Video & Transcript Research : 'telecommunications'
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NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications - 02/03/2026
Energy And Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Senator Kevin Parker, Chairman of the Energy and Telecommunications Committee, and welcome to our
- call it something else, but we're going to stick with the Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications
- Welcome to the Energy and Telecommunications Committee. Thank you so much.
- And I now will adjourn this meeting of the Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.
- And I now will adjourn this meeting of the Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.
Summary:
The Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications met under Chair Senator Kevin Parker and considered several bills related to clean energy, transmission, storage, schools, and microgrids. Bill 1456, which would require certain watercraft, aircraft, and trains to be zero-emissions and direct NYSERDA studies and incentives, was discussed as technology-neutral and advanced with one no vote to the Finance Committee. Bill 286, increasing statewide energy storage capacity, drew concerns about battery safety, fire risk, and volunteer fire department training, but was advanced to the floor with two no votes. Bill 2482, the Go Green Schools Act, would let schools convert to renewable energy and keep savings for school operations; it advanced to the floor despite concerns about siting solar on school grounds. Bill 2485 on expanding electric transmission lines and Bill 5510 directing NYSERDA to develop microgrid recommendations were both advanced to the Finance Committee, each with one no vote.
The committee then heard testimony from Marguerite Wells, executive director of the Alliance for Clean Energy New York. She argued that wind, solar, storage, and transmission have made New York a leader in clean energy and said renewable energy is increasingly cost-competitive, with much of recent bill increases driven by grid upgrades and gas prices rather than renewables. She also said clean energy helps hedge against volatile fossil fuel prices, pointed to community solar and offshore wind as savings and reliability tools, and said the state’s permitting and interconnection processes have improved.
Members questioned Wells about farmland use, decommissioning, recycling of solar and wind equipment, battery storage safety, local control, and misinformation. Wells said utility-scale projects require decommissioning plans and financial assurances, farmland must be restored under agricultural guidelines, and recycling capacity is developing. On battery storage, she said New York has rigorous codes and monitoring requirements, that not all storage is lithium-ion, and that state-level permitting is appropriate for large facilities. Several senators raised concerns about fires, contamination, winter performance, and siting projects in densely populated areas or on farmland, while others emphasized farmland protections and the value of renewable projects to host communities.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Jun 10th, 2025
Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the Science, Technology, and Telecommunications Organizational meeting.
- I'm a registered lobbyist and for the science, tech and telecommunication space.
- it also, the proposal is to continue examining the development of broadband infrastructure, telecommunications
- Um, and then lastly, it wasn't mentioned, but within maybe the telecommunication space, definitely, rural
- Um, also, um, as you mentioned, um, where we are in accessing to, uh, internet telecommunications, I
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities And Communications Committee Apr 7th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- thing: making sure that every Californian, no matter where they live, can access essential telecommunications
- For geography and economics make telecommunications service a challenge to provide.
- The California High-Cost Fund A makes it possible for us to provide access to telecommunications services
- at rates that are affordable and... ...access to telecommunications services at rates that are affordable
- I represent some of the largest, as well as some of the smallest telecommunications companies here in
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- Missouri has seen an increase in people damaging telecommunications equipment, such as cutting internet
- unauthorized possession of certain materials, and it defines what copper, brass, aluminum, fiber, or telecommunication
- And that doesn't just apply to telecommunications providers.
- And that doesn't just apply to telecommunications providers.
- And like everything else, we have telecommunications clients.
Summary:
The Utilities Committee first took up House Bill 2762, along with House Bills 2816 and 2402 through a committee substitute focused on solar energy regulation. The sponsor and members described the substitute as creating a statewide framework for solar projects covering taxation, setbacks, and decommissioning bonds. The bill set a $4,000 per megawatt nameplate capacity tax, allowed commercial assessment of certain facility property, established setback distances from occupied dwellings and property lines with some flexibility through screening or landowner agreement, and required written notice, a decommissioning plan by a Missouri-licensed engineer, and a bond for reclamation. Members discussed Chapter 100 agreements, county rulemaking authority, grandfathering for existing projects, and whether the language would create undue burdens. The committee adopted an amendment, rolled it into a new substitute, and then voted the House Committee Substitute do pass by 18 ayes and 2 noes.
The committee then heard House Bill 2248, which would change Missouri’s economic development electric rate structure. The sponsor said the bill would close a loophole allowing data centers under 75 megawatts to access reduced rates and would replace the current variable 10-year discount for larger projects with a fixed five-year 35% discount on fixed costs, while still requiring full payment of variable energy costs and maintaining existing load-factor requirements. Witnesses from Evergy, Ameren Missouri, and the Missouri Chamber supported the bill as a way to make incentives more predictable and better targeted to job-creating manufacturers, while a Ford representative urged the committee to consider a retention incentive for large existing industrial users. No action was taken on HB 2248 during the hearing.
Finally, the committee heard the Senate substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 903, a critical infrastructure protection bill. Senator Henderson said the measure responds to increasing damage and theft involving telecommunications and broadband facilities, including incidents affecting 911 service. The bill would add wireline and broadband facilities to the definition of critical infrastructure, create or adjust penalties for damaging or tampering with such facilities, and create an offense for unauthorized possession of copper, brass, aluminum, fiber, or telecommunications materials, with exceptions for lawful possession. Witnesses from AT&T, Verizon, the Missouri Cable Association, Missouri Electric Cooperatives, rail interests, scrap/recycling, the Missouri Chamber, municipal utilities, and Ameren supported the bill, emphasizing rising theft, safety risks, and the need for stronger deterrence while clarifying that legitimate scrap businesses should not be targeted. The hearing concluded with no vote reported on SB 903.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Courtney is an expert in the state's electric, water, and telecommunications industries and has worked
- Like you said, everyone thinks electricity first, but we do have water, wastewater, and also telecommunications
- We invest in telecommunications. We also have to be willing to invest in the electricity grid.
- So on the telecommunication side, we actually have very limited involvement with broadband, most at the
- A lot of the companies, obviously, that are providing broadband also provide other telecommunication
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Nominations held its final nomination hearing of the session and considered three nominees: J.B. Goodwin for the Texas Real Estate Commission, Courtney Yaltman for the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and Thomas Gleason as PUC chairman. Goodwin described his long career in real estate and charitable work, and senators questioned him extensively about the Real Estate Commission’s self-directed, semi-independent status, housing affordability, institutional homebuyers, property insurance costs, disclosure issues, and the Burnett v. National Association of Realtors case. Yaltman and Gleason were questioned about PUC oversight of ERCOT, post-Winter Storm Uri reforms, utility resilience and vegetation management after Hurricane Beryl, water and telecommunications oversight, staffing and transparency, and rising infrastructure and utility costs.
Much of the discussion focused on housing and utility affordability, with several senators urging the nominees to keep consumer protection and public trust at the forefront. Goodwin said housing affordability and large-scale investment purchases were not within the Real Estate Commission’s direct purview, though he supported further study. Yaltman and Gleason said the PUC had increased oversight of ERCOT, improved communication and accountability with utilities, and was working on resiliency plans, rate-setting issues, and infrastructure planning while trying to avoid overburdening ratepayers.
The committee first voted to favorably report nominees left pending from the May 5 agenda by a 6-0 roll call vote. After public testimony was opened and closed, the committee then voted on the nominees heard that day and favorably recommended all three to the full Senate for confirmation by a 7-0 vote. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Commerce and Tourism Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- My bill addresses this by creating new statutory provisions for telecommunication companies regarding
- My bill addresses this by creating new statutory provisions for telecommunication companies regarding
- Authentication framework implementation, in which the statute mandates a telecommunication company to
Summary:
The Commerce Committee on Tourism met and first took up Senate Bill 1562 by Senator Trumbull, which was amended with a strike-all amendment. The substitute bill would apply only to new vehicle brands, set a 1,000-vehicle sales threshold, and limit any one dealer or dealer group to no more than one-third of statewide sales to promote competition and dealer diversity. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the committee substitute favorably by roll call vote, with Senator Smith later recording a negative vote and Senator Yarbrough requesting an affirmative vote on the tab.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 888 by Senator Martin, which limits professional services contracts for architects, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects so they can be held liable only for their own negligence or that of those under their supervision. The bill extends existing protections from public contracts to private contracts, voids broader indemnity clauses, requires a professional standard of care, and bars additional-insured requirements. After no questions or debate, the committee reported the bill favorably.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 1516 by Senator Garcia on misleading or inaccurate caller identification. The sponsor cited the volume of robocalls and scam losses, especially affecting older adults, and said the bill would create new statutory provisions requiring telecommunications companies to address spoofed caller ID and implement STIR/SHAKEN authentication or a comparable alternative. Testimony in support came from the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar and AARP, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. The chair then noted the committee would not reconvene later that evening and adjourned the meeting.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informal House Session 81 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- relative to extending until Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the time within which the Committee on Telecommunications
- relative to extending until Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the time within which the Committee on Telecommunications
- relative to extending until Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the time within which the Committee on Telecommunications
Summary:
The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several Rules Committee reports and scheduling orders. Members adopted a resolution commending the PKD Foundation for recognizing September 2025 as Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month. The House also adopted multiple orders extending committee reporting deadlines, including for the Labor and Workforce Development, Public Health, State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy committees.
The chamber concurred in Senate petitions referred under suspension of Joint Rule 12, including proposals related to insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of port wine stains and scalp cooling systems. The House then suspended Joint Rule 12 for several House petitions, including measures on charter school funding, Port Authority Parks governance, a senior fishing license, and a sick leave bank for a Department of Developmental Services employee. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee also reported several bills for consideration, including student mental health, a disability pension for Michael Rodericks, PCOS Awareness Month, roadway safety, and Hopkinton local bills.
After suspending Rule 7A, the House gave second readings and ordered several bills to a third reading, including the student mental health bill, the Michael Rodericks disability pension bill, the PCOS Awareness Month bill, the roadway safety bill, and Hopkinton charter and economic development measures. The House adopted an emergency preamble for House No. 4323, establishing a sick leave bank for Alexander Schwartz of the State Police, then passed that bill to be enacted. The House also passed to be engrossed House No. 2250, dissolving the Watley Water District, and adopted an order to adjourn until Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in an informal session.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Community Safety Oct 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- response out of the first response system. 1811 defines co-responders as the full team: 911 telecommunicators
- So we’ll hear from Katie Myers, who is the past president of the Telecommunicator Association, and also
- We are the professional association that supports Washington’s 911 public safety telecommunicators.
- There’s nothing incredibly special about this call, but last Friday, one of my public safety telecommunicators
- We don’t have our law enforcement public safety telecommunicators make the decision on whether alternative
Summary:
The Community Safety Committee held an interim work session on crisis response, with members and witnesses discussing how Washington can better integrate 911, 988, mobile crisis, co-response, and alternative response models for behavioral health crises in public spaces. Travis Parker opened with an overview of the Sequential Intercept Model and the crisis care continuum, emphasizing early intervention, 988 access, regional coordination, navigators and peer support, and the need for sustainable braided funding. Several Washington witnesses then described current programs and system gaps, including the growth of co-response teams, the importance of integrating 911 and 988 rather than treating them as competing systems, and the need to reduce unnecessary emergency room use and improve first responder wellness and training.
City, fire, and crisis-system representatives described local challenges and reforms. Kim Hendrickson of Poulsbo said most crisis calls still come through 911 and urged better coordination among field-based teams, more behavioral health training for fire/EMS, and more alternatives to ER transport. Laura Pippen, a designated crisis responder, described a strained involuntary treatment system, fewer DCRs statewide, difficulty getting law enforcement support for transports, and limited facility capacity, especially for substance use disorder. Jennifer Stuber and South County Fire’s Keith Sharp highlighted workforce training, a crisis responder certificate program, and first responder wellness efforts. Research witnesses Evan Lauder and James Pine said the evidence is still developing but generally supports on-scene resolution, reduced ED transport and detention in some models, and the importance of clear dispatch protocols, coordination, and ongoing evaluation.
Dispatch and program operators then gave examples of how systems are working in practice. Katie Myers of Washington APCO/NENA said 911 remains essential, but needs evidence-based triage protocols, liability protections, and additional funding if it is expected to take on more crisis-response responsibilities. Whatcom County described embedding a “community connector” in the 911 center to coordinate alternative response, while ValleyCom reported that its 988 diversion pilot transferred 2,165 calls with 98% resolved through 988/211 without returning to 911. National examples included Denver’s STAR program, Albuquerque’s Community Safety Department, and Atlanta’s PAD initiative, each showing different ways to route low-acuity or behavioral-health-related calls away from police and toward clinicians, peers, or civilian responders. The session ended with Washington examples continuing, including Whatcom County’s alternative response team, underscoring the committee’s interest in refining and expanding integrated crisis response systems in the next session.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, June 23, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- China has systematically expanded its telecommunications and military presence across Africa.
- China has systematically expanded its telecommunications and military presence across Africa.
- China has systematically expanded its telecommunications and military presence across Africa.
- Assets that could directly support and secure these telecommunications operations.
- secure these telecommunications secure these telecommunications operations.<02:44:21.760>
The
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/31/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #15 & #16
Transcript Highlights:
- a strike-everything amendment to Senate Bill 1620 that directs a municipality to provide a telecommunications
- a strike-everything amendment to Senate Bill 1620 that directs a municipality to provide a telecommunications
- Madam Witt, members, Senate Bill 1046 would require any critical telecommunications infrastructure that
- The bill also requires yearly reporting from each telecommunications provider to the Corporation Commission
- certifying that all critical telecommunications infrastructure and equipment is not using prohibited
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long agenda of Senate bills across elections, commerce, education, government, health and human services, judiciary, public safety, transportation, rural development, and ways and means. Many measures were described as consent or third-read consent items, including bills on campaign finance termination statements and late-report penalties, AI provenance data for media, adjuster/contractor conduct during emergencies, Industrial Commission changes, association meeting closures, banking and remittance rules, central bank digital currency, public safety parity funding, barbering and cosmetology board continuation, digital asset reserve management, contractor licensing, gaming and racing commission continuation, school AED instruction, classroom removal procedures, school safety reporting, special education complaint transparency, foreign influence and land ownership restrictions, DCS and DES process changes, health care licensing and reimbursement rules, EMS compact adoption, and multiple tax, housing, and transportation measures. Staff repeatedly summarized each bill and answered questions, with several bills noted as mirror or identical to House measures or as strike-everything amendments from committees.
A few bills drew discussion. On SB 2874, staff explained that the Senate amendment would limit penalties for untimely campaign finance reports when a committee certifies it received no contributions and made no expenditures, but the sponsor did not concur. SB 1074 prompted questions about whether parental notification changed; staff said it did not and that the bill was aimed at improving communication between teachers and principals about discipline. SB 1175, requiring DCS caseworkers to photograph children at each interaction in abuse or neglect cases, drew concern about the scope of the photos, while supporters said it would improve continuity and documentation. SB 1180 also drew comment because the sponsor and committee chair disagreed over an amendment, though the bill was advanced for further work.
The most extended debate came on SB 1751, which would allow death-row inmates to choose firing squad, lethal injection, or lethal gas if voters approve the related constitutional measure. One member strongly opposed the bill on moral and personal grounds, another argued it could be a more humane option if the state is going to carry out executions, and a third raised concern that it could be used against Second Amendment rights. The bill remained on the third-read consent calendar despite the objections. The caucus concluded after moving through the remaining agenda items, with no formal votes recorded in the transcript beyond committee status and consent-calendar placement.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Storm, and thank you, members of the General Assembly, for your past work in placing telecommunications
- This legislation is supported by a large swath of Kentucky's telecommunications and internet service
- supported by a large swath of is supported by a large swath of Kentucky's<00:06:54.000>
telecommunications - <00:06:54.840>
and Kentucky's telecommunications and Kentucky's telecommunications and internet
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 12th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Today's Telecommunications Day, Mr.
- President, and I'm going to start with the first telecommunications right here.
- It is headquartered in Clovis, New Mexico, with over 30 years of telecommunication experience.
- ... ...bringing telecommunications and broadband to them.
- President, are Baca Valley Telecommunication, Dell Telephone Cooperative, ENMR Plateau Telephone Cooperative
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 1/22/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It's managed and run through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA,
- the national telecommunications the national telecommunications Information<01:02:49.319>
Administration - applies to certain telecommunications applies to certain telecommunications installers<01:08:30.000
- <01:13:20.040>
industry term in the Telecommunications industry term in the Telecommunications - telecommunication telecommunication um<01:14:26.960>
and <01:14:27.960>we <01:14:28.159
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 23rd, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Criminals often look to Texas' critical infrastructure, like telecommunications cables, in search of
- Criminals often look to Texas' critical infrastructure, like telecommunications cables, in search of
- It's an important tool to help combat the surge of crisis of telecommunications copper theft.
- Thousands of residents have suffered service interruptions, and the theft of telecommunications wire
- affect individuals selling non-telecommunications copper wire, nor will it harm authorized possessors
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support.
The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Telecommunications, 50,000. ETSs service, 10,000.
- that is for uh members to attend different<00:02:53.120>
conferences <00:02:54.560>telecommunications - different conferences telecommunications different conferences telecommunications 50,000<00:02:56.959
Keywords:
K-12 education, school facilities, security improvements, public funding, state appropriations, school construction, local government funding, sales tax distribution, municipal funding, economic equity, state revenue, Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So the telecommunication part of this does in fact go beyond data involved in it.
- I don't think is an interception of a telecommunication.
- information so the telecommun information so the telecommun telecommunication<04:12:55.159>
part - <04:12:55.319>
of telecommunication part of telecommunication part of this<04:12:57.439>- telecommunication telecommunication that's<04:13:14.119>
different <04:13:14.479>than < - telecommunication telecommunication that's<04:13:14.119>
Summary:
The committee first heard CACR 6, a proposed constitutional amendment by Representative Keith Ammon to recognize a fundamental right to use computation resources. Ammon argued that computing is now essential to daily life, speech, education, and economic opportunity, and said the amendment was intended to push back against government or corporate restrictions, citing a 2023 federal executive order on AI registration and reporting as an example of the kind of precedent he wanted to oppose. He said the proposal should be simple and clear because it would go to voters, and he compared the right to compute to other constitutional rights that do not require the government to provide the underlying tools.
Committee members raised concerns about the breadth of the language, including whether it could affect encryption, authentication, network security, energy use, and other regulatory issues. Representative McFarland questioned whether the amendment could interfere with security measures, while others asked whether it would prevent ordinary network management such as throttling or require the state to provide internet access or hardware. Ammon responded that the right would not entitle someone to other people’s resources and said encryption and similar issues would sort themselves out. Several members also raised concerns about child safety, public safety, and whether existing laws could still regulate misuse of computing; Ammon said reasonable limits would still apply, similar to other constitutional rights. Sarah Scott of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the amendment would protect innovation, individual autonomy, and economic competitiveness by preventing overregulation. After questions concluded, the chair closed the hearing on CACR 6.
The committee then opened House Bill 615, sponsored by Representative Dan Maguire, which would substantially rewrite the state’s drug-forfeiture law. Maguire said the bill is intended to improve fairness and efficiency in cases where property such as cars or cash is seized in connection with drug offenses, noting that the criminal case and the civil forfeiture case are currently handled separately, with the property case prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office. He explained that the bill addresses courtroom procedure for these forfeiture actions and is meant to make the process more specific and orderly.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/04/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- <04:51:22.400>
Cloud <04:51:23.280>critical telecommunications Cloud critical telecommunications - life focused on telecommunications and life focused on telecommunications and cyber<04:53:18.360>
- <05:05:30.040>
infrastructure <05:05:31.040>but Telecommunications infrastructure but Telecommunications - in the telecommunications companies in the state<05:08:30.840>
and <05:08:31.000>what < - utilities or Telecommunications utilities or Telecommunications companies<05:24:39.958>
uh
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 23rd, 2025 at 10:04 am
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- It's an important tool to help combat the surge of crisis of telecommunications copper theft.
- Thousands of residents have suffered service interruptions, and the theft of telecommunications wire
- During these inspections, officers have also provided proactive education about telecommunications wire
- Because this bill is narrowly tailored to address telecommunications copper wire, it will not negatively
- affect individuals selling non-telecommunications copper wire, nor will it harm authorized possessors
Bills:
HB1455, HB1777, HB2101, HB2136, HB2609, HB3142, HB3552, HB3846, HB4155, HB4514, HB4879, HB4995, HB5014, HB5139, HB5228, HB5436, HCR40
Keywords:
mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and heard several bills, generally leaving them pending after testimony. HB 4995 would create a training/certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would protect tactical medical staff and improve emergency care; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the OmniBase/failure-to-appear-or-pay license hold program; the author and supporters argued it unfairly compounds debt and traps drivers in noncompliance, while judges and municipal court representatives said it is an effective, voluntary tool that prompts court appearances and reduces warrants. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/THC substances, and HB 5436 would allow licensed auto recyclers to purchase certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shop activity; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending.
The committee also heard HB 1777, which would place a discrete sex-offender designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for registrants under Chapter 62. The author said the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and cited other states and research in support, while opponents argued it would function as a scarlet letter, increase harassment, and punish people who are already complying with the law. HB 4155 would create a Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study risk factors, coordinate agencies, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, TCFV, and a survivor testified in support, emphasizing the number of family violence homicides and the need for coordinated, data-driven prevention, and the bill was left pending.
Finally, HB 4514 would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and confidentiality protections, to help businesses verify identities and combat fraud. Supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce losses from fake IDs and organized theft, while the author stressed privacy safeguards and limited, consent-based use. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- In closing, the 911 Board continues to do great work in support of our 911 telecommunicators and call
- <00:08:21.800>
and support of our 911 telecommunicators and support of our 911 telecommunicators - I believe my experience as a current 911 board member, experienced in the telecommunication industry
- I believe my experience as a current 911 board member, experienced in the telecommunication industry
- industry for the past telecommunication industry for the past uh<00:32:26.960>
30 <00:32:27.279
Summary:
The committee heard and discussed three nominations to the 911 Board: Matthew Kurara (Governor’s Message 505), Re Mahuna (Governor’s Message 614), and Rebecca Liberman/Weberman (Governor’s Message 661). Kurara, a Honolulu Police Department communications captain, said he would bring PSAP and dispatch experience to the board, with a focus on Next Generation 911, better coordination among PSAPs, and recruiting and retaining telecommunicators. Mahuna, a longtime Hawaiʻi Police Department officer and current board member, emphasized his emergency-response experience during disasters on the Big Island and his support for improving communication through Next Generation 911, including the new joint call center on Hawaiʻi Island. Liberman, the board’s VoIP representative and a Charter/Spectrum government affairs director, said she was continuing her second term and would keep working on legislative and government issues, including the statutory change removing “enhanced” from the board’s name to better support Next Gen efforts.
Members asked each nominee about rural coverage, redundancy, training, broadband, radio-system limitations, and how Next Generation 911 would affect service in places like Puna and other rural areas. The nominees generally said the system is designed with redundancy so service would revert to backup systems if new technology fails, and that the main challenges in rural areas are often broader communications or radio issues rather than 911 itself. Kurara and Mahuna both said each PSAP currently handles much of its own training, though there is interest in more standardization and national best practices. Liberman explained that VoIP calls generally work over the internet and may benefit from Next Gen, but that location/address issues for some internet-based calling services may still need further review.
The committee also discussed public education about text-to-911, the use of technologies such as FirstNet, and whether the E911 special fund ceiling needed to be raised again. Mahuna said he did not see a current need to raise the ceiling further. Written testimony was received in support of all three nominees, including support from public officials, law enforcement, county agencies, and private individuals. No opposition testimony was noted, and the chair said decisions would be made later with the other nominees.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Apr 10th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Concurrent Resolution 31 by Assembly Member Hadwick relative to the California Public Safety Telecommunications
- ACR 31, which declares the week of April 13th to April 19, 2025 as California Public Safety Telecommunications
- ACR 31, which declares the week of April 13th to April 19, 2025 as California Public Safety Telecommunications
- This week, 2025 is California Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
- Public Safety Telecommunications Week is celebrated nationally, but it got its start in California when
Summary:
The Assembly met after a quorum call and prayer, then handled a series of procedural motions, guest introductions, and floor actions. Members welcomed student groups from Hope International University and Vacaville High School, and later recognized several guests connected to public safety dispatch. The chamber also adopted multiple re-referrals and procedural requests, including moving bills between committees and taking up AB 100 on concurrence from the Senate.
A major portion of the session was devoted to ACR 34, designating April 14 as Sylvia Mendez Day. Assembly Member Ta and several colleagues spoke in support of honoring Sylvia Mendez and the Mendez v. Westminster case as a landmark in civil rights and school desegregation. The resolution drew extended partisan debate over the framing of the measure and broader issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, but it ultimately passed on a roll call vote, with the resolution adopted.
The Assembly also recognized Dolores Huerta on her 95th birthday through guest introductions and celebratory remarks, then moved through several bills and resolutions. AB 471 on air district board compensation, AB 677 on pupil records and access to screenings for housing-insecure students, ACR 31 designating California Public Safety Telecommunications Week, and AB 1150 on airport customer facility charges all passed. HR 30 recognizing Khmer New Year also was adopted with broad support.
The most contentious policy action was AB 100, the early action budget bill. Supporters said it provided funding for wildfire prevention, hospital payments, Medi-Cal, and recovery in Los Angeles fire areas, while opponents criticized the bill for health care spending and high-speed rail. After a failed attempt by Assembly Member DeMaio to amend the bill and an unsuccessful appeal of the chair, the Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments and sent AB 100 to the Governor. The day ended with consent calendar approvals and adjournments in memory for several community members, including Larkin Carol Wells, Carmen O. Perez, and Oscar B. Ramos.