Transcript Highlights:

• to hire somebody to do a feasibility study.
• We were talking about money for the feasibility.
• And then a potential earmark for a feasibility study.
• And then when it was rewritten, Twice for the feasibility study.
• And what we'll do is we'll use technology to capture our minutes.

Summary: The commission met to approve prior minutes, hear updates on funding and deadline extensions, and continue planning for a Cape Verdean Culture Center/Museum in Boston. Members reviewed the commission’s charge, including developing an organizational structure, governance model, feasibility study, community engagement plan, and possible nonprofit structure. The minutes from the March 11 meeting were approved after a motion and second, with one noted correction about duplicate section numbering. A major discussion focused on legislative and budget options to extend the commission’s deadline from December 31, 2026 to December 31, 2027 and to preserve or secure funding for a feasibility study and related work. Legislators said an amendment to the fair share budget was not accepted, but they would continue looking for a vehicle such as the regular budget, supplemental budget, or another bill. Members also discussed the possibility of future earmarks or bond funding, and the need to fill a current vacancy on the commission. The bulk of the meeting was a brainstorming session on community engagement. Commissioners supported a three-part approach involving site visits, listening sessions, and outreach at existing Cape Verdean events, with added emphasis on social media, a website, surveys, canvassing, and other tools to reach people across the diaspora. Members suggested prioritizing locations such as New Bedford, Cape Cod, Boston, Brockton, and possibly Pawtucket, and discussed working with existing Cape Verdean organizations, museums, and historical groups. There was also discussion of best practices from other cultural institutions, the importance of historical accuracy and youth engagement, and whether to involve the Cape Verdean government after upcoming elections. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• In my professional life, I work at the intersection of technology, AI, and the public good.
• Yeah, my work at New America centers on the impact that technology has on, it's technology and democracy
• And so for that reason, the Open Technology Institute has taken that position.
• One of them is technology and democracy.
• Within the technology and democracy portfolio is the Open Technology Institute, and their work is really

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several governor’s appointments, bill referrals, rule-waiver requests, and floor acknowledgments. The committee approved a series of non-appearing appointments, including Peter Briar-T to the Southern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission, multiple appointments to the Acupuncture Board, Roy Mathur to the Board of Pilot Commissioners, and Davina Hurt to the California Water Commission, with most votes unanimous and Hurt’s appointment approved 3-2. The committee also approved bill referrals, rule waivers for guests on the Senate floor, and floor acknowledgments. The committee then heard testimony from Lillian Corral, appointed to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Corral emphasized her background as a first-generation college graduate and immigrant, and said her priorities would include helping students connect to livable-wage jobs, supporting Vision 2030, improving data and digital infrastructure, expanding dual enrollment, and considering regional bachelor’s degree programs at community colleges where workforce needs justify them. Senators questioned her about achievement gaps, the role of data in improving student outcomes, the expansion of community college bachelor’s degrees, faculty staffing, and her employer New America’s positions on privacy, age verification, and TikTok. The committee voted 3-0 to advance her appointment to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Paul Tupi, nominated to lead the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Tupi described a career in law enforcement and said he would focus on public trust, timely licensing, licensee education, and enforcement against irresponsible operators. Senators asked about ABC’s enforcement tools, including decoy operations, shoulder-tap checks, delivery compliance, and investigations tied to alcohol-related crashes; funding stability; delivery alcohol violations during COVID; and ABC’s approach to entertainment zones and other alcohol-policy changes. Support testimony came from industry and advocacy representatives, who praised his responsiveness and open-door approach. The committee approved his appointment 5-0 for consideration by the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:36.720><c> that</c> nuclear power is not a technology that nuclear power is not a technology
• :08.799><c> these</c><00:18:09.039><c> small</c> technology for this with these small technology for
• </c> 10 times what other firm technologies 10 times what other firm technologies are.<00:21:21.440><c
• </c> even appropriate from a technological even appropriate from a technological standpoint.<00:21:50.159
• </c><00:23:57.840><c> Okay,</c> technology that would apply. No. Okay, technology that would apply.

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection met on April 16, 2025, and heard three resolutions. STR 57 SD1 urged Congress to create a national reinsurance program to address insurance impacts from catastrophic natural disasters; there was no public testimony, and the committee later recommended passage without amendment. STR 198 SD1 encouraged Hawaii insurers and the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to pursue subrogation claims against polluters to reduce insurance costs for residents; again, there was no public testimony, and the committee recommended passage without amendment. The committee spent most of its hearing on STR 136 SD1/HD1, which would create a Hawaii State Energy Office nuclear energy working group to study advanced nuclear power technologies. The Public Utilities Commission and State Energy Office provided written testimony and answered questions. Testimony from 350 Hawaii, Energy Justice Network, and an individual witness opposed the measure, arguing nuclear power and small modular reactors are too expensive, unproven, slow to deploy, create unresolved safety and waste issues, and do not align with Hawaii’s renewable energy goals. Opponents also criticized the measure’s amendment process, saying it replaced the original contents without adequate public notice. During decision-making, the committee adopted the recommendation to pass STR 57 SD1 unamended and STR 198 SD1 unamended. For STR 136 SD1/HD1, the committee adopted a recommendation to pass the measure with amendments, including changing it to a one-year working group with an interim report in 2026 and a final report before the 2027 Legislature. The motion passed with one recorded no vote and some excused members, and the meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• The optical technology is a mature technology, as you heard. It's been around for a long time.
• There are challenges with that technology, like many other technologies.
• um the optical technology is a mature<00:57:46.000><c> technology</c><00:57:47.000><c> uh</c><00:57:47.160
• that technology like many other other other Technologies<00:58:06.440><c> um</c><00:58:06.760><c> there's
• </c><00:58:51.039><c> that</c> transponders uh GPS technology that transponders uh GPS technology that

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee heard testimony on House Bill 375, which would allow municipalities to designate certain road segments for ATV travel, create maps and signage for those routes, set seasonal limits, and require certain equipment on ATVs such as lights, a horn, flashers, and directional signals. The sponsor, Rep. Dan Maguire, said the bill is intended to support tourism and give towns a structured, optional way to permit ATV use on roads, not to override existing uses. Members asked about possible overlap with agricultural vehicle rules, golf carts, speed limits, and whether the bill could allow ATV use on busier roads or expressways; the sponsor said he did not intend to interfere with existing lawful uses and believed golf carts would only be included if they met the relevant statutory requirements. NHDOT State Maintenance Engineer Alan Hennessy said the department had concerns with language exempting municipalities and the Bureau of Trails from the permitting process, arguing that the existing permit system provides needed review, public notice, and signage requirements. He also raised questions about road funding and maintenance if ATVs were allowed on state highways. Fish and Game Captain Michael Eastman testified that his commission opposed the bill as written, citing concerns about the ATV definition, the distinction between ATVs, UTVs, and other OHRVs, and the potential impact on state highways and road maintenance. He said towns can already open roads to OHRV use under existing law, and he noted that accident data for road use would generally be handled by local police or State Police rather than Fish and Game. Craig Reny, chief of the Bureau of Trails, said the current Bureau of Trails/DOT permit process for highway crossings and connectors works well and is used to ensure safety through engineering review. He said his bureau was not taking a position on the bill but wanted to clarify that existing procedures already address many of the issues the bill appears to cover. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A smart access system means any system that uses electronic or computerized technology, such as a radio
• or RFID, card, mobile phone application, biometric identifier information, or any other digital technology
• Not all of these smart lock technologies actually allow for that key fob type of alternative, so this
• , smart access technologies, it's excluded from that.
• Technology is smart access technologies; it's excluded from that. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard three housing-related bills. SB 5937 would regulate smart access systems in rental housing by requiring landlords, on tenant request, to provide non-biometric and non-app-based alternatives such as physical keys, key fobs, or key cards, and by adding privacy-policy and data-minimization requirements for smart access systems. The bill’s sponsor and a tenant testified in support, describing concerns about app-based entry systems tracking movement and collecting personal data. The Washington Multifamily Housing Association testified neutral, saying the bill had been improved through stakeholder work and amendments that allowed privacy-policy links and delayed implementation until January 1, 2027. The hearing on the bill was closed with no vote taken. The committee then heard ESSB 5156, which directs the State Building Code Council to allow smaller elevators in apartment buildings up to six stories and 24 units and creates a technical advisory group to review certain elevator safety requirements. The sponsor and several supporters argued the bill would reduce elevator costs, improve feasibility for small multifamily and middle-housing projects, and increase accessibility and age-friendly housing. The National Elevator Industry opposed the bill’s harmonization language in Section 2, paragraph 2, warning it could create ambiguity, multiple standards, and litigation, but said it would be neutral if that language were removed. Other industry and housing advocates supported the measure as a way to lower costs and expand housing supply. No action was taken during the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 6237, which would require landlords to disclose flood risk information to tenants for leases entered into after December 31, 2026. The disclosure would note whether a property may be in a flood hazard area, where tenants can find county flood information, and that the landlord’s insurance does not cover tenants’ belongings. The Washington Multifamily Housing Association testified neutral, saying the bill had been narrowed to a more manageable disclosure and that removing a requirement to recommend flood insurance addressed concerns about landlords acting as insurance advisers. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the chair announced the committee would meet again the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• WSDOT, after creating a zone, may use speed reduction methods and technologies in zones it establishes
• It also clarifies that local agencies have the authority to determine feasibility using clear and objective
• It also establishes that local agencies have the authority to determine feasibility using clear and objective
• It also clarifies that local agencies have the authority to determine feasibility using clear and objective
• And it also establishes that local agencies have the authority to determine feasibility using clear and

Bills: SB6131 , SB6311 , SJM8016 , SB6230 , SB6032 , SB6335

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: traffic safety, roadway fatalities, Washington traffic safety commission, policy update, road safety, accident prevention, pedestrian safety, construction, accessibility, public safety, urban planning, bridge repair, infrastructure, emergency funding, transportation, cash transactions, pennies, currency, economic efficiency, financial regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• 36.560><c> capital</c><00:10:36.880><c> markets</c> not feasible from a capital markets not feasible
• Just out of curiosity. the technology, but I don't I can't the technology, but I don't I can't think<
• </c><00:53:16.160><c> I</c> whatever this technology is using. I whatever this technology is using.
• It's not my core technology.
• technologically? technologically?

Summary: The meeting began with roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, which passed unanimously. Members then introduced the day’s presentations, including one on the Canton network and another on tokenizing real-world assets, with a focus on how blockchain systems can support regulated financial institutions and asset tokenization. Julie, the director of policy and government affairs at Digital Asset, presented on the Canton network, describing it as a privacy-enabled public blockchain designed for regulated finance. She said tokenization should preserve the same legal and economic rights as the underlying asset, and argued that blockchain-based books and records can shorten settlement times, improve 24/7 trading, and reduce friction in capital markets. She identified three main barriers to institutional adoption of public blockchains: lack of privacy, limited throughput/scalability, and lack of control for compliance purposes such as freezing assets, pausing transactions, and meeting AML/sanctions obligations. She explained Canton’s structure as a public, permissionless network with application-level privacy controls, a global synchronizer, and super validators chosen by vote. She also highlighted current ecosystem participants and use cases, including Broadridge, Circle, and the DTCC’s planned tokenization of U.S. Treasuries on the network. Members and online participants asked about the relationship between tokenized assets and the Clarity Act, tokenized deposits, safeguards for faster settlement, and whether the platform could be used for municipal or property records. Julie said Digital Asset was not taking a position on rewards, but supported clearer statutory definitions because tokenized securities should carry the same rights as the underlying assets and investors need to know whether a token is a true tokenized security or a synthetic/reference token. She said the company is agnostic on whether the cash leg is stablecoins or tokenized deposits, though it expects both to develop. In response to concerns about rapid settlement, she pointed to institution-level permissions and SEC disclosure expectations as safeguards. She also said the technology could be used for other records, including potentially property-related records, if those assets can be tokenized.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> just wasn't feasible for where we're at. just wasn't feasible for where we're at.
• Technology. That's not a capital investment, that's just an ongoing expense.
• I'm the director of Information Technology Solutions. >> Mr.
• Happy to stand for any questions. prioritized technology investments, prioritized technology investments
• </c> Um, but I don't know much technology Um, but I don't know much technology really<00:50:15.760><c

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill proposes that the state regions will do a study to determine the Feasibility of some graduate

Bills: HB3327 , HB3711 , HB4104 , HJR1077 , HB3329 , HB4322 , HB4202 , HB4203 , HB4457 , HB3983 , HB3660 , HB3802 , HB2933 , HB2955 , HB2956 , HB3781 , HB3521 , HB3794 , HB3796 , HB3800 , HB3183 , HB4316 , HB4484 , HB3469 , HB3464 , HB3173 , HB3989 , HB3016 , HB2979 , HB2988 , HB2288 , HB3062 , HB3315 , HB3372 , HB3530 , HB3622 , HB3755 , HB4266

Keywords: State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• feasible, and non-discriminatory.
• feasibility. ...situated industrial customers and with current technological feasibility.
• , and readiness of these technologies, and the potential benefits of various VGI technologies.
• , and readiness of these technologies and the potential benefits of various VGI technologies.
• The text bars the prohibition of any individual propulsion technology.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills, with extensive testimony on cost, ratepayer impacts, and climate or reliability goals. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and support renewable natural gas development by reducing interconnection cost barriers. Supporters said RNG helps methane reduction and organic waste diversion, while opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, argued the bill could shift costs to ratepayers and subsidize combustion-based fuels, especially dairy digesters. The author said committee amendments removed the rate-basing provisions and instead urged the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision; the bill was left for a later vote. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Diablo Canyon Community Impact Mitigation Program through 2030. Supporters said San Luis Obispo County and local schools rely on the funding for emergency preparedness and public safety, while TURN argued the extension would add about $47 million in statewide ratepayer costs and should instead be paid from existing PG&E deal revenues. Members discussed the bill as a continuation of the 2022 Diablo Canyon agreement, and the author said the measure simply restores the five years omitted from that deal. The committee also heard SB 1215 by Senator Cortese, which would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing. Supporters said renters and apartment residents are largely shut out of home charging, and that prior utility programs showed the model can be cost-effective and beneficial to ratepayers. The bill was amended to address affordability, ratepayer benefits, and limits on major system upgrades. SB 1295 by Senator Stern would create a framework for using distributed batteries and other local resources to solve grid constraints more cheaply than traditional infrastructure. Supporters said it could improve reliability and reduce costs by targeting batteries where they provide the most grid value, while utilities said they were open to continued discussion. SB 1359, also by Senator Stern, would require the CPUC to more carefully evaluate major gas infrastructure investments and alternatives such as electrification before approving new spending. Environmental groups supported the bill as a guardrail against stranded assets, while gas utilities opposed it, warning it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and retroactively change the rules for approved investments. On water policy, SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Supporters said about 1.6 million households have water debt and that affordability is a statewide issue, not just a problem for disadvantaged communities. Some members raised concerns that the bill lacked a funding source and that state mandates, such as chromium-6 treatment requirements, already strain local water agencies; the author and supporters responded that the bill includes administrative caps and transparency measures and is intended to work alongside future funding. The committee then heard SB 1098 by Senator Pérez, which would restrict the use of utility memorandum and balancing accounts by requiring exceptional circumstances, adding sunset dates, and creating cost-sharing or lower-return rules for certain spending. TURN and other supporters said the accounts allow utilities to recover costs after the fact with too little discipline, while Edison and PG&E opposed the bill, arguing that some costs are unpredictable and that the CPUC already has a formal review process. SB 1125 was moved to Appropriations with a roll call, and the roll was left open for additional votes; the other measures were discussed with no final committee actions announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. and I'm ...emerging technologies, at UCSB, one of our very own. Thank you.
• John White, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies; and Mr.
• John White, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies, and Mr.
• , which we see as very feasible today and actually feasible many years ago based on the history lesson
• So we know the technology exists. We know that it can be done efficiently.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard a lengthy agenda, with AB 222 on data centers, AB 941 on CPUC permitting timelines for priority electrical infrastructure, AB 1191 on large hydroelectric resources and the RPS, AB 1280 on thermal energy storage for industrial decarbonization, and AB 1117 on dynamic electricity rate tariffs among the main items discussed. The committee also dispensed with a consent calendar of several other bills, which passed unanimously. Members repeatedly emphasized California’s clean energy goals, grid reliability, affordability, and the need to balance faster infrastructure buildout with environmental review and ratepayer protections. AB 222, by Assembly Member Bauer-Kahan, would require better reporting on data center energy use and aim to protect residential ratepayers from costs tied to data center growth. Supporters said the bill would improve grid planning and prevent blackouts, while environmental groups backed it. Opponents from the Data Center Coalition and business groups warned about privacy, security, trade-secret, and feasibility concerns, and argued the bill could discourage critical infrastructure. The committee approved the bill 11-3 and sent it to Privacy and Consumer Protection. AB 941, by Assembly Member Zbur, would impose a 270-day timeline for CPUC review of certain priority transmission and electrical infrastructure projects. Supporters said the bill would speed clean energy transmission without weakening CEQA, while opponents raised staffing and process concerns. The committee passed the bill 15-0 to Natural Resources. AB 1191, by Assembly Member Tangipa, would make large hydroelectric facilities RPS-eligible; supporters framed it as an affordability measure, but opponents said it would undermine the purpose of the RPS and raise costs. The committee rejected the bill 4-11, though the author requested reconsideration. AB 1280, by Assembly Member Garcia, would expand grant programs to include thermal energy storage for industrial decarbonization; it drew broad support and passed 15-0. AB 1117, by Assembly Member Schultz, would require utilities to offer optional dynamic rate tariffs to all ratepayers; supporters said it would lower bills and shift demand to cheaper, cleaner periods, while utilities said they supported the concept but wanted more flexibility in implementation. The hearing continued with discussion of that bill after the point shown in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• feasible, and non-discriminatory.
• feasibility.
• Thank you. ...situated industrial customers and with current technological feasibility.
• , and readiness of these technologies, and the potential benefits of various VGI technologies.
• , and readiness of these technologies and the potential benefits of various VGI technologies.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and authorize additional funding to support renewable natural gas projects by reducing interconnection costs. Supporters said high interconnection costs and the current tax treatment are major barriers to methane reduction projects; opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, raised ratepayer cost concerns and objected to rate-basing and additional public funding. The author said amended language would remove the rate-basing provisions and instead urge the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Community Impact Mitigation Program for the Diablo Canyon plant through 2030 to continue funding local emergency preparedness, fire protection, public safety, and school district costs. The County of San Luis Obispo and labor groups supported the bill, while TURN opposed it as a statewide ratepayer subsidy that could be funded from existing PG&E revenues instead of higher rates. Members discussed the bill in the context of the 2022 Diablo Canyon extension deal and the possibility of a future longer extension. SB 1215 by Senator Cortese would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing and evaluate progress, with amendments aimed at affordability and limiting system upgrade costs. Supporters said renters are largely locked out of home charging and that prior utility programs proved cost-effective; no opposition testified. SB 1359 by Senator Stern would require more deliberate CPUC review before major gas system investments, emphasizing electrification and non-pipeline alternatives. Gas utilities and several industry groups opposed it, arguing it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and change the regulatory compact. The committee also heard SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Senator Gonzalez, which would establish a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Water agencies, environmental groups, and local governments supported the measure, while one member expressed concern that it lacked a funding source and could not overcome Proposition 218 limits; the bill was moved to Appropriations and the roll was left open. Finally, SB 1098 by Senator Perez would restrict the use of long-running memorandum and balancing accounts by investor-owned utilities, require exceptional circumstances for new accounts, and add sunset and cost-sharing requirements. Consumer advocates and large energy users supported tighter oversight, while the utilities and business groups opposed the bill as too rigid and potentially harmful to flexibility for wildfire, emergency, and safety-related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the current CMS framework is no longer technically or economically feasible.
• But the current CMS framework is no longer technically or economically feasible.
• Jackie Anast was Slovakins-Jensen on behalf of the Consumer Technology Association.
• improves and as technology changes.
• You also want it to be feasible, ambitious and feasible. It's the theme of today's CNC hearing.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the first Friday of the session and the meeting of the Technology, Economic Development, and
• Welcome back, everyone, to the Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee.
• But we would have the GDP of Mississippi without our technology industry.
• what's the future of technology in Washington State going to look like?
• And if we put some technology for a long time leader across the country.

Summary: The committee first took executive action on House Bill 1170, which would require disclosures when content is developed or modified by artificial intelligence and address provenance tools and enforcement. Staff described a proposed substitute and several amendments. The committee rejected amendments that would have applied the bill to public entities and tribal nations, added technical-and-commercial-feasibility language, and created a geo-blocking provision or a right to cure. It adopted amendments allowing comparable existing detection tools to satisfy the bill, protecting covered providers from liability when disclosures are unintentionally altered despite reasonable preservation measures, and setting a January 1, 2028 effective date. Members then debated whether the bill was ready for enactment, with supporters emphasizing transparency and consumer trust and opponents warning it was premature and could hinder innovation. The committee voted 7-4, with two excused, to report the bill out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 2186, which would expand state support for applicants seeking federal economic development funds, create a matching-funds account, and require a study of available federal grants. The prime sponsor said the bill would help Washington capture more federal dollars, especially for projects that require matching funds, and would expand the Fund Hub WA website beyond environmental grants. Testimony in support came from the Port of Seattle, the Washington Economic Development Association, the City of Pasco, a downtown Kennewick nonprofit, and the Department of Commerce, all saying the bill would improve competitiveness, help underserved communities, and leverage state dollars for larger federal returns. Commerce said it was still developing the fiscal note and technical edits. The hearing on HB 2186 was then closed. Finally, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 2351, which would protect emergency responders and emergency response operations. Staff explained that the bill would bar local governments and incident command systems from assisting enforcement actions targeting emergency responders based on protected status, create emergency operation zones with restrictions on law enforcement activity, and change the obstruction statute to cover obstruction of emergency responders. The prime sponsor and many local officials, firefighters, and advocates testified in support, citing incidents where federal enforcement actions disrupted wildfire response and other emergencies. Some witnesses raised concerns about administrative burden, ambiguity, and possible unintended consequences, including a proposed mental-health defense and clarification of responder identification. The Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and the Association of Washington Cities said they supported the goal but wanted changes to avoid conflicts and reduce burdens. The hearing concluded without a vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the first Friday of the session and the meeting of the Technology, Economic Development, and
• Welcome back, everyone, to the Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee.
• But we would have the GDP of Mississippi without our technology industry.
• what's the future of technology in Washington State going to look like?
• And if we put some technology for a long time leader across the country.

Bills: HB2186 , HB2351 , HB1170

Committee: House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans

Keywords: economic development, federal funds, state funding, infrastructure, grants, local government, emergency responders, emergency response, disaster response, obstruction of law enforcement, gross misdemeanor, public safety, incident command system, emergency operation zone, emergency management, law enforcement restrictions, warrant requirement, search and seizure, civil liberties, due process

Transcript Highlights:

• a total of 20,206 identified projects, and these are projects that are in the next five or cost feasible
• We test asphalt technology to make sure we get the longest life out of asphalt just from truck use and
• And anytime we replace a bridge that's at the service life, we're going to put all those technologies
• Have you worked with people in the LiDAR space to get some of the technology scanning and zoning the
• LiDAR is one of the technologies we do use to create surface condition data sets, right?

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation met to hear presentations from the Florida Department of Transportation on rural arterial roadways and transportation resiliency, followed by a panel discussion on metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). FDOT’s Will Watts described the state’s growing population and travel demand, emphasizing that rural arterials are critical for connectivity, freight movement, evacuation routes, and congestion relief. He outlined FDOT’s project selection factors, noted thousands of identified rural arterial needs with billions in unfunded demand, and explained that the department uses community input and long-range planning to prioritize safety, capacity, and economic development. Watts then discussed resiliency planning for hurricanes and flooding, focusing on structural design, storm readiness, and drainage. He highlighted efforts such as elevated bridges, wave attenuators, coastal armoring, drainage upgrades, and materials testing at FDOT’s research facilities to extend service life and reduce storm damage. Committee members asked about local project selection, materials research, LiDAR use, and legislative support; Watts said local coordination drives project priorities and asked lawmakers to protect the Transportation Trust Fund. The MPO panel, led by FDOT’s Kim Holland, explained that MPOs are federally required in urban areas over 50,000 population and that Florida has 27, the most in the nation. Holland said MPOs identify and prioritize transportation needs through long-range plans and public engagement, and she noted that several regions are exploring consolidation after the 2020 Census, especially in Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida. Representatives from MetroPlan Orlando, Forward Pinellas, Pasco MPO, and Hillsborough discussed their structures and the potential benefits and challenges of merging, including representation, governance, funding, and maintaining local voice. Members generally supported regional collaboration, urged patience as studies continue, and emphasized the need for transparent public engagement, while the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do current market analysis of available technology solutions that would best meet those requirements
• the the top 5 item G they will make major changes as far as the technology is consent.
• We were not ready from a technology perspective. We're not ready.
• The technology was not ready. So the under wasn't ready. That's correct. Okay.
• The other part of it on the agency side is the technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 27 better aligns the tax credit with how major technology and advanced manufacturing projects
• House Bill 27 better aligns the tax credit with how major technology and advanced manufacturing projects
• Growth and helps New Mexico attract and retain technology-driven employers. Thank you.
• We think increasing flexibility and encouraging greater investment in technology and innovation would
• Establishing a working group to evaluate the feasibility of the Space Commission allows New Mexico to

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And so our framework goes just up to the feasibility and commercial viability.
• , until we get the feasibility out and saying, is that resource here?
• , until we get the feasibility out and saying, is that resource here?
• , until we get the feasibility out and saying, is that resource here?
• <01:26:19.440><c> development</c> technology development technology development Corp<01:26:22.400><c>

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee met on March 19, 2025, and first heard SB 137 SD2 HD1 relating to electric utilities. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the Public Utilities Commission said they stood on their written comments, IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill, and Ulupono Initiative also supported it. Hawaiian Electric supported the intent but asked for an amendment, saying the bill’s definition of “acquiring entity” was too broad and could unintentionally cover purely local utility transactions. A later witness from Life of the Land supported the bill only if the merger/acquisition language were removed, arguing the PUC would not have a workable mechanism to let a cooperative intervene in a utility sale process. Committee members questioned whether the bill could still work without that section, and Ulupono said it was open to clarifying language but did not seek to remove the provision; the discussion ended without a vote in the excerpt provided. The committee then took up SB 1220 SD2 relating to a renewable gas tariff. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC again stood on written comments. HGas strongly supported the measure, saying it would create a faster, more cost-effective path for a voluntary renewable gas tariff without requiring a full rate case, while preserving PUC oversight and consumer protections. The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas also supported the bill, emphasizing that it would expand consumer choice and help Hawaii’s clean energy goals while keeping the program voluntary and shielding non-participating customers from costs. Henry Curtis of Life of the Land opposed the bill, arguing that HGas already had an active rate case and could have raised the issue there, and that the proposal did not increase renewable gas supply or speed up acquisition; he called it a gimmick. In response, HGas said the bill was mainly a mechanism to speed filing and that the details would be worked out in a PUC docket. Committee members pressed HGas on whether the measure would actually add renewable gas, what source would be used, and whether customers would simply be paying more for the same gas; HGas said it had two projects in development, including banagrass and hydrogen-related work, and that the tariff would be a voluntary opt-in rate for customers seeking renewable natural gas to meet sustainability goals. No vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• to serve a technology boom, certainly serving artificial intelligence technology.
• But policy must be technologically feasible, non-discriminatory, and align with established CEQA principles
• feasibility.
• feasible or where there are other valid technical justifications.
• feasible, and tailored to each facility.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality