Video & Transcript Research : 'Technology'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Feb 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- How do we do that using the smartest technology in the safest way?
- But technology is a tool that is super effective in that.
- The satellite technology is making that technology less and less necessary.
- Okay, so hopefully we can look at that as a technology.
- Do you have any rough ideas in mind in terms of this technology?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/17/26 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, that's exactly the sort of technology that our counties are using today in most cases.
- Uh the technology that these programs.
- The disaster relief fund comes first and then this technology modernization comes next.
- first and then this technology first and then this technology modernization<00:04:30.800>
comes - help us to keep focused on technology help us to keep focused on technology modernization.<00:07
Summary:
The House first took up Senate File 334, a bill to modernize county human services technology used to administer programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. The author and several members described the current systems as outdated “green screen” platforms that are slow, duplicative, and difficult for workers and applicants, and argued modernization would improve service, retention, and fraud prevention. The bill would create a technology modernization fund with about $90 million over time, capped at $50 million, route funds through Minute, establish an interagency group with county representation, create a legislative working group, and provide $15 million for Office of Inspector General technology. Members from several counties spoke in strong support, citing local system failures, cyberattacks, and the need for better tools; one member noted the bill was about 20 years overdue. The bill passed third reading by a vote of 134-0, and a title was agreed to.
The House then considered Senate File 4401, the cannabis bill. The author described it as a maintenance and cleanup package developed with more than 80 stakeholders over months of meetings, including business owners, labor, tribal representatives, and medical cannabis interests. The bill was presented as making noncontroversial adjustments to support small businesses, clarify statutes, improve privacy protections, adjust event and transporter rules, address good-faith errors, strengthen enforcement against unlicensed operators, and support local governments and municipal cannabis dispensaries. It also included a first step toward a medical psilocybin program and changes intended to make the medical cannabis market more sustainable, including easing the grow-and-sale ratio issue. The transcript cuts off before final action on this bill, but members speaking in support emphasized collaboration and the need for practical regulatory fixes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This work has led to a complex that has become the premier site for research, technology, education,
- or critical infrastructure technology, the board. restructuring of the board is really the main part
- University, Mervap Musa, CEO at Rees Technology Center, are here to provide testimony. regarding how
- We have a long and rewarding relationship with the Texas Tech University of the Reese Technology Center
- And all of these, we're going to set up test beds at Reese Technology Center and EMEFAC. on critical
Bills:
HB 1105, HB1527, HB1787, HB1972, HB2081, HB3296, HB3976, HB4071, HB4234, HB4438, HB4701, HB5092, HB5150, HB5180, HB5265, HB5333, HJR203
Keywords:
tuition exemption, paramedics, higher education, laboratory fees, emergency medical services, peace officers, criminal justice, law enforcement, degree programs, public institutions, HB 1787, HPV, human papillomavirus, college health, university health, student health, public health education, prevention program, screening, early detection
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part II) Apr 1st, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- TABA represents companies across Texas that are building the future of energy through technologies like
- Technology is vital to the power grid as it continues to evolve due to new technologies, new business
- However, these are proven technologies.
- We've had the ADER pilot up and running for the last several years, and we feel that these technologies
- In this age, with modern technology, the government really doesn't need to be part of this role.
Keywords:
electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- The economy relies heavily on technology.
- President, and I think I've said enough about technology because here comes our leader now.
- I thought I would talk a little bit more about technology in New Mexico. Let me tell you, Mr.
- We have here in New Mexico organizations like Addison Technologies, Mr. President.
- What about that, and what about technology as well? Mr.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- As we all know, California is the birthplace of technology.
- Why should we let them graduate without having some understanding of computers and technology in the
- Thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of the Education Technology Empowerment Act.
- Technology is not a luxury in education.
- But we must also be clear, effective use of technology goes beyond devices and internet access.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- It's time our laws reflect today's technology and transportation needs without compromising on safety
- It's about ensuring that as drone technology evolves, it does so with responsibility and safeguards.
- The new technology could pose new risks to public safety, privacy, and security in our schools.
- That's just like talking about the Chinese technology we have in our phones here.
- It's no different, and they have done so many technology researches and developments against that.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 36 bills covering aviation, commercial vehicles, school buses, veterans license plates, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate Chair Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing procedures, then the committee heard testimony on a range of measures, including a bill to modernize alternative student transportation for vulnerable students such as those covered by McKinney-Vento, foster children, and students with disabilities; a bill on unmanned aerial systems that would define drones and restrict weaponization, interference with aircraft, and certain surveillance; and a bill addressing airplane noise and reporting at Beverly Regional Airport. Supporters of the student transportation bill argued it would update outdated school bus requirements while preserving safety standards, while drone-related testimony was split between sponsors and public safety advocates who supported stronger restrictions and industry representatives who warned the bills could conflict with federal law and harm legitimate commercial uses.
The committee also heard testimony on workforce and school transportation bills. Representatives and industry witnesses supported a proposal to create a grant program and career outreach for the trucking industry, citing a persistent driver shortage and the importance of trucking to the state’s economy. Teamsters Local 170 supported a bill to ease unemployment job-search requirements for school bus drivers and monitors who are expected to return to work within a short period, saying the current rules create unnecessary burdens during summer layoffs. Another school transportation bill would create an under-the-hood exception for CDL licensing of school bus drivers; several chiropractors testified in support, saying they already perform DOT-style exams and should be explicitly authorized to do school bus driver medical certifications.
Veterans-related testimony focused on license plate and disability-definition bills. Advocates supported a Medal of Fidelity license plate for Gold Star families and a separate bill to create an air medal plate. The Office of the Veteran Advocate testified in favor of revising the state’s definition of disabled veteran for RMV purposes, arguing the current language is tied to special monthly compensation categories and does not adequately reflect modern service-connected disabilities, including invisible wounds. The American Legion also urged clarification of the definition, while opposing a separate women veterans plate on the grounds that it could divide veterans unnecessarily. The committee took no votes during the hearing and ended with a motion to adjourn.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 04/29/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The compulsion for technology to interfere with Americans' reading habits is in a new conflict.
- Despite the continued innovation and introduction of technology, the quest for literacy continues.
- The third law: use technology intellectually to enhance services.
- We must balance nostalgia for the pre-digital past with the need to embrace new technologies.
- THE THIRD LAW, USE TECHNOLOGY, INTELLECTUALLY TO ENHANCE SERVICES.
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and discharged several identical Assembly/Senate bills from committee so they could be substituted on the calendar. The chamber then took up and previously adopted two commemorative resolutions: one designating April 2026 as Sikh Heritage Month and another honoring Korean War veterans. Senators from both parties spoke in support of the Sikh resolution, emphasizing the community’s contributions, service, and the need for recognition and inclusion; the resolution was opened for co-sponsorship and the Sikh guests in the gallery were recognized. The Korean War resolution drew remarks from members recalling family service and the sacrifices of veterans, with repeated calls to preserve their stories and honor their legacy.
The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills. Among them were measures related to charter bus safety and seat belt awareness, coverage for doula services under insurance, social services/EBT-related changes, education, navigation, highway, public service, and hospital-closure reporting. Several bills passed unanimously or with only one dissenting vote; the social services bill drew the most opposition, with Senator Murray objecting that New York should first address EBT chip technology and skimming before adding new vendor requirements. One bill on the calendar was laid aside for the day.
The chamber also adopted a supplemental bill authorizing the South Country Central School District to finance certain deficits, described by Senator Murray as a necessary rescue to keep the district operating and pay staff. Senators discussed the state budget impasse during debate on an extender bill, with the sponsor explaining it was a “clean extender” to keep government running through May 4 and cover payroll, health, education, and other essential payments. Senator Helming raised concerns about the lack of rural health transformation funding and the consequences of the delayed budget for schools, local governments, and hospitals. The extender passed, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, May 4, 2026.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Systems are a life-saving technology to identify when drivers illegally pass a school bus with its stop
- Existing technology is there, but it's uncertain how existing state law applies and just makes it where
- And the only way to do so when partnering with school districts is to equip the safety technology on
- The capital investment of equipping camera technology on the entire fleet is an expensive proposition
- Right now with all technology, technology can be for us or against us if we have a cell phone.
Bills:
HB767, HB 1242, HB1373, HB1404, HB1708, HB1936, HB2041, HB2198, HB2270, HB2315, HB2415, HB2427, HB2455, HB2457, HB2522, HB2523, HB2686, HB2763, HB2775, HB2944, HB3034, HB1683, HB1695
Keywords:
highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, HB 1242, Texas Transportation Code, U.S. Highway 281, Brooks County, Ernesto Soliz Cantu, memorial highway, road naming, TxDOT, road signage, commemorative resolution, memorial markers, county road 304, Huppergate Road, Los Robles Trail, Farm-to-Market Road
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine children's safety in the digital era, focusing on strengthening protections and addressing legal gaps. Feb 19th, 2025 at 09:15 am
Senate Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Even though technology brings amazing opportunities for education and growth.
- Just as new technologies are being developed that exacerbate... to children on lines, so too are technologies
- Now, Senator Klobuchar and I are going to lead the Privacy Technology and Law Subcommittee.
- I don't know how many do but I don't know if they're using technology but they should.
- Of this technology. We know what technology was when you and I were much younger. Everything.
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on the pressing issues surrounding child safety online, with a particular emphasis on recent legislative efforts aimed at curbing child sexual exploitation and harmful content accessible through social media platforms. Senators engaged in a heated discussion regarding the implications of Big Tech's lobbying efforts against vital bills such as the Stop CSAM Act and the Kids Online Safety Act. Noteworthy testimonies highlighted real-life impacts of online dangers, including tragic cases of child exploitation and drug-related fatalities linked to social media interactions. The bipartisan nature of the committee's commitment to address these issues showcased a collective determination to make the digital environment safer for the younger generation.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Kelly Loeffler, of Georgia, to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration. Jan 29th, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Related technology, research, and innovation that is so important to this country. Thank you.
- So if someone wants to buy AI technology, for example, it's unclear if the law will include that.
- About half of SBIR grantees actually produce commercialized technology.
- SBIR awards lead to commercialized technology, but half don't.
- Way to these important technological breakthroughs, whether in the area of bioscience, technology, AI
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Senate in Special Session D Apr 28th, 2026
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Floridians should be able to trust that technology is serving them, not deceiving them.
- Floridians should be able to trust that technology is serving them, not deceiving them.
- We are so permissive with the way technology will aggressively attack our children in school.
- We are so permissive with the way technology will aggressively attack our children in school.
- But whenever it will, that we have a staged implementation so our institutions that rely on technology
Summary:
The Florida Senate convened in special session with an opening prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then administered the oath of office to newly elected Senator Brian Nathan of District 14, who was welcomed by the chamber. The Secretary read the governor’s amended special-session proclamation, which expanded the call beyond congressional redistricting and related litigation funding to include legislation on artificial intelligence protections, an AI Bill of Rights, public records exemptions tied to AI investigations, and medical freedom/vaccine-related issues.
The Senate then took up SB 2D, the Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights, and SB 4D, the related public records bill. Supporters said the AI bill was a first step to protect children, parents, privacy, and Floridians from deceptive or harmful AI practices, while opponents argued it was too weak, overly permissive, and could create a false sense of protection without meaningful remedies. Senators also raised concerns about balancing child safety with innovation and school technology use. SB 2D passed 37-1.
SB 4D, described as the public records exemption accompanying the AI bill, passed 33-4 after brief discussion about which investigative files would be exempt while Department of Legal Affairs investigations are pending. The Rules Chair announced a committee meeting later that day, said SB 6D on medical freedom would be temporarily postponed in Rules, and the chamber set SB 8D on congressional districts for special order on Wednesday, April 29. The Senate then adjourned until 10 a.m. on April 29.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Health Department policy bill 3/23/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So this is really, um, it should make everything more technologically efficient for everyone involved
- just because they have this continuity of a technology contract that all their systems can, you know
- um the steady technology that is needed. um the steady technology that is needed.
- efficient for everyone technologically efficient for everyone involved<00:03:42.400>
just <00: - <00:03:46.000>
contract <00:03:46.480>that continuity of a technology contract that
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- While this evolving technology has the ability to reshape how we live and interact with the world, if
- While this evolving technology has the ability to reshape how we live and interact with the world, if
- If I could boil it down to one sentence, we seek an AI bill that ensures technology serves humanity and
- The nation and the world, and this incredibly important technology.
- Thank you. the nation and the world and this incredibly important technology.
Bills:
HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending.
The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending.
The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the Freedom of Information Act, focusing on perspectives from public requesters. Apr 8th, 2025 at 09:15 am
Senate Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Outdated technology.
- Transparency could be achieved by using technology to allow requesters to search for specific keywords
- out of the dark ages when it comes to technology and using that.
- that helps information get disclosed, but technology that helps with preservation of information.
- And I think if Congress can develop specific technological criteria. That would go a long way.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/03/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #3
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair, members, House Bill 2700, Technology Study Committee, Assistive Technology, creates the
- Technology First Study Committee.
- Technology First Study Committee.
- Technology First Study Committee.
- And so, in short, this helps bring new technology to people that need assistive technology.
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with members frequently asking to pull measures from consent and noting party-line or unanimous votes. Topics included medical and vaccination restrictions (HB 2248, HB 2086), state investment and conflict-of-interest rules for the treasurer (HB 2303), budget and reporting requirements (HB 2688, HB 2015), procurement limits involving China-linked companies (HB 2170, HB 2134), homelessness administration (HB 2533), traffic and transportation measures (HB 2109, HB 2574, HB 2210), school testing and education policy (HB 2032, HB 2033, HB 2075, HB 2266, HB 2395, HCR 2003), and several health-care bills involving lactation services, gender-transition care for minors, abortion-related restrictions, and hospital immigration-status reporting (HB 2072, HB 2085, HB 2364, HB 2689, HB 2796). Members also discussed water policy, including desalination, groundwater transport, and water-use limits (HB 2052, HB 2056, HB 2098, HB 2758, HB 2328), as well as food and agriculture measures such as SNAP restrictions, cultivated-cell food labeling and bans, and the Beef Council extension (HB 2396, HB 2762, HB 2791, HB 2155). Several members criticized bills as unconstitutional, costly, or harmful to affordability, while sponsors described them as clarifications, consumer protections, or administrative fixes.
The caucus also considered a number of bills affecting labor, property, and consumer issues, including unemployment eligibility changes, mobile home park submetering fees, appraisal management company rules, digital goods seller requirements, property tax clarifications, and protections for minors in online content creation (HB 2690, HB 2459, HB 2501, HB 2010, HB 2120, HB 2192, HB 2261, HB 2279). Other measures addressed sexual extortion penalties, name-change procedures for sex offenders, and restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs and gender-transition procedures for minors (HB 2666, HB 2223, HB 2364, HB 2085). Members repeatedly raised concerns about federal preemption, constitutional issues, implementation costs, and unintended consequences, and several sponsors or members indicated they were working on amendments or stakeholder discussions.
At the end of the meeting, the caucus also heard memorials and resolutions, including a proposal to limit voting centers and precinct voting, and memorials urging withdrawal from the United Nations and defunding the IMF (HCR 2016, HM 2001, HM 2004). The meeting concluded with caucus announcements, including an affordability-themed award recognizing Rep. Betty Villegas, a Black History Month sign-up request, and reminders about upcoming affordability and Latino Caucus events. No final floor votes were taken in the transcript, but multiple bills were pulled from consent or noted for opposition.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And the reason why we asked for the money in workforce technology is right now we fund all our technology
- And then technology P&I. Mr. Chair, that's our penalties and interest fund that we keep. All right.
- One was putting additional money into these science and technology grants that EDD is already hosting
- One of them is the quantum technology advanced grant—I forget the name of it.
- And so, I mean, we're drawing this technology and we need to make space for them, and they're looking
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Jan 27th, 2026 at 08:32 am
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- The development of the technology and the ability to access really hot zones of the Earth's heat has
- The development of the technology and the ability to access really hot zones of the Earth's heat has
- We support expanding the range of true zero-carbon energy generation technologies.
- We support expanding the range of true zero-carbon energy generation technologies.
- And I’m aware of some of the technologies, the gravity technology and so forth, which I think are really
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The growth of these technologies is vital to the power grid as it continues to evolve due to new technologies
- To continue discussion on this bill, our goal is to ensure the expansion of DER technologies, and we
- But these are proven technologies.
- tape that might prevent Texans from installing these technologies.
- We feel that these technologies are already proven.
Keywords:
electric generation, reliability, ERCOT, Public Utility Commission, penalties, performance requirements, energy policy, construction contracts, compensatory damages, government delays, contractor, legislation, nonprofit donor privacy, membership lists, supporter confidentiality, volunteer privacy, association rights, public records exemption, Texas Public Information Act, government transparency
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard Senate Bill 2021 by Senator Johnson, as substituted, on distributed energy resources (DERs). Johnson said the bill was intended to create a regulatory framework for DERs and virtual power plants, address interconnection and registration issues, and prevent regulatory capture as the industry grows. Testimony was split: Texas Electric Cooperatives asked for clarification so co-ops would not be unintentionally excluded from owning or operating DERs; AECT supported the bill as providing needed rules and customer protections; TABA, Texas Solar and Storage Association, Sierra Club, Texas Solar Energy Society, and several others opposed it or raised concerns that it was too utility-centric, imposed red tape, and could burden homeowners and small businesses with registration and interconnection requirements. Johnson repeatedly said the bill was not meant to stop rooftop solar or backup systems and that he was open to specific redlines and further changes. SB 2021 was left pending after testimony.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2330 by Senator Parker, which would end government payroll deduction for dues to certain public employee organizations, while exempting first responders under Chapters 143 and 147 and making other conforming changes in a committee substitute. Parker argued the bill was about government neutrality, transparency, and employee freedom from coercion, and said organizations can collect dues directly using modern payment methods. Supporters from Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Business Coalition, Freedom Foundation, ABC Texas, and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility said taxpayer-funded payroll systems should not be used to collect dues for private organizations, especially ones involved in political activity. Opponents, including ATPE, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, Texas Public Employees Association, and correctional employees, said payroll deduction is a convenient, secure service that helps professional associations and employee groups, and argued the bill would burden teachers and other public employees.
Several witnesses and senators focused on the bill’s exemptions and whether it treated teachers differently from first responders. Senator Menendez questioned why some public employees were excluded while others were not, and a Houston police union representative said he moved from opposing to supporting the bill after being told the substitute would preserve meet-and-confer deductions under Chapters 143 and 147. Senator Parker closed by saying the bill was not meant to eliminate associations or payroll deduction entirely, only to remove the state as a middleman. SB 2330 was left pending, and the committee then recessed subject to call.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Calling the Committee on Labor and Technology to order. We will begin with our 301 agenda.
- We're reconvening our 3:01 single Labor and Technology agenda.
- , electronic surveillance technology, electronic surveillance technology, could<00:38:33.560>
- <00:45:28.600>
that surveillance pricing technology that surveillance pricing technology that - We're reconvening our 301 labor and technology agenda. We are now in decision making.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 2455, HD2, relating to employment practices. Testimony was limited, with support from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and UPW; the committee noted nine support, zero opposition, and zero comments. No vote was taken on this bill during the portion provided.
The committee then took up House Bill 2165, HD2, relating to the Hawaii Employment Security Law. DLIR supported the measure but requested an amendment moving language in Section 2 from subsection A to subsection C to preserve the legal structure. Members questioned DLIR about a January 8 U.S. Department of Labor letter and whether the bill would keep Hawaii in conformity with federal unemployment insurance requirements. DLIR said the federal guidance requires the state to remove the carve-out for labor-dispute claimants, though unions with hiring halls and members in good standing could still be exempt from work-search requirements under an authorized list. UNITE HERE Local 5 opposed the bill and said the current law already gives the department discretion to exempt striking workers. The committee recessed the bill before any final action was taken in the portion shown.
In the joint hearing with Commerce and Consumer Protection, the committees heard House Bill 1509, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation. DLIR supported the bill, DHER offered comments and requested an amendment, UPW supported it, and one Zoom testifier described personal experience with delayed care and urged faster decisions. After testimony, the committees voted to pass the bill with amendments. The adopted amendments restored the 7-day treatment-plan deadline from 10 days, changed the effective date to January 1, 2077, and struck the proposed $500 fine for employers who fail to respond within 10 days.
Back in the Labor and Technology agenda, the committee heard House Bill 1515, HD2, also relating to workers’ compensation, with testimony noting seven in support, one in opposition, and one comment, but no action was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard House Bill 1514, HD2, relating to workers’ compensation vocational rehabilitation plans. A Zoom testifier opposed the bill, arguing the 120-day timeline was unrealistic for complex cases. DLIR said the bill would give the director discretion to extend the vocational rehabilitation plan timeline beyond 120 days with no cap on extensions, and the committee noted five support, four opposition, and zero comments. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2458, HD3, relating to surveillance pricing. OCP said it stood on written testimony, while supporters argued the bill would prevent corporations from using personal data to set prices, especially for groceries. Retail and grocery interests opposed the measure, saying it was too broad and could restrict loyalty programs, promotions, and discounts; one witness asked that a loyalty-program exemption be restored.