Transcript Highlights:

• It's technology startups, but it's also high-growth companies that are creating jobs and trying to create
• Particularly as new technologies have emerged, increasing use and development of artificial intelligence
• , and just other technologies that may not even exist yet that we really don't even know about.
• Particularly as new technologies have emerged, increasing use and development of artificial intelligence
• , and just other technologies that may not even exist yet that we really don't even know about.

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:21 HB 480 Discussion: 01:40 HB 480 Voting: 02:36 HB 577 Discussion: 05:14 HB 577 Voting: 08:38 HB 692 Discussion: 09:23 HB 692 Voting: 14:00 HB 869 Discussion: 15:21 HB 869 Voting: 18:56, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think there is a burden associated with that that may be able to be handled technologically.
• We are talking about high-cost technology, like electronic poll books and mail-sorts operating without
• We are talking about high-cost technology, like electronic poll books and mail-sorders operating without
• My professional background is staffing large technology risk and auditing professionals for global financial
• My professional background is staffing large technology risk and auditing professionals for global financial

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and took up Senate Bill 62 by Senator Errington, which would create an enforceable requirement that partisan candidates meet the 365-day party affiliation or no-party registration requirement before qualifying. The committee adopted an amendment changing the effective date to upon becoming law, heard no opposition, and then approved the bill. The committee also approved a slate of 15 gubernatorial nominees en bloc and recommended them to the floor. The Florida Supervisors of Elections presented their 2026 legislative priorities. Their requests included automatically updating voter records when DHSMV changes driver license numbers, treating verified petition signing by inactive voters as voter activity that restores active status, adding election equipment and ballots to the state’s critical infrastructure protections, clarifying public-records treatment of election worker names and addresses, allowing more flexibility for early voting sites when a supervisor’s office is not suitable, eliminating the need for provisional-ballot envelopes when polling hours are extended by emergency order, and allowing vote-by-mail voters to remain on the list for the next general election unless they opt out. Senators asked questions about inactive voter status, security implications, early voting site requirements, and vote-by-mail renewal, and several members expressed support or interest in the supervisors’ proposals. During public testimony, several speakers urged stronger election-integrity measures, including proof of citizenship, tighter chain-of-custody controls, more hand-counting or manual audits, quarterly list maintenance, and reduced reliance on vote-by-mail and voting machines. They also criticized current audit systems and cited outside reports and research they said showed vulnerabilities in Florida’s election process. No additional committee action was taken after public testimony, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of them flying in prescribed corridors, you know, and that's when you're going to need a lot of technology
• But there could be a need in the future for that public infrastructure technology component.
• of them flying in prescribed corridors, you know, and that's when you're going to need a lot of technology
• But there could be a need in the future for that public infrastructure technology component.
• But there could be a need in the future for that public infrastructure technology component.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several bills and agency priorities. SB 44, as amended, increased penalties for operating a vehicle with unauthorized red or blue lights and for obscuring a license plate, including new penalties for using, possessing, manufacturing, or selling license-plate obscuring devices. The sponsor and supporting law enforcement witnesses said the bill addresses widespread plate obstruction and enforcement problems; the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 654, designating a railroad overpass in Starke as the Heroes Memorial Overpass, and SB 620, creating a Miami-Dade College specialty license plate with proceeds supporting scholarships and limited administrative/marketing costs. The committee then considered SB 594, which would allow Florida deep-water ports to seek Fish and Wildlife Commission approval for no-anchoring/no-mooring buffer zones adjacent to port channels and turning basins. An amendment clarified the application process, review timeline, rulemaking, and enforcement. Port representatives supported the bill as a way to protect channels and commerce, while several boating and cruising advocates opposed it, arguing the 5,000-foot buffer was excessive, could create safety issues, and would displace anchored vessels without adequate alternative dockage. Despite the opposition, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard a presentation from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles on its 2025 legislative priorities, including stricter proof-of-address and identification requirements for vehicle registration, changes to tank vehicle and IFTA rules, a higher crash-report damage threshold, and electronic notice options. Secretary Perdue then outlined FDOT priorities focused on workforce development, research, rural road funding, small business participation, consistent traffic-control standards, modal infrastructure, transit accountability, spaceport support, advanced air mobility, and shifting some power-consumption revenues to the Transportation Trust Fund to offset electric vehicle impacts. No votes were taken on the agency priorities, and the meeting adjourned after members recorded additional affirmative votes on SB 44 and SB 654.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that technology does exist and has been successful in other areas. Thank you.
• You folks pass stuff all the time that are unfunded mandates and tell our communities and cities what
• But can you explain how a tax credit for rolling stock benefits the agricultural community?
• But can you explain how a tax credit for rolling stock benefits the agricultural community?
• So I will say... ...rolling stock benefits the agricultural community?

Committee: House Agriculture

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just an unincorporated community in the state of New Mexico, and one of the major testimonies and
• , especially rural and underserved communities.
• Underserved communities can continue to provide essential health care services.
• I stand in full support of all the health compacts here in front of this community, and we thank you
• That is not the way that we build sustainability in our communities.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the child may trust, and it may be information that they are too scared to communicate with
• If those can be accessed remotely, this would prohibit abuse through those technological means.
• Clear and outdated statutory language regarding community property obligations creates confusion.
• The next provision relates to community debts.
• to community debts throughout the state's code for some time.

Bills: HB368 , HB3311 , HB1734 , HB2495 , HB2716 , HB793 , HB3376 , HB2524 , HB3421 , HB3446 , HB3181

Committee: House S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• Clarifies that evidence in hearings conducted via interactive conference technology may be submitted
• Next up is HB 2505 relating to assist community treatment.
• It clarifies the community mental health outpatient programs that have agreed to provide mental health
• assisted community treatment and provide the certification certificate to the defendant and may file
• an assisted community treatment petition with the family court.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a large decision-making agenda and adopted most measures, often with technical or clarifying amendments. Bills addressed wildlife habitat conservation plans, civil identification cards for 16- and 17-year-olds, electronic and mail voting for associations, remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, traffic safety around stationary vehicles and pickup truck passengers, expedited permitting for housing for people with disabilities, rainwater catchment systems, EMS advisory committee membership, social media account deletion, limits on immigration-enforcement cooperation, prompt payment rules for professional solicitors, fetal death vital statistics, protections for gender-affirming care, passenger ropeways, law-enforcement facial coverings and immigration-related detention, domestic violence, health care facility access, guardianship record sealing, child protective proceedings, remote driver’s license hearings, disposable vaping products, dog attacks, insurance premium increase explanations, the DOE harm-to-student registry, Hawaiian Homes lease succession, EMS law modernization, hoisting machine regulation, release on recognizance, language interpretation rules, civil asset forfeiture for fireworks offenses, and assisted community treatment. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1897, HB 1957, HB 2121, and HB 2324, while HB 1957 was deferred indefinitely. Most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though HB 1875 and HB 1961 drew no votes from Vice Chair Gabbard, and HB 2413 was adopted with reservations. A number of bills received substantive amendment instructions. HB 1682 was amended with committee report language noting concerns about departing from the model act. HB 1768 and HB 1886 were revised to narrow or clarify immigration-enforcement restrictions and law-enforcement identification and facial-covering provisions, including plainclothes and undercover exceptions, a narrower civil immigration arrest/detention offense, and savings clauses. HB 2540 received extensive amendments to convert policy language into mandatory terms, refine facial-covering and identification rules, align criminal and policy exemptions, narrow immigration-related offenses, and clarify the definition of law enforcement agency. HB 2413 was amended to define violent offenses, change written findings to oral findings on the record, limit reconsideration of bail, and restrict who may request sanctions or financial conditions. Other amendments included technical fixes, bad-date corrections, severability clauses, and chapter-consistency changes. The committee also heard a joint Education/Judiciary item, SCR 105 and SR 99, urging the Department of Education to provide students information on pre-registering to vote before reaching voting age. Testimony was reported in support from the Department of Education, Office of Elections, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and the League of Women Voters. With no opposition or further discussion, the committee voted to pass both resolutions with technical, non-substantive amendments (SD1).

Transcript Highlights:

• detail around your budget request and how that is responsive to the needs that we're seeing in our communities
• I think technology can And will certainly be a part of this.
• developmental disabilities, and those are the people that are on SNAP, and especially our rural communities
• And I've been in communication with the office. So I apologize.
• That was communicated from day one.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to represent my community and the people that I serve, and I want to get them the help they
• I am the Chief Technology Officer for Synchronous. Thank you for that.
• I am the Chief Technology Officer for Synchronous.
• So I think the accountability needs to be placed back on the agency in terms of communicating with this
• Employers, workers, and families cannot thrive in communities where dangerous drugs are reaching children

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Technology and processes have changed significantly over the past four decades, but the requirements
• What this is, is a bill to take care of situations that arise in local communities where they have...
• Representative Raymond, this is something that's repeatedly gone on in our local community.
• So the people in this community elected these local officials.
• The system was able to tell them how many people were voting at the location, and it was communicated

Bills: HB376 , HB817 , HB 1297 , HB1478 , HB1661 , HB1783

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: HB 817, Texas Election Code, majority vote, majority threshold, ranked-choice voting, preferential voting, instant runoff voting, vote reassignment, ballot ranking, election administration, public office election, Election Code Section 2.0215, runoff elections, plurality vs majority, voting systems, education reform, budget allocation, teacher retention, student performance, accountability measures

Transcript Highlights:

• that were in excess of 250 communications.
• that were in excess of 250 communications.
• Most communities are doing that as well.
• </c><01:21:19.159><c> problems</c> to have all these technology problems to have all these technology
• And that’s not per page; that’s per communication.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee opened its hearing with a procedural discussion about a forthcoming Monday hearing, and the chair confirmed that any amendment deemed non-germane would be made public in advance and included in the calendar. The committee then took up House Bill 6, which would replace the word “citizen” in the Right-to-Know law with “any person,” allow requesters to specify the format of records, and expressly reference preliminary drafts circulated to a quorum or majority of a public body as disclosable material. The sponsor said the bill was intended to clarify existing law, remove uncertainty after a Rochester-related dispute over requester eligibility, and make records easier to obtain electronically unless doing so would be impossible, unusual, unduly burdensome, or harmful to recordkeeping integrity. Testimony was mixed. Cordell Johnston, speaking for himself as a municipal attorney, opposed most of the bill, especially the requirement that records be delivered electronically or by mail, arguing that out-of-state or out-of-country requests can be fishing expeditions that impose significant burdens on towns and clerks. He said local residents already can obtain records at town hall and that many municipalities voluntarily email records as a courtesy, but should not be required to mail large volumes of material. He also said the preliminary-draft language was unnecessary because such drafts are already covered when circulated to a quorum or majority. Representative Alexander raised concerns about the breadth of “any person,” potential abuse by bad actors, and the cost to municipalities, while Representative Peternell asked about whether the bill should account for nonresident property owners and business owners. The sponsor responded that limiting requesters by residency would not meaningfully stop abuse and said he did not know the bill’s fiscal impact, though he suggested it might improve efficiency. Yil Biset of the ACLU of New Hampshire testified in support of HB 6, calling it a modest and reasonable transparency measure. He said the preliminary-draft language was acceptable and consistent with existing exemption language in the public-meeting and documents statutes, and he said he was not aware of foreign-bot document requests occurring in New Hampshire. He also noted that current law already requires electronic disclosure when records exist electronically and can reasonably be provided that way. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a community asset will be lost for good. a community asset will be lost for good.
• </c> been harmed in the community. been harmed in the community.
• </c> in our community. in our community.
• Our communities have stepped up.
• In my community well.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• communities.
• Fresno, of course, serves a lot of rural, Fresno County serves a lot of rural communities. rural communities
• They're coming from those communities and they want to get back to their communities and they want to
• We did hear a little bit about rural communities.
• Do we see differences in urban communities or suburban communities?

Summary: The Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Access held its third hearing to review the state of youth mental health, progress under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), and remaining implementation and funding challenges. The chair emphasized that schools are often the main point where education, health care, and social services intersect for students, and that the committee’s goal is to ensure public investments translate into better access and outcomes. The hearing featured testimony from researchers, a youth advocate, state officials, and local practitioners. PPIC researcher Shalini Mostala reported that teen mental health remains a serious concern, with high rates of chronic sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts, though recent California data show some improvement since the pandemic. She noted persistent disparities by gender, race, and rural status, and said school-based health centers, wellness centers, and community schools are associated with lower suicidal thoughts. Youth advocate Ella Cruz, speaking for NAMI California, described her own mental health struggles and argued that youth voice, peer-to-peer support, and reducing stigma are essential; she also said technology and AI cannot replace trusted adults or trained professionals. Committee members asked about phone use, stigma, cultural barriers, and how to make supports more accessible and relatable to students. Dr. Sohill Sood of the California Health and Human Services Agency said statewide survey data show declining stigma, increased counseling use, and lower suicide ideation among students, and he highlighted CYBHI’s certified wellness coaches, digital tools, awareness campaigns, and the first-in-the-nation fee schedule that allows schools and colleges to bill health plans for behavioral health services. He said the program is growing quickly, with more than 230,000 claims and over $11 million in new revenue to date, while acknowledging that billing systems and coordination are still being built. Trina Frazier of Fresno County described a multi-tiered system of care supported by CYBHI, CalAIM, and other grants, serving thousands of students through school-based services, wellness centers, and mobile therapy units; she said ongoing funding and flexibility are critical. Rachel Kroberniski of El Segundo High School’s James Morehouse Project described a long-running wellness center and peer mentorship model that supports students in multiple languages, and said peer programs help students feel seen, connected, and more willing to seek help. Members broadly praised the flexibility, collaboration, and peer-based approaches described by the witnesses. Questions focused on sustaining funding after one-time grants expire, improving coordination among schools, counties, and providers, expanding the fee schedule to higher education, and ensuring continuity of care for students after high school. Officials said county offices of education, DHCS, and other partners are using communities of practice and technical assistance to spread best practices, and that CYBHI services can follow some young adults through age 25, with additional supports through community-based programs and digital platforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:16:11.839><c> archery</c> Negative participation impact on archery clubs and whole-family community
• We have seen higher participation among youth and adult hunters in the past when technology, online resources
• We have seen higher participation among youth and adult hunters in the past when technology, online resources
• We have seen higher participation among youth and adult hunters in the past when technology, online resources

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> classify myself as a a wannabe community classify myself as a a wannabe community developer.<00:
• It's working with the community, and in some communities it's not always going to the next level.
• </c> that there's emergency um communications that there's emergency um communications and<00:30:55.600
• </c> artificial intelligence and technology. artificial intelligence and technology.
• or what the community is desiring for their own community?

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , which is Khorak Architects, and serves as a commissioner as a representative of the disability community
• They implement state and federal programs while remaining accountable to local communities, delivering
• the choices are limited in the restaurant, When the choices are limited in the restaurants in your community
• There are simply not enough trained professionals, especially in underserved and rural communities, to
• this experience in her professional career to advance the conditions that folks in the disability community

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then proceeded through appointments, resolutions, and bills. Governor’s appointments for Dina Eltawasi as Caltrans Director, Allison Salt Install to the Court Reporters Board, Olivia May Assumption to the California Commission on Disability Access, and William Adams to the California Exposition and State Fair Board were presented and later confirmed after roll calls and lifting of calls. The chamber also took up several third-reading measures and resolutions, including SCR 143 honoring Hmong and Laotian special guerrilla unit veterans, SR 96 recognizing National County Government Month, SB 1347 clarifying stocking of albuterol in public schools, SB 977 requiring chain restaurants to offer at least one healthier children’s meal, SB 1234 requiring fentanyl testing when juvenile dependency drug testing is ordered, SCR 161 designating Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, SR 101 replacing Senator Jones on the Rules Committee with Senator Ochoa Bogh, SB 1111 addressing liability for unauthorized AI-generated digital replicas, and SCR 128 establishing High School Voter Education Weeks. Each of these measures was presented by the author, generally received supportive remarks, and passed by roll call, with calls later lifted and the votes confirmed. During debate, Senator Umberg emphasized the long-overdue recognition of Hmong and Laotian veterans who served in covert missions during the Vietnam era, and Senator Archuleta echoed that tribute on behalf of the Military and Veterans Committee. Senator Cortese and Senator McGuire spoke in support of SR 96, highlighting the role of counties in delivering public services and warning about the impact of federal cuts on health and human services. Senator Niello described SB 1347 as a cleanup measure extending existing albuterol stocking authority to all public schools, including preschool. Senator Weber Pearson argued SB 977 would improve children’s nutrition options at chain restaurants, while Senator Alvarado-Gil said SB 1234 would help keep fentanyl out of homes by ensuring court-ordered drug testing includes fentanyl. Senator Weber Pearson also presented SCR 161 on maternal mental health, citing high rates of pregnancy-related depression and anxiety and barriers to care. Senator Ashby presented SR 101 and SB 1111, the latter aimed at unauthorized AI-generated voice and likeness replicas, and Senator Pérez presented SCR 128 to encourage voter education for high school students. After the floor actions, the Senate adopted the consent calendar, with Senator Cervantes removing SB 1381 from consent. Committee announcements followed, including upcoming Budget Subcommittee meetings. The session concluded with Senator Wiener’s adjournment in memory of disability rights activist Alice Wong, whose advocacy and writing were remembered by the chamber. The Senate announced its next floor session for Monday, May 4, 2026, at 2 p.m., and then recessed until later that afternoon for adjournment proceedings.

Transcript Highlights:

• listen, the clarity to discern, and the integrity to act in ways that honor you and uplift every community
• Bless the people they represent from our tribal nations to our rural areas, from our coastal communities
• but it has been a significant burden for people choosing to offer themselves up to serve their communities
• We want to make sure that we're giving that opportunity to our communities.
• In our state, supporting workers and their families strengthens our communities. Mr.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard a prayer before moving through introductions, caucuses, and messages from the Senate. Several bills were taken up under third reading, with the chamber suspending rules to advance them to final passage. The day also included recognition of Colville Tribal Business Council members and the adoption of prior minutes without objection. Members approved House Bill 1269, which raises pawnbroker interest rates and fees, with supporters arguing the changes are modest and needed to help small businesses serve unbanked customers; it passed 83-14. Substitute House Bill 2123, dealing with foreign national participation in Washington elections, passed 68-29 after debate over whether the bill appropriately reduces burdens on candidate campaigns while preserving restrictions for initiative campaigns. Substitute House Bill 2178, a technical court-rules bill aligning statutes with court procedures, passed 89-8, and House Bill 2120, which reduces or eliminates certain JLARC reports to free staff time for higher-value audits, passed unanimously 97-0. The House also passed House Bill 2309, eliminating postgraduate degree requirements for some state jobs to reduce barriers to state employment, by a 97-0 vote. Substitute House Bill 2158, authorizing electronic remote notarization of physical documents, passed 96-0 with bipartisan support focused on access in rural areas. Substitute House Bill 2411, expanding shared leave eligibility to include employees affected by hate crimes or immigration enforcement actions, passed 60-36 amid concerns about cost and scope. House Joint Memorial 4004, a nonbinding request to Congress related to tribal management of sea lions to protect salmon, passed 80-16, and Substitute House Joint Memorial 4001, honoring Russell Blount by naming the East 34th Street overpass over I-5, passed 96-0. The House then adjourned until the following Friday morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I mentioned, we kept, we retained these note boxes to help the regulated community and anyone who's
• removed from this rule chapter based on comments from both Panhandle Health and the aquaculture community
• That was based on comments both from Panhandle Health and the aquaculture community.
• What the aquaculture community was seeing is that they didn't have a callout specifically in the wastewater
• were required to keep meeting the major source standard, known as the maximum achievable control technology

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nash will be helping us out with all of the technology.
• members and staff for your hard work and continued support of our farmers and the larger agricultural community
• you all for your work this session to craft an agriculture bill that works for our farmers and communities
• The new law has also improved the communication process by requiring on-site meetings. on-site meetings
• Community support and funding are key to helping us make sure fewer neighbors have to go hungry.

Bills: HF2446

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• LATER START TIMES WOULD MEAN MANY PARENTS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES OR THOSE WITH LONGER COMMUTES AND THE
• IT REQUIRES DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDS INFORM THE COMMUNITY OF THE HEALTH SAFETY AND ACADEMIC IMPACTS OF
• AND THANK YOU MEMBERS FOR YOUR DEBATE AND SENATOR BURGESS I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMUNICATION AND GUIDANCE
• YOUR SCHOOL SCHEDULE IS THE RHYTHM OF THE COMMUNITY AND NO TWO COUNTIES ARE EXACTLY THE SAME LET'S HAVE
• AS WELL AS THE POSITIVE IMPACTS ON THE JEWISH COMMUNITY ON HUMANITY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all