Video & Transcript Research : 'computed tomography'

Page 6 of 183
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:21:01.120> The<00:21:01.440> computer in love with his computer.
  • The computer in love with his computer.
  • I think that AI and the computer companies, the big computer companies, need to prove no harm and benefit
  • I know I slaughtered that, but go ahead. 90 seconds, sir. computer companies, the big big computer computer
  • really want a program, a computer really want a program, a computer algorithm<00:37:14.400> to
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The committee first approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, then heard House File 4048, which would exempt chiropractors from Minnesota’s provider tax if they are no longer eligible to provide chiropractic benefits under Medicaid/MinnesotaCare. Representative Robbins said the bill corrects an unfair situation because chiropractors still pay the tax even though the benefit was eliminated. Testifiers from the Minnesota Chiropractic Association and a longtime chiropractor supported the bill, arguing that most chiropractors are small-business owners and should not pay a tax for services they can no longer provide. Several members said they supported restoring chiropractic coverage instead of changing the tax, and there was discussion about whether the tax applies to all providers and whether it is effectively passed on to patients. The committee adopted a motion to recommend HF 4048 to the Committee on Taxes. The committee then took up House File 3893, as amended, a bill to restrict artificial intelligence from engaging in psychotherapy or counseling with humans. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to prevent AI chatbots from posing as therapists or counseling vulnerable people, citing reports of suicides and other harms linked to chatbot interactions. The A2 amendment was adopted; the author said it reflected stakeholder concerns and added informed-consent language. Testifiers in support, including a psychologist and a suicide-prevention nonprofit leader, urged strong safeguards and said AI should not replace licensed professionals in crisis settings. Other testimony raised concerns about overbreadth and unintended effects. TechNet and a rural mental health provider said the bill should be narrowed so it applies to clinical therapy rather than wellness or educational tools, and should allow supervised AI uses such as transcription and administrative support. Members discussed rural access, existing licensing-board authority, privacy laws, and whether the bill should target AI companies directly rather than licensed clinicians. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HF 3893, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Nudification technology access prohibited 2/19/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Courts have held that computer code is speech. It's a dual nature.
  • <00:10:41.760> code<00:10:42.079> is Courts have held that computer code is Courts
  • have held that computer code is speech.<00:10:43.440> It's<00:10:43.680> a<00:10:44.160
  • <00:10:45.920> Computer<00:10:46.240> code<00:10:46.560> is<00:10:46.720>
  • and these face their phone or computer and these face swap<00:18:55.120> tools<00:18:55.600><
Keywords: 1183, house
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Is all the data and the compute power for this LLM inside state government directly, or is it through
  • To answer your question, the compute is in the state-built cloud environment.
  • So if demand goes up, the compute power goes up instantly. So it covers that.
  • So, in, I'll just pick New York as an example, the state government there is building its own compute
  • We don't, I think we heard earlier, we're not moving very fast on Cal Compute.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The subcommittee heard several May Revision proposals, primarily from the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Technology, and the Franchise Tax Board. CDFA presented funding for the animal care program under Proposition 12, a transition away from the state hemp program to USDA oversight by January 1, 2028, ongoing support for agricultural statistics reporting after USDA reorganization, and trailer bill changes to the department’s indirect cost cap. The LAO generally supported the animal care, hemp transition, and statistics proposals, while also urging future review of the Prop 12 funding once litigation is resolved. The indirect-cost-cap language was described as technical and not increasing charges to programs, and it was held open with no objections from the LAO or Finance. The committee also discussed the new federal Workforce Pell program and related Cradle to Career funding and trailer bill language. Finance said the state is still reviewing federal rules and is focusing on basic implementation steps, with the trailer bill assigning eligibility determinations to the California Student Aid Commission, requiring data sharing through Cradle to Career, and prioritizing public institutions first. The LAO urged caution because the federal rules were just finalized and said the Legislature should better define the process and costs before appropriating the $1.3 million requested for Cradle to Career. Members raised policy concerns about limiting the program to certain institutions and about aligning the proposal with pending legislation and broader workforce policy. The Department of Technology presented a $1 million request for Poppy, the state’s digital assistant, to expand a secure GenAI platform for state employees. Members asked detailed questions about data security, model training, bias controls, and whether the system could eventually support local governments; CDT said the system uses state-controlled cloud infrastructure, does not use user data for training, and quarantines new models for review. CDT also sought provisional authority for the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative to cover possible operating shortfalls while the network is still being built; the LAO remained concerned about broad spending authority, and several members questioned the revenue assumptions and oversight. FTB then proposed retaining a smaller set of CalFile resources after the federal Direct File program was discontinued, with the LAO saying the reduced staffing level was broadly reasonable but still worth legislative scrutiny. The committee also began hearing the administration’s revenue proposals, including a permanent limitation on business tax credits and a tax on electronically delivered prewritten software, with the LAO generally supporting the goal of raising ongoing revenue but recommending changes to the software proposal’s exemptions and business-use treatment.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

06/01/2026 - Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I don't know whose computer this is. Thank you, Mr.
  • what's wrong with your computer. go in and help you figure out what's wrong with your computer.
  • The example that you just gave about the computer being taken over during the pandemic, which I would
  • But as part of the audit process, do you also go in and look at the computer traffic logs?
  • Well, if you have computer systems... ...that information could be fudged.
Summary: The committee first heard an update on Topok Elementary School District’s long-running noncompliance with Arizona’s Uniform System of Financial Records. The Auditor General’s office explained the USFR noncompliance process and reported that Topok had made substantial progress, correcting many deficiencies in areas such as open meeting law, procurement, payroll, attendance reporting, property control, and information technology. The district’s superintendent and staff described the corrective actions they had taken, the use of outside consultants, and their plan to maintain compliance through stronger leadership, training, and consistent procedures. Members praised the district’s progress and asked about the remaining deficiencies and the status of the 3% state-aid withholding, which the Auditor General said would be addressed by the State Board of Education. The committee then considered a request for a fourth school safety special audit, tied to concerns raised by Representative Martinez about Phoenix Union High School District and school violence response practices. The Auditor General said the proposed audit would be a new topic focused on policies and procedures for responding to credible threats of violence and allegations of staff misconduct affecting student safety, and could include Phoenix Union in the sample. Representative Martinez described a fatal 2024 shooting, weapons incidents, and concerns about district oversight. The committee approved the motion 10-0. Next, staff presented the fiscal years 2027-2028 school district performance audit schedule, describing 26 randomly selected school districts and career and technical education districts, plus 84 planned follow-ups. The Auditor General said the schedule is intended to shorten the average time between audits and that the school audits division is now fully staffed. Members asked about county coverage and the inclusion of ESA accountability, but the schedule was ultimately presented for review rather than approval. The committee also heard a detailed federal compliance audit presentation on the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) administered by DES. The Auditor General reported repeated findings involving missing provider documentation, questioned costs, and FFATA reporting errors, including a 2024 sample that led to questioning $2.88 million in costs. The office recommended stronger documentation, record retention, reporting procedures, and staff training; DES concurred and said it would correct the findings in 2026. Members discussed the limits of the single-audit scope, the possibility of a broader special audit, and the federal government’s recent actions on CCDF oversight in other states. Finally, the committee considered and discussed a special audit request for CCDF that would broaden review to provider oversight, licensing, site visits, and billing accuracy across multiple state agencies, with estimated costs of $547,000 to $625,000 and a projected report date of July 31, 2027.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

State Affairs Apr 9th, 2026

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then also, are any of you involved yet in quantum computing?
  • We know according to Bain, that by 2027, AI will be probably about 24% of global compute.
  • Witness: And run the computer using closed loop air or water.
  • And China is making massive investments in AI computing capacity right now.
  • We bring computing to energy, not the other way around.
Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, it comes into their computer. computer. computer.
  • computer.
  • computer.
  • computer.
  • on their computer. on their computer.
Summary: The committee received testimony from Personnel Cabinet Secretary Mary Elizabeth Bailey and Deputy Secretary Robert Long on the state’s telecommuting policy. Bailey explained that telecommuting in the executive branch is governed by a statewide policy requiring eligible employees to work in the office three days a week and telecommute up to two days a week. Eligibility depends first on the position, not the person: public-facing jobs, roles requiring special equipment or insecure document handling, and other duties that cannot be performed remotely are not eligible. Employees and managers must complete training, sign agreements, comply with safety and IT requirements, and telecommuting privileges can be revoked for poor performance or discipline. She said the cabinet audits compliance and that telecommuting has helped maintain services during inclement weather, disasters, and building renovations. Bailey also said about 33% of the workforce is hybrid, 11% telecommutes full-time, and 56% does not telecommute. Members asked about cost savings, eligibility, discipline, and technology requirements. Bailey said she did not have statewide cost-savings figures and referred that question to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. She said employees must have reliable connectivity and appropriate equipment, but there is no fixed broadband speed requirement; if an employee cannot connect, they must come into the office. She also said telecommuting postings indicate whether a position is eligible, and that performance issues are handled through progressive discipline rather than being ignored. Transportation Cabinet officials then described how their agency manages remote work. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock, along with IT and human resources leaders, said the cabinet follows the executive branch policy and actively manages telecommuting employees through Microsoft Teams, VPN access, daily standups, project tracking, and manager oversight. They said more than 2,600 of the cabinet’s 4,000 employees cannot telecommute because their jobs are public-facing or field-based, while about 35% are eligible to telecommute up to two days per week. The cabinet also has 13 state employees and 94 contract employees working full-time remotely in IT. Officials said telecommuting has improved recruitment and retention, supported emergency response and weather operations, and allowed the cabinet to continue working during storms and other disruptions. Members asked about phone equipment, monitoring, and “mouse jiggler” devices; officials said phones are often forwarded to personal or state devices, Teams shows real-time availability, and managers rely on daily accountability and project management tools to monitor work.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think really it's a question of how much compute capacity is needed based on what's happening with
  • We know according to Bain, that by 2027, AI will be probably about 24% of global compute.
  • Skybox Representative: And run the computer using closed loop air or water.
  • And China is making massive investments in AI computing capacity right now.
  • We bring computing to energy, not the other way around.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • These officials are the recipients of computers from the Data Seam program.
  • Multiple officials stated that districts were threatened with the removal of computers if there was any
  • if there was any push back computers if there was any push back about<00:06:54.240> the<00:06
  • Uh, we had one computer lab in the whole building in each school.
  • <00:57:26.720> after amazed on how those computers after amazed on how those computers after
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The subcommittee met without a quorum and did not approve minutes, but heard testimony on budget line items for Data Seam and Teach for America. Andrew McNeel of Kentucky Free and representatives from the Commonwealth Policy Center argued that both programs rely heavily on recurring taxpayer support and should be re-evaluated. McNeel cited a 2020 Office of Policy and Audit examination of Data Seam, saying the program had received more than $30 million in state support since 2006, including $3.5 million in the current budget, and that the audit raised concerns about administrative overhead, alleged threats to districts, and the use of line-item language to justify sole-source contracting. He recommended suspending Data Seam funding this biennium, directing a new special audit, and requiring reimbursement of audit costs. The witnesses also urged the committee to withhold funding for Teach for America, saying the organization’s materials and history showed a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that they opposed. They pointed to past statements, leadership titles, and program language as evidence that DEI concepts remained embedded in the organization, and suggested any funding should be redirected directly to school districts instead. Mike Harmon and Richard Nelson echoed those concerns, while also saying long-running programs should be periodically reviewed for efficiency. Teach for America Appalachia representatives then testified in support of the program. Executive director C.D. Morton described the organization as a teacher-preparation and leadership-development program serving rural eastern Kentucky, saying it had recruited and supported more than 325 teachers since 2011, with about 30 current core members in several counties and roughly 2,800 students impacted daily. He said the program helps fill hard-to-staff vacancies, that about 80% of teachers stay for a third year, and that many alumni remain in education. In response to questions from Representative Bojanowski about retention and cost, Morton said more than 60% of alumni are still in education, but he could not give a precise classroom-teacher retention number beyond the program’s broader alumni data.
IN

Indiana 2026 Regular Session

Friday, Feb. 27 part 1

Indiana Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Purdue Northwest bachelor's degree in computer software and media applications.
  • We're in a fast-paced, changing world around computer science.
  • Sometimes on my computer, they have me in California or Chicago.
  • What happens when a parent, the only computer... So I don't know how that works.
  • What happens when my grandkids come up for a visit and I let them use the computer?
Keywords: 964, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Jan 22nd, 2026 at 09:36 am

Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • But that quantum computing can make solid solutions for all those.
  • For example in the areas of national security, energy, quantum computing, cyber, and AI.
  • And that's buying a $100 million quantum computer to get it in the pipeline.
  • It takes two or three years to build this quantum computer. And so we're at 1 $4 billion.
  • We're looking at a four-year runway, adding the computer as a forward runway.
Bills: HB1
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

March 5, 2025 - 10:15 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, if you can't put it on paper, you can't have a computer do it, right?
  • Well, if you can't put it on paper, you can't have a computer do it, right?
  • You know, we cannot compute. We can't. We cannot compute. We cannot. We can't.
  • Long mentioned, the ability for AI to actually compute? Sure.
  • power, also known as compute, that help do various things when it comes to AI.
Summary: The subcommittee met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence and automation in Florida government. Panelists from Worldwide Technology, OpenAI, the James Madison Institute, and the Florida Digital Service described AI as a tool to improve efficiency, constituent services, fraud detection, translation, HR workflows, public safety, and regulatory review, while emphasizing that AI should supplement rather than replace workers. They also stressed the importance of data readiness, workforce training, governance, and having existing technology systems and policies in place before broader deployment. Members asked about public records concerns, vendor vetting, model integrity, and how to balance innovation with privacy and security. Chief Schoonover said agencies are already using or exploring AI in areas such as Medicaid analysis, environmental data, emergency management, tax forms, and child support, and noted that the Digital Service publishes prohibited vendor and application lists. OpenAI discussed its red teaming, safety evaluations, privacy controls, and government products such as ChatGPT Gov, and said it does not train on personal data or target users with ads. The committee also discussed concrete examples of efficiency gains, including reduced call times, faster translation turnaround, and streamlined HR classification work, as well as concerns about job disruption and constituent access. In closing, members raised data center infrastructure and energy needs, with panelists noting that AI depends on substantial compute, power, cooling, and utility capacity. The chair concluded by encouraging continued dialogue and noting that future AI legislation should be targeted to specific problems rather than overly broad.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 26th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Article III

Transcript Highlights:
  • state investment for years to come. they say everything is bigger in Texas and that includes our computing
  • Last summer the National Science Foundation selected UT Austin and the Texas Advanced Computing Center
  • The learnings from models like D.P. seek are that you can do more with, at times, less computing power
  • This transdisciplinary college intentionally merges the disciplines of computer science. computer engineering
  • The melding... of AI and computing and data science and cyber security is the future of... of everything
Keywords: 1184, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I have I don't know, I didn't tell you this yesterday, but I have contacted the LRC computer staff to
  • 21.680> make<00:05:21.840> sure<00:05:21.919> I<00:05:22.160> wasn't computer
  • staff to make sure I wasn't computer staff to make sure I wasn't missing<00:05:22.800> anything
  • <00:05:29.280> and<00:05:29.520> they they also service our computers and they they
  • also service our computers and they are<00:05:29.840> a<00:05:30.080> technology<00:05
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The commission first returned from executive session and reported that no action was taken. It then approved a motion finding there was no reason to believe the respondent in case 25 LAC1 had committed or was about to commit a violation of the code, and dismissed the complaint under KRS 6.86(1)(b)3. Members next reviewed and approved the September financial report, which staff said was based on state accounting data and showed the commission within year-to-date budget parameters. Staff also reported that all required forms for the recent reporting period had been filed and that there were no outstanding forms. The main substantive discussion concerned a proposed one-year, $6,000 contract with Tyler Technology/Kentucky Interactive to add an online payment portal for the commission’s re-registration process. Staff said the system would let employers pay registration fees online using an employer ID, reduce manual handling of 3,000 to 3,500 forms and hundreds of credit card payments, and improve security by keeping credit card information out of commission staff hands. Members asked about user fees and procurement concerns; staff explained that users would still pay the existing credit card processing fee, that an e-check option would also be available, and that the $6,000 cost was viewed as below the de minimis threshold. The commission approved the contract. In other updates, staff said informal opinions were included in the materials and remained confidential, reported on a presentation to the UK Martin School, noted that the regular session calendar would likely require meetings to shift during the legislative session, and said the commission’s statutory recommendations had been received by LRC and referred to a state government committee. The meeting then moved into executive session to discuss a personnel matter.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/19/25

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:04:19.320> and rent and paying for computers and rent and paying for computers and everything
  • Do I need to take my computer off for that to work? Pardon me, Senator?
  • It is already a crime to possess child pornography that was generated by a computer.
  • It is already a crime to possess child pornography that was generated by a computer.
  • their own on their own home computer their own on their own home computer this<00:48:19.319>
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 23rd, 2025

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • We've had in schools computers and things that last three or four years go into 30-year bonds.
  • If a school is being built and you put in the... ...computers in a short-term instrument, and then you
  • They shouldn't be paying interest over 30 years for the computers.
  • to four and a half or five times what the computer actually costs when that computer is so long gone
  • that even the teachers when they were students weren't using that computer.
MS

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

Government Structure - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 4:30 PM

Government Structure

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have some people that are super smart that are sitting in some areas in darkened rooms with computer
  • We have some people that are super smart that are sitting in some areas in darkened rooms with computer
  • agency to understand is that we want it to be focused on restoring government function and restoring computer
  • We have some people that are super smart that are sitting in some areas in darkened rooms with computer
  • People that are super smart that are sitting in some areas in darkened rooms with computer screens, and
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bills 2625 and 2636, both described as part of a broader effort to strengthen state cybersecurity. SB 2625 would create a state chief information officer at the governor’s office level to coordinate IT and cybersecurity policy across agencies. Members and the sponsor said it was a conceptual work in progress, and the committee added a reverse repealer before reporting the bill out as a committee substitute with a do pass recommendation. SB 2636 would create a Department of Cyber Security focused on law enforcement and post-attack response, including investigators and coordination with DPS, the auditor’s office, local jurisdictions, and federal partners. Supporters said the goal was to improve collaboration, protect taxpayer information, and separate network protection and recovery from criminal investigation. Some members questioned whether the new department would overlap with existing IT and law enforcement functions, but sponsors said it was intended to clarify responsibilities rather than duplicate them. The committee added a reverse repealer and reported the bill out as a committee substitute with a do pass recommendation. The committee also considered SB 2632, which would delay action on state disaster recovery funding while awaiting federal changes from FEMA/MEMA. The sponsor said the bill would give the state time to evaluate new federal disaster recovery rules and determine the best approach for Mississippi. The committee added a reverse repealer and reported the bill out as a committee substitute with a do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard SB 2817, a Department of Public Safety reorganization bill. It would move the Bureau of Investigation, narcotics, homeland security, and the forensic lab under the State Bureau of Investigation to streamline command and allow more flexible staffing. It would also preserve a telecommunications fee, raise autopsy and salvage inspection fees, and continue discussion of DPS police powers. After questions about the autopsy fee and whether the reorganization would save money, the committee adopted a do pass motion. The chair also noted that SB 2673 would be studied further over the next year before any final action.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy Aug 14th, 2025

Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • What goes into AGI versus what happens after AGI is computed at the federal level.
  • So we'll still compute the tax that they would owe on that income.
  • So, they said this is a category of income that the way it was computed was to say.
  • GILTI income, net CFC tested income, or NCTI, is computed on a much broader base.
  • The deductions are computed on the same broad base.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 3/23/26

Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • phones and computers and were doing forensic<00:21:37.080> analysis.
  • Uh, what we found or what the OIG's team found was DHS's computer systems tran DHS's computer systems
  • That's what an IP log is in the computer system.
  • It's a basic in computer system.
  • It's a basic in computer system. brakes. It's a basic in computer system.
Keywords: 1183, house
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • This outdated computing system has become unstable and increasingly inefficient as it struggles to meet
  • We’re just looking at the computer system itself and whether it is up to the task.
  • So OSPI has its own computer system. Is that right?
  • So I'm curious, how many different layers of computer systems are we working on, and might it not be
  • district to OSPI's computer system?
Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee subcommittee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the accuracy and reliability of OSPI’s school apportionment system. Auditors said the system, which calculates and distributes K-12 funding using multiple feeder systems and a core apportionment engine, is outdated, unstable, inefficient, and at high risk of failure. They reported weak controls over data input, documentation, oversight, and staffing, and said OSPI relies heavily on manual workarounds, a few knowledgeable staff, and vendor support. In limited testing of three districts, the auditors found the system calculated funding correctly for the 2023-24 school year, but they identified nine small input discrepancies tied to differences between budget materials and state law, which they said could compound into larger dollar amounts. The auditors recommended replacing or modernizing the system and noted that delays in doing so prolong risk. OSPI largely agreed that the current platform needs replacement and said it has been working toward a new system for years. Agency officials clarified that the Legislature requested a feasibility study in 2022, that the study found the system at risk of catastrophic failure, and that funding for a replacement is now in the state IT pool subject to OCIO/OFM gate reviews. OSPI disputed the audit’s characterization of the rounding and budget-law discrepancies, saying the issue was an agency rule and implementation choice, not an error that caused under- or over-allocation. Officials also said the current system is too old to easily absorb future formula changes, but that the planned replacement should be flexible enough to handle a new funding model if the Legislature adopts one. Committee members asked about the amount and timing of the $16 million project funding, whether smaller districts face greater risk, how many times data is entered, and whether the funding formula should be simplified. Auditors and OSPI both emphasized that formula simplification is a policy question for the Legislature, not the audit. Public testimony came from one online witness, who urged full implementation of the audit recommendations and modernization of the system. The subcommittee took no formal vote and adjourned after the presentations and testimony.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 18th, 2026

ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • This was when computers began being implemented within businesses, similarly to the United States.
  • When computers began being implemented within businesses, similarly to the United States.
  • As you know, AI really is a tool just like a computer, and history repeats itself.
  • Using AI as a very good tool, such as a computer.
  • As with computers, artificial intelligence is here to stay.
Summary: The meeting began with a report on institutions of higher education for annual certification/solvency, which required no action and was noted as coming later in the week. The main presentation featured students from Arkansas State University, Valley View High School, and the University of Central Arkansas discussing artificial intelligence in education and the workforce. They argued that AI should be taught responsibly in K-12 and higher education to prepare students for jobs, support Arkansas’s growing tech sector, and reduce misuse such as cybercrime, scams, plagiarism, and academic dishonesty. They also cited survey results from teachers showing broad support for responsible AI instruction, district-level management, and teacher training, while noting concerns about critical thinking, ethics, and unequal access. Examples were given of AI already being used at UCA and the University of the Ozarks, and the group suggested a statewide AI library and related training built on the Access Act framework. Committee members asked about student reactions, and the presenters said responses are mixed, especially in the arts, but that AI is already being used in real-world careers and should be integrated with clear standards. The committee then heard from a Pine Bluff community coalition led by Pastor Jesse Turner about school-based outreach and youth support programs. The group described long-running work in Pine Bluff schools and Watson Chapel, including Pass on Patrol, mentoring, anti-bullying and nonviolence efforts, drug and vaping education, gun-violence prevention, and leadership clubs for students. They emphasized that their approach is nonreligious in the schools, focused on encouragement, citizenship, scholarship, and keeping students engaged in class. They also highlighted the use of free curriculum resources on African American history and said they help students see themselves as having promise rather than being “at risk.” Members asked about whether the programs could be shared elsewhere and about impacts on behavior; the group said some materials are trademarked but can be adapted with support, and cited reported reductions in negative behavior and referrals in participating schools. The meeting ended after members praised both the AI presenters and the Pine Bluff outreach group, and the committee adjourned with no votes taken.