:16:52.480><c> this</c><01:16:52.880><c> is</c> technology associated with all this is technology
• ,</c> stay up and help me with the technology, stay up and help me with the technology, that'<01:41:41.119

Committee: Joint Transportation

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no facial recognition or biometric technology used.
• Uh data can only be technology used.
• a transportation technology We're a transportation technology company<00:42:02.520><c> that</c><00:42
• Um and as far as the technology but again for the card vendor 6-month runway.
• </c> on our end and as far as the technology on our end and as far as the technology but<01:20:13.360

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but that will hinge very much on the ability of the technology to be changed to current policies.
• Um, but that will hinge very much on the ability of the technology to be changed to current policies.
• Um, but that will hinge very much on the ability of the technology to be changed to current policies.
• Um, but that will hinge very much on the ability of the technology to be changed to current policies.
• to be changed to uh the technology to be changed to uh the current<01:26:20.400><c> policies.

Bills: HR1

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our program integrity approach includes controls over our people, process, and technology.
• . technology. technology.
• 21:26.240><c> login</c><00:21:26.720><c> amend</c> technology here, including login amend technology
• costs and savings from leveraging existing technology that we already have, right?
• technology that we leveraging existing technology that we already<00:55:38.240><c> have,</c><00:55:38.640

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we don't take some measures to check up this technology, they're not going to be hunting like we used
• still hunt the wolves; just can't... ...an ability to still hunt the wolves; just can't use that technology
• for a time there, and I think it's problematic if we allow this technology to continue at the pace it

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• investment dollars are not put at risk in adversary countries so as not to fund development of military technologies
• investment dollars are not put at risk in adversary countries so as not to fund development of military technologies
• investment dollars are not put at risk in adversary countries so not to fund development of military technologies

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from February 19 and February 25. It then took up several code-cleanup bills introduced by Rep. Jeff Ehlers: Senate Bills 1273, 1274, and 1275, each described as removing outdated, unnecessary, or duplicative statutory references. There was no testimony on any of those bills, and the committee voted to send all three to the floor with due pass recommendations. Rep. David Leavitt presented Senate Bill 1276, which permanently removes a sunset provision affecting retired employees returning to work in education, with the goal of helping districts address teacher shortages without increasing retirement system costs. Rep. Furman asked about IRS implications, and Leavitt and PERSI Director Mike Hampton said the bill would not affect IRS retirement status rules because existing age and break-in-service requirements remain in place. The committee then voted to send SB 1276 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard House Bill 763 from Rep. Ted Hill, the Foreign Adversary Investment Act, which would prohibit future state public investments in countries of concern and was framed as a strategic response to foreign adversaries such as China and Russia. Members discussed the bill’s references to the federal foreign-adversary list, including whether the language should track the current CFR list and how often compliance should be checked. Hill agreed to an amendment and to move the bill to general orders, and the committee voted to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it argued against the finding of a lower court saying that the technology was not covered under the
• </c><00:08:00.920><c> advancement</c> or some other technological advancement or some other technological
• All three of those justices said that the technology argument was not valid.
• And again, the justices Bader Ginsburg, Sotomayor, and Kagan voted to overturn the technology argument
• that's been made. the technology piece, I I just I'm I'm the technology piece, I I just I'm I'm struggling

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:37:52.880><c> computer</c> intelligence or other computer intelligence or other computer technology
• . and also provides immunity technology. and also provides immunity for<00:37:56.000><c> this</c><00:
• On R5, Senate section 5 prohibits the use of certain technology to nutify an image or video.
• </c> prohibits the use of certain technology prohibits the use of certain technology to<00:57:01.280>
• technology for the creation<00:57:10.799><c> of</c><00:57:11.119><c> a</c><00:57:11.440><c> nutified

Keywords: 1183, house