Transcript Highlights:

• We have it broken down into different company sizes and obviously different technologies.
• That's why we need sufficient funds for MTC to deliver the transit transformation initiatives.
• While ALPR technology can be a useful tool, it poses a serious risk to privacy when misused.
• The use of this technology, I believe, should be held accountable for misuse.
• But I do think that the misuse of this technology... ...misuse.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 86, which would extend and expand the CAEATFA sales and use tax exclusion program through 2031, raise the annual cap from $100 million to $200 million, and add fusion energy. Supporters, including the State Treasurer and industry and labor representatives, cited billions in clean-tech investment, job creation, and environmental benefits; county groups opposed the bill over local revenue losses. The committee approved SB 86 on a 12-0 roll, holding the roll open for additional members. The committee then heard SB 545, which would require Go-Biz to study economic development opportunities along the California high-speed rail corridor, including land value, development incentives, and public-private partnerships. Labor, Fresno’s mayor’s office, and other stakeholders supported the bill as a way to spur corridor development and future funding opportunities, while one business group moved from opposition to neutral after amendments. The bill passed on a 9-1 vote, with the roll held open. Members next considered SB 63, a Bay Area transit funding measure authorizing a regional revenue measure to support transit operations amid looming fiscal shortfalls. The author and witnesses described severe service cuts that could follow without new funding, while committee members raised concerns about the bill’s structure, county participation, polling, and whether other revenue options should be considered. The bill advanced on a 9-3 vote, with the roll held open, and the committee also approved SB 263, directing a state study of tariff impacts on California’s economy and supply chains, on an 11-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard SB 661, which would redirect aviation-related tax revenues back to airports for aviation purposes and bring the state into compliance with federal requirements; testimony focused on airport modernization, rural access, and allocation formulas, but no final vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• They used technology to have ongoing connection with families.
• I see a lot more technology use in the classroom.
• In addition to that, technology was an issue.
• Technology integration is now permanent.
• This transformation is guided by our thorough needs in assets assessment in the first year.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this language shifts the funding of the fellowship from the general fund to the rural health transformation
• This rural health transformation money is supposed to be used in rural health.
• Chairman, it's my understanding that one way or another there'll be a rural health transformation committee
• It's my understanding that, one way or another, there'll be a rural health transformation committee formed
• First, I would point out that I think this fund transfer shift, if rural health transformation program

Summary: The committee took up a series of FY 2027 budget items, beginning with health education programs. Members approved additional general fund support and FTPs for psychiatry residents, a Burley family medicine resident, a family medicine OB fellowship, additional family medicine residents, child psychiatry residents at the University of Utah, and a veterinary education FTP adjustment. They then approved language to shift fellowship funding to the rural health transformation program if available, with debate focused on whether that money should instead be reserved for broader rural health needs; the language ultimately passed despite objections. The Office of the State Board of Education budget was approved with funding for Canvas LMS renewal, transfer of risk managers to institutions, and a federal post-secondary education grant. In the colleges and universities budget, a substitute motion to add general fund support and restore a rescission failed, but the original motion passed, providing dedicated funds for endowment adjustments and restoring the FY 2027 rescission. Community colleges were then considered, and a motion to reduce the Canvas LMS item and leave the rescission unfilled failed; the original motion restoring the rescission passed. The committee also approved a one-time Career Ready Students Fund appropriation for secondary CTE programs, then later approved a separate one-time Career Ready Students Fund increase for Idaho Division of Career Technical Education secondary programs after rejecting a general fund substitute. The Department of Administration budget drew the most debate. Members discussed utilities transfers, new procurement staff for Medicaid managed care contracting, training and administrative support transfers, inflationary utilities costs, IT hardware, and a vacancy adjustment correction. The committee rejected the motion, largely over concerns about the Medicaid procurement staffing request. It then approved the Permanent Building Fund budget, including state match for a Bonneville County National Guard Readiness Center design and replacement items for public works projects, along with standard language and reporting language by unanimous consent. Finally, the State Lottery budget was approved for $25,800 in replacement items for design equipment. The committee adjourned after announcing the next meeting schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, my work at New America centers on the impact that technology has on, it's technology and democracy
• And so for that reason, the Open Technology Institute has taken that position.
• One of them is technology and democracy.
• Within the technology and democracy portfolio is the Open Technology Institute, and their work is really
• focused around technology policy.

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments, bill referrals, rule waiver requests, and floor acknowledgments. The committee approved multiple non-appearance appointments, including Peter Briar-T to the Southern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission, several appointees to the Acupuncture Board, Roy Mathur to the Board of Pilot Commissioners, and Davina Hurt to the California Water Commission; the Water Commission appointment drew a 3-2 vote. The committee also approved bill referrals, two rule waiver requests allowing guests on the Senate floor on March 16 and March 23, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. Afterward, the committee returned to the earlier appointment of Peter Briar-T and added it to the record by roll call. The committee then heard testimony from Lillian Corral, nominated to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Corral emphasized her background as a Colombian-born immigrant and first-generation college graduate, and said her priorities would include helping students navigate a changing economy shaped by AI, improving data and digital infrastructure, supporting Vision 2030 goals, and expanding pathways to jobs. Senators questioned her about community college bachelor’s degrees, achievement gaps, dual enrollment, staffing, and her work at New America and the Open Technology Institute, focusing on privacy, student safety, age verification, TikTok, and financial aid fraud. Corral said safety and security should come first, that she supports privacy and technically feasible verification tools, and that the community college system is using identity verification, AI tools, and human review to reduce fraud. The committee voted 3-0 to advance her nomination to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Paul Tupi, nominated to lead the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Tupi described a career in law enforcement and ABC enforcement and said he would focus on public trust, timely licensing, licensee education, community responsiveness, and accountability when alcohol-related harms occur. Senators asked about enforcement against sales to minors, alcohol-related traffic deaths, delivery compliance, agency responsiveness, fund stability, and potential policy changes such as entertainment zones and cocktails-to-go. Tupi outlined ABC’s decoy, shoulder-tap, delivery decoy, and TRACE programs, and said the department also works with local agencies through grants and training. Supporters from the alcohol policy, wine, brewing, and former ABC legal communities praised his open-door approach and enforcement focus. The committee unanimously approved his nomination to move to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's one of our ask in here, but the technology.
• Item six, technology. updates and expansion.
• Exceptional request number seven is for some technology upgrades.
• The agency is still in the process of fully implementing the Technology Transformation Project funded
• El Paso received $2.9 million more this biennium, which has been transformed.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A company called 4C Medical Technologies was certified as a business in 2016.
• </c> leading healthcare and technology leading healthcare and technology organizations<00:58:26.000><
• </c> investor capital to grow, to transform investor capital to grow, to transform ideas<00:58:37.200
• A company called 4C Medical<00:59:21.040><c> Technologies</c><00:59:21.680><c> was</c><00:59:21.920><
• a Medical Technologies was certified as a business<00:59:23.040><c> in</c><00:59:23.359><c> 2016.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And one thing I mentioned, just touched on earlier, is the technology piece of this.
• Again, technology and data are very, very important to what we do.
• But first, I want to give you just a peek of what the transformation looks like.
• So as I click through these, transformed our workforce system.
• But first, I want to give you just a peek of what the transformation looks like.

Summary: The committee met to receive a base budget overview for agencies under its jurisdiction, which include the Division of Emergency Management, Department of Commerce, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Staff explained the budget format and noted that the Legislature appropriated more than $20.2 billion to these agencies in the current fiscal year, a 66.7% increase over 10 years. The Department of Transportation then presented on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing it as a $7 billion effort to advance 20 major congestion-relief projects statewide. Secretary Jared Perdue said the department is ahead of schedule, with 14 of 20 projects expected to be underway by the end of the calendar year. He highlighted major projects including I-4 in Polk and Osceola counties, I-75 improvements, Southwest 10th Street in Broward County, Fruitville Road, Capital Circle in Tallahassee, and I-275, and discussed innovations such as aggregate supply grants, modified phase design-build, workforce hiring events, and voluntary acceleration. Senators asked about business impacts from construction, tourism-related transit funding, aggregate sourcing, and labor shortages; the secretary said FDOT works with local businesses and that additional revenue sources for transit would require legislative action. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reviewed motorist services, revenue collection, licensing, vehicle titling, specialty plates, insurance compliance, driver safety, and commercial driver licensing. Officials said the department collected about $2.9 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2023-24 and described modernization efforts, including electronic verification systems, Real ID compliance, mobile licensing units, and a planned digital driver license. Members asked about the driver license backlog in Miami-Dade and Broward, and the department said service delays were driven by growth and staffing constraints but should improve with $7.5 million in recent funding and the eventual transition of services to county tax collectors. Questions also addressed temporary paper licenses and birth certificate fraud prevention. The Department of Commerce presented on the Job Growth Grant Fund and Visit Florida. Commerce said the grant fund, created in 2017, has awarded $257 million to 70 projects in 37 counties since 2019, with demand exceeding supply about four to one. Officials emphasized that the program supports targeted industries and workforce and infrastructure projects, and they highlighted examples in CDL training, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and health care. Senators raised concerns about small businesses affected by transportation construction, and Commerce said it has an Office of Small Business Innovation and other tools, though the grant fund is limited by statute to targeted industries. Visit Florida then described its public-private tourism marketing role, saying the state’s $80 million appropriation is matched by private investment and that the latest EDR review found a $3.30 return in tax revenue for every state dollar spent. Visit Florida reported record visitation and tourism spending, along with hurricane recovery marketing and rural promotion efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Implementing new technology 72 separate times is not just inefficient and inequitable.
• We are also deploying smart technologies and AI technologies, and being able to deploy them once across
• This is transformational change that we can do with the smart technological tools that we have at hand
• That means leveraging technology, including it... ...into our work. ...of a changing state.
• So I heard some examples, expanding the use of technology, retooling, and offering certification.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, it allows members to attend meetings using communication media technology, ensuring that
• to ensure that public meetings of the council and workshops conducted using communications media technology
• Tab number 17, which is Senate Bill 7008 on OGSR, Financial Technology Sandbox, by Banking and Insurance
• The sandbox provisions offer financial technology innovators a more flexible regulatory framework to
• I have seen a lot of transformational work, but I don't have the answers long term, and nor do we want

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met with a quorum present and took up a full agenda of bills, many involving public records exemptions and government operations. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 342 on an Agency for Health Care Administration public records exemption for employees facing threats; SB 7018 preserving a public records exemption tied to parental consent/judicial bypass records for minors seeking abortions; SB 626 lowering quorum requirements and allowing remote participation for the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys; SB 710 protecting personal information of Crime Stoppers employees, board members, volunteers, and their families; SB 300 extending clerk personal-information protections to appellate court clerks; and SB 302 creating a similar exemption for Judicial Qualifications Commission employees. The committee also approved SB 7010 and SB 7008, which preserve and narrow public records exemptions related to the Department of Financial Services as receiver for insolvent insurers and the financial technology sandbox, respectively. The committee also heard and advanced several policy bills. SB 820 codifies the Office of Faith and Community in the Executive Office of the Governor; Senator Polsky questioned whether the office was duplicative of existing services and raised concerns about religion in state governance, while supporters argued it complements existing networks and helps connect Floridians to services. SB 1144 codifies the Hope Florida program, with supporters describing it as a connector to community resources and critics again raising concerns about overlap, private donations, and accountability; both SB 820 and SB 1144 passed on largely party-line votes with Senator Polsky voting no. SB 804 would redesignate the SS American Victory as the state flagship, but Senator Rodriguez opposed giving up the current flagship designation for the Key West schooner, though the bill still passed favorably. SB 214 designates August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day and passed without opposition. SB 1088 requires certain state customer-service phone lines to offer callback features, and SB 576 makes technical fixes to service-of-process law; both were reported favorably. Additional bills included SB 1524, a broad Department of State measure with a strike-all amendment that revises grant-review procedures, adds an America 250 funding focus, and changes commission-fee and oath requirements; Senator Arrington and Senator Polsky expressed concerns about reviewer qualifications, grant criteria, and the impact on arts and cultural programs, and both voted no while the bill still passed. SB 1640, on confidentiality of lethality assessment forms in domestic violence cases, was amended to allow disclosure to domestic violence centers while barring disclosure to state attorneys, and it passed favorably. SB 1160 expands health insurance premium benefits for certain officers catastrophically injured or killed in the line of duty; supporters from the Fraternal Order of Police appeared in support, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee also confirmed eight appointments to the Florida Commission on Community Service, the Investment Advisory Council, the Public Employees Relations Commission, and the State Retirement Commission. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded on specific bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And obviously, technology does not have a soul, but it affects individuals. It affects humans.
• have a obviously, technology uh does not have a soul,<00:41:08.480><c> but</c><00:41:08.640><c> it</
• ...transform some of the operations of our rural hospitals.
• That investment has been transformative in our ability to do public health.
• transformative in our ability to do public<01:29:41.160><c> health.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will hear from GoServe, the California Privacy and Protection Agency, Department of Technology. with
• And it also involves the Department of Technology, the Department of General Services, the Department
• We also met with federal partners to talk about technology standards.
• People are interfacing with new technology all the time, many times.
• The Office of Digital Services is providing the technology development.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that technology?
• When not just a piece of technology, but the things that support that technology, the risks associated
• with that technology, the legacy technology that you have in-house, because it all comes back down to
• And the benefit of this technology.
• These technological advancements represent a transformation rather than an elimination of positions within

Summary: The subcommittee met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence and automation in Florida government. Panelists from Worldwide Technology, OpenAI, the James Madison Institute, and the Florida Digital Service described AI as a tool to improve efficiency, constituent services, fraud detection, translation, HR workflows, public safety, and regulatory review, while emphasizing that AI should supplement rather than replace workers. They also stressed the importance of data readiness, workforce training, governance, and having existing technology systems and policies in place before broader deployment. Members asked about public records concerns, vendor vetting, model integrity, and how to balance innovation with privacy and security. Chief Schoonover said agencies are already using or exploring AI in areas such as Medicaid analysis, environmental data, emergency management, tax forms, and child support, and noted that the Digital Service publishes prohibited vendor and application lists. OpenAI discussed its red teaming, safety evaluations, privacy controls, and government products such as ChatGPT Gov, and said it does not train on personal data or target users with ads. The committee also discussed concrete examples of efficiency gains, including reduced call times, faster translation turnaround, and streamlined HR classification work, as well as concerns about job disruption and constituent access. In closing, members raised data center infrastructure and energy needs, with panelists noting that AI depends on substantial compute, power, cooling, and utility capacity. The chair concluded by encouraging continued dialogue and noting that future AI legislation should be targeted to specific problems rather than overly broad.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is not transformation, but the same system we had before AB 98 passed.
• OES was tasked with getting technology for 988 and 911 interoperability in AB 988.
• and the ability to pay for those technological advances.
• It is the same technology being used on the 911 Next Gen system.
• And the $40 million was for technology. That's correct. That's correct.

Summary: The joint Assembly Health and Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an oversight hearing on AB 988, California’s 988 crisis line and mobile crisis response system, followed by a discussion of suicide prevention and intervention in California Indian communities. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that AB 988 was intended to create a true alternative to 911 for behavioral health crises, with “someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go,” and that Native communities continue to face disproportionately high suicide rates and barriers to culturally responsive care. The first panel of call center and stakeholder witnesses largely argued that implementation is falling short of the law’s intent. They said 988 call centers are underfunded, text/chat answer rates remain far below call answer rates, staffing is strained, and the system still lacks meaningful statewide interoperability between 988 and 911. Several witnesses said mobile crisis teams are not being dispatched through 988 as envisioned, and that funding formulas and governance are too opaque. San Joaquin County was presented as a local success story, with integrated 988, access lines, and mobile crisis handoffs that have reduced reliance on emergency departments and involuntary holds. Witnesses also discussed the need for better tribal outreach, the role of CCBHCs, and the importance of culturally competent services. State officials from CalHHS and DHCS described the five-year 988 implementation plan, the current governance structure across multiple agencies, and efforts to support training, public awareness, and referral tools. They reported growth in 988 contacts, ongoing training with the Trevor Project, a statewide resource directory, and a tribal awareness campaign. DHCS also outlined proposed trailer bill language that would create a formal designation process for 988 centers, set statewide standards, and require existing centers to obtain designation by 2029. Officials said current funding includes SAMHSA grants, block grant dollars, and an expected $67.3 million from the 988 fund in the next budget year, with a large share earmarked for Medi-Cal mobile crisis services. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Among potential technologies, current batteries are too heavy for long-haul flights.
• There's some uncertainty about whether ethanol SAF technology, or alcohol-to-jet technology, is ready
• is it's a relatively mature technology.
• Smith said, in general, we understand this technology to be relatively mature.
• That engagement, that technology evaluation.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Labor and Technology Committee finds that Christine Sakuda's extensive experience, background, and
• With over 25 years of expertise in leading IT transformations, including her current role as interim
• ,</c><00:20:33.840><c> including</c> in leading IT transformations, including in leading IT transformations
• Her tenure as executive director<00:20:41.919><c> of</c><00:20:42.159><c> Transform</c><00:20:42.640>
• <c> Hawaii</c><00:20:43.039><c> Government</c> director of Transform Hawaii Government director of Transform

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with all 25 members present, approved the prior day’s journal, and heard several introductions, including visiting staff, guests, and Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke, who was recognized for her work with the food bank and noted as acting governor that week. The chamber also received House communications returning several Senate concurrent resolutions adopted unamended, and one House-amended resolution, SCR 192, was taken up. Senator Wakai moved to disagree with the House amendments to SCR 192, the motion was seconded and carried, with conferees to be named later. Standing committee reports were then taken up, including reports 1931 to 1939 for one-day notice and report 1940 for adoption, which was adopted without objection. The Senate then considered a series of advice-and-consent nominations, beginning with education-related appointments. Senators spoke in support of nominees to the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board, the State Board of Education, and the School Facilities Authority Board, while Senator Awa and others raised objections to several nominees, arguing that campaign donations by some appointees created the appearance of “pay to play.” Despite those objections, the nominations were ultimately confirmed. The chamber also confirmed Dwight Takamini as chair of the Hawaii Labor Relations Board after strong support from multiple senators who cited his labor, legislative, and public service background. The Senate next confirmed Christine Sakuda as chief information officer for the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, with supporters emphasizing her IT leadership and public service and noting she is the first female and Native Hawaiian to hold the post. The chamber also confirmed Kahuanoi AD Jackson as judge of the Circuit Court of the Third Circuit and Sonia H. Toma as judge of the District Family Court of the Second Circuit, with senators highlighting their prosecutorial and public service experience and the favorable testimony received in committee. After these confirmations, senators introduced the new appointees and their families in the gallery. Later, the Senate adopted additional standing committee reports on House concurrent resolutions and passed SB 849 HD2 on final reading, relating to wildlife conservation, by unanimous consent. The body also reconsidered and reversed earlier disagreement on House amendments to SB 116 and SB 946, agreeing that the amendments were technical and giving one-day notice for final reading. The meeting concluded with a late introduction of the Honokaʻa Jazz Band, which was praised for its national recognition and community service, and senators invited members to a later concert in the rotunda.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to talk about Medicare coverage for new technologies and innovation.
• Doctors, I want to talk a bit about artificial intelligence in health care and technology.
• And addressing this misuse of the technology seems to me of grave need to our society.
• I was practicing And they wanted to talk about new technologies and this and that.
• I do think that CRISPR technology as we know it today is going to transform medicine as we know it tomorrow

Keywords: Michael Falkender, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, IRS, taxpayer privacy, nomination process, committee hearing

Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many, many... ...many, many years at the co-op, there was one padmount transformer after a hurricane
• Thank goodness for the utility industry that these padmount transformers are delivered on a daily basis
• Many of these are not everyday occurrences, but when a transformer blows, utilities respond very quickly
• In these emergency cases, with all the advances in technology, I would think that you all could probably
• Because, as you gave the example, a transformer needs to be moved from the warehouse to a job site.

Bills: SB42, HB323

Keywords: abandoned roads, land ownership, government regulations, property rights, transportation, electric utility, oversize vehicles, transport permits, state highway system, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been a technology coordinator. I was a principal, an assistant principal.
• </c> a team of people that could uh transform a team of people that could uh transform our<00:25:30.720
• </c> address districts aging technology address districts aging technology concerns<00:46:53.920><c>
• serving high school juniors technology serving high school juniors and<00:49:41.760><c> seniors.
• </c> for information technology in the state. for information technology in the state.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and did not approve minutes, but heard testimony on budget line items for Data Seam and Teach for America. Andrew McNeel of Kentucky Free and representatives from the Commonwealth Policy Center argued that both programs rely heavily on recurring taxpayer support and should be re-evaluated. McNeel cited a 2020 Office of Policy and Audit examination of Data Seam, saying the program had received more than $30 million in state support since 2006, including $3.5 million in the current budget, and that the audit raised concerns about administrative overhead, alleged threats to districts, and the use of line-item language to justify sole-source contracting. He recommended suspending Data Seam funding this biennium, directing a new special audit, and requiring reimbursement of audit costs. The witnesses also urged the committee to withhold funding for Teach for America, saying the organization’s materials and history showed a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that they opposed. They pointed to past statements, leadership titles, and program language as evidence that DEI concepts remained embedded in the organization, and suggested any funding should be redirected directly to school districts instead. Mike Harmon and Richard Nelson echoed those concerns, while also saying long-running programs should be periodically reviewed for efficiency. Teach for America Appalachia representatives then testified in support of the program. Executive director C.D. Morton described the organization as a teacher-preparation and leadership-development program serving rural eastern Kentucky, saying it had recruited and supported more than 325 teachers since 2011, with about 30 current core members in several counties and roughly 2,800 students impacted daily. He said the program helps fill hard-to-staff vacancies, that about 80% of teachers stay for a third year, and that many alumni remain in education. In response to questions from Representative Bojanowski about retention and cost, Morton said more than 60% of alumni are still in education, but he could not give a precise classroom-teacher retention number beyond the program’s broader alumni data.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, continuing the transformation of Medi-Cal through CalAIM and the transformation of California's
• Second, continuing the transformation, the maximum extent possible.
• Second, continuing the transformation of Medi-Cal through CalAIM and the transformation of California's
• For something like the rural health transformation program, it would probably depend on the terms of
• It's a 10-year grant called Transforming Maternal and Infant Health.

Summary: The committee first handled several routine items, approving three gubernatorial appointees not required to appear: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. It also approved referral of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, all by 5-0 votes. The committee then heard Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith said his priorities would be protecting Medi-Cal access amid federal changes and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators questioned him extensively about rural and financially distressed hospitals, Medi-Cal reimbursement, eligibility redeterminations, work requirements, fraud controls, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and CalAIM’s evaluation. He said DHCS is working on expedited payments, hospital monitoring, county technical assistance, targeted audits, and community supports such as medically tailored meals. Public commenters from county, hospital, and care organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the appointment to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Dr. Chris Thayer, nominated to lead the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, scientifically rigorous health assessments and risk communication to inform other agencies and policymakers. Senators focused on the agency’s use of models versus real-world data, CalEnviroScreen, Prop 65, PFAS, wildfire health impacts, and how OEHHA communicates risk to the public. Thayer said the office relies on a mix of data sources where direct evidence is limited, is updating CalEnviroScreen, and is working to reduce Prop 65 over-warning through guidance and outreach. The discussion did not reach a final vote on his appointment in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Technology. I’m very...” “No. Okay. One more moment. Technology.
• This is a U.S. technology, okay? This is a U.S.
• I love technology. I love the whole AI thing. I was doing. I'm a tech junkie. I love technology.
• So I'm not against technology and AI.
• But also advances like the transformer, or something called Transformer in 2017, that made language understanding

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, established a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from Majority Leader Hogue and the chair about the committee’s charge. Members said the goal was to build a factual foundation on AI, hear from experts and stakeholders, and develop practical North Dakota-focused recommendations rather than simply produce a large volume of bills. Legislative Council also reviewed interim committee rules and procedures before the informational presentations began. Staff and NCSL presenters then gave overviews of AI concepts and the state and federal policy landscape. The background memo and presentations covered AI categories and terms, state laws in areas such as consumer protection, algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, chatbots, children’s safety, health, education, and government use, as well as data center siting and economic impacts. NCSL described a growing number of AI bills introduced and enacted across the states, with comprehensive laws in places like Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois, and noted recurring issues around transparency, privacy, liability, and protections for minors. A major focus of the discussion was federal preemption and the tension between state regulation and national AI policy. NCSL said a recent White House executive order and related federal framework seek a light-touch, innovation-friendly national standard, with possible challenges to state laws and possible funding conditions tied to compliance, though no broad federal preemption has yet been enacted. Members asked about Commerce Clause concerns, industry pushback, oversight models, and whether AI policy is bipartisan; presenters said the issue cuts across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfake restrictions but more disagreement on broader regulatory approaches. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting, and the committee recessed briefly for technical issues during the second presentation.