Transcript Highlights:

• To my left is Senator/Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, who is the chair of the Technology and Advanced
• Information and Technology Committee.
• members: Senator Barry Finegold, who chairs the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technology

Summary: The Joint Committee on Data Privacy convened its first conference committee meeting to reconcile differences between Senate 2619 and House 5479. Representative Michael Moran and Senator Cindy Creem opened by emphasizing the long-running work on privacy legislation, the need to protect Massachusetts residents’ personal data, and the goal of producing a strong consumer-focused bill. Members also noted extensive stakeholder outreach over the prior three years and expressed optimism that the chambers could resolve the remaining differences. The committee then worked through the bill’s definitions section item by item, identifying which provisions were already aligned and which would need further staff review or later negotiation. Several items were described as essentially the same or close enough for agreement, including affiliate, consumer rights, business associate citation language, collection, controller, covered entity, gender-affirming health care services, targeted advertising, and some profile/health information provisions. Other items were set aside because of substantive differences, especially around affirmative consent, biometric data, dark patterns and deceptive design, de-identification, consumer versus individual terminology, age/minor language, precise geolocation, publicly available information, reproductive or sexual health care, sale/transfer of personal data, sensitive data, and trade secret-related language. A recurring theme was whether the bill should use “consumer” or “individual” in various definitions and provisions, with the chairs directing staff to work offline on a consistent approach. The committee also discussed whether certain HIPAA and COPPA references should be embedded in definitions or cited throughout the bill. By the end of the meeting, the committee had resolved a number of mostly technical or stylistic items, tabled several substantive disputes for later discussion, and agreed to continue working toward a final conference report before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Former Assemblymember Jim Wood here on behalf of Fire Aside, a technology-based wildfire management and
• risk management company, in support of the bill. ...on behalf of Fire Aside, a technology-based wildfire
• up to go through OES, although maybe made sense at the time because OES had to do rollout of the technology

Summary: The Senate Emergency Management Committee heard several wildfire, disaster recovery, and behavioral health bills. AB 1960 would allow Cal Fire wildfire prevention grants to fund community-level home hardening projects, and AB 1964 would require the State Fire Marshal to survey the number of homes needing upgrades to very high fire-hardening standards and estimate the cost. Supporters for both bills included Fire Aside, Megafire Action, the Orange County Fire Authority, and the Nature Conservancy; there was no opposition. Committee members praised the community-focused approach and the need to better measure progress on home hardening. The committee also heard AB 2385, which would clarify state law so local governments can create local reconstruction agencies and plan disaster recovery in advance, with model ordinances and technical assistance from state agencies. The League of California Cities supported the bill, saying it would help cities and counties recover more quickly and orderly after disasters; members cited the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations and urged preserving the bill’s authorities. No opposition was heard. AB 2093, a cleanup and governance bill for California’s 988 crisis response system, would address implementation problems from AB 988, including unclear leadership, coordination gaps between 988 and 911, and funding structure issues. The Steinberg Institute and several behavioral health and advocacy organizations supported the measure, while the County Behavioral Health Directors Association opposed unless amended. After discussion, the committee voted to pass the consent calendar and all four bills—AB 1960, AB 1964, AB 2093, and AB 2385—to the Appropriations Committee, with each measure ultimately reported out on unanimous or near-unanimous votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• community places that are critical for notary services, homebound delivery services, passport services, technology
• Louis County, and how were we going to convert from a card system to modern technology using computers
• things that they’re not used to, and the thing of people my age coming in that didn’t have computer technology

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• subsurface imagery mapping, He founded Luna-Sond in 2017 to pioneer subsurface imagery mapping, or technology
• His technology is being deployed across the world and has been featured in Forbes and the History Channel
• With your permission, the Science and Technology Committee will be meeting in 10 minutes in Hearing Room

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior journal, and recognition of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Laura Mercer. Members also made several personal privilege introductions, including guests for National Women’s History Month, Father Andres Arango and Interfaith Day participants, Jeremiah Pate, and a proclamation recognizing March 25, 2026, as Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day. Representative Simacek and others highlighted United Cerebral Palsy’s work, early diagnosis, and expanded services for people with cerebral palsy. On the floor, the House announced committee substitutions and bill referrals, then moved into Committee of the Whole. Three Senate bills received do pass recommendations: SB 1092, described as ending probation or early release for people convicted of dangerous crimes against children; SB 1097, the annual claimant bill; and SB 1135, a government-related measure. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report and referred those bills to engrossing. The House then took up SB 1430, a tax corrections bill. Representative Calles raised concern that a provision might remove multiple tax exemptions, while Representative Olson said the measure was a technical cleanup and that any policy-changing language had been removed in committee. The bill passed 51-0, with nine not voting, and was sent back to the Senate. The House also received committee meeting announcements and adjourned until 10 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• He founded Luna Saund in 2017 to pioneer subsurface imagery mapping, or technology utilizing the low-frequency
• His technology is being deployed across the world and has been featured in Forbes and the History Channel
• With your permission, the Science and Technology Committee will be meeting in 10 minutes in Hearing Room

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I understand that this is a new technology and it's kind of moving quick.
• Shared that it was written that way because it's such a new technology and it needs its own chapter.
• So I would ask the committee to please consider protecting Idaho citizens with this technology.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So over time uh you know<00:02:05.759><c> as</c><00:02:06.880><c> technology</c><00:02:07.520><c> evolves
• </c><00:02:08.239><c> as</c><00:02:09.039><c> uh</c><00:02:09.200><c> the</c> know as technology evolves
• as uh the know as technology evolves as uh the business<00:02:09.840><c> evolves</c><00:02:10.479><c

Bills: SB95 , HB322 , SB95 , HB322

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: underground facilities, excavation safety, One-Call Notification System, utility protection, public safety, underground damage prevention, notification system, construction safety, pipeline protection, utility management, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, director compensation, municipality, electricity supply, board of directors, postpartum depression, postnatal care, maternal mental health, perinatal depression, postpartum screening

Transcript Highlights:

• will direct the Commerce Department to support continued U.S. leadership in distributed ledger technology
• promotion of Coast Guard officers and 17 bills to improve public safety, promote block... blockchain technology
• Ascend Act, as amended by Hickenlooper Substitute, as modified as 1492 Deploying America Blockchain Technology

Committee: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• part of what we're heading towards in terms of our educational pedagogy is understanding how this technology
• intelligence, which is already here, we're discussing all these pieces that are so important to technology
• We just want to bridge it so that we embrace the technology and the piece that says, "I need you to be

Bills: SB92 , HB9 , HB9

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: K-12 education, wireless communication devices, digital safety, social media education, classroom distraction, three-cueing system, reading instruction, structured literacy, scientific strategies, elder abuse, elder exploitation, financial exploitation, elderly person, senior abuse, probate, inheritance forfeiture, slayer statute, intestate succession, will contest, joint tenancy

Transcript Highlights:

• districts are required to have a silent panic alert technology.
• Would it be training or would it be technology?
• You know, I think technology and technology... An additional investment, what would that look like?
• You know, I think technology and training would go hand in hand.
• , there's different technology that helps officers as they enter into one of these scenes.

Committee: House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that and I'm going have my technology that and I'm going have my technology that and I'm going have
• The technology has um come a long way. You technology has um come a long way.
• There are things that technologies. There are things that technologies.
• And I'm talking about on technologies. And I'm talking about on technologies.
• . point through these online technologies. point through these online technologies.

Keywords: 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• technology tools that assist<00:10:04.320><c> them</c><00:10:04.720><c> in</c><00:10:04.959><c> their
• Though implementation of this technology would require an additional $1 to $1.5 million annually, this
• </c> before implementing a new technology before implementing a new technology process<00:21:08.480><
• I believe we do have technology side.
• Again, that is more on the business side, not on the technology side.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the voting equipment grant account and transfers the remaining balance into the voting operations technology
• for the benefits and the management of the benefits, and some other provisions relating to the technology
• 00:37:33.440><c> relating</c><00:37:33.839><c> to</c><00:37:34.480><c> the</c><00:37:34.880><c> technology
• </c> provisions relating to the technology provisions relating to the technology platform<00:37:36.359
• , technology, and elections resources<01:33:15.600><c> funding</c><01:33:16.400><c> that</c><01:33:16.800

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that that is always new technology that that is always evolving<00:50:21.359><c> and</c><00:50:21.680
• You know, technology, advanced technology, you have new methods, you have new technologies, you have
• You know uh you know<02:15:10.960><c> technology</c><02:15:12.079><c> advanced</c><02:15:12.560><c> technology
• </c><02:15:13.280><c> you</c> know technology advanced technology you know technology advanced technology
• They are very different, and of course technology changes too, right?

Bills: HB1846 , HB2205 , HB1802 , HB1571 , HB2047 , HB2434 , HB2426 , HB2361 , HB2395 , HB1712 , HB2544 , HB1619

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: coastal erosion, shoreline properties, regional planning, mitigation districts, sediment management, environmental impact, public access, community financing, shoreline erosion, emergency permits, coastal management, erosion control, Hawaii Revised Statutes, HB1802, conservation banking, conservation bank, mitigation banking, compensatory mitigation, incidental take permit, incidental take license

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1846, relating to shoreline mitigation districts. DLNR and the Office of Planning opposed the bill, arguing it would improperly shift regulatory roles between the agencies and prioritize private land interests over public trust and natural and historic resources. Supporters, including the Shoreline Preservation Coalition, Kahana Bay residents, and Hawaii Realtors, said regional planning is needed to address severe erosion, especially in Kahana, and that better coordination between state and county agencies could help move stalled projects forward. Testifiers emphasized that shoreline conditions vary by area and that science-based, region-specific solutions are needed. Members asked questions about whether existing law already allows regional planning and emergency shoreline responses. DLNR said it already has authority to process regional projects and cited an existing draft EIS for Kahana Bay that would proceed through normal permitting and public hearing channels. Supporters responded that the bill would provide a clearer regional planning framework and help communities facing urgent erosion impacts. No vote was taken on HB 1846 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 2205, relating to emergency erosion mitigation. DLNR opposed the bill, saying it already has authority to issue emergency permits and had recently done so quickly for a collapsed sidewalk at Queen Surf Beach, and warning that the bill’s language could weaken Act 16 by changing a prohibition on shoreline hardening to a requirement to merely minimize it. Kahana Bay representatives and other supporters argued the bill would create a limited, regulated short-term pathway for emergency shoreline solutions while long-term plans are developed, and said current permits have expired or stalled, leaving dangerous sandbags and no practical relief. Additional testimony from a private homeowner stressed that erosion is threatening homes and that private owners are often bearing the cost of protecting public shoreline access. The discussion remained focused on balancing emergency protection, public access, and long-term shoreline management, and no final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know that technology is changing all the time, but how do you gauge that?
• , you know, that technology increases.
• , you know, that technology increases.
• , you know, that technology increases.
• technologies technologies and<00:51:07.119><c> um</c><00:51:07.839><c> you</c><00:51:08.000><c> know

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:24:47.960><c> and</c> protected by robust technological and protected by robust technological
• Why consider this technology? It is a lever, a tool.
• </c><01:37:03.159><c> vov</c><01:37:03.679><c> Tech</c> lead to technology vov Tech lead to technology
• </c> technological innovation and ultimately technological innovation and ultimately bigger<01:37:07.040
• </c><01:37:14.880><c> before</c> government adopt this technology before government adopt this technology

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Commerce Committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 310, sponsored by Representative Keith Ammon, which would create a study commission to develop a legal framework for stable tokens and tokenized real-world assets. Ammon described stable tokens as blockchain-based digital tokens backed by U.S. dollars or treasuries, and tokenized real-world assets as representations of ownership in items such as gold, real estate, or artwork. He said the bill is intended to help New Hampshire get ahead of emerging financial markets while waiting to see how federal legislation develops. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, the difference between this proposal and Bitcoin, whether state regulation could be preempted by federal law, and whether the commission could be balanced and avoid becoming a vehicle for fraud or money laundering. Ammon said the proposal is blockchain-agnostic, could apply to multiple networks, and is meant to regulate asset-backed tokens rather than create a state-issued coin. He emphasized that the state would not be guaranteeing the underlying assets, but would set rules requiring audits, proof of reserves, and honest representation of backing, with the Secretary of State’s securities office involved in oversight. Several members raised concerns about the risks of stablecoins, including money laundering, tax evasion, and possible harm to the dollar or confusion about whether the state was endorsing a new currency. Ammon responded that the bill would not undermine the dollar and argued that tokenization could actually expand demand for U.S. currency by making it easier to use globally. He also said the state would not be in the business of weighing assets or directly valuing them, only ensuring a valid audit trail and one-to-one backing. The discussion ended with general agreement that the subject is complex and that a commission could help develop future legislation, but no vote or final action was taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is really, um, it should make everything more technologically efficient for everyone involved
• just because they have this continuity of a technology contract that all their systems can, you know
• efficient for everyone technologically efficient for everyone involved<00:05:16.479><c> just</c><00:
• </c><00:05:20.080><c> contract</c><00:05:20.560><c> that</c> continuity of a technology contract that
• ><c> gene</c><01:06:25.760><c> therapy</c> now have technologies like gene therapy now have technologies

Bills: HF4438 , HF4467 , HF4379 , SF3402 , HF4349 , HF4064 , HF84 , HF85 , HF3804

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, WIC, community health, licensing, speech-language pathology, audiology, contract term limits, healthcare services, provider enrollment, disenrollment, premium payments, medical assistance, substance use disorders, mental health, children's mental health, early childhood, early intervention, consultation grants, Head Start, child care

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Committee on Labor and Technology Committee on Labor and Technology uh<01:41:26.239><c> to</c><01
• Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. >> Thank you very much.
• And for the committee on labor and technology on Senate Bill 2387, same recommendation as CPN.
• And for the committee on labor and technology, same recommendation as CPN on Senate Bill 2757 to pass
• </c> technology to defer. technology to defer.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this the best use of money, uh, with new technologies, etc., etc.?
• Things like rocket technology, space exploration, and a lot of the future technologies that we'll rely
• Things like rocket technology, space exploration, and a lot of the future technologies that we'll rely
• > exploration,</c> technology, space explor exploration, technology, space explor exploration, and<01
• </c> and a lot of the future technologies and a lot of the future technologies that<01:53:06.960><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the contract funds for expenses, but it's interesting that there's a list of those expenses: technology
• in career readiness sessions, enrolling in courses to improve administrative communication and technology
• training and marketing and technology training and marketing and and<01:42:40.320><c> advertising</c
• </c><01:42:49.920><c> Center</c><01:42:50.239><c> so</c> emerged career and Technology Center so emerged
• career and Technology Center so it<01:42:50.520><c> is</c><01:42:50.639><c> a</c><01:42:50.800><c> true

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all