Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of good work is already happening at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and I've spent
• It ranges from physics to engineering, to material science, to magnet technology.
• That seems to be the new interesting technology, or it's nuclear technology that's smaller, easier to
• ... ...the new interesting technology, or it's nuclear technology that's smaller, easier to site.
• But especially when we're dealing with nuclear technology. So SMRs are small modular reactors.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a broad set of climate, energy, and environmental justice proposals. Early testimony strongly supported the Climate Change Superfund or “Polluter Pays” bill (H.1014/S.58), which would assess the largest fossil fuel emitters for a one-time fee based on historic emissions to fund climate adaptation. Sponsors argued the bill is modeled on Superfund cleanup principles, would target only the largest multinational polluters, would not be passed on to consumers, and would direct a significant share of funds to environmental justice communities. Committee members asked about the number of companies covered, consumer impacts, and whether the bill would address other forms of environmental destruction; sponsors said it was limited to major fossil fuel companies with a Massachusetts footprint and did not cover other pollution sources. The committee also heard testimony on a fusion energy compact proposal (S.673) that would direct the administration to develop a framework for a New England regional compact to accelerate fusion research, workforce development, and supply-chain growth. Supporters from MIT and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities said fusion could become a major clean-energy and economic opportunity, but acknowledged the technology is not yet commercially viable and still has unresolved technical, cost, and waste-management questions. Members pressed on environmental impacts, siting, waste, costs, and whether the bill would create a compact or only a framework; sponsors said it would only create the framework and that the administration would need to negotiate with other states. Another major topic was a pilot program for nature-based climate solutions (H.971/S.??), backed by legislators, Boston Harbor Now, and UMass Boston’s Stone Living Lab. Witnesses said the bill would help speed permits for research and demonstration projects such as living shorelines, marsh restoration, and hybrid “green-to-gray” flood protections, while maintaining safeguards and protecting Indigenous and historic resources. Committee members asked how the proposal would interact with other permitting reforms and whether it could conflict with housing or wetland-related streamlining; supporters said it was complementary and aimed at making projects faster, more affordable, and more data-driven. The hearing also covered climate-safe buildings and climate adaptation funding bills. Supporters of H.1004/S.583 said current building codes do not adequately account for future flooding, heat, and wind, and the bill would add climate expertise to the building board, allow stretch resilience codes, expand floodplain standards, and create a retrofit program. Related testimony backed H.938/S.572, which would create a dedicated climate and community resilience fund financed by a small fee on property insurance premiums; advocates said it would provide stable long-term revenue for adaptation, especially in environmental justice communities, and help replace unreliable federal funding. One witness from CLF supported the climate-safe buildings and funding bills but opposed S.560/H.939 as too broad. The committee also heard testimony on airport air-quality legislation (H.997) calling for more monitoring and mitigation of ultra-fine particulate pollution around Logan Airport and Massport communities. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we're seeing this technology really advance, and it's really exciting to see what's on the horizon
• Let's let technologies move forward. We are committed to collective problem-solving.
• They test and they run a lot of different technologies. This is the actual sort of routes of...
• We are all in terms of technology.
• And surprisingly, the technology has advanced tremendously.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure focused on California’s EV market, charging infrastructure, and the effects of recent federal actions. The chair opened by emphasizing California’s progress on EV adoption and charging reliability, but also noted ongoing challenges with affordability, access, interoperability, heavy-duty electrification, and federal headwinds. She highlighted interest in technologies such as inductive charging and thanked host organizations and staff before moving to the first panel. State agency witnesses from Go-Biz, CARB, and the California Energy Commission described current programs and priorities. Go-Biz outlined its role in coordinating agencies, supporting permitting, and advancing the state’s ZEV market development strategy and equity action plan. CARB discussed federal attacks on its clean vehicle regulations, litigation to defend waiver authority, and the importance of incentives and regulatory programs such as Advanced Clean Trucks, Advanced Clean Fleets, Clean Truck Check, HVIP, and Clean Cars for All. The CEC detailed its funding and regulatory work on charging and fueling infrastructure, charger reliability, payment methods, roaming, and statewide planning, while stressing the need for more charging in multifamily housing and more public DC fast charging. All three agencies said federal rollbacks and permitting delays are major obstacles, but that California remains committed to expanding ZEV adoption. The second panel featured advocates, local government, utility, and research perspectives. CalETC urged continuous state funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and emphasized the low-carbon fuel standard, multifamily charging, and managed charging. An EV advocacy group proposed a conquest-style state incentive for new and used EV buyers and argued that multifamily housing is a major untapped market, while also favoring Level 2 charging over Level 1 for most home and apartment settings. Los Angeles County and LADWP described large-scale local deployment of chargers, fleet electrification, workforce training, and the need for sustained funding, agency coordination, and streamlined permitting and grid interconnection. UCS recommended prioritizing replacement of older high-emitting vehicles, using fuel policy revenues to support cleaner cars, and expanding bidirectional charging. The chair closed by asking for more discussion on Level 1 versus Level 2 charging and noted the importance of education, affordability, and practical deployment strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is technology use in the field.
• The technology is coming.
• And then there's a similar technology.
• infrared technology or not. infrared technology or not.
• using technology for driver's education. using technology for driver's education.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also value the strong economic relationship between Arizona and Israel, particularly in water technology
• We also value the strong economic relationship between Arizona and Israel, particularly in water technology
• , innovation, and trade ties. particularly in water technology, innovation, and trade ties that benefit
• Speaker Pro Tem, the Committee on Science and Technology will not be meeting.
• The Committee on Science and Technology will not be meeting. Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened for a floor session with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recorded attendance at 56 present, with two absent and two excused. The Speaker announced temporary committee replacements, and the clerk listed a large slate of bills and measures on second reading, including topics such as child support, water and land issues, abortion, wildlife management, sovereign authority, attorney general powers, housing and homeowners associations, criminal justice, emergency services, education, appropriations, and several memorials and resolutions. The session also featured introductions of the Doctor of the Day, Dr. A.J. Batnagar, and several guests, including tribal leaders from the Tohono O'odham Nation and Cocopah tribe, and Israel’s Consul General Israel Bashar. During personal privilege remarks, Representative Alma Hernandez criticized a lobbyist for alleged harassment and inappropriate campaign-related conduct in committee and in her district, while another member spoke about tribal visitors and cooperation among Arizona’s tribes. No legislation was debated or voted on during the excerpt beyond routine procedural actions. Committee and caucus announcements followed, including notices that Appropriations would not meet as scheduled but would hold a special meeting, along with cancellations for several other committees and a special joint Ways and Means meeting. The House then received Senate messages, announced the Rules Committee and caucus meetings for the next day, and adjourned on a motion until 10 a.m. Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an instructor at NDSCS for architectural modeling and design technology.
• In third place, Zane Schumacher in diesel equipment technology.
• It’s health information technology; it’s medical coding and stuff. So that makes sense.
• I was involved with the research and technology park at NDSU and have participation here.
• Staying on top of technology and creating programs in emerging industries is an easy work.

Summary: The committee reconvened at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Dr. Flanagan and college leaders about NDSCS’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce training, and facilities needs. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, growing enrollment, and new or expanding programs in aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker training, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also emphasized the college’s partnerships with industry, including John Deere, Fargo Jet Center, Sanford, and Comdel Innovation, and said NDSCS plans to seek approval next session for a revenue bond to build a new dorm and to remodel the library into academic and allied health space. Allied health dean Deb Smith testified that her division is at capacity and needs a simulation center, more lab and classroom space, and expanded dental and OTA facilities to meet demand and accreditation needs. Committee members questioned Flanagan and staff about workforce shortages, especially faculty pay, and whether the college can staff additional growth. Flanagan said the biggest challenge is recruiting instructors because industry pays more, but noted some health care and adjunct hiring is possible because of schedule flexibility and benefits. He also discussed shifting resources away from lower-demand programs like power sports toward higher-demand areas such as automotive and aviation maintenance. Members also asked about the college’s identity as a technical institution, with Flanagan arguing North Dakota would benefit from a more defined tech-school system. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs across subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, noting that dual credit and early entry account for about 5.9% of total credit hours and 2.7% of formula funding. The analysis showed subsidized dual credit tuition revenue of about $5.5 million and unsubsidized revenue of about $2.9 million, with some institutions showing margins and others losses depending on the model. Members discussed whether K-12 funding should also be reflected, how payments to high schools and teachers are structured, and whether tuition-free dual credit would require replacing both tuition revenue and the current dual credit scholarship. No votes were taken; the committee simply received the presentations and discussed the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an instructor at NDSCS for architectural modeling and design technology.
• In third place, Zane Schumacher in diesel equipment technology.
• It’s health information technology; it’s medical coding and stuff. So that makes sense.
• I was involved with the research and technology park at NDSU and have participation here.
• Staying on top of technology and creating programs in emerging industries is not easy work.

Summary: The committee met at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Flanagan and campus leaders on the college’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce programs, facilities needs, and industry partnerships. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, the college’s strategic plan, and new or expanding programs such as aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also described the need for a new dorm and a remodel of the library into academic and allied health space, including a simulation center, to address capacity limits and support growth. Several committee members asked about program demand, faculty recruitment, pay competitiveness, and how the college shifts resources from lower-demand programs to high-demand ones. Industry partner Jim Albright of Comdell testified that the college has been essential to the local manufacturing workforce and that many employees and interns come from NDSCS. A major topic was dual credit. Flanagan said dual credit is important but financially challenging, noting that only a small share of dual credit students ultimately matriculate to NDSCS and that the college’s dual credit model is close to break-even. He explained that many dual credit credits are general education rather than CTE, and that the college pays instructors, supports high schools, and absorbs indirect costs. Williston State College President Bernal Herning added that his institution loses money on the front end but has shifted toward helping students complete associate degrees before high school graduation because many go directly to work after high school. Committee members questioned how dual credit is delivered, how instructors are qualified, and whether students are truly doing college-level work. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit statewide. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs and said the analysis shows dual credit is not profitable at several institutions once tuition, instructor payments, and overhead are included. Members asked how much of the cost is borne by students, families, and the state, and whether K-12 funding should also be considered. Discussion also covered the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, payments to high school teachers or schools, and the possibility of waiving tuition in the future. No votes were taken, and the committee mainly gathered information for the ongoing dual credit cost study.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal is to take our strategic plan and implement it, which will fuel technology and engineering to
• We're the workforce in... ...really for agriculture technology.
• We need technology in there. And this is so exciting.
• Technology. Technology indeed.” “Yes, okay. Yes, we hear you now.
• Second, leveraging my experience in growth, marketing, and technology to help you.

Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So synthetic media technology can include AI behind it, but it doesn't have to.
• , not just AI-based synthetic media technology.
• so that non AI software is technology so that non AI software is covered<03:12:52.880> as<03:
• media technology and with the synthetic media technology and with the chair's<03:13:09.800> permission
• HB 630-FN recognizes these realities by defining synthetic media technology to include any digital technology

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the technology changes so fast.
• And again, our suggestion is this more in rules and regulations than statute because this technology
• Technology.
• Digital Innovation Technology, and Digital Innovation Technology.<01:29:13.440> I'm<01:29:13.640
• I'm here to advocate for Technology. I'm here to advocate for this<01:29:15.040> bill.

Bills: HB0098, HB0075, HB0041, HB0101

Keywords: gun control, Second Amendment, constitutional rights, misdemeanor, law enforcement, virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management

Transcript Highlights:

• He adds that the company also sells heat pumps and other water-heating technologies, including solar
• He concludes by saying his suggested amendment is that if the two technologies are mandated equally,
• He asks that the bill not be eliminated, but that any water-heating technology mandated be brought up
• <01:26:15.440> including um water heating Technologies including um water heating Technologies
• most efficient water heating technology most efficient water heating technology that's<01:28:00.320

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on several bills. HB 576, relating to restrictions on the transfer of real property under chapter 201H, drew support from HHFDC and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, which said the bill would waive transfer restrictions that conflict with DHHL’s program implementation. HB 421, relating to contractors, drew opposition from the Contractors License Board and DCCA/RICO, who said the measure would weaken owner-builder restrictions meant to prevent circumvention of contractor licensing laws; Hawaii Roter and the Grassroot Institute supported it. Members questioned whether the bill would still bar resale within a year and whether subcontractors would still need licenses. HB 367, relating to building permits, received support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Grassroot Institute, with comments from DLNR; testimony urged the bill to be expanded to include zoning permits as well as building permits to avoid confusion, especially on Kauaʻi. HB 826, relating to housing, received mixed testimony. HHFDC and several local and advocacy groups supported it, while the Sierra Club raised concerns about converting agricultural lands to residential use, possible impacts on food security, property values, taxes, and the need to account for public trust and traditional practices. HB 525 also drew support from HHFDC and three individuals, with no opposition noted. HB 252, relating to managing agents, was supported by the Hawaiʻi Council of Community Associations and opposed by the Community Associations Institute and several individuals, who argued that commercial management experience is not the same as condominium management and preferred language tied to industry certifications and a later effective date. HB 709, relating to trespassing, was opposed by the Honolulu Police Department, which said officers would have difficulty verifying ownership or tenancy in the field, that the bill could require a separate enforcement team, and that the sheriff’s division is better suited to handle evictions. Hawaiʻi Realtors and the Grassroot Institute supported the measure. Finally, HB 431 HD1, relating to housing, received broad support from the Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities, HHFDC, DHS, the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions, OHA, county housing offices, and multiple nonprofit and political groups. Supporters emphasized the bill’s funding for housing and supportive services, with the homelessness office describing the measure as unprecedented and saying it could help the state cut homelessness in half over the next few years.

Transcript Highlights:

• > or specific technology advancements or specific technology advancements or projects<00:03:15.599
• <00:09:58.320> that's Is there anything any technology that's Is there anything any technology
• The company that we work with brings a lot of technological enhancements.
• <01:47:32.000> The real world technologies nowadays.
• The real world technologies nowadays.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:27 Legislative Research Commission 00:01:15 KentuckyWired Operations Company 00:17:30 Wireless Internet Service Providers Association 00:40:15 Administrative Office of the Courts 01:08:55 Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts 01:33:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the July 9 minutes without objection and heard from Jay Hartz and Jonathan Harris of the Legislative Research Commission. Members asked about Capitol and legislator security in light of recent targeted shootings in other states. Hartz said LRC had removed members’ home addresses from its website, was reviewing other state-government records for similar information, and was working with the Speaker, Senate President, Kentucky State Police, and outside security experts on broader safety measures. He also said LRC is exploring commercial products to help block personal contact information from public view, but declined to name vendors publicly. Harris added that driver’s license scans at the Capitol are handled by Kentucky State Police, while LRC has a process for flagging high-volume or concerning contacts for police review. The LRC also reported that redistricting work has already begun, with census coordination underway, evaluation of redistricting software including Mapitude and open-source tools, and plans to make the same tools available to the public in the LRC library. The committee then heard from Kentucky Wired Operations Company CEO Robert Morphonius, COO Tom Snyder, and counsel Patrick Hughes about the Kentucky Wired network. They explained the corporate structure: Kentucky Wired Operations Company is a private for-profit special purpose entity that designs, builds, operates, and maintains the network; Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Company is a nonprofit instrumentality used for financing; and Open Fiber Kentucky handles commercialization of excess capacity under a wholesale agreement. They said Kentucky Wired Operations is in the operations and maintenance phase, with those obligations continuing until 2045, and that technical changes to the network generally require KCNA approval through formal change-order processes. They also said the company conducted a market test in June 2023 under Schedule 19 of its contract, considered proposals including Open Fiber and the incumbent service provider, and retained the existing provider. Members asked about KCNA’s role, procurement, network customers, and revenue. The witnesses said Quac operates outside normal state procurement because its process is governed by contract, while KCNA acts as the Commonwealth’s oversight authority and filter for changes. They identified current network users as including AOC, KCTCS, postsecondary education, and other Commonwealth agencies, with all requests routed through KCNA; they also said a separate change process for Exceliccom is in litigation. On funding, they said the operation is paid through monthly appropriations, with roughly a million dollars a month for the service provider and a couple hundred thousand for Quac’s oversight, not including debt service, which is bundled into the availability payment. The discussion ended as members began asking about responsibility for damage-related costs such as squirrel-related outages.

Transcript Highlights:

• Personnel Information Technology Personnel Information Technology infrastructure<00:18:58.760>
• which then moves and the technology which then moves forward<00:47:32.480> to<00:47:32.720>
• ready in five six years the technology ready in five six years going<00:48:10.359> forward<00
• <00:48:26.160> and that Innovation and Technologies and that Innovation and Technologies and
• Then that technology can move out into the public, either in small startup businesses or be taken over

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is certainly new technology for a lot of folks, especially our elderly people who might fall
• And this is certainly new technology for a lot of folks, especially our elderly people who might fall
• And this is certainly new technology of.
• And this is certainly new technology for<00:14:04.959> a<00:14:05.120> lot<00:14:05.199
• so, uh, SB 330 is really a technology bill<00:37:37.359> where<00:37:38.560> Senator<00

Bills: HB303, SB360, SB325, HB477, SB329, HB381, SB330

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• New Mexico, as you well know, has a deep, rich history of technological research and innovation, and
• We're looking at our companies and looking at our technologies and what's coming out of the labs and
• In addition to research and development, we're also seeing actual deployment of some of these technologies
• For example, there are a limited number of people nationwide who are experts in nuclear fusion technology
• It looks like they're all really in a new technologies kind of sector.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, people, process, technology is one lens you can take.
• Um, you know, the slides technology.
• The technology is one lens you can take.
• We we technology is the brains, right?
• <01:18:49.520> behind really understands the technology behind really understands the technology

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that we need to um append to technology that we need to um append to our<00:35:51.079> system
• They would have to append some sort of technology on top of that or build something, and their current
• have to append some sort of Technology have to append some sort of Technology on<00:37:12.040>
• Again, there's a loss of revenue to DVS and the operating and technology accounts on lines 3.8 to 3.11
• I don't know whether technology will help the DMV to a large degree, but I say it should be a benefit

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1012 does not create a new regulatory scheme for every new technology.
• Senate Bill 1012 does not create a new regulatory scheme for every new technology.
• We can welcome new technology and still require honesty.
• AFP’s position on this is that while accountability should remain with the person using the AI technology
• , and not necessarily with the technology itself, this goes a little too far, as far as we’re concerned

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was some confusing technical aspects from some of our technology companies about, well, do you
• You had to make it a lot more clear for a technology company to understand what they had to do.
• You had to made a lot more clear<00:10:28.240> for<00:10:28.399> a<00:10:28.560> technology
• <00:10:28.959> company<00:10:29.120> to clear for a technology company to clear for
• a technology company to understand<00:10:29.519> what<00:10:29.680> they<00:10:29.839>

Bills: HB351, HB351

Keywords: ad valorem tax, road funding, local government, referendum, Choctaw County, data privacy, consumer rights, personal data, data protection, Alabama Personal Data Protection Act, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the approved project plan that are needed to further implement and support the new information technology
• developed utilizing an application that, in present day, is running on obsolete and unsupported technology
• and security issues for the department and challenges the ability to find qualified information technology
• The current technology has evolved significantly since the system was created, thus integration of the
• legacy system with the current and future technology and possibly third-party systems is impractical

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration heard a series of budget proposals and informational items, beginning with the Department of Housing and Community Development’s HCD Connect system. HCD requested permanent authority for seven existing temporary positions to maintain and expand the system, and also sought funding and positions to implement eight 2025 housing-related bills. Members asked about how HCD Connect will interact with programs moving to the new Housing Development Finance Committee and about the revised implementation cost for AB 1053, which HCD said had dropped from about $6 million to $1.9 million because of shared infrastructure with HDFC and CalHFA. The committee also heard Cal ICH’s request for $339,000 to implement AB 678 on LGBTQ+ inclusive and culturally competent homelessness services, with testimony emphasizing the need for better data and training for a population disproportionately affected by homelessness and discrimination. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation presented three continuation proposals: funding for the California Consumer Financial Protection Law program, the Debt Collector Licensing Act program, and the broker-dealer/investment adviser continuing education program. Members and public commenters focused heavily on the debt collector licensing fees, the number of licensees, and whether assessments were too high compared with other states; DFPI explained that fees are set on a pro rata basis tied to net proceeds and that the workload remains substantial. Public testimony also supported DFPI’s student loan assistance work and raised a separate request for franchise broker registration funding. The committee then took up a mandate suspension item, voting to suspend a new disclosure mandate related to deferred property taxation, and heard trailer bill language from the Department of Finance on AB 91/MENA data collection, aimed at protecting federal funding, ensuring non-disclosure, and allowing more time for implementation. The Secretary of State presented Help America Vote Act funding for VoteCal and the HAVA spending plan, as well as the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS), the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project (NAP 2.0), and AB 1392 on confidential voter registration for elected officials and candidates. Members asked about project costs, timelines, user testing, and data migration; the Secretary of State said VoteCal funds would be exhausted in 2027–28, CARS is targeted for completion by November 2026, and AB 1392 would require system modifications and new confidentiality procedures. The committee also heard an informational overview from the California Arts Council, which described its 50th anniversary, the economic impact of arts funding, and the cultural districts program; public testimony strongly urged increasing Arts Council grant funding from $24 million to $50 million and adding support for cultural districts. Throughout the hearing, the committee took multiple vote-only actions approving the items before it, with votes recorded on the HCD, Cal ICH, DFPI, HAVA, CARS, NAP 2.0, and AB 1392 proposals, while some items were held open or discussed without a quorum at earlier points in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then last but not least is our new technology integration, as I like to call it.
• How can we, as the lead state agency for that activity, implement technologies to support the testing
• And this isn't just cool research and technology. It is cool research and technology.
• They met a person that was very technologically savvy when it came to 3D printing, and they started buying
• and their technology STEM programs.

Keywords: 914, all