Transcript Highlights:

• It is Massachusetts' technology ecosystem that provides a fertile ground for innovation in the technology
• , a location sensor technology.
• So that's what technology is, and it has to be the best technology.
• It's their technology.
• . technologies.

Keywords: SBIR, STTR, Innovate Act, small business, innovation, legislative reforms, economic growth, funding, technology transfer

Summary: The meeting focused on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR-STTR), emphasizing the critical reforms necessary to enhance their effectiveness. Chair Ernst introduced the Innovate Act to streamline processes, ensuring funding is awarded based on merit and addressing existing abuses within the system. The discussion was robust, with numerous members expressing concerns about phase transitions and the need for targeted funding to support impactful technological innovations. The conversation also highlighted the program's importance in fostering economic growth, particularly for small businesses in rural areas, and the urgency for legislative changes as the program's authorization approaches expiration.

Bills: HB483

Keywords: decentralized, unincorporated, nonprofit, smart contracts, distributed ledger technology, governance, membership, economic activities, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OSTP advises the President on federal science and technology policy.
• artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and 5G technology.
• I drafted non-regulatory guidance for emerging technologies to give the public trust in how these technologies
• I am committed to American leadership in emerging technology.
• , PCAST, the National Science and Technology Council.

Keywords: Senate Committee, Commerce, Science, Technology, Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, FTC, Consumer Protection, Innovation, Emerging Technologies

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation featured significant discussions regarding technological advancements and their implications for the future. Notably, nominations were made for key positions in the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Federal Trade Commission. Committee members expressed the importance of leading in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, emphasizing that the pace of innovation is crucial for maintaining the United States' global position as a leader in technology. The discussions also highlighted the role of the FTC in protecting consumers from deceptive business practices and ensuring fair competition in the marketplace. Attendees underscored the urgency of advancing research and development in areas such as quantum computing, as evidenced by a demonstration of a new quantum chip anticipated to redefine computing capabilities across industries. Various members engaged in vibrant exchanges, showing support for initiatives aimed at bolstering innovation through public and private collaboration. Overall, the meeting set a strong agenda for pursuing future science and technology policies that ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of global advancements.

Bills: HB4284, HB1250, HB4190, HB3086

Keywords: animal abuse, offender registry, public safety, animal welfare, criminal justice, Oklahoma legislation, local law enforcement, Public Safety Technology Revolving Fund, grants, state funding, law enforcement technology, cyber crime, fraud prevention, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, insurance fee, digital forensics, investigative support, revolving fund, prisons, corrections

Transcript Highlights:

• Science and Technology is called to order. Secretary, please note the roll.
• Office within the Office of the Attorney General to pursue consumer fraud violations involving technology
• Any balance above $10 million at the end of a fiscal year is transferred to the Foreign Adversary Technology
• This is administered by the Department of Homeland Security to replace foreign adversary technology and
• Yes, I just was wondering, so this is the Foreign Adversary Technology Rip and Replace Fund.

Bills: SB1308

Keywords: foreign adversary, consumer fraud, technology security, critical infrastructure, Arizona attorney general, fraud office, appropriations, 1182, all

Summary: The Science and Technology Committee heard Senate Bill 1308, which would create a Foreign Adversary Fraud Office within the Attorney General’s Office to investigate and litigate consumer fraud involving technology produced by foreign adversaries. The bill also establishes a Foreign Adversary Fraud Fund, includes a $500,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2026-27, and directs excess balances to a Foreign Adversary Technology Rip and Replace Fund administered by the Department of Homeland Security to help remove and replace vulnerable technology in state systems and critical infrastructure. A representative from State Armor and an attorney with experience in the Attorney General’s consumer litigation unit testified in support. They argued the measure would protect consumers from undisclosed security vulnerabilities in products such as cameras and routers, citing examples of hacked or relabeled foreign-made devices and saying the cases could generate restitution and penalties that would more than offset the initial appropriation. They also said the bill would help governments avoid buying products with hidden risks and would support replacing vulnerable equipment in public systems. Members asked how the rip-and-replace fund would be used and who would identify critical infrastructure for replacement. Testimony indicated the Department of Homeland Security would administer those funds and identify the infrastructure, while the Attorney General’s office would use the appropriation to pursue cases. After discussion, the committee voted 8-0, with one member absent, to give Senate Bill 1308 a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here with Department of Information Technology Cabinet Secretary Mani, but at us, and we are here
• We are seeking simply to add the word software to the information, excuse me, the information technology
• It also allows for better planning by departments, by the Department of Information Technology.

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• And then technology and innovation: investing in digital health tools, telehealth, data sharing, and
• Implementing provider training and remote care technologies to expand access, improve local capacity,
• How could we use technology to really be innovative? And that's really... ...a clunky system?
• How could we use technology to really be innovative? And that's really what that is about.
• In addition, for tax and tax and rev, there's $1 million for information technology...

Bills: SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• We are fighting a global technology race against communist China.
• SMART stands for Spectrum Management with Adaptive and Reconfigurable Technologies.
• Technology innovation reconfigurable technology will revolutionize spectrum use.
• And we cannot expect rigid wireless technologies to coexist adaptively.
• And we just won't have the technology to prevail in that case.

Keywords: spectrum policy, FCC auction authority, national security, innovation, technology development, 9-1-1 modernization, adaptive technologies, China competition

Summary: The meeting centered on the critical examination of spectrum policy and its implications for innovation and national security. The committee discussed the lapse of the FCC's spectrum auction authority, which has been in effect since March 2023, emphasizing the urgency of restoring this authority to maintain U.S. technological leadership against competitors like China. Witnesses provided testimony regarding the need for adaptive and reconfigurable spectrum technologies to enhance communication capabilities for both civilian and military applications. Senator Klobuchar highlighted the importance of modernizing 9-1-1 systems and ensuring robust emergency communication frameworks leveraging new spectrum innovations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've known for years that we need more air traffic controllers and more safety technology.
• used to operate the air system, and billions more invested in technologies and facilities across the
• We also directed the FAA to develop a plan for accelerating airline equipment with next-gen technologies
• Navy improperly testing counter-drone technology at DCA.
• And one of the ways we believe we can do that is using satellite-based. technology.

Keywords: aviation safety, midair collision, American Airlines Flight 5342, Army Black Hawk helicopter, NTSB, FAA, ADS-B technology, safety protocols

Summary: The meeting focused on the discussions surrounding the tragic midair collision involving American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, which resulted in the loss of 67 lives. Testimonies were provided by key figures including NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and FAA Acting Administrator Chris Richelieu. The committee expressed grave concerns regarding the existing safety protocols, questioning why the FAA failed to act on numerous warnings and data indicating potential collision risks. Members emphasized the need for urgent reforms in aviation safety to prevent such tragedies in the future. Specific highlights included the recognition of the importance of ADS-B out technology and concerns about the operational practices of military helicopters in controlled airspaces.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill amends the veterinary practice act to define what a veterinary client-patient relationship
• "They will be available, and to have a veterinary client-patient relationship.
• It's simply refining the veterinary client-patient relationship.
• would if if I was still in veterinary would if if I was still in veterinary practice<00:10:42.959
• You can't kill a veterinary. They just want to bathe dogs and treat dogs."

Bills: SB85, SB85

Keywords: vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education, immunization, religious tenets, sincerely held belief, school health policy, Alabama, AHSAA physical form

Bills: HB 1550, HB 1592, HB 1964, HB 2002, HB 2063, HB 2118, HB 2128, HB 2669, HB 2765

Keywords: veterinary, regulation, licensing, practices, board, administration, facilities, pest control, wildlife management, agriculture, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, nonprofit, food banks, agricultural products, grant eligibility, poverty alleviation, transportation, disaster relief

Bills: HB 1550, HB 1592, HB 1964, HB 2002, HB 2063, HB 2118, HB 2128, HB 2669, HB 2765

Keywords: veterinary, regulation, licensing, practices, board, administration, facilities, pest control, wildlife management, agriculture, disease prevention, alert system, Texas A&M, nonprofit, food banks, agricultural products, grant eligibility, poverty alleviation, transportation, disaster relief

Transcript Highlights:

• obviously made very significant investments in cybersecurity and the Department of Information Technology

Bills: HB2, SB193, SB132, SB35, SB145

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here with Department of Information Technology Cabinet Secretary Manny Barretas.
• These are all examples of us just really dwarfing how we have our information technology managed within
• associated hardware, so we can buy either or so that we can move and modernize how we purchase technology
• So – and then they also report back to the Department of Information Technology on a quarterly basis.

Bills: SB132, SM16, SM17

Keywords: SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement, technology funding, revolving fund, capital equipment, enterprise services, state IT budgeting, software budgeting, amortization, depreciation, State Treasurer, Department of Finance and Administration, New Mexico, information technology, IT infrastructure, fund accounting, legislative appropriation

Bills: HB125, HB116, HB183, HB342, HB341, SB280, SB245, SB159, HB125, HB116, HB183, HB342, HB341, SB280, SB245, SB159

Keywords: HB125, sunset law, Alabama Sunset Committee, Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, veterinary medical examiners, veterinary board, veterinary licensing, veterinary regulation, professional licensing board, state board continuation, sunset review, regulatory board, animal health, veterinarians, disciplinary authority, HB116, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset bill, Alabama Professional Bail Bonding Board, bail bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• 1, line 21, it adds in there that the state veterinarian must have experience with food-animal veterinary

Bills: HB4338, HB3977, HB2100, HB2975, HB3056, HB3406, HB3720, HB4316, HB3405, HB1907, HB3142, HB3173, HB3270, HB3728, HB2440, HB2596, HB3466, HB3469, HB4338, HB3977, HB2100, HB2975, HB3056, HB3406, HB3720, HB4316, HB3405, HB1907, HB3142, HB3173, HB3270, HB3728, HB2440, HB2596, HB3466, HB3469

Keywords: HB4338, Oklahoma Brine Development Act, brine unitization, produced water, produced water unit, oil and gas wastewater, produced water recycling, reclaimed water, constituent elements, brine rights, solution gas, Corporation Commission, unitization, royalty interests, surface owner, oil and gas produced water, recycling and reuse, wastewater disposal, mineral extraction, lithium extraction

Transcript Highlights:

• Office and Fund in the Attorney General's Office to pursue consumer fraud violations involving technology
• Office and Fund in the Attorney General's Office to pursue consumer fraud violations involving technology
• any money exceeding $10 million in the fund be transferred to the newly created Foreign Adversary Technology
• Security is directed to administer the Rip and Replace Fund, which shall be used to replace any technology
• I'm concerned about the technology that was described here and the concern that they're trying to address

Bills: SB1097, SB1308

Keywords: appropriation, claims, relief, state funding, named claimants, foreign adversary, consumer fraud, technology security, critical infrastructure, Arizona attorney general, fraud office, appropriations, 1182, all

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on March 11, 2026, and considered two bills. The first, SB 1097, was described as the annual name claimants’ bill, appropriating $370,211.08 from the General Fund and $33,021.08 from other specified funds to pay claims against state agencies in fiscal year 2026. There was no public testimony, no questions from members, and the committee voted 14-0 to give the bill a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard SB 1308, which would create a Foreign Adversary Fraud Office and Fund in the Attorney General’s Office to pursue consumer fraud involving technology produced by foreign adversaries. The bill also appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027 and establishes a mechanism to transfer excess fund balances to a new Foreign Adversary Technology Rip and Replace Fund administered by the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly Curry testified in support on behalf of State Armor, arguing the bill addresses both consumer fraud and national security risks tied to connected technologies and foreign-made surveillance equipment. Members asked about similar cases and settlements in other states, and Curry cited recent filings in Nebraska, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as a Missouri case that reportedly settled in the tens of millions. During the vote, some members explained support while expressing general caution about creating new funds or appropriations outside the budget process. The committee approved SB 1308 on a 10-4-2 vote and sent it forward with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• question we just had on line 122, those funds that are collected go to the sheriff's advancement technology

Bills: HB297, HB587

Keywords: cash transactions, money transmission, regulatory compliance, criminal penalties, Alabama Securities Commission, information technology, auditors, financial institutions, cybersecurity, certifications, state regulations, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also allows an applicant to submit to the board, in lieu of a two-year curriculum in veterinary technology
• Veterinarian, where skills are learned in accordance with the veterinary technology student essential
• Lauren Hewitt: I entered the world of veterinary medicine in 2007 when I was enrolled in the veterinary
• technology, so I was...'
• I could not afford a two-year college degree in veterinary technology, so I was unable to ever sit for

Bills: SB1021, SB1144, SB1164, SB1178, SB1181, SB1241, SB1247, SB1286, SB1415, SCR1011

Keywords: health profession, regulatory boards, criminal activity, notification, auditor general, investigations, veterinary technicians, certification, education alternative, Arizona Revised Statutes, veterinary education, ALTCS, providers, ownership change, healthcare, Arizona Long Term Care System, naturopathic physician, naturopathic medicine, naturopathic doctor, naturopathic physicians medical board

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and held Senate Bill 1241 for a later hearing because a witness was unavailable. It then took up Senate Bill 1144, which would create an alternative pathway for veterinary technician certification through supervised on-the-job training instead of only a two-year curriculum. Supporters, including the Arizona Humane Society, a high school student in a veterinary program, and a veterinary technician employer, argued the bill would help address a veterinary technician shortage, reduce student debt, and expand access to care. Opponents, including the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association and some veterinarians, said Arizona already has an existing pathway, warned the bill could weaken competency standards and patient safety, and argued the shortage is more about retention and utilization than entry requirements. The committee adopted a Bolick amendment tightening supervision and documentation requirements, then passed SB 1144 as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee next approved Senate Bill 1247 unanimously. That bill would allow an individual who does not need services to live with a resident in an assisted living center or other unit in the facility, and would bar the Department of Health Services from imposing care requirements on that individual. The sponsor and a lobbyist said the bill was intended to fix a recent statutory interpretation that could force spouses or other companions to separate or pay for services they do not use; a floor amendment was mentioned to extend the same treatment to assisted living homes. Senate Bill 1286, which would extend from 14 days to 60 days the period for veterinary prescriptions and renewals issued through telemedicine, drew extensive testimony and was ultimately held for a possible amendment next week. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Arizona Humane Society, and Animal Policy Group, said telemedicine has expanded access in rural and underserved areas and that longer prescription windows would improve convenience and continuity of care while still excluding controlled substances. Opponents, including the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association and several veterinarians, argued the current 14-day limit is a compromise that protects animal safety, that telemedicine without an in-person exam can lead to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnostics, and that the bill could function like a “pill mill.” The committee then passed Senate Bill 1164, which would let Medicaid billing continue under the prior owner’s certification number during a change of ownership for skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Supporters said the current process can delay reimbursement for 6 to 18 months and strain providers; Access said it had legal concerns about possible conflict with federal law but was working on fixes. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1181, which would expand CPA certification pathways by adding degree-and-experience options and updating reciprocity rules, and a supporter from the Arizona Society of CPAs said it would address workforce shortages and improve mobility.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we're going to take up tab four, Senate Bill 1694 on technology education by Senator Abilah.
• bill revises general education core standards for public post-secondary institutions by adding technology
• The bill requires technology courses to provide students with an understanding of computer science through
• artificial intelligence applications and instruction in specified technology-related subject areas.
• artificial intelligence applications and instruction in specified technology-related subject areas.

Bills: S7038, S1694

Keywords: education, Florida College System, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, state universities, accreditation, public safety, technology education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, computer science, high school graduation

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary heard and approved CS/SB 1694, which would revise general education core standards at public postsecondary institutions to incorporate technology-related instruction. The adopted amendment shifted the bill away from creating a sixth core course and instead required technology integration within existing core courses to include digital literacy, AI tool application, and related instruction in areas such as software engineering, networks, databases, and cybersecurity as applicable. For high school computer science courses, the amendment added guidance on critical evaluation of AI results, AI limitations, and ethical use of AI. The committee adopted the amendment and then voted the bill favorably. The committee also took up confirmation appointments on tabs 1 through 2 and, on one motion, recommended confirmation of all appointees favorably. In addition, it considered SPB 7038 on postsecondary education and workforce development, which addresses tuition and fee policies, consumer protections, career and technical education, student acceleration, and institutional operations. Members asked about dual enrollment expansion, CIE licensure exemptions, and the removal of the Classic Learning Test as a fee-waiver qualifier; staff said the dual enrollment change was intended to expand student options without necessarily increasing enrollment, the CLT removal was an error to be corrected, and a Florida Dental Association representative raised concern about preserving the long-standing exemption for dental assisting programs. The committee moved SPB 7038 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.