Transcript Highlights:

• like to thank the staff of the speaker's office, the assembly sergeant's office, the information technology
• out with Republicans not voting SB 6 Ashby controlled substances holding committee SB 11 Ashby AI technology

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As an early driver and adopter of zero-mission vehicle technology, California is also at the forefront
• Elizabeth Escobel, with the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, also in respectful opposition

Summary: The Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee heard SB 615 by Senator Allen, which would create a Department of Toxic Substances Control program for end-of-life electric vehicle battery management. The bill is intended to promote reuse, repurposing, recycling, tracking, and responsible handling of EV batteries, with producer responsibility and certification of recyclers as key features. Supporters, including the Union of Concerned Scientists, California State Association of Counties, automakers, recyclers, and environmental groups, said the measure would help prevent hazardous waste problems, reduce illegal dumping, and prepare for a coming wave of battery retirements. Opponents, including Tesla, Rivian, the California Chamber of Commerce, and others, raised concerns about liability, burdens on smaller entities, and the bill’s structure, while some groups supported it if amended. Committee members discussed the current low recycling rate for EV batteries, the difference between reuse, repurpose, and recycling, and whether the bill appropriately places responsibility on producers rather than consumers. The author said the bill builds on prior work and stakeholder input and is designed to create a workable system without overburdening DTSC. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 615 out on a 5-1 vote, with one member voting no. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing SB 39, SB 454, SB 724, and SCR 3, and those measures were approved. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• essential to ensure timely action is taken to protect individuals from the harmful impacts of this technology
• AI will be so good that... ...close to the point where AI will be so good that, based on current technology

Bills: HB668 , HB677 , HB766 , HB3133 , SB3070

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Keywords: HB 668, Texas, handgun license, license to carry, LTC, concealed carry, open carry, firearm permit, gun license renewal, public safety, Department of Public Safety, DPS, Government Code Section 411.185, renewal fee, handgun permit, Second Amendment, carry permit, firearms regulation, HB 677, Texas Election Code

Summary: The committee met to hear several bills, beginning with House Bill 766, which would require precinct chair applicants to provide an email address, phone number, or both on their applications while keeping that contact information confidential. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 677, a companion to a previously approved Senate bill, would bar county election administrators from simultaneously holding another office or position appointed by an elected official; it also drew no public testimony and was left pending. Members then heard House Bill 3133, which would add explicit deepfake material to the list of content social media platforms must handle through complaint systems, including prompt acknowledgment, investigation, and status updates. Senators discussed concerns about how platforms would verify whether reported content was actually a deepfake, and the sponsor indicated the bill may be held pending while federal law on the subject is reviewed. House Bill 668 would create a one-year grace period for renewing an expired Texas handgun license to carry, codifying an existing DPS practice; it also received no testimony and was left pending. The committee spent the most time on Senate Bill 3070, a major overhaul of the Texas Lottery system. The bill would move oversight from the Lottery Commission to TDLR, dissolve the commission, impose new restrictions on ticket sales and internet play, create a lottery advisory committee, increase transparency and audit requirements, and include a sunset review that could lead to abolishing the lottery if not continued by 2027. The author described the bill as a response to alleged misconduct and illegal practices by the commission, while a witness from the Christian Life Commission testified in favor, supporting changes to prize anonymity and other lottery restrictions. After testimony, the bill was left pending, and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I said, we have one FTE, which we added to the School of the Blind, which I believe is for that technology
• We did add the one FTE for the technology adaptation person, but this is just for the second year of

Bills: HB1540

Committee: Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Keywords: education savings account, ESA, school choice, private school vouchers, nonpublic school, tuition assistance, education tax credit, homeschool exclusion, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Public Instruction, public funding for private education, voucher program, student scholarships, special education, parental choice, curriculum funding, tutoring, online learning, state per-pupil payment, income-based eligibility

Summary: The committee first took up amended bill 10-13, a school funding and education appropriations measure. Senator Schaible walked through the final version, which included changes to foundation aid, transportation grants, free and reduced-price meals funding, paraprofessional and teacher support programs, Native American education items, library and school facility projects, and several one-time grants. Members discussed removing the science center grant funding, and Senator Meyer objected to that removal, arguing that Grand Forks had raised matching private and local funds and that other cities had received similar state support. The committee also agreed to adjust regional education association funding to reflect six centers rather than seven, reducing that line to $600,000. The committee then adopted the amendment to 10-13 unanimously and passed the bill as further amended on a unanimous roll call, with Senator Shively designated as carrier. After a brief recess, the committee turned to bill 1540, but no formal action was taken. Bank of North Dakota and OMB representatives raised concerns that the draft included policy changes and procurement/IT exemptions that needed further discussion. Members agreed the bill would be delayed until Monday so the Bank, OMB, and NDIT could confer and work through the mechanics and policy issues before the committee moved it forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's also a provision in there to compare tile drainage, because a lot of irrigation technology
• And there's also a provision in there to compare tile drainage, because a lot of irrigation technology

Bills: SB2271 , HB1216

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: adult residential facilities, care services, Medicaid, payment rates, elderly care, health services, North Dakota, prescription drugs, drug affordability, copay assistance, copayment accumulator, deductible accumulator, out-of-pocket maximum, health insurance, health benefit plan, self-insured health plan, self-funded plan, third-party payment, manufacturer assistance, patient assistance program

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and took up three bills. House Bill 1216, dealing with prescription drug expense co-pay accumulators in health plans, was presented by Rep. Karen Carl’s, who explained it would prevent insurers from refusing to count third-party assistance toward deductibles for patients using high-cost, non-generic drugs. An amendment was offered to clarify effective dates, including a delayed January 1, 2026 start for PERS coverage. PERS testified that the amendment would align with its calendar-year benefit structure and likely reduce the fiscal note. The amendment was adopted 16-0, and the bill was set aside for further discussion later. House Bill 1199, creating a criminal justice data-sharing system and missing persons/missing Indigenous people task force, was introduced with a committee amendment changing the Attorney General reference to the Attorney General or designee. The committee noted the bill includes a $250,000 general fund appropriation for ongoing costs. The amendment passed 16-0, and the amended bill received a do pass recommendation by a 15-1 vote, with one no vote from Senator Magrum. House Bill 1531, appropriating $75,000 for an irrigation expansion study by the Agriculture Commissioner, was supported as a way to update older economic-impact studies on irrigation and assess opportunities for expansion. Members discussed its relationship to broader study pauses and the history of irrigation development in the state, including Garrison Diversion and remaining authorized acres. The bill passed 16-0. The committee then discussed scheduling for the coming week, noting a heavy bill load and plans for daily morning meetings before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so if they don't have the technology and the ability to do it, how are we going to do that?
• So that's a different role than developing technology or, um, however they've defined this, um, where
• or um however they've um technology or um however they've defined<00:42:53.839><c> this</c><00:42:54.560
• </c><02:01:57.280><c> Two</c><02:01:57.520><c> years</c> technology updates for Mets.
• Two years technology updates for Mets.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, do you know if there's technology that already does that?
• Or is that technology going to have to be the? Do you know?
• There is, to my knowledge, technology that does that.
• Yes, we do have to find ways to keep up with the software and the technology as it adapts.
• I think I've exposed myself bad at technology. Those are both accurate.

Bills: HB36 , HB75 , HB76 , HB166 , HB799 , HB 1135 , HJR15 , HJR16 , HB36 , HB75 , HB76 , HB166 , HJR15 , HJR16

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: family violence, global positioning monitoring system, victim resources, electronic monitoring, protective orders, magistrate, criminal procedure, probable cause, written findings, law enforcement, bail bonds, bail fund, charitable bail fund, nonprofit bail organization, public funds, local government spending, political subdivision, county, city, taxpayer lawsuit

Transcript Highlights:

• It also allows them, as technology continues to keep improving with these air rifles, to change that
• Air rifles are new technology. They are being accepted in multiple states across the U.S.
• </c><02:10:25.400><c> once</c><02:10:25.719><c> this</c><02:10:26.040><c> base</c> future technology
• once this base future technology once this base legislation<02:10:27.639><c> is</c><02:10:27.800><c>
• </c><02:10:46.320><c> won't</c><02:10:46.760><c> be</c> innovation and Technology won't be innovation

Committee: House Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:00.120><c> including</c> Advanced Diagnostic technology including Advanced Diagnostic technology
• um technology for Animals while<00:09:36.480><c> they're</c><00:09:36.640><c> under</c><00:09:36.880
• [Music] Chair, you have a lot of technology up here. It's great.
• </c> that Cher you have a lot of Technology that Cher you have a lot of Technology up<00:52:19.200><c
• </c> helped set up my technology helped set up my technology um<01:21:02.120><c> that</c><01:21:02.520

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The newer devices use digital scan technology, which means that an image of every single ballot can be
• which means that an scan technology which means that an image<00:16:25.920><c> of</c><00:16:26.120><
• And the accessible voting systems is a result of today's technology.
• <00:36:56.960><c> was</c><00:36:57.119><c> our</c><00:36:57.280><c> friend</c> technology was our friend
• is our friend um I know that technology is our friend um I know that<00:37:47.280><c> this</c><00:37

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just started using, and they have surprised the general public with the obvious new integrated technology
• So, you know, I am no technology guru.
• I don't understand technology to that level, but again, there are things that can happen with computers
• I know, I am no technology guru.
• I don't understand technology to that level, but it just, again, there are things that can happen with

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sign up for up to 45 minutes for individual help on particular issues that they're having with technology
• So people want to have different ways to learn how to use their technologies, and it can be as easy as
• > which</c><00:41:57.440><c> is</c><00:41:57.760><c> very</c><00:41:58.160><c> popular</c> with technology
• which is very popular with technology which is very popular and<00:41:59.680><c> um</c><00:41:59.760
• and it can be to use their technologies and it can be as<00:42:08.160><c> easy</c><00:42:08.319><c>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> developers to consider technological developers to consider technological alternatives<00:26:01.760
• But the technology is not there yet.
• But<01:34:39.240><c> but</c><01:34:39.400><c> the</c><01:34:39.520><c> technology</c><01:34:40.160><c
• </c> But but the technology is not there yet. But but the technology is not there yet.
• The technology just simply wasn't there.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, April 2, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• senior executives from Minnesota-based companies across health care, manufacturing, agriculture, and technology
• 31.360><c> members</c><00:08:31.680><c> employ</c><00:08:32.080><c> one</c><00:08:32.240><c> in</c> technology
• Our members employ one in technology.
• 09:13.440><c> as</c><00:09:13.680><c> targeting</c><00:09:14.080><c> large</c><00:09:14.399><c> technology
• </c> described as targeting large technology described as targeting large technology companies,<00:09

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This type of abuse has become increasingly common with advances in and access to technology.
• As technology advances, it is essential that our laws be updated to protect Vermonters in this new reality
• </c><00:18:36.320><c> As</c><00:18:36.640><c> technology</c> rest of their lives.
• As technology rest of their lives.
• As technology advances,<00:18:37.840><c> it</c><00:18:38.000><c> is</c><00:18:38.240><c> essential</c

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he thinks it’s a phenomenal technology with a lot of future for the state and for the people
• But, as someone who has worked with new technology for 35 years, he said it is painful to watch new technologies
• doing this, saying it is very important to the industry and important to protect people from new technology
• He said it is painful to watch these new technologies, whether blockchain, AI, or anything else, being
• He said it is very important to the industry and important to protect people from new technology, in

Bills: SB8 , SB22 , SB137 , HB295 , HB2 , HB343 , HB220 , HB303 , HB81 , SB8 , SB22 , SB137 , HB295 , HB2 , HB343 , HB220 , HB303 , HB81

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: emergency management, public funds, educational materials, state legislation, disaster response, uniformity, state laws, legislative commission, appointments, government structure, resilience, natural disasters, risk management, Alabama Resilience Council, Chief Resilience Officer, state planning, environmental protection, community preparedness, Alabama Office of Civic Engagement, Alabama Office of Minority Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, this technology has disproportionately impacted women and young girls, though not exclusively
• It does not address website technology or privacy. Courts remain divided on how it applies.
• Good morning, Leslie Rodriguez, on behalf of the Information Technology Industry Council, in support.
• Dolores Huerta urges a no on SB 690 because it would allow technology companies to collect sensitive
• The evolution of this technology, I think, requires that we put in place some essential guardrails, but

Summary: The committee heard several public safety bills, with testimony split between supporters who framed the measures as targeted fixes and opponents who warned about overcriminalization and unintended consequences. SB 701, by Senator Wahab, drew support from law enforcement and local government groups, who said state law lacks a tool to address the conduct at issue; the ACLU opposed it as duplicative of existing law, while public defenders said they may withdraw opposition after amendments. Because there was no quorum at that point, the bill was held open without a vote. SB 834, by Senator DeRazzo, was presented as a technical cleanup bill to improve California’s automatic record clearance system by preventing outdated “pending” charges from blocking relief, requiring local court records to match DOJ records, and creating a way for people to obtain proof of relief. It received broad support from criminal justice reform and defense organizations, with no opposition, and the chair indicated support, but no final action was taken during the hearing. SB 248, by Senator Rubio, would require DOJ to send new gun purchasers educational materials during the waiting period about safe storage, suicide prevention, domestic violence, and related resources; supporters called it common-sense education, while one opponent argued the information is already available. The committee voted the bill out on a due-pass motion to Appropriations, but it remained on call pending one additional vote. Senator Rubio’s SB 19, the Safe Schools and Places of Worship Act, would create a new offense for credible threats against schools or houses of worship even when no specific individual is named. Supporters, including law enforcement and Jewish community advocates, said current law leaves a loophole and that the bill would help prevent panic and resource-draining lockdowns; opponents from civil liberties and youth justice groups argued existing law already covers threats and that the bill would worsen the school-to-prison pipeline. After a motion and second, the committee voted due pass to Appropriations, with the measure also left on call. Later, SB 759 by Senator Archuleta, prompted by the killing of Whittier Officer Keith Boyer, would require a court hearing after a third supervision violation or new offense for people on post-release community supervision; supporters said it adds accountability, while opponents said it removes probation discretion and could increase jail and court burdens. The bill passed due pass to Appropriations and was reported as passing. The committee also heard SB 6 by Senator Ashby, which would schedule xylazine as a controlled substance while preserving veterinary use. Supporters, including veterinarians, law enforcement, and a parent who lost a son to a drug-related death, said the drug is increasingly present in fentanyl mixtures and needs to be controlled; opponents from drug policy and civil liberties groups argued scheduling would criminalize users, hinder research, and repeat failed drug-war policies. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out due pass to Appropriations, and it passed. Finally, SB 11, the AI Abuse Protection Act, was introduced to regulate AI-generated voice, image, and video replicas, with supporters emphasizing protection against deepfakes and nonconsensual images; the California Chamber of Commerce opposed unless amended, seeking narrower definitions and limits on consumer warnings. The hearing ended while SB 11 was still under discussion, with no final vote reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• healthcare professionals need to know that they can ask, should we be doing this, especially as technology
• > is</c><00:04:56.720><c> rapidly</c><00:04:57.120><c> increasing</c><00:04:57.880><c> we</c> as technolog
• is rapidly increasing we as technolog is rapidly increasing we can<00:04:58.160><c> do</c><00:04:58.360
• </c><00:20:08.360><c> up</c><00:20:08.559><c> to</c> button I'm not very technology up to button I'm
• not very technology up to speed<00:20:09.559><c> I'm</c><00:20:09.720><c> David</c><00:20:10.000><c>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, a health care conscience-protection measure. Supporters said the bill would protect health care professionals from being forced to participate in procedures or services that violate sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs, while explicitly excluding emergency care. They argued it would help recruit and retain providers, preserve ethical integrity in medicine, and has worked in several other states. Supporters also emphasized that the bill is aimed at procedures or services, not at denying care based on who a patient is, and noted that the bill includes a civil cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Several supporters described personal experiences. A nurse said lack of conscience protections affected her career choices and limited her path into women’s health. Dr. Warman said he had requested not to perform anesthesia for abortions and later chose non-narcotic pain management because he objected to heavy opioid prescribing, saying conscience protections allow professionals to practice responsibly. Senators asked about examples, the bill’s scope, whether it could be used to discriminate, and which states have similar laws; Mississippi, Florida, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Arkansas were named. Questions also focused on the bill’s civil enforcement provisions and whether it could be used against patients based on identity or religion. Opponents warned the bill was overly broad and could allow refusals of care by a wide range of health workers, including clerks, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, nurses, and physicians. Dr. Karen Abrams said it could lead to denial of birth control, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other care, especially in rural areas with few alternatives, and could worsen Kentucky’s provider shortages. David Conway said the bill lacked patient protections, could increase delays and discrimination, and could prevent reassignment of objecting staff. The chair noted there were seven people signed up in opposition, limited testimony to two minutes each, and said the committee would return to the bill after hearing additional opposition and other pending bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> interest rates the cost of technology interest rates the cost of technology and<00:44:36.960><c>
• </c><00:44:37.960><c> is</c><00:44:38.119><c> great</c> and a lot of that technology is great and a lot
• of that technology is great it's<00:44:38.599><c> all</c><00:44:38.839><c> safety</c><00:44:39.280><
• is expensive and so when it technology is expensive and so when it breaks<00:44:46.680><c> or</c><00
• </c> department of Information Technology department of Information Technology they<01:27:20.440><c>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.

Transcript Highlights:

• But there are emerging risks that lawmakers need to be ready for, whether that's things like technological
• Three categories that we see are demographic shifts, climate risks, and technological advancements.
• And then there are technological advancements.
• Three categories that we see are demographic shifts, climate risks, and technological advancements.
• And then there are technological advancements.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability

Summary: The committee held its first meeting, with co-chairs and members introducing themselves and staff outlining the committee’s statutory charge under the 2026 supplemental operating budget. Staff explained that the committee is tasked with studying budget transparency and fiscal sustainability in two phases: first, revenue growth, spending assumptions, statutory cost drivers, and carryforward/maintenance levels; and later, staffing, overhead, performance management, and public reporting tools. The committee also discussed its goals, with members emphasizing a shared factual understanding of Washington’s fiscal situation, the causes of projected structural deficits, and possible paths to a more sustainable operating budget. Staff then gave a detailed operating budget basics presentation. They reviewed the size and composition of the operating budget, explaining that most spending is concentrated in grants and client services, salaries and benefits, and goods and services, with K-12 education, DSHS, the Health Care Authority, DCYF, corrections, and higher education making up most NGFO spending. They also walked through the distinction between constitutional, federal, statutory, and discretionary spending; the role of caseload and per-capita forecasts; how maintenance level and policy level budgets are built; and how the four-year outlook works, including revenue forecasts, reversions, budget stabilization account reserves, and the official outlook adoption process. Members asked several questions about what is or is not included in the outlook, especially future collective bargaining agreements, health care inflation, court-ordered liabilities, and whether the budget could better separate mandatory from discretionary spending over time. Staff said some of those questions would require follow-up and noted the existence of an outlook accuracy report. The committee then heard from Josh Goodman of the Pew Charitable Trusts, who introduced Pew’s state fiscal work and its role as the nonprofit partner supporting the committee. He said Pew would help analyze long-term fiscal sustainability, reserve policies, recession preparedness, and practices from other states, and would draw on its 50-state data and subject-matter experts. No votes were taken and no formal actions were reported at this meeting.