Video & Transcript Research : 'fiber optic'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 1/22/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So you put the fiber in the ground, but you have to open that fiber up to your competitors and allow
- make the fiber work.
- fiber cable or through just fiber fiber cable or through just fiber deployments<01:29:31.560>
- You've got to have a fiber optic line in the ground to all these rural locations?
- <01:37:45.360>
is bigger fiber the thing about fibers is bigger fiber the thing about fibers
Summary:
The House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met for an introductory session to begin the new legislative session. Members and staff went around the table introducing themselves and describing their agricultural backgrounds, including farming, livestock, crop production, county government, and related research or staff roles. Chair Paul Anderson emphasized agriculture’s importance to Minnesota’s budget and economy, welcomed new members and staff, and noted that the committee would have a full agenda.
The committee then heard a presentation from the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Extension, and the Forever Green initiative on the GREE program (Agricultural Research, Education, Extension, and Technology Transfer). Testimony described GREE as a state investment created in 2015 to support agricultural productivity and growth through research, education, extension, and technology transfer. Speakers highlighted its broad focus areas, including crop and livestock genetics, soil health, water quality, nutrient management, microbial science, agroecological innovation, and technology stewardship, as well as rapid-response funding for emerging issues such as waterhemp, PRRS, and avian influenza.
University witnesses said the program has brought in faculty and extension educators, generated sponsored research awards, and leveraged state funding into additional grants and contracts. They cited a reported roughly 12-to-1 return on investment and said the state has invested about $39 million since 2015. They also noted additions such as a deep winter greenhouse program and a tribal representative on the advisory group. No committee votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment. (6-18-26)
Economic Development & Workforce Investment
Transcript Highlights:
- They're part of Hexatonic Group, and they manufacture HDPE conduit solutions, which is what you see fiber
- optic cable.
- <00:42:31.560>
optic <00:42:31.800>cable. - <00:42:32.120>
So <00:42:32.240>you what you see fiber optic cable. - So you what you see fiber optic cable.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I do think, and correct me if I'm wrong, I think most of the issue is with the fiber optics requirement
- Personally, I know fiber optics is the best.
- But I don't know if the fiber is something that y'all could help the health...
- If the fiber is something that y'all could help the other camps on, if they really, you know, I think
- And when they did finally call... ...while the camp still had power and fiber communications.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Nov 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Those optical links, or I just like to call them space lasers, are for data transfer between satellites
- So I'm going to ask you, what do you think the future of fiber is?
- Should we get out of the fiber market? Any other questions?
- So I'm going to ask you, what do you think the future of fiber is?
- Should we get out of the fiber market?
Summary:
The committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and heard a series of presentations focused on Florida’s space and aerospace industry. Blue Origin’s Anna Spencer described the company’s Florida operations at Rocket Park, including New Glenn manufacturing and launch activities, Blue Moon lunar lander work, workforce development, and recent booster recovery and launch milestones. Amazon’s Beth Cooley presented an update on Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), outlining the satellite broadband network, customer terminals, dark skies mitigation efforts, Florida facilities and jobs, and launch plans; members asked about RV/mobile applications, satellite counts, and the role of fiber, but no action was taken. Starcatcher Industries CEO Andrew Rush then described his company’s effort to create an orbital energy grid that beams power to satellites to extend mission life and increase available power, citing demonstrations in Jacksonville and Cape Canaveral and plans for a first satellite launch next year.
Space Florida CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace sector, citing billions in private investment, hundreds of projects in the pipeline, the leverage of state spaceport funding, workforce and university programs, and the need for additional tools and infrastructure to keep Florida competitive. He emphasized growth in launch activity, manufacturing, research, and military support infrastructure, and said Space Florida would bring forward legislative proposals. Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro delivered the strongest policy message of the meeting, warning that KSC’s aging infrastructure and relatively smaller NASA budget share could cause Florida to lose aerospace leadership to states like Texas unless the state strengthens its partnership, research investment, and infrastructure support. Members questioned her about federal restrictions on commercial investment in common-use infrastructure, the need for more state-federal alignment, and how Florida can preserve its role as the launch capital of the world. After the presentations and questions, Senator Burgess moved to adjourn, there was no objection, and the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- As they pull out, they're going to one-to-one, they're going to reinvest with fiber, putting in fiber
- optics in underserved areas.
- They're going to put fiber. And so anything new is going to get the new.
- They don't put in fiber. They're not going to put in. They're just not.
- With respect to the fiber, there's no guarantee that that fiber would be deployed in the places where
Summary:
The committee first heard AB 470, which would change California’s carrier-of-last-resort rules and allow a phased transition away from copper landlines in areas deemed well served by alternative phone options. The author and AT&T argued the bill would protect consumers, preserve 911 access, require public notice and CPUC review, and direct investment toward modern fiber and emergency communications. Supporters included a wide range of business, civic, tribal, and community groups, while opponents from TURN, rural counties, labor, digital equity organizations, and local governments warned the bill could let AT&T shed service obligations too quickly, weaken protections for rural and underserved households, and harm workers. After extensive member discussion about CPUC authority, rural carveouts, labor impacts, and reinvestment, AB 470 was passed do pass as amended to Appropriations, with one no vote and one not voting, and the roll left open.
The committee then took up AB 1532, a committee omnibus bill extending funding and surcharge authority for the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program and the TNC Access for All program, while also adding CPUC accountability provisions. Chair Boerner Horvath explained the bill would not raise consumer costs and would require the CPUC to appear at hearings when requested and adopt rules for commissioner attendance. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill was moved do pass and re-refer to Utilities and Energy, though the roll was left open because it had not yet reached the threshold for immediate transmission.
Finally, the committee heard AB 353, the Affordable Home Internet Act of 2025, which would establish an affordability floor for home broadband for low-income Californians after the expiration of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. Supporters said broadband costs remain too high and that families, students, and vulnerable communities need a state solution now; opponents from the wireless industry and rural county representatives argued the bill would amount to an artificial price mandate and could complicate existing rural broadband buildouts. Members generally supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on small ISPs and rural areas, and the bill was moved forward with a motion and second while discussion continued about possible exemptions and amendments.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 5, 2025 - 10:15 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- And of course, all of our new underground facilities are fiber.
- That fiber is in a conduit, and the conduit and the fiber itself are armored, and that has a metallic
- And right now we're just, you know, installing fiber optics countywide.
- state road, but it was still within the county, and now that state road is getting widened, and that fiber
- I know that Comcast is really involved in Miami-Dade College to teach people how to fiber splice, to
Summary:
The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee met with a quorum present and first heard HB 11 from Representative Robinson. The bill would address an unintended consequence in Florida’s municipal utility surcharge law by requiring the same water/utility rate for residents when a utility facility is physically located within one municipality but owned by another, rather than allowing the owning municipality to impose a 25% surcharge. The sponsor and several members described it as a fairness issue affecting residents who do not receive local tax support for the facility but still bear the surcharge. Public testimony included support from AARP and Miami-Dade County and opposition from North Miami Beach. The bill was reported favorably on an 18-0 vote.
The committee then held a panel discussion on utility use of public rights-of-way and utility relocation. Panelists from FDOT, county government, gas, water, electric, and communications sectors described the permitting process, noting that FDOT uses a detailed utility accommodation manual and that local governments may use permits, franchise agreements, or ordinances depending on the utility type. They emphasized that utilities often must coordinate early with agencies using long-range work programs and project plans, and that the process differs by utility and jurisdiction. Communications witnesses discussed Chapter 337 and the 60-day local permitting shot clock, while others noted the role of Sunshine State One Call in locating facilities before excavation.
A major focus was who pays for relocations when road or infrastructure projects require utilities to move. FDOT and several panelists said utilities generally bear the cost when they are in public right-of-way, with exceptions such as certain interstate/interchange projects and easement impacts. Utility representatives said relocations are often effectively new builds, can be costly, and are ultimately reflected in rates or customer costs. Members also asked about easements versus right-of-way, damage and disputes during construction, broadband workforce needs, and whether legislation could improve coordination. Panelists largely said the existing process works best when agencies, contractors, and utilities communicate early and continuously, and that more legislation may not be necessary compared with better planning, staffing, and use of technology.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Aug 25th, 2025
Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Fiber, this is your cable connection if it uses broadband, and another 56% of households chose to fund
- network consists of 76 cell towers connected primarily through a microwave network that ties into fiber-optic
- For our customer, I cannot speak to the fiber line.
- you are in urban Albuquerque with a lot of options for providers, whether it is a cable provider, fiber
- And I believe on the fiber side, you have to provide 1.28 terabits.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommitee Nov 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Today, we have close to about 210 miles of fiber, with about 125 in Albuquerque, about 25 in Santa Fe
- We've also had smaller splits; for example, with Raton, we have some fiber up there.
- We worked with them on a project that involved some fiber replacement.
- Expand an opportunity to expand the broadband infrastructure, basically our fiber optics.
- This can vary anywhere from $100,000 a mile for fiber to be installed, to close to $100,000 for a camera
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Mar 2nd, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As mayor, he spearheaded a public-private partnership to build a high-speed fiber optic broadband network
Summary:
The Assembly convened in Sacramento with an initial quorum call, then established a quorum and proceeded with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine opening business. The chamber dispensed with reading the prior journal, deferred introductions and references of bills, and reported no Governor or Senate messages. Procedural motions were approved, including suspending rules to allow adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest access, and withdrawing S.J.R. 7 from committee and placing it on the third reading file.
Members then recognized several guest groups, including Grace Valley Christian School, College of San Mateo student-athletes, the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Agricultural Leadership Class, the Light of the World youth group, and exchange students from Germany and Tajikistan. There was no substantive floor debate on legislation; daily file and several file items were passed, retained, or continued without further action.
The main floor activity centered on adjournment-in-memory tributes. Assemblymember Ortega honored former San Leandro Mayor Stephen Cassidy for his public service, school and hospital advocacy, and civic leadership. Assemblymember Wilson honored Joseph R. Martinez, a Solano County agricultural leader and advocate for rural health care. The Assembly observed moments of silence for both individuals. The session concluded with announcements, including a reminder that FPPC Form 700 was due that day, notice of committee meetings, and an adjournment motion carrying the House until Thursday, March 5 at 9 a.m.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Nov 18th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- that they could put at a cell site to provide backhaul, where it's just too expensive for them to lay fiber
- Those optical links, or I just like to call them space lasers, are for data transfer between satellites
- So I'm going to ask you, what do you think the future of fiber is? Any other questions?
- So I'm going to ask you, what do you think the future of fiber is?
- Should we get out of the fiber market?
Summary:
The Committee of Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security heard a series of informational presentations focused on Florida’s aerospace and space ecosystem. Blue Origin described its Florida operations at Rocket Park, Launch Complex 36, and Port Canaveral, highlighting New Glenn and Blue Moon development, recent launch activity, workforce development efforts, and major capital investment in the state. Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper) outlined its low-Earth-orbit broadband network, customer terminals, satellite and gateway architecture, dark-sky mitigation efforts, and Florida investments including a payload processing facility and launch support infrastructure. Starcatcher Industries presented its concept for an orbital energy grid that would beam power to satellites, discussed demonstrations in Florida, customer interest, and plans for a first satellite launch next year.
Space Florida President and CEO Rob Long gave a strategic update on the state’s aerospace industry, citing billions in private investment, growth in aerospace establishments and projects, spaceport infrastructure investments, workforce and university partnerships, and the importance of maintaining Florida’s competitiveness against other states. NASA Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro then emphasized Artemis II preparations, rising launch demand, aging infrastructure, and the need for stronger state-federal coordination and investment in research, workforce, and common-use infrastructure. She compared Florida’s support structure with Texas and argued that Florida must act to avoid losing aerospace leadership.
Members asked questions about mobile and aviation applications for Amazon Leo, dark-sky impacts, satellite counts, Starcatcher’s power transmission losses and storage approach, and NASA’s funding and infrastructure constraints. Petro also discussed limits on commercial investment in common infrastructure under federal rules and suggested that state investment and better alignment among partners could help. No bills were considered and no votes were taken beyond adjournment; the committee concluded by adopting a motion to adjourn.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate SessionReading and Referral of Bills Feb 24th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1121 by Nichols, relating to accepting certain fiber optic cable projects from certain notice
Summary:
The Senate met briefly and referred a large number of first-reading bills and resolutions to standing committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including hemp regulation, dementia research funding, parental rights and public education, municipal library funding, tax and local government issues, criminal justice, health care, education, transportation, natural resources, and election law. Several constitutional resolutions were also referred, including proposals related to the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and a severance tax revenue fund.
Most of the transcript consists of the reading of bill captions and committee referrals, with no substantive debate or testimony recorded. The listed measures included proposals on school uniforms, charter schools, Medicaid fraud remedies, insurance practices, occupational licensing for people with criminal convictions, water and sewer utility cybersecurity, agricultural protections, public meeting broadcasting, and various local and state governance matters.
No votes were taken on the bills in this segment. The only formal action reflected was referral of the bills and resolutions to the appropriate committees, followed by adjournment of the Senate until the next scheduled meeting.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/02/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Other industries requiring helium are chip manufacturers, which there are some here in Minnesota, fiber
- optics manufacturers, supercomputing, and many others.
- <01:09:09.159>
here <01:09:09.279>in <01:09:09.440>Minnesota <01:09:10.359>fiber - there are some here in Minnesota fiber there are some here in Minnesota fiber optics<01:09:11.239
- >
manufacturers <01:09:12.279>supercomputing <01:09:13.279>and optics manufacturers
AR
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the Arctic and Greenland's geostrategic importance to U.S. interests. Feb 12th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- This includes new ports, fiber optic cable, radar and power plants.
- climate in Greenland would make data centers an obvious choice, although this would require a fast fiber
- States, possibly via the planned Far North Fiber Project between Japan and Ireland or through Quintilian's
- A fiber connection to Greenland would enhance regional security. through a dual-use benefit to communications
Keywords:
Greenland, acquisition, national security, Arctic, geopolitical, China, Russia, icebreakers, trade routes
Summary:
The meeting convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation focused on the potential acquisition of Greenland by the United States. This issue, first raised by President Trump in 2019, has gained renewed significance amidst shifting global dynamics and the strategic importance of Greenland in relation to transatlantic trade routes and national security. The members discussed the geopolitical implications of Greenland's position, especially given the increasing influence of China and Russia in the Arctic region. Notably, the urgency to address military presence and icebreaker capabilities in the Arctic was a major point of contention, with a call for a new fleet to counter foreign dominance in the area.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- What I understand just simply is that the middle mile is the connection, or it's bringing the fiber optics
- You know, when we build a fiber project, we're fiber-based, we're a very hybrid network.
- optics in the late 1990s.
- They weren't all fiber.
- They weren't all fiber.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- And what they're doing is they cause these fiber mats. And then they get stuck in pumps.
- My name is Rebecca McGee-Tuck, and I'm a fiber artist, a sculptor, and an ocean activist based in Massachusetts
- We oppose it, unfortunately, because it exempts fiber-based products with a huge exemption around fiber-based
- In 2023, our Charlestown facility underwent a retrofit installing new technologies inclusive of optical
- In 2023, our Charlestown facility underwent a retrofit installing new technologies inclusive of optical
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a heavily attended hybrid hearing focused primarily on plastics reduction bills, along with a few local and related waste-management measures. Chair Rauch and Chair Barber outlined strict testimony rules because of the large number of speakers. Before the plastics docket, the committee heard support for a local Sharon sewer-extension bill for a Sunrise Senior Living project, and the bill’s proponents said the project would help address senior housing needs and would still require MWRA and local approvals. The chairs also noted a separate local matter involving Sharon and the MWRA.
A major portion of the hearing centered on the Plastics Reduction Act and related bills addressing single-use plastics, including plastic bags, polystyrene, black plastic, plastic beverage bottles, non-flushable wipes, skip-the-stuff provisions, and truth-in-labeling. Sponsors and supporters said the bills would reduce litter, microplastics, greenhouse gas emissions, and municipal waste costs, while creating statewide consistency and supporting environmental justice communities. Several speakers cited local bans already adopted by many Massachusetts cities and towns, and many urged the committee to advance comprehensive statewide action. The committee also heard testimony on a boat wrap recycling bill, a mattress recycling bill, and a bill to prohibit hotels from providing small plastic toiletries.
Municipal officials and waste professionals supported extended producer responsibility for paint and labeling for non-flushable wipes, saying these measures would shift costs away from cities and towns and reduce strain on wastewater systems. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, Mayor Ruth Ann Fuller of Newton, and a Franklin County waste official all backed paint EPR and wipes labeling. Fire Chief Brian Nardelli testified for the Fire Chiefs Association in support of lithium-ion battery legislation, citing fire safety and disposal concerns. Other speakers, including environmental groups, local activists, and business representatives, supported bag and polystyrene bans, though the Retailers Association of Massachusetts urged any bag policy to be truly statewide and said any bag fee should be retained by retailers. No votes were taken during the hearing.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) Apr 1st, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- costing one-fourth of the cost of a non-hardened system. system by using new technology, primarily fiber
- optics.
- They're using fiber optics right there that was developed by CenterPoint and Siemens.
Keywords:
electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 12th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- The horizontal launch area is very well developed with roads, water, fiber optic, and electrical.
- So part of what my staff does is maintain the water, the wastewater, the electrical, the fiber, and the
- And again, this area has water, utilities, and fiber, and we're doing a pretty good job of getting more
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Proposed technologies included fiber. fixed wireless, hybrid fiber and wireless solutions, and low earth
- I notice on your map to most of the area area that I represent, you did not receive a fiber bid.
- And I noticed there were no fiber optics. I can't hardly see it, but will you confirm that?
- Talking about these areas that did not receive funding, fiber bids.
- Are those services as reliable as fiber speedwise?
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, our members use this technology, um, to inspect fiber optic or cable lines on poles or places of
- There you are. this technology um to inspect fiber this technology um to inspect fiber optic<00:44:24.160
- 44:24.960>
on <00:44:25.200>poles <00:44:25.599>or <00:44:25.920>places optic - or cable lines on poles or places optic or cable lines on poles or places of<00:44:26.480>
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