HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
COMMITTEE ON ENERGY, COMMUNICATIONS, AND TECHNOLOGY
REP. HELENA SCOTT
CHAIR
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
9:00 AM
Room 519, House Office Building
The House Committee on Energy, Communications, and Technology was called to order by
Chair Scott.
The Clerk read a letter from Speaker Tate dated November 14, 2023, removing
Representative Kevin Coleman from the Energy, Communications, and Technology
committee.
The Clerk read a letter from Speaker Tate dated January 10, 2024, adding Representative
Samantha Steckloff to the Energy, Communications, and Technology committee.
The Chair requested attendance be called:
Present: Reps. Scott, Andrews, Whitsett, Neeley, Steckloff, Byrnes, Churches, Hill,
MacDonell, McFall, Aragona, BeGole, Greene, Prestin, Schmaltz.
Absent: Reps. Wendzel, Outman.
Excused: Reps. Wendzel, Outman.
Representative Whitsett moved to adopt the meeting minutes from November 8, 2023. There
being no objection, the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
Chair Scott offered the following proposed Committee rules:
1. For any item of legislation considered by the committee, at least 1 meeting will be called at
which the public may address the committee regarding that item of legislation. Oral
testimony may be limited at the discretion of the committee chair. The Committee may
accept written testimony in lieu of oral testimony.
2. All testimony shall be on the subject matter pertaining to the committee agenda.
Representative Neeley moved to adopt proposed Committee rules. The motion prevailed 13-
0-0:
FAVORABLE ROLL CALL
Yeas: Reps. Scott, Andrews, Whitsett, Neeley, Steckloff, Byrnes, Churches, Hill,
MacDonell, McFall, BeGole, Prestin, Schmaltz.
Nays: None.
Pass: None.
The Chair laid before the committee a presentation regarding AI by Dr. Ravi Pendse, Vice
President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officers, Office of the
President, University of Michigan.
Dr. Ravi Pendse shared a power point discussing AI. Questions and discussion followed.
The Chair laid HB 5457 before the committee:
HB 5457
(Rep. Scott)
A bill to amend 2020 PA 224, entitled "Broadband
expansion act of Michigan," by amending section
2 (MCL 484.3252).
At 9:49 AM, the Chair laid the committee at ease.
At 9:50 AM, Majority Vice Chair Andrews called the committee back to order.
Representative Scott testified in support of HB 5457. She was joined by Caleb Buhs and
Ulrika Zay, representing the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget;
and Jayshona Hicks and Jessica Randall, representing the Michigan High-Speed Internet
Office under the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Questions and
discussion followed.
At 9:55 AM, Majority Vice Chair Andrews laid the committee at ease.
At 9:56 AM, the Chair called the committee back to order.
Representative Steckloff moved to excuse Representatives Wendzel and Outman from the
meeting. There being no objection the motion prevailed by unanimous consent.
There being no further business before the committee, Chair Scott adjourned the meeting at
9:57 AM.
Representative Helena Scott, Chair
Molly Wingrove
Committee Clerk
mwingrove@house.mi.gov