Transcript Highlights:

• Corvent Medical is a recent example of the fund supporting advanced medical technology in Fargo.
• Internally, we're refining By collaborating with partners and adopting new technologies.
• First is driving alignment of programs, technology, communications, and process across the workforce
• We also factor in emerging occupations.
• So the council will go on and say, okay, this is an emerging occupation.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services Division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget for the 2027-29 biennium and to receive an update on Commerce programs. Legislative Council staff first walked the committee through the “blue sheet” base budget summary, explaining the major line items, the large share of federal grant authority in Commerce’s budget, and the continuing appropriations that support several Commerce funds. Members asked how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff said collaboration varies by program but is strong in areas like UAS and LIHEAP. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilken then presented on current activities, focusing heavily on grant administration, transparency, and economic development programs. Members questioned how grant applicants are selected, whether Commerce tracks applications and return on investment, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. The commissioner said Commerce uses scoring criteria, outside reviewers, a minimum 30-day application window, and typically completes awards within two to three months. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce should open some grants only to intended recipients versus running competitive application processes; Commerce said it follows best-practice grantmaking and that its attorney in the Attorney General’s office approved that approach. Commerce also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, citing long-term investment and job creation results, examples such as Red Trail Energy, Packet Digital, Valiance, Corvent Medical, child care loans, and the Automate ND program. Members asked about acceptable failures, lessons learned, regional economic development coordination, and the expansion of the fund into non-primary sectors. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell then outlined a statewide workforce ecosystem review, a new governor’s workforce sub-cabinet, and three task forces focused on simplifying entry, warm handoffs, and data integration. She discussed the in-demand occupations list, Workforce Pell, apprenticeships, and efforts to better connect students with employers and higher education. Commerce also briefly reviewed housing programs and a new housing sub-cabinet. No votes were taken; the committee simply received testimony, asked questions, and adjourned after setting up the next meeting to hear the Attorney General budget in June.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> our health care system arrives in our health care system arrives in hospital<00:03:09.880> emergency
• rooms,<00:03:11.120> and<00:03:11.320> that<00:03:11.640> cost hospital emergency
• rooms, and that cost hospital emergency rooms, and that cost gets<00:03:12.680> paid<00:03:13.400
• technology technology just<00:16:00.880> for<00:16:01.760> fun?
• And House DFLers can step in and regulate some of this technology before it is too late.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House DFL leaders held a press event outlining an affordability agenda focused on housing, child care, health care, groceries, energy, and taxes. Speakers argued that Minnesota families are being squeezed by rising costs and income inequality, and said the caucus would pursue policies aimed at lowering everyday expenses and shifting more costs onto corporations and wealthy residents. Representative Bierman said health care costs are pushing people to skip care and called for system reforms, including moving toward a more universal model and reducing the role of insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. Representative Kotiza-Wazhushk said the caucus is pushing for universal or low-cost child care, expanded pre-K and community-based care, and a bill to stop grocery surveillance price gouging. Representative Acomb and other energy leaders said the House DFL wants to lower utility bills through more energy assistance, weatherization, renewable energy support, limits on utility cost recovery for lobbying and executive pay, and stronger PUC authority to prevent shutoffs and limit rate increases. Representative Agbaje described housing as unaffordable for many renters and homeowners, cited a shortage of housing units, and said the caucus supports restricting private equity and corporate purchases of single-family homes. Leader Stevenson framed the agenda as a response to a budget picture that he said reflects gains for corporations and wealthy Minnesotans, and he criticized federal tax policy and Medicaid cuts. In response to questions about cost, he said several proposals would not require state spending, while others could be funded by looking at new revenue and at those who benefited most from recent tax changes. The event also included a detailed explanation of the grocery surveillance pricing proposal, which would restrict the use of personal data and AI to set individualized prices and limit rapid electronic shelf price changes. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is actually a technology bill because it has to do with remedies.
• It was not just for electioneering; it was from a technology standpoint. Bluetooth came into play.
• This is a technology bill.
• But I also recognize the technology issue. That's right.
• So it's really, from my standpoint, I'm like, why are we using this massive technology?

Bills: HB186, HB201, HB229, HB796, HB1506, HB2702, HB2885, HB3225, HB3909, HB4285, HB5138

Keywords: social media, children, account verification, data privacy, parental control, financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, federal directives, state authority

Transcript Highlights:

• emergencies.
• We've got employees all over the state that allow us to respond to those emergency situations and we're
• The inventory management system using technology will allow dealers and tax assessor collectors to order
• So leveraging some technology, we hope that some efficiency will be real.
• There are new technologies in paper that are more difficult, I wouldn't say impossible to reproduce,

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After receiving the emergency waiver, suddenly my son's behaviors became unmanageable, and I was given
• Since 1981, our organization has pioneered emergency...
• After receiving the emergency waiver, suddenly my son's behaviors became...
• We rushed to the emergency room where Raz underwent a procedure with full anesthesia to try to fix his
• Hearing a while back on emergency preparedness, we need sufficient staff to evacuate. Thank you.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They used technology to have ongoing connection with families.
• I think this is an emerging piece of research.
• I see a lot more technology use in the classroom.
• In addition to that, technology was an issue.
• Technology integration is now permanent.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, automobiles include crash-avoidance technologies, some as basic as mirrors and lighting,
• and other more sophisticated technologies such as advanced driver assistance systems.
• Florida's geospatial programs rely on several core technologies.
• Also for emergency management. We've done that with aerial imagery already.
• Also for emergency management. We've done that with aerial imagery already.

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard SB 356 by Senator Wright, which would create an opt-in framework allowing counties and municipalities to designate certain roads for utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs) under local conditions, including driver licensing, insurance, and speed-limit restrictions below 55 mph. Senator Wright said the bill would give law enforcement clearer authority and mirror the local-option approach used for golf carts. Supporters included a retired Volusia County sheriff and county commissioner, who argued UTVs are safer than golf carts and are already being used on roads, while opponents from the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and Honda warned that UTVs are designed for off-road use, lack federal safety standards, and pose crash and tire-blowout risks on public roads. Several senators raised safety concerns, especially about speed and crash severity, but the committee ultimately voted to report SB 356 favorably. The committee then held a lengthy discussion on seaport infrastructure and funding, beginning with a moment of silence for JaxPort COO and former FDOT employee James Bennett. FDOT presented data showing Florida’s 16 deepwater seaports generate major cargo volume, jobs, and economic impact, and described state funding programs such as FSTED, SPI, and the construction aggregate grant program. Port representatives from Port Everglades, PortMiami, Port Tampa Bay, and the Port of Palm Beach described record cargo and cruise activity, major capital projects, and the need for continued state and federal support for dredging, bulkheads, cranes, rail, and terminal expansion. Senators asked about ROI, trade shifts, intermodal connections, fuel and LNG availability, leverage and reserves, and operational risks such as flooding, sea level rise, and channel depth; port officials emphasized resiliency, private partnerships, and long-term master planning. The committee also confirmed appointees to the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority and the Tampa Port Authority in one vote, with no objection. Finally, FDOT presented the statewide mapping programs work group report required by SB 1662, explaining that coordinated statewide use of LiDAR and aerial imagery could reduce duplication, improve emergency management and planning, and support insurance and storm-damage assessment. FDOT recommended a formal statewide coordination program, shared procurement and cost-sharing agreements, dedicated staffing, and statutory updates to Chapter 334 to support interagency agreements and recurring funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm governmental contracts with the Chinese companies for certain information communications technology
• impose a hotel occupancy tax for the committee on ways and means 2405 by Reynolds relates to the emergency
• technology authorizing self-penalty in creating criminal offense or for the Committee on State Affairs
• Affairs, HB 2437 by Rosenthal, relating to the Adoption Amendment. of the annual budget by certain emergency
• a criminal offense referred to the subcommittee on workforce HB 24 73 by sevens relating to the emergency

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fifteen babies during that time were born in the emergency department without parental care.
• As any parent knows, our children have access to unlimited amounts of technology, and a lot of that technology
• Especially in high-need fields like healthcare, applied technology, and public service.
• Assembly Bill 1842 by Assembly Member Harbinian and others, an act relating to emergency relief.
• A bill establishing the California Emergency Mortgage Relief Act.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through a large House of Origin floor file, with the Speaker repeatedly urging members to be at their desks and keep support bills brief. Early actions included dispensing with the journal, re-referring AB 2285 to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then taking up dozens of third-reading items, with many bills passed by voice or recorded vote and others passed temporarily or retained on file. The floor debated and passed a wide range of measures on land use, housing, labor, public safety, health care, utilities, taxation, and consumer protection. Among the bills approved were measures on land surveyor review (AB 1933), nurse midwife access for pregnant and postpartum patients (AB 1696), historic-district transit zoning flexibility (AB 2415), EV charging infrastructure fees and timelines (AB 1820), foreclosure bidding protections (AB 1957), tribal cannabis commerce (AB 2506), outdoor advertising permitting (AB 2024), commercial building permit timelines and third-party plan checkers (AB 2418), DUI penalties (AB 1685 and AB 1687), utility rate transparency (AB 1715), CalWORKs work-penalty changes (AB 1755), dynamic electricity rates (AB 1787), interior designer licensure (AB 1796), compost labeling and contamination rules (AB 1812), modular housing standardization (AB 1815), small claims limits for businesses (AB 1827), Native American Day as a paid state holiday (AB 1841), hospital staffing and maternity access bills (AB 1868 and AB 1882), protective orders tied to release dates (AB 1889), and a series of public health, missing persons, and teacher credentialing measures later in the file. Several high-profile bills drew extended debate. AB 2624, expanding Safe at Home privacy protections to immigrant service providers, prompted sharp disagreement over free speech and alleged limits on online posting, but supporters said it protected workers facing threats and doxing; it ultimately passed 49-19. AB 2023, creating a framework for regulating AI chatbots used by children, was framed as a child-safety measure after testimony about chatbot-related harms and suicide risks, and passed 58-8. Other notable votes included AB 2208 on Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, AB 2299 on CalFresh/SNAP losses, AB 2115 apologizing to California Native peoples for historic state harms, and AB 2311 on public hospital physician employment; the transcript ends as the Assembly continues working through the remaining file.

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget also addresses a range of operational technology and workload needs for entities under the
• In addition, the FDEM budget includes over $20 million. for local emergency preparedness and response
• So can you explain to us where we are on the emergency management trust fund?
• So what What is the status of that and the status of money for the budget on the Emergency Management
• Budget for the Emergency Management Trust Fund right now? Senator DiCeglie [ID: member_1197].

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No worries, that's technology for you. Um, well, thank you, Mr.
• <00:46:25.280> departments especially in the emergency departments especially in the emergency
• officer who's working in in an emergency officer who's working in in an emergency uh<00:51:18.400
• Chair, members, so for the emergency personnel provision, does not include a security officer.
• :52:06.000> personnel emergency medical services personnel emergency medical services personnel

Bills: HF2358, HF3496, HF3504, HF2169, HF3440

Keywords: public safety, coercion, criminal penalties, law enforcement, victim protection, HF3496, supervision abatement, earned compliance credit, earned compliance credits, conditional release, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, restitution, willful nonpayment, probation-like supervision, release supervision, community supervision, lifetime conditional release, early termination of supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• As a parent and a grandparent, I've seen how fast technology is shaping our kids' lives.
• Today students are growing up in a world where technology is a part of their daily lives, and such technologies
• As these technologies continue to evolve, it is important that our education system evolves alongside
• Additionally, proposed amendments reflected in the analysis further define what constitutes emergency
• Additionally, proposed amendments reflected in the analysis further define what constitutes emergency

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 6, 2026, with a quorum present and began by approving a large consent calendar of bills on two unanimous-support motions. The committee then heard a series of individual bills, with authors and sponsors generally describing low or absorbable state costs and asking for aye votes. Topics included AI/digital safety education for students (AB 1792), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), retirement information for community college faculty (AB 2417), cannabis regulation changes including tribal commerce, drive-through sales, and beverage labeling (AB 2506, AB 2697, AB 2532), emergency equipment training for law enforcement volunteers (AB 1913), cannery law modernization (AB 2706), child care planning in local governments (AB 1914), EV charger permitting fees (AB 1820), election-record notice requirements (AB 1664), nursing home discharge notices (AB 2135), a San Diego energization-delay pilot (AB 2518), mental health training for school coaches (AB 1665), and education governance and oversight changes (AB 2117). Several bills were described as committee or sponsor measures with technical or clarifying changes, including AB 2780, AB 2615, AB 2121, and AB 2771. Testimony was largely supportive, often from sponsor groups, industry representatives, labor, or advocacy organizations. Notable support included TechNet for AB 1792, the California State Sheriffs’ Association for AB 1913, California Dairies and food manufacturers for AB 2706, the Low Income Investment Fund for AB 1914, EV and environmental groups for AB 1820, the Attorney General’s Office for AB 1664, long-term care ombudsman advocates for AB 2135, and the California State Association of Psychiatrists for the cannabis and mental-health-related bills. Some bills drew limited opposition or “opposed unless amended” positions, including AB 2350, AB 1820, and AB 2506, while AB 2697 and AB 2532 were presented as efforts to support the legal cannabis market and consumer safety. The committee also heard a presentation-only item, AB 2541, creating a lowrider specialty license plate, which drew enthusiastic bipartisan comments and co-author requests from members. Most bills were reported out with due pass recommendations, many on roll call and several with specific members not voting or voting no. AB 1664 was reported out as due pass as amended and placed on call before later being moved out on a B roll call. AB 2350 and AB 1914 were also later reported out from call on B roll calls, with AB 1914 noted as passing despite some Republican no votes. The suspense calendar was then deemed approved without individual action, and the meeting concluded after a brief public comment period in which members of the public voiced positions on unrelated bills, including support for AB 2497, AB 1729, AB 2189, AB 1575, AB 2170, and opposition to AB 1603, AB 2447, AB 2411, AB 2492, and AB 1952.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number 3, $3 million for the information technology service management system is adopted.
• Item number five, law enforcement technology and equipment across multiple components.
• Item 12, technology information resource upgrade. Item is adopted at 1.4 million.
• This is a clarifying language for the emerging research university research funding. adopted.
• We made investments in technology and equipment so they could do it efficiently.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Um, our research economic analysis division does an emerging sector report every year.
• <00:20:18.559> park 7 and certain uh Milani technology park 7 and certain uh Milani technology
• business activities right now technology business activities right now technology uh<00:25:12.240
• Technology Development Corporation. Technology Development Corporation.
• Technology Development Corporation.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard six bills on February 5, 2026, covering timeshare registration, Agribusiness Development Corporation authority, a North Kohala land parcel, business competitiveness, state enterprise zones, and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Testimony was largely supportive across the agenda. For SB 2359, DCCA said the bill would streamline annual renewals and plan amendments for timeshares, though it still wanted review time rather than automatic acceptance. For SB 2169 and SB 2170, ADC and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measures; members asked about condemnation authority and the intended agricultural use of the North Kohala parcel, with ADC stating it had no current lands it was seeking to condemn without authorization and that the parcel would be suitable for crops such as cucumber, eggplant, and tomato. SB 2263 drew broader discussion about how to measure and improve Hawaii’s business competitiveness. UHERO’s Dr. Steven Bond-Smith supported the bill’s intent but cautioned against relying on a mainland-oriented composite ranking as a benchmark for Hawaii, arguing it could mischaracterize the state’s economy. DBEDT responded that Hawaii must compete within the broader U.S. landscape and that the bill would add accountability and planning around competitiveness goals. On SB 2360, which revises the state enterprise zone program, DBEDT and other supporters said the program helps stimulate business activity and that the bill would better align the program with current business needs; a witness from Min Plastics said the current definition excluded businesses that do substantial custom manufacturing work, and another testifier urged combining enterprise zones with foreign trade zones. Committee questions focused on current zone locations, reporting, and whether technology, aerospace, and creative industries should be included. For SB 304, which concerns the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, HTDC said the bill would expand allowable uses of funds and help support local companies as federal R&D grant opportunities change; it currently awards about 20 grants from roughly 50 applicants each year. After testimony, the committee recessed and then took up decision-making. It recommended passage of SB 2359 with amendments, including extending a review period from 45 to 60 days; SB 2169 with technical amendments; SB 2170 with amendments blanking out the bond appropriation amount; SB 2263 with amendments and a new definition section; SB 2360 with amendments; and SB 3084 with amendments blanking out its appropriation amount. All recommendations were adopted without objections, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the split in that technology is 82% fiber and 18% fixed wireless.
• But we do have challenges We have legacy systems and critical technology that are outdated.
• We are rolling out AI technology in 40 agencies.
• They were able to effectively use this technology to enhance our ability to provide service in these
• Request number 4 is $1 million to create an emergency reserve.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, Wall Street spins a narrative about emerging market returns and the China opportunity.
• Do you have the appropriate technology?
• Do you need a technology support? And again, I'll remind the chamber that I'm retired from the FBI.
• They want to beat us technologically, militarily, economically, and diplomatically.
• but also clearly defined technologies of national security concern.

Keywords: Chinese Communist Party, retirement security, investment risks, SEC enforcement, Bipartisan action

Summary: The meeting primarily addressed concerns regarding the impact of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American investments and the financial security of retirees. The chair discussed legislation aimed at ensuring the protection of American investors against the risks posed by Chinese companies. There was a consensus among the members regarding the necessity to enforce existing policies that require compliance from foreign companies wishing to trade on American exchanges. The discussion included testimony from various stakeholders highlighting the urgent need to limit exposure to the CCP in retirement portfolios. Additionally, there were calls for increased accountability of regulatory bodies such as the SEC to better shield American investors from potential loss.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have applied technology, diplomas and apply.
• Now we're always going to have new emerging programs.
• or that would that would be in our engineering technology field.
• But Susan Whiting technology, welding technology, advanced truly have so many opportunities to go on
• Moving on to another one of our flagship programs are welding Technology and Welding Technology Advanced

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• technologies as well as AI developers.
• Employing this technology, or these multiple technologies, as well as AI developers focused on health
• I'm also the vice president of AI and emerging technology at Kaiser Permanente, where I'm fortunate to
• We understand the complexities and risks of emerging technologies, and we're dedicated to building beneficial
• But as with many technologies, we become more reliant as the generations progress with that technology

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Assembly Health and Privacy Committees focused on generative AI in health care, with opening remarks emphasizing both its potential to improve care and its risks around privacy, bias, liability, workforce impacts, and unequal access. Chair Bauer-Kahan and Chair Bonta framed the discussion around how California can encourage beneficial innovation while protecting patients, especially given the sensitivity of health data and the possibility that AI could worsen existing disparities if not carefully governed. The first panel featured representatives from Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, Penguin AI, and Google, who described current uses of AI such as ambient clinical scribes, nursing documentation tools, imaging triage, maternal-fetal risk prediction, and administrative automation. Speakers said these tools can reduce clinician burden, improve patient experience, speed treatment, and in some cases improve outcomes, including a reported mortality benefit from a Kaiser predictive model and faster thrombectomy times at Cedars-Sinai. Members raised concerns about accuracy with accents and multilingual visits, whether predictive tools could reinforce bias or lead to more interventions such as C-sections, and how to ensure a human remains in the loop for important decisions. The second panel, including representatives from the California Health Care Foundation, UC Berkeley, and Stanford, focused on policy and governance challenges. Testimony highlighted examples of AI supporting homelessness outreach and community health work, but also warned that biased algorithms can encode inequities, especially when trained on data that reflect under-treatment of Black, rural, or low-income patients. Witnesses urged clearer standards for trustworthy AI, stronger monitoring and governance structures, better data access for accountability, and attention to the safety net’s limited resources. Several speakers argued that states should require health systems to have AI governance processes, clarify liability between developers and deployers, and regulate downstream uses of AI while preserving access to data for lifesaving research and oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've really brought technology. The new technology here at Las Cruces with some of your focuses.
• Agricultural technologies.
• So I love the idea that they could get an emergency SNAP benefit through the cloud.
• How are the threats to the SNAP program going to impact emergency food services as well?
• To qualify individuals in an emergency situation.

Transcript Highlights:

• command of more than 9,000 Arizona Army and Air National Guard personnel and the Arizona Division of Emergency
• as an adjutant general, which means he was over all of our National Guard, plus the Department of Emergency
• Both of the daughters—one was hurt severely enough to have to go to the emergency room.
• didn't go through one of my committees, but I'm very concerned that this bill is before us and that emergency
• care people, ambulance personnel, and other emergency firefighters will be asking for driver's licenses

Keywords: 1182, all