Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bernard. Yeah. Senator Boyd. Senator Bracy Davis. Senator Brodeur. Here. Senator Burgess.
• Senator Bernard. Senator Boyd. Senator Bracey Davis. Senator Broder. Yes. Senator Burgess.
• Senator Bernard. Senator Boyd. Senator Bracy Davis. Yes. Senator Brodeur. Senator Burgess.
• Recognize, members, we will take up Tab 6, SB 484 on data centers by Senator Abla.
• Senator Pizzle's earlier comments or questions regarding the scale and scope of what data centers are

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and voted on several bills. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and also restrict smoking in rooms and bars; the sponsor said it is intended to protect public health and outdoor spaces, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on designated smoking areas, and cannabis advocates warned about unintended effects on patients and property rights. The committee reported SB 986 favorably. The committee also passed SB 678, which restores statutory authority for DBPR’s long-standing rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise taxes; a strike-all amendment was adopted, including retroactive application to January 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 800, which increases penalties for repeat unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts, was amended and reported favorably as well. Members then considered SB 408 on vaccine advertising and liability. The sponsor argued the bill would address declining public trust in vaccines by allowing claims against manufacturers that advertise in Florida, while opponents said the measure is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and would create unnecessary litigation. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported SB 408 favorably. The committee also heard SB 484 on data centers, which would set PSC tariff requirements so large load customers pay their own costs, preserve local planning authority, and limit water permits for large data centers; testimony was mixed, with supporters emphasizing ratepayer protections and economic benefits and critics warning about overregulation and confidentiality limits. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1118, which creates a time-limited public records exemption for certain data center development information held by local governments, after the sponsor said it was meant to prevent extended NDAs while still allowing local notice and input. SB 1050, requiring veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after several members recorded votes on bills they had missed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm just going to respond to Senator Matthews' comments and to assure the body that the data center
• President, I'm glad that Senator Rest distributed a list of the data centers that will be hit by the
• P., Senator Hoffman, Senator Swisinski, Senator Mann, Senator Coupek, Senator Wesland, Senator Pappas
• > Senator</c> uh Senator P Senator Hoffman Senator uh Senator P Senator Hoffman Senator Swisinski<01:
• As Senator Rasmusson pointed out, what we were dealing with also in the data centers bill was mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Block, Senator Charlie, Senator Gallegos, then Senator Nava, Senator Pinto, Senator Gallegos,
• Senator Nava, Senator Pinto, Senator Pope, Senator Scott, Senator Wilson, Senator Hickey, Senator Lopez
• Madam Chair and Senator, I recognize that they're probably collecting data on me, but the advantages
• Madam Chair, Senator, there are data breaches are incredibly common and often reveal highly sensitive
• Madam Chair and Senator, so we're talking about, and I have some data right here that I can refer to.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 20, a prior-authorization measure aimed at exempting certain medications and treatments for seriously mentally ill adults from repeat insurance prior authorization, while also extending prior authorization approvals to three years for chronic maintenance drugs. The sponsor described the bill as the latest in a series of bipartisan prior-authorization reforms and accepted an amendment from the Health Care Authority and the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance to apply the bill to adults only and to cover PBMs in the interagency purchasing collaborative. Supporters, including NAMI New Mexico and state health officials, argued the bill would reduce barriers to needed care, especially for mental health treatment. Opponents from health plans, PBMs, and insurers warned the bill was too broad, lacked clear definitions for serious mental illness and chronic conditions, created patient-safety concerns, and should have a shorter reauthorization period and later implementation date. After committee discussion, the sponsor agreed to work on a committee substitute, and the bill was rolled over for a later meeting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 53, the Chispa data privacy bill, which would impose broad limits on the collection, sale, and use of personal data, require opt-in consent for many uses, strengthen rights to access, correct, and delete data, and create enforcement mechanisms including a private right of action. Supporters from advocacy, women’s, behavioral health, reproductive health, and civil rights groups said the bill was needed to protect sensitive health and location data, prevent surveillance and criminalization, and give New Mexicans real control over their information. Business, technology, insurance, and hospital representatives opposed the bill, arguing it was more restrictive than other states’ privacy laws, would burden small businesses and health-related services, create compliance uncertainty, and risk limiting digital services and innovation. After extensive questioning about data breaches, opt-in consent, nonprofit exemptions, and the bill’s impact on businesses and health care access, a motion to table failed 5-4, and the committee then passed SB 53 on a 5-4 vote. The committee next heard Senate Bill 86, which updates the state’s harassment-by-telephone law to cover electronic communications such as social media, messaging apps, and email. The sponsor and a Las Cruces police chief said the change would modernize an outdated 1967 statute and help law enforcement address harassment and domestic violence through current technology. The bill drew support from the governor’s public safety advisor and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, and members asked a few clarifying questions about the wording. The committee approved SB 86 unanimously, 9-0. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 96, on regulated childcare zoning requirements, using a committee substitute. The sponsor and the Early Childhood Education and Care Department said the bill would reduce confusing zoning and fire-code barriers to opening or expanding child care homes and centers, helping address a statewide shortage of child care slots and supporting working families. The discussion began with the committee substitute and an explanation that the measure is intended to streamline local requirements and expand child care supply.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator. What does a pack of cigarettes cost now on average? Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you so much, Senator. We're going to suspend the hearing on Senate Bill 6129.
• Second, data centers refurbished on or after July 1, 2026 do not qualify as eligible data centers for
• My name is Dan DiOrio with the Data Center Coalition, testifying con on Senate Bill 6231.
• He was my former senator. My recollection is... He was my former senator.

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Gusts, thank you, Senator Latz, Chair.
• > KW</c><00:04:58.400><c> then</c> step Senator Guston or Senator KW then step Senator Guston or Senator
• data context.
• data context.
• , and then we'll turn to Senator West and Senator How?

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Wiener is here, and you may proceed, Senator Wiener. Item one is AB 868 by Senator Wiener.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Archuleta.
• Senator Archuleta.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approvals for portable plug-in solar devices while setting safety standards. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and homeowners with high electricity bills by allowing low-cost balcony solar systems to reduce monthly costs, and they emphasized that the devices would not feed power back to the grid. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, solar advocates, and many members of the public. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, overloading, and the need for California-specific building standards. After discussion, the author agreed to committee amendments and later to add compliance with the California Electrical Code in addition to the National Electrical Code; several opponents said that change would move them to neutral. The committee then voted to pass SB 868 out as amended to Senate Judiciary, with some members expressing support while reserving concerns about safety as the bill moves forward. The committee then took up SB 886, dealing with data center electricity use and ratepayer protections. The author said the bill is intended to prevent large data centers from shifting grid and infrastructure costs onto other customers, citing rapid growth in data center demand and examples from other states. Supporters, including TURN and climate groups, said the bill would require data centers to pay for their own grid impacts, pre-fund long-term clean energy resources, participate in demand response, and cover related costs. Opponents from the data center industry, tech and business groups, utilities, and some energy users argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC processes, and could create discriminatory rate treatment or operational problems, especially around mandatory demand response and limits on backup generation. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing a storage requirement with a long-term zero-carbon procurement mechanism, and exempting certain public and utility facilities. Members discussed the balance between affordability, reliability, and clean energy, with the bill framed as a way to protect ratepayers while allowing data center growth.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much, Senator. We're going to suspend the hearing on Senate Bill 6129.
• Senator Frame. Good morning again.
• Data centers are...
• My name is Dan DiOrio with the Data Center Coalition, testifying con on Senate Bill 6231.
• He was my former senator. My recollection is... He was my former senator.

Summary: House Finance held public hearings on three Senate bills. SB 6129 would raise cigarette taxes, replace current nicotine/vapor product taxes with a 95% tax on nicotine products, and adjust revenue distributions to the Andy Hill Cancer Research account, the Foundational Public Health Services account, and a youth prevention account; staff and supporters said it would correct an unintended loss of public health funding and reduce youth nicotine use, while opponents argued it would be highly regressive, harm retailers and wholesalers, and push sales into illicit markets. SB 6231 would repeal the data center sales tax exemption for refurbishment and end replacement server equipment eligibility; the sponsor and staff said it would raise roughly $200 million and remove an obsolete preference, while labor, port, business, and data center representatives opposed it, citing lost jobs, reduced investment, and concerns about upsetting existing contracts and rural economic development. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for warehousing and reselling prescription drugs and create a lower preferential rate for critical access pharmacies; the sponsor said it would restore horizontal equity in the tax code and offset impacts on rural pharmacies, but pharmacy groups, wholesalers, retailers, and business organizations warned it would raise medication costs, worsen pharmacy closures, and be passed through to patients. The committee heard extensive public testimony on all three bills. Supporters of SB 6129 included public health, cancer, pediatric, and emergency medicine advocates who emphasized youth prevention, cessation funding, and long-term health savings; opponents included tobacco, vape, retail, and business groups who said the bill would increase black-market activity and burden small businesses. SB 6231 drew opposition from construction trades, ports, local governments, chambers, and data center interests, who argued the tax preference supports ongoing construction, permanent jobs, and local tax bases, while committee questions focused on whether the bill would affect existing refurbishment contracts. SB 6228 was opposed by pharmacy associations, independent pharmacists, wholesalers, grocery retailers, and AWB, who said the tax increase would be passed through and could accelerate pharmacy desert conditions; the sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a correction to an outdated preference and a way to protect critical access pharmacies. No votes were taken; each hearing was closed, and the chair announced amendment requests were due Thursday at 5 p.m. and amendments posted by Friday at 5 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Senator Doug Beck.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Good morning, Senator.
• GIS data. We're going to pay for some GIS data.
• It came out of Senator Moon's committee over in the Senate unanimously.

Committee: House Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on Senate Bill 905, moving the bill “do pass.” After roll call, the motion passed by a vote of 6 ayes and 4 nays, and SB 905 was reported do pass. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 959, presented by Senator Doug Beck on behalf of Senator Roberts, who was on active duty. The bill would create the Missouri GIS Council within the Office of Administration to improve statewide geospatial data coordination, planning, training, and education. Supporters, including Greater St. Louis, Inc., the State 911 Service Board, and BioSTL/Next Missouri, said the council would improve emergency response, broadband and infrastructure planning, economic development, and government efficiency, while also including privacy protections that prohibit collection of personally identifiable information. An opponent from Armour Vine argued the bill was “big brother” and raised concerns about government access to geospatial data and privacy, suggesting the measure could be used to track citizens. Committee members questioned both sides about whether the bill collected personal data and whether similar information is already available through cell phones or mapping systems. Supporters responded that the bill concerns address and map data, not individual tracking, and emphasized its value for 911 routing and public safety. No vote was taken on SB 959, and the hearing was closed after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Niello and Senator Cabaldon is on deck. Senator Niello and Senator Cabaldon are on deck.
• Senator Laird? Aye. Senator Niello? Aye. Senator Archuleta? Aye. Senator Blakespear? Aye.
• Senator Cabaldon? Aye. Senator Troy? Aye. Senator Durazo? Aye. Senator Cabaldon? Aye. Senator Troy?
• Senator Durazo? Aye. Senator Grove? Aye. Senator Hurtado? Aye. Senator McNerney? Aye.
• Senator Menjivar? Aye. Senator Ochoa Bogh? Aye. Senator Perez? Aye. Senator Reyes? Aye.

Summary: The committee heard AB 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to create a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program at HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress, along with a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would need to show less than 10 days cash on hand, best efforts to exhaust other financing options, a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients, and nonprofit status, with expedited contracting and rulemaking exemptions so funds could be distributed quickly. Members repeatedly questioned whether $25 million was enough, how many hospitals would qualify, and whether the 10-day threshold was too narrow, while also raising broader concerns about hospital reimbursement rates, seismic compliance costs, federal policy changes, and the need for more up-to-date data and a longer-term solution. Several members and the LAO noted that the bill was intended as a short-term bridge to keep a very small number of hospitals open until July 1, while the larger distressed-hospital discussion would continue in the May Revision and next year’s budget. Some members argued the state should consider grants rather than loans more broadly, and others emphasized that hospitals serving Medi-Cal and uninsured patients, including safety-net facilities like MLK Community Hospital and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, face structural pressures. Public comment was uniformly supportive of the bill, with the California Hospital Association, district hospital representatives, counties, and CHLA all backing the proposal and urging additional funding for distressed hospitals in the coming budget. The committee approved AB 108 on a roll call vote of 18-0 and held the roll open briefly to secure remaining votes before formally reporting the bill out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Wiener is here, and you may proceed, Senator Wiener.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Arreguin.
• Senator Grove, no. Senator Hurtado, Senator McNerney, aye. Senator Richardson, aye.
• Senator Rubio, Senator Stern, Senator Strickland, and Senator Wahab. Okay. Great.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• Second reading of the bill: An Act Establishing the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act, Senate No. 2619.
• An act establishing the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act. Senate Bill 2619, amended.
• , sensitive data includes consumer health and wellness data.
• And because of the time we're living in, we include biometric data, genetic data, and yes, neural data
• And because of the time we're living in, we include biometric data, genetic data, and yes, neural data

Summary: The House first adopted several resolutions from the Committee on Rules, including congratulations to four Eagle Scouts and recognition of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States. The chamber then took up a series of bills reported by Ways and Means and other committees, repeatedly suspending the rules to move them forward. These included the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, a Fall River land conveyance bill, a Belmont alcohol licensing bill, a Reading senior property tax exemption bill, and a Linfield funding transfer bill, with each measure advancing by amendment or being passed to a third reading or engrossment. A major portion of the session focused on the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, with multiple members speaking in support. Supporters described the bill as a broad consumer privacy framework that would limit data collection, require consent for sensitive data, ban the sale of precise location data, restrict targeted advertising to minors, create consumer rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of data uses, and provide enforcement tools for the Attorney General and, in limited cases, a private right of action. Several members emphasized protections for reproductive health, immigrant communities, and neural data, while others argued the bill would not burden small businesses and would instead hold large data holders accountable. The House adopted the Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading, then later passed the bill to be engrossed and enacted. The House also considered and enacted Senate 2563, a bill updating language in the laws concerning individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Members described the measure as removing outdated and offensive terminology and replacing it with person-first language without changing substantive law. After debate, the House adopted an amendment, passed the bill to be engrossed, and then enacted it by roll call. In addition, the House enacted the fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, House 5470, and approved a bill extending deadlines for Middleton and Milton, both by roll call votes with no opposition. Later, the House took up a temporary summer 2026 local-option pilot allowing municipalities to extend liquor license hours and permit public consumption in designated districts. Supporters framed it as an economic development and tourism measure tied to major upcoming events, and the House adopted an amendment, passed the bill to be engrossed, and then concurred with the Senate version. The session ended with the House adopting an adjournment order and adjourning to meet again the following Monday in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chavez, Representative Herndon, Senator Scott, Senator Block, Senator Hickey, and Representative Jones
• , data.
• And I just, I think data is good and more data is better.
• Uh, Madam Chair, Senator Bla, no, I, I, I did not consult with the University of New Mexico on this data
• So I do appreciate Senator Block, um, uh, you know, looking forward to having, um, data reflected back

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Harris has a question.
• employee data.
• submitted into the data set.
• source, where that data comes from, how that data is captured, how it's made available, where that data
• Senator Bateman.

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Summary: The committee held a work session on the long-term care workforce, hearing first from DSHS Assistant Secretary B. Rector and then from representatives of Washington Health Care Association, SEIU 775, and Behavioral Health Solutions. Presenters described rapid growth in the 85-and-older population, increasing demand for home- and community-based services, and persistent shortages in direct care, nursing, and behavioral health staff. They cited low wages, unstable hours, benefits, certification and testing delays, immigration-related workforce concerns, and burnout as major barriers to recruitment and retention. DSHS highlighted recruitment and retention initiatives funded with federal dollars, including high school training programs, a retention toolkit, transportation support, workforce navigators, tribal partnerships, and remote caregiving pilots. Industry and labor witnesses urged higher reimbursement and compensation, better training pathways, and more worker voice; they also noted that Washington ranks highly nationally on some workforce measures but still faces shortages and turnover. Behavioral Health Solutions added that credentialing delays and mental health staffing gaps are affecting nursing home behavioral care, and that its programs aim to reduce hospital transfers and improve resident outcomes. No votes were taken. The committee then received an overview from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner on the palliative care benefit work group created by 2024 legislation. OIC explained that the work group, with actuarial analysis from Milliman and input from multiple stakeholder organizations, studied a proposed palliative care benefit for commercial plans, Medicaid, PEBB, and SEBB. The report concluded that a new benefit would likely increase costs, estimating about 28 cents per member per month overall and roughly $2.6 million to $4.5 million in annual state Medicaid costs if implemented in 2027. OIC said the evidence was insufficient to conclude that palliative care would produce offsetting savings, though several provider members disagreed and submitted response letters. Members asked about other states, Medicare, health homes, and whether more research could clarify cost savings; OIC said the issue remains unsettled and that additional data may emerge as other states implement similar benefits. Finally, the Health Care Authority provided a broad overview of health care price transparency tools in Washington and federally. Staff described federal hospital and health plan transparency rules, the state all-payer claims database, consumer-facing price and quality tools, prescription drug price transparency reporting, the Health Care Cost Transparency Board, and the Prescription Drug Affordability Board. They emphasized that these tools provide useful but incomplete information because of data lags, proprietary restrictions, limited self-insured employer participation, and the complexity of machine-readable files. The committee also discussed the role of AI in making transparency data more usable and the limits of current tools in helping consumers afford care. No formal action or vote was taken on any item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative—excuse me, Senator Christian. I'm here. Representative Fai. Senator Gaynor. Here.
• Senator Hasegawa. Senator Lovelet. Here. Representative McClintock. Present.
• Representative Paulette, Senator Solomon, President. Senator Short, Senator Wagoner.
• RAND used other data from LCB, data from other sources, and made assumptions where no data was available
• Senator Gaynor, to get to your question, but to get to your original question about the data systems,

Summary: At the May 14, 2025 JLARC meeting, members approved the January 9 minutes and adopted the 2025–27 biennial work plan with a minor typo correction. Staff reviewed two new work plan studies: a drug takeback program fee-setting and expenditures review due in December 2025, and a state energy performance standard compliance review due in June 2027. Staff also summarized recent JLARC session activity, noting six committee presentations and five bills enacted related to JLARC work or recommendations. The committee then heard a preliminary cannabis market study. JLARC staff reported that Washington businesses likely produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023, but that incomplete and unreliable Liquor and Cannabis Board data limits regulation, tax verification, and diversion tracking. Staff recommended that LCB submit a plan by the end of 2025 describing what resources and funding would be needed to collect accurate data by the end of 2026. Members and agency representatives discussed the 2031 timeline for a new tracking system, data quality problems, and the social equity program; LCB said it is evaluating vendor options and will provide more information on its plan. JLARC also presented a preliminary report on Department of Health oversight of hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff concluded DOH is late on many hospital inspections, does not verify third-party inspection standards, does not review adverse health event correction plans, and could make hospital data more accessible. The report included five recommendations to DOH and one to the Legislature. DOH said it would work with JLARC on a strategic management plan and acknowledged the need for improvements. The committee next reviewed a preliminary report on the public records survivor exemption, concluding the exemption is being used but needs clearer guidance. JLARC recommended keeping the exemption and having the Attorney General provide additional implementation guidance. Members then approved a proposed final report on Developmental Disabilities Administration processes and staffing; DDA concurred with the recommendations and described steps it has already taken on metrics, data quality, and workforce planning. Finally, JLARC introduced proposed study questions for its upcoming review of DCYF juvenile rehabilitation programs, focusing on safety and security, access to services, staffing, education, and comparisons to best practices. No votes were taken on the preliminary reports, and the meeting adjourned after the study question presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Angolia? Senator Osgood? Yeah. Senator Polsky? Yeah. Senator Ruson? Here. Senator Simon?
• Any questions, Senators? Senator Ruzon.
• Senator Ruzon.
• We use data.
• We use data.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to continue its review of performance measurement in the criminal justice system. The first presentation, from State Courts Administrator Eric McClure, described how the court system uses multiple data sources to track filings, dispositions, clearance rates, workload, and support services, and how those data inform judge need, budget requests, resource allocation, and court administration. He also discussed ongoing efforts to improve case-level reporting, the use of case management systems in trial and appellate courts, and performance efforts in problem-solving courts and civil case management. McClure noted that the legislature provides dedicated funding for problem-solving courts and for medication-assisted treatment, and that the courts are required to report outcomes and monitor compliance with contract requirements. Melanie Brown-Whor of the Florida Behavioral Health Association then reviewed the medication-assisted treatment program funded through the courts budget. She said the program combines medication with counseling and behavioral supports, serves people involved in or at risk of criminal justice involvement, and has expanded over time to include additional medications and more counties. She reported improved engagement and retention, with more than 10,000 people screened over five years, about 9,200 receiving medication, and over 6,600 successfully discharged. Senators asked about racial and ethnic demographics, hospital referrals, and how services are delivered; Brown-Whor explained that local community providers deliver treatment under contract and that the program is working to improve data reporting and consistency. The Department of Law Enforcement then presented on investigations, forensics, and criminal justice information services. Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard outlined FDLE’s strategic plan and major investigative priorities, including cybercrime, targeted violence, crimes against children, mutual aid, and the SAFE fentanyl eradication program. He said SAFE has led to major seizures, arrests, and a reported decline in fentanyl deaths. Director Jason Bundy described FDLE’s forensic laboratory operations, DNA and rapid DNA capabilities, cold case and missing persons work, and the staffing and turnaround-time challenges tied to complex evidence testing. Director Lucy Saunders reviewed FDLE’s criminal history, biometric, incident-based crime reporting, and criminal justice transparency systems, noting that Florida is still transitioning agencies from summary reporting to incident-based reporting. The committee raised questions about Rapid DNA deployment, cold case coordination, and the slow pace of NIBRS/FIBRS adoption. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we can be flexible on the destruction of data to your point, Senator Pappas.
• I think we can be flexible on the destruction of data to your point, Senator Pappas.
• I think we can be flexible on the destruction of data to your point, Senator Pappas.
• I think we can be flexible on the destruction of data to your point, Senator Pappas.
• I think we can be flexible on the destruction of data to your point, Senator Pappas.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Data highlights the danger of intersections, as Senator Ashby just said: 4,000 annual collisions nationwide
• Data highlights the danger of intersections, as Senator Ashby just said: 4,000 annual collisions nationwide
• And luckily, our colleague in the Senate, Senator Becker, Luckily, our colleague in the Senate, Senator
• data should never mean freely exploitable data.
• I see Senator Hurtado has snuck in front of Senator Errigine. Come on up. Sorry, Senator.

Summary: The committee heard several AI- and consumer-protection-related bills, with extensive testimony from authors, supporters, and industry opponents. SB 53 by Senator Wiener would create transparency requirements for large AI developers, including disclosure of safety and security protocols, reporting of critical safety incidents, whistleblower protections, and the CalCompute public cloud. Supporters said it is a narrower, transparency-based follow-up to last year’s vetoed AI safety bill, while opponents argued it still relies too much on company size, could expose trade secrets, and should be narrowed further. The committee approved SB 53 on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members. SB 766 by Senator Allen would codify the FTC’s Cars Rule and create a three-day cooling-off period for certain used-car purchases, along with stronger disclosure rules on pricing, add-ons, and government affiliation claims. Supporters said it would save consumers money and time and help buyers avoid bad deals, while dealer and industry groups said amendments addressed many of their concerns. Several former opponents moved to neutral, and the committee passed SB 766 unanimously as amended to Appropriations. SB 7 by Senator McNerney would regulate automated decision-making systems in employment by requiring notice, human review for discipline and termination, and limits on predictive behavior analysis. Labor and consumer advocates supported the bill as a safeguard against biased or overly automated workplace decisions, while employer and industry groups raised concerns about scope, notice burdens, and the predictive-analysis ban. The committee passed SB 7 to Appropriations on a 4-2 vote, with the roll held open. SB 833, also by Senator McNerney, would require human oversight of AI used in critical infrastructure, along with training and system assessments; it drew limited opposition focused on scope, and the committee passed it as amended to Appropriations on a 5-0 vote, also holding the roll open. Later, the committee took up SB 11, which would address AI-generated voice, image, and video cloning and deepfakes by clarifying likeness protections, requiring consumer warnings, and addressing misuse and evidence tampering. Supporters framed it as a targeted response to nonconsensual deepfakes, while industry groups said recent amendments improved the bill but still had concerns about penalties and warning language. The committee also heard SB 720, the Safer Streets Act, which would let cities opt into a revised red-light camera system that shifts from driver to owner liability, removes facial identification, makes violations civil rather than criminal, and directs revenue toward transportation safety projects; the author presented the bill, but the transcript ends before any final action on SB 720.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Wiener is here, and you may proceed, Senator Wiener.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Senator, Archela.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 868, the Plug and Play Solar Act, which would streamline approval for portable plug-in solar devices for homes and apartments. The author and supporters argued the bill would help renters and other Californians lower electric bills, expand access to solar, and create statewide safety standards through UL certification and the National Electrical Code. Opponents, including electrical workers, firefighters, utilities, and PG&E, raised concerns about shock, fire, backfeeding, older electrical systems, and the bill bypassing the California Electrical Code and Building Standards Commission process. After extended discussion and testimony from UL, the author agreed to add California Electrical Code language, and several opponents indicated they would move to neutral; the committee then passed the bill out as amended to the Senate Judiciary Committee on a roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 886, which would establish rules for large data centers to prevent electricity cost shifts to other ratepayers. The author and supporters said rapid data center growth could drive major grid costs and that the bill would require data centers to pay for their own infrastructure, participate in demand response, and secure new zero-carbon resources. Supporters included environmental and consumer groups, while opponents such as the Data Center Coalition, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, utilities, and business groups argued the bill was unnecessary, could duplicate CPUC proceedings, and might impose operationally risky mandates, especially around demand response and backup power. Committee staff described amendments narrowing the bill to large data centers, clarifying tariff and cost-allocation provisions, replacing behind-the-meter storage with a pre-funded long-term clean energy contract, and exempting certain public and critical facilities; the discussion continued with questions about cost responsibility, clean energy targets, and peak-load management.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Berg. Senator Boswell. Senator Higdon. Senator Nunn, here. Senator Richardson.
• Senator Smith. Senator Tichenor, here. Senator Wilson. Senator Yates. Vice Chair Reed, here.
• Senator Berg. Senator Boswell. Senator Higdon. Senator Nunn, aye. Senator Reed, aye.
• Senator Richardson, aye. Senator Smith, aye. Senator Tichenor. Senator Wilson. Senator Gates, aye.
• Senator Boswell, Senator Higdon, Senator Nunn, Senator Reed, Senator Richardson, Senator Smith.

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection met with a quorum and considered two bills. House Bill 131, sponsored by Rep. Michael Meredith, would give certain former second-class cities more flexibility to change firefighter schedules without a collective bargaining agreement, allowing alternative schedules such as 24-on/72-off and a 48-on/72-off pattern. Meredith said the measure was developed with the Kentucky League of Cities and Kentucky Professional Firefighters and was permissive rather than mandatory. Senators generally supported the bill, noting it would not affect departments that want to keep their current schedules. The committee then heard House Bill 136 from Rep. Jared Bowman, with testimony from Josh Crawford of the Georgia Center for Opportunity. The bill would require more comprehensive annual reporting from the Department of Corrections so lawmakers can better evaluate sentencing, parole, recidivism, rehabilitation, and re-entry outcomes. Supporters said Kentucky currently relies too much on anecdote and incomplete data, and that better information would help direct funding and policy decisions; Bowman also tied the bill to follow-up on last year’s criminal justice reforms. Some members praised the data-gathering effort and discussed possible future tweaks, while one senator criticized HB 5 and said the data should have been collected earlier. Both bills were advanced unanimously by the committee and sent to the Senate floor with favorable consideration. The chair also announced a reminder about the Kentucky National Guard briefing and aerial flight event RSVP deadline.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate will come to order. Senator Blanco, for what purpose? For the author.
• Senator King, do you yield? Yes, I do. Thank you, Senator.
• Senator King, do you yield? Certainly. Thank you so much, Senator King.
• Without looking at racial data, and I haven't looked at any racial data.
• Thank you, Senator. Senator Zaffirini? Thank you, Mr. President. Mr.

Bills: SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB4 , HB1 , HB3 , HB20 , HB22 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , HB4 , SB2 , SB5