Transcript Highlights:

• It highlights the importance of human judgment and decisions, ensuring that technology supplements rather
• It's supported by court cases, and there is a technology that's available that shows how you can make
• There's technology. I've got the card in my pocket. I've used it now for over a year.
• And so this technology would help the least among us. This technology, if...
• And so this technology would help the least among us, this technology, if enshrined into law.

Summary: The committee first took up SB 794, as amended by a late-filed strike-all, which would require a human being to make insurance claim denial decisions and prohibit artificial intelligence from being the sole basis for a denial. The sponsor said the bill was intended to preserve human oversight while allowing innovation in claims processing. Public testimony included support from the Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate and the Florida Medical Association, along with one speaker urging additional protections for homeowners. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported SB 794 favorably with committee substitutes. Members then heard SB 134, which removes the $500 threshold on the sales tax exemption for bullion, making sales of gold, silver, and platinum bullion fully exempt and eliminating certain dealer documentation requirements. Supporters argued the change would reduce a regressive tax and help consumers preserve savings; the sponsor estimated a revenue impact of about $300,000. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a strike-all on SB 888, which directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to create a more consumer-friendly homeowners insurance website with premium comparison information, market data, rate filing access, and educational resources. The sponsor and Leader Boyd said the goal was to improve transparency and help consumers navigate a stabilizing market. SB 888 was reported favorably with committee substitutes. The final bill heard was SB 1578, covering mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings. The sponsor said it would expand coverage requirements in ACA plans and private insurance policies, including annual mammograms for women ages 40 to 50 and supplemental screening coverage, while noting Medicaid already provides these services. The Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate waived in support, and the bill was reported favorably. After the bills, the committee held a lengthy panel discussion on gold and silver as legal tender and transactional money, with testimony from officials from Utah and Florida, industry representatives, and advocacy groups. Panelists discussed constitutional authority, consumer protections, depository oversight, taxation issues, and possible transactional platforms for precious metals. No further action was taken after the discussion, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• coordinators and separately technology. >> Maybe there should be just technology. >> I think they're
• talking about technology from the standpoint of we had computer labs, we had equipment, a lot of technology
• coordinators and separately technology. >> Maybe there should be just technology. >> I think they're
• >> Maybe there should be just technology. >> I think they're talking about technology from the standpoint
• <00:52:48.400> things handles more of the technology things handles more of the technology

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also point out that there are some technologies that are already available.
• Technology evolves at a pace that we cannot keep up with.
• By not addicting them, by simply not addicting them to their technology.
• We do not want technology that is simply going to be less harmful.
• the ability to oversee the technological implementation of the project.

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving through the daily file. Several measures were taken up and passed, including bills on county jail accountability (AB 2257), claims against public agencies (AB 2529), affordable housing management metrics (AB 2689), digital wellness instruction in schools (AB 2071), pedestrian and bicycle safety project streamlining (AB 1976), manufactured home transport permits (AB 2012), a Surplus Land Act amendment tied to an Inland Empire soccer project (AB 2139), a Monterey Bay stewardship authority (AB 1548), online electrician licensing (AB 1707), a Caltrans study of navigation apps’ traffic impacts (AB 2105), coastal resiliency permitting reforms (AB 2051), downtown housing streamlining and financing (AB 2074), Cal Fire compensation (AB 2129), emergency care authority for Del Puerto Health Care District (AB 2282), charter school facilities hardship relief (AB 2316), theft by a peace officer under color of authority as serious misconduct (AB 2337), an Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander-serving institution designation (AB 2374), energy and cannabis support bills (AB 2464, AB 2537), and a suicide prevention plan requirement for treatment facilities (AB 2562). Most of these measures passed with broad bipartisan margins, and several were described as support bills with no opposition. The floor also debated a major criminal justice measure, AB 2727, which would raise the threshold for elderly parole eligibility for people serving sentences for violent sex offenses and add screening safeguards. Supporters from both parties emphasized child protection, survivor trauma, and specific local cases involving offenders who had become eligible for release; the bill passed 66-0. Another significant debate centered on AB 1958, which would clarify procedures under the California Racial Justice Act by refining how disparity claims are established and rebutted; the author said he would take Senate amendments to address concerns from district attorneys. The Assembly also considered AB 2313, a gas-to-electric transition bill allowing customers with planned service line replacements to opt out of gas service and use funds to electrify their homes. Members raised concerns about cost shifts and equity, and the author responded that the bill includes no-cost-shift language, larger credits for disadvantaged communities, and would not proceed if the math does not work; it passed 41-21. The final major item was AB 1709, a high-profile social media safety bill creating a minimum age of 16 for accounts on platforms using addictive features and establishing an e-safety commission. The author and many supporters from both parties framed the bill as a response to youth mental health harms, addictive design, and the need for age-based safeguards, while some members raised concerns about impacts on LGBTQ youth and other isolated young people who rely on online spaces. Supporters said the bill targets addictive design rather than speech and is intended to preserve safe online connection while limiting harmful features. The measure drew extensive bipartisan support and was still under debate at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We envision these funding resources to operate something similar to the Technology Modernization Fund
• <00:50:56.720> and<00:50:56.880> the getting all the technology and the getting all
• the technology and the pieces<00:50:57.480> in<00:50:57.640> place.
• sees the the status of technology sees the the status of technology systems<00:54:59.120> across
• <00:55:11.520> systems resources to move technology systems resources to move technology systems

Bills: HF4074

Keywords: retirement, pension, public employees, MSRS, PERA, TRA, St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, police and fire, correctional employees, probation officers, telecommunicators, dispatchers, 911 operators, public safety answering point, PSAP, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, paid on-call firefighters, fire relief association, state aid

Transcript Highlights:

• Where can we keep up with technology as it continues to evolve?
• Technology that comes out. That Mr. Moore, is that right? Yes. Yeah.
• I don't know what new emerging technology is going to come out.
• We're already moving towards that direction with this emerging technology.
• Yes, I will be here to defend it because this kind of technology is what evens us with you.

Bills: HB304, HB401, HB556, HB1475, HB1489, HB2259, HB2424, HB2773, HB2811, HB3323, HB304

Keywords: voter ID, citizenship proof, provisional ballot, election security, Texas, voting rights, deep fakes, misleading videos, election integrity, criminal offense, digital misinformation, deep fake, political manipulation, misinformation, artificial media, political influence, artificially generated media, election influence, Texas Election Code, healthcare reform

Transcript Highlights:

• They have expertise in the newest technologies.
• <00:47:36.319> can Solutions because the technology can Solutions because the technology can
• advancing to a waster energy technology advancing to a waster energy technology that<00:47:44.920
• He said Hilo has the best technology for dumping rubbish, and K?
• He said Hilo has the best technology for dumping rubbish, and not only Hilo but K?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• RESEARCH AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES ARE OFFERING A NEW HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF FLORIDA CITRUS.
• TODAY, TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO REVOLUTIONIZE NEARLY EVERY FACET OF OUR ECONOMY AND OUR LIVES AT A PACE
• ANOTHER AREA THAT WE KNOW STATE GOVERNMENT CAN IMPROVE IS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT).
• TECHNOLOGY IS A REAL PROBLEM FOR GOVERNMENT AT EVERY LEVEL, JUST LIKE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
• IN MY SECTOR OF THE LEGISLATURE, WE HAVE TRIED TO MANAGE IT FROM THE AGENCY FOR STATE TECHNOLOGY TO..

Bills: SJR3, SB5, SJR36, SJR3, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB5, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB764, SB842, SB971, SB790, SB767, SB480, SB1066, SR44, SR135, SR171, SR180, SR185, SR187, SR188, SR191, SR197, SR198, SR199, SR200

Keywords: dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, research institute, funding, grants, state health initiatives, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code

Transcript Highlights:

• HP 235 would modify the third Technology HP 235 would modify the third principle<02:09:30.199> by
• so which leg of the stool is technology so which leg of the stool is missing missing missing the the
• all types of Technology by state other<04:06:44.199> technology<04:06:45.399> unquote<
• 04:06:46.399> and<04:06:46.560> it's<04:06:46.760> true other technology unquote
• and it's true other technology unquote and it's true that<04:06:47.159> the<04:06:47.359>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, leaves of absence, guest introductions, and memorial remarks honoring former Representative Carolyn Gargas of Hollis, who was remembered for her long House service, work on child and family issues, and community involvement. The House then adopted a consent calendar and approved a motion to withdraw House Bill 431, which would have created a commission to review draft rules on minimum standards for public school approval and state academic standards; the motion failed after a roll call vote, so the bill remained in play. The House next took up House Bill 109-FN, relative to false reports to law enforcement. The majority supported the bill as a way to add penalties for knowingly false reports about law enforcement officers, arguing officers deserve protection from false accusations and that the knowingly standard is a high bar. The minority opposed it as duplicative of existing law and warned it could chill legitimate complaints against police. After debate and a division vote, the majority committee report of ought to pass was adopted, 198-173. The House also considered House Bill 218-FN, which would provide victims of crime a free police report. The committee amendment changed the bill so victims would receive a written confirmation that a crime occurred rather than the initial police report, to avoid conflicts with right-to-know law and active-investigation confidentiality. Supporters said the change was a small but important clarification agreed to by law enforcement and domestic violence advocates, while opponents argued the original language was already workable and that the floor amendment was unnecessary. A division vote was requested on the amendment, and the transcript ends during that debate before the final outcome on HB 218 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I studied business and got into technology. I had a career as a computer consultant.
• Question: Technology has changed.
• So we always test out all the technologies, and Starlink was great when it first came out.
• My job is primarily providing people with technology help.
• “My job is primarily providing people with technology help.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy opened its hearing with testimony on several broadband, towing, and rideshare-related bills. The first major issue was H. 3470/S. 2259, which would add data privacy and integrity protections for transportation network driver information. Rideshare drivers and labor advocates strongly opposed the bill, saying it would delay implementation of Question 3, which Massachusetts voters approved to give rideshare drivers a path to unionize. Drivers described low pay, deactivations, harassment, safety risks, and the need for a union to negotiate fairer working conditions. Legal and labor experts testified that the bill was largely duplicative of existing law and regulations and would unnecessarily postpone drivers’ organizing rights. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on broadband affordability and access bills, including S. 2318/H. 3527 and related measures. Supporters, including legislators, digital equity advocates, senior advocates, and service providers, said low-income households need a permanent affordable broadband option after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended. They argued that internet access is now essential for jobs, school, health care, housing, and daily life, and supported a flat-rate low-income plan around $15 per month with protections such as no installation fees or termination fees. Opponents from cable and wireless industry groups argued the bills would impose artificial price mandates, discourage investment, and reduce consumer choice, noting that providers already offer discounted programs. The committee also heard support for broadband deployment and pole-attachment streamlining bills, with providers and municipal broadband advocates saying permitting delays and pole access bottlenecks slow expansion and raise costs. Additional testimony covered H. 3566, which would exempt municipal broadband projects from surety bond requirements, and towing-related bills including S. 2235, H. 3507, H. 3516, and H. 3482. Insurance and anti-fraud witnesses supported stronger towing protections, saying some towers charge excessive fees and hold vehicles hostage, while one witness urged broader consumer safeguards. The hearing ended after the chairs shortened testimony to fit the room schedule, asked for final comments on remaining bills, and then adjourned by motion and voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This category is going to include technology, instructional materials, extra duty funds, supervisory
• The largest decrease was in technology at 11%.
• Spending from foundation funds was highest on extra duty at 80% and lowest on technology at 32%.
• Spending from other fund sources was highest on technology at 68% and lowest on extra duty at 20%.
• We see that non-technology-related facilities made up the largest expenditure, and these are Non-technology-related

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The joint education committee continued its adequacy study with a Bureau of Legislative Research presentation on resource allocation, covering how Arkansas school spending is mapped to the adequacy matrix and how expenditures are split between foundation funds and other funding sources. Staff explained the methodology, district and school categories used for comparisons, and key findings for matrix spending, including that classroom teachers account for the largest share of matrix expenditures and that districts spend more per student than charter districts in most categories. Members asked for additional breakdowns on waivers, trend data, and more detailed spending by district type, and staff agreed to provide follow-up information. The committee then reviewed non-matrix spending, including instructional aides, facilities, school safety, mental health services, dyslexia support, gifted and talented, career and technical education, and other items not explicitly in the matrix. Staff noted that non-matrix spending exceeded $2 billion and that superintendents consistently identified mental health services, school safety, and dyslexia support as important needs not fully captured in the matrix. Members raised concerns about dyslexia identification and funding, school safety, facilities spending, and whether some items such as food service should be included in adequacy calculations. Staff and Department of Education representatives explained that some expenditures are difficult to isolate because of coding and commingled funds, and that certain items are funded outside the matrix or through separate programs. In the final section, staff summarized total spending across matrix and non-matrix items, noting that districts spent more than the foundation amount per student and that most total spending was on matrix resources. They also highlighted data limitations, including two matrix lines that cannot be fully tracked through current accounting codes. The chair then proposed postponing the second part of the presentation until a May meeting after the fiscal session, with additional time set aside to address questions for both staff and the Department of Education. The committee agreed, and the meeting adjourned without any formal vote on policy changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• agency, the Commonwealth Office of Technology.
• Number two, it transfers all KCNA functions to the Commonwealth Office of Technology.
• <00:17:24.880> All Commonwealth Office of Technology.
• All Commonwealth Office of Technology.
• >> Communicate with the members of the Small Business and Information Technology Committee.

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:04 Orders of the Day 06:01 HB 143 06:11 HB 164 08:07 HB 314 11:07 HB 398 21:17 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 29:02 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 34:01 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 35:40 ConC/Rules Report 40:15 Floor Amendments 41:15 Adjournment 41:26, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a roll call showing 95 members present. The chamber approved the prior journal, received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 20 and 68 and requested concurrence, and then moved to floor action on several bills. House Bill 143, relating to fiduciary bonds, was explained as removing the requirement that a fiduciary sign a bond in the presence of a court clerk or notary public; it passed 94-0. House Bill 164, relating to hearing aid coverage and related services, was described as increasing the coverage cap from $1,400 to $2,500, updating the definition of hearing aid, and adding network adequacy requirements; it passed 93-0 with one abstention. The House then considered House Bill 314, relating to the Kentucky Communications Network Authority and declared an emergency. Supporters said the bill was intended to address long-standing concerns about KentuckyWired management and oversight. A committee substitute and floor amendment were adopted, and the bill was explained as moving KCNA into the Finance and Administration Cabinet, transferring its functions to the Commonwealth Office of Technology, abolishing the separate executive director position, and reconstituting the board with new members and appointments. The bill passed 80-13. House Bill 398, relating to decommissioning costs for electric generating units, was presented as allowing terminal net salvage to be included in rates so utilities can recover end-of-life plant costs over time rather than through larger future spikes; after questions about PSC authority and safeguards, it passed 78-15. After the orders of the day concluded, members made announcements about upcoming committee meetings and a birthday recognition. House Resolution 7, recognizing guiding principles for elections in Kentucky, was reported as having passed unanimously in committee and was adopted without objection. The House also received the report of the Committee on Committees and the Rules Committee, which referred several bills and resolutions to standing committees and posted House Bills 194 and 393 for the next regular orders. The chamber then adjourned until 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, these funds are intended to supplement program operations by supporting innovation in technology
• Instead, these funds are intended to supplement program operations by supporting innovation in technology
• So it's to come into play to help you modernize technology, put new enhancements, maybe work on some
• <00:12:35.360> These technology facilitated abuse. These technology facilitated abuse.
• Technology-driven crime is not slowing down.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Office of the Attorney General 00:00:58 Office of Homeland Security 00:17:39, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on General Government heard presentations on several Attorney General and Homeland Security budget items. Amy Burke of the Department of Child Support Services said the program inherited a structural shortfall of more than $13 million after the transition from CHFS, including about $14 million in federal child support incentive funds that had been used to cover core operating costs and county attorney contracts. She explained that federal law requires incentive funds to supplement, not supplant, baseline services, and said the Attorney General’s budget request seeks general fund support to replace that gap and help balance the program going forward. Members asked for clarification on the misuse of the funds, the size of the shortfall, and whether the requested money would be unrestricted; staff said the intent is to use it as a contract offset for core services. Commissioner Rich Ferretti then presented the Department of Criminal Investigations’ request for additional staffing and a Western Kentucky Digital Forensics Lab. He said DCI wants one additional special victims unit investigator and one digital forensic examiner to handle increasingly digital cases involving child exploitation, sexual assault, human trafficking, and technology-facilitated abuse. He also described plans for a lab in Mayfield, co-located with the new Mayfield Police Department facility, to reduce travel time, speed forensic processing, and improve access for rural communities. Committee members responded positively and asked no substantive questions. Finally, the Office of Homeland Security outlined Kentucky’s Next Generation 911 project. Officials said the current 911 system was built for landlines, while most calls now come from mobile devices, and the upgrade will add precise location routing plus text, photo, and video capability. Shelley Clark described the funding model, including wireless subscriber fees and a dedicated tech fund, and reviewed progress on mapping, vendor selection, and migration to the new platform, with completion expected by July 2027. Members asked about local maintenance costs and the impact on rural areas; officials said maintenance is local but supported in part by collected funds, and implementation will not be delayed for rural localities. The meeting concluded with no votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both by trimming waste and also planning for and investing in real technological change.
• We have people who have worked with financial institutions and technology companies who understand how
• The law specifically stipulates technological neutrality.
• That's a different issue from technology but thank you Mr. Chair. Thank you Senator Warner.
• We need to bring back new modern technology.

Keywords: nomination, Deputy Secretary of Treasury, economic policy, inflation, tariffs, tribal nations, government relations

Summary: The meeting convened to consider the nomination of Mike Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. During the session, multiple members voiced concerns regarding current economic policies under the Trump administration, particularly around inflation, tariffs, and the impact on small businesses. Discussions frequently centered on the administration's approach to tariffs and taxation, and how these factors contribute to the rising cost of living and potential job losses. Additionally, the importance of bolstering government-to-government relationships with tribal nations was emphasized, highlighting the need for specialized offices focused on tribal affairs within the Treasury Department.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forensics requires quality because it's the application of science and technology to the legal system
• Additional technologies can help us compare 3D instead of just 2D images and photos.
• Another emerging technology is the ability to use rapid DNA technology, and that can give limited DNA
• Additional technologies that can help us compare 3D instead of just 2D images and photos.
• Another emerging technology is the ability to use rapid DNA technology and that can give limited DNA

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to continue its review of performance measurement in the criminal justice system. The first presentation, from State Courts Administrator Eric McClure, described how the court system uses multiple data sources to track filings, dispositions, clearance rates, workload, and support services, and how those data inform judge need, budget requests, resource allocation, and court administration. He also discussed ongoing efforts to improve case-level reporting, the use of case management systems in trial and appellate courts, and performance efforts in problem-solving courts and civil case management. McClure noted that the legislature provides dedicated funding for problem-solving courts and for medication-assisted treatment, and that the courts are required to report outcomes and monitor compliance with contract requirements. Melanie Brown-Whor of the Florida Behavioral Health Association then reviewed the medication-assisted treatment program funded through the courts budget. She said the program combines medication with counseling and behavioral supports, serves people involved in or at risk of criminal justice involvement, and has expanded over time to include additional medications and more counties. She reported improved engagement and retention, with more than 10,000 people screened over five years, about 9,200 receiving medication, and over 6,600 successfully discharged. Senators asked about racial and ethnic demographics, hospital referrals, and how services are delivered; Brown-Whor explained that local community providers deliver treatment under contract and that the program is working to improve data reporting and consistency. The Department of Law Enforcement then presented on investigations, forensics, and criminal justice information services. Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard outlined FDLE’s strategic plan and major investigative priorities, including cybercrime, targeted violence, crimes against children, mutual aid, and the SAFE fentanyl eradication program. He said SAFE has led to major seizures, arrests, and a reported decline in fentanyl deaths. Director Jason Bundy described FDLE’s forensic laboratory operations, DNA and rapid DNA capabilities, cold case and missing persons work, and the staffing and turnaround-time challenges tied to complex evidence testing. Director Lucy Saunders reviewed FDLE’s criminal history, biometric, incident-based crime reporting, and criminal justice transparency systems, noting that Florida is still transitioning agencies from summary reporting to incident-based reporting. The committee raised questions about Rapid DNA deployment, cold case coordination, and the slow pace of NIBRS/FIBRS adoption. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your technology policy rarely stays here; where California leads, other states watch.
• Somehow time and technological advancement has not made things better.
• And we can make these algorithms better utilizing the technology that we have. Yeah.
• We even knew we had an Institute for Prediction Technology. Dr.
• For LGBTQ plus young people, social media, Technology for over two decades.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on the impact of social media on LGBTQ-plus youth, focusing on benefits, risks, and possible safeguards. Chair Bauer-Kahan and Assembly Member Ward opened by noting that social media can be a lifeline for LGBTQ-plus youth seeking identity, community, and support, but also exposes them to cyberbullying, hate speech, exploitation, misinformation, and addictive design. They framed the hearing as a way to inform future policy without relitigating prior bills, and emphasized the need for a balanced approach that reduces harm while preserving access to affirming resources. The first panel featured lived-experience testimony from Madi Roby of the Alliance for Trans Youth Rights, Shea Gardner of LGBT Tech, and Casey Pick of the Trevor Project. Roby described how social media helped her understand her trans identity, find community, learn safety information, and access crisis support through the Trevor Project, while also exposing her to harassment and threats. Gardner argued that lawmakers should regulate harms more precisely rather than impose broad access restrictions, warning that age-gating and account bans could exclude vulnerable youth and adults who rely on pseudonymity, while supporting privacy-preserving protections, targeted platform accountability, and digital literacy. Pick testified that LGBTQ-plus youth are more than three times as likely to attempt suicide as peers, cited Trevor Project research showing social media is both positive and negative for most youth, and said supportive online spaces can lower suicide risk and anxiety; she also described Trevor Space as a moderated, non-addictive platform with forums, direct messaging, and strong community norms. Committee members then questioned the panel about algorithmic feeds, addictive design, age verification, and whether platforms should be required to provide safer defaults and better moderation. Several members distinguished between personalized feeds and addictive or incendiary engagement loops, and discussed the risk that age-verification systems could require sensitive data or restrict access to helpful content. Witnesses repeatedly said the problem is not online community itself but platform design choices and weak enforcement, and they urged more precise regulation of harmful features rather than exclusionary bans. The committee then moved on to panel two, which was introduced as a discussion of LGBTQ-plus-specific online resources and research on LGBTQ-plus youth and social media.

Transcript Highlights:

• needs. $18.3 million to address food service inflation, and $17.1 million for technology needs, along
• Given the incredible pace of the evolution of the technology and its adoption by business and academia
• We know this technology is evolving so rapidly.
• What would you suggest on how are we going to address the rapidly changing technology?
• I would hate to put a marker out there two years or three years or five years when this technology is

Bills: S2500, S2502, S2504, S7028, S2506, S2508, S2510, S2512, S2514, S2516, S2518, S0482, S0678, S0984, S1016, S1074, S1706, S7030

Keywords: budget, appropriation, education funding, healthcare, environmental protection, infrastructure, local government, Appropriations Act, funding, education, rural development, economic assistance, collective bargaining, state employees, labor relations, impasse resolution, negotiations, retirement, elected officials, Deferred Retirement Option Program

Summary: The committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2026-2027 budget, SPB 2500, with chairs outlining major spending in K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Highlights included a $115 billion overall budget, pay raises for state employees and public safety workers, major K-12 funding increases and enrollment supplements, higher education workforce and nursing investments, expanded Medicaid/KidCare and behavioral health funding, corrections and law enforcement operational funding, transportation and housing investments, and significant environmental and water quality spending. Members asked about civic education funding, declining enrollment, professor retention, APD waiver waitlists, cultural grant allocations, and other line items. Public testimony also addressed HIV/AIDS drug assistance funding and prison air conditioning. SPB 2500 was adopted as a committee bill after amendment consideration and a roll call vote. The committee then took up implementing and related budget bills, including SPB 2502 (implementing the General Appropriations Act), SPB 2504 (state employee bargaining placeholder), SB 7028 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and related retirement changes), SPB 2506 (fuel tax distributions), SPB 2508 (state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge), SPB 2510 (termination of an unused court trust fund), SPB 2512 (new judgeships), SPB 2514 (K-12 conforming changes), SPB 2516 (higher education conforming changes), and SPB 2518 (health conforming changes). Most were explained as technical or conforming measures tied to the budget, and all were reported favorably as committee bills, with SB 7028 amended to direct a portion of increased contributions to disability and line-of-duty death benefits in the FRS investment plan. The committee also heard and passed several member bills, including CS for SB 1074 on rounding rules for cash transactions in a world without pennies, CS for SB 678 restoring the alcohol loss deduction framework for distributors, and SB 964 on firefighter cancer benefits and prevention. SB 964 drew the most discussion, with questions about the one-year death-benefit window, the separate $25,000 cancer diagnosis payment, and whether the bill could create gaps in coverage for firefighters diagnosed or dying just outside the new time limits. Firefighter representatives testified in support, saying the bill would provide clearer protections for members and families. All of these measures were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:29.000> and between the environment technology and between the environment technology
• development Agriculture and Technology development Agriculture and Technology uh<00:03:47.519>
• <00:13:36.079> and Harvest and processing Technologies and Harvest and processing Technologies
• <00:26:55.520> the Services or information technology the Services or information technology
• <00:54:01.079> in adaptive and bringing Technologies in adaptive and bringing Technologies

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He implements all of our technology with us and has a great personality to work with, as far as being
• Part of the hardship request is to identify your technology plan.
• Item is our technology coordinator update. Right. Thank you. You, Mr.
• These technologies align with our technology roadmap, and additional demos will be scheduled.
• The technology roadmap may be reviewed on our website. Engine 911 committee update.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The officer, or CISO, is within the Office of Technology and is responsible for the cybersecurity office
• The bill also changes references in code to reflect that the head of the Office of Technology is now
• called the chief information officer, not the chief technology officer.
• The head of the Office of Technology is now called the chief information officer, not the chief technology
• The Office of Technology presented during the January 2026 interim at the meeting of the post-audit subcommittee

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Government Organization met with a quorum present, approved the minutes, and then considered a series of House bills, most of them related to licensing, local government administration, and agency operations. House Bill 5063 would let county commissions appoint a county commissioner as a voting member of a convention and visitors bureau board, including for multi-county CVBs; it was reported to the full Senate. House Bill 5087 would join the interstate cosmetology licensure compact, allowing licensed cosmetologists to obtain multi-state practice privileges in compact states, and it was also reported. The committee then took up a strike-and-insert amendment for House Bill 4793, which combined provisions affecting barbering/cosmetology apprenticeships and lowered certain age and education requirements; after adopting a Jefferson amendment clarifying the salon training language, the bill was reported as amended. Members next approved a strike-and-insert for House Bill 5638, which clarifies the State Chief Information Security Officer’s duties, changes cyber risk review procedures, and updates references to the Office of Technology head as the chief information officer; it was reported as amended. House Bill 4483, dealing with the Board of Funeral Examiners, was amended to change the effective date for licensee-in-charge requirements and make technical corrections, then reported as amended. House Bill 5653, requested by the Department of Revenue, would expand confidentiality protections to cover audit manuals, guidelines, procedures, algorithms, and related materials to prevent taxpayers from gaming audit selection, and it was reported. House Bill 4452 repeals acreage limits on church property ownership, and House Bill 4801 expands permissible uses of hotel occupancy tax funds to include demolition of unsafe structures and planning or improvement of public property; both were reported. The committee also advanced House Bill 5622, which creates an expedited process for municipalities to conform local election terms and procedures to the state requirement that municipal elections be held with statewide primaries or general elections, and recognizes the Secretary of State as keeper of municipal charter rolls. House Bill 4546 would allow business entities to file reports biennially instead of annually, with higher biennial fees and updated enforcement provisions; its strike-and-insert amendment was adopted and the bill was reported as amended. House Bill 5613 would define and regulate telematics for state fleet vehicles, require reporting on unsafe driving and corrective actions, and include cost-benefit information in annual reports; it was reported. House Bill 5323 would let the Division of Natural Resources adjust license and stamp fees for inflation by removing a prior CPI-based restriction, and House Bill 4819 would revise criminal-record standards for certain non-Chapter 30 occupational licenses, shifting to a direct-relationship standard while preserving existing exclusions for violent sexual offenses; both were reported. The committee then adjourned after closing remarks from the chair and vice chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• pathway to learn more about this innovative technology and grow inside the industry.
• And I am a 2026 Governor's School scholar in the technology pathway.
• We are headquartered in the NDSU Research and Technology Park.
• Technology.
• Technology coordination was cited as an example of current shared services.

Keywords: 908, all