Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the bill permits transit authorities to contract with transportation network company platforms
• Lastly, the bill clarifies that transportation network company platforms can participate...
• Lastly, the bill clarifies that transportation network company platforms can participate in state-funded

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard a series of transportation-related bills, most of which were reported favorably. SB 532 would exempt 100% disabled veterans from paying Florida tolls. SB 1738 would allow certain counties that previously opted out of transportation concurrency to opt back in by maintaining current levels of service, though there were concerns about congestion and future growth. SB 1696 aimed to reduce transportation network company driver impersonation, allow transit authorities to contract with ride-share platforms, and permit those platforms to participate in state-funded paratransit trips. SB 1378, as amended, would allow courts to order restitution in standard leaving-the-scene crashes; the amendment made restitution discretionary and required that the driver caused or contributed to the crash. SB 1210 would increase penalties for red-light and stop-sign crashes and require bodily injury insurance for drivers who cause such crashes. SB 1820, via strike-all amendment, addressed dealer-manufacturer relations by requiring written explanations of performance measures, prohibiting retaliation against dealers asserting statutory rights, and limiting franchise termination or nonrenewal to substantial breaches. SB 1246 created a specialty license plate for safe coastal wildlife, with proceeds going to the Zoo Miami Foundation for conservation work and an amendment allowing up to 10% for administrative and marketing costs. The committee also considered SB 574, which would allow Florida residents with Purple Heart license plates to pass tolls free of charge; the bill was amended to change the plate reference to a specialty plate and was reported favorably. SB 1662, the FDOT department bill, was substantially revised by strike-all amendment covering a wide range of transportation issues, including USF’s role in the Florida Transportation Research Institute Consortium, Florida Transportation Commission provisions, seaport and airport-related changes, strategic space infrastructure, sewer lines in rights of way, small county road assistance, aggregate supply chain programs, and Jacksonville Transportation Authority board appointments. Testimony on SB 1662 included support from USF and the Florida Public Transportation Association, which raised concerns about added oversight and bureaucracy for transit systems. Most bills received support from affected stakeholders, and several were amended before final favorable votes. Roll calls were taken on each measure, and all of the listed bills were reported favorably by the committee. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on several bills, and the committee adjourned after a brief personal privilege remark from Chair Collins.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our digital media programming, for example, is going to move to the rail yards in our film and digital
• marketing or digital media.
• Particularly, it was available for rural families, ensuring that they had the digital skills and digital
• literacy and digital opportunity.
• literacy and digital opportunity.

Transcript Highlights:

• hundreds of thousands of California rideshare drivers in a difficult position where they might lose platform
• We have met every EVMT target since the Clean Miles Standard took effect, electrifying our platform at
• Drivers on the Uber platform adopt EVs five times faster than the average motorist in the United States
• , Canada, and Europe, and nearly one in five miles on the Uber platform in the state of California is

Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met with several bills on the agenda, beginning with SB 739 (Arreguín) on the Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program for transportation network companies. The author and supporters from Lyft, Uber, and TechNet said the bill would update EV miles traveled and greenhouse gas targets to reflect current market conditions, add flexibility for CARB and the CPUC, and protect drivers from losing platform access while also creating a path for future electrification. Opponents including the American Lung Association, Sierra Club California, and NRDC argued the bill would weaken a program meant to accelerate EV adoption and should retain stronger targets. Members discussed affordability, charging infrastructure, and the need to balance climate goals with feasibility. The committee approved SB 739 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, later recording a 9-0 vote when the roll was completed. The committee then heard SB 1190 (Grove), the “Safe Passage for Youth Act,” which would regulate private youth transport services used for out-of-state residential placements. The author and sponsor testimony described abusive practices such as nighttime pickups, blindfolds, restraints, and emotional trauma, and said the bill would require CPUC permitting, TrustLine background checks, training, parental consent, and bans on certain practices. Support came from youth and disability advocates, with no opposition testimony. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended recommendation and later passed 9-0. SB 1191 (Ochoa Bogh) would extend the sunset for California High Cost Fund A and B universal service programs that help provide affordable telephone service in rural and high-cost areas. Supporters from rural telecom companies and industry groups said the funds are essential for maintaining service, 911 access, and emergency communications in remote communities. There was no opposition, and the committee advanced the bill on a due pass recommendation; it later passed 9-0. The consent item, SB 985 (Strickland) on the 911 emergency system, was also approved. Finally, the committee heard SB 1246 (Cortese) on autonomous vehicles and emergency response. The author and supporters from SEIU California and the California Professional Firefighters said the bill would require AV companies to provide incident response, notify local jurisdictions during system failures, ensure U.S.-based remote drivers, and prevent public safety workers from having to manage AV breakdowns. Industry opponents argued the bill intrudes on federal vehicle standards, gives local governments enforcement authority they should not have, and could create overly broad notification and response requirements. Members raised questions about local control, response times, and whether the bill was premature given existing DMV regulations. Despite those concerns, the committee passed SB 1246 on a due pass as amended recommendation, later recording a 7-1 vote. The committee then recessed and returned to complete roll calls before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• records, which are currently accessible out of state due to the way in which electronic medical record platforms
• worked so hard to get interoperability in electronic medical records and trying to have a common platform
• In one way, it would be structural, that the platforms themselves would be required to isolate that information
• implicit in this conversation is having a conversation with the developers and maintainers of those platforms

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Steering and Policy held a public hearing on potential updates to Massachusetts’ 2022 Shield Law to strengthen protections for reproductive and gender-affirming health care. Chair Cindy Friedman said the hearing was prompted by escalating federal and out-of-state threats, and testimony was sought on loopholes and clarifications involving emergency abortion care, limits on cooperation with outside investigations, protection of patient data, and safeguarding licenses of providers and attorneys involved in this care. The Attorney General’s Office, ACLU of Massachusetts, GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, Reproductive Equity Now, the Massachusetts Medical Society, TransHealth, and Health Imperatives all supported strengthening the law. Witnesses urged broader bans on sharing health data with hostile states, explicit AG enforcement authority, exclusion of reproductive and gender-affirming prescriptions from the prescription monitoring program, protections for electronic medical records, and allowing clinicians to use practice names on prescription labels. Several speakers also called for protections for parents of transgender youth, attorneys, and nonprofit organizations, and some raised related concerns about insurance discrimination and the burden of post-24-week abortion restrictions. Committee members asked questions about enforcement mechanisms, data privacy, patient consent, and how to balance interoperability with privacy protections in electronic records. Witnesses said the goal was to prevent immediate harm while preserving patient control and access to care. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed by inviting written testimony and then moved to adjourn the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would be very easy to take their language and platform and apply it.
• hopefully that the university system and the college system will get together and make a comprehensive platform
• that is easily understood so we can. ...college system will get together and make a comprehensive platform
• and have a say is very sad, especially when you have elected officials that use their legislative platform

Summary: The Education Administration Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up two bills. The first, PCS for HB 725 on political activity at public institutions of higher education, would require colleges and universities to notify students and employees about existing campus political activity rules at orientation and on their websites, and to adopt standardized policies through the State Board of Education and Board of Governors. The sponsor said the bill is intended to mirror federal IRS/501(c)(3) guidelines, protect institutions from risking federal funding, and clarify what is and is not allowed; supporters framed it as an awareness and free-expression measure, while opponents warned it could chill speech, create vague enforcement standards, and lead to unintended consequences for students and faculty. Public testimony was largely opposed, with speakers from student, civil liberties, education, and advocacy groups raising free-speech concerns. The committee passed the bill 13-5. The second measure, PCS for HB 1437, addressed disputes under mutual management plans between conversion charter schools and district school boards. The sponsor said the bill fills a gap by providing a clearer dispute-resolution path through mediation by the Department of Education or, ultimately, an administrative law judge at DOAH. Members asked about appeal rights and whether DOE is perceived as favoring charter schools; the sponsor said the bill simply sets the process for the current issue and that the administrative law judge provision serves as the final step. There was no public testimony, and the bill was reported favorably 18-0.

Transcript Highlights:

• some criteria used to prove a person is a member of a criminal gang, adding admission on an online platform
• or social media that he or she is a criminal gang member and adding related language on an online platform
• And social media has not been an online platform, it has not been part of the statute ever before, so
• before since you are applying it with the same post on Facebook and Instagram, I don't know the platform

Transcript Highlights:

• Who've used our online platform, ProServa, which we use for our licensure via portfolio.
• And then finally, it does fund the ongoing online platform, ProServa, which I think you'll hear from
• is that if there are gaps in your background, education, or experience, they have on the ProServa platform
• I'm a former educator from right here in Minnesota, and the founder of ProServa, the platform used by

Bills: HF1966, HF54, HF2043, HF1171, HF2741

Keywords: HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake

Transcript Highlights:

• Horseman supports uplifting student voices and empowers students to share their perspectives through platforms
• their empowers students to share their perspectives<00:27:32.360> through<00:27:32.600> platforms
• <00:27:33.159> like perspectives through platforms like perspectives through platforms like

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this as part of their benefits package, they can sign themselves up, typically on an app or mobile platform
• there is a consumer that's so compelled to give this provider a tip to help them maintain their platform
• Millions of people tip every day in this country, including on apps and platforms, such as some political
• You connect through Plaid, which is a third-party API platform that safely connects to your bank account

Transcript Highlights:

• It's time we understood the digital divide through the lived experience of California's Particularly,
• the digital divide. in low-income communities.
• The Fresno Digital Inclusion Alliance, one of our partners in CAID, has replicated these findings with
• Equity and the Broadband and Digital Equity Commission.
• which would include members with backgrounds in broadband, digital equity, labor, the industry, and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Six bills that seek to impose new taxes on digital advertising services.
• On the digital tax proposed bills, the proposed bills vary in scope.
• We have provided detailed written submissions for both the delivery tax and digital tax, but for these
• We have provided detailed written submissions for both delivery tax and digital tax. detailed written
• submissions for both delivery tax and digital tax but for these reasons we respectfully urge you to

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills related to advertising, economic development, tourism, digital advertising, delivery taxes, and alcohol taxation. The first panel supported H. 3249, which would create a high school trade partnership program linking public schools with private employers, especially in manufacturing, and would offer employers a tax credit for participation. Representative Soder, Uxbridge High School leaders, and others argued the bill would strengthen career pathways, build a skilled workforce, and keep students and jobs in Massachusetts. The committee then heard testimony on H. 3031 and S. 2003 to modernize the Massachusetts Tourism Trust Fund by dedicating an additional share of hotel occupancy tax revenue to tourism promotion. Tourism and hospitality representatives from Cape Cod, Southwick Zoo, and Indian Ranch said the proposal would not raise taxes but would reinvest existing visitor-generated revenue into marketing that supports jobs, local businesses, and municipal tax receipts. A tech-industry coalition opposed several digital advertising tax bills and a delivery tax bill, warning they would raise costs, create uncertainty, and burden consumers, small businesses, and delivery workers. The largest portion of the hearing focused on S. 2029, which would raise the alcohol excise tax by 10 cents per drink and dedicate the revenue to public health programs. Public health experts, advocates, a student prevention leader, and representatives from Jane Doe, Inc. argued the tax would reduce alcohol-related harms, address decades of inflation-driven erosion in the tax, and generate substantial new funding for prevention, treatment, domestic violence services, and community schools. Committee members asked questions about the current tax structure, inflation, and how the proposal compares with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as small convenience stores, etc., that with people potentially moving more to the online platform
• as well as small convenience stores, etc., that with people potentially moving more to the online platform
• House Bill 145 updates Delaware law to address a modern form of digital search known as reverse keyword
• House Bill 145 updates Delaware law to address a modern form of digital search known as reverse keyword
• we talk with other people, we communicate things, we share and receive information through these platforms

Summary: The Senate received communications from the House on numerous measures, including several bills and resolutions passed with amendments, committee reports on bills such as large energy use facilities, campaign finance, voting rights, and appropriations, and a list of pre-file legislation. The chamber then moved through a long floor session with confirmations, bill readings, and roll-call votes, ultimately confirming the nomination of Morgan T. Zern to the Delaware Supreme Court by a 21-0 vote. Among the major policy items considered were property tax and school tax measures tied to the statewide reassessment. The Senate passed House Bill 460, clarifying monthly municipal permit-data reporting to New Castle County; House Bill 461, granting temporary authority for New Castle County school districts to reset school tax rates for one cycle; and House Bill 462, making the split school tax rate permanent with a lower nonresidential cap. Members discussed the fiscal effects at length, including testimony from a school district finance officer that HB 461 would allow revenue-neutral rate setting and offset the fiscal note on HB 462. The Senate also passed House Bill 365 creating a Delaware Indigenous Affairs Commission, House Bill 458 on backflow requirements for low-hazard buildings, Senate Bill 27 establishing the Office of New Americans with a sunset and interagency coordination, and Senate Bill 315 on the Delaware Technical Innovation Program. The chamber also approved Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 300, a firearms dealer regulation bill, after extensive debate over amendments, confidentiality, background checks, and the balance between public safety and burdens on lawful dealers. Several members raised constitutional and practical objections, while supporters argued the bill would reduce trafficking, straw purchases, and theft from dealers. In addition, the Senate passed House Bill 305 creating a diabetes wellness pilot program, with supporters emphasizing the state’s diabetes burden and the program’s federal funding, and House Concurrent Resolution 157, which asks the State Lottery Office to report on iLottery’s impact on small businesses. Senate Bill 325, a fire prevention/background-check bill, was laid on the table after concerns about a late House amendment and requests for more time to consult stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• professionals in media and Minnesota communities-based newsrooms in print, radio and broadcasting, and digital
• platforms.
• media professionals in Minnesota communities-based newsrooms in print, radio and broadcasting, and digital
• platforms.

Bills: HF4072, HF3691, HF4613

Keywords: workforce development, journalism, local news, internships, media training, emergency management, essential employees, public safety, law enforcement, workforce, economic development, appropriation, Twin Cities Marathon, Explore Minnesota, grants, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So this itself is the platform for starting the conversation.
• It's five digits, close to six digits into legal fees that they hope they'll recover.
• farms and ranches is very important to us so an issue like this where where we can and maybe have a platform

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The games provide a platform to uplift Minnesotans and Americans from all 50 states with intellectual
• The games provide a platform to uplift Minnesotans and Americans from all 50 states with intellectual
• The games provide a platform to uplift Minnesotans and Americans from all 50 states with intellectual
• The games provide a platform to uplift Minnesotans and Americans from all 50 states with intellectual
• The games provide a platform to uplift Minnesotans and Americans from all 50 states with intellectual

Bills: HF1007, HF1152, HF1671, HF2258

Keywords: tourism, World Junior Hockey Championships, funding, economic impact, sports events, Minnesota, economic development, livability, marketing, partnerships, labor and industry, electrical licensing, electrical inspection, continuing education, online course approval, Internet continuing education, power limited technician, maintenance electrician, master electrician, technology circuits

Transcript Highlights:

• confirmation number twelve appointing Anoar Shahed to the Alabama Course of Study in Computer Science and Digital
• confirmation number thirteen appointing Brian KN to the Alabama Course of Study in Computer Science and Digital
• confirmation number fifteen appointing Carol Yarro to the Alabama Course of Study in Computer Science and Digital
• number sixteen appointing Matthew Williams to the Alabama Course of Study in Computer Science and Digital
• number seventeen appointing Bryant McFarlan to the Alabama Course of Study in Computer Science and Digital

Bills: SB 2, SJR 36, SB 2, SB 2, SR 29, SB 2

Keywords: Maverick County, recognition, economic development, Texas Senate, community celebration, 920, all

Transcript Highlights:

• V2 is that page holding in use of private digital currency? Page 3 is that on the new page?
• <00:20:46.760> asset determine against the digital asset determine against the digital asset
• Representative Bros raised a question about the rate schedule for digital asset mining.
• He said that a rate schedule for digital asset mining creates a discriminatory rate for digital asset
• targeting digital targeting digital currency<00:26:43.159> and<00:26:43.320> that's

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up an amendment to a bill dealing with digital assets, zoning, utilities, and noise. Members discussed removing the “private key” language, clarifying that the bill would prohibit state or local governments from treating digital asset mining differently from other industrial uses, and narrowing several provisions based on feedback from the Municipal Association. There was also discussion about electricity use, rate schedules, and whether the bill would allow payment of electric bills in Bitcoin; members clarified that bills would still be paid in dollars and that discriminatory rates were not allowed. The amendment was approved on a straw vote, and the committee then voted 7-1 to adopt the amended bill. The committee then considered a separate bill related to a paint stewardship program. The sponsor explained that the amendment would remove references to a fee structure that had troubled him in public hearing, while still preserving the plan and oversight by the Department of Environmental Services. Members discussed whether the bill’s liability and disclosure language affected antitrust concerns, and a representative from the American Coatings Association testified that the program’s environmental management practices and liability provisions were intended to ensure responsible handling and cleanup. The committee ultimately voted 7-1 to adopt the amended bill. Later, the subcommittee moved to liquor-related business. It first voted unanimously, 7-0, to retain a cannabis-related item. It then discussed a tavern license bill that would create a 21-plus tavern category, with the Liquor Enforcement Division explaining that the restriction was tied to alcohol-only venues and the potential for late-night entertainment and nightclub-style operations. Members raised concerns about local control and public safety, and the discussion referenced existing cocktail lounge rules and the possibility of towns opting into such a license. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on that item is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Napier, who we'll hear from later, and Borderplix Digital Assets.
• BorderPlex Digital Assets is a company that is building digital infrastructure campuses throughout the
• The way to think about a digital infrastructure campus is the following.
• That's in essence what we're talking about when we say digital campus.
• It creates hundreds of jobs in the six digits.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the money goes into this machine and it goes into a digital wallet.
• For some companies it may be a digital wallet in your name and in others it may be someone else's digital
• For some it goes into a digital wallet.
• And then someone else's digital wallet.
• But who owns these digital currency ATMs?

Keywords: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 2:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1596, which Senator Johnson explained as a companion to another crypto-kiosk bill. He said the measure was being used to open the code and remove new kiosk language temporarily while lawmakers work on a regulatory framework for crypto kiosks, which are being used in scams involving callers posing as law enforcement and directing victims to deposit cash into kiosks. Members discussed the lack of reporting and registration data, the estimated number of kiosks in the state, and whether regulation might require identification and registration of the devices. The committee adopted the motion for title sufficient, do pass as amended, and reported the bill out. The committee then considered House Bill 859, which would eliminate the in-person absentee voting envelope while keeping the 45-day in-person absentee voting period and existing excuse requirements. Senator England said voters would still complete an affidavit and cast the ballot directly into an OMR machine, and he noted that circuit clerks preferred this version. The committee asked a few clarifying questions and then passed the bill, reporting it out. Next was House Bill 925, the CLEAR Act, which Senator McMahan described as a revised PEER-related bill that had been worked on with the governor’s office after a prior veto. He outlined provisions creating a PEER review program for agency rules, Medicaid transportation evaluations, a State Board of Health Professions, changes to the corporation work initiative program, and PEER subpoena and enforcement language. An amendment was adopted to delete the subpoena-related sections that had raised constitutional concerns and to retain the reverse repealer. After questions about the advisory role of the new board, the committee passed the bill as amended. The committee also heard House Bill 1171, a strike-all that Senator Sparks said would mirror a Senate bill on grant transparency. The measure would require clearer grant objectives, objective eligibility criteria, disclosure of conflicts and board relationships, reporting by grantees and subgrantees, and signed documentation under penalty of perjury with CPA review. Members asked about enforcement, and Senator Sparks said improper reporting could lead to loss of funds, audits, and possible criminal consequences. The committee adopted the strike-all and reported the bill out. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1393, which would create an energy development fund at the Mississippi Development Authority for long-term infrastructure planning tied to large industrial energy users. Members asked whether the fund would cover water resources as well as electricity; the sponsor said it was intended for energy infrastructure, not water, and was aimed at large industrial projects such as steel mills. The committee adopted the strike-all and moved to report the bill out.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another one is a proposed constitutional amendment that would add digital data to have the same protections
• So it would require, if the government is going to handle digital data, personal data, they have to do
• So it would require, if the government is going to handle digital data, personal data, they have to do
• So it would require, if the government is going to handle digital data, personal data, they have to do
• into digital into digital forms<00:08:58.000> can<00:08:58.519> that<00:08:58.800>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all