Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
• I hope you will remember the fact that your father is close to the President of the United States.
• I think that we can address fraud.
• I think that we can address fraud.
• The United States is crazy for lawsuits. You imagine FDA lining up to sue these people?

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then devoted most of the first part of the meeting to a farewell-style recognition of Senator Joe Gruters. Senators from both parties offered extended remarks praising his loyalty, political instincts, family involvement, and work as a legislator and as incoming Republican National Committee chair. Gruters responded with remarks about his background, including overcoming a childhood speech impediment, his service in the Legislature, and major policy efforts he highlighted such as alimony reform and the undergrounding of utilities. A ceremonial gift was presented to him recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety/immigration bill, and the Senate adopted a motion to spread his remarks upon the journal before recessing briefly. After the recess, the Senate returned to regular business. No committee reports, governor’s messages, House messages, or reconsideration matters were reported. The chamber then moved to third reading and temporarily postponed CS/CS/CS/SB 354, relating to blue ribbon projects. The next bill, CS/CS/SB 1758, relating to public assistance, was taken up, and Senator Gaetz explained that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system previously discussed by the Senate. Debate was about to continue when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a hope to slow down fraud and to stop a little bit of fraud.
• We can do something about fraud. We can put some teeth into this fraud.
• So insurance fraud happens a lot, and so this bill is just basically does it.
• stop a little bit of fraud mainly our stop a little bit of fraud mainly our insurance<00:08:03.639
• practice law because of insurance fraud practice law because of insurance fraud and<00:08:22.400

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:20 SB18 Discussion: 01:36 SB18 Vote: 05:07 SB24 Discussion: 06:37 SB24 Vote: 10:50 HB524 Discussion: 12:03 HB524 Vote: 13:55 HB421 Discussion: 15:13 HB421 Vote: 20:50 HB236 Discussion: 21:53 HB236 Vote: 23:34 HB210 Discussion: 25:40 HB210 Vote: 29:56, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up several insurance and health-related bills, beginning with Senate Bill 18, which was presented by Senator Girdler and insurance witness Adam Sheridan. The bill was described as addressing a shortage of garage liability insurance for used auto dealers in Kentucky, which has left many small dealers with only one or two coverage options and, in some cases, unable to obtain the insurance needed for a dealer license. The committee adopted a motion and second, then passed SB 18 unanimously and reported it favorably with the recommendation that it pass on the House floor. The committee then considered Senate Bill 24, also presented by Senator Girdler with testimony from Eric DeCampo of the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The bill was framed as an anti-fraud measure that would expand the definition of a fraudulent insurance act to cover misrepresentations about property damage and repair costs in property insurance claims. Testimony emphasized that insurance fraud raises premiums for consumers and that the bill would help deter inflated or fabricated claims. After a brief question about whether the bill created new felonies, the committee voted to pass SB 24 unanimously and report it favorably. House Bill 524, presented by Rep. Aaron Thompson with officials from the Office of the Controller and State Risk, would extend reinsurance requirements for the state’s fire and tornado/self-insurance fund from July 1 of this year to July 1, 2030, and rename the fund the Commonwealth’s Property and Casualty Insurance Fund. The bill was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously. House Bill 421, presented by Rep. Amy Neighbors, would require full coverage of FDA-approved bowel preps without out-of-pocket cost or prior authorization issues and update colorectal cancer screening coverage rules for high-risk patients by incorporating multisociety task force guidelines. Members discussed the bill’s personal importance and its minimal fiscal impact; it passed unanimously with a committee substitute. House Bill 236, presented by Rep. Adam Moore and Commissioner Sharon Clark, would cap annual out-of-pocket costs for epinephrine at $100. Members spoke in support, including personal remarks about the importance of access to epinephrine, and the bill passed unanimously with a favorable recommendation. Finally, House Bill 210, presented by Rep. Michael “Sarge” Pollock and Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association, addressed dental limited benefit plans and direct payment to dentists. Members asked whether the bill also affected vision/hearing arrangements or third-party administrators; the witness said it was intended for non-ERISA dental plans in Kentucky and suggested follow-up with the commissioner for further clarification. The committee adopted the committee substitute and then passed HB 210 favorably, with 15 yes votes and no votes against. The meeting then adjourned, with a reminder about the Banking and Insurance dinner later that evening.

Transcript Highlights:

• [clears throat] Go ahead and begin with HB 1719, prevention strategies on financial fraud. >> Yes.
• while you're in this deed fraud while you're in this committee?
• . >> Deed fraud. >> So the way we initially set this up would be around financial securities fraud since
• fraud fraud >> deed<00:03:13.840> fraud.
• >> deed fraud. >> deed fraud.

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 216, 2 March, 2026; 4:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several House bills related to fraud prevention and business filing procedures. On HB 1719, members discussed creating a study committee to examine prevention strategies for financial fraud and related scams, with the sponsor citing a sharp increase in securities division investigations and the need to coordinate among multiple state agencies. Questions focused on whether the study would include deed fraud and veterans’ fraud; the sponsor said the committee was initially aimed at securities fraud but could be expanded, and noted the Veterans Affairs director was included. An amendment adding the president of the Mississippi Bankers Association or designee was adopted, and the bill was given a do pass strike all recommendation. HB 1532 would allow the Secretary of State to remove fraudulent business filings and protect personal information used without consent. The sponsor explained that current law does not let the office remove a filing even when someone’s name, address, or phone number is used fraudulently, and said the bill would create a process to investigate complaints and take down fraudulent filings. Members clarified that the bill would not address scam solicitation letters sent to businesses, only fraudulent filings themselves. The committee then voted title sufficient, do pass. HB 1642 would move dissolution notices for corporations and LLCs to electronic notice. The sponsor said Mississippi already requires email addresses on filings and has been sending both email and mailed notices, but the bill would allow email-only notice and save about $65,000 in mailing costs while improving response rates. After concerns were raised about whether electronic notice alone was enough before a business is dissolved, the committee adopted a reverse repealer amendment to keep working on the issue, then reported the bill out with a title sufficient, do pass strike all recommendation and rose and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• fraud uh and in addition to that uh Mr. fraud uh and in addition to that uh Mr. speaker<00:04:00.640
• preventing fraud does something worse. preventing fraud does something worse.
• to ensure that we're stopping the fraud to ensure that we're stopping the fraud in<01:18:47.360>
• Following a fraud conviction.
• let us know about whistleblower uh fraud let us know about whistleblower uh fraud allegations<01

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4476, described as the human services program integrity package, and first adopted a motion declaring urgency so the bill could move quickly to conference committee before the end of session. The House then adopted a DE amendment to insert House language, followed by a technical A7 amendment clarifying that prepayment review would apply to all fee-for-service systems. Members then debated the A5 amendment, which would have removed a sunset on the periodic data matching reporting requirement tied to eligibility checks for medical assistance and MinnesotaCare. Supporters argued the report is essential for fraud prevention, accountability, and ensuring only eligible recipients receive benefits, citing missed or delayed reports and claiming the process can save the state money. Opponents said the report had been received, that federal HR1 changes would require different data-matching procedures, and that the amendment was not the right vehicle. After roll call, the A5 amendment failed, 63-67. The House next debated the A6 amendment, which would require DHS reporting on homelessness programs, including outcomes, costs, and participant movement, and would allow recoupment of funds if reporting was not provided. Supporters said the state spends tens of millions on homelessness without clear results and needs better data to guide policy; opponents said homelessness reporting and stakeholder work are already underway and objected to the amendment’s approach. Debate continued with questions about the amendment’s details and stakeholder consultation, but the transcript ends before a final vote on A6.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another provision that wasn't mentioned earlier is the provision on gift card fraud.
• It's fraud. It's flat-out fraud.
• Bill 1553 is part of a whole state strategy to make Missouri the critical materials center of the United
• Yes, the entire United States will benefit from this. This will bring jobs home. Yes, it will.
• They're going to be identified and published in the list provided by the United States Food and Drug

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands
• She volunteered on John Kyle's first campaign for United States Senate, spending many hours working on
• This is consumer fraud, and products have security vulnerabilities, and consumers don't know about them
• Unable to make the comments about the fraud rate in the ESA program, I will yield. Thank you.
• We came as legislators, we took the oath, we made a covenant to defend the Constitution of the United

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:03:38.079> if<01:03:38.240> someone could cause a lot of fraud if someone could
• We don't make it public that will indicate if fraud is occurring and those types of things.
• Over half the states in the United States have a court like the Office of Administrative Hearings.
• Now, each central panel in the United States is a little different.
• Each central panel in the United States is a little different.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Have people, Louisiana, United States, and Ireland. A motion to approve. Thank you.
• And I guess, to follow up on Representative Carver's question, I mean, how common are fraud complaints
• You know, because what we're seeing, and you all know, fraud is rampant right now in all forms, especially
• the kind of things you've heard about, but just using this crypto ATM as an apparatus to conduct the fraud
• But because it's done in a med spa, which is a health unit, certain nurses and certain doctors can shampoo

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, with a quorum present and took up a series of Senate bills, a resolution, and one House bill. The committee reported favorably Senate Bill 79 to recreate Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 to establish the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, Senate Bill 375 on firefighting foam with amendments clarifying use in declared emergencies, Senate Bill 398 moving manufactured and modular housing oversight under the Contractors Licensing Board with technical and substantive amendments, Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing with an amendment providing for federal preemption if Congress enacts a national licensing regime, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks with consumer-protection provisions and technical amendments. The committee also reported favorably House Resolution 197, as amended, urging the Public Service Commission to study distributed energy generation and storage resources with LSU involvement, and Senate Bill 54, which would allow estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services; that bill drew extensive testimony from supporters and opponents in the cosmetology and aesthetics industries before being reported favorably. Several bills prompted detailed discussion and testimony. On Senate Bill 398, the sponsor and Contractors Licensing Board representatives said the change would improve enforcement and consumer safety for manufactured-home installation, especially tie-downs, leveling, and foundation blocking, while not affecting HUD-regulated construction. On the virtual currency bills, OFI said it currently licenses 37 virtual currency businesses with 33 pending applications, and supporters described the kiosk bill as a response to fraud complaints by requiring clearer disclosures, refund procedures, live customer support, and reporting to OFI. For House Resolution 197, the sponsor, PSC officials, and energy stakeholders said the study would examine the value of distributed energy resources, including rooftop solar and battery storage, in light of rising demand and grid reliability concerns; PSC staff and LSU energy experts described the study as focused on market value and avoided-cost benefits. House Bill 744, which would have shifted regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the PSC, generated discussion about constitutional history, rate impacts, and utility consolidation. PSC officials and the sponsor said the current city-council regulation is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921, and they argued that PSC regulation could reduce costs and simplify oversight, but the sponsor ultimately moved to defer the bill rather than force a floor fight, and the committee agreed. The committee then began consideration of Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, adopting technical amendments and then a larger amendment package that revised definitions and compliance provisions; the transcript ends while that bill’s amendment process is still underway, with no final action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have people, Louisiana, United States, and Ireland. A motion to approve. Thank you.
• And I guess to follow up on Representative Carver's question, I mean, how common are fraud complaints
• You know, because what we're seeing, and you all know, fraud is rampant right now in all forms, especially
• the kind of things you've heard about, but just using this crypto ATM as an apparatus to conduct the fraud
• But because it's done in a med spa, which is a health unit, certain nurses, certain doctors can shampoo

Bills: HB744, HR197, SB54, SB79, SB163, SB287, SB375, SB386, SB398, SB469, SCR5

Keywords: public utility, common carrier, regulation, Public Service Commission, New Orleans, constitutional amendment, distributed energy, energy storage, electricity demand, virtual power plants, reliability, hurricane resilience, esthetics, cosmetology, hair services, beauty industry, Louisiana regulation, Louisiana Economic Development, sunset law, legislative authority

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 11, 2026, and first advanced several Senate measures with little or no opposition. It reported favorably Senate Bill 79 recreating Louisiana Economic Development, Senate Concurrent Resolution 5 establishing the Louisiana-Ireland Trade Commission, and Senate Bill 375 on Class B firefighting foam, after adopting a technical amendment clarifying use in declared emergency firefighting operations. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 398, which moves manufactured and modular housing regulation under the Louisiana Contractors Licensing Board and expands inspection and enforcement provisions, after adopting two sets of mostly technical amendments and hearing testimony that the change would improve consumer safety and increase inspection coverage without adding net cost to locals. It then reported favorably Senate Bill 163 on virtual currency business licensing, after adopting an amendment providing that any future federal licensing law would preempt the state act, and Senate Bill 287 on virtual currency kiosks, which adds refund timelines, disclosure requirements, customer support, and reporting duties; witnesses from the banking and law enforcement community said the bill responds to common fraud complaints and improves consumer protection. The committee also reported favorably Senate Bill 54, which allows estheticians to blow-dry hair after certain services, despite strong opposition from cosmetology board representatives and industry witnesses who argued the service is outside esthetics training, could create scope-of-practice and facility issues, and should instead be addressed by lowering or revising separate blow-dry licensing requirements. The committee then considered House Resolution 197, which urges the Louisiana Public Service Commission to study the feasibility and value of distributed energy generation and storage resources. After adopting technical amendments and a second amendment changing mandatory language to requests and urging the PSC to coordinate with the LSU Energy Institute, the resolution was reported favorably. Testimony from solar and energy industry representatives, the PSC, and LSU focused on how distributed resources, batteries, rooftop solar, and virtual power plants could improve reliability, reduce costs, and help meet rising demand; members also discussed how the study would evaluate market value, avoided costs, and capacity benefits. Questions centered on methodology, grid impacts, and comparisons to Texas’s ERCOT system and Winter Storm Uri, with PSC officials emphasizing that the study would help determine whether such resources benefit ratepayers. Representative Wright presented House Bill 744, a proposed constitutional amendment to transfer regulation of certain New Orleans utilities from the city council to the Public Service Commission. He argued the change could reduce rates through consolidation and eliminate duplicative regulatory costs, while PSC officials explained the city’s authority is a constitutional exception dating back to 1921 and that Entergy New Orleans and Entergy Louisiana operate as separate companies with different regulatory environments. After discussion of rate impacts, utility structure, and whether the proposal should instead become a study, the bill was deferred. The committee then began Senate Bill 386, the Louisiana Data Privacy Act, which would give consumers rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of certain uses of personal data; the sponsor introduced the bill and the committee started considering technical and substantive amendments, but the transcript ends before final action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• investigations into the rampant fraud investigations into the rampant fraud that<00:25:35.080>
• <00:26:57.240> illegally<00:26:57.679> in<00:26:57.760> the<00:26:57.840> United
• non-citizens illegally in the United non-citizens illegally in the United States<00:26:58.279>
• that never turn into a final into fraud that never turn into a final investigative<00:46:06.200>
• <01:26:26.280> of water boards Etc local units of water boards Etc local units of government

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also includes provisions addressing workers' compensation fraud.
• I heard some comments, and I think these conversations are kind of united.
• oath that I took as a school board member was: I swear that I will support the Constitution of the United
• And I'll just take a moment to thank the chairs for including these fraud protection components.
• If you misrepresent yourself—and I hope to goodness we don't see this—you will be put up on fraud.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gift card fraud has been on the rise, with criminals exploiting various methods to illegally obtain or
• Gift card fraud has been on the rise, with criminals exploiting various methods to illegally obtain or
• that’s passed in our courts through the appellate process, through our Texas Supreme Court and our United
• We know that since 2013 to 2022, there's been approximately 110,000 fatalities in the United States due
• He's a lieutenant colonel of the United States Army. I wouldn't mess with him. Mr.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, recognized a Karnes County Day delegation and the Texas Association of Museums, received a governor’s message on Texas Diabetes Council appointments, and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber then took up several resolutions, including SR 388 honoring the Texas Association of Museums, and adopted SRs 380, 382, and 387 by voice vote. Senator King was excused due to a family death, and the journal reading was dispensed with. The Senate then moved through a series of bills, most of them on expedited suspension of the regular order and three-day rule. Measures passed included SB 868 on Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program funding for high-wildfire-risk areas; SB 264 exempting certain family motor-vehicle transfers from tax; SB 2112 on oyster mariculture penalties; SB 1484 on catfish labeling and marketing; SB 660 on bollards near hospital emergency rooms; SB 1809 creating offenses for gift card fraud; SB 32 and SJR 81 providing business personal property tax relief and a related constitutional amendment; SB 1267 modernizing boat titling and adding disclosure for hidden hull damage; SB 1470 allowing DPS data sharing for voter list maintenance; SB 2406 and SB 2407 implementing Sunset recommendations for the Sabine River Authority and Lower Neches Valley River Authority; SB 609 on school district compliance with legally required policies; SB 921 on ex parte Medicaid eligibility renewals; SB 2320 increasing DWI penalties; SB 1822 requiring disclosure and oversight of AI-based utilization review algorithms; SB 693 on notaries public and deed theft prevention; and SB 664 setting statewide qualifications and oversight for magistrates and related judicial officers. One of the most contested items was SB 779 on common law public nuisance claims, which drew extended debate over whether the bill would limit lawsuits against lawful, regulated activities and whether it would preserve private nuisance and other existing remedies. Despite objections, the Senate suspended the rules and passed the bill to engrossment by a 17-12 vote, holding it there. Another debated measure was SB 1008 on state and local authority over the food service industry; after a perfecting amendment, it was passed to engrossment and then to final passage. Several bills were adopted or passed with near-unanimous support, while others, including SB 1267, SB 1470, SB 1822, and SB 2320, saw some opposition but still cleared the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to turn now to fraud.
• We're going to turn now to fraud.
• We're going to turn now to fraud.
• We're going to turn now to fraud.
• We're going to turn now to fraud.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, uh, there's a Medicare and Medicaid fraud statute.
• So often what you'll see is these fraud cases.
• There'll be a Medicare fraud component, a Medicaid fraud component, but then that third component where
• No, I mean if you're committing fraud, you're committing fraud.
• So nothing but fraud.

Transcript Highlights:

• Greater Sacramento Urban League, the businesses are united here.
• Sacramento Urban League, the businesses are united here.
• That is how we prevent waste, fraud, abuse. ...and a public benefit.
• This reduces design flexibility, discourages family-sized units, and can make it harder to build units
• It gives discounts to homeowners to build accessory dwelling units.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fraud uh and in addition to that uh Mr. fraud uh and in addition to that uh Mr. speaker<00:04:25.199
• preventing fraud does something worse. preventing fraud does something worse.
• Representative Schultz: What amount of fraud is okay? What amount and for how long is fraud okay?
• fraud, and abuse. fraud, and abuse. and<01:26:17.440> should<01:26:17.679> be<01:26
• let us know about whistleblower uh fraud let us know about whistleblower uh fraud allegations<01

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first adopted non-controversial motions, then approved an urgency motion to suspend the rules so Senate File 4476, the human services program integrity package, could move quickly to conference committee before the end of session. The House then adopted a DE amendment to insert House language into the bill, and proceeded to debate several amendments focused on program integrity, fraud prevention, and reporting requirements in human services programs. Representative Schultz offered Amendment A5 to remove a sunset on the periodic data matching report requirement, arguing the report helps ensure only eligible people receive medical assistance and welfare benefits and should continue to be delivered annually. Supporters said the report had been inconsistently delivered, cited past findings of ineligible recipients, and framed the amendment as a low-cost accountability measure. Opponents, including Representative Nor, said the report had been sent to the chairs, that the issue should be handled through broader HR1-related changes and negotiations with the Senate, and that the amendment was not the right vehicle. After roll call, A5 failed on a 63-67 vote. Schultz then offered Amendment A6, which would require reporting on homelessness programs, including how many people are served, total costs, outcomes, and possible recoupment of funds if reporting is inadequate. Schultz said the state spends tens of millions on homelessness programs without clear results and that better data would help the legislature make decisions and protect taxpayers. Several members supported the idea of more accountability, while others said the state already receives reports, that homelessness work is being done in partnership with stakeholders, and that the amendment was not the best approach. The discussion continued with further comments on homelessness data and program oversight, but no final vote on A6 is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another example of this we talked a lot in the fraud committee about the business model of fraud.
• <00:13:28.079> committee underlying bill and the fraud committee underlying bill and the fraud
• this we talked a lot in the fraud this we talked a lot in the fraud committee<00:15:06.480> about
• So what we've s what we saw in fraud.
• <00:15:36.720> committee did hear it in the fraud committee did hear it in the fraud committee

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that we need to stop fraud.
• We know that we need to stop fraud.
• Representative Nash, what are your hopes for anti-fraud legislation?
• calling them pejoratively uh uh fraud calling them pejoratively uh uh fraud notes<00:21:03.200><
• <00:21:11.640> and wanted to talk more waste Fraud and wanted to talk more waste Fraud and

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders announced that they had reached an organizational agreement with Democrats to organize the Minnesota House and end the session stalemate. Under the deal, Republicans will control the speakership while they hold a 67-66 majority, with Republican chairs on committees and a one-vote edge; if the chamber returns to a 67-67 tie, committees would shift to co-chairs with equal voting. Leaders said the agreement also preserves Republican control of the fraud prevention and agency oversight committee, which will be chaired solely by Rep. Kristin Robbins for two years with a 5-3 Republican majority. The leaders framed the agreement as a way to get lawmakers back to work, pass priority bills, and avoid a special session. They said House Republicans had continued meeting with constituents and interest groups during the delay and were preparing to introduce a large slate of bills, including anti-fraud measures. Rep. Nash said House Files 1 through 3 would be heard the following week in State Government Finance and moved forward; Robbins described them as a new independent inspector general, an accountability measure, and “fraud notes.” The discussion also covered the seating of Rep. Brad Tabke, with Republicans saying they wanted a full Ethics Committee hearing on the election issues before any final action. Leaders said the agreement reflected public pressure to return to work, the pending court case over quorum and organization, and the need to complete the budget on time. They also said the Speaker’s role would be largely full-power rather than a co-speaker arrangement, while some shared decision-making would remain for conferees, absences, and certain administrative appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the CEO at United Hospital District in Blue Earth, Minnesota.
• I'm<00:08:07.039> the<00:08:07.199> CEO<00:08:07.520> at<00:08:07.680> United
• To be honest, when this session started, we had $9 billion of fraud.
• To be honest, when this session started, we had $9 billion of fraud.
• Who sets To be honest, when this session started, we had $9 billion of fraud.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 369 was the main topic, with House authors Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar, Rep. Robert Bierman, and Rep. Dave Baker arguing that the bill would give Minnesota’s 2024 340B law “teeth” by enforcing protections for nonprofit and rural hospitals’ access to the federal drug pricing program. They said the measure costs the state nothing, aligns with similar laws in more than 20 other states, and is needed before adjournment to help hospitals close funding gaps, support services like emergency care, obstetrics, behavioral health, and pharmacy access, and preserve care in remote communities. Several hospital leaders from across greater Minnesota testified that 340B revenue helps keep their facilities viable and that losing it would threaten services and, in some cases, hospital survival. Witnesses described severe financial pressure on rural hospitals, including reimbursement cuts, workforce shortages, inflation, and rising drug costs. Leaders from United Hospital District in Blue Earth, Lakewood Health System in Staples, Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, Northshore Health in Grand Marais, Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet, and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby said their hospitals serve as safety-net providers and often operate with thin or negative margins. They emphasized long travel times to other hospitals, seasonal tourism pressures in some areas, and the importance of local emergency, ambulance, inpatient, and specialty services. The Minnesota Hospital Association president also criticized pharmaceutical company messaging and said nonprofit hospitals are working around the clock to maintain access. In response to questions, Zeleznikar said she had considered other enforcement approaches but now supported using the original Senate-passed bill, citing concerns about fraud and the difficulty of alternative enforcement mechanisms. She and hospital leaders distinguished this bill from a separate hospital stabilization-grant proposal, saying both are needed but serve different purposes. No vote was taken at the meeting, and the speakers repeatedly urged House leadership to bring the bill to the floor before session ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the problem is, and this is a cyclical issue that we're seeing relating to fraud, the biggest fraud
• Is he part of the fraud? What's going on?
• But the problem is, and this is a cyclical issue that we're seeing relating to fraud, the biggest fraud
• But the problem is, and this is a cyclical issue that we're seeing relating to fraud, the biggest fraud
• Is he part of the fraud? What's going on?

Keywords: 1183, house