Video & Transcript Research : 'big tech'

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FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

February 5, 2025 - 03:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Nothing typically this big and this important and this good is not going to ever go perfect.
  • Big and this important and this good is not going to ever go perfectly, but it can always be better,
  • But perhaps if it's something that isn't present in your mind, does that mean it's not a big concern?
  • a lot of times we're having to hire not only the teacher in the class, but then a para, a behavior tech
  • One of the big things that we've all been dealing with is that a lot of times attendance is a toothless
Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met to review how Florida’s Education Finance Program (FEFP) works, receive an update from the Department of Education on the October 2024 FTE survey and third FEFP calculation, and hear from three county superintendents about forecasting enrollment and reconciling scholarship students. The chair explained that FEFP is funded by both state and local dollars, is recalculated multiple times during the year, and is now closely tied to school choice policy. Department staff said the third calculation was still being rerun but should be completed soon, and described the forecasting process as collaborative among districts, DOE, and the Education Estimating Conference. Superintendents from Polk, St. Lucie, and Hendry counties said enrollment shifts, especially students moving to Family Empowerment Scholarships, homeschooling, or private schools, make budgeting and staffing difficult. They said districts often must hold back funds to protect against midyear losses, which affects collective bargaining, staffing, transportation, and classroom organization. Several members raised concerns about duplicate counting, transparency, and whether students receiving scholarship funds can also remain in district classrooms. DOE said districts can access scholarship information through a secure portal and that scholarship funding organizations are paid quarterly, with a new process requiring certification and possible future payment adjustments to reduce duplication. The superintendents urged better real-time tracking of students through a statewide ID or student information system and suggested scholarship students should be funded separately from district FEFP calculations. Members also discussed whether more frequent or daily attendance-based calculations would improve accuracy, though some warned that daily attendance could create new problems for high-poverty districts. The committee also briefly discussed categoricals, including mental health and ESE funding, with DOE saying it evaluates programs through studies, reporting requirements, and legislative direction. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with a motion to rise and adjourn.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • We're in a pitched battle for global tech supremacy for decades.
  • Is this part of the big gap in our regulatory framework that you're referring to?
  • I'm from Florida, so what goes on in Latin America is a big deal.
  • Hart's sentiments; I make great pains to try to avoid Chinese products when I can, but it's quite a big
  • IP theft is one of the top issues I hear about in my district, from small businesses to big businesses
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives Jun 1st, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • She actually earned her master's degree last year from Louisiana Tech University.
  • She actually earned her master's degree last year from Louisiana Tech University.
  • Representative, do you consider this a win for the little guy or the big guy?
  • Happy birthday, dear Chair Turner, Chicken King, Big Head. Happy birthday to you.
  • And that's a pretty big change on amendment number 42, right, from a shall to a may.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • in the near term up to 40,000 additional Oklahomans for higher education apprenticeship and career tech
  • And we're gonna put that directly in the hands of Oklahomans, making sure we have access to career tech
  • I think they spent $150 million in big grants last year, and they didn't spend a single dollar west of
  • That, yeah, that's a big reason for one of the reasons we want to get this done.
  • Representative, can you just explain I mean this Is a big change.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Transportation Feb 11th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill was brought to, or the idea was brought to me, that we encompass since OSU's in the Big 12,
  • encompass the Big 12.
  • funds do go to That this, unless there is a licensing fee, does that make it, you know, for the Texas Tech
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 22nd, 2026

Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is there parameters around how big or small the enclosure?
  • Is there parameters around how big or small the enclosure?
  • That, of course, is probably the big... Senator Niello: Yeah, I'll support the bill.
  • That was one of the big issues that we actually had with AFSC and SEIU about it.
  • So this would be a big step in the right direction. So thank you.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Mar 5th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • I noticed that we're projecting a big increase in federal funding.
  • the centers are not being taken care of as in in financially like they should be and I don't see any big
  • And lately, we have had a big focus in education on career exploration as well as actual job training
  • But this has a lot of eyes on it, and I realize there's some big-ticket items that are not available
  • If we don't, could we do that, and would that be a big expense? I don't know that.
Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part I) Apr 16th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've got a couple of big bills working through the house. now that should provide some sanity back in
  • You also, you always hear me talking about Big Momma. Well, that's Big Momma.
  • President, and it's an honor, Senator Miles, to have your big mama on the floor with us. this okay and
  • So, it's a big impact on Texas businesses, it's a big impact on Texans just citizens, and then you got
  • That is a big problem again is the paid are a big problem from the current in personal injury lawsuits
Bills: SCR37, SB60, SB226, SB231, SB264, SB387, SB570, SB596, SB651, SB769, SB855, SB863, SB991, SB1079, SB1085, SB1151, SB1191, SB1214, SB1243, SB1247, SB1314, SB1364, SB1372, SB1401, SB1409, SB1504, SB1522, SB1625, SB1662, SB1663, SB1728, SB1759, SB1762, SB1804, SB1818, SB1838, SB1839, SB1851, SB1855, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1877, SB1879, SB1901, SB1919, SB1921, SB1923, SB1936, SB1937, SB1968, SB1977, SB2034, SB2053, SB2066, SB2077, SB2124, SB2143, SB2166, SB2180, SB2204, SB2231, SB2237, SB2243, SB2321, SB2569, SJR39, SJR68, SCR29, SCR42, SB22, SB30, SB33, SB37, SB75, SB217, SB240, SB331, SB393, SB505, SB530, SB546, SB552, SB584, SB586, SB618, SB626, SB636, SB732, SB762, SB769, SB825, SB844, SB870, SB884, SB926, SB964, SB1080, SB1099, SB1150, SB1177, SB1184, SB1261, SB1262, SB1314, SB1325, SB1364, SB1398, SB1455, SB1506, SB1524, SB1577, SB1596, SB1620, SB1624, SB1642, SB1643, SB1646, SB1667, SB1727, SB1760, SB1789, SB1791, SB1804, SB1806, SB1851, SB1868, SB1870, SB1901, SB1923, SB1927, SB1951, SB1960, SB1962, SB2010, SB2023, SB2024, SB2037, SB2051, SB2052, SB2056, SB2066, SB2122, SB2129, SB2180, SB2183, SB2185, SB2207, SB2226, SB2252, SB2323, SB2361, SB2368, SB2405, SB2420, SB2425, SB2569, SB2717, SB2949, SB1, SJR36, SJR50, SJR39, SJR63, SJR68, SCR12, SCR39, SCR38, SCR37, SCR42, SCR29, SB1596, SB33, SB505, SB37, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB1073, SB810, SB1539, SB1505, SB583, SB957, SB1502, SB507, SB1026, SB1349, SB1433, SB1434, SB264, SB1364, SB1376, SB1585, SB1772, SB2016, SB1163, SB619, SB1122, SB1877, SB732, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB964, SB287, SB2143, SB261, SB1247, SB1882, SB618, SB393, SB2243, SB2226, SB1919, SB1791, SB22, SB651, SB1080, SB826, SB1079, SB1243, SB1504, SB1851, SB1879, SB2237, SB1257, SB2034, SB1522, SB1151, SB596, SB1191, SB226, SB570, SB870, SB991, SB60, SB1401, SB1728, SB586, SB529, SB217, SB209, SB1923, SB1839, SB387, SB1874, SB1872, SB1873, SB1921, SB1883, SB1620, SB1838, SB2024, SB2429, SB1999, SB511, SB2309, SB2166, SB510, SB2420, SB1860, SB1314, SB1398, SB855, SB2425, SB2037, SB1759, SB1924, SB1818, SB1762, SB1968, SB1977, SB2077, SB2321, SB1662, SB1663, SB2124, SB2204, SB1855, SB863, SB2252, SB1962, SB2253, SB825, SB1577, SB1184, SB2018, SB2206, SB1901, SB2368, SB1963, SB1960, SB1643, SB1625, SB1299, SB841, SB668, SB584, SB231, SB1085, SB2431, SB2231, SB1490, SB530, SB1261, SB552, SB1099, SB1646, SB2180, SB1804, SB1937, SB1936, SB2569, SB1372, SB1506, SB1806, SB1868, SB2361, SB2314, SB769, SB1409, SB2122, SB434, SB1214, SB1951, SB2183, SB2046, SB1667, SB1870, SB1727, SB2405, SB2127, SB1975, SB1760, SB1734, SB1335, SB2066, SB2129, SB2246, SB2439, SB1624, SB1244, SB1468, SB2717, SB1612, SB1262, SB604, SB2395, SB2185, SB1832, SB1745, SB1746, SB2207, SB2023, SB1784, SB1524, SB626, SB528, SB437, SB269, SB1137, SB968, SB636, SB747, SB1325, SB1789, SB1455, SB2056, SB75, SB1940, SB2052, SB1927, SB2010, SB1579, SB2068, SB3034, SB844, SB1920, SB1177, SB1558, SB1236, SB1044, SB926, SB884, SB463, SB331, SB227, SB240, SB517, SB1200, SB1410, SB1626, SB1845, SB1863, SB2216, SB2681, SB1717, SB2053, SB546, SB2141, SB2949, SB2323, SB2200, SB2332, SB2199, SB1642, SB1150, SB1757, SB2050, SB1138, SB2051, SB2626, SB2458, SB1864, SB30, SB2201, SB1862, SB1583, SB1055, SB2660, SB1898, SB2662, SB2161, SB2964, SB2881, SB1065, SB801, SB2743, SB2533, SB1413, HJR4, SB2073, SB3014, SB3013, SB2774, SB2702, SB2629, SB2443, SB2349, SB2167, SB2145, SB2121, SB758, SB648, SB647, SB512, SB438, SB1721, SB2268, SB1495, SB2705, SB2366, SB1422, SB1369, SB1013, SB682, SB2692, SB2570, SB2797, SB2111, SB1896, SB1164, SB1020, SB663, SB2371, SB1152, SB2196, SB2383, SB2581, SB2798, SB330, SB646, SB843, SB1998, SB1418, SB2788, SB1169, SB2873, SB1754, SB1534, SB1718, SB2779, SB2004, SB1143, SB1756, SB912, SB2119, SB2032, SB527, SB1580, SB1952, SB2601
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EDT-TCA, EDT Public Hearings 04-10-2025

Economic Development and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • besides tourism and with the high-tech besides tourism and with the high-tech technology.<00:16:
  • Industry with, uh, supporting tech and manufacturing that, um, we're doing.
  • But it's really about supporting our local tech companies. Thank you. Um, any other questions?
  • But it's really about supporting our local tech companies. Thank you. Um, any other questions?
  • But it's really about supporting our local tech companies. Thank you. Um, any other questions?
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard HCR 142, which urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Department of Transportation to expand the airport greetings program to display art in all neighbor island airports. Testimony from CARES supported the measure, emphasizing that public art and youth art competitions help educate keiki, strengthen cultural understanding, and support economic development through Hawaii’s creative industries. No one testified in opposition, and members raised no questions. Both committees recommended passage of HCR 142 unamended. The measure was adopted by voice vote in each committee, with some members excused. Later, the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard HTR 102, which concerns translating the real estate salesperson exam into Japanese for timeshare-related sales. Supporters, including DBEDT and ARDA Hawaii, argued the change would help Japanese-speaking applicants, improve workforce recruitment, and support Hawaii’s timeshare industry and Japanese visitor market. A representative from APAC Hawaii supported the idea but suggested considering additional languages such as Korean, Chinese, and Filipino. Some senators questioned whether the proposal adequately addressed continuing education and long-term English proficiency, and the Real Estate Commission explained it does not currently issue a limited timeshare salesperson license and that the proposal would not restrict licensees from selling other real estate products. The committee also heard HCR 156, which asks the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to increase its focus on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity to support economic diversification, high-wage jobs, innovation, and national security. HTDC and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council supported the resolution, citing the recent federal discontinuation of the local Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, Innovate Hawaii, and the loss of related staff positions as reasons to reinforce state support. Testimony and discussion stressed cybersecurity, supply-chain resilience, automation, and the need to sustain manufacturing momentum in Hawaii. Both HTR 102 and HCR 156 were recommended for passage as is and were adopted by the committee, with some members excused.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

JLCAR Administrative Rules (04/17/2026)

Transcript Highlights:
  • and tech committees uh between<00:33:37.600> the<00:33:37.760> House<00:33:38.000>
  • Also, EN 1018.04 kind of sets a pretty big loophole for allowing utility companies to require different
  • <00:46:38.960> loophole um kind of sets a pretty big loophole um kind of sets a pretty big
  • <01:00:02.960> departure Uh so there's a there's a big departure Uh so there's a there's a
  • reach out to some of the people like obviously I'm not sure if anybody here serves on science and tech
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The committee opened with housekeeping items, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and reminded the public that JLCAR’s role is limited to determining whether agency rules are within statutory authority, not to decide policy. Testimony was to be limited, and members noted that policy concerns should be addressed through the legislature rather than the committee process. The first major item was Public Utilities Commission rule 25-215 concerning natural gas suppliers. Staff said the proposal had been postponed because the PUC appeared to lack authority to impose fines and penalties in this rule set, especially suspending or revoking registrations, and recommended either a conditional approval removing those provisions or a preliminary objection for lack of statutory authority. PUC counsel responded that the cited authority had been incorrect, that the Department of Energy now has most registration rulemaking authority, but argued the commission still has jurisdiction over mediation and dispute resolution and may still have authority over fines because natural gas suppliers are not expressly excluded from public-utility status. Committee members discussed the split between PUC and DOE authority and the possibility that the transition in authority had not been fully cleaned up in statute. The committee then voted to grant a waiver of the time limit and postpone the item for another month so the agencies could work with counsel and clarify which parts of the rule could proceed. Members also urged that any needed legislative fix be brought forward quickly, noting that the Senate was not taking up non-germane amendments and suggesting the House as the likely venue for a cleanup bill. The committee next took up Department of Energy EN900 and EN1000 rules. Staff said the EN900 net-metering rules had been postponed previously and that the main remaining issue was a retroactive requirement in EN909.03(b), which the agency agreed to revise so the language would apply only on or after the 2026 effective date of the chapter. The agency described the EN900 rules as implementing net metering authority transferred from the PUC and expanding the chapter to cover municipal group net metering and low- and moderate-income community solar projects. The EN1000 interconnection rules were described as implementing 2024 legislation requiring uniform procedures for distributed energy resources. The department said both sets of rules were developed through extensive stakeholder input and asked for approval subject to the oral amendment already discussed."}】【。json
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • It was a big job and kept everyone really busy, but we were able to do that.
  • That is a big steep step. So again, I appreciate the small increments you've given me.
  • So, that's been a big plus there.
  • They're allocated to tech and higher ed. But they do support our service members.
  • Others do as well, but those are the three big ones.
Keywords: 914, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS-CPN, HHS Public Hearings 02-24-2025

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, any tech amendments as necessary for consistency, and because the amendments are substantial, we're
  • c><00:09:40.720> language<00:09:41.720> um<00:09:41.920> any<00:09:42.200> Tech
  • up with the language um any Tech up with the language um any Tech amendments<00:09:43.200> as
  • 20.279> our<00:21:20.559> lab Next we have Craig Sans in support, Micronesians United Big
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 59 on prescription drugs, which drew extensive testimony from insurers, pharmacies, patient advocates, and health organizations. Supporters argued the bill would address PBM practices such as spread pricing, unclear reimbursement, and patient steering, and would help independent pharmacies and lower patient costs by passing rebates through to consumers. Opponents from health plans and PBM-related groups raised concerns, while Walgreens supported the measure and suggested amendments to establish a reimbursement floor. After questions, the committee accepted the Hawaii Pharmacist Association’s proposed amendments, added technical changes and a defective date of December 31, 2050, and voted to pass SB 59 with amendments. The remainder of the hearing focused on a series of nominations and reappointments to health, aging, disability, mental health, juvenile justice, and advisory boards. Nominees and agency representatives generally described their backgrounds and interest in serving, with support testimony emphasizing experience, continuity, and the value of volunteer service. Several nominees highlighted issues such as mental health access, substance abuse treatment, elder services, language access, disability access, and rehabilitation services. The Department of Health, SHPDA, DHS, and other organizations largely testified in support of the nominees. No votes were taken on the nominations during the transcript excerpt, and the chair repeatedly thanked the nominees for their service and testimony. The hearing also included brief procedural remarks about time limits, Zoom testimony, and a possible reconvening date in case of technical difficulties.
NJ

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

Assembly Appropriations Jun 23rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • It’s a big number. I agree.
  • I’m a big believer in that process.
  • And when big oil, big tobacco, and big pharma said the same things, they were held.
  • Oil, big tobacco, and big pharma said the same things, they were held accountable.
  • Big tech, moreover, has invaded every corner of our lives to the point where no digital move that we
Keywords: 1146, all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Apr 29th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think because he was homeschooled, but he went to career tech in Hawnee.
  • That you shouldn't have to have big degrees or big wallets or big po.
  • This is a part of the One Big Beautiful Bill.
  • There's still going to be a big interest and need for dentists.
  • And I know what a big deal this was last year.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education Apr 8th, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think our friends over at Texas Tech have roughly 238 to 240 counties represented.
  • I was involved—I'm old, so I was there looking at the feasibility of Texas Tech in El Paso; that goes
  • I think about this a little bit like we did, I guess it was two sessions ago when Texas Tech started
  • I'm the Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System.
  • Ted Mitchell, and I'm the Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. I am neutral on the bill.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I can think of my nail tech, my eyebrows...
  • And that makes a big difference to them in terms of how supported they feel.
  • And I think the big concern, the big red alarm, is that with the changes happening...
  • The big concern and the big red alarm is that with the changes happening to Medicaid and Medi-Cal, how
  • We must also think big.
Summary: The Select Committee on Latina Inequities met at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar, hosted by Assemblymember Celeste Rodriguez and joined by Assemblymember Mia Bonta. Rodriguez opened by framing the committee’s work around the economic status of Latinas and the effects of federal policies on the economy and social safety net, while the college president welcomed the committee and described campus services for undocumented and housing-insecure students. Rodriguez also emphasized the local impact of immigration enforcement in the San Fernando Valley and said the hearing would focus on Latinas’ economic conditions, immigration enforcement impacts on the workforce and safety, and H.R. 1’s effects on the safety net. The first panel featured HOPE’s Maria Morales and Dr. Elsa Macias, who presented findings from HOPE’s National Economic Status of Latinas report. They said Latinas are a major and growing part of California’s population and workforce, but face persistent inequities, including a large wage gap, higher unemployment, high uninsured rates, student debt, and affordability pressures around child care, housing, and education. They also discussed entrepreneurship, noting both the growth of Latina-owned businesses and barriers such as limited access to capital, technical assistance, and retirement and health coverage. In response to committee questions, they said higher education can still offer a strong return on investment, but only if students can complete degrees without being overwhelmed by debt and care costs; they also pointed to policy solutions such as SB 642, mentorship, financial literacy, CalSavers access, and support for community development financial institutions. The second panel focused on immigration enforcement and Latina safety in the workforce. Luis Nolasco of the ACLU described arrests tied to apparent ethnicity and Spanish-speaking, the chilling effect on families, and the loss of wages, school attendance, and mobility. Dr. Amada Armenta said immigration enforcement harms California’s economy, public health, and mixed-status families, and noted that undocumented workers are concentrated in agriculture, construction, and child care. SEIU’s Jen Baca Beltran said raids and school-based enforcement traumatize children and families and highlighted the need for Know Your Rights trainings. Megan Ortiz of IDEPSCA described repeated Border Patrol raids on day labor centers, injuries to staff, and the need to protect worker centers, domestic workers, and street vendors. Inclusive Action’s Shannon Camacho said raids have forced many informal workers to stop working, prompted emergency cash assistance and rent relief efforts, and strengthened advocacy for vendor protections and CDFI support. CHIRLA’s Jeanette Zanipatine said the rapid response network has expanded, documented widespread arrests and detention conditions, and is providing direct support and legal referrals; committee members asked about detention, maternal health, and what the state can do, and panelists urged stronger oversight, more legal representation, and protections for pregnant and detained people.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 02/17/25

Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:
  • term that of the shop does two big term that of the shop does two big things<00:05:02.919> one
  • right so what do we do well the Big right so what do we do well the Big Driver<00:08:16.960>
  • so now he's got this farmer has two big so now he's got this farmer has two big cement<00:31:55.519
  • Do you need any tech support? We will find out shortly.
  • committee do you need any tech committee do you need any tech support<01:10:40.080> we<01
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Mar 11th, 2026

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • We also wanted to expand the career tech program.
  • We had a career tech regional program last year to create regional career tech centers primarily for
  • We had a career the career tech program.
  • > career<00:14:40.240> tech<00:14:40.480> centers create regional career tech centers
  • regional career tech centers to local agencies.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • stated on the PowerPoint that's a big stated on the PowerPoint that's a big support<00:44:20.960
  • The the big hasn't been there.
  • We got a big county, Scott County, uh, that is basically got a water problem.
  • We got a big county, Scott County, uh, that is basically got a water problem.
  • We got a big county, Scott County, uh, that is basically got a water problem.
Summary: The Information Technology Oversight Committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard a presentation from Leadcore representatives Jimmy Bird, Mike Murray, and Rebecca Moss on the Kentucky Wired network. Leadcore described its role as the design-builder and service provider under the KCNA contract, saying the network was built with roughly 13,200 feet of fiber, mostly aerial, and that the use of non-armored cable was a Kentucky-side decision made to reduce cost. They also said aerial construction and non-armored cable increase maintenance challenges, including storm damage and squirrel-related damage, and reported FY25 service activity of 104 break-fix events, 30 maintenance replacements, 64 storm-damage events, and nearly 13,000 feet of fiber replaced to date. Committee members questioned whether the original project anticipated this level of replacement and whether any forecast existed for maintenance under non-armored cable. Leadcore said it did not do a formal forecast and could not say whether the replacement rate was above or below norms, though it acknowledged the decision not to use armored cable came from the Kentucky side of the contract. Members also asked about whether replacements caused network degradation; Leadcore said it tries to replace cable at existing splice points to avoid degradation and, where needed, uses armored cable for replacement sections going forward. The committee then explored Leadcore’s relationship with Excel and KCNA. Leadcore said it has a service-level agreement for KCNA-related fibers but not for dark fibers used by Excel, and that Kentucky Wired fibers get priority on service requests. It said outages are reported through a 1-800 number and that it was not aware of any access problems to the huts. On the tech refresh, Leadcore said its understanding is that maintaining the network is its responsibility, but the technology refresh is not; it said only a very limited amount of refresh has occurred and that this did not match the original contract intent. Leadcore also said it had not been asked to defer maintenance. The chair closed by saying the testimony would inform a committee report and that he intended to recommend clawing back or withholding some previously authorized Kentucky Wired and refresh funding until an audit is complete, with the committee to vote on a report later.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, you know, the big picture is that there's no reason to think that this board was secretly meant to
  • there<00:08:17.280> was<00:08:17.919> so<00:08:18.560> the<00:08:18.800> big
  • <00:08:18.960> picture<00:08:19.199> is you know there was so the big picture is you
  • know there was so the big picture is that<00:08:19.680> this<00:08:20.160> there's<00:
  • as part of the tech refresh. as part of the tech refresh.
Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its May 21 and June 10 meetings, then heard testimony from the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General on the effect of HB 314 on the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) board. The Attorney General’s representative said HB 314 changed KCNA’s structure and staffing, but did not alter the statutory duties of the board, which still include developing and implementing strategic plans, providing policy direction, monitoring results, and approving fiscal planning. He argued the board is not merely advisory, has operational and budget authority, and that actions taken outside board approval could be ultra vires and without effect. He also noted the board historically approved settlements and contracts, including matters involving Open Fiber, and said the removal of the executive director position reduced direct personnel control but did not eliminate the board’s broader oversight. The committee then heard from representatives of Kentucky Managed Technical Services/LTS, who described a dispute over the Kentucky Wired network refresh and service-provider transition. They said the project agreement required a market test and acceptance of a proposal for both the network refresh and service-provider role, but that their proposals were rejected and the refresh work was later treated by the parties as a change order issue. They said some equipment worth about $3 million had been delivered, transferred, and paid for, while roughly $7 million in additional equipment was canceled by LTS but reportedly shipped to a KCNA warehouse and not paid for. They also said no refresh installation work has been performed, that they continue providing network maintenance to avoid service disruption, but believe the contract has expired and that there is no current agreement for ongoing service-provider work. Committee members asked whether actions taken without board approval would be invalid, whether the board could alter or terminate contractor arrangements, whether the bond disclosures suggesting a successful contract extension were accurate, and what equipment had been purchased or remained in storage. LTS representatives said they would follow up with the committee on the financial delta between the contracted rate and the month-to-month billing they say has been in effect since the contract expired, and on an inventory of in-service equipment and end-of-life dates. They said they want a commercial resolution, but if no resolution is reached soon they may pursue the formal contractual dispute process, and identified September 1 as their stated target date for resolving the matter and completing the refresh.