Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4751 isn't just a science bill. It's a business and security imperative.
• Most people don't understand how quantum computers work, and that's okay.
• And so it's just an astronomical leap in computing power.
• Harris County—I work with the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
• Harris County—I work with the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.

Bills: HB 106, HB144, HB145, HB252, HB1732, HB2221, HB2467, HB2468, HB2517, HB2518, HB2963, HB3016, HB3689, HB3960, HB4386, HB4490, HB4751, HB5247, HJR175, HB2213

Keywords: HB 106, oil and gas, Railroad Commission of Texas, overhead electrical lines, electrical distribution system, power line maintenance, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, oil and gas lease, well operator, energy safety, utility infrastructure, regulatory compliance, cleanup fund, oil and gas regulation and cleanup fund, production safety, leasehold operations, electric utility, distribution poles, inspection

Summary: The committee first handled pending business, including reconsidering SB 715 and then voting out several measures. The committee substitute for SB 1978 was reported favorably, and HB 431, HB 1522, HB 1922, HB 3228, HB 3229, HB 3803, HB 3804, HB 3805, HB 3806, HB 4219, HB 4238, HB 434, HB 1584, and HB 4739 were all reported favorably, many with objections sent to the local and uncontested calendar. HB 1522 and HB 4238 were adopted as committee substitutes before passage. The committee then moved into public testimony on HB 2963, a right-to-repair bill for consumer electronics. Supporters argued it would reduce waste, lower costs, and help independent repair shops by requiring manufacturers to provide parts, tools, and information on fair terms, while opponents said the bill was too broad and the automotive MOU exemption was problematic. The bill was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard HB 2467, which would align State Fire Marshal Office investigators’ pay with other commissioned peace officers at TDI; testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the office’s arson-investigation role, and the bill was left pending. HB 252, a bill allowing certain state agencies flexibility to pay Schedule A employees twice monthly, was laid out and left pending after limited testimony. HB 2468, dealing with public improvement district notice in real estate transactions, would let buyers terminate within seven days if required PID notice was not provided before contract execution; it drew no public testimony and was left pending. HB 4386, an annuity exchange and surrender process bill, was presented as a consumer-protection measure with deadlines and penalties for insurer delays; it received support from industry witnesses and was left pending. The committee then heard HB 4751, creating the Texas Quantum Initiative within the Governor’s Office to coordinate quantum research, workforce, industry partnerships, and possible future grant funding. Witnesses from universities and industry supported the bill, while several senators questioned whether a new state structure was necessary; the bill was left pending. HJR 175 proposed a constitutional amendment protecting Texans’ right to use mutually agreed forms of exchange, including cash, bullion, digital currency, or private script, and was discussed at length in the context of central bank digital currency and barter; it was left pending after testimony. HB 2221, updating insurance anti-rebating laws to allow wellness and value-added services, drew supportive testimony from the insurance industry and discussion about incentives versus monitoring; it was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard a series of utility wildfire and infrastructure bills: HB 106, requiring oil and gas operators to maintain certain electrical infrastructure near well sites; HB 144, requiring electric utilities to submit pole inspection and management plans to the PUC; and HB 145, requiring wildfire mitigation plans and allowing self-insurance under certain conditions. Utility, insurance, and cooperative witnesses generally supported the wildfire-related bills while asking for clarifications and less burdensome reporting, and the bills were left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• science education advancement computer science education advancement program.<00:38:24.480> This<
• we<01:17:56.800> stand computer science education as we stand computer science education
• Um, second point, uh, computer science.
• Um, second point, uh, computer<01:37:33.119> science.
• So, that was a an computer science.

Bills: HF2430, HF2433

Keywords: education finance, teacher training, Read Act, state aid, school funding, education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so as we get that to a science, that'll be very helpful.
• And when we get that to a perfect science, that'll be very helpful.
• science driven, stem driven skill sets that we're talking about.
• That doesn't necessarily mean that someone has to be a computer programmer or computer scientist, but
• science major is not necessarily knowing about computer science.

Transcript Highlights:

• The computer-aided design shows a 191.4% increase, and again in our recording arts technology.
• We are seeing great growth in our health sciences, which has seen an 18% increase in enrollment, and
• Artificial intelligence and computer learning don't need humans to understand it, right?
• those things are going to be done by computers going forward.
• And we've had 100% job placement for our Associate in Science and Dental Hygiene programs.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's impacting material science, agriculture, health sciences, and of course everyday life, amongst other
• It's impacting material science, agriculture, health sciences, and of course everyday life, amongst other
• It's impacting material science, agriculture,<00:09:22.640> health<00:09:22.880> sciences
• The university is home to computing.
• <00:26:46.480> uh remember certainly when computing uh remember certainly when computing uh

Bills: HF1316, HF4369

Keywords: HF1316, child support, new hire reporting, centralized work reporting system, independent contractors, payors, employers, payor of funds, withholding orders, income withholding, child support enforcement, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, gig economy, rideshare drivers, delivery drivers, 1099, W-9, W-4, newly hired workers, rehired employees

Transcript Highlights:

• science and we pass to teach computer science and we pass to teach computer science and we pass bills
• science school with computer science school with computer science classrooms so in in in my classrooms
• science we passed several in on computer science we passed several in on computer science we passed
• science we don't know if we computer science we don't know if we computer science we don't know if we
• science lab in order to have a computer science lab in order to have a computer science lab in order

Bills: HB 9, HB 22, HB 908, HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• So it seems like science—we follow, Dave always says we follow the science in the law—but it seems, in
• It seems like the agenda overrides science and overrides reality.
• It seems like the agenda overrides science and overrides reality.
• And Dave always says follow the science and the law, but not everybody follows science.
• Well, I think over us with their own expanding compute power.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of the Mincota Power Cooperative headquarters before returning for presentations on large energy consumers, especially data centers. The first presentations focused on how North Dakota should respond to rapid growth in energy-intensive projects, with speakers emphasizing the need for reliable transmission, local decision-making tools, and factual information for county and township officials who are being asked to weigh major projects with limited staff and technical support. The North Dakota Transmission Authority director said local governments are being asked to make high-impact decisions on pipelines, transmission lines, large agriculture, wind, solar, carbon dioxide pipelines, direct-air capture, and data centers, and urged development of simple statewide decision tools and support from the League of Cities and Association of Counties. The Department of Environmental Quality’s air division director said North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the nation, but large data centers can create air-quality concerns because of diesel backup generation; he said the department is requiring air monitors at some facilities and expects grid power and, potentially, cleaner natural gas backup to reduce emissions. Members asked about emissions standards, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession at DEQ. The Department of Water Resources director said North Dakota’s water law is based on common ownership and prior appropriation, and that data centers generally use relatively small amounts of water, often in closed-loop systems. He said the Missouri River and groundwater supplies are ample for projected needs, that the department’s permitting process protects senior water rights, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use a very small share of Missouri River flow. Members asked about downstream impacts and compared data center water use with fracking. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd Erickson urged the committee to study how other states regulate data centers, warned against litigation-driven delays and overly broad local ordinances, argued reclamation bonding should be handled at the state level if at all, and said data centers can bring jobs and tax base but should remain subject to local zoning. The committee ended the morning session for lunch and later heard an EERC update from CEO Charles Gorecki on the center’s 75 years of work in energy and environmental technologies, especially oil and gas development and related research.

Transcript Highlights:

• Money to purchase computers for teachers, computers for office staff, and computers for other people
• But one thing the science is clear about: handwriting fires up parts of the brain that using a computer
• Computer should be viewed the same way. A computer is not the lesson.
• So, I'm curious, you know, probably around when you were in sixth grade, we put in computer science as
• As long as we have that in there, we're going to have to figure out how we teach kids computer science

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To answer your question, the compute is in the state-built cloud environment.
• So if demand goes up, the compute power goes up instantly. So it covers that.
• So I appreciate you, both you and the Life Science Association, being here.
• I appreciate you, both you and the Life Science Association, being here.
• We don't know whether any of them are in the bio or life sciences sectors.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard several May Revision proposals, primarily from the Department of Food and Agriculture, the Government Operations Agency, the Department of Technology, and the Franchise Tax Board. CDFA presented funding for the animal care program under Proposition 12, a transition away from the state hemp program to USDA oversight by January 1, 2028, ongoing support for agricultural statistics reporting after USDA reorganization, and trailer bill changes to the department’s indirect cost cap. The LAO generally supported the animal care, hemp transition, and statistics proposals, while also urging future review of the Prop 12 funding once litigation is resolved. The indirect-cost-cap language was described as technical and not increasing charges to programs, and it was held open with no objections from the LAO or Finance. The committee also discussed the new federal Workforce Pell program and related Cradle to Career funding and trailer bill language. Finance said the state is still reviewing federal rules and is focusing on basic implementation steps, with the trailer bill assigning eligibility determinations to the California Student Aid Commission, requiring data sharing through Cradle to Career, and prioritizing public institutions first. The LAO urged caution because the federal rules were just finalized and said the Legislature should better define the process and costs before appropriating the $1.3 million requested for Cradle to Career. Members raised policy concerns about limiting the program to certain institutions and about aligning the proposal with pending legislation and broader workforce policy. The Department of Technology presented a $1 million request for Poppy, the state’s digital assistant, to expand a secure GenAI platform for state employees. Members asked detailed questions about data security, model training, bias controls, and whether the system could eventually support local governments; CDT said the system uses state-controlled cloud infrastructure, does not use user data for training, and quarantines new models for review. CDT also sought provisional authority for the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative to cover possible operating shortfalls while the network is still being built; the LAO remained concerned about broad spending authority, and several members questioned the revenue assumptions and oversight. FTB then proposed retaining a smaller set of CalFile resources after the federal Direct File program was discontinued, with the LAO saying the reduced staffing level was broadly reasonable but still worth legislative scrutiny. The committee also began hearing the administration’s revenue proposals, including a permanent limitation on business tax credits and a tax on electronically delivered prewritten software, with the LAO generally supporting the goal of raising ongoing revenue but recommending changes to the software proposal’s exemptions and business-use treatment.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that quantum computing can make solid solutions for all those.
• We've got about 260 million just in three of the five science and technology areas.
• For example in the areas of national security, energy, quantum computing, cyber, and AI.
• And that's buying a $100 million quantum computer to get it in the pipeline.
• We're looking at a four-year runway, adding the computer as a forward runway.

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one being, um, intro computer science.
• So we're coming at 30, 35 years later, and you see that explosion of computing capability and computing
• <00:54:32.559> in insertion of AI in data science in insertion of AI in data science in climate
• The availability of computing hardware, not cheap by the way, but hard computing to take it over the
• power usage because you need the compute power usage because you need the compute power<01:22:23.719

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a sole source and it is to provide computer science professional learning for our K-12 teachers
• science curricular materials that are needed for the state.
• science principles course.
• That collaboration was strengthened through the passage of the Alabama Computer Science Act in 2019,
• science, it's nothing against A+.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see, the state of Florida continues to have a focus on our nursing and our health science
• The growth in enrollments includes artificial intelligence, computer-aided design, recording arts and
• We look at CAD, right, the computer-aided design, 191.4% increase.
• And we're seeing great growth in our health sciences, which has seen an 18% increase in enrollments;
• things are going to be done by computers going forward.

Summary: The Higher Education Appropriations Committee met for its first meeting of the session and heard presentations focused on workforce education in the Florida College System and district technical colleges. Members introduced themselves and discussed their personal connections to higher education, then heard from Department of Education senior chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, South Florida State College president Fred Hawkins, and Pinellas Technical College representative Mark Hunt. O’Farrell outlined the department’s budget request, including increases for adult education, Florida College System program funds, workforce development capitalization grants, apprenticeship and teacher apprenticeship programs, Open Door scholarships, and CAPE industry certification funding. He emphasized record growth in enrollments, completions, dual enrollment, and program offerings, and described grant-funded expansion in fields such as health sciences, manufacturing, logistics, aerospace, and AI-related programs. Committee members raised concerns about whether current programs match actual labor-market demand, how artificial intelligence may reduce future human labor needs in some fields, and how the state should avoid unwarranted duplication of programs. O’Farrell said the department uses economic forecasts, employer demand data, and a CTE audit process to review programs and phase out those that do not meet performance thresholds. Members also asked for more detail on the teacher apprenticeship model, the transition from technical college clock hours to college credit, job placement and salary outcomes, and the LPN-to-RN pathway. O’Farrell said he would provide additional information later. Hawkins described South Florida State College’s rural service area, low college-going rates, and difficulty recruiting and retaining faculty and staff because salaries lag behind local market alternatives and nearby school district pay. He said the college has had to turn away students in high-demand programs due to staffing and operational limits, while also noting strong outcomes in nursing, dental hygiene, EMT/paramedic, and radiography. Hunt said Pinellas Technical College serves about 5,000 students annually, including many dual-enrolled high school students, and reported a placement rate above 90% and strong local economic returns. He said many programs have waiting lists and that additional operational funding is needed to meet demand, maintain equipment, and keep pace with salary and cost increases. The meeting ended after public comment was opened and no further business was brought before the committee, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes several requests that are vital, vital to our ability to serve our STEM science, technology
• Now you heard me ask for or our legislative ask is for civil engineering and computer science.
• You've given us the experimental firepower and now we need the computational firepower.
• So areas like computational material science, autonomous robotics, healthcare, energy, and cyberphysical
• And 2, TAS has the intellectual firepower, but we need the computational firepower.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, you heard me ask for our legislative ask is for civil engineering and computer science obviously
• Lamb to to deliver high-quality education through science-based knowledge.
• Now we need the computational firepower.
• So areas like computational material science. autonomous robotics, healthcare, energy, and cyber-physical
• But we need the computational firepower.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• science doctorates.
• Open science is science that's going to end up in the literature, it's going to be published together
• We have to have that open science.
• Richmond about open science.
• , AI, quantum, bioscience, biotech, accelerator science. battery science that we at the labs consider

Keywords: national security, Department of Energy, foreign espionage, security protocols, Chinese Communist Party, national laboratories, research security

Summary: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened to address pressing issues related to research security risks at the Department of Energy, focusing specifically on foreign nationals' access to sensitive information. The meeting highlighted the increasing threats posed by espionage from the Chinese Communist Party, which has sought to infiltrate U.S. national laboratories and exploit American research for military purposes. Discussions included the importance of tightening security protocols to safeguard national interests and maintain technological advantages. Witnesses provided insight into historical contexts and current vulnerabilities, emphasizing that without proper measures, the gaps could jeopardize national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• And introduced me to computer science in the courses there.
• Obviously, we have computer science standards.
• Obviously, we have computer science standards.
• > science Obviously, we have computer science Obviously, we have computer science standards.<01
• <01:07:04.960> science you know, staying in computer science you know, staying in computer

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met and adopted the prior minutes before turning to AI in education. Jeff Gagne of the Southern Regional Education Board described SREB’s Commission on AI in Education, which has organized its work into committees on policy, K-12 instruction, postsecondary instruction, and skills development. He highlighted eight commission recommendations covering statewide AI networks, targeted guidance for different user groups, professional development, standards and curricula, local capacity assessments, risk management, procurement, and AI-ready workforce skills. He also emphasized that states need more specific guidance for students, teachers, faculty, administrators, and parents, and that training is essential because many educators have not been prepared to use AI in instruction. Gagne also summarized two recent SREB reports: one on AI-ready workforce skills and one on AI use in K-12 classrooms. The workforce report recommends embedding AI across standards, strengthening computer science and digital learning standards, collaborating with industry and workforce agencies, building AI competencies into training and upskilling, providing educator professional development, and monitoring readiness. He said the report identifies three skill areas: success skills, industry baseline skills, and technical skills. The classroom guidance report promotes responsible AI adoption, with four pillars focused on increasing cognitive demand, streamlining teaching and administrative work, supporting personalized learning, and developing ethical AI users. He also noted that the report includes an AI procurement tool for school districts. Members thanked Gagne for providing outside examples and resources. One member noted JCPS has an introductory AI professional development offering for educators. Gagne said Kentucky’s David Couch serves on the SREB commission and that the commission’s member list and reports are available on SREB’s website. The committee then heard from Travis Powell of the Council on Postsecondary Education, who said CPE had surveyed campuses and found that Kentucky institutions have broadly embraced AI in teaching, research, student services, and administrative operations. He said all institutions have AI-focused degrees, minors, or courses, and many are integrating AI into general education and across disciplines. Powell also said CPE is considering an AI consortium and that campuses are using AI in research partnerships and applied work, while continuing to focus on ethical and effective use.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're not simulating science, but instead they're actually doing real science, either in programs at
• But they are in their school lab doing real science experiments alongside the science of HudsonAlpha,
• > they're<00:20:40.880> actually science, but instead they're actually science, but instead
• > Hudson<00:21:12.559> Alpha alongside the science of Hudson Alpha alongside the science
• have a focus on science and technology when<00:32:10.880> the<00:32:11.039> science<00:

Bills: HB187, HB98, HB360, HB394, HB398, HB388, HB187, HB98, HB360, HB394, HB398, HB388

Keywords: school safety, emergency response, training, public safety, Alyssa's Law, law enforcement, scholarship, tuition assistance, dependent education, Alabama, blackout license plate, HB360, Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday, sales tax holiday, firearms, guns, ammunition, bullets, primers, gun accessories

Transcript Highlights:

• The buildings will support programs in math, computer science, art, and design.
• will support programs in math, computer will support programs in math, computer science,<00:08:05.120
• sciences.
• Um and uh she had won science competitions, food science competitions.
• > science science competitions, food science science competitions, food science competitions.<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So again, we thank you, and I'll take just a few minutes to talk about the science.
• Beach Science Center.
• At this science center, we have a municipal wastewater.
• Or you can visit any of the 12 science centers that are closer to you.
• Back then, everything was dominated by mainframe computers.