Transcript Highlights:

• And then if the perpetrator or the criminal dies, what happens to that information on the internet?
• exempt—that language, it is page 50 and 51 for those identifiers who will be registered per the internet
• We could go after them because they're using internet resources to go online to commit these frauds.
• If they go to swipe a stolen credit card, it's going through the internet.
• And these are just reported crimes, the Internet Crime Complaint Center of the FBI.

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and took up House Bill 3174 by Representative Justice. Members adopted two committee amendments: one removed the bill’s mapping provisions so that the vendor-list portion could move forward separately, and another required schools to have at least one master key box for emergency responders. The amendments were rolled into a committee substitute, which the committee then voted do pass on a 10-0 roll call. A second executive-session bill was postponed until the following week because of a family emergency involving Representative Williams. The committee then heard Senate Bill 982, a cleanup and reorganization bill dealing with Missouri’s sex offender registry and related registration rules. Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman said the bill was intended to align the registry statutes with prior changes, clarify tiering and registration requirements, address offenders with ties to Missouri but living elsewhere, and improve information-sharing rules for law enforcement and victims, including notice when a registrant dies or moves. Testimony in support came from the Missouri Alliance for Family Restoration, which said the bill codifies case law and reduces administrative confusion for the Highway Patrol and registrants. No opposition was offered. The committee also heard House Bill 3414, which would create a state offense modeled on a federal online-fraud law to help law enforcement pursue internet-based fraud, including schemes involving credit cards, account numbers, telecommunication identifiers, and similar access devices. The sponsor and a law-enforcement witness said the bill would give investigators another tool against increasingly common fraud, including elder fraud and VoIP-based schemes; a Maverick convenience stores representative also supported it as a response to changing technology. No opposition was presented. Finally, the committee heard House Bills 2628 and 3460, the CARE Act, which would require hospitals and health facilities treating sexual-assault survivors to inform patients about emergency contraception, provide it if requested, test and treat for sexually transmitted infections, and seek reimbursement through the Department of Public Safety. Sponsor Jacqueline Zimmerman said the bill is meant to reduce trauma and prevent pregnancies resulting from rape, and witnesses from sexual-assault nursing, reproductive-health, anti-poverty, medical, and nursing organizations supported it as a way to standardize care, especially in rural areas. Several members raised questions about whether the bill would require abortion-inducing drugs, whether hospitals could opt out on conscientious grounds, and how reimbursement would work; the sponsor said she intended to add language excluding abortion-inducing medications and that the current DPS forensic-exam payment structure would not change. No votes were taken on the later bills in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then if the perpetrator or the criminal dies, what happens to that information on the internet?
• That language is on page 50 and 51 for those identifiers who will be registered per the internet.
• We could go after them because they're using Internet resources to go online to commit these frauds.
• If they go to swipe a stolen credit card, it's going through the Internet.
• And these are just reported crime, the Internet Crime Complaint Center of the FBI.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 3174, a school safety measure dealing with wearable panic alert systems and school emergency access. Members adopted an amendment to remove a highly prescriptive mapping section so the bill would be less restrictive for vendors, and another amendment requiring schools to have at least one master key box (often referred to as a Knox Box) for emergency responders. The committee then rolled the amendments into a committee substitute and voted the substitute do pass by a 10-5 roll call. A second executive-session bill was postponed until the following week because of a family emergency involving Representative Williams. The committee then heard Senate Bill 982, a cleanup bill for Missouri’s sex offender registry laws. Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman said the bill was intended to reorganize and clarify existing registry provisions, align them with prior legislation, and address issues raised by the Highway Patrol and case law without changing the substance of the tier system. Questions focused on how offenders are classified when they have ties to Missouri but live elsewhere, the look-back date in the statute, information sharing, and why some sections use “sex offender” while others say “offender.” A witness from the Missouri Alliance for Family Restoration supported the bill, saying it would reduce confusion and administrative burden for law enforcement and registrants. No opposition testimony was offered. House Bill 3414 was then heard as a state-level online fraud offense modeled on federal law but without the federal commerce-clause language. The sponsor and law enforcement supporters said it would give Missouri prosecutors another tool against increasingly complex internet-based fraud schemes, including credit card, VoIP, and elder fraud, and that it would help in cases that are difficult to pursue across jurisdictions. A convenience-store representative also supported the bill, citing prior work on credit card skimmer laws. No opposition testimony was presented. Finally, the committee heard House Bills 2628 and 3460, identical versions of the CARE Act, which would require hospitals and health facilities treating sexual assault survivors to inform them about emergency contraception, dispense it if requested, and test/treat for sexually transmitted infections, with reimbursement through the Department of Public Safety. The sponsor and several supporters emphasized that emergency contraception is time-sensitive, does not terminate an existing pregnancy, and is already part of the standard of care in many facilities; they said the bill would improve consistent access, especially in rural areas. Some members raised concerns about the bill’s wording, possible abortion-related implications, conscientious objections, and reimbursement language, and the sponsor said she intended to amend the bill to clarify that it does not apply to medications that terminate an existing pregnancy. Support testimony came from a sexual assault nurse, reproductive health advocates, and other organizations; no opposition testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• That platform has been taken away from me, so I truly appreciate the opportunity to present.
• Tab two is Senate Bill 656 on Internet Crimes Against Children Programs. Chair, I got this.
• Tab two is Senate Bill 656 on Internet Crimes Against Children Programs.
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement works in partnership with local law enforcement, the Florida Internet
• Second, the bill renames the existing online sting operations grant fund to be renamed the Internet Crimes

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice, public safety, and records-related bills. SB 1084, exempting certain identifying and location information of non-legal support staff in State Attorney and statewide prosecutor offices from public records access, was supported by prosecuting attorneys and reported favorably. SB 212, as amended, revised sexual offender/predator laws to add definitions for public bathing places and pools, create a 200-foot restricted presence rule with exceptions, and update notification and enforcement provisions; it drew testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing child safety and opponents arguing the bill lacked evidence and would worsen housing instability, and it was reported favorably. SB 682, as amended, expanded domestic violence law to include coercive control and animal cruelty-related protections, with extensive survivor testimony and support from animal welfare groups; it was also reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 656, creating and renaming FDLE Internet Crimes Against Children funding and grant programs, with support from law enforcement groups. SB 810, which would expand opportunities to seal certain non-conviction records and allow sealing of one low-level misdemeanor conviction after waiting periods and judicial review, received support from defense and reform advocates but drew concern about broader consequences; it was reported favorably, and the related technical bill SB 812 was later amended to align public records law and allow prosecutors access to sealed records for subsequent cases before being reported favorably. SB 890, creating a standalone battery-by-strangulation offense applicable outside domestic relationships, and SB 892, revising habitual offender and violent career criminal sentencing procedures and notice requirements, both passed after brief debate and supportive testimony. The committee further approved SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction of dangerous crimes and expanding the list to include certain computer pornography and child exploitation offenses; family testimony supported the measure. SB 1284 modernized arrest and search warrant rules, expanding judicial discretion for misdemeanor summonses and certain warrantless arrests and search warrants, including DUI/BUI and domestic violence-related evidence; it passed despite concerns from defense lawyers about unintended consequences. All measures considered in the meeting were reported favorably, with recorded no votes on SB 810 and SB 812 from Senator Pizzo and on SB 1084 and SB 1284 from Vice Chair Smith.

Transcript Highlights:

• nothing to do with, again, social media. do with someone posting something funny or not funny on the Internet
• So if someone posts something on the Internet.
• support or oppose a candidate, essentially, that appears in certain ways. is if it appears on an internet
• candidate, you know, says, vote for me on their social media, that would be a communication on an internet
• That same restriction that I'm getting paid to post it, right, applies to communications on the Internet

Bills: HB 13, HB143, HB144, HB145, HB366, HB470, HB805, HB912, HB13, HB143, HB144, HB145

Keywords: emergency communication, infrastructure, first responders, grant program, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, local governments, HB 143, Texas Railroad Commission, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas, well site, surface facility, electrical power line, National Electrical Code, NEC, electrical safety, utility disconnect, service disconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• counted but were still sealed in their carrier envelopes and data inconsistencies across multiple platforms
• Unlike the other machines, the other machines by law cannot be connected to the Internet.
• The poll books, by their very nature, must be connected to the Internet.
• And these are the machines that... ...by their very nature must be connected to the Internet.
• I have seen these things lose connection to the Internet for several hours at a time, and the reason

Bills: SB801, SB1200, SB1410, SB1717, SB1862, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB506, SB2626, SJR63

Keywords: SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on several bills, with most measures left pending after public testimony closed. SB 801, by Sen. Menéndez, would require DSHS and local clerks to issue birth certificates at no cost to people experiencing homelessness. The author and Maria Benavides of SA Youth said the fee and mailing requirements are major barriers to obtaining ID, housing, and work, and Benavides described clients who were able to secure housing and employment after getting birth records and IDs through her program. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard a set of bills related to the Gulf of Mexico/Gulf of America naming issue: SB 1410 would require state agencies to use “Gulf of Mexico” in official documents, SB 1717 would conform state law to the federal renaming to “Gulf of America,” and SJR 63 would amend the Texas Constitution to match that change. Support testimony for the latter two emphasized alignment with federal action and the use of different geographic names by different countries. All three measures were left pending. Members then heard SB 1200, which would require plaintiffs suing defense contractors to disclose in discovery whether they are receiving litigation funding from adversarial nations such as China, Russia, or Cuba. The author and Texans for Lawsuit Reform said the bill targets third-party litigation funding and foreign influence on lawsuits, especially those affecting defense contractors; the committee substitute narrowed the definition of defense contractor and expanded applicability to actions involving defense contractors’ activities. SB 2626, which requires continuing medical education on pregnancy-related emergencies for OB-GYN physicians and nurses, drew support from witnesses who said it would reduce confusion about Texas abortion law and improve care in emergencies. SB 506, SB 2681, SB 1862, SB 1863, and SB 2216 all focused on elections, including ballot language standards, voter registration challenges, interstate voter-roll cleanup, procedural audits, and election equipment security; testimony split between supporters who said the bills improve transparency and integrity and opponents who warned of vague standards, added costs, and possible voter disenfranchisement. Each of those bills was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• board to shift from its legacy information technology systems to a modern cloud-based licensing platform
• unemployment insurance, paid family, and disability forms have already been converted to the new platform
• This platform will create an efficient, effective, and secure Gen AI environment for state departments
• This program and this investment will increase access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to
• This program and this investment will increase access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet to

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can not only stream them on your TV, but you can also stream them through the internet.
• We recently got an agreement with LG so that now you can even see our shows through LG on their platform
• We got an agreement with LG so that now you can even see our shows through LG on their platform.
• A kid who does not have internet could take that box in their home.
• What platform do you use online? Fentia Fentiaentia, OK, can you spell that T H E N T I A?

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is, you know, a lot of emphasis the last 10 years I've been working on this has been on broadband internet
• I'm like Representative Sharp—thank you for all your hard effort, particularly on the internet issues
• It's a platform with a turbine, and it's fitted in such a way that it's good to the fish.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2998, with Representative Riggs explaining that most of the bill would be removed in committee substitute and that the remaining focus would be an Upper Mississippi River Basin feasibility study and creation of a rural development office in the Department of Economic Development. Riggs argued that Missouri should better use its rivers for hydropower and year-round navigation, and that rural Missouri, which he said makes up nearly 40% of the state, needs a dedicated office because existing resources and funding streams are uncertain. Committee members asked about the cost, timeline, and practicality of the river study, the rural office, and related issues such as road safety and solar provisions that were expected to be removed. Testimony in favor came from Lisa Panette, who urged keeping the coal-related language to protect Missouri’s remaining coal plants, and from Mike Sutherland of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, who supported the rural development office and said co-ops already provide broadband, workforce, and community development services across rural Missouri. Pamela Harlan of MoDOT testified for informational purposes that the river study would need to be coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, would likely cost about $3 million, and would take roughly three years. She said MoDOT does not have jurisdiction over the Mississippi River. Dr. Vikram Lockenpaul of MOST Policy Initiative provided background on hydropower, noting that only a small share of U.S. dams generate electricity and that many retrofit projects are not viable because of cost, environmental impacts, or grid connection issues. He said most proposed retrofit projects between 2000 and 2020 never became operational, though he cited a recent Mississippi River project in Missouri and Illinois that received a federal permit to study feasibility. The hearing ended with no opposition testimony and no vote taken; the chair closed the hearing after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• hundreds of thousands of California rideshare drivers in a difficult position where they might lose platform
• We have met every EVMT target since the Clean Miles Standard took effect, electrifying our platform at
• Drivers on the Uber platform adopt EVs five times faster than the average motorist in the United States
• , Canada, and Europe, and nearly one in five miles on the Uber platform in the state of California is
• maintenance of telecommunications networks—networks that are necessary to provide cell phone and internet

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with several bills on the agenda, beginning with SB 739 (Arreguín) on the Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program for transportation network companies. The author and supporters from Lyft, Uber, and TechNet said the bill would update EV miles traveled and greenhouse gas targets to reflect current market conditions, add flexibility for CARB and the CPUC, and protect drivers from losing platform access while also creating a path for future electrification. Opponents including the American Lung Association, Sierra Club California, and NRDC argued the bill would weaken a program meant to accelerate EV adoption and should retain stronger targets. Members discussed affordability, charging infrastructure, and the need to balance climate goals with feasibility. The committee approved SB 739 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, later recording a 9-0 vote when the roll was completed. The committee then heard SB 1190 (Grove), the “Safe Passage for Youth Act,” which would regulate private youth transport services used for out-of-state residential placements. The author and sponsor testimony described abusive practices such as nighttime pickups, blindfolds, restraints, and emotional trauma, and said the bill would require CPUC permitting, TrustLine background checks, training, parental consent, and bans on certain practices. Support came from youth and disability advocates, with no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended recommendation and later passed 9-0. SB 1191 (Ochoa Bogh) would extend the sunset for California High Cost Fund A and B universal service programs that help provide affordable telephone service in rural and high-cost areas. Supporters from rural telecom companies and industry groups said the funds are essential for maintaining service, 911 access, and emergency communications in remote communities. There was no opposition, and the committee advanced the bill on a due pass recommendation; it later passed 9-0. The consent item, SB 985 (Strickland) on the 911 emergency system, was also approved. Finally, the committee heard SB 1246 (Cortese) on autonomous vehicles and emergency response. The author and supporters from SEIU California and the California Professional Firefighters said the bill would require AV companies to provide incident response, notify local jurisdictions during system failures, ensure U.S.-based remote drivers, and prevent public safety workers from having to manage AV breakdowns. Industry opponents argued the bill intrudes on federal vehicle standards, gives local governments enforcement authority they should not have, and could create overly broad notification and response requirements. Members raised questions about local control, response times, and whether the bill was premature given existing DMV regulations. Despite those concerns, the committee passed SB 1246 on a due pass as amended recommendation, later recording a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed and returned to complete roll calls before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Legal platforms like DraftKings offer... ...and transparent alternative to that illegal market.
• Legal platforms like DraftKings offer age and identity verification, responsible gaming tools such as
• either self-exclude or who are excluded as a result of a responsible gaming review from the FanDuel platform
• self-exclude or who are excluded as a result of a responsible gaming review from the Fanddoolew platform
• We oppose the legalization of internet gaming as currently proposed in S-235 and S-332 because, by our

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on a range of gaming, racing, horse protection, problem gambling, and lottery bills. A major focus was H. 356 and related horse-racing legislation, which drew strong support from residents and animal-welfare advocates who argued that proposed racetrack and simulcast developments should require upfront traffic, environmental, public health, and economic studies, plus stronger local approval and transparency. They said past proposals in several communities had lacked adequate information and had imposed costs on towns. Opponents, including the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, argued that the bills would harm racing, breeding, farms, and related jobs, and said horse racing is already heavily regulated and that claims about slaughter and safety were overstated. Several speakers also supported S. 280, which would protect horses and phase out or restrict horse racing, citing animal cruelty, injuries, and deaths. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 235 and HB 332 to authorize regulated online casino gaming (iGaming). DraftKings, FanDuel, IDEA, and the Sports Betting Alliance supported the bills, saying iGaming is already occurring illegally in Massachusetts and should be brought into a regulated, taxed market with age verification, responsible gaming tools, and consumer protections. They projected substantial annual tax revenue and argued legal iGaming would not cannibalize brick-and-mortar casinos, instead creating a “rising tide” effect. Opponents, including Local 26, the National Association Against iGaming, and problem-gambling advocates, warned of job losses, casino cannibalization, increased addiction, and greater harm to vulnerable players, citing experiences in other states and rising helpline calls. The committee asked for follow-up information on revenue and market-size estimates. Later, Rep. Scanlon testified in support of S. 240 and S. 241, which would standardize gambling disclaimers and require annual reporting on problem-gambling treatment funded through the Public Health Trust Fund. He said the bills would make it easier for people to find help and improve oversight of treatment programs. Rep. Garcia testified in support of H. 434, which would change the formula for distributing lottery revenues, arguing that gateway and lower-income communities such as Chelsea contribute heavily to lottery sales but receive too little back in local aid. After hearing additional testimony and reading into the record bills that received no testimony, the committee recessed briefly, then closed the hearing by motion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is no longer the case today, as most people view the news on their phones and on the Internet.
• There's a wider reach because online platforms have a global audience vastly surpassing the reach of
• all know that newspaper, a lot of us don't get the newspaper, of course we all have access to the internet
• sometimes, witnesses located outside the local jurisdiction, and there sometimes is international internet
• And Senator Hinojosa: Then once they get the recording, then it's being promoted on the internet as well

Bills: HB 33, HB 45, HB 48, HB 1261, HB 1465, HB 1778, HB 2596, HB 5238, SB 2969

Keywords: HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> computer online service, internet computer online service, internet service,<00:53:24.000><c> bulletin
• portfolio, have parental controls within their own platforms that would allow that.
• , have parental controls within their own platforms that would allow that.
• </c> ecosystem here on the internet, right? ecosystem here on the internet, right?
• It's a definition that I pulled off the internet from what appeared to be an industry source.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will read the bill. number 1442 by Howard relating to the internet broadcast or recording of
• is I think it's I think it's section 42, I think, 42C maybe, I don't remember, of the Republican platform
• landlord and tenant dispute information reported by courts and published on a Publicly accessible internet
• SB 973 by A car railing the prohibition on posting an internet information by an appraisal district regarding
• 1343 by Johnson relating to the notice requirements of a data broker registration statement and internet

Bills: HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684, HJR99, HB1399, HJR5, HB1330, HB2110, HJR2, HJR6, HB1587, HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• platform can be removed by the individual whose image was used.
• This bill prescribes a timeline for covered platforms to create a process for the removal of altered
• Covered platforms must create a process for the removal of altered sexual depictions that were created
• Failure to remove the image will make the platform subject to the penalties and remedies under the Florida
• , and the platform must remove the image within 48 hours notice after receiving a valid request and make

Summary: The committee heard and voted on a long series of criminal justice, public safety, victim protection, and regulatory bills. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 1374 on school district reporting requirements, SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of a crash, SB 1072 creating an expedited DNA testing grant program, SB 1140 establishing a Hillsborough County criminal offender substance abuse pilot program, SB 1266 revising public records protections for crime victims and certain law enforcement identities, SB 1546 delaying and refining background screening requirements for athletic coaches, SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings related to terrorism victims, SB 1444 making a broad set of criminal justice changes, SB 240 on domestic and dating violence protections, SB 606 clarifying public lodging and food service removal procedures for nonpaying guests, SB 1450 giving law enforcement discretion in arrests involving people with significant medical conditions, SB 44 increasing penalties for impersonating law enforcement with unauthorized red or blue lights, SB 1000 expanding court-ordered sealing options, SB 1400 requiring platforms to remove altered sexual depictions, and SB 1696 addressing rideshare impersonation and transit service rules. Many of these bills were amended before final passage, often with strike-all amendments or technical changes, and several had support from law enforcement, advocacy groups, or industry representatives. Testimony was generally supportive on the public safety and victim-protection bills, with speakers emphasizing faster DNA testing, better protections for domestic violence survivors, clearer rules for hotel and motel operators, and stronger tools against fraud, impersonation, and trafficking. Some bills drew notable concerns or opposition. SB 1266 prompted questions about whether a 72-hour cooling-off period for officer identities could be extended too broadly, while SB 606 drew concerns that the bill could affect families living in hotels or extended stays during the housing affordability crisis. SB 1444 generated discussion about false reporting language, off-duty carry for prosecutors and judges, and the scope of automatic sealing changes. SB 1000’s expanded sealing relief received broad support but was narrowed by amendments excluding certain offenses such as DUI and indecent exposure. The most contentious measure was SB 1804, which would create a capital offense for trafficking a child under 12 or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation. The sponsor argued it targets the most severe trafficking cases and includes safeguards such as excluding minors from capital punishment and preserving life imprisonment if the capital procedure is invalidated. Opponents, including the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, argued the death penalty is unconstitutional for non-homicide crimes, costly, and ineffective, and committee members raised concerns about whether the bill would incentivize traffickers to kill victims to avoid identification. Debate also touched on broader concerns about the death penalty’s constitutionality and whether life imprisonment is a more severe punishment. The transcript ends during that debate, without a final vote on SB 1804 included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end.
• Please note the House is not responsible for any bad internet connections on the testifier's end.
• I kick back and wait till DOAX cuts me a check when we move to this road user charge platform for the
• We're technology platforms that connect drivers with riders, and we don't own or operate vehicles.
• </c><00:42:18.800><c> that</c> buses we're technology platforms that buses we're technology platforms

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several transportation and consumer-related bills. HB 496, relating to mamaki tea labeling, drew support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Weights and Measures, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which said the bill would help protect a culturally important crop and the Hawaii brand. Members questioned Agriculture about staffing and whether the bill was being used to reopen a package-labeling inspection branch; the department said it currently has no Oahu inspectors for that function but has a place for an additional inspector. No opposition was registered on the measure. HB 978, relating to electric utilities, and HB 1316, relating to DLNR/park reservations, were also heard. HB 1316 received support from State Parks, and members discussed where reservation fees would go and whether the statewide reservation system for three parks would cover its costs; the committee indicated a change would be made so fees go to the special fund. HB 914, relating to water carriers, drew support or comments from the PUC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. The main discussion focused on the proposed automatic rate-adjustment mechanism tied to the GDP price index, with members asking for alternative index ideas and questioning whether the PUC already had authority to adopt such a mechanism. Young Brothers said the measure would provide clarity and help recover inflationary costs, while the chair raised concerns about repeated rate increases and asked for further testimony on possible alternative indices. HB 1161, relating to transportation and road usage charges, received support from the Insurance Division, DOT, and the State Energy Office, with comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Members asked whether counties need state authorization to adopt mileage-based charges and why the bill included funding for implementation; DOT said it is helping counties build the data collection and billing system and that Honolulu is handling much of the collection work. A question was also raised about whether plug-in hybrids would be covered, and DOT said vehicles under the federal electric-vehicle definition would be included. HB 1301, relating to transportation network companies, drew opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, Lyft, and Uber, all arguing that classifying TNCs as common carriers and changing liability rules would raise costs, reduce access, and disrupt the current statewide framework. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even voice over IP phones are tied to the internet, so they're electrically dependent and internet dependent
• I had to do an internet search of who these people were.
• I had to do an internet search of who these people were. Just laying this out, Mr.
• Today, the Safety Navigator is a free open access platform.
• The Safety Navigator is a free safety platform built specifically for youth camps.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill prevents the largest digital platforms in the world, specifically any digital platform with
• Right now, the largest online platforms in the world are rigging the internet to undermine and box out
• Google prioritizes its own companies and products in search results across its platform.
• As you will hear in a minute, small businesses that sell online depend on integrated platform tools like
• And yet I do understand trying to make sure the platforms don't control completely the market space and

Summary: The committee heard several bills and took action on a number of them. SB 1234 by Senator Alvarado-Gil would require fentanyl to be included in drug tests ordered by juvenile courts for parents or guardians in dependency cases; there was no opposition, a committee member confirmed it would apply to caregivers rather than children, and the bill was supported for moving forward. SB 1257 by Senator Arreguín would require the Attorney General to publish an annual public report on immigration enforcement incidents at designated safe locations such as schools, hospitals, courthouses, and places of worship; supporters from immigrant advocacy and health groups testified about fear and chilling effects in communities, while questions focused on how data would be collected and concerns were raised about sanctuary policies. SB 1176 by Senator Choi would bar foreign adversary entities from buying California agricultural land; supporters cited national security concerns, but committee members pressed on enforcement, straw buyers, and who would be responsible for identifying prohibited purchasers, and the bill was held on a 2-4 vote after debate. The committee also heard SB 1146 by Senator Gonzalez, which would require clear disclosure when AI-generated or altered images, audio, or video are used in health-related advertisements depicting health care providers. The California Medical Association and California Dental Association supported the bill, describing deepfake health ads as deceptive and harmful; it passed the committee 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 988 by Senator Grayson would regulate auto glass insurance practices by restricting assignment of benefits, requiring claim numbers and itemized estimates, and addressing steering and billing practices; supporters said it would curb fraud and stabilize premiums, while independent glass businesses worried about steering and market concentration. After discussion of consumer choice and small-business impacts, the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 1288, presented by Senator Grayson on behalf of Senator Laird, would require financial institutions to make a good-faith effort to notify beneficiaries of non-probate assets and would reduce barriers to claiming those assets, especially for nonprofits. Nonprofit witnesses described long delays and burdensome account-opening requirements, while SIFMA and bankers opposed the bill unless amended, citing conflicts with federal and industry obligations and concerns about retroactivity and verification. The bill passed 8-0 to call. The committee also heard SB 941 by Senator Padilla, which would cap commissary markups in private immigration detention facilities at 35% above vendor cost; the Attorney General’s office and immigrant advocates supported it as a response to exploitative pricing and poor conditions, and it passed 8-0 to call. Finally, SB 909 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would raise and index public works contractor fees and penalties and dedicate more penalty revenue to enforcement; labor supporters said stronger funding is needed to address wage theft and backlogs, while contractors opposed the fee and penalty structure as uncapped and costly. The bill was moved forward on a vote and remained on call after committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• was understandably initial pushback and, you know, wanting to understand what this internet thing is
• </c> wanting to understand what this internet wanting to understand what this internet thing<01:00:52.760
• And that's how we put the internet for all of our schools in 11 months before. We didn't build it.
• </c><01:24:42.200><c> Even</c> the internet and to have the tools.
• Even the internet and to have the tools.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met and adopted the prior minutes before turning to AI in education. Jeff Gagne of the Southern Regional Education Board described SREB’s Commission on AI in Education, which has organized its work into committees on policy, K-12 instruction, postsecondary instruction, and skills development. He highlighted eight commission recommendations covering statewide AI networks, targeted guidance for different user groups, professional development, standards and curricula, local capacity assessments, risk management, procurement, and AI-ready workforce skills. He also emphasized that states need more specific guidance for students, teachers, faculty, administrators, and parents, and that training is essential because many educators have not been prepared to use AI in instruction. Gagne also summarized two recent SREB reports: one on AI-ready workforce skills and one on AI use in K-12 classrooms. The workforce report recommends embedding AI across standards, strengthening computer science and digital learning standards, collaborating with industry and workforce agencies, building AI competencies into training and upskilling, providing educator professional development, and monitoring readiness. He said the report identifies three skill areas: success skills, industry baseline skills, and technical skills. The classroom guidance report promotes responsible AI adoption, with four pillars focused on increasing cognitive demand, streamlining teaching and administrative work, supporting personalized learning, and developing ethical AI users. He also noted that the report includes an AI procurement tool for school districts. Members thanked Gagne for providing outside examples and resources. One member noted JCPS has an introductory AI professional development offering for educators. Gagne said Kentucky’s David Couch serves on the SREB commission and that the commission’s member list and reports are available on SREB’s website. The committee then heard from Travis Powell of the Council on Postsecondary Education, who said CPE had surveyed campuses and found that Kentucky institutions have broadly embraced AI in teaching, research, student services, and administrative operations. He said all institutions have AI-focused degrees, minors, or courses, and many are integrating AI into general education and across disciplines. Powell also said CPE is considering an AI consortium and that campuses are using AI in research partnerships and applied work, while continuing to focus on ethical and effective use.

Transcript Highlights:

• um you can see my presentation platform um you can see my presentation is<00:10:27.959><c> color</c>
• And frankly, the social media and all of this time on the internet is exacerbating the mental health
• And frankly, the social media and all of this time on the internet is exacerbating the mental health
• And frankly, the social media and all of this time on the internet is exacerbating the mental health
• And frankly, the social media and all of this time on the internet is exacerbating the mental health

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , improving credit. transferability across institutions and making better use of shared learning platforms
• System is proposing to create an energy-proving ground on its Rellis campus that would provide a platform
• And I know that Representative Hicklund mentioned that the 10% cap on internet.
• MyTexasFuture is an easy to navigate and centralized platform for students and parents to find eligible
• The myTexasFuture online platform will provide a centralized hub for students. to utilize the common

Bills: HB42, HB 125, HB 1233, HB2853, HB3148, HB3326, HB3701, HB4066, HB4361, HB4762, HB4909, HB4912, HB42, HB125

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso