Transcript Highlights:

• We don't know quite yet because this is the first digital asset state agency in the U.S.
• We're parking it somewhere as a risk mitigation tool, but that is our essentially the state's funding
• We're parking it somewhere as a risk<00:09:00.320><c> mitigation</c><00:09:00.880><c> tool</c><00:09:
• assets from the White House to become the U.S. crypto capital of the world, digital asset capital of
• And the banking commissioner didn’t really have the tools to work through that.

Bills: SF0021 , SF0022 , SF0054 , SF0055

Committee: Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Tools that can assist in the way in which we... ...tools that assist in the way in which we provide a
• on the tool and deciding to do C-sections because the tool outputted a C-section prediction.
• to you to monitor these tools?
• than how we make the tool or what the data source of the tool could be.
• than how we make the tool or what the data source of the tool could be.

Summary: The joint informational hearing by the Assembly Health and Privacy Committees focused on generative AI in health care, with opening remarks emphasizing both the promise of improved care and the risks around privacy, bias, workforce impacts, reimbursement, and liability. Members and witnesses repeatedly stressed that AI should augment clinicians rather than replace them, and that California has a role in shaping responsible adoption. The first panel featured health systems and developers describing current uses such as ambient scribes for physicians and nurses, imaging triage, maternal-fetal risk prediction, and administrative automation. Speakers from Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, Penguin AI, and Google highlighted efficiency gains, reduced clinician burnout, faster treatment, and some reported patient-safety benefits, while also noting the need for human review, governance, and ongoing monitoring. Committee members pressed the panel on bias, especially for multilingual patients, women of color, and Medi-Cal populations, and on whether predictive tools could worsen disparities or drive unnecessary interventions such as C-sections. Witnesses said tools must be tested in real-world settings, with humans in the loop and outcomes tracked by demographic group. They also discussed the legal landscape, with concerns that liability may fall more on hospitals and physicians than on developers, and that clearer rules may be needed for clinical, clinical-adjacent, and administrative uses. Several speakers argued that administrative uses like prior authorization and coding are lower-risk and ripe for automation, while clinical applications require much stronger safeguards. The second panel shifted to broader policy and equity issues. The California Health Care Foundation described early AI adoption in the safety net, including a Los Angeles County homelessness-risk model and AI tools supporting community health workers, and said safety-net providers want guidance on privacy, liability, safety, bias, and workforce impacts. Dr. Ziad Obermeyer described research showing racial bias in widely used risk algorithms and argued for accountability, access to data under strong protections, public-sector leadership, and partnerships to steer AI toward better outcomes. Dr. Michelle Mello said most organizations lack strong governance, that monitoring is difficult and costly, and that states could require AI governance structures as a condition of licensure. The discussion closed with calls for clearer standards, better data access for evaluation, and policy approaches that protect patients while allowing beneficial AI to spread beyond large health systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an essential tool of learning.
• </c><01:05:21.760><c> learning</c><01:05:22.119><c> tools</c> updated devices digital learning tools
• updated devices digital learning tools and<01:05:22.839><c> curriculum</c><01:05:23.839><c> cyber</c>
• they need to thrive in an with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly<01:06:23.799><c> digital
• </c> us um laptops or devices digital us um laptops or devices digital displays<01:18:12.400><c> that

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sorry, I made a mistake there with the digital system. Analog, for those...
• Digital, since about the turn of the millennium, is the new way.
• You heard earlier that we've gone from analog to digital. We went to digital...
• We went to digital about 20 years ago, and those cameras now are just shot, as you can imagine, being
• digital transformation.

Transcript Highlights:

• But, a digital ID just looking at it.
• </c> digital ID for bars and restaurants. digital ID for bars and restaurants.
• This is not a bill digital ID bill.
• 00:38:16.880><c> and</c> for digital driver's licenses and for digital driver's licenses and digital<
• <00:41:18.480><c> ID</c> digital ID digital ID or<00:41:19.960><c> wants</c><00:41:20.160><c> to</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• Our faculty grantees develop innovative curriculum, teaching resources, and technology tools to improve
• And the third is a trailer bill that relates to the two and and technology tools to improve and support
• The state has developed its own kind of generative AI tool called Poppy.
• So if you're not sure, but it's a tool that's exceptional, but it's also in the field out there, we're
• It's called Digital 395. We purchased it from the California Broadband Collective.

Summary: The hearing began with a vote-only agenda and then focused first on San Mateo County’s request to restore in-lieu vehicle license fee (VLF) funding. County officials, city leaders, labor representatives, nonprofits, and public safety advocates argued that the loss of roughly $157 million would force major cuts to homelessness services, housing assistance, mental health programs, libraries, parks, fire and police staffing, and other local services. They described the current formula as outdated and unfair, tied to school funding and basic-aid dynamics that no longer work for San Mateo County, and urged both an immediate budget restoration and a permanent legislative fix. The Department of Finance said the payments are discretionary, not statutorily required, and noted the administration does not view the expenditure as sustainable in the current fiscal climate. Committee members expressed sympathy, questioned the formula, and said they would keep the issue under consideration; the committee later voted to move the two vote-only items on the agenda. The committee then received an update from the Department of General Services on state property redevelopment, including the Hillcrest DMV site in San Diego, the Fell Street DMV site in San Francisco, and other state-owned properties. DGS explained that Hillcrest is not currently an active project, while the Fell Street project shifted from an integrated DMV-housing plan to a more feasible relocation of the DMV into leased commercial space, with a budget change proposal pending. Members pressed DGS on the slow pace of redevelopment, the potential for housing on state sites, and the costs and feasibility of adaptive reuse. DGS said many state buildings are aging and that adaptive reuse depends heavily on building design, floorplate depth, light, and risk from unknown conditions behind walls. The Government Operations portion then turned to the California Education Learning Lab, which supports intersegmental higher education innovation grants. The Lab asked for permanent restoration of $4 million in ongoing funding and a move of its home agency from the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to GovOps, along with technical trailer bill changes. Supporters said the program has funded more than 120 projects reaching thousands of faculty and hundreds of thousands of students, including work on generative AI in higher education. The Legislative Analyst’s Office recommended rejecting the restoration and continuing the wind-down, citing the state’s projected deficit and suggesting the California Education Interagency Council could pursue non-state-funded grant opportunities instead. The committee held the item open. Finally, GovOps presented the new California Education Interagency Council staffing request, seeking four ongoing positions to support the council, with funding already included in last year’s budget. The department said the governor has appointed Debbie Cochran as executive officer and that the remaining positions are being recruited. Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee began questions about how the council will be staffed and organized.

Transcript Highlights:

• The cabling and replaces the software with digital-capable software.
• We'd also like to purchase a software tool to help us with IPRA compliance.
• Is that all done like digitally? I Mean that's how we get substitutes for schools now, right?
• It's all digital. You sign on, you see if there's a vacancy, you sign up for it.
• Is that all done digitally, or is it still done manually?

Transcript Highlights:

• There have been double-digit sitting corporate... More people have moved into our state.
• Secondly, using a data analysis tool that I'll talk more about in a minute.
• So a little bit about the analysis tool that we developed during the study: it supports an advancing
• The department already uses pre-qualification and bidder responsibility tools effectively.
• Allowing for electronic signatures is a tool that is used, and a convenience that is needed.

Bills: HB1367 , HB2172 , HB2718 , HB2139 , HB2192 , HB2307 , HB2379 , HB2467 , HB2495 , HB2604

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: motorcycle safety, right shoulder, shoulder riding, limited access roadway, freeway, expressway, highway congestion, lane splitting, traffic safety, RCW, Washington traffic law, roadside assistance, emergency vehicles, tow truck, congested traffic, motorcyclist, route jurisdiction, abandonment, transportation, local governance

Transcript Highlights:

• And it requires rulemaking by Florida Digital Service. And as I said, one more thing.
• The state would be required through Florida Digital Service to actually do the purchasing.
• And it requires rulemaking by Florida Digital Services. And as I said, one more thing.
• The state would be required through Florida Digital Service. The state would, thank you.
• As the digital economy grows, states across the nation are exploring new tools to make payments faster

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard and reported favorably several bills. CS/SB 800 would increase penalties for repeated unlicensed engineering practice and create an engineering student loan assistance program funded by licensure fees and fines; Senator Sharif asked about restitution for victims, and the sponsor said the bill does not create a reimbursement mechanism. CS/SB 576 would create a local government cybersecurity protection program administered by Florida Digital Service, with state purchasing support, grant access, and data-sharing requirements; local government and cybersecurity groups waived in support. CS/SB 1078 would establish transition procedures between gubernatorial administrations, including liaisons, briefing books, office space, IT access, and access to agency records under a signed confidentiality agreement. The committee also reported favorably CS/SB 314 on payment stablecoin issuers, CS/SB 530 updating lottery operations and security rules, CS/SB 1614 giving JAC/LAC-related audit findings more enforcement effect for local governments seeking state funds, SB 990 authorizing protective cell captive insurance companies, SB 1588 beginning implementation of the prior gold-and-silver legal tender law, CS/SB 1440 adding cybersecurity-related exemptions and reporting provisions for financial institutions, and CS/SB 1568 creating a stablecoin pilot program for DFS fee payments. Several bills had support testimony from state agencies and industry groups, and some included technical or guardrail amendments that were adopted without objection. The committee also received a budget overview highlighting major funding items, including more than $350 million for Florida Forever, $738 million for Everglades restoration, more than $500 million for water quality projects outside the Everglades, $60 million for Farmers Feeding Florida, and more than $250 million for citrus recovery. Members asked questions about school lunch funding, state park improvements, land acquisition, water quality funding, gaming enforcement offices, and staffing for PERC. After the bills and budget discussion, members recorded a few affirmative votes on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Idaho Digital Learning Academy or Idaho Digital Learning Alliance or Idaho Digital Learning Alliance
• or Idaho Digital Distance Learning Academy.
• a student, average daily attendance in these brick-and-mortar schools, and then we're paying the Digital
• They engage with all the tools in our That they care about and that have an impact on their lives.
• They engage with all the tools in our democracy's toolbox, including holding community dialogues, meeting

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• we'll continue to do so as these proofs of concept. move into projects that implement generative AI tools
• With guidance from the Quarter Career team, I gained the tools and confidence to pursue opportunities
• At co-op I gained hands-on experience with tools like Tableau and SQL and at Empower I earned my CompTIA
• The Office of Digital Services is providing the technology development.
• telework is associated with higher productivity and has a proven value. recruitment and retention tool

Transcript Highlights:

• For teachers, just like Quantime, we want to give them the tools to introduce it in their classrooms.
• And for students, we want to give them the tools to make it as fun, engaging, and hands-on.
• I haven't had many discussions around the digital twin aspect of things.
• And then there's also the security, like the digitized stuff that you're getting out the door.
• And so quantum has also been at the forefront of people's minds in protecting our digital information

Committee: House Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• given the fact that so many students were still being given instruction on anatomy, but were using new tools
• when they were studying from home and given software and other tools. that teachers were very creatively
• Dissection is an outdated tool that doesn't teach to the needs and learning styles of all students.
• this from AXA, already have a means to communicate with their parents and community members through digital
• Districts have the necessary tools to select a quality contractor with a good history and a competitive

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• So electronic record-keeping, digital training attendance documentation, and updated training delivery
• We want them to move to a strictly digital world.
• So this is one tool that enhances our ability to enforce our existing laws.
• One tool that enhances our ability to enforce our existing laws.
• Let's give one other tool to do so. And I respectfully ask for your vote.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• Some stakeholders feared the command might build its own Texas-only tools.
• The command's Digital Forensic Laboratory will embed liaison agents from the Department of Public Safety
• , from the Attorney General's Office, and, where appropriate, federal task forces to ensure that digital
• turning cyber attacks from faceless assaults into solvable crimes and giving law enforcement the digital
• Members, these changes are really very important. that digital evidence collected during an incident

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee met with a quorum and considered several House bills. House Bill 111 was taken up as a committee substitute; members briefly discussed what entities the bill would apply to, and the committee substitute was adopted and reported favorably to the full Senate by a 6-5 vote. House Bill 150, relating to the Texas Cyber Command, received extensive explanation of a revised committee substitute that made the command a standalone state agency, allowed flexible state partnerships, preserved vendor neutrality, added emergency purchasing guardrails and reporting, protected existing confidentiality laws, limited monitoring to contracted entities, and clarified coordination with law enforcement rather than direct prosecution. The substitute was adopted and HB 150 was reported favorably 11-0. The committee also reported House Bill 2517 favorably without debate, 10 ayes and 1 present not voting. House Bill 2963 was considered with a committee substitute that added a definition of “power sports vehicle” and exempted those items from the right-to-repair bill; the substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 3520 was reported favorably by a 7-4 vote, and House Bill 5435 was reported favorably 11-0 and also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. After completing the votes, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Employers also need practical tools to recruit, hire, and retain workers with disabilities.
• So, you know, currently and in the past, I'm wondering if you do any work on digital accessibility.
• 26th this year for both federal requirements, as well as Massachusetts state requirements around digital
• So, you know, currently in the past, I'm wondering if you do any work on digital accessibility.
• accessibility as well. has requirements around digital accessibility as well.

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and began with an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about every individual mattering and making a difference. Members introduced themselves and described their roles in disability services, workforce policy, accessibility, and advocacy. The committee then welcomed Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina from the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED), who explained that SEED provides technical assistance, research, peer-state examples, and policy support to help states improve disability employment outcomes. SEED presented seven broad policy areas where states are active: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health supports, stay-at-work/return-to-work programs, employer recruitment and accommodation supports, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state-as-model-employer initiatives. They shared examples from other states, including scholarship and transition policies, peer support training, accommodation funds, procurement goals, and state hiring strategies. Members asked about SEED’s role in Massachusetts, digital accessibility, and the status of PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED’s role is policy-focused rather than implementation-focused, though it can connect Massachusetts with peer states and examples. The discussion then narrowed to two possible Massachusetts projects: developing a state-as-model-employer roadmap and creating a youth/young-adult employment and volunteer pipeline, especially for transition-age individuals. Members noted related state efforts, including the governor’s executive order reestablishing a disability policy subcommittee, the commission’s Meeting the Moment series, and the need to help people navigate upcoming work requirements and transition cliffs. SEED agreed to follow up with a questionnaire and draft briefs on Massachusetts analysis, career readiness, and state-as-model-employer policies, and the group planned an offline follow-up to define priorities and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• To use these new tools.
• We're doing a pilot with them to test their new data transform tool.
• So, hey, let's try your tools and let's try your tools, so we're not pigeonholing ourselves into one
• And it's, you only really understand when the tools, you start rolling the tools out, and then you start
• These tools that are actually coming... ...of systems, and that's that idea of central digital government

Committee: House Subcommittee on Appropriations - General Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• So preservation, digitization—that seems to be.
• and digital archiving.
• and digital archiving.
• and digital archiving.
• We digitize home movies and photos. planning, recordings of music and dance festivals, we digitize home

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and creative industries in California. Chair Ben Allen, Vice Chair Chris Ward, and other members described the moment as a crisis, citing proposed or implemented cuts to the NEA, NEH, and IMLS, grant terminations, leadership removals, and budget proposals to zero out major cultural agencies. Members emphasized that arts and humanities are both culturally essential and economically significant, and they framed the hearing as a chance to hear impacts on the ground and consider state and federal responses. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA highlighted the scale of the problem. Harky said federal rescissions and policy changes are causing immediate financial harm, forcing hiring freezes, program cancellations, and emergency fundraising, while disproportionately hurting rural, immigrant, elder, and small community organizations. She noted California’s creative economy generates hundreds of billions of dollars and urged support for restoring state arts funding, museum grants, and legislation such as SB 456 and AB 3149, along with federal measures like the Charitable Act and Performing Arts Tax Parity Act. Fisher focused on film and television production, saying runaway production, outdated tax rules, and weak federal IP protections are harming workers and local businesses; she urged federal production incentives, tax parity for performers, and stronger protections against AI misuse of artists’ voices and likenesses. State agency leaders Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council described direct impacts from federal funding disruptions. Noguchi said California Humanities lost NEH support immediately, putting grants and documentary projects at risk and prompting possible litigation and appeals. Lucas said the State Library initially faced a major IMLS funding loss but has since had part of the money restored, though still with a reduced amount that will limit local assistance. Purcell said the California Arts Council is assessing terminated grants and fielding urgent calls from grantees, while continuing to distribute state arts funds and track the damage. Members asked about bipartisan support, business coalition-building, economic measurement, AI threats to creative work, and the implications of federal leadership changes; no votes were taken, but the hearing ended with calls for continued advocacy, legal action, and possible state investment to stabilize the sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bitcoin, referenced as digital gold by the United States Treasury, has become a recognized asset in the
• Bitcoin offers unique advantages in the digital era due to its limited supply and... ...decentralized
• blockchain applications. and digital identity security.
• Markets, has a stated goal. of a strategic national digital asset stockpile.
• The United States Treasury is classifying Bitcoin or referencing Bitcoin as digital gold.

Bills: SB 21 , SB21 , SB72 , SB140 , SB262 , SB370 , SB372 , SB495 , SB627 , SB703 , SB764 , SB842

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to that, it was a tool really for hard-to-reach business assets. I'll let Amy fill in.
• communication platforms such as social media or the use of artificial intelligence, even though these tools
• communication tools and artificial intelligence.
• between the Texas Penal Code and the state bar's guidelines reinforces legal protections against digital
• There are multiple tools; we heard one just a few minutes ago for barratry, where there are criminal

Bills: HB 1193 , HB2495 , HB2733 , HB3104 , HB3395 , HB4325 , SB3009

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence