Transcript Highlights:

• and we're legislating the technology and we're legislating the technology used<00:08:46.480>
• Um, detrimental technology in a while.
• always to understand the technology. always to understand the technology.
• become experts on technology. become experts on technology. on<00:37:37.520> the<00:37:37.680
• <00:37:45.280> and 30-year veteran of technology and 30-year veteran of technology and someone

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 4138, a bill aimed at limiting harmful social media features for children and requiring social media companies to report potential mass-shooting threats to the BCA. Members first reconsidered and then adopted the Smith amendment (A13), while a proposed amendment to that amendment (A18) failed on a 67-67 tie. Representative Bonner then introduced a technical amendment (A14) but withdrew it after explaining it needed further work to avoid liability and legal problems. The bill was then read for third reading as amended. Debate centered on the bill’s approach to child safety online. Supporters, including Representatives Scott, Eng, Feist, Greenman, and Gilman, argued that social media is addictive, harmful to children’s mental health, and too often exploits kids, and they said the bill is an important bipartisan first step. Several members also emphasized that parents should be involved, though some questioned whether parents can realistically understand the technology and legal terms well enough to make informed decisions. Representative Leeing raised concerns about location privacy, parental consent, possible liability waivers, and whether the bill should instead restrict addictive features for all children rather than only those whose parents consent. The discussion also broadened to related public-safety issues. Representative Greenman contrasted the difficulty of advancing this bill with the Legislature’s inability to move gun-related provisions, arguing that organized interests like the gun lobby and big tech are blocking stronger protections for children. Representative Bonner later described specific cases of children harmed through social media, including sextortion and fentanyl-related deaths, to argue that the bill does not yet cover all vulnerable youth and should be strengthened. No final vote on passage is included in the transcript excerpt, but the amended bill advanced to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the Committee on Appropriations and Technology, having under consideration Senate Bill 1848
• Senate Bill 1853, relating to health care, is before the Committee on Appropriations and Technology.
• Chairman, I move the Appropriations and Technology amendment be adopted.
• President, the Committee on Appropriations and Technology is under consideration.
• I was advised by Chapter 8 relating to information technology. Senator Farnsworth. Mr.

Summary: The meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and a guest introduction for Deputy Frank Sloop. The Senate then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, with most measures receiving do-pass recommendations after brief explanations and, in several cases, floor amendments. Topics included public records, capital outlay review, local government, taxation, state budget implementation, higher education appropriations, utility regulation, towing regulation, homeowners association disclosures, nursing board regulation, veteran services, criminal justice, human services, K-12 education, state property management, and the continuation of the Arizona State Board of Nursing. Several bills were amended on the floor before receiving favorable recommendations. House Bill 2114 on motorcycle-related provisions was amended to require that at least one registered owner be legally licensed to operate a motorcycle in Arizona. House Bill 2397 on HOA/condominium disclosures was amended to change disclosure timing and fee rules and make other conforming changes. House Bill 2408 on nursing board regulatory action was amended to remove a clear-and-convincing-evidence burden in disciplinary matters and clarify complaint-sharing procedures. House Bill 2957 on driver’s license/handheld provisions, House Bill 2305 on towing regulation, and House Bill 2321 on DCS-related reporting also received amendments before do-pass recommendations. The largest item was Senate Bill 1847, the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act. Senators offered extensive floor amendments affecting agriculture, corrections, criminal justice, school safety, law enforcement equipment, vehicle theft task force funding, liquor licensing, and other budget items. During third reading and debate on the budget, Democratic senators praised negotiated gains such as funding for aging services, food assistance, civil legal aid, school meals, heat relief, and a three-year moratorium on new data center tax incentives, while criticizing border-related funding, ESA/voucher policy, and cuts to higher education and adult education. One member’s remarks were ruled dilatory after repeated off-topic comments, and the ruling of the chair was sustained by a 16-12 vote. The transcript ends with additional budget-related explanation of votes continuing after the budget’s third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and so I see the need for this education and navigation of new technology is out there.
• > include So, newer technology examples include So, newer technology examples include ultra-efficient
• technology is out there. technology is out there.
• And that's that's why technologies.
• <00:48:24.560> are people because these technologies are people because these technologies

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• efficiency as the current technology efficiency as the current technology that<00:50:18.680>
• They’re just really great technology, so it should just be an easy no-brainer choice.
• They’re just really great technology, so it should just be an easy no-brainer choice.
• They’re just really great technology, so it should just be an easy no-brainer choice.
• sale and it's the cheapest technology sale and it's the cheapest technology out there<00:53:22.720

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 117 on condominiums. Testifiers were split: reserve-study professionals and the Community Associations Institute opposed tying reserve requirements to assessed value, arguing reserve studies should be based on actual components and costs and that the bill could lead to over- or under-collection. Condominium owners and advocates supported the bill, saying some associations are not completing reserve studies or are failing to provide audits and adequate funding, and urging stronger fiduciary accountability. A member later asked about compliance rates, and a witness said he was not aware of any association that had failed to do a reserve study, estimating compliance at well over 95 percent, likely close to 100 percent. The committee then took testimony on HB 544 on pet insurance, which drew support from the Attorney General’s office and the Insurance Division with comments about contract-impairment issues, as well as support from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association and the Hawaiian Humane Society. Testifiers said the bill would help consumers understand and use pet insurance as veterinary costs rise. HB 983 on certified public accountants also drew mostly support, with the Hawaii Society of CPAs and the Hawaii Association of Public Accountants offering conditional support and proposed amendments. Public accountants said the bill could help address a shortage of CPAs and expand pathways into the profession, while some speakers cautioned that the language needed clarification and that public accounting experience should be tied to CPA-firm work. An instructor from UH West Oahu said students cannot afford the extra credits currently required and would benefit from a more accessible pathway. The committee also heard HB 1050 on Title 24, with DCCA supporting the measure and no opposition or questions. The discussion then moved to HB 256 HD1 on environmental protection and incinerator emissions. The Department of Health offered comments, while Energy Justice Network and Climate Protectors Hawaii supported strengthening the bill, warning that it could weaken existing standards at H-Power unless amended to preserve stricter state rules and require modern pollution controls. A member questioned the Department of Health about H-Power’s permits and whether additional controls would be required if federal rules change; the department said permits are reviewed every five years and that the facility currently meets state and federal requirements, while EPA rules remain in a public comment process. Finally, the committee heard HB 1051 HD1 on energy efficiency portfolio standards, with support from the Consumer Advocate, State Energy Office, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaii Energy. The committee then heard HB 350 HD1 on energy, where the State Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray Corporation offered conditional comments urging any new mandated water-heating technology to meet the same efficiency level as existing solar thermal systems, and the Kauai Climate Action Coalition testified in support. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• more<04:04:11.600> rapidly technology is even more rapidly technology is even more rapidly
• technologies technologies are.<04:17:45.120> So<04:17:45.439> that's<04:17:45.760>
• technologies in place. technologies in place.
• So, um, I think I would encourage the bill to be technology agnostic and explore all technologies.
• agnostic uh and explore be technology agnostic uh and explore all<05:00:03.840> technologies.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're certainly reviewing the application as we're integrating more technological solutions and we'll
• So, it's a day of technological advancements.
• So, it's a day of technological<00:16:56.959> advancements.
• <00:16:57.680> Um,<00:16:58.079> our technological advancements.
• Um, our technological advancements.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The JLCAR June meeting opened with the pledge, approval of the prior minutes, and adoption of the consent calendar after one Fish and Game item was pulled for separate consideration. The committee then reordered the regular calendar and postponed an HHS item at the agency’s request because work was still ongoing. The committee next considered OPLC item 2547, concerning amendments to licensure and discipline forms for regulated professions. Members raised concerns that the application was still too geared toward health professions and that renewal forms should be shorter, but the agency said it was moving toward a dynamic online form that would collapse irrelevant questions. The committee concluded the issue was more about agency operations than policy and adopted the rule. For DNCR item 2551, on rules for the Adopt-a-Park volunteer program, staff explained the agency had been operating the program under statute but had realized rules were required and had been using DOJ review in the meantime. Committee members noted the agency had not followed the rulemaking requirement but was now correcting it, and the rule was approved. Fish and Game item 2570, on electronic OHRV and snowmobile registration applications, drew discussion over whether the online process should be processed in five days to match mail-in applications or remain at ten days; the agency cited workload and file-transfer delays, and the committee adopted a conditional approval with an oral amendment leaving the ten-day timeframe in place for now. In other business, staff described a planned upgrade to the committee’s agency portal and database workflow, moving from email submissions to an online portal with better form validation and document upload features. Members supported the modernization and approved the manual change, with implementation expected after agency sign-up and training later in the summer.

Transcript Highlights:

• For too long, a handful of technology giants have dominated the world. key sectors of our economy, limiting
• And so the efficiencies, the productivity that can be achieved through technology is there to benefit
• So over the last, let's say two decades, technology has made each of our lives easier.
• We've seen technology advance in many. Ways technology has helped this nation.
• I personally do not because I know that it does not have the cutting-edge technology that...

Keywords: antitrust, competition policy, digital advertising, monopoly, America Act, big tech, consumer rights

Summary: The meeting, titled 'Big Fixes, Big Tech', marked the first hearing of the Senate antitrust competition policy and consumer rights subcommittee in the 119th Congress. Chairman Lee opened the session focusing on the urgent need for effective solutions regarding anti-competitive behavior among major tech firms like Google and Facebook, highlighting several ongoing court cases regarding monopolistic practices in the digital advertising and search markets. Key discussions included the limitations imposed on small businesses and innovation due to the dominance of these tech giants, with many testimonies advocating for stronger legislative measures, including the America Act. The act aims to disrupt the monopolistic capabilities of these firms and restore competitive integrity in the marketplace, which has suffered under their oppressive market control.

Transcript Highlights:

• The technology to do this exists.
• For example, Project Liberty has developed a free, The technology to do this exists.
• The bill doesn't pick any winners or losers here, but the technology is out there.
• Eric Lincoln, on behalf of the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
• SB 85 also positions Virginia to address the next wave of technology.

Keywords: House Committee Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you start to tax information technology, support, Newly taxable services.
• So I think it's information technology related to training and support.
• I read that as not all information technology services, but training and support services.
• Sub-G-H became sub-G, so you have information technology training and support, but information technology
• Sub-G-H became sub-G, so you have information technology training and support, but information technology

Summary: The House Finance Committee held a work session that began with welcoming new member Rep. Janice Zahn, who introduced herself as representing the 41st Legislative District. The Department of Revenue then gave an update on the Antio-related legislation following the Washington Supreme Court decision and the 2025 session changes. DOR explained its voluntary disclosure program and the new expanded voluntary disclosure agreement for taxpayers with unreported investment income, including broader eligibility and interest/penalty relief, but said utilization has been minimal so far because additional implementation questions remain unresolved. The committee next received the annual update on the Working Families Tax Credit. DOR reported record participation in 2025, with about $205 million refunded through October and a major increase in applications after TurboTax added the credit to its filing software. Officials said most dollars went to households with children, outreach efforts remained important, and community partners and state agencies helped increase uptake. Members focused heavily on fraud concerns, especially tax preparers allegedly filing claims without applicants’ knowledge or diverting refunds; DOR said it is using fraud detection tools, training preparers, and trying to make applicants whole, but current law does not provide direct penalties against preparers. The final portion covered implementation of engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5814, which expanded sales tax to certain services. DOR described the new tax framework, its guidance process, and the large volume of ruling requests and outreach since the law took effect October 1. Committee members asked about fiscal assumptions, the scope of taxable services, and whether the department had revised its implementation estimates; DOR said the fiscal note assumed broad application absent explicit exemptions and that no expenditure revision had been made. In stakeholder testimony, Expedia and T-Mobile argued the law creates complexity and competitive disadvantages for Washington businesses, while a construction training provider said the tax raises tuition for workers seeking required certifications. School and nonprofit representatives said the tax will increase costs for special education services, arts programming, and other public-facing activities, and urged exemptions or further legislative fixes. The chair closed by noting the committee would revisit 5814 in the next session and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 19 businesses waiting for this technology.
• It's green security technology, completely off the grid.
• Any business that has this technology will be allowed to do all this.
• The vertical launch area and the advanced technology area.
• On page 23, we're working on a two-year lease with Sirius Technologies.

Transcript Highlights:

• It exists for genetic technologies like mRNA.
• Who will benefit if the technology is banned in this state?
• RNA technology is also adaptable.
• I earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology.
• Technology is not new.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB116, HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744

Keywords: HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it was heard in business, labor and technology.
• <01:47:38.000> we really just updates the technology we really just updates the technology
• > spreading<02:12:42.719> like This camera technology is spreading like This camera technology
• we have now unleashed this technology we have now unleashed this technology and<02:14:45.520>
• the good uses of this technology. the good uses of this technology.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and fastm moving technologies. and fastm moving technologies.
• . technologies. technologies.
• I um access to technology for minors.
• Technology-mediated services, so that it kind of is broad enough to hit all the different levels of technology
• technologies are also personal technologies are also personal information.<01:02:14.880> Um

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard testimony on the use of artificial intelligence in therapy and mental health settings. Representative Lisa Willner and Brenda Rosen of NASW Kentucky argued for “guard rails” on AI chatbots so they cannot present themselves as licensed therapists or replace school counselors, psychologists, or social workers. They said AI can support licensed professionals, but warned that chatbots cannot reliably recognize nonverbal cues, escalate crises, or provide accountable care, and they cited examples of harmful chatbot interactions, including a suicide case and a chatbot telling a user to “Please die.” The witnesses also raised concerns about data privacy, commercialization of sensitive mental health conversations, and the use of personal clinical content to train AI models. They said minors should require parental consent and suggested transparency about how a chatbot is trained and who created it. They distinguished between unvetted consumer chatbots and AI tools that have been scientifically validated or approved as digital therapeutics, noting that some evidence-based tools may be useful for specific conditions such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders. Committee members asked whether regulation should be handled by the legislature or by professional boards, and whether a multi-state model would be preferable to 50 different state approaches. The witnesses generally favored expert-led standards and said a board or panel of experts could review and approve mental health chatbots, but members cautioned that boards can become too restrictive and that legislation should preserve flexibility and avoid discouraging children from seeking help. The discussion ended with a request for the witnesses to restate their proposed policy ideas, including privacy protections, bans on commercialization, limits on training AI with clinical content, transparency requirements, and informed consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Artificial intelligence rapidly Technological Displacement Act.
• And AI is very different than any technology.
• It moves at a speed and And AI is very different than any technology.
• This is the adoption of this technology as a management tool moving rapidly.
• And the technology is developing rapidly, but it's not perfect.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a non-profit organization that rescues children from sexual abuse by building technology for
• Find new ways to use the internet and technology to exploit our children.
• And I agree that, you know, they have the technology. They know the customers.
• The beautiful thing about the technology is it works hand-in-hand with every other law enforcement technology
• This technology can work beautifully if victims and parents actually have power.

Keywords: Stop CSAM Act, child exploitation, online safety, reporting requirements, tech accountability, NCMEC, survivor support, legislative testimony

Summary: The committee meeting centered around the urgent need to address child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online, focusing primarily on the testimony and discussions surrounding the Stop CSAM Act. Several witnesses, including representatives from law enforcement and advocacy organizations, highlighted the significant drop in reports of child exploitation cases despite an alarming increase in actual incidents. Concerns were raised about tech companies' reporting practices, with calls for more stringent requirements to ensure timely and accurate reporting of suspected abuse. The legislation aims to fortify protections for child victims by imposing stricter obligations on tech platforms to report incidents and support law enforcement in investigations.

Transcript Highlights:

• SECOND IS APPLIED TECHNOLOGY DIPLOMA WHICH CAN EITHER BE:00 HOUR OR COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM.
• DEGREES TRAINING FOR A SPECIFIC OCCUPATION SO YOU MIGHT THINK OF CYBER SECURITY OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
• PLUMBING, CARPENTRY, HVAC BUT NOW WE SEE IT MOVE INTO HEALTHCARE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
• THAT GAVE US OF THE ABILITY TO LAUNCH THE VISION THAT WE HAD FOR AN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
• I ALSO WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT OUR PANTHER ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY HUB.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in innovation and emerging technology. in innovation and emerging technology.
• <01:02:20.600> is that autonomous vehicles technology is that autonomous vehicles technology
• Do technology is in many other places.
• get not let technology get ahead of us. get not let technology get ahead of us.
• c> have<01:32:56.520> the automated technology does have the automated technology does have

Bills: HF4062, HF4063, HF4065, HF3926, HF4216, HF3176, HF3728, HF3988, HF3865

Keywords: vehicle registration, title transfer, rental vehicles, state regulations, motor vehicle laws, school buses, USDOT number, first aid kits, transportation safety, vehicle regulations, transit safety, assault penalties, public transportation, criminal justice, transit workers, transportation, railroad, safety, economic development, public roads

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have technology backing up.
• We have the technology to detect all these drones, and there's technology to take them down.
• technology...
• that old technology doesn't suffer from.
• That old technology is great for that.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:32.640> so economic impact leveraging technology so economic impact leveraging technology
• know how how to leverage technology know how how to leverage technology whether<00:27:23.559>
• <00:27:27.440> to to really leverage this technology to to really leverage this technology
• Next up, HB 448, relating to technology enablement.
• those related to the tourism sector, with technology enablement. ...technology enablement.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with HB 934 on broadband and digital equity. Testifiers from the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Office of Enterprise and Technology Services, DCCA, the University system, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and others generally supported the measure and emphasized the need to coordinate broadband efforts, fund operations, and expand access to high-speed internet, devices, and digital navigation services. The Chamber of Commerce and West Coast Comprehensive Health Center supported the bill but objected to HD1 language excluding broadband infrastructure for retail service, warning it could create unintended consequences and limit community-led or rural projects. The Lieutenant Governor explained the state expects roughly $400 million to $500 million in federal broadband funding, described the bill as consolidating efforts under a broadband office attached to the CIO, and said the office would focus on infrastructure, devices, and training. No vote was taken on HB 934 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 97 on travel insurance. The Insurance Division said it had no major problem with the product but requested technical changes to align with licensing requirements and noted the bill largely codifies practices already used in the industry. Industry witnesses from Allianz and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association said the measure would create a consistent framework, add consumer protections, and align Hawaii with the NAIC model adopted in many other states. Members questioned whether there was a specific problem the bill was solving, and the division responded that it was mainly a framework and form-review measure rather than a response to a known enforcement issue. The bill was discussed but no final action was reported in the excerpt. HB 448 on technology enablement drew broad support from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Food Industry Association, and other business representatives. Supporters said the measure would help businesses use technology such as digital platforms, e-commerce, robotics, and AR/VR to improve competitiveness, especially in tourism and other sectors. Committee members pressed for clearer scope, cost estimates, and assurances that local companies would be used; the agency said it would prioritize local-first contracting, use federal NIST-related support where possible, and estimated an initial request of about $200,000, though it could not give a firm total. Members expressed concern that the plan was still too undefined. The committee then began HB 455 on small business loans, where the Attorney General suggested explaining why a special fund is needed, and a witness from H Collaborative said the bill would help startup businesses that struggle most to access capital.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dan Diorio: Texas is now front and center of the global technology race.
• The other key factor here is that the technologies are being deployed now.
• However, they're combining it with different technologies.
• So it's used in conjunction with other technologies.
• new and advanced technologies like AI.

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.