Transcript Highlights:

• Jones. professor in computer science professor in computer science department.<00:07:06.080><c> Uh</c
• We have a long history of being excellent in advanced computing and high-performance computing.
• We're inventing new types of computer memory that can boost AI computation by a factor of a thousand
• </c> AI systems and data centers um have. AI systems and data centers um have.
• . compute. compute.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, we have very old computer systems that are not AI, that can say and find, hey, you actually saw
• And our computer system... Catch that. That's a claims dispute.
• And it's not just talking about AI; it's outlawing our ability to use any computer system that we've
• Our old, old computer systems that are not AI detect those.
• And that's all we're speaking to now; we're worried that these high-powered computer systems and the

Bills: SB 6 , SB6 , SB504 , SB765 , SB815 , SB929

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• They didn't have computers, they didn't have CAD systems, and when they built it they didn't have these
• They didn't have computers, they didn't have CAD systems, and when they built it they didn't have these
• computers, they didn't have CAD<00:08:28.800><c> systems</c> CAD systems CAD systems and<00:08:30.360
• But we hired a guy who was a really whiz at the computer and handling that computer.
• and handling that wiz at the computer and handling that computer. computer. computer.

Transcript Highlights:

• an entity-based system.
• It may not be fair, but that's how the entire system works for all other industries as well.
• So it's not a great system, but it's the system we have, and it's entity-based. So I... thank you.
• to a prospective enrollment-based system.
• Ways and Means computer support facilitator, managing Zoom testifiers, big job.

Bills: HB2487

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact

Transcript Highlights:

• systems are really doing it.
• Whether it's OnGuard, these are the systems; whether it's Health and Human Services, HSD systems, ISD2
• , all the systems to digitize.
• If the information they are uploading from their own local jurisdictional system into our system is not
• compute is.

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're coming at 30, 35 years later, and you see that explosion of computing capability and computing
• </c> the the machine behind the AI system the the machine behind the AI system they<01:01:51.920><c>
• The availability of computing hardware, not cheap by the way, but hard computing to take it over the
• </c> power usage because you need the compute power usage because you need the compute power<01:22:23.719
• </c> a child is so involved with the computer a child is so involved with the computer losing<01:44:04.320

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank the community college system, the UC system, and the CSU system for their continued
• The students who may have not received an acceptance letter from the UC system or from the CSU system
• I also want to thank the community college system, the UC system, and the CSU system for their continued
• The system has changed.
• The systems.

Committee: Senate Joint Legislative Audit

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't get a solution under the current system that we have.
• They sit in a room, they're quiet, and they just do their work on a computer.
• They sit in a room, they're quiet and they just do their work on a computer.
• Um, that, um, have a dedicated team for the school systems or for some school systems so they can come
• They are the kids who have entered the justice system.

Committee: House Common Education

Summary: The committee held an interim study on how to educate and support students with severe violent or disruptive behavior while protecting classmates, teachers, and school staff. Members framed the issue as one involving students who have often experienced trauma and may be removed from class through suspension, expulsion, or juvenile placement, but who still need a meaningful path back to school. Several legislators shared personal experiences as former educators or administrators and emphasized that schools need clearer criteria for removal and return, along with stronger support for families and staff. Dr. Michelle Butler, an alternative education director, testified that Oklahoma’s current alternative education system is not designed to serve students removed for major discipline issues because placement is generally voluntary and programs are built around students who need a different learning environment, not punitive removal. She argued for early intervention, stronger attendance enforcement, trauma screening, teacher training, and a regional or cooperative model that would combine credentialed educators, social workers, therapists, and family counselors. She also described existing programs such as Trace Academy, Rogers County Youth Services diversion programs, and the limitations of virtual-only models and current funding, saying the system lacks sufficient resources and staffing. Representatives and senators asked about funding, staffing, credentials, and whether statutes should be changed to prevent alternative education dollars from going to programs that do not provide direct services. Other testimony came from Family and Children’s Services and Mid-Del Youth and Family Services, both of which described embedded school-based mental health, crisis response, intensive outpatient services, family engagement, and juvenile diversion programs. Witnesses stressed that wraparound services, school-community partnerships, and a bridge back to the home school are essential, and that many students and families need mandatory or strongly supported participation rather than purely voluntary help. The study concluded with members noting possible next steps, including expanding or supplementing alternative education, improving early intervention, and examining participation requirements and transition supports; no votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We talk about the voucher system.
• Do you also go in and look at the computer traffic log to see if changes have been made in the system
• Well, if you have computer systems, That information could be fudged.
• Well, if you have computer systems that are recording that contemporaneously—I'm sorry, contemporaneously—it
• the electronic system. ...about years down the road to test out the electronic system.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The computer in the glasses is 100,000 times more powerful than the computer that served the Apollo service
• power the standard computing modules that we have.
• Then we have quantum computing.
• The glasses, the computer in the glasses is 100,000 times more powerful than the computer that served
• So we have traditional computing, which powers AI, right?

Summary: The hearing focused on the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) and several related budget proposals. Director D.D. Myers described the California Jobs First economic blueprint, regional planning efforts across 13 regions, and the state’s strategy to target sectors such as ag tech, space, life sciences, semiconductors, and emerging technologies. She also discussed the California brand campaign, export promotion, film tax credits, and the California Civic Media Fund, emphasizing job creation, regional equity, and business attraction/retention. Members raised questions about support for journalism, arts and creative industries, AI’s impact on jobs, foreign direct investment, manufacturing, tariffs, and how the Jobs First framework is being implemented across regions. Go-Biz then presented trailer bill language to extend the encumbrance deadline for remaining Jobs First administrative funds and to codify the Office of Regional Economic Development Initiatives. The department said $95 million of the $100 million Jobs First appropriation had already been deployed to grants for counties and tribes, and members asked for more information on regional outcomes, including Orange County and the North State. Public comment supported Jobs First and the Small Business Development Centers’ role in helping businesses access capital and create jobs. The committee also heard a request for ongoing CalExport funding to replace uncertain federal STEP support; the LAO noted the Legislature may want to weigh whether to backfill federal reductions, while Go-Biz argued the state program is needed because federal support appears unlikely to continue and demand exceeds available funding. The committee next heard the film and television tax credit staffing request. Go-Biz asked for funding for three permanent positions to manage the expanded program, and the LAO recommended approval given the increased workload. The Film Commission reported a sharp rise in applications after AB 1138 and the program expansion, with productions taking place both inside and outside the Los Angeles 30-mile zone and activity spread across the state. Finally, Go-Biz presented a request for one permanent position and one graduate student assistant to support innovation and emerging technologies, including quantum and fusion. Members asked about the use of the state’s quantum funding, and staff explained it would support microgrants, state capacity-building, and workforce education. No formal votes were taken in the portions provided, and the chair indicated some items would be moved and heard later in the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• system.
• Conduent was the contractor who actually created the computer system and customized it for DHR.
• system and is getting it up and running.
• This is a computer system that we are building. >> Just Tetris? >> Yes, sir.
• You turn on the computer, the Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• She opens up her computer, and there she is on the computer in her AI image saying, 'I'm so-and-so, and
• And they were like so stuck to the computer.
• And they were like so stuck to the computer.
• They're using the systems that they want to use. Yep.
• can force technologies into our current system or change the system?

Summary: The Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 held a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, emphasizing that AI can support personalized learning, school operations, and teacher efficiency, but also raises concerns about data privacy, overreliance, mental health, and the need for human oversight. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which has produced guidance on policy, ethics, privacy, cybersecurity, classroom integration, and professional development, and is now working on district surveys, webinars, case studies, and teacher/family resources. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district-level implementation. Hillsborough outlined a governance council, a district AI policy, and an implementation guide; it prohibits generative AI for students below eighth grade, allows limited use for older students with teacher permission and district-vetted tools, and uses models for classroom AI expectations. The district also reported growing student enrollment in AI courses, teacher training through summer academies and quick learns, and pilots with tools such as Magic School and Microsoft Copilot. Pinellas emphasized academic integrity, student data privacy, digital responsibility, and the importance of human interaction in learning; it said state assessments already limit technology use and that districts need clear governance and parent transparency. Committee members asked about whether AI improves academic performance, the risk of student dependence, the possibility of returning to more paper-based testing, and who should set guardrails. Witnesses said reliable achievement data is still limited because the technology is new, though districts reported anecdotal gains in tutoring and early literacy. They also said there is no established statewide baseline for teacher AI training yet, so districts are using professional development, stipends, and partnerships with universities to build capacity. The committee also heard from Drew Andrew of FSU’s Inspire program, who argued that industry is moving faster than schools and that education should focus on teaching how AI works, building teacher confidence, and aligning training with workforce needs. No bills were considered and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most people don't understand how quantum computers work, and that's okay.
• Quantum computing also represents the next frontier.
• And the system after that might be 128, 256, and on and on.
• It's just an astronomical leap in computing power.
• Does it dissolve, devolve into a barter system, sort of?

Bills: HB 106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252 , HB1732 , HB2221 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2963 , HB3016 , HB3689 , HB3960 , HB4386 , HB4490 , HB4751 , HB5247 , HJR175 , HB2213 , HB106 , HB144 , HB145 , HB252

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• This requires all of us... ...and accountable across systems in a way that currently does not.
• We have two systems that really need each other.
• It's creating systems in a supportive environment to keep them.
• science supplementary authorizations in both the CSU and UC systems.
• So it's possible that this could result in more computer science authorizations. All right.

Summary: The committee heard an informational discussion on California’s educator pipeline and shortages, with testimony from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Learning Policy Institute, CSU educator preparation leaders, and CTA. Witnesses said state investments of more than $2.1 billion have helped rebuild teacher supply, with credential issuance and preparation enrollment rebounding after COVID, but demand remains high because of turnover, early-career attrition, and persistent vacancies. Panelists emphasized that shortages are especially acute in special education, bilingual education, STEM, and in high-need schools and regions, and that underprepared teachers, substitutes, and emergency permits remain heavily used. Several speakers stressed that retention, working conditions, compensation, and stable funding are as important as recruitment. Members focused on whether current data systems are sufficient to measure need and track where teachers end up working. The Commission said it can monitor assignments for credential alignment, but does not have full employment data to determine whether grant recipients or credentialed teachers are actually deployed in the shortage areas for which they were trained. The chair asked for better regional and subject-area data, and the committee discussed the risk that layoffs and budget instability could undermine teacher pipeline investments. CSU representatives urged stronger support for student-teacher stipends, better coordination with districts, more capacity for special education preparation, and more stable CSU funding to expand educator preparation. CTA testified that school climate, class size, health benefits, and administrative support are essential to retaining teachers. The committee then moved to budget proposals. For the Golden State Teacher Grant Program, Finance proposed a $14.4 million reappropriation for 2026-27, and the Student Aid Commission supported continued funding, saying the program has influenced candidates’ decisions to enter teaching and work in priority schools. For educator residencies, Finance proposed $250 million one-time Proposition 98 funding through 2029-30; the LAO said it could be adopted if aligned with legislative priorities, and CTC said the program has strong uptake and supports retention. For the computer science supplementary authorization grant, Finance proposed increasing awards from $2,500 to $6,000 and reducing the match requirement, but the LAO recommended rejecting the change because only about one-fifth of the original funding has been used. The committee also discussed registered apprenticeship pathways, rural access, and whether federal Title II, Title III, or IDEA funds could support bilingual and special education teacher preparation. Several items were held open for further information and follow-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our school system is really good about this.
• They're doing AI computations in the cloud to quickly re-engineer a system—perhaps it's chemical manufacturing—and
• We have plenty of people coming out of our university system.
• So those computer science skills, cybersecurity skills, cloud computing skills, coding, all of those
• But of course, obviously our state college system and our technical college system are open to all adult

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met for its first meeting of the year, took roll, and heard member introductions centered on the importance of workforce pathways beyond the traditional four-year college route. Members repeatedly emphasized manufacturing, trades, rural workforce needs, apprenticeships, and helping students and adults find multiple paths to good jobs. The chair outlined the subcommittee’s focus on policies that build a skilled workforce and announced the day’s theme would be manufacturing, with presentations from the Florida Department of Commerce, the Florida Semiconductor Institute, and Fleet Force CDL training. Secretary Alex Kelly presented Florida’s manufacturing report, saying manufacturing is a major economic driver and that Florida has become the 10th largest state in manufacturing employment. He highlighted strong job multipliers, rapid growth in manufacturing GDP and establishments, the importance of logistics and ports, and the state’s small-business-heavy manufacturing base. He also stressed the aging manufacturing workforce, the need for modern skills such as robotics, cybersecurity, and data analytics, and the role of public-private partnerships, apprenticeships, and workforce education investments in supporting reshoring and industry growth. Dr. David Arnold described Florida’s semiconductor sector and the Florida Semiconductor Institute’s mission to grow research, workforce, and ecosystem development. He said semiconductors are strategically important, Florida ranks fifth nationally in semiconductor workforce, and the main bottleneck is mid-level technician talent rather than engineers or entry-level workers. He pointed to NeoCity, Valencia College, and other regional partnerships as models, and said the state needs more proactive planning, better instructor capacity, and stronger pathways from K-12 through postsecondary. Evan Agiloff of Fleet Force discussed Florida’s CDL shortage, saying trucking is essential to the supply chain, Florida has about 18,000 open CDL positions, and Fleet Force’s college-based model can quickly move students into middle-class jobs. Members asked about apprenticeships, CTE pathways, semiconductor training, infrastructure needs, and how to expand and better fund workforce programs; no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank the community college system, the UC system, and the CSU system for their continued
• The students who may not have received an acceptance letter from the UC system or from the CSU system
• The systems.
• And so us coming to a system-to-system level articulation, it is very difficult for me to put into words
• The CCC system serves over 2.2 million students and is one of the most diverse systems of higher education

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held an oversight hearing on a state audit of California’s community college transfer process, with members and witnesses broadly agreeing that transfer pathways remain too complex and inconsistent. Opening remarks emphasized that community colleges serve a large, diverse, often first-generation and low-income student population, but only about one in five transfer-intending students move to a UC, CSU, or other university within four years. Members highlighted disparities by race, region, campus, and major, and pointed to the Associate Degree for Transfer, TAG, and Cal-GETC as helpful but incomplete tools because requirements still vary across campuses and systems. State Auditor’s Office staff said the audit found that while UC and CSU overall enroll substantial numbers of transfer students, individual campuses and high-demand programs often do not, especially in STEM fields. They described barriers including missing prerequisite courses, unclear information, limited counseling, and inconsistent articulation between campuses. The audit used a computer science example to show how different UC and CSU campuses require different courses for the same major. The audit issued 22 recommendations, with 10 fully implemented and four partially implemented; remaining work centers on articulation, counseling, data sharing, and better use of ASSIST. UC, CSU, and the Community Colleges each said they support transfer and are taking steps to improve it. UC cited a new public dashboard, data-sharing agreements, new transfer pathways, and an ADT pilot at UCLA, while saying campus capacity and program differences limit systemwide mandates. CSU pointed to its strategic plan goals, the Transfer Success Pathway program, direct admissions outreach, and efforts to expand ADT alignment and credit applicability, while acknowledging that many students never reach the application stage. Community Colleges emphasized that transfer reform is central to equity and baccalaureate access, and called for stronger common course numbering, broader ADT acceptance, and more student-centered articulation. Members pressed the systems on why more uniform requirements and better coordination have not been achieved, and on how to reduce barriers for placebound and working students.

Transcript Highlights:

• Essentially a framework for developing a public cloud compute system that would be available for people
• . ...of the sales tax base, and it's not an overhaul of the tax system.
• I only use this system once a year.
• If you try one more password, you're shut out of your system altogether.
• NCTIs, which would benefit California's tax system.

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision proposals from the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Technology, and the Franchise Tax Board, with public comment to come later and all items held open. CDFA presented funding for the animal care program implementing Proposition 12, including a one-time $5.2 million General Fund transfer to the Ag Fund and $2.8 million ongoing, and the LAO recommended approval while noting the Legislature should revisit the funding once litigation and federal preemption questions are resolved. CDFA also proposed ending state oversight of industrial hemp and moving to the federal USDA program by January 1, 2028, with an $8.3 million General Fund transfer to cover startup and transition costs; the LAO supported the transition. Additional CDFA items included $204,000 ongoing and one position to preserve agricultural statistics reporting after USDA reorganization, and trailer bill changes to clarify the department’s 5% indirect cost cap; both drew no objections from Finance or LAO. The Government Operations Agency and Cradle to Career items focused on implementing the new federal Workforce Pell program. Finance described trailer bill language establishing state eligibility processes, with the California Student Aid Commission as the authorizing entity in consultation with the Workforce Development Board, and proposed $1.3 million one-time General Fund for Cradle to Career to build data linkages. The LAO urged caution because federal rules were just finalized and said more information was needed on workload, costs, and whether existing data systems could support the work. Senators raised policy concerns about limiting the program to public institutions and about aligning the proposal with broader workforce and labor goals. The committee also briefly discussed SB 53/Cal Compute, with GovOps saying no appropriation had been provided for its consortium work, and Finance saying the administration was not proposing funding at this time. The Department of Technology presented a $30 million operational backstop for the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, intended to cover any shortfall if expected revenues from the Golden State Net third-party administrator do not materialize in time. The LAO initially recommended rejection over broad spending authority, then suggested amendments with stronger reporting and legislative review; committee members questioned the revenue assumptions, oversight, and whether the request could recur. CDT also sought $1 million for Poppy, the state’s GenAI digital assistant, to expand secure statewide use; the LAO had no concerns, and members asked about data security, model bias, training restrictions, and possible local-government use. Finally, FTB proposed realigning CalFile resources after the federal Direct File program was discontinued, retaining three ongoing positions and returning the rest of the funding and positions to the General Fund; the LAO said the reduced scope was reasonable, and members discussed keeping the free filing system user-friendly and ready for future federal changes. The committee also heard the administration’s digital pre-written software tax proposal, which would extend sales tax to electronically delivered software and SaaS beginning January 1, 2027, generating an estimated $450 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $900 million ongoing, plus local revenue. The LAO supported modernizing the tax base but recommended broadening the proposal to include more digital products while considering a business-use exemption or reduced rate, and flagged a newly added video game exemption as a revenue downside. Senators generally supported the goal of raising revenue and aligning California with other states, but questioned the local revenue distribution and equity effects, and one senator said they would not support expanding the tax to books, music streaming, and similar consumer products. All items were left open without votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to compute law in April 2025. to compute law in April 2025.
• Um it's about computation. So it's about computation.
• Um it's about computation. So it's about computation.
• </c> system just like anything else. system just like anything else.
• </c> computer. Yeah. computer. Yeah.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• For many people, hospitals are their only access to the health care system.
• That means scanning private computers, private downloads, private storage cloud.
• File ownership on a computer can be easily changed. ...owns the file on the computer.
• File ownership on a computer can be easily changed.
• They seize a suspect's computer so it can be examined.

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• We have two systems that really need each other.
• We have two systems that really need each other.
• It's creating systems in a supportive environment to keep them.
• Computer science authorizations. All right, that's it.
• Non-certified and private school employees data system or SB 848.