Transcript Highlights:

• In our information technology area, we have a total recurring budget of $21 million, including 18 FTE
• We next move to FHP Technology, Fleet, and Business Analytics.
• The FHP Technology, Fleet, and Business Analytics section provides technology, fleet and property, as
• The technology section is responsible for guiding the Florida Highway Patrol's technology implementation
• We're looking to integrate automated license plate reading technology into those cameras.

Summary: The committee met to review agency program funding as it prepared to build the budget, hearing brief presentations from six agencies and then taking member questions. Florida Division of Emergency Management highlighted its role in response, preparedness, recovery, and mitigation, describing a largely federal pass-through budget, major technology investments, and large disaster and preparedness grant activity. The Department of Commerce, Department of State, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, Florida State Guard, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also summarized their budgets, staffing, and major programs, including workforce and economic development, elections and arts funding, housing assistance, transportation work programs, military readiness, state guard expansion, and highway safety and motorist services. Members focused questions on several issues: arts and library grant funding and whether award criteria had changed; Commerce’s rural infrastructure and job growth grants and why funds were not being disbursed faster; Florida Housing’s use of SAIL, Live Local, Hometown Heroes, and SHIP funds and how smaller agencies learn about and access funding; and DOT’s work program gap between agency and governor proposals. The most extensive questioning was directed to Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles about long DMV lines, vacancies, overtime, staffing shortages, and the ability to shift funds between divisions. The department said staffing and pay constraints, especially in South Florida, were driving service delays and vacancy rates, and that overtime was being used because troopers were leaving for better-paying jobs. The Florida State Guard was also questioned about its spending and procurement pace, including aircraft purchases and facilities. Its director said long procurement timelines explained the low initial spending and that obligations had risen sharply as contracts matured. Members also asked about the department’s public opposition to Amendment 3 and whether agency resources were used in that effort; the director said no contracts or purchases were made to influence the vote and said the colonel’s comments were made off the clock. The meeting ended with the chair asking agencies to respond promptly to unanswered questions, and the committee adjourned without any recorded votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the chair lays out House bill and, and members, as I mentioned, we're going to vote, uh, before the
• the members go first and witnesses go first as long as we can, but we are going to need to stop and vote
• Uh, we are going to, uh, before we call up the next, uh, bill, we're going to do some votes.
• Um, we've got some people that have to go other places to vote other places.
• Embracing these modern technologies and this technological revolution we have is going to save so many

Bills: HB46

Keywords: local government spending cap, expenditure limit, political subdivision, property tax, ad valorem tax, budget cap, taxpayer protection, spending restraint, inflation adjustment, population growth, voter approval, supermajority vote, county budget, municipal budget, school district finance, junior college district, hospital district, special district, attorney general enforcement, local fiscal limits

Transcript Highlights:

• > votes I chair votes I Vice chair votes I votes I chair votes I Vice chair votes I Senator Senator Senator
• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator Fukunaga votes aye. Senator Hashimoto votes aye.
• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator Fukunaga votes aye. Senator Hashimoto votes aye.
• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator Fukunaga votes aye. Senator Hashimoto votes aye.
• Hearing none, Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. Senator Fukunaga votes aye.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education heard Senate Bill 101, which would require University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine graduates who paid in-state tuition to serve as physicians in Hawaiʻi for at least two years after residency or fellowship, beginning with the class of 2029. The Deputy Attorney General said the bill addressed a matter of statewide concern. JABSOM Dean Sam Shoemaker testified in opposition, arguing the school already uses scholarships, loan repayment, and other incentives, and that the strongest predictor of where physicians practice is where they complete residency; he said the school is working to expand residency slots, neighbor-island training, and class size. Supporters argued the state faces a severe physician shortage and should do more to ensure publicly subsidized students remain in Hawaiʻi. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including a statewide concern statement, and deferred the measure to July 31, 2025; the vote was adopted. The committee then heard Senate Bill 19, which creates funds to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program on Maui. University of Hawaiʻi and nursing workforce representatives testified in support, saying there is ample capacity on Maui and strong demand for higher nursing education. Members discussed the broader nursing pathway, including existing associate and bachelor’s programs at UH campuses and the need to improve access for Maui and nearby communities. The measure was moved to decision-making and adopted with amendments and a deferred date. Senate Bill 637, appropriating funds for various University of Hawaiʻi nursing programs, also received support from UH nursing leaders, who said the funding would support the final phase of the West Oʻahu-Manoa collaboration and an online RN-to-BS program. The Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing said its research showed capacity and demand for these programs. The committee recommended amendments to blank out appropriation amounts for the committee report and deferred the measure, then adopted it. The committee also adopted Senate Bill 741, which establishes an external audit committee within the UH Board of Regents, and deferred or amended several other measures, including a wastewater technology pilot program, a coconut rhinoceros beetle response program, and a climate-resilient development appropriation.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:25.199> is um nation is going where technology is um nation is going where technology
• testimony if you're ready for that vote testimony if you're ready for that vote we'll<00:15:57.120
• o'keef from vote o'keef from vote solar<01:09:07.000> peaked<01:09:07.440> my<01:09
• and a no no there being three yes votes and a no votes<01:22:16.239> the<01:22:16.360> A3<
• <01:36:52.480> be and again that it be the vote be and again that it be the vote be recorded

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to remind me, is the state superintendent a voting member on this board?
• Superintendent Bachmeier is not a voting member, but they are present.
• I mean, the technology today is unbelievable with Teams.
• We're not going to create another technology department under DOT.
• You're never going to become efficient if you don't understand the technology.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair votes aye. >> Members voting on SB 2795.
• Chair votes aye. Vice Chair also votes aye. Senator Ihara votes aye. Senator Moriwaki votes aye.
• Chair votes<02:05:14.159> I. votes I. votes I.
• technology to defer. technology to defer.
• the vote. the vote.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> There's cost savings with many of these energy technologies.
• And, of course, there's cost savings with many of these energy technologies.
• <00:02:15.760> So, many of these energy technologies.
• So, many of these energy technologies.
• We don't have to get to 100% technology.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program focused first on Minnesota’s energy and affordability agenda, with Senator Nick Frentz discussing the state’s clean-energy leadership, rising electricity demand, and the Senate’s 100% clean energy framework. He said Minnesota’s clean energy growth supports jobs, lowers costs for ratepayers, and includes recent wins such as sustainable aviation fuel tax treatment in the supplemental budget. Frentz also said the Senate passed an energy omnibus bill that continues clean-energy permitting reforms, promotes conservation and demand response, and includes a nuclear study rather than lifting the nuclear moratorium. Frentz spent much of the interview defending data centers as both a challenge and an opportunity. He said large hyperscale projects can create major construction jobs and substantial local property-tax revenue, while a 2025 law requires data-center companies to contribute to low-income energy assistance and report water use. He pointed to the Google data center planned for Pine Island as an example, saying it is air-cooled, will pay $5 million a year, and will fund 1,600 MW of clean energy at its own expense, which he argued could save Xcel ratepayers money over time. He also said climate change is already driving higher costs through homeowners insurance and storm damage. The second segment highlighted Senator Zach Duckworth’s housing and banking bills. Duckworth said Senate File 4168 would make it easier to finance investment properties by giving buyers more flexibility to roll closing costs and lender fees into payments, while keeping strong protections in place for primary residences. He emphasized that the bill is not about predatory lending and is intended to expand options for informed investors. He also described Senate File 4652 as an anti-fraud, no-cost measure that lets bank customers name a trusted contact so banks can alert someone if suspicious activity is detected. Duckworth said both bills passed unanimously in both chambers, and he credited quick action and good working relationships across the aisle for their success. The program closed with a broader reflection on the end of session and the Senate’s political climate. It noted that 15 senators are retiring and two are leaving for higher office, and that final floor votes often split along party lines, including one bill passing 34-33. Several retiring senators used farewell speeches to urge civility, compromise, and putting people first, while the segment emphasized that despite partisan conflict, quiet bipartisan cooperation still produced much of the session’s enacted legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 10 promotes further economic investment in clean-firm technology.
• Technology advancement is accelerating, including edge computing and the Internet of Things—things we
• There are a variety of cooling technologies.
• But just want to say we're very excited about this technology.
• We need to know things about technology.

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Vote<01:55:08.000> yes. >> Vote yes. >> Vote yes.
• vote the way that they're going to vote. vote the way that they're going to vote.
• I ask for a no vote. vote. vote.
• Weineberg, how do you vote? Weineberg, how do you vote? >> Vote. >> Vote.
• We urge a no vote. vote. vote.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House opened with a quorum call, a Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal in a lighthearted exchange honoring Representative Bacon’s father. Members then announced upcoming committee meetings, including State, Civic, Military, and Veterans Affairs; Finance; and Appropriations. The chamber moved into third reading and took up a series of bills, with several laid over or moved on the calendar before votes began. The House adopted House Bill 1433 on firefighter behavioral health benefits, House Bill 1416 on transfers from the Universal High School Scholarship Cash Fund, and House Bill 1431 on occupational licensure portability. It also adopted House Bill 1426, a Department of Law report bill, after a technical third-reading amendment correcting numbering errors. House Bill 1063, requiring an accessible list of secure transportation providers on certain department websites, also passed. In addition, the chamber adopted Senate Bill 172 on the Front Range Passenger Rail District, Senate Bill 93 on workers’ compensation coverage compliance, Senate Bill 175 on experience modification factors in workers’ compensation, Senate Bill 131 on abusive practices in sports betting, Senate Bill 165 on species conservation funding, Senate Bill 157 on a town with critical water infrastructure, Senate Bill 154 on Colorado Channel Authority Board appointments, and House Bill 1286 requiring a human present when an automated driving system operates a commercial motor vehicle. House Bill 1422, concerning security measures for certain governmental entities, drew the most extended debate. Representative Luck opposed it, citing concerns about creating a legislative police force, language affecting online speech and constituent conduct, and what she described as a workaround for TABOR. Representative Clifford explained the bill’s security provisions and sought a technical amendment to address local records language; the amendment and the bill both passed, though with notable opposition. House Bill 1424, increasing protections for persons engaged with transportation network companies, also prompted extensive testimony from Representative Wilford, who described her own assault by a rideshare driver and argued that Uber and Lyft have minimized and obscured sexual assault data while failing to protect riders; after a technical amendment, the bill passed. The House then continued with additional third-reading votes, including House Bill 1325 on natural medicine, which passed despite some opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:34.640> to that the commission um did vote to that the commission um did vote to provide
• those commission vote voted to modify those commission vote voted to modify those and<00:09:48.240
• between different technologies. between different technologies.
• <01:14:16.960> have by these specific technologies have by these specific technologies have
• <01:14:34.239> to contributions of these technologies to contributions of these technologies

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I'd like to take a vote on the A9 amendment.
• In fact, 80% of helium's usage is for MRI technology, so it is critical to the medical technology field
• In fact, 80% of helium's usage is for MRI technology, so it is critical to the medical technology field
• > Medical<01:05:12.119> Technology<01:05:13.039> field critical to the Medical Technology
• <01:14:58.800> so was involved in in MRI um technology so was involved in in MRI um technology

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• voting operations technology and election resources account.
• voting operations technology and election resources account.
• voting operations technology and election resources account.
• provisions relating to the technology provisions relating to the technology platform<00:37:36.359
• voting period. voting period. Then<01:16:27.440> Mr.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It will increase efficiencies that we may not have due to technology.
• Technological standard, the next-gen TV ATSC 3.0.
• Explain this technological change, its timeline, projected costs, and how does this technological change
• Transmitters and to get the ATSC 3 technology.
• Their technology is commonly known as Exen Nexten does a few things.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That requires a two-thirds vote for us to get to correct. Correct.
• Senator Campos votes yes. Senator Gonzalez Senator Gonzalez votes yes. Senator Lanier, no.
• Senator Lanier votes no. Senator Padilla, yes. Senator Padilla votes yes. Senator Steinborne, yes.
• Senator Steinborne votes yes. Senator Tobiassen, no. Senator Tobiassen votes no.
• Senator Trujillo votes yes. Senator Woods, yes. Senator Woods votes. Yes, Senator Shendo votes yes.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Joe has been instrumental in shaping multiple industries, including technology, health care, media, energy
• The Netherlands is home to one of the most specialized important pieces of technology in the global economy
• much to send this technology to China? And Mr.
• And third, I will focus on our cooperation with the Netherlands on critical and emerging technologies
• are going back and forth to vote so that's why I will be leaving to go vote and be back shortly wonderful

Keywords: diplomatic nominations, foreign policy, ambassadors, U.S.-European relations, Bilateral relationships, security, trade

Summary: The meeting focused primarily on diplomatic nominations, featuring discussions about the implications of these roles on U.S. foreign policy. Notable was the introduction of nominees for key ambassadorial positions, including ambassadors to the Dominican Republic, France, and the Netherlands. Senator Shaheen emphasized the importance of U.S.-European relations, particularly in light of current global challenges, while other members voiced their concerns regarding the nominees’ qualifications and the impact on bilateral relationships. Public support for these nominations was evident, as was the committee's commitment to fostering stronger connections with allied nations, particularly in addressing security and trade issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• They did so in unprecedented ways, using new, novel tools and technologies of the 21st century.
• We've got to vote and then we'll get back here. Thank you. Ms. Hemingway.
• Federal and state governments fund and promote censorship and blacklisting technology.
• Media and technology companies have come under withering attack. Why?
• It's not as though modern technology has presented us with purely unique, sui generis...

Keywords: censorship, First Amendment, social media, misinformation, free speech, government regulation, Big Tech, public discourse

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the implications of government involvement in censorship, particularly regarding social media platforms and compliance with misinformation standards. senators and witnesses discussed growing concerns over the influence of large tech companies, like Facebook and Google, in shaping public discourse and suppressing dissenting views. A significant part of the meeting included testimonies from various experts emphasizing the dangers of the 'censorship industrial complex'—a term used to describe the collaborative efforts between government entities and private organizations to control information flow. This collaboration is viewed as a violation of First Amendment rights, with calls for urgent legislative action to restore free speech protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reed is a vote. Carpenter is a vote.
• Reed is a vote. Reed is a vote.
• Appears all members wishing to vote have voted.
• I vote. Sorry.
• or explain their vote? or explain their vote?

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Technology and Telecommunications Committee will come to order.
• The vote will now occur, and the clerk will call the roll.
• I would respectfully request everybody's vote on this.
• Members, the vote will now occur on House Bill 4358. If you favor the measure, vote aye.
• If you pose the measure, vote nay. Kirkcal coloro.

Bills: HB1782, HB2293, HB3176, HB3544, HB3546, HB3619, HB4358

Keywords: artificial intelligence, education reform, innovation, funding, advisory council, broadband, Oklahoma Broadband Office, broadband access, statewide broadband plan, internet connectivity, grant programs, expansion council, termination plan, Oklahoma, Gas Hub, national laboratory, public-private partnerships, aerospace, high-performance computing, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also okay to vote on this, too. Oh, I'm so sorry. Schultz. That was the deciding vote.
• Not voting. Brian not voting. Alanis? Aye. Connolly? Not voting. Ellis? Aye. Flora? Garcia? Haynie?
• Haney, not voting. Hoover, aye. Hoover, aye. Culra, not voting. Maritzu not voting.
• Meritz, not voting. Meritsuchi, not voting. Pellerin, not voting. Schultz, not voting.
• That has 14 votes. That's... Aye. Haney, aye. Hoover, aye. That has 14 votes.

Summary: The committee hearing centered first on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on the largest polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would make polluters help pay for climate harms, protect taxpayers, create jobs in construction and clean energy, and dedicate at least 40% of funds to disadvantaged communities. Support testimony came from environmental justice groups, labor, youth advocates, health organizations, and many individual witnesses, while opponents from the building trades, chambers of commerce, petroleum, and business groups warned it would raise fuel and consumer costs, threaten refinery jobs, and create legal and economic uncertainty. Committee members debated the bill’s impact on affordability, jobs, refinery closures, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses climate funding needs. The committee ultimately voted to give AB 1243 a due pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, with the roll left open. After AB 1243, the committee moved to another bill on wildfire mitigation and related resilience work. The author said the measure addresses a long-running wildfire problem and accepted committee amendments, describing the bill as a response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and the need to help communities stay safe and rebuild after disasters. The transcript cuts off as that presentation begins, so no final action on the second bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have missing endangered persons information clearinghouse technology upgrade.
• FDLEs... endangered persons information clearinghouse technology upgrade.
• And by your vote, CS for SB 156 is reported favorably. Thank you, Senator Leak.
• And by your vote, CS for SB 54 is reported favorably. Thank you, Senator Sharif.
• And by your vote, CS for SB 296 is reported favorably.

Summary: The committee received a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-2027 public safety budget, which totals $8.2 billion for the public safety silo and includes funding for the Departments of Law Enforcement, Juvenile Justice, and Corrections, along with courts and legal affairs. The Governor’s Office highlighted recurring reductions and vacancy eliminations, while agency heads outlined their major requests: FDLE sought funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert-system upgrades, alcohol testing modernization, officer wellness, criminal intelligence, and immigration-related intelligence work; DJJ requested money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential services, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requested major increases for officer pay, additional staff, facility construction and maintenance, communications upgrades, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members questioned FDLE about immigration enforcement and public records burdens, and DOC about staffing, capacity, mental health services, contraband, housing, and whether prison beds were being used for immigration detainees. Public testimony also urged better prison conditions and basic necessities for incarcerated people. The committee then took up and reported favorably CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would strengthen penalties and clarify that a person may not resist an officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties. An amendment conforming the bill to House language was adopted, and the bill passed with Senator Smith voting no. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported favorably CS/SB 54, which concerns use of substances affecting cognitive function and limits certain medical-record disclosures to information relevant to investigations of violent offenders; Senator Smith voted no on that measure as well. Next, the committee considered Senator Berman’s bills on domestic and dating violence. CS/SB 296 would direct a study of a secure web-based alert platform for victims, including a discreet phone-number/code system and geolocation support, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims. The bill drew emotional support testimony from survivors and advocates describing the dangers victims face when trying to leave abusive situations, and it was reported favorably. Its companion, CS/SB 298, would extend public-records protections in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating-violence victims; it was also reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.