Transcript Highlights:

• on AI systems, how they use data, the benefits and the limitations of AI, and the responsible use of
• AI in academic and personal contexts.
• My main concern is the loss of skill that comes with the overuse of AI.
• We support 1694 because of its responsible approach to AI and education.
• Earlier we were mentioning AI. AI is changing everything. I see it firsthand.

Bills: S1694

Keywords: technology education, digital literacy, artificial intelligence, computer science, high school graduation

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met with a quorum present and first took up CS for SB 1694, which would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and encourage high school computer science courses with AI content to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal contexts. The bill drew support from several speakers who emphasized the need for students to understand AI’s capabilities, limitations, ethics, and risks, while one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the loss of skills. Senator Davis said the bill was a good step toward preparing the future workforce and suggested earlier instruction might be worth considering later. The bill was reported favorably, and Senator Leek asked to be recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a long series of confirmation presentations for trustees at multiple Florida colleges and universities, including Tallahassee State College, USF, UNF, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally emphasized student success, workforce alignment, fiscal responsibility, access and affordability, and institutional growth; several members and senators offered supportive comments, with some asking about specific issues such as Tallahassee State’s NCLEX passage rates and the need for continued improvement. One appointee’s attendance was delayed or skipped for later consideration, but the committee ultimately took a block vote and reported the confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. Finally, Chair Harrell gave a brief overview of the higher education budget, describing a total of $11.9 billion and highlighting increases for workforce education, Florida College System operating funds, workforce development capitalization, the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s Lassinger Center on Learning, the Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, and campus security through a postsecondary guardian program. Senator Davis asked about a transfer related to the workforce development capitalization and incentive grant fund, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds being added. There was no public comment on the budget, and the meeting adjourned after Senator Leek requested to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1694.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is it provides for portability of data for social media companies and AI, meaning you as a user are
• It limits the scope to consumer platforms and the subset of AI systems that have the most significant
• This is a way to help the small guy in the social media ecosystem and AI ecosystem have a chance, right
• And we need to get ahead of these problems in AI as well to ensure that it benefits people.
• As technology has progressed, deepfake AI software becomes more publicly accessible.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We will be back in a few minutes with the gen AI update.
• But it is the 19 million here, the 16 million under the AI.
• in writing and requires them to critically assess AI output, which is how they build AI literacy.
• community for faculty to learn how to use AI.
• Use AI. AI is here to stay.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Use of AI and drafting FOIA requests.
• So as with any use of AI, there's a negative aspect that we're seeing to the use of AI when it goes beyond
• AI often blends FOIA with unrelated legal domains and citations.
• Do we need to include in there sort of model AI prompts?
• Like, hey, if you’re using AI, Do we need to include in there sort of model AI prompts?

Keywords: Freedom of Information Advisory Council, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Consideration of the House bills and special orders shall include the Senate companion measures on the
• putting the budget more online and making it more accessible to people and more open, do you think AI
• Representative Albert, what's the status of the Senate companion bill? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, a quorum call, and several recognitions, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the Middle East conflict. The chamber adopted the special order report and then took up several bills on the special order calendar. Early action included passage of CS/CS/HB 981 on tributaries of the St. Johns River and Ocklawaha River restoration after debate over environmental benefits versus concerns about impacts to Rodman Reservoir, rural communities, property values, and long-term uncertainty. The bill passed 107-3. Members then considered CS/HB 1389 on affordable housing and the Live Local Act. The bill would expand multifamily and mixed-use allowances, limit local setback/stepback restrictions, remove local opt-out authority, address accessory dwelling units, and waive sovereign immunity for certain land-use discrimination claims. Supporters argued it would increase housing supply amid a statewide shortage; opponents objected to further state preemption of local control and the ADU provisions. The bill passed 78-29. The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1085, codifying the local government cybersecurity grant program and prioritizing fiscally constrained counties, by a unanimous 109-0 vote. The chamber next debated CS/HB 273 on special districts, which would allow certain agreements in rural areas of opportunity and impose new transparency and budget rules on larger downtown development districts. Questions focused on the meaning of “directly benefit,” the 10% administrative cap, budget approval authority, and the bill’s effect on downtown development authorities. An amendment to remove the downtown district provisions failed, and the bill passed 88-0. The House later returned to the temporarily postponed CS/HB 989 on motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers, which limits allocation of new vehicle lines to any one dealer group; it passed 109-1. Finally, the House took up CS/HB 1329 on local government spending transparency. The bill requires tentative budgets to be posted 14 days before hearings, final budgets to remain online for five years, and budget data to be searchable and downloadable, with waivers for smaller governments. Members debated whether the bill would impose costs despite the sponsor’s claim of zero fiscal impact. An amendment by Representative Cheney would have added hardship assistance for small governments and CFO support, but the transcript ends during debate on that amendment before final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Consideration of the House bills and special orders shall include the Senate companion measures on the
• putting the budget more online and making it more accessible to people and more open, do you think AI
• Representative Albert, what's the status of the Senate companion bill? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our idea of AI in the classroom is not, I just now have ChatGPT grading all my papers for me.
• There are tools that can check for AI within a course.
• AI is not to replace the teacher. AI is to help.
• Because if he's just doing AI, and I've talked to several teachers, and one of them says, well, AI is
• sometimes biased... ...to several teachers, and one of them says, well, AI is sometimes biased.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate Education Committee first approved the minutes from its January 26 and January 27 meetings. The committee then heard a presentation from Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA) Superintendent Jeff Simmons and Cambridge School District Superintendent Anthony Butler about IDLA’s role as Idaho’s statewide supplemental online learning provider. Simmons described IDLA’s funding model, course fees, statewide access, Idaho-certified teachers, quality controls, and growth in enrollment and pass rates, while Butler explained how a small rural district uses IDLA for electives, dual credit, and credit recovery. Senators asked about teacher certification, cost savings for families, evaluation of virtual instruction, AI use, and the impact of a proposed $10 million budget cut; Simmons said the reduction would significantly shrink course offerings and enrollments, especially affecting rural schools. The committee also discussed Lewis-Clark State College’s proposal in Senate Bill 1234 to change its name to Lewis-Clark State University. Senator Cindy Carlson and President Cynthia Pemberton said the change would better reflect the institution’s existing mix of two-year, four-year, and some graduate programs, reduce confusion among students and counselors, and support recruitment and community identity without changing the school’s mission. Pemberton said the rebrand would cost about $50,000 and had broad support from the State Board, local schools, chambers, and campus stakeholders. Senators asked about the cost, mission, and implications for the institution’s status; Carlson said the bill includes intent language to prevent salary or mission changes. After discussion, the committee voted to send Senate Bill 1234 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation. The meeting adjourned after the motion carried, and the chair noted there would be no Education Committee meeting the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ops on the statewide gen AI pilots.
• Our first issue is an update on the gen AI pilot. Projects.
• The State of California Generative AI Toolkit. for Procurement Use and Training was also completed.
• But using AI so that we can save gas and time and wear and tear in our vehicles.
• We're thankful for these advancements of AI helping a small company.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it does, as I say, allow a mental health professional to use AI. are not cretailing its beneficial
• </c> by allowing AI to operate on its own. by allowing AI to operate on its own.
• </c> mental health services through AI mental health services through AI without<00:18:02.640><c> the
• </c> independently by AI systems. independently by AI systems.
• AI without the review and approval of a mental health professional.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AI policy is moving across multiple bodies.
• AI policy is moving across multiple bodies.
• It's almost entirely AI background generated.
• But I will say that AI has, you know, there's generative AI of creating content, but then there's also
• , and other AI art.

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future Is Creative,” developed under AB 127 and related legislation. Chair Allen framed the plan as a response to California’s large but vulnerable creative economy, citing workforce losses, federal funding headwinds, and the need to support artists, cultural organizations, public media, museums, cultural districts, and film/TV production. He also highlighted budget asks including support for California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, a post-production incentive proposal (AB 2319), and funding to implement the strategic plan. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and CWDB’s Michael Weoff described the planning process, which included a 30-plus-member work group, interagency coordination, and a phased approach from framework development to implementation and evaluation. They identified major forces shaping the sector over the next decade, including AI, climate disruption, affordability, access to capital, and social cohesion, and outlined six action areas: workforce preparation, business stabilization, cultural identity/tourism, cross-sector incentives, ROI/data tracking, and state capacity/infrastructure. Members and panelists repeatedly emphasized that the plan must be resourced and integrated across agencies rather than left siloed. A second panel of practitioners and advocates focused on workforce pathways and local implementation. Ricarlo Handy described the Handy Foundation’s registered apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and argued that current data systems undercount gig, 1099, and LLC-based creative work. Joanna Reynolds discussed Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030, while Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged embedding artists in health, aging, and behavioral health systems as community problem-solvers. Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to normalize arts careers and expand residency and school-based models. Senator Rubio, who joined later, shared her own arts and teaching background, supported arts access in schools and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 statewide town halls with more than 1,100 attendees, which confirmed support for the plan but also highlighted needs for better information access, new financial models, stronger definitions and data, and more partnerships. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates urged sustained public funding, saying the plan is actionable only if the Legislature and administration provide resources, including increased California Arts Council funding and support for implementation. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational and concluded with calls for continued legislative and cross-agency collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• this is AI.
• be open to modification to be consistent with the other AI definition.
• They use AI all the time to, of course, make their opponent.
• No, they would usually use AI, realistic AI, like the comment you made about a, you know, someone being
• AI tools have been in the mainstream for half a decade, longer now.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the AI we have today.
• That is the AI we have today.
• That is the AI we have today.
• That is the AI we have today.
• That is the AI we have today.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Personally, prayer has been my companion.
• Personally, prayer has been my companion during some of life's most important crossroads, including the

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then took up several floor items. AB 108, a budget bill, was presented as a one-time $25 million grant program through HCAI to help severely distressed nonprofit and public hospitals with less than 10 days cash on hand and limited other options, along with a technical fix for the property tax postponement program. Senators Laird and Jones spoke in support, and the bill passed 36-0 with immediate transmittal granted. The chamber then adopted a series of resolutions recognizing CASA Appreciation Day (SCR 162), California Wildfire Preparedness Week (SCR 165), California Rail Month (SCR 84), the National Day of Prayer (SCR 153), and Mother’s Day (SCR 167). Floor remarks highlighted the role of CASA volunteers, year-round wildfire risk and local preparedness efforts, rail’s importance to mobility and climate goals, faith and prayer as sources of guidance, and the contributions of mothers and mother figures. All of these resolutions passed, with SCR 153 receiving one no vote and the others passing unanimously or near-unanimously. The Senate also passed SB 1175, which moves lobbyist registration and related filings directly to the Secretary of State to improve timeliness and transparency; SB 949, designating the Santa Cruz Mountains as a landscape of statewide significance; SB 1038, strengthening CalPERS audit notice requirements for unions; and SB 965, making it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain library cards without a parent physically present. Each measure received supportive remarks and passed on strong roll calls. Later, the Senate adopted SR 106 marking Black April Memorial Month and honoring Vietnamese refugees and the Vietnamese American community, with members speaking about the fall of Saigon, refugee sacrifice, and the community’s contributions. The session concluded with committee announcements and an adjournment in memory of Dan Hughes, a former reserve officer, firefighter paramedic, and longtime parks district board member. The Senate announced it would reconvene on Monday, May 11, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Personally, prayer has been my companion.
• Prayer has been my companion during some of life's most important crossroads, including the moment I

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a strike-all amendment for this bill last week that would align the House bill with that Senate companion
• We have eight proposals here, we don't even have companion bills in the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The companion of this bill passed this committee unanimously. This bill allows all Ross State.
• HB3114 is the companion of HB2076, which we heard and voted out of this committee.

Bills: HB1022, HB2856, HB3114, HJR5, HB6, HB120, HB210, HB1458, HB1188, HB3126

Keywords: HB 1022, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Texas State University System, Education Code, higher education, course levels, upper-level college, lower-division courses, community college-style courses, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Uvalde, Board of Regents, academic programs, university expansion, HB 2856, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, clinical training placements, clinical rotations

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, um, House Bill 2018 is a companion bill to my Senate Bill 2970.
• House Bill 29 is in lieu of the companion Senate Bill 1190, which we heard on April 7th.

Bills: HB2018, HB1633, HB1689, SB612, SB3058

Keywords: agricultural conservation, land preservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, Texas Farm and Ranch, groundwater conservation district, Texas Water Code, water permit, permit amendment, groundwater permit, water rights, aquifer, well registration, exempt wells, beneficial use, water conservation, groundwater quality, well plugging, Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area, surface water resources

Summary: The Senate Water, Agriculture, Rural Affairs Committee heard several bills focused on groundwater management, water infrastructure, and agricultural land conservation. SB 612 would limit certain water districts in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties from charging developers pipeline construction fees above actual, documented costs; the committee substitute removed a developer challenge mechanism to preserve district discretion over construction standards. HB 1633 would require groundwater conservation districts to consider registered exempt wells when reviewing or amending permits, and testimony from landowners, district representatives, and advocacy groups largely supported the bill as a way to protect domestic and livestock wells from drawdown caused by large export projects. HB 1689 would clarify that export fee revenues may be used for well operability, alternative water supplies, and aquifer monitoring, including through interlocal cooperation, and HB 3058 would give the Post Oak Savannah Groundwater Conservation District authority to use export fees for county road improvements and environmental programs tied to well inspection and groundwater management. HB 2018 would clarify that the Texas Farm and Ranchland Conservation Program is intended to purchase conservation easements only on working agricultural lands, with support from cattle raisers and Farm Bureau representatives. The committee also considered HB 29, which would require large water systems to validate water loss audits and submit mitigation plans; a committee substitute removed the water-loss threshold and adjusted the timeline for more detailed validation. Public testimony on the bills was generally supportive, with several witnesses describing declining well levels, road damage from export projects, and the need to preserve agricultural land and local water supplies. The committee adopted committee substitutes and voted favorably on HB 29, HB 1689, HB 2018, SB 612, and SB 3058, recommending several of them for the local and uncontested calendar; HB 1633 was left pending awaiting a committee substitute.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:41.800><c> local</c> guo tuana scandin AI local guo tuana scandin AI local 665<00:16:44.920
• </c> policies and now ai policies and so AI policies and now ai policies and so AI is<00:54:53.559><c
• about AI and the responsible use of AI.
• , so some have implemented AI.
• AI has been around for actually a long time, and so we're not new to AI.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of Governor’s messages for confirmation to several boards and councils, with the chair noting the meeting would continue on Monday and that testimony would be limited due to the large volume of submissions. For Governor’s Message 660, Kelly Oka was nominated to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Oka described her work in workforce development and technology, emphasizing equitable access to tech jobs for local residents, keeping young talent in Hawaii, and using HTDC to attract major technology firms and support cybersecurity and startup growth. Testimony from multiple individuals and organizations was strongly supportive, and members asked about HTDC’s challenges, federal funding, and how to attract more tech investment; no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then considered Governor’s Message 529, nominating Fono Cafi Mei to the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board. Mei said he had 20 years of crane-operating experience, including work on rail projects, and union representatives and labor organizations testified in support. Next, Governor’s Message 502 nominated Ken Louie to the Workforce Development Council. Louie highlighted his four years on the council, including two as chair, his family business, and his goal of expanding opportunities for younger and adult workers. DBEDT, council members, and labor representatives supported him, and members questioned him about the council’s priorities, staffing, federal funding uncertainty, apprenticeships, and military-to-private-sector transition programs. The committee also took up Governor’s Messages 581 and 690 together, both relating to Jared Gashi’s nomination to the Workforce Development Council for different terms. Gashi, from the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, said he would bring the tourism industry’s perspective to workforce development, citing workforce shortages, internships, scholarships, and the need for a broader tourism voice on the council. Support testimony came from state officials and community members, who praised his reliability and leadership; a member asked how he would broaden the council beyond tourism, and Gashi said HLTA represents a wide range of tourism-related sectors and partners. The committee then heard Governor’s Message 571 for Eric Noi to the Deferred Compensation Plan Board, with Noi citing his fiscal and budgeting background; DHS, the board chair, and others supported him. Finally, Governor’s Message 667 nominated Ty Noara to the same board, and Keith Regan testified in strong support, citing her public service, intelligence, and ability to handle difficult situations. The excerpt ends as the committee begins Governor’s Message 560, nominating David Louie to the Employees’ Retirement System Board, with Louie, the ERS executive director, the finance director, and former Governor Abercrombie offering strong support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, the harm is not in the dissemination; it's in the creation, with the advancement of AI.
• But this is actually what AI looks like now.
• But this is actually what AI looks like now.
• But this is actually what AI looks like now.
• AI now there are tiny details in this AI now there are tiny details in this picture<00:02:09.200><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “A hundred million U.S. jobs could be replaced by AI.
• I think Arizona is going to be greatly benefiting from AI.
• I think Arizona is going to be greatly benefiting from AI.
• I think that AI is the housing demand of the 2000s, right?
• I think that AI is the housing help. I think that AI is the housing demand of the 2000s, right?

Summary: The Finance Advisory Committee met for its January session to review Arizona revenue and economic conditions ahead of the budget process. JLBC staff presented the January baseline, noting projected positive cash balances through FY 2029 and about $577 million to $578 million in discretionary capacity, but also highlighting major unfunded items not included in the baseline, including federal tax conformity costs, ongoing one-time spending for state employee health insurance and school facility repairs, and administrative costs tied to H.R. 1. Staff also reviewed revenue trends by category, saying FY26 general fund revenues were running above forecast overall, with strength in retail, restaurants and bars, and individual income tax payments, while contracting and utility-related collections were weaker or flat. They also compared JLBC and executive revenue assumptions and discussed the executive’s proposed revenue changes, including border reimbursement assumptions, sports betting tax changes, data center-related tax and fee proposals, and other non-general fund measures. A major topic was income tax conformity with recent federal tax law changes. Staff explained that current Department of Revenue forms assume “straight conformity,” but the governor’s proposal and vetoed SB 1106 do not fully match those forms, creating possible amendment and timing issues for taxpayers and the department if the legislature adopts a different policy. Members also discussed the difficulty of forecasting revenues amid volatile monthly collections and uncertainty over how much of the current revenue strength will persist in the second half of the fiscal year. Danny Court of Elliott Pollack gave a broader national and state economic outlook, arguing that the U.S. has avoided recession despite several warning indicators, largely because of AI and data center investment, while employment growth has softened and inflation remains above the Fed’s target. He said Arizona remains relatively resilient, with strong population and job pipelines, but faces housing affordability constraints, slowing employment growth, and a more concentrated population forecast in the Phoenix area. Panelists generally agreed that Arizona remains in better shape than many states, though they cautioned that job growth is slowing, population estimates may be revised, and budget and revenue forecasts should be treated carefully given uncertainty in the data. No votes or formal actions were taken.