Transcript Highlights:

• Again, they focus on technology research, focused on the development and testing of autonomous vehicles
• Part of it was also to develop new remote sensing technologies, develop a highly skilled, high-wage workforce
• Now, one of the areas I talked about was this development of imaging technology.
• In Panama City, and we'll take technologies that are developed, the ideas and students that are here
• So we're seeing some really exciting developments out of that, and these are emerging technologies.

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee held its first meeting and focused on state university centers and institutes, with an overview from the Board of Governors on how the more than 500 centers and institutes across Florida’s public universities are categorized, overseen, and reported. The Board described three categories: state-level centers, legislatively established centers, and university-established centers. Members were told universities must maintain policies, notify the Board of changes, publish public inventories, and submit annual reports and compliance certifications. Senator Harrell asked about funding sources and whether underperforming centers are reviewed for elimination; the response was that funding varies by center and that universities decide whether to maintain or disband centers under their own policies, with annual reporting and audit findings shared with the Board. Four university presentations followed. Florida Atlantic University highlighted its Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, describing research in marine-derived drug discovery, genomics, imaging, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and ocean sustainability, along with spin-off institutes and partnerships that have generated significant grant and contract support. FIU presented its Center of Excellence for Hurricane Damage Mitigation and Product Development, emphasizing the Wall of Wind facility, hurricane and water intrusion testing, code and product innovation, insurance modeling, and future expansion toward higher wind speeds and flood simulation. Florida State University’s High-Performance Materials Institute described work in advanced materials, aerospace composites, sensors, nanocomposites, and AI-enabled materials development, along with patents, industry partnerships, and new facilities tied to economic development. The University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning outlined its work on teacher professional learning, literacy, New Worlds Reading, tutoring, and mathematics supports, including microcredentials, statewide book distribution, and early results showing improved reading confidence and growth. Members generally praised the centers for their research, commercialization, workforce development, and education impacts. Senator Jones and Senator Harrell commended the Lastinger Center’s literacy work and the broader return on investment from these programs, while Senator Berman noted the value of the synergies across institutions. The chair emphasized that future funding requests should clearly show measurable success, commercialization, and statewide impact. The committee then adjourned without any formal votes on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh next, Sandy Kanei, uh Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.
• Uh next, Sandy Kanei, uh Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.
• requesting Hawaii Technology uh requesting Hawaii Technology Development<00:15:41.120> Corporation
• next, Sandy Kanei, uh Hawaii Technology next, Sandy Kanei, uh Hawaii Technology Development<00:16
• HR156 requesting Hawaii Technology HR156 requesting Hawaii Technology Development<00:26:44.640><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and on Transportation, Culture, and the Arts heard HCR 142, which urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Department of Transportation to expand the airport greetings program to display art in all neighbor island airports. Testimony from CARES supported the measure, emphasizing that public art and youth art competitions help educate keiki, strengthen cultural understanding, and support economic development through Hawaii’s creative industries. No one testified in opposition, and members raised no questions. Both committees recommended passage of HCR 142 unamended. The measure was adopted by voice vote in each committee, with some members excused. Later, the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard HTR 102, which concerns translating the real estate salesperson exam into Japanese for timeshare-related sales. Supporters, including DBEDT and ARDA Hawaii, argued the change would help Japanese-speaking applicants, improve workforce recruitment, and support Hawaii’s timeshare industry and Japanese visitor market. A representative from APAC Hawaii supported the idea but suggested considering additional languages such as Korean, Chinese, and Filipino. Some senators questioned whether the proposal adequately addressed continuing education and long-term English proficiency, and the Real Estate Commission explained it does not currently issue a limited timeshare salesperson license and that the proposal would not restrict licensees from selling other real estate products. The committee also heard HCR 156, which asks the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to increase its focus on advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity to support economic diversification, high-wage jobs, innovation, and national security. HTDC and the Hawaii Military Affairs Council supported the resolution, citing the recent federal discontinuation of the local Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, Innovate Hawaii, and the loss of related staff positions as reasons to reinforce state support. Testimony and discussion stressed cybersecurity, supply-chain resilience, automation, and the need to sustain manufacturing momentum in Hawaii. Both HTR 102 and HCR 156 were recommended for passage as is and were adopted by the committee, with some members excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• These systems are rapidly developing to handle more ambitious problems, and this development shows no
• These systems are rapidly developing to handle more ambitious problems, and this development shows no
• It's a confluence of three different developments in technology that are sort of happening again over
• And this is the technology that was being developed in this field of AI for the last 70 years, right?
• And this is the technology that was being developed in this field of AI for the last 70 years, right?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , that we are not opposed to new technology.
• the technology imagined.
• And I dare say faster than even the people who developed the technology imagined.
• have more limited resources than technology companies.
• Then you get into the risk of it being fair for developers, right?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on several artificial intelligence bills, opening with remarks about the 9/11 anniversary and then broad statements from the co-chairs about AI’s promise and risks. Chair Farley-Bouvier and Senator Moore emphasized the need for guardrails, transparency, and worker and consumer protections, while Senator Finegold described Senate Bill 37, which would create a framework for AI model training with safety assessments, audits, incident reporting, Attorney General oversight, and workforce reporting. Members also discussed Massachusetts’ position relative to other states and the need for state action in the absence of federal regulation. A large portion of the hearing focused on the Fair Act, House 77 and Senate 35, which would limit workplace surveillance, restrict collection of biometric and location data, require notice and human review for automated employment decisions, and protect workers from retaliation. Labor leaders, including AFL-CIO, AFSCME, AFT, SEIU, building trades, and other worker representatives, testified in support, describing harms from bossware, automated benefits denials, hiring and promotion screening, scheduling, and monitoring in workplaces ranging from health care and education to manufacturing and construction. They argued that AI systems are already affecting wages, benefits, safety, and job security, and that Massachusetts should act now to set clear rules. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 74, which would require informed consent and clear contract terms for digital replicas of voices and likenesses, with SAG-AFTRA representatives supporting the bill as a protection for performers and creators. Another major topic was Senate Bill 51 on social media algorithm accountability and transparency; child safety advocates, researchers, and a public health expert described harms from engagement-based algorithms, including exposure to harmful content, eating disorders, and youth mental health impacts, and supported independent audits and public reporting. A few industry and civil liberties witnesses supported regulation but urged balance, warning against overly burdensome rules while acknowledging the need for privacy, transparency, and accountability. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the hearing excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cutting-edge research and development in energy technology is often catalyzed through grants awarded
• Specifically, this bill supports the research and development of innovative technologies, primarily at
• It builds off the crosscutting industrial emissions reduction technology development program established
• It builds off the crosscutting industrial emissions reduction technology development program established
• demonstration of development and demonstration of Innovative<03:49:24.520> Technologies<03:49:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, March 24, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• BASED ON YOUR TECHNOLOGY AND YOUR USER.
• I IN GENERAL ON THE TECHNOLOGY OF WATER.
• I'M SURE YOU BEING A DEVELOPER AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPER AT THAT WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU GUYS?
• THAT IS OF ANY TECHNOLOGY.
• IN THE PAST TECHNOLOGY GOES AS FAR BACK AS WHEN WE DEVELOP MAINFRAMES AND SERVERS AND MOVE TO CLOUD COMPUTING

Transcript Highlights:

• NASA has done further research, development, and demonstration work to use its tools and technologies
• NASA has done further research, development, and demonstration work to use its tools and technologies
• THE ACERO ACT PROMOTES THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES TO STRENGTHEN OUR WILDFIRE RESPONSE EFFORTS
• Companies are rapidly developing their own AI technologies and investing in the resources needed to integrate
• This legislation directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, to develop and

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's embrace the opportunity to lead in technological excellence and economic development, and I thank
• Let's embrace the opportunity to lead in technological excellence and economic development, and I thank
• Let's embrace the opportunity to lead in technological excellence and economic development, and I thank
• Again, a lot of developers out there for advanced nuclear technologies.
• technology you're going through first-of-a-kind development.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As helpful as this office is, there's often, in science and technology research and development, a need
• We've got a lot of science and technology. a particular emphasis on workforce development.
• So as helpful as this office is, there's often in science and technology, research, and development,
• Workforce development as well.
• And then our engineering technology and renewable energy technology: we discussed wind turbine technicians

Summary: The Committee on Education Postsecondary heard a presentation on Florida’s maritime and ocean economy from Florida Atlantic University, the College of the Florida Keys, and Star Center. Speakers emphasized the importance of maritime industries such as aquaculture, marine engineering, shipbuilding, transportation, coastal resilience, and offshore renewable energy, and described workforce programs, certifications, and partnerships designed to train students and workers for these fields. They also highlighted federal and state initiatives supporting ocean economy research and commercialization, including tech hubs and innovation programs. The committee then considered SB 312 relating to the Florida Institute of Human and Machine Cognition. Senator Gates explained that the bill would allow IHMC to create a subsidiary to commercialize research, similar to Moffitt Cancer Center. Senator Fine offered and the committee adopted a friendly amendment addressing board membership concerns tied to a University of West Florida trustee. However, after questions arose about whether the bill and analysis aligned on whether subsidiaries would be for-profit or not-for-profit, the bill was tabled. Finally, the committee took up SB 270 on the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The bill would extend eligibility for students in certain military/public-service family situations, giving families more time to establish Florida residency after returning to the state. Senator Fine’s amendment was adopted to add AP Capstone Diploma students to the automatic Bright Futures eligibility provisions, alongside IB and Cambridge AICE students. The committee then reported the bill favorably as amended by a vote of 7-0, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are developer tools.
• It's in job creation and workforce development, maturing the technologies around quantum, and attracting
• on business development.
• the pipeline for quantum technologies and engineering. technologies throughout our company.
• and technology target sectors.

Transcript Highlights:

• technology.
• really amazing technologies for the better good at UF. really amazing technologies for the better good
• generative AI, but AI technology.
• Develop lessons around any topic.
• The technology development cycle is so rapid.

Summary: The Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 held a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, emphasizing that AI can support personalized learning, school operations, and teacher efficiency, but also raises concerns about data privacy, overreliance, mental health, and the need for human oversight. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which has produced guidance on policy, ethics, privacy, cybersecurity, classroom integration, and professional development, and is now working on district surveys, webinars, case studies, and teacher/family resources. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district-level implementation. Hillsborough outlined a governance council, a district AI policy, and an implementation guide; it prohibits generative AI for students below eighth grade, allows limited use for older students with teacher permission and district-vetted tools, and uses models for classroom AI expectations. The district also reported growing student enrollment in AI courses, teacher training through summer academies and quick learns, and pilots with tools such as Magic School and Microsoft Copilot. Pinellas emphasized academic integrity, student data privacy, digital responsibility, and the importance of human interaction in learning; it said state assessments already limit technology use and that districts need clear governance and parent transparency. Committee members asked about whether AI improves academic performance, the risk of student dependence, the possibility of returning to more paper-based testing, and who should set guardrails. Witnesses said reliable achievement data is still limited because the technology is new, though districts reported anecdotal gains in tutoring and early literacy. They also said there is no established statewide baseline for teacher AI training yet, so districts are using professional development, stipends, and partnerships with universities to build capacity. The committee also heard from Drew Andrew of FSU’s Inspire program, who argued that industry is moving faster than schools and that education should focus on teaching how AI works, building teacher confidence, and aligning training with workforce needs. No bills were considered and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• But with this new technologies we are developing at NMSU, we estimated the cost is between $1.1 to $1.5
• That development after it's patented at all, or are you continuing to explore the technology after it's
• this technology like you're developing if if today You could say by what date you could have technology
• Um, but, but I think for you, for us as a state, if you're, you're developing new technology.
• So in the US, but technology is technology.

Transcript Highlights:

• Technology and software, primarily in the healthcare space, but I've enjoyed technology for the past
• Technology and software, primarily in the healthcare space, but enjoyed technology for the past 21, 23
• In 1997, the Legislature established a State Technology Council (STC) and the State Technology Office
• We've developed about responsible for developing project management standards.
• Then I get into research and development.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting to examine Florida’s information technology governance, budgeting, cybersecurity, data management, and telecommunications operations. Chair Schneider and other members framed the panel as a new joint policy-and-budget forum focused on reducing jargon, improving accountability, and asking whether technology investments are feasible, aligned with state goals, cost-controlled, and secure. State Affairs Chairman Will Robinson and members emphasized that the committee should avoid buying “shiny new objects” without clear business cases and should focus on long-term value, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency. Florida Digital Service and Department of Management Services leaders provided an overview of the state IT enterprise. Secretary Pedro Allende described DMS as the state’s business, workforce, and technology service provider, while State CIO Warren Spanholz outlined Florida Digital Service’s four core areas: cybersecurity, project success, data interoperability, and enterprise architecture. Chief Data Officer Ed Ryan said the state data catalog is about 400,000 elements and roughly half of agencies are participating, and he described efforts to identify authoritative data sources and improve interoperability. Chief Information Security Officer Jeremy Rogers discussed the state cybersecurity operations center, enterprise risk management, incident response exercises, and a recurring $35 million cybersecurity resiliency budget. Chief Technology Officer Leo Schoonover described oversight of major IT projects over $10 million, updated project management standards, and a shift toward smaller phased implementations and more flexible methodologies to reduce delays and overruns. Other presenters covered telecommunications, data center operations, and cybersecurity workforce development. Director Denise Atkins said the Division of Telecommunications manages Suncom and MyFloridaNet, with nearly $336.9 million appropriated for fiscal year 2024-25, and is procuring the next network contract while emphasizing security controls and vendor flexibility. Tim Brown said the Northwest Regional Data Center operates on a chargeback basis, serves state and local customers, and returned surpluses to customers in recent years. Cyber Florida Director Ernie Ferraroso described training, workforce pipelines, K-12 outreach, a cyber range, and research programs aimed at building Florida’s cyber workforce and improving public-sector readiness. Members asked about budget setting, project delays, change orders, cybersecurity reporting, data catalog participation, interoperability, and expanding cybersecurity operations centers. Officials said chargeback rates are based on actual direct and indirect costs, project delays often stem from unclear scope and insufficient upfront planning, and cybersecurity success is measured by mean time to detect, respond, and recover. They also said the state is moving toward more modular project delivery, broader agency participation in shared cybersecurity services, and expanded CSOC locations within existing staff and budget where feasible.

Transcript Highlights:

• technology.
• technology.
• really amazing technologies for the better good at UF. really amazing technologies for the better good
• And all my time was in developing technologies like the F-22 and the F-35 to counter the Chinese, the
• This technology development cycle is so rapid.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, the benefits of AI for personalized learning and teacher support, and the risks involving data privacy, overreliance, hallucinations, and misuse. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which published statewide guidance in March and is now providing professional development, case studies, surveys, and resources for teachers and families. She also noted that teacher preparation programs and microcredentials are being developed, but there is not yet a statewide baseline standard for teacher AI training. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district policies and implementation efforts. Hillsborough adopted an AI governance policy, created an implementation guide, and set rules barring generative AI use for students in pre-K through 7th grade while allowing limited, teacher-approved use for older students with district-vetted tools. Pinellas emphasized digital responsibility, parent transparency, data-use agreements, and a governance process for approving tools. Both districts said AI is being used for lesson planning, tutoring, reading-level adjustments, scheduling, and other administrative tasks, but they do not yet have reliable evidence that AI is improving academic performance. They also discussed teacher training, stipends, and certification efforts, including partnerships with universities and vendors such as Microsoft, Google, Magic School, and Gemini. Drew Allen of FSU Inspire offered an industry-focused perspective, arguing that AI is not new but that education must adapt more quickly to industry needs. He described Inspire’s workforce and research mission, its AI and robotics training for teachers, and the need to build teacher comfort and confidence through incentives and applied training. Committee members raised concerns about student dependence on AI, academic integrity, mental health, moral decision-making, data privacy, and whether schools should return to more paper-based testing. The panel generally agreed that AI should be used with strong guardrails, human oversight, and a balance between technology use and traditional learning. No legislation was considered, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• THEY FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOP THE TESTING OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES FOR FLORIDA AND ANOTHER
• PART OF IT WAS TO DEVELOP NEW REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES, DEVELOPED A HIGHLY SKILLED HIGH WAGE WORKFORCE
• ONE OF THE AREAS I TALKED ABOUT WAS THIS DEVELOPMENT OF IMAGING TECHNOLOGY.
• AND SATELLITE TECHNOLOGIES.
• THAT ARE DEVELOPED.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , director of instructional technology, and now executive director of technology, working closely with
• This allows them to develop their attention span, encourages language development, comprehension, fosters
• This allows them to develop their attention span, encourages or a language development comprehension,
• How are you teaching about technology?'
• How are you teaching about technology?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Expanding eligibility for the Technology Jobs and Research and Development Tax Credit will help give
• I mean, it does fit the general title, technology and research and development. Why Would we?
• Chair, and Representative, but it says in the technology jobs and research and development.
• The technology, their technology, is based around the technology that was developed by the Z machine
• They're developing that technology.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• development with the technology development companies as opposed to the deployment.
• We also know and understand that there are different technologies being developed out there, and they
• Technology, transportable, dry storage is very successful technology, transportable.
• on this technology.
• And so in this presentation, I'm going to talk about the four main technologies that Oklo is developing

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to hear a series of presentations on the economics, financing, workforce, and community impacts of advanced nuclear deployment in North Dakota. William Bridge of Nucleon Energy presented the committee’s economic impacts and private-sector financing report, estimating construction and operating job impacts, local spending, and state/local tax effects for hypothetical SMR projects. He said the report assumes first-of-a-kind costs are still high, used a $6 million per megawatt nth-of-a-kind proxy, and estimated peak construction workforces of about 500 for a 200-MW plant and 1,000 for a larger facility, with roughly 100 operating jobs for a 200-MW plant. Committee members questioned security costs, capital cost assumptions, water and transmission siting constraints, and whether the model included fuel and waste; Bridge said the report included initial fuel in capital cost and that waste disposal is funded through existing federal mechanisms. Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning efforts. She described declining labor-force participation, retirements, and the need for a much larger future workforce, and said NEI has organized recommendations around career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and nontraditional recruitment. She highlighted tools such as the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, timing for training relative to plant development, and whether advanced manufacturing would reduce staffing needs; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan. The committee also heard from Gary Yaco, mayor of Red Wing, Minnesota, who described Prairie Island’s role in his community. He said the plant provides a large share of local property tax revenue, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to emergency preparedness funding and training, and is broadly supported by the city despite periodic protests and public concerns. He emphasized the plant’s security, regular drills with local and federal responders, and the absence of problems with dry cask storage. Later, Benton Arnett of NEI discussed the current financing landscape for advanced nuclear, explaining how tax credits, federal loan support, off-take agreements, and new business models are helping projects move forward. He said early projects face high upfront costs and long lead-time procurement, but that investor confidence is improving as federal policy and regulatory streamlining continue. The committee asked about waste funding, comparisons with natural gas, the effect of political shifts on investor confidence, and whether the market will narrow to a few winning technologies; Arnett said the industry is still sorting that out, but expects clearer winners in the late 2020s and early 2030s. The meeting concluded with an introductory presentation from Julie Kazeraki of DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing, who said the office is focused on accelerating nuclear deployment through financing support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Technologies, in terms of hydrogen technologies, and our long-term goal is to have four such additional
• We're here to talk about developing New Mexico's geothermal energy as economic development.
• While we develop and promote the longer-term development of advanced geothermal electricity, that final
• A geothermal roadmap, kind of a cookbook, so to speak, will be developed to help geothermal developers
• XGS is an advanced geothermal and technology development company.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a leading developer of technologies, the EERC has spent decades performing applied research in CCUS
• protection considerations and capacity development.
• Carbon management brings economic development.
• cases for carbon management technologies.
• If we do not deploy this technology, China will.