Transcript Highlights:

• evaluate the implication of technologies evaluate the implication of technologies like<00:53:59.359
• That technology would then be adopted or adapted for these plug-in systems.
• That technology would then be adopted or adapted for these plug-in systems.
• upgrade line conditioners. upgrade line conditioners.
• Um this is going to cause an upgrade Um this is going to cause an upgrade that<01:04:13.320>

Bills: SF0095, SF0107, SF0112

Keywords: driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, motor vehicle, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers, vehicle fees, public records, license plates, replacement cycle, vehicle registration, motor vehicles, state fees, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And part of that agreement is that they have to make the needed improvements and upgrades in order to
• This new technology allows electric customers to access affordable clean energy and helps take control
• These systems are a type of technology that allow users to directly access affordable, clean energy,
• But with certain technologies, it can be a like oven, gas oven, but then require a different attachment
• , which means that there would be some more extensive upgrades that possibly go beyond something.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm asking for one and then a technological solution.
• Our technology budget is covered in P560—that's the statewide judiciary automation.
• So rather than ask for even more people, we'd ask for one person in this technology solution.
• Chair, Senator, I'm gonna have to turn to my Chief Technology Officer here. Oh, good job, Carl.
• So we're seeking that upgrade for our library.

Transcript Highlights:

• contract with qualified public or private entity to advance this state's defense aerospace dual-use technology
• and To advance this state's defense aerospace dual-use technology and national security innovation ecosystem
• Madam Whip and members, so this ITSPF, we are in a multi-year expansion and upgrade of all of the Department
• The back-end work of money movements is a big deal, and upgrading these hardware and software systems
• And with that, I'm available for questions. and upgrading these hardware and software systems is critical

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Look at the newest technology and look at the Raw data management staff to see what's going on.
• We work with our research partners to try to figure out with the newest technology we can have.
• Technology today provide consistent structure.
• Upgrade projects takes time to get the award.
• of the general types of projects that they going are funded for advanced waste treatment facility upgrades

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pace with current, uh, trends, with current activities, with current technologies.
• And so, uh, there is legislation pending that would, uh, upgrade our statute and bring it into the 21st
• Um, in looking at the, uh, upgrade statute to the, uh, bringing in your equipment to the 21st century
• , what was that statute that needs to be, uh, that needs to be, uh, fixed, so to speak, or upgraded?
• if your question is what is, what are the upgrades that need to be made?

Transcript Highlights:

• When essential work such as equipment replacements, automation upgrades, and capacity expansion is not
• As the system continues to operate without necessary upgrades, it becomes more stressed and less resilient
• As the system continues to operate without necessary upgrades, it becomes more stressed and less resilient
• It limits the availability of capital for load-driven infrastructure upgrades, such as substations, new
• Yeah, one of his conclusions is Delmarva, quote, is adding significant new technology without preparing

Bills: SB287

Keywords: solid waste, recycling, universal recycling, single-stream recycling, multifamily housing, apartment recycling, commercial recycling, waste diversion, recycling grants, low-interest loans, Delaware Recycling Fund, Delaware Solid Waste Authority, DNREC, waste hauler, curbside recycling, yard waste, source-separated recycling, pay-as-you-throw, extended producer responsibility, waste bans

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and considered three Senate bills. SB 287 with Senate Amendment 2, a DNREC cleanup bill on recycling, would tighten recycling collection rules for haulers and commercial generators, require multifamily recycling education, repurpose the Delaware Recycling Fund, and add annual reporting; after brief questions and no public comment, the committee motion to release did not initially receive enough votes, so the bill was circulated for signatures. SB 346, which would speed Environmental Appeals Board hearing and decision timelines so DNREC secretary decisions become final if deadlines are missed, drew support from the Nature Conservancy and also failed to get enough votes at the meeting, so it too was circulated for signatures. The committee then took up SB 326, a major utility-regulation bill sponsored by Senator Hanson and Representative Heffernan that would cap certain non-mandatory utility spending, limit interim rates, increase oversight and transparency, and streamline rate-setting. SB 326 generated extensive testimony and debate. Supporters, including the Public Advocate, Sierra Club, PSC staff, and some legislators, argued that Delmarva Power’s spending on non-mandatory infrastructure has risen far faster than inflation, that the company is a regulated monopoly, and that the bill would help restrain future delivery-rate increases without harming reliability because mandatory reliability, storm response, and vegetation management spending would remain allowed. Opponents, including Delmarva Power, business groups, contractors, labor representatives, and the Delaware Contractors Association, argued the cap would delay needed reliability and capacity projects, hurt economic development, reduce jobs, and interfere with utility planning; they also said supply costs, not distribution spending, are the main driver of recent bill increases. After public comment and additional questioning, the committee voted to release SB 326 on a split roll call, but because several members were absent the bill was also walked for additional signatures. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We plan to use these funds for election technology infrastructure, specifically upgrading our e-poll
• Upgrading election equipment is essential, as it strengthens our overall technological infrastructure
• > upgrading infrastructure specifically upgrading infrastructure specifically upgrading our<00
• /c><00:46:56.200> election our e pull books upgrading election our e pull books upgrading election
• <01:00:45.160> election<01:00:45.680> resources technology election resources technology

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:55:55.599> our Compensation Insurance and upgrading our Compensation Insurance and upgrading
• that are owed to us in order to upgrade that are owed to us in order to upgrade these<01:04:36.960
• <01:08:22.920> like that certain Technologies like that certain Technologies like short-term
• <01:08:48.480> neutral much as possible a technology neutral much as possible a technology
• critical information technology critical information technology resources<01:22:53.080> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They're the technology project manager. They know this technology.
• side. out of technology.
• the kind of the information technology the kind of the information technology and<00:08:13.520><
• really critical in this new technology. really critical in this new technology.
• >> I'm not a technology guru either. Okay. >> I'm not a technology guru either.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03 Approve Minutes from July 10, 2025- 00:02:41 Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System Testimony- 00:03:38 Investment of State Funds- 00:46:13 Department of Juvenile Justice Update- 1:11:34 Adjournment- 1:54:08, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened with roll call, welcomed a new member, approved the July meeting minutes, and then took up testimony on the statewide emergency responder voice system, also described as the state police radio system replacement project. John Hicks, secretary of the governor’s executive cabinet and state budget director, testified that the project is unusually complex because it combines multiple IT replacements, land acquisition, and tower construction. He said the existing system dates to the early 1970s and that the administration is treating the project as a priority, with work proceeding in phases and weekly coordination among the Justice Cabinet, Kentucky State Police, and Finance and Administration Cabinet. Hicks said the project has already spent about $110 million, with nearly 1,900 portable radios acquired, microwave replacement completed at 56 sites and underway at 76 more, and routers, switches, and network upgrades addressed. He explained that because the State Police are not set up to handle real property work, the administration brought in outside real property consulting vendors through an RFP, and three vendors are now qualified to help identify and negotiate sites. He said the goal is to speed up land acquisition and tower construction while the State Police continue the technology work, and he emphasized that the project is intended to close coverage gaps for state police first and later benefit local governments and other first responders. Members of the committee expressed concern about the project’s cost and pace. Representative Petri noted that about $218.8 million has been authorized since 2018 and questioned whether the project could stretch into 2030 or later, asking what more the General Assembly could do to help. Representative Blandon also raised concerns about the long timeline and the risk of the project becoming another costly, delayed infrastructure effort, while asking when the vendor RFP was completed and whether any sites had been acquired since then. Representative Sharp asked whether there was a detailed plan and timeline, and Hicks responded that the technology side is well defined but the property acquisition side must proceed site by site because each location depends on ownership, access, power, and other factors. Hicks said the west-to-east phasing has been a smart approach and that the executive branch should improve performance to beat the current timeline expectations.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:55:02.799> can of existing plants plant upgrades can of existing plants plant upgrades
• investment is not just in technology investment is not just in technology it's<01:33:30.719>
• this they aren't there the technology this they aren't there the technology and<01:44:01.080>
• <01:44:41.679> today system up to our Technologies today system up to our Technologies today
• um so that we can bring the technology um so that we can bring the technology Innovations<01:48:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And will this upgrade be able to more effectively track that and handle if there is a future change to
• has its own system and is inputting... to something that tracks funding per student, and will this upgrade
• do need a new infrastructure system, new software system, new platform that is not based on 2008 technology
• And so we agree that that calculation engine, along with the other segments, need to be upgraded.
• person to work on this system, and our staff should be able to do the lion's share of any types of upgrades

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on OSPI’s school apportionment system, which distributes K-12 funding to districts. Auditors said the system and its underlying 2008-era infrastructure are outdated, unstable, inefficient, and at high risk of errors or failure. They also found weak controls over data input, documentation, oversight, and monitoring, with heavy reliance on a small number of staff and vendor knowledge. In limited testing of three districts, the system calculated 2023–24 funding correctly, but auditors identified small discrepancies between state budget inputs and underlying statutory language and said broader system risks remain unresolved. JLARC members asked about the scope of the district testing, whether smaller districts face greater risk, the meaning of the funding discrepancies, and whether the system could support a future change to a simpler per-student funding formula. Auditors said the discrepancies were small but could compound into millions statewide, and that the audit did not evaluate broader policy questions or alternative system owners. They recommended OSPI modernize or replace the system and address current control weaknesses while the new platform is developed. OSPI officials largely agreed that the current platform needs replacement and said a feasibility study completed in 2024 found the system at catastrophic risk of failure. They clarified that the Legislature had approved up to $16 million in the state IT pool for the project, but that funding is released through gated oversight and not all of it had yet been appropriated for the current biennium. OSPI disputed the auditor’s characterization of some rounding and budget-law issues, saying the calculations were consistent with agency rules and legislative inputs, and explained that some manual workarounds are used to handle newer statutory requirements. One member of the public testified in support of modernizing the system and strengthening controls. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support innovation, economic development, and technological advancement.
• That standard being 50% of the power must be met by battery storage or clean energy technology.
• That standard being 50% of the power must be met by battery storage or clean energy technology.
• And thirdly, having entered energy... ...technology energized and interconnected.
• All I ask is that this legislation be commensurate with the constant technological advance.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on energy, public safety, and environmental cleanup. House Bill 455 would create a historic preservation license plate to raise funds and awareness for Delaware preservation efforts, and House Bill 471 would tighten rules and penalties for off-highway vehicles on shared private roads, with golf carts excluded. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 439, the Truth in E-Bike Marketing Act, would require clearer disclosures when selling electric mopeds and electric motorcycles so consumers understand classification, power, and licensing/insurance requirements. House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 407, related to the Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act and brownfields, would shift funding for brownfield cleanup from the original realty transfer tax approach to a dedicated share of the hazardous substance cleanup fund and raise civil penalties for fraudulent acts. The committee also approved the June 18, 2026 minutes once quorum was reached. Most of the meeting centered on House Substitute No. 1 for House Bill 233, as amended, a large-load/data center bill intended to protect ratepayers from costs tied to massive new electricity users. The sponsor and Public Advocate said PJM’s warnings about a coming reliability backstop auction made it urgent to establish a Delaware framework now, requiring large energy users to sign utility agreements, cover their share of transmission, distribution, and capacity costs, and comply with curtailment and other protections. Supporters from environmental groups and some labor and business voices said the bill was needed to prevent cost shifts to households and small businesses, while opponents argued it was being rushed, could deter investment, and might unintentionally affect other industries; several asked for more time and clearer definitions. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also took up House Bill 470, which would authorize Delmarva Power, with PSC approval, to build and operate utility-owned battery storage and spread costs across the customer base. The sponsor and Delmarva said the bill would improve reliability quickly and help avoid outages, while the chair expressed concern that the state had not yet fully studied whether utility-owned or competitively procured storage is the best model, noting a recent SEU storage study and broader policy questions. Supporters said utility storage could be deployed faster and help with peak shaving, while others urged a competitive process; the transcript cuts off before any final action on HB 470.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:24.240> their ambulance services look to upgrade their ambulance services look to upgrade
• And with that, I see he's still getting his technology ready, but I'm honored to welcome Brian Swanson
• <01:16:53.600> utility efficiency, and upgrades utility efficiency, and upgrades utility infrastructure
• cutting edge technology like predictive analytics,<01:30:30.159> big<01:30:30.400> data,
• um especially around the upgrades um especially around the agriculture<01:38:24.480> side<01:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is important life-saving technology. Other states are deploying Next Generation 911.
• But if you had up-to-date technology, we wouldn't be here. And I wouldn't be here right now.
• How does it mandate shutdowns regardless of whether a pipeline can be upgraded or improved?
• How does it mandate shutdowns regardless of whether a pipeline can be upgraded or improved?
• there is there's it's of whether a pipeline can be upgraded or improved?

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick. The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support. AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we don't hear that very often for state technology projects.
• new emerging technology.
• A special appropriation request through the Department of Information Technology. Perfect.
• That they have this year through the Department of Information Technology as well.
• Cameras, access control systems, enhance entryways, and upgrade campus lighting.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But our wastewater plant, we upgraded it back in 2014 to meet advanced wastewater treatment standards
• And we spent about $14 million upgrading the plant.
• In terms of flexibility, what we're hoping for is that the technology, In terms of flexibility, what
• we're hoping for is that the technology catches up with being able to reuse the water back into our system
• But as the technology matures, maybe we'll become more affordable in the future.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to hear a panel discussion on implementation of Senate Bill 64 (2021), which requires elimination of non-beneficial wastewater discharges to surface waters by 2032. Department of Environmental Protection staff reported that utility plans have been approved, about 570 million gallons per day are expected to be eliminated under the plans, and roughly 176 million gallons per day have already been eliminated. The department emphasized ongoing annual reporting, continued coordination with utilities, and the need for projects such as reuse, indirect potable reuse, wet-weather backup discharges, groundwater recharge, and other beneficial uses to meet the law’s 90% reuse requirement in applicable cases. Representatives from Flagler Beach, Atlantic Beach, JEA, and Hillsborough County described how the law affects different utilities. Smaller and coastal systems said they face major cost, space, salinity, and infrastructure constraints, with limited reuse opportunities and expensive alternatives such as deep well injection or regional transfer. Larger systems described substantial capital programs already underway, including public access reuse, indirect potable reuse, regional recharge projects, and saltwater intrusion barrier wells, with costs ranging from tens of millions to billions of dollars. Members and witnesses discussed the need for flexibility, regional solutions, and case-by-case permitting, and the Florida Rural Water Association asked the committee to consider hardship provisions and funding or exemption adjustments for smaller systems. The committee then took up SPB 7002, a proposed bill by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee relating to water management districts. Senator Broder explained that the bill would increase transparency, improve planning and budgeting oversight, create a gift ban, support local referendum authority for certain ad valorem funding, and provide record-level funding for Everglades restoration. After a question from Senator Smith about whether the ad valorem language was expansive or restrictive, Senator Broder said it would add a new funding tool for districts. The committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7002 as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably by roll call vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So on the portrait page, on the bottom of that is the Department of Information Technology.
• Pasak River Basin program infrastructural upgrades is $19,700,000. That is on other bonding.
• <03:10:09.040> is infrastructural upgrades is infrastructural upgrades is 19,700<03:10:11.439
• Some of those are outlined in the letter here, which we are expanding and upgrading.
• <04:01:41.479> the other item is uh to upgrade the other item is uh to upgrade the cloud-based

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25A, the capital improvements appropriations bill, which Representative David Mills said was based on Governor Ayotte’s budget and included appropriations for capital improvements and extensions of prior appropriation lapses. The hearing drew testimony on several requested additions to the bill, with the chair noting the unusually large turnout and moving quickly through speakers. No questions were taken on the initial bill presentation, and the public hearing on HB 25A was later closed. The Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million, including $800,000 for IT infrastructure, $1.3 million for critical maintenance, and $500,000 for energy management systems. The witness said the money would address cybersecurity and online learning needs, replace failing boilers and a roof at several campuses, and prevent costly damage such as frozen pipes. The New Hampshire Veterans Home requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements, including floor replacement and wider doors, citing an upcoming VA inspection and the importance of preserving federal funding. Testimony also focused on career and technical education and airport funding. Milford CTE sought to keep $9.9 million in the budget for renovations after a local vote fell short, explaining the project had been scaled down from an earlier $60 million concept and that the school board wanted another chance to seek voter approval. On aviation, Concord, the New Hampshire Municipal Association, and Department of Transportation representatives urged restoring state matching funds for FAA airport grants, saying roughly $3.6 million in state money would leverage about $62 million to $65 million in federal funds for safety and infrastructure projects at public airports. Committee members asked about project selection, matching requirements, and the airport priority process, and witnesses said the program is driven by FAA-approved capital improvement plans and safety needs rather than business-return rankings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, we've requested $90,000 for recruitment and retention of information technology staff.
• Finally, we've requested $90,000 for recruitment and retention of information technology staff. $90,000
• for recruitment and retention of information technology staff.
• These additional positions will optimize the lottery's management of information technology teams.
• DMS is the primary workforce, business, and technology service provider for Florida government.

Summary: The committee convened with a quorum, welcomed new member Senator Ralph Massullo, and first took up confirmation of five appointees to water management district and basin board positions. Senator McLean moved favorable confirmation of Ted Everett, Jerome Pate, Michael Romano, Paul Bissfam, John Hall, and Virginia Johns, and the motion passed by roll call. The main agenda item was the Governor’s Florida First budget presentation for the environmental agencies. Kim Kramer and DEP Secretary Alexis Lambert outlined proposed environmental funding of about $5.8 billion, including more than $1.4 billion for water resources, $810 million for Everglades restoration, $408 million for water quality, $202 million for Resilient Florida, $75 million for beach renourishment, $150 million for Florida Forever, $70 million for state park infrastructure, and $221 million for hazardous waste cleanup. They also highlighted proposed funding for FWC operations, manatee care, python removal, oyster reef restoration, forestry and wildfire equipment, and citrus research and disease response. Members asked about Florida Forever funding, state park wastewater and septic needs, a cut to the Florida Wildlife Research Institute, and how beach renourishment is handled after storms. The committee then heard the general government budget presentation. Agencies highlighted included DBPR, Gaming Control, the Lottery, DMS, PERC, DFS, OIR, and Revenue. DBPR discussed funding for license processing, an animal abuse hotline, vehicle replacement, and IT recruitment; Gaming Control requested new law enforcement squads and a licensing/enforcement IT system; the Lottery emphasized marketing, retail engagement, IT, and retention funding; DMS proposed building, fleet, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and local government grant investments; PERC described workload growth after SB 256 and requested staffing, operations, and pay increases; OIR sought more staff for consumer protection and market oversight plus building renovations; DFS highlighted My Safe Florida Home funding, fire marshal and first responder support, financial investigations, and gold and silver legal tender implementation; and Revenue requested operational, IT, and fiscally constrained county funding. Members questioned DBPR about unfunded HOA fraud and condo transparency items, DMS about cybersecurity grants, and DFS about My Safe Florida Home funding levels, abandoned grants, and reduced program uptake. No further action was taken, and the committee adjourned without additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, the device doesn't have to be upgraded, unlike hearing aids because an ear canal and the size
• But all those things are replaceable on the outside and can certainly be upgraded with new software.
• <00:39:02.440> And degrade and might need an upgrade.
• And degrade and might need an upgrade.
• And may I upgraded with new software.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:10 SB 6 Discussion 00:40 SB 6 Vote 00:13:30 Cochlear Implants 00:16:25, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee heard Senate Bill 6, sponsored by Senate President Robert Stivers, which would create an endowed research fund to support collaborative university research in Kentucky. Stivers described the bill as an extension of earlier higher-education research efforts, arguing that Kentucky should build research “hubs” by requiring or encouraging partnerships among universities and outside entities, with potential focus areas including health care, engineering, aerospace, agriculture, and other emerging fields. He said the proposal would establish five research tranches over five years and sought a $30 million endowment for each, generating annual interest to fund consortium-based research and leverage additional private and federal dollars. Senators Frommeyer, Neal, Givens, Boswell, and Richardson spoke in support, emphasizing economic development, job creation, and examples from other research clusters such as Boston and North Carolina’s Research Triangle. The committee voted 12-0 to report the bill favorably to the Senate floor. The committee then received a presentation from Dr. Matthew Bush of the University of Kentucky on pediatric hearing loss and cochlear implants. Bush explained that early hearing detection and intervention is critical because hearing loss in newborns is a neurocognitive emergency that affects language, literacy, and long-term outcomes. He outlined national screening benchmarks, Kentucky’s incidence of childhood hearing loss, and the high educational and societal costs of untreated hearing loss. Bush also highlighted disparities in rural and western Kentucky, where children face delayed diagnosis, longer waits for hearing aids or cochlear implants, and more difficulty accessing follow-up care. He described cochlear implants, the multidisciplinary care they require, and research showing improved language development, quality of life, and cost savings when children are treated early.