Transcript Highlights:

• This bill repeals the sales and use tax exemption for computer data center equipment.
• This bill repeals the sales and use tax exemption for computer data center equipment.
• million of perks, they can certainly afford to pay 6% sales tax on their equipment and on their computers

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests, including the Civil Air Patrol Pennsylvania Wing Cadet Color Guard, district office staff, and a guest page. A quorum was established with 202 members voting on the master roll. The chamber also noted that Deputy Sergeant Hopkins is retiring after three years of service, and several committee meetings were announced for later in the day. The main floor action was on House Bill 2198, which repeals the sales and use tax exemption for computer data center equipment. Supporters argued the exemption is no longer needed because data centers are large, profitable companies that should pay their share, and cited a projected future cost to the Commonwealth of about $517 million annually. Members in favor also said data centers place heavy burdens on local water, land, and electricity resources and should not receive taxpayer subsidies. Opponents argued the bill conflicted with broader data center policy discussions and that the House was moving too quickly after passing related infrastructure legislation the day before. After debate, the House took a recorded final vote and passed House Bill 2198 by a vote of 197-5. The bill was sent to the Senate for concurrence. The House then moved several bills from the table calendar to the active calendar and adjourned until Friday, June 26, 2026, at 12 noon unless recalled sooner by the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• And here's what I've decided: there are people who are concerned about AI and the computers and the machines
• Again, people being afraid of the computers taking over the world.
• Again, people being afraid of the computers taking over the world.

Summary: The Information Technology Budget and Policy Subcommittee met to consider House Bill 369, relating to digital content provenance and AI-generated images, sponsored by Representative McFarland. McFarland explained that the bill is intended to address concerns about people being misled by AI-generated content, especially on social media, by preserving digital provenance data or watermark-like signatures attached to AI images. He said the measure is meant to support transparency without stifling innovation. A strike-all amendment was adopted that narrowed the bill in response to industry feedback. It removed an initial pilot program for the Division of Emergency Management, deleted provisions dealing with AI in elections, tightened definitions, and delayed the effective date to July 2026. Members asked about user control over provenance data, whether the data could include personal information, and how enforcement would work. McFarland said users may add extra information but are not required to, and that enforcement would begin with a complaint to the Attorney General, followed by notice and a 30-day cure period before possible action under the Fair, Unfair, and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Public testimony included support from an artist advocate, who said AI transparency is needed to protect creators, and support statements from Adobe and Comcast. TechNet appeared for information only and said it appreciated the changes, including the removal of the capture device, the 30-day cure period, and the delayed effective date. The amendment was adopted, and HB 369 was then reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. After the bill, the chair presented the subcommittee’s recommended 2025-2026 IT budget, totaling $528 million, including $146.5 million in general revenue and $382.2 million in trust funds. The proposal reflected a roughly 13% decrease from the prior year and emphasized funding for major ongoing projects such as the PALM/FLAIR replacement, the AHCA FX program, the Department of Revenue’s CAMS modernization, and the APD I-Connect system. No questions were raised, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• But second of all, by mandating computer testing, it increased our infrastructure cost, and it still
• Research shows that students score higher on paper tests compared to computer-based versions because
• In our setting, a third grader who understands the material well may struggle on a computer-based test
• But say if the school district wants to stay with computers but there are students that want to go paper
• If this gets passed into law, those that actually do paper testing versus computer will be interesting

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2266, which would change school release-time policy for religious instruction from permissive to mandatory for school districts and charter governing bodies. The sponsor and supporters said the bill protects parental choice, religious liberty, and constitutional release-time programs, while opponents argued it would reduce local control, pull students from instructional time, and expose schools to constitutional and social harms. After public testimony and debate over liability, indoctrination, and academic impact, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2266 a due pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 2193, a cleanup measure related to student directory information and parent organizations. The bill would allow parents of enrolled students or representatives of nonprofit organizations supporting a school to receive directory information unless a parent or eligible student opts out. Supporters from PTO/PTA groups said the change is needed so parent organizations can continue communicating with families and building school community, while members raised concerns about whether the language should be narrowed to avoid political or other misuse of student data. The sponsor said he was open to an amendment, and the committee approved HB 2193 on a 10-1 vote, with one member present. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2075, which would require public school districts to submit superintendent and other top administrator contracts or attestations to ADE and create a searchable online database of compensation details, including salary, benefits, and car allowances. The sponsor described it as a transparency measure, and the committee discussed an amendment to add more specific filing deadlines and the online database requirement. Opponents from school administrators and rural districts argued that superintendent salaries are already public, that the bill should also apply to charter and private schools receiving public funds, and that it could add burdens or distort comparisons across different public-sector labor markets. Supporters said the bill would make total compensation easier to access and reduce public records requests. The sponsor closed by saying the bill would centralize compensation information and simplify disclosure for districts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee, and it's Representative Trish Burns that has a bill taking away technology and taking away computers
• They're investing heavily in technology in terms of Chromebooks, computers, and computer technology staff
• That's... ...and computer technology staff members to assist with this. That's the direction.

Committee: House Higher Education and Workforce Development

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education and Workforce Development heard House Bill 3359, presented by Rep. Travis Wilson on behalf of Rep. Riggs. The bill would create a state income tax credit for donations to registered school robotics/STEAM programs, including cash, equipment, software, materials, and certain employee volunteer hours. The proposal was described as a 20% credit, capped at $10 million annually beginning in tax year 2027, with a six-year sunset. Committee members raised questions about whether the credit applies to individuals or businesses, how volunteer hours would be valued, whether the bill should be limited to qualified coaches or employees rather than parents or general volunteers, which state agency would administer reporting, and whether the 20% rate should be higher. Rep. Wilson said he was open to clarifying amendments and noted the bill sponsor would need to weigh changes. The bill’s student author and witness, Sarah Waldron, a Westminster Christian Academy senior and robotics team CEO, testified in support. She said the bill was intended to help Missouri schools, especially under-resourced ones, access funding for robotics programs and argued that the credit would leverage private donations into student opportunities and workforce development. She clarified that the volunteer-hour provision was meant for business employees, not individual volunteers, and said she had drafted an amendment to provide higher credits for schools with higher free-and-reduced-lunch percentages. Several committee members praised her work and discussed the need to target aid toward schools with fewer resources. Arne C. A.C. Dinoff, State Public Advocate, testified in opposition. He praised the student’s initiative but argued the state could not afford another tax credit given budget deficits and said volunteerism should not be tied to a fiscal reward. He also questioned the fiscal note and said robotics support should be handled locally rather than through a state tax credit. No vote was taken, and the chair concluded the hearing after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Personal computers and tablets under $1,500 would also be exempt.
• Personal computers and tablets under $1,500 would also be exempt.
• This bill provides that unless a computer data center received a sales and use tax exemption certificate
• The computer data center equipment...
• to locate to Pennsylvania by exempting computer data center equipment from sales and use tax when it's

Transcript Highlights:

• Aidan Downey with the Computer and Communications Industry Association, in opposition.
• I'm here on behalf of the Computer and Communications Industry Association.
• Aidan Downey with the Computer and Communications Industry Association, in opposition. Thank you.
• Aiden Downey with the Computer and Communications Industry Association and Opposition. Thank you.
• They were all computer-generated.

Committee: Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Previously, they were making about 70,000 Dell computers a day.
• C and C operators were using computers to make, you know, your products.
• The output is compute, right? So while the input is dramatically, whatever, 95% lower.
• The compute output is, I mean, a thousand X.
• Certainly today, for every electron going in, we're getting more compute out.

Transcript Highlights:

• computers are deeply embedded in voter computers are deeply embedded in voter registration<01:49:17.199
• science, but actually I've been in computer science since 1974.
• I have EECS, electrical engineering and computer science degrees from Princeton and MIT.
• I say all this because I have a background in computer science.
• </c> um as as I understand it the uh computer um as as I understand it the uh computer that<03:39:52.120

Committee: House Election Law

Transcript Highlights:

• is already a core driver of New Mexico's economy, particularly in aerospace, advanced energy, and computing
• the physical infrastructure but if you think about it in the context again of quantum many quantum computing
• is that more and more companies that we believe are in our core sectors of opportunity advanced computes
• If you think about a quantum computing system and testbed, those are larger capital infrastructure pieces
• companies again along those key target sectors that we've discussed around advanced energy, advanced computing

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a privately funded industrial computing facility that's fully behind the meter.
• It's a privately funded industrial computing facility that's fully behind the meter.
• If the U.S. is going to continue to compete globally in artificial intelligence and advanced computing
• If the U.S. is going to continue to compete globally in artificial intelligence and advanced computing
• We need huge amounts of computing to make sure that our military keeps us safe and secure.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard and voted on several bills. SB 986 would prohibit smoking or vaping marijuana in public places and also restrict smoking in rooms and bars; the sponsor said it is intended to protect public health and outdoor spaces, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the goal but raised concerns about impacts on designated smoking areas, and cannabis advocates warned about unintended effects on patients and property rights. The committee reported SB 986 favorably. The committee also passed SB 678, which restores statutory authority for DBPR’s long-standing rule allowing alcohol distributors to deduct unsellable alcohol from monthly excise taxes; a strike-all amendment was adopted, including retroactive application to January 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 800, which increases penalties for repeat unlicensed engineering practice and creates an engineering student loan assistance program for engineers working for state agencies and water management districts, was amended and reported favorably as well. Members then considered SB 408 on vaccine advertising and liability. The sponsor argued the bill would address declining public trust in vaccines by allowing claims against manufacturers that advertise in Florida, while opponents said the measure is preempted by federal law, raises First Amendment concerns, and would create unnecessary litigation. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee reported SB 408 favorably. The committee also heard SB 484 on data centers, which would set PSC tariff requirements so large load customers pay their own costs, preserve local planning authority, and limit water permits for large data centers; testimony was mixed, with supporters emphasizing ratepayer protections and economic benefits and critics warning about overregulation and confidentiality limits. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved SB 1118, which creates a time-limited public records exemption for certain data center development information held by local governments, after the sponsor said it was meant to prevent extended NDAs while still allowing local notice and input. SB 1050, requiring veterinarians to provide written prescriptions so pet owners can choose their pharmacy, was also reported favorably. The meeting ended after several members recorded votes on bills they had missed.

Transcript Highlights:

• systems enhancement, well, five different projects for different things, but it's all computer related
• systems enhancement in well five different projects for different things but it's all computer related
• We'll let you get the computer set up, and we'll go from there. Okay, Ms. Rodriguez, Ms.
• We'll let you get the computer set up, and we'll go from there.
• Facility improvements or IT requests, hardware and software, small things like purchasing computers and

Summary: The Department of Public Safety presented its FY27 budget request, emphasizing three priorities: improving community engagement through a redesigned website and outreach, expanding statewide data and intelligence integration through intelligence-led policing, and improving emergency response and officer safety through fleet replacement, a driving track, and a requested helicopter. DPS said much of its increase is driven by rising health care premiums, and it is also seeking special appropriations for fleet replacement, the website rebuild, and an Honor Guard program created after the 2022 helicopter crash that killed four public servants. Members asked about vacancies, fleet costs, cybersecurity compliance, the real-time crime center, EV fleet participation, and the Metro DPS facility. DPS said its vacancy rate is about 9%, its fleet replacement needs are driven by mileage and condition, it is compliant with federal CJIS standards even though DoIT has raised concerns, the real-time crime center would be built as a regional model to complement Albuquerque’s center, and the Metro facility is moving toward a January groundbreaking. Committee members also discussed several DPS-related capital and IT requests, including the intelligence-led policing data lake, recurring maintenance for critical systems, and a $5.6 million reauthorization for state crime lab DNA backlog work and a $900,000 reauthorization for fingerprinting equipment. DPS explained that the website request is high because the current site must be rebuilt from scratch to support missing-person alerts, memorial updates, ADA compliance, and better communication with law enforcement and the public. Members also raised concerns about speed enforcement, construction-zone cameras, and whether EVs are practical for patrol use; DPS said it is not pursuing speed cameras and is only partially participating in the state EV initiative because patrol needs make full electrification difficult. The committee then received an LFC quarterly update on non-recurring appropriations from the 2025 General Appropriation Act. LFC reported that of the $1.4 billion appropriated in Section 5, $164 million had been expended and $333 million encumbered, leaving $897.4 million unspent, which is a slower pace than the prior year. Staff highlighted a number of reauthorization requests and slow-moving projects across agencies, including AOC cybersecurity funding, DFA housing and public safety grants, DoIT cybersecurity and higher education funds, EDD economic development and energy programs, OSI mitigation and malpractice funds, EMNRD energy and geothermal grants, Health Care Authority behavioral health-related appropriations, DPS crime lab and fingerprinting funds, PED career technical education and special education initiatives, and higher education loan repayment and technology funds. Members questioned why some large appropriations had little or no spending, discussed the need to monitor reauthorizations more closely, and asked for follow-up on several specific line items and project balances.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and part of my job is using everybody using a computer. I have to go on the internet.
• I have to go everybody using a computer.
• This person may be a<00:55:58.760><c> computer</c><00:55:59.200><c> specialist.
• That's what they a computer specialist. That's what they do. do. do.
• </c><00:57:12.800><c> and</c> going to let them have the computer and going to let them have the computer

Bills: SB118 , SB203 , HB420 , HB414 , HB363 , HB405 , HB261 , HB263 , HB327 , HB348 , SB118 , SB203 , HB420 , HB414 , HB363 , HB405 , HB261 , HB263 , HB327 , HB348 , HB228 , HB282 , SB273 , HB7 , SB296 , SB199 , SB47 , SB204 , HB80 , HB11 , HB192 , HB228 , HB282 , SB273 , HB7 , SB296 , SB199 , SB47 , SB204 , HB80 , HB11 , HB192

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: bail, offenses, constitutional amendment, criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety, dental insurance, medical loss ratio, premium regulation, insurance commissioner, rebate, consumer protection, Baldwin County, local bill, education funding, school tax, privilege license tax, county tax revenue, municipal school board, Baldwin County Board of Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, it looks like your computer is on mute. If you could...
• Yeah, it looks like your computer is on mute.
• Would it be possible to skip me just so I can get inside and set up my computer? Yeah, absolutely.
• Possible to skip me just so I can get inside and set up my computer rather than be walking around.
• Is it on your computer? Is there a mute? Yeah, is it on your computer? Is there a mute?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis held a hearing on a package of cannabis bills focused on equity funding, delivery expansion, advertising restrictions, medical use, first responders, and ownership limits. Testimony strongly supported S. 87/H. 184 to direct a larger share of cannabis revenue into the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund and related equity programs, with speakers arguing the current funding is insufficient and that automatic transfers would better support businesses and communities harmed by the war on drugs. Several witnesses also backed H. 145/S. 89 to allow licensed cannabis delivery into municipalities that ban retail sales and to hotels, saying current rules unfairly limit social equity delivery operators and consumer access. There was also support for H. 176 on medical cannabis eligibility and S. 76 on cannabis use by first responders, while H. 177/H. 178 on new taxes drew opposition from several business owners who said the industry is already heavily burdened and overtaxed. A major point of debate was S. 94/H. 157, which would prohibit billboard advertising for non-prescription marijuana. Public health advocates, parents, and neuroscientists argued that cannabis billboards normalize use, are seen by youth, and are difficult to regulate effectively under the current 85% adult-audience standard. They urged a public health approach similar to tobacco restrictions. In contrast, several industry witnesses opposed further advertising limits, saying cannabis businesses already face strict marketing rules, billboards are privately owned, and additional restrictions would hurt small operators and raise First Amendment concerns. Some witnesses also criticized the proposed increase in ownership caps and consolidation provisions in the broader cannabis bill, warning they would favor large multistate companies over small and social equity businesses. Committee members asked questions about billboard ownership, enforcement of the current advertising rules, and the legal basis for restricting sign content. Witnesses and members also discussed the Cannabis Control Commission’s role, the difficulty of enforcing audience-composition standards, and whether delivery should be treated more like alcohol. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Really, the only thing on here is a high-end laptop computer. There's very little in here.
• This is just the $25,800 from dedicated funds to replace laptops and computers. $25,800 from dedicated
• funds to replace laptops and computers.
• to replace laptops, computers.
• This is an enhancement budget for the Public Utilities Commission: $35,400 one time for 19 computers

Transcript Highlights:

• Our computer is sometimes working today.
• Our computer is sometimes working today that gives us your names.
• Oh, we've been having some trouble with their computers, so I don't know that we're going to get the
• I’m having a little trouble with the computer again, but Veronica Bays? Thank you.
• I’m having a little trouble with the computer again, but Veronica Baez.

Committee: House Judiciary, Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• So just if this helps at all, the definition under 480, information system means any computer equipment
• , computer software, procedures, or technology used to communicate, collect, process, distribute, or
• Under NRS 242, information system means any communications or computer equipment, software, firmware,

Bills: SB156 , SB467

Committee: Assembly Government Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• , and each computer is called a node.
• We’re hearing a lot about AI requiring big computers to operate.
• </c><03:29:50.080><c> in</c> requires you know similar computation in requires you know similar computation
• , to pull it off just like your computer at home needs a fan, yeah.
• It's a computer science problem that has been solved once, was never solved before.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on House Bill 552, which would remove the “full-time student” requirement for children ages 19 to 25 covered under the state retiree health insurance plan. The prime sponsor said the change would align retiree coverage with state employee and ACA plans, would not cost taxpayers because retirees pay the premiums, and could even reduce administrative burden and possibly state costs. The chair noted the bill simply removes the words “if full-time student” from statute and said the proposal affects very few retirees and has no cost to the state. No opposition was presented, and the chair closed the hearing on HB 552 after no further testimony. The committee then opened a public hearing on House Bill 648, which would require commercial insurance coverage for glucose monitoring devices and supplies for people with diabetes. The prime sponsor, a retired dietitian and diabetes educator, gave extensive testimony describing diabetes as common, costly, and serious, and argued that continuous glucose monitoring is important for managing type 2 and gestational diabetes, preventing hypoglycemia, and improving safety and decision-making. She said CGMs can alert users to dangerous blood sugar changes, help people understand how food, activity, and medication affect glucose, and save lives while offering a strong return on investment. During questions, a committee member asked whether the bill should specify that the monitoring be tied to prescribed treatment, and the sponsor agreed that adding “prescribed” would be appropriate. The member also asked about the proper threshold for coverage and whether the bill should be tied to fasting-test diagnosis; the sponsor responded that A1C is only one measure of control and does not show daily fluctuations, and said she was not prepared to recommend a specific threshold but could provide clinical guidelines later. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the sponsor indicated support for the bill’s general approach to broader CGM access.

Transcript Highlights:

• , servers, software licensed for the use of the data center, equipment supporting computing, networking
• , servers, software licensed for the use of the data center, equipment supporting computing, networking
• , servers, software licensed for the use of the data center, equipment supporting computing, networking
• taxes on computers, servers, software licensed<00:08:13.759><c> for</c><00:08:13.919><c> the</c><00:
• ,</c> um equipment supporting computing, um equipment supporting computing, networking<00:08:19.120><

Bills: HB403 , HB399 , HB392 , HB403 , HB399 , HB392

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, data privacy, criminal justice, Lamar County, property auction, county commission, online auction, public notice, HB392, Lauderdale County, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, district attorney, chief assistant district attorney, assistant district attorney, assistant district attorneys, prosecutor, prosecutorial compensation, salary supplement

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator weaver you have an amendment at in the computer and in your hands pardon me is that in the computer
• I forgot to send you all this map, but if you can see it all on my computer screen.
• Computer screen, we have about six different jurisdictions on county boundaries.

Bills: HB1823 , HB3031 , HB3369 , HB3378 , HB3429 , HB3624 , HB3657 , HB3880 , HB4215 , HB4476

Committee: Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism

Keywords: housing finance, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, publication requirements, housing policy, state regulations, HB3031, North Pointe Workforce Development Initiative, workforce development, job training, skills training, job placement, local hiring, economic development, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, revolving fund, state treasury, appropriation, budget, workforce investment, employment outcomes

Transcript Highlights:

• And it'll be a digital report card on the computer that'll be easy for anybody to download and look at
• </c><00:11:41.760><c> card</c><00:11:42.079><c> on</c><00:11:42.320><c> the</c><00:11:42.480><c> computer
• </c> be a digital report card on the computer be a digital report card on the computer that'll<00:11:

Committee: House Education Policy