Video & Transcript Research : 'emerging technologies'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the meeting of the Emergency Management Committee.
- Modern technology is useful.
- There's just amazing new technology out there.
- The other side of it, when there is an emergency.
- We review all sorts of emergency plans.
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on active and mass shootings in California, focusing on prevention, response, training, communications, and gaps in preparedness across law enforcement, schools, campuses, fire, EMS, and state agencies. Opening remarks emphasized the frequency and impact of gun violence, the need for faster coordinated response, and the importance of learning from recent tragedies such as the Stockton-area mass shooting described by Sheriff Patrick Withrow. The first panel included representatives from police, sheriff, and campus public safety agencies, who discussed incident command, interoperable communications, next-generation 911, threat assessment, emergency notification systems, and the value of joint drills and cross-agency planning.
Witnesses also highlighted differences in training and authority across jurisdictions, especially for private university public safety departments versus public campus police. Campus representatives said they rely heavily on municipal law enforcement for armed response, while also using run-hide-fight protocols, text alerts, surveillance, and threat assessment teams. Members raised concerns about standardized training, after-action reviews, mental health resources, school resource officers, and whether campus safety plans and drills are sufficiently consistent or workable. Sheriff Withrow argued that early intervention and accountability are being weakened by well-intentioned laws, while other witnesses stressed prevention through relationships, diversion, and coordinated support services.
The second panel from Cal OES, the Department of Education, POST, and EMSA described statewide systems and standards. Cal OES outlined its Reduce the Risk initiative, gun violence restraining orders, mutual aid, unified command, after-action reporting, and nonprofit security grants. The Department of Education explained California’s statutory school safety framework, annual safety plans, regulated armed assailant drills, and local flexibility, while acknowledging compliance gaps and the need for more mental health support. POST described the new requirement for 16 hours of standardized active shooter training for recruits and ongoing local training options. EMSA explained its role in medical response and terrorism training standards. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part II) May 7th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- It exists for genetic technologies like mRNA.
- Who will benefit if the technology is banned in this state?
- RNA technology is also adaptable.
- I earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology.
- Technology is not new.
Bills:
HB18, HB37, HB116, HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744
Keywords:
HB 18, Texas Legislature, quorum break, quorum-busting, legislative walkout, absent legislators, political contributions, campaign finance, political expenditures, legislative caucus, specific-purpose committee, Texas Ethics Commission, civil penalty, show cause order, district court, Fifteenth Court of Appeals, session fundraising, travel lodging food expenses, legislative session, compelled attendance
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- technology exactly response emergency technology exactly response emergency technology exactly it's
- situation that happens our emergency situation that happens our emergency situation that happens our
- that's out there if it technology that's out there if it technology that's out there if it conforms
- so whether it be a about this technology so whether it be a about this technology so whether it be a
- unless there's an emergency or emergency unless there's an emergency or emergency unless there's an
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- We should be banning the use of technology like Flock technology today.
- Future... ...banning the use of technology like Flock technology today.
- This measure is an emergency measure.
- This measure is an emergency measure.
- This does have an emergency clause and requires a two-thirds vote to pass the emergency clause.
Summary:
The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including several judges shadowing senators, Chief Justice Ann Timmer, mining industry representatives, a doctor of the day, and student and youth visitors. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider a calendar of bills, with several measures receiving committee amendments and do-pass recommendations, including SB 1272 on Douglas port of entry funding, SB 1327 on Arizona Board of Regents restrictions involving foreign countries, SB 1400 on public safety employee information, SB 1519 on off-highway vehicles, SB 1627 on unmanned aircraft, SB 1630 on AHCCCS home- and community-based services and mental illness, HB 1720 on parenting time, SB 1763 on school district finances, SB 1826 on rural wayfinding signs, and SB 1827 on vertiports. Members offered brief explanations on some bills, especially SB 1519 and SB 1720, which addressed off-road vehicle use and equal parenting time standards, respectively.
On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1272, SB 1327, SB 1400, SB 1519, SB 1627, SB 1630, SB 1720, SB 1763, and SB 1826. SB 1827 failed on third reading by a 15-15 vote. Senators gave explanations on several measures, including concerns about confidentiality in SB 1400, environmental and trail impacts in SB 1519, and the parenting-time standards in SB 1720. SB 1763 passed overwhelmingly, while SB 1630 passed 28-2. The chamber then moved to a second Committee of the Whole for additional bills.
In the second COW, SB 1111 on automatic license plate readers drew the most extensive debate. Senator Payne described guardrails such as case-number access, training, and penalties for misuse, while Senator Hoffman offered a sweeping hostile amendment to sharply limit use and impose civil penalties and a private right of action, arguing the bill enabled mass surveillance. The Hoffman amendment failed 13-17, and the Payne-backed amendment was adopted; the bill was then advanced as amended. Senators also considered SB 1214 on stem-cell/regenerative therapy, SB 1683 on foreign land ownership advisory prohibitions, SB 1686 on a memorial at Wesley Bolin Plaza, and SB 1745 on local excise tax rate limits, all of which received do-pass recommendations after amendments where applicable. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, with further floor debate continuing on SB 1111 over privacy, public records access, and surveillance concerns.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Next up, again within the Cal/OSHA proposal, is an emerging technologies unit.
- The newest item before you here at this juncture is the proposal to establish an emerging technologies
- These are emerging technologies, so there may not be a current justification.
- These emerging technologies are emerging very quickly.
- I do agree there's a lot of emerging industries and technologies that I'm sure you're all responding
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held a May Revise hearing focused on state administration proposals, with the chair noting no actions would be taken and all items would remain open. The committee heard presentations on a range of budget proposals, including technical adjustments for the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement and the California Workforce Development Board, security and election-related funding for the Secretary of State, modernization and loan-backfill requests for the Department of Consumer Affairs, and multiple Employment Development Department updates covering EDD Next, UI and DI/PFL benefit estimates, workforce funding, and an EMT training reappropriation.
Several items drew discussion from the LAO and committee members. The LAO generally supported technical or modernization items such as PERB’s implementation requests, GoServe’s College Corps adjustment, the Secretary of State’s security and HAVA grant items, and the Board of Pharmacy modernization proposal, but raised concerns about the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education’s proposed $10 million General Fund backfill and interest-free loan language. For EDD, the LAO flagged the size of the DI/PFL benefit adjustment and the unusual structure of the document management system proposal within EDD Next, while EDD said the changes reflected higher participation and benefit levels after SB 951 and ongoing modernization needs.
The Department of Industrial Relations drew the most extensive questioning. It proposed funding for legal unit reclassifications, EAMS and Cal/OSHA data modernization, a new Cal/OSHA emerging technologies unit, a COYA reappropriation, and trailer bill changes requiring electronic payment of employer assessments and adjusting the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board timeline. Members pressed DIR on high vacancy rates, long wage theft and workers’ compensation backlogs, low collection rates for fines, and the need for clearer workload and outcome measures. DIR said the requests were intended to improve efficiency, support audits and corrective action plans, and better address emerging workplace risks, while the LAO said the workload drivers behind delays remain unclear. The hearing also included support for CalHR’s employee assistance program consolidation and CDT’s proposal to expand “Poppy,” a statewide generative AI assistant for state employees.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- or a local emergency.
- School mapping technology would allow emergency responders to have access to a school's layout prior
- of an emergency.
- of an emergency.
- Emergency response times are vital during an emergency.
Summary:
The committee first took up a consent calendar of multiple bills, moving them forward mostly to Appropriations, with AB 1531 sent to Insurance. It then heard AB 645, requiring emergency medical dispatch training for public safety dispatchers who handle medical calls. Supporters said standardized dispatcher training would improve CPR and other pre-arrival instructions, especially in rural areas with long response times; there was no opposition, and the bill was moved to Appropriations. AB 716, on statewide hydrogen fire safety standards and a State Fire Marshal hydrogen expert, also drew support and was sent to Utilities and Energy. AB 783, aimed at lowering disaster rebuilding costs by allowing state contracting for construction materials in declared disaster areas, was supported by housing and building groups and moved to Appropriations. AB 591, creating a public works mutual aid plan for disasters, and AB 1200, expanding disaster preparedness through tabletop exercises, a State Lifelines Council, and CERT training, both received supportive testimony and were sent to Appropriations.
The committee also heard AB 300, which would require regular updates to fire hazard severity zone maps; witnesses from fire agencies and cities supported moving the review schedule to every five years, and the bill was sent to Appropriations as amended. AB 986 would add landslides and climate-change-exacerbated conditions to the definition of state and local emergencies; supporters from Rancho Palos Verdes and the League of California Cities described severe land movement and major costs, while members raised concerns about overbroad emergency declarations. The bill nonetheless advanced to Appropriations. AB 478, requiring local emergency plans to include pet rescue procedures and longer holding periods for rescued animals, was supported by the author, a mayor, and animal advocacy groups; members suggested revisiting the 90-day reclamation period and transfer rules, but the bill moved to Appropriations.
Later, AB 598 proposed school mapping technology for K-12 campuses so first responders can access accurate layouts during emergencies. The sponsor and dispatch representatives said the maps could reduce response times and improve coordination, while committee members asked about costs, vendor neutrality, rural school funding, and coordination with the 911 Advisory Board; the bill was moved to Appropriations with members noting possible follow-up amendments. Throughout the meeting, several votes were left open for later addition, and the committee eventually recorded additional aye votes and one no vote on AB 783 and a not-voting position on AB 986 before adjourning.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- None of those technologies work with each other, and if there's a map available on one technology, it
- It was able to bring an emergency room into your living room.
- As a critical part of the public safety ecosystem, GIS technology and data provide enhanced emergency
- We also believe it ignores technological advancements.
- I would love to see trainings for folks within emergency services.
Summary:
The hearing focused on a range of public safety bills, with especially emotional testimony on the Maggie Hubbard Rental Safety Act, which would require short-term rentals to be inspected for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and require platforms or agents to verify compliance before listing. Rep. Hadley Luddy, Sen. Julian Cyr, and the Hubbard and Waldron families described the fatal Airbnb fire that killed Shannon Hubbard and her daughter Maggie in New York, saying the deaths were preventable and that the bill would save lives. Committee members expressed sympathy and support for the families’ efforts to turn their loss into legislation.
The committee also heard testimony on a proposed peace officer oath (S. 1680), described by Sen. Lydia Edwards as a binding ethical standard tied to certification and recertification, with discipline and annual reporting to promote accountability and de-escalation. Rep. Tom Walsh testified for a bill requiring hotel and motel workers to be trained to recognize human trafficking and to post hotline signage, and later testimony supported a school safety data grant program to provide first responders with standardized, up-to-date school maps for emergencies. Another major topic was a bill to allow temporary door-locking devices in public buildings; supporters said the devices are removable, do not alter fire code, and could improve lockdown response during active shooter events.
Additional bills discussed included measures to transfer the Office of Emergency Medical Services to EOPSS, increase penalties for unlicensed hood-system cleaning, expand membership on the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, and strengthen confidentiality for peer support and critical incident stress debriefings. Firefighters and fire chiefs also supported a bill to tighten penalties for violations of hot-work regulations, citing the 2014 Beacon Street fire that killed Lt. Walsh and Firefighter Kennedy. Law enforcement groups backed a package including a Blue Star plate and Blue Alert system for fallen officers’ families, stronger move-over penalties, and a memorial fund, while the State Police Association supported the move-over provisions but asked for further work on the special state police officer bill before final action. No votes were taken during the hearing.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama House Education Policy Committee Feb 4th, 2026
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It adds AI and other emerging technologies, Representative Gray, into the definition of computer science
- It adds AI and<00:08:24.560>
other <00:08:24.879>emerging <00:08:25.360>technologies - , and other emerging technologies, and other emerging technologies, Representative<00:08:27.919><
- <00:10:48.079>
technologies in the AI and the emerging technologies in the AI and the emerging - the implementation of those emerging the implementation of those emerging technologies. technologies
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Apr 22nd, 2025
Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact
Transcript Highlights:
- New and sweeping federal threats emerge every day.
- Quantum computing is a rapidly emerging technology that has potential to fundamentally change the world
- A spotlight is being placed on the vast potential of this technology.
- This emerging technology is moving towards commercialization and scale.
- We are quiet, but certainly a powerhouse in the area of technology.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate - 01/22/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- and emerging technology.
- and emerging technology.
- and emerging<00:03:53.319>
technology <00:03:54.319>one <00:03:55.159>um <00:03: - 55.480>
one <00:03:55.720>example emerging technology one um one example emerging technology - > possible emerging technologies that are possible emerging technologies that are possible in<01:
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 27th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article III
Transcript Highlights:
- . technology.
- obstetrical care training for rural emergency practitioners.
- and coordinates with state and local officials for emergency response.
- Research, Workforce Development, and Technology Transfer.
- Thank you. of the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Vice Chancellor for Disaster and Emergency
NE
Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Afternoon Session Apr 9th, 2026
Nebraska Unicameral Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But when the technology is the fundamental aspect of the bill, or the technology is delivered via telecommunications
- President, LB 1236 passes with the emergency clause.
- LB 1236 passes with the emergency clause attached.
- LB 1236A passes with the emergency clause attached.
- clause, LB 1236A with the emergency clause, and LB 1240.
Bills:
LB737, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB1216, LB1256, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787, LB365A, LB823, LB900, LB903, LB940, LB954, LB1127, LB1127A, LB1205, LB1240, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR505, LR507
Keywords:
LB737, Olmstead, developmental disabilities, disability services, community-based services, integrated settings, DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services, stakeholder advisory committee, independent consultant, public hearing, legislative oversight, disability rights, community integration, housing, employment, education, transportation, community supports, self-advocacy
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Special Legislative Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the final meeting of the Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology.
- So again, this is the final meeting of the Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology.
- So again, this is the final meeting of the Special Commission on Emerging Firearms Technology.
- Firearm Technology to investigate and make recommendations to the General Court regarding at least two
- technology, intentional firearm microstamping and personalized firearm technology, or otherwise known
Summary:
The Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology held its final meeting to consider and vote on its report. The chairs reviewed the commission’s charge under the 2024 act to study intentional firearm microstamping and personalized firearms (“smart guns”), and noted that a dissenting policy brief from Senator Durant and Representative Berthiaume, as well as a report from Commissioner Lazot on microstamps, would be appended to the final report.
On microstamping, the commission recommended that the General Court pursue legislation modeled on California and New York. The proposal would direct EOPSS to study feasibility and viability, set testing standards, require newly registered semi-automatic handguns to include microstamping once feasibility is established, create penalties for noncompliant manufacturers and for tampering, establish training/licensure for servicing microstamp-enabled firearms, and provide funding for implementation. The recommendation passed 9-3 with one abstention.
On personalized firearms, the commission endorsed tax incentives to encourage purchase, including a five-year sales tax exemption for personalized firearms. Two versions were approved: one without a trade-in requirement, which passed 10-2 with one abstention, and one with a trade-in of a non-personalized firearm, which passed 7-5 with one abstention. The commission then unanimously enough approved the final report itself, voting 8-3 with two abstentions to submit it to the General Court and conclude its work.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 10, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- I HAVE A QUESTION AND THE QUESTION IS AS YOU ARE INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY IS EXPENSIVE, HOW
- TECHNOLOGY MAY STILL BE EMERGING BUT DO YOU HAVE ANY DATA ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AI HARVESTING TECHNOLOGY
- IS JUST EMERGING SO FAST. >> Rep.
- EMERGING RELATED TO AI AND ECONOMY.
- SOMETIMES AND THE THINGS EMERGING RELATED TO AI AND ECONOMY.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House agriculture panel lays over bill exempting elk from state's Cervidae importation ban Apr 8th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I am also hearing about an emerging technology that is more in line with a blood test, and I'm not pretending
- I am also hearing about an emerging technology that is more in line with a blood test, and I'm not pretending
- I am also hearing about an emerging technology that is more in line with a blood test, and I'm not pretending
- I am also hearing about an emerging technology that is more in line with a blood test, and I'm not pretending
- I am also hearing about an emerging technology<00:09:21.720>
that technology that technology that
Summary:
Representative Heintzeman presented House File 4508, which would allow the importation of elk from other states into Minnesota to help address challenges facing the state’s elk breeding industry and improve herd genetics. The Minnesota Elk Breeders Association supported the bill, arguing that recent CWD-related import restrictions have effectively cut off access to outside breeding stock, hurt breeder numbers, and limited options for maintaining healthy, profitable herds. The group said elk are relatively resistant to CWD and that importation could be allowed under Board of Animal Health oversight.
The Minnesota DNR opposed the bill, saying there is no validated live test for CWD that can ensure incoming animals are disease-free and pointing to recent cases in other states where imported elk later tested positive. The DNR also said federal herd certification programs have not prevented spread of the disease and warned that responding to a new captive cervid detection can cost more than $500,000. Members then discussed broader issues around CWD testing, including frustration that a live test developed at the University of Minnesota has not been federally validated and whether Minnesota should pursue state or third-party validation.
Representative Heintzeman said the bill was intended to start a broader conversation and noted that the current proposal does not address the testing issue directly. After testimony and discussion, no vote was taken and House File 4508 was laid over.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- services, and emerging IT needs.
- DIR was chartered in 1989 to procure technology at scale.
- Emergency response to emergency purchasing in the event of emergency response to a cybersecurity incident
- But there is the robust nature by which the emergency powers of purchasing, the emergency purchasing
- There's emergency; you don't go out for bids?
Bills:
HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833
Keywords:
HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity
Summary:
The committee took up several pending business items and reported a series of House bills out of committee, including HB 2467, HB 2468, HB 2518, HB 4310, HB 4386, HB 4490, HB 5323, and HB 149. Most of these were advanced on committee substitute motions and sent to the local and uncontested calendar or reported favorably to the full Senate. HB 2467 drew one nay vote, while the others were approved without opposition. HB 4310 and HB 4386 were described as committee-substitute versions with changes narrowing disclosure requirements and preserving attorney-client privilege in certain circumstances.
A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 149, an AI governance bill. The substitute was explained as addressing biometric identifier capture and storage, exempting certain AI uses for security and fraud prevention, clarifying definitions, restricting AI systems that simulate explicit child sexual content, adjusting Attorney General investigative authority, refining sandbox program waivers, reducing Texas AI Council powers and membership, and adding DIR coordination provisions. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably.
The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 1500, the DIR sunset bill. The author said the bill would continue DIR for 12 years, restructure its board, update advisory committees, require regular cybersecurity assessments and penetration testing for state agencies, improve IT procurement training, and transfer the e-grants program to the Comptroller. A Texas 2036 witness supported the bill as a way to strengthen governance, procurement, and cybersecurity. Members asked detailed questions about the bill’s structure and then left HB 1500 pending.
The committee also heard a lengthy presentation on HB 150, which would create the Texas Cyber Command as a component of the University of Texas System, administratively attached to UTSA and located in San Antonio. The author argued the command would centralize cyber threat intelligence, incident response, and digital forensics, and would be able to support state and local entities, with optional services for local governments. Members raised concerns about university mission drift, governance, security, chain of command, procurement authority, gifts and donations, and civil liberties implications of proactive cyber monitoring. Witnesses from UTSA/NSCC and SecurityScorecard testified in support, emphasizing the security of the downtown San Antonio facility, the existing cyber ecosystem there, and the need for a dedicated cyber capability. The bill remained under discussion with no final committee action announced in the excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I currently serve as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Educational Development and Technology.
- instructional design and Technology instructional design and Technology support<00:25:41.279>
- grant to help address an unexpected financial emergency.
- emergency since the unexpected Financial emergency since the launch<00:31:34.519>
of <00:31:34.639 - <00:31:57.440>
Grant child care to receive an emergency Grant child care to receive an emergency
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- units, and emergency departments. units, and emergency departments. um<00:08:34.880>
and < - hospital emergency rooms of 3:1. hospital emergency rooms of 3:1.
- MTALa, which is the Emergency Medical MTALa, which is the Emergency Medical Treatment<00:37:03.359>
- who shows up in the emergency room. who shows up in the emergency room.
- technology or artificial intelligence. technology or artificial intelligence.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Mar 19th, 2025
Communications and Conveyance
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, these carrier of last resort rules are technology neutral.
- . technology.
- And the CPC, they talk about being technology neutral.
- , indeed, other types of wireless technologies or fixed wireless technologies that are available through
- until such time as there's an alternative technology.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 5, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- The last bucket is technology. You're going to hear me talk a lot about technology.
- A lot of those technologies are still the original late 90s, early 2000s technologies.
- vehicles and emerging technologies. ...the stage for the future of connected autonomous vehicles, emerging
- I want to end with emerging technology. So I've talked about technology a lot.
- So technology is going to... I've talked about technology a lot.
Summary:
The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs.
Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency.
The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.