Transcript Highlights:

• capable of storing any of your personal information that you may find on a phone, Adam Colby: a computer
• statutes already in place for fraudulent use of identifying information, credit/debit card abuse, computer
• not fully developed until early adulthood, which should be a major consideration for not only the computation
• I think that what has happened is that science and progress has caught up and we understand that the

Bills: HB200

Keywords: HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:32:15.279> But, >> If you're signal, uh, you're learning computers.
• And you'll have testimony today that talks a little bit about the science and how it's evolving.
• And you'll have testimony today that talks a little bit about the science and how it's evolving.
• <00:42:51.359> of you have questions about the science of you have questions about the science
• The science is very clear that psilocybin is not addictive, first of all, and second of all it would

Bills: HF4588, HF3685, HF4577, HF4932

Keywords: veterans, veterans affairs, mental health, behavioral health, rural health, rural areas, access to care, task force, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, general fund appropriation, veteran suicide prevention, PTSD, service members, military families, telehealth, rural psychiatry, high school diploma, armed forces, education policy, military service

Transcript Highlights:

• Both of these benchmarks carry an asterisk indicating direct alignment with state computer science standards
• practical science It encourages practical science education<00:31:59.040> and<00:31:59.240>
• Well, there are a lot of environmental science courses that include climate change or climate crisis
• 07.160> we've And they were none of them were around our math, reading, or any of the other science
• It was around holistic science scores.

Bills: HF3776, HF3557, HF3585

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Summary: The committee first approved the previous day’s minutes, then took up House File 3776, as amended by the A2 amendment, which clarified how the bill would apply to students with IEPs and 504 plans. The bill’s author argued that Minnesota should address screen time for preschool and kindergarten students, saying current law is too broad, that young children are especially vulnerable to developmental and attention harms from screens, and that parents and teachers should have more control over device use. The bill was laid over after discussion. Testimony on HF 3776 was split. Amanda Faye of Minnetonka Public Schools opposed the bill as drafted, saying it would conflict with existing academic standards, READ Act screening requirements, accessibility tools, and local control, and would force districts back to paper-based screening. Katherine Myers of Live More Screen Less supported the bill, citing concerns about early childhood screen exposure and arguing that screen-free time supports child development. Members raised concerns about local control, parental rights, and how to protect students who need devices for accommodations; the author and nonpartisan staff noted that schools can already adopt cell phone policies, but exceptions may be needed for certain students and uses. After laying over HF 3776, the committee began House File 3557. Representative Craft introduced the bill as a voluntary program to promote practical science education and workforce development tied to climate literacy, including a proposed Minnesota Seal of Climate Literacy for high school students. The bill was only introduced before the transcript ended, with no vote or final action recorded on HF 3557.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Tuesday, February 11th meeting of the Science, Technology
• It's good to be before the Science, Technology and Energy Committee.
• be the best place for it to emphasize that we understand that data centers, AI, high-performance compute
• so there there may run their computers so there there may be<02:06:19.920> if<02:06:20.040>
• Welcome to the afternoon session of Science, Tech and Energy.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there's all sorts of kind of computations that go in there. but a lot of times what that allows is
• California science and technology industries represent 17% of the state's economy. generating over half
• The problem of under-representation of black, Latino, Native American, and women populations in the science
• one of the most successful programs in addressing this inability of the state to fully utilize its science
• You might not have the exact science. on this but what led to that could have led to that so there were

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My background is, at one time in my career, I was is running product safety for Dell Computers.
• Audubon is a nonpartisan, science-based conservation organization protecting birds and their habitats
• just that of Texas, but the future of students like myself who aspire to work at the intersection of science
• If we want Texas to remain a leader in industry, we must foster an environment where science and policy
• SB819 strengthens the role of science-based recommendations in energy siting, helping both developers

Bills: SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706

Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the students of Magnolia Science Academy in my district who've
• My colleagues on the science<00:56:56.720> committee<00:56:57.440> have<00:56:57.760>
• > repeatedly science committee have repeatedly science committee have repeatedly demanded<00:56:58.960
• ,<00:57:16.960> including<00:57:17.440> decades<00:57:18.240> of for science
• And one young person, a midnight computer hacker from DOGE, Elon Musk’s emissary, destroyed all of it

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Criminal Justice Andrew Peck, Under Secretary of Law Enforcement Gina Kwan, Under Secretary of Forensic Science
• DA Ryan has put together a computer program.
• So in addition to what we're seeing with a new computer program that's going to help us through this,
• So in addition to what we're seeing with a new computer program that's going to help us through this,
• And this is a place where we use science, where we are, you heard earlier today from the lab.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we will always be chasing the science, which is.
• So, it's not a science; it's anecdotal. This is not hard science, but then I...
• We can't ignore the science.
• HB 5 ignores the science.
• Teaching four years of computer science at a university level, I couldn't take it more than four months

Bills: HB5

Keywords: hemp, cannabinoids, regulation, occupational licenses, consumable products, marketing, criminal offenses, labeling requirements, health and safety, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair: I call to order the Monday, February 9th meeting of the Science, Technology, and Energy Committee
• use electric facilities. >> Thank you, Chairman Vose, and uh good afternoon, members of the House Science
• <05:02:56.560> of<05:02:56.638> the<05:02:56.718> House<05:02:56.958> Science
• , afternoon, members of the House Science, afternoon, members of the House Science, Technology,<05
• 210 and and those include computer 210 and and those include computer processing,<05:12:30.000><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So for those on your computers, actually...
• For those on your computers, actually, not, I won't do this on the Uninet.
• And if we truly believe in science, there are no other options.
• And the fact is, in this particular area of science, it goes deep.
• Ideology, not science, animates medical interest groups on trans interventions on minors.

Bills: LB815A, LB838A, LB912A, LB972A, LB1126A, LB962A, LB1114, LB921, LB937, LB803, LB803A, LB1032, LB1032A, LB1075, LB1075A, LB889, LB878, LB933, LB304, LB304A, LB1096, LB1096A, LB1165, LB1165A, LB958, LB958A, LB762, LB1187, LB966, LB929, LB962, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787

Keywords: LB815A, LB815, appropriation, appropriations bill, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Motor Fuel Tax Enforcement and Collection Cash Fund, motor fuel tax, gas tax, fuel tax, tax enforcement, tax collection, cash fund, budget, state spending, per diem, salaries, fiscal year, enrollment and review, final reading, Nebraska

Transcript Highlights:

• She is currently a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Commerce, Science, Transportation
• ,<00:49:55.359> Transportation<00:49:56.000> Committee,<00:49:56.559> and Science
• , Transportation Committee, and Science, Transportation Committee, and Banking,<00:49:57.200> Housing
• We can produce it out of the ground, we can turn it into electricity, and we can help the computer world
• We can produce it out of the ground, we can turn it into electricity, and we can help the computer world

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:33:00.799> Research<00:33:01.360> Institute, Sciences Research Institute, Sciences
• Research at the Social Science Research Research at the Social Science Research Institute,<02:33:16.880
• , College of Social Sciences, Institute, College of Social Sciences, University<02:33:18.880> of
• Justice Research at the Social Science Justice Research at the Social Science Research<02:33:27.600
• , Institute, College of Social Sciences, Institute, College of Social Sciences, University<02:34:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1790 HD1, which would require law enforcement and oversight agencies to collect and report data on stops, use of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab, which would publish incident-level information and annual reports. Supporters, including the Office of the Public Defender, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the ACLU of Hawaii, Hawaii Justice Rising, and the Policing Project, said the bill would improve transparency, help identify disparities, and support better policy and accountability. OHA requested amendments to ensure Hawaiians are identified as a distinct category in the data, and the University of Hawaii’s Ashley Rubin said the Crime Lab would work with agencies to make implementation as seamless as possible. The Department of Law Enforcement supported the bill’s intent but asked for a longer timeline and culturally appropriate methodology, while HPD opposed the bill as written, saying it would require too many new data points, create a significant administrative burden, and rely on subjective perceptions of race and ethnicity; HPD also noted it is piloting an e-citation system that could help with data collection. Committee members questioned HPD about current manual processes and technology options. The chair reported 18 testimonies total: 15 in support, one in opposition, and two with comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then heard HB 1611 HD1, which would phase down the general excise tax on groceries and nonprescription drugs until a full exemption takes effect in 2034. The Department of Taxation offered technical recommendations, including clearer definitions for groceries and nonprescription drugs and a technical change regarding the county surcharge exemption. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, argued the GET on groceries is regressive and worsens food insecurity, especially for low-income households, and said the bill would provide needed relief. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical concerns, including a possible wholesale-tax enforcement issue once the exemption is fully phased in. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1611, with no final committee action shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• No difference in the computer science appropriation labs versus the House and the Senate.
• No difference in the computer science appropriation labs versus the House and the Senate.

Keywords: LBA Briefing on Budget, 928, house, all

Summary: The presentation was an LBA overview of Senate changes to the House-passed state budget, with Michael Kane explaining how Senate Finance updated revenue and spending estimates after April revenue figures and agency discussions. He said the Senate’s revenue outlook was higher than the House’s in some areas, but lower in others, especially video lottery terminal revenue, and that the biggest differences also came from changes to revenue splits between the general fund and education trust fund, lapse estimates, and several policy changes in House Bill 1 and House Bill 2. Kane highlighted several major revenue and policy differences: the Senate changed the business tax, tobacco tax, and real estate transfer tax splits; adjusted liquor revenue dedication; removed the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap; delayed the Lakes Region facility proceeds plan; altered the PECARD fund treatment; added a granite patron of the arts tax credit; and changed the treatment of unique funds and video lottery terminal revenue. On spending, he noted Senate changes to judicial, corrections, HHS, human rights commission, and other budgets, including additional settlement costs, higher lapse assumptions, and a different approach to Medicaid premium revenue and retirement savings. He also described Senate additions such as a nursing home bed fee, Hampstead Hospital transition funding, and changes to the YDC claims settlement fund. The presentation focused on comparing House and Senate surplus statements across fiscal years 2025 through 2027, including projected ending balances and rainy day fund transfers. Kane repeatedly emphasized that the numbers were still dependent on final revenues and lapse amounts, and that some balances would be carried forward and trued up later in the biennium. No committee vote or final action was described in the excerpt; it was an informational budget briefing and comparison of the two chambers’ proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• New Standards in Reproductive Health in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
• Sherry McHugh, representing the Computer and Communications Industry Association, opposed unless amended
• Sherry McHugh, representing the Computer and Communications Industry Association, opposed unless amended
• Our view is that the replacement of human actors with computer-generated synthetics, perhaps trained
• I also want to register our OUA position and that of our industry partners at the Computer and Communications

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Standards in Reproductive Health in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
• Sherry McHugh, representing the Computer and Communications Industry Association, opposed unless amended
• Sherry McHugh, representing the Computer and Communications Industry Association, opposed unless amended
• Our view is that the replacement of human actors with computer-generated synthetics, perhaps on stolen
• I also want to register our oppose-unless-amended position, as do our industry partners at the Computer

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 16, which would require county behavioral health directors to create clear pathways for clinicians to be authorized to initiate 5150 involuntary holds. The author and supporters argued the bill would reduce reliance on law enforcement and create more consistent crisis response standards statewide, while county behavioral health directors opposed it as an unfunded mandate that could increase law enforcement involvement and create implementation burdens. Members raised questions about county costs and funding, but the author emphasized the bill’s role in building a more clinical response system. SB 561 would require public guardians to acknowledge conservatorship referrals, make determinations within a reasonable time, and provide status updates on request. Supporters said the bill would reduce delays that leave vulnerable adults in limbo, while the opposition from public guardian representatives was removed after amendments. SB 381 drew extensive public testimony in support; it would allow California-born adoptees, and descendants of deceased adoptees, access to original birth certificates, with a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents. Supporters framed the bill as a matter of dignity, identity, and health, and there was no formal opposition on the record. The committee also discussed SB 880, which would give tenants and prospective owner-occupants notice and a first opportunity to make an offer when institutional investors sell certain homes. Supporters said it would expand homeownership opportunities and preserve neighborhood stability, while opponents warned about conflicts with federal law, bundled-sale restrictions, and impacts on build-to-rent and affordable housing projects. Members and the author discussed possible amendments to address those concerns. SB 1238 would impose a duty of care and additional transparency requirements on HOA managers and boards; supporters said it would protect homeowners from mismanagement, while the main opposition argued the duty should remain contractual and could increase litigation. Finally, SB 423 would require disclosure of emergency-service records related to private detention facilities, and SB 28 would make changes to the CARE Court process, including a statewide ombudsperson and expanded oversight; both drew support and opposition, with concerns focused on transparency, privacy, implementation, and the balance between treatment and coercion. SB 574, discussed at the end, would require disclosure and human oversight for AI use in courts and legal practice and create a complaint process for ADR providers, with the State Bar noting requested amendments related to complaint handling and confidentiality.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I asked why, I was told, "You're a political science major.
• When I asked why, I was told, "You're a political science major.
• You should political science major.
• And as being in a computer science field, which is male-dominated, when I was a young female employee
• I mean, it's not rocket science.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on HB 1872, which would create an early learning apprenticeship grant program to help early childhood providers participate in approved apprenticeship programs, require annual reporting, and appropriate funds. Testifiers in support included the University of Hawaiʻi, the Executive Office on Early Learning, the City and County of Honolulu, Commit to Keiki, the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi, the Commission on the Status of Women, Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network Speaks, Parents for Public Schools of Hawaiʻi, and Kīʻoka Family Learning Centers. Supporters said the bill would reduce financial barriers, strengthen recruitment and retention, improve compensation and career pathways, and help address child care shortages and workforce instability. The committee then voted to pass HB 1872 with amendments, including an HD1 and a defective date to allow further discussion. The committee next took up HB 2489, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaiʻi to establish a bachelor’s degree program in American Sign Language interpretation, with a longer-term plan for a master’s program. Testimony in support came from the Disability Communication Access Board and the University of Hawaiʻi, and members also heard detailed support from DECAP and other advocates describing a statewide shortage of ASL interpreters, long waiting lists for ASL courses, and the need for locally trained interpreters who understand Hawaiʻi’s cultural and community needs. Witnesses said the shortage affects schools, courts, hospitals, emergency services, and other settings, and that the program could be expanded through articulation with other campuses. The committee voted to pass HB 2489 with amendments, again using an HD1 and defective date. After those two measures, the committee moved to HB 441 on campus safety, which would require students, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and university policies regarding sexual misconduct before initial registration and would change how often training is provided to students and employees. The University of Hawaiʻi stood on its written testimony, while supporters including IMUA Alliance and other testifiers urged passage, citing survivor experiences, national best practices, and the need for prevention before harm occurs. No vote on HB 441 was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we need to change the system, and what I'm talking about is not science fiction.
• I think this is not science fiction. It's very much in the present art.
• But let me go ahead and get started here while my computer continues to balk at me. Oh. Oh. Oh.
• started here let me go ahead and get started here while<00:42:08.240> my<00:42:08.560> computer
• continues to bulk at while my computer continues to bulk at me.<00:42:10.560> Oh.

Bills: HF3298

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Off mute, but maybe you need to change your settings to select your computer speaker, and now you are
• We have an urban garden that the youth actually, during science class at school, begin the seeds.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on juvenile rehabilitation institution capacity, services, and staffing. DCYF Assistant Secretary Jennifer Redmond described overcrowding at Green Hill School and Echo Glen, driven by longer adult-style sentences extending past age 25, limited community placements, and small facility sizes. She said Green Hill remains above safe operating capacity, but staffing, injuries, large-scale aggression, and use-of-force incidents have improved over the past year. She also discussed Harbor Heights, a new 46-bed flex facility that had opened with 22 youth and would expand once a medical trailer arrives, as well as community transition services, vocational programming, behavior management reforms, and a request for more resources for mental health-focused facilities and staffing. Members asked about success metrics, developmental disability screening and supports, college access at Echo Glen, Mission Creek planning, and gender-responsive programming; Redmond said JR uses assessments, family involvement, and specialized living units, and that some requested funding had already been secured for returning a girls’ program at Echo Glen. The committee then heard from Team Child and the Youth Action Coalition. Greta Schultz said youth perspectives should guide system reforms and identified key concerns: overuse of sentence extensions, underuse of community transition services, continued criminal referrals from Green Hill to Lewis County, limited family contact, inadequate mental health access, and unequal education opportunities, especially for young women at Echo Glen. Justella Gonzalez, a former system-involved youth, said her time in county and state facilities was harmful, with staff mistreatment, poor education, limited therapy access, and humiliating restraint practices; she also said girls at Echo Glen lacked the same college opportunities as boys at Green Hill. Committee members asked for follow-up on county versus state experiences and on telehealth mental health services. The next presentation covered county-level services for youth involved or at risk of involvement with the justice system, led by juvenile court administrators Christine Simon-Smeyer and Judge Rachel Anderson. They outlined the juvenile court continuum from prevention and truancy work through diversion, detention alternatives, community supervision, and disposition alternatives, emphasizing evidence-based, trauma-informed, and restorative practices. Clark County was used as an example of a court that partners closely with schools and community providers, uses risk assessments and wraparound behavioral health probation, and offers detention alternatives without electronic home monitoring. They said most courts do not use detention for status offenses, but instead use court involvement to connect youth to services. They also described funding, noting that courts rely on a mix of state block grant and local dollars, and that recent cuts to early intervention funding reduced programming and staff hours. Members asked about detention for truancy, developmental disability identification, restorative justice practices, and the juvenile block grant. Finally, DCYF Assistant Secretary Nicole Rose and Katie Warren of the Washington State Association of Head Start and ECAP discussed child care and early learning impacts from recent policy and budget changes. Rose said Fair Start for Kids investments had increased child care access, provider participation, and kindergarten readiness, with more than 60,000 children in Working Connections care and rising ECAP enrollment and provider capacity. She said recent reductions will raise most family copays in 2026, delay eligibility expansions, eliminate some expanded eligibility categories, reduce ECAP slots by about 3,000, delay entitlement timelines, and cut provider supports such as rate increases for centers, complex-needs grants, trauma-informed and dual-language incentives, and infant/early childhood mental health consultation. Warren emphasized ECAP’s role in family stability, workforce participation, and reducing poverty, and noted its two-generation approach to supporting both children and parents.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Apple Computer, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Google, Alphabet, these cases are more the rule than the exception
• San Diego's industries, such as life sciences, clean tech, and semiconductors, which account for $15

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Asia, California, Trade and Investment held its first informational hearing to examine California’s economic ties with Asia, the effects of federal tariffs, and ways the state can strengthen trade, investment, tourism, and subnational diplomacy. Chair Jessica Caloza opened by emphasizing California’s role as the world’s fourth-largest economy and a major exporter to Asia, and several members and guests highlighted the importance of AAPI communities, sister-city relationships, and coordinated state outreach. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis described California’s trade missions, APEC hosting, and ongoing climate and trade partnerships, while Japan’s deputy consul general underscored Japan’s role as a major investor and trading partner and encouraged continued engagement. The first panel, featuring leaders from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation/World Trade Center Los Angeles, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and Visit California, focused on trade, tourism, and investment trends. Witnesses said tariffs and federal uncertainty are disrupting logistics, manufacturing, business travel, higher education, and tourism, with particular concern about port activity, international student declines, and reduced visitation from Asia. They urged California to remain “open for business,” invest in promotion and infrastructure, and use trade missions, MOUs, and sister-city ties to maintain relationships and attract investment. The second panel, with economist Kyle Handley and trade expert Glenn Fukushima, focused on the mechanics and consequences of tariffs. Both said tariffs function as taxes on importers and consumers, raise costs for businesses, and create uncertainty that delays investment, hiring, and supply-chain decisions. They warned that California is especially exposed because of its ports, cross-border trade, and reliance on global supply chains, and said new federal vessel fees and shifting trade routes could divert commerce away from California. They argued that the long-term damage includes lost growth and reduced U.S. credibility, and recommended that California “tariff-proof” its economy through faster ports, better infrastructure, export assistance, and reduced permitting barriers. In the final panel, representatives from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Asian Business Association California, and the Small Business Development Center emphasized future opportunities and the needs of small businesses. They said California should deepen ties with Asia through conventions, tourism, and sector-specific partnerships in life sciences, clean tech, semiconductors, hospitality, and small business trade. The witnesses stressed that small and minority-owned businesses need more access to trade missions, capital, technical assistance, and state support, and that California’s economic strength depends on coordinated efforts across regions and industries.