Video & Transcript Research : 'irrevocable trust'

Page 110 of 449
DE
Transcript Highlights:
  • His friendly nature and genuine interest in people helped him earn the trust and admiration of so many
  • tirelessly, built meaningful relationships, and earned a reputation as someone who would always be trusted
  • If you could stand, trusted.
  • But in all honesty, he has been a trusted consultant.
  • I truly, truly trust his judgment.
Summary: The House convened with a quorum present, opened with a moment of silence for Ted Williams, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members then accepted the previous day’s minutes and moved into a series of recognitions, beginning with House Resolution 27 designating June 24, 2026 as Staff Appreciation Day. The resolution was adopted by voice vote, and the chamber spent much of the meeting honoring legislative staff across both caucuses, with members and staff introducing themselves and being recognized for years of service and behind-the-scenes work. The House also recognized staff member Justin, who is leaving for a position with the Delaware State Board of Education, and later gave farewell remarks for Representative Kevin Hensley and Representative Charles Postles, both of whom are retiring. Numerous members spoke in tribute to their service, constituent work, and personal character, and both Hensley and Postles offered remarks thanking colleagues, staff, and family. The House then received communications from the Senate, including several bills and resolutions passed and returned, and a notice of Senate concurrence on other measures. Representative Wilson-Anton made a brief statement explaining her vote on Senate Bill 100 and reaffirming support for marriage equality and related civil rights issues. The chamber also took up Senate Joint Resolution 16 and Senate Joint Resolution 17, which set the official revenue estimates for fiscal years 2026 and 2027; both were read, called to roll, and passed by constitutional majority votes of 37-4 and 40-1, respectively. Finally, the House considered Senate Bill 335, the operating budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. Representative Williams presented the budget on behalf of the Joint Finance Committee, describing major funding items including raises for state and education employees, health insurance and retiree benefit funding, developmental disability services, Medicaid growth, purchase of care, and maintenance of reserve funds. Several members praised the committee’s work, while Representative Shupe said he would vote no, citing concerns about the budget’s 6.3% growth despite appreciating the committee’s effort. After the budget presentation and comments, Leader Harris moved that the House recess for party caucuses, and the House stood in recess until the call of the bell.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/18/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Again, I have spoken with folks who practice and trust them and believe them when they explain their
  • Thank you. with folks who practice and trust them and believe them when they explain their culture to
  • It means trust in voters. It means expanded access to eligible voters, not restricting it.
  • It means trust in voters. It means expanding access to eligible voters, not restricting it.
  • Trust me. And this does not get rid of that ability. Mr. Chair.
Summary: The committee first considered SB 1018, which would expand Arizona’s foreign law statute to expressly include Sharia law and certain foreign religious or cultural laws or customs that condone practices such as honor killings or other conduct violating criminal law. The sponsor said the bill was meant to strengthen enforcement against foreign, private, or religious adjudications that violate constitutional rights, while opponents, including the ACLU, argued it was unconstitutional, singled out Islam, and was part of a broader anti-Muslim effort. After extended debate, the committee approved SB 1018 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then heard SB 1568, requiring election systems and software clocks to be set to accurate time and verified during logic and accuracy, compatibility, and security testing. Supporters said accurate timekeeping is important for chain of custody and election integrity; county representatives opposed the bill as impractical because some equipment is not connected to the internet, batteries can drain, and different time zones in Arizona complicate compliance. The bill passed 4-3. Next, SB 1687 proposed moving primary elections to the Tuesday before Memorial Day, adjusting nomination paper filing windows, and changing the date used to calculate required petition signatures. A Marquez amendment dealing with Clean Elections timing and funding was offered but defeated. The sponsor said the bill would reduce extreme heat burdens and improve participation; county officials were neutral but noted timing changes would require broader cleanup. The committee then approved SB 1687 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also considered SB 1825, which changes how precinct committeeman vacancies are filled by giving legislative district chairs or county chairs authority depending on the situation and requiring action within 30 days. Supporters said it would streamline a slow, opaque process and improve local control; opponents warned it could concentrate power and be abused. An amendment limiting the bill to counties over 500,000 people was adopted, and the bill passed 4-1 with one present and one absent. Finally, the committee revisited SB 1037, which imposes security requirements on voting and tabulating equipment, including no internet connectivity, user logins, chain-of-custody controls, and continuous video recording at counting centers. An amendment broadened the bill to cover election management systems and tightened the no-connectivity and no-port provisions. The sponsor and amendment proponent argued the bill was needed to prevent indirect internet access and strengthen election security. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on SB 1037.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Finance (03/10/2026)

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • The other is Health Trust asked that they be able to take out of the member equity fund any time the
  • I'm having the attorney look up the language from the court decision in 2014 that Health Trust alludes
  • If you have any questions, Health Trust, they are here.
  • um alludes to in uh that Health Trust um alludes to in there.<00:57:28.640> Uh<00:57:28.880><
  • And if you have trust, they are here.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/21/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections

Judiciary and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • committee to advance SB 1015 as it puts patients and families first, holds adults in positions of trust
  • Trust me, a $200 donation ain't tipping any election.
  • I mean, just, why don't we just trust voters and they can replace politicians if we don't agree with
  • The way you trust votes, look, and vote on things. Senator Robert? Aye. Four ayes, three noes.
  • The way you trust votes, look, and vote on things. Senator Robert? Aye. Four eyes, three no, no.
Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee heard several bills and took action on multiple measures. SB 1066 would create civil liability for knowingly or recklessly publishing fraudulent scientific research, allowing the Attorney General, county attorneys, and injured parties to sue; the sponsor and supporters argued it would deter research fraud and protect the public, while opponents warned it would chill research and speech. After debate over peer review, fraud standards, and the bill’s scope, the committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1066 a do-pass recommendation. SB 1015 would impose strict personal liability on providers who perform gender transition procedures on minors, including liability for later detransition costs and injuries; supporters framed it as accountability for irreversible treatment on children, while opponents called it discriminatory and likely to function as a backdoor ban. After testimony from the sponsor, medical professionals, detransitioners, and civil liberties advocates, the committee also passed SB 1015 on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered SB 1049, which would limit spousal maintenance awards to four years and change the factors courts use in setting support. The sponsor said the bill was intended to curb long-term maintenance and align support with self-sufficiency, while judicial and family-law witnesses explained the existing guideline system, the 2022-2025 court study, and concerns that a hard cap could ignore case-specific circumstances such as disability or housing instability. The committee adopted an amendment setting the duration cap at four years and approved the bill as amended by a 4-2 vote. SB 1189, allowing campaign funds to be used for personal security for candidates and family members, passed unanimously after supporters cited threats against public officials and personal experiences with harassment. The committee also passed SB 1081, which would prevent a Department of Child Safety attorney from appearing before a judge they had appeared before in the prior five DCS cases; the sponsor said it was meant to reduce familiarity between attorneys and judges, while opponents raised concerns about rural court access and arbitrary limits. SB 1133, which would eliminate the need for a candidate to file a second financial disclosure statement if one had already been filed that year, was amended to add an emergency clause and passed unanimously. The committee then moved to SCR 1001, a referral measure to end early voting at 7 p.m. on the Friday before the general election and require affirmative request for a mail ballot by voters who have provided proof of citizenship; the transcript cuts off as that measure was being introduced.
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Jan 21st, 2026

Finance and Taxation General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • This has to deal with the trust of the public for the government and whether this works or doesn't work
  • This has to deal with the trust of the public for the government and whether this works or doesn't work
  • This has to deal with the trust of the public for the government and whether this works or doesn't work
  • Now, that's a redneck decision, but yeah. >> Yeah. >> It's a good bill. >> Trust me. >> That's what you
  • >> Trust<00:55:41.359> me. >> Trust me. >> Trust me.
Bills: SB61, SB8, SB58, SB60, SB167
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Sep 10th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 376 is a straightforward and necessary measure which clarifies how certain types of trusts are defined
  • within California tax... ...which clarifies how certain types of trusts are defined within California
  • The lack of transparency by treatment centers undermines public trust, leading patients and families
  • The program partnered with 62 trusted community organizations, reaching nearly 2 million workers in 38
  • , more trust in the work that we do here in the Legislature.
Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, then returned to session with prayer, pledge, and a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk following news of his shooting. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including suspending rules, moving several bills to the inactive file, re-referring bills to committees, and authorizing committee meetings. The chamber also observed adjournments in memory for several individuals, including Ermilo Don Rodas, John Burton, Nina Chomsky, and Barbara “Bobby” Samperey. On the floor file, members considered and passed a long list of Senate bills, largely on bipartisan or unanimous votes. Topics included consumer protection and transparency for self-storage contracts (SB 709), adoption jurisdiction (SB 450), privacy and name/image protections (SB 683), an audit of the February 2025 bar exam (SB 47), data broker transparency (SB 361), used-car buyer protections (SB 76), state parks land acquisition streamlining (SB 630), cemetery work group deadlines (SB 777), financial enforcement authority (SB 825), utility outage reporting and reliability planning (SB 292), vital records confidentiality (SB 313), health care coverage and hormone therapy access (SB 418), workplace outreach (SB 578), Holocaust and genocide education (SB 472), county jail treatment for misdemeanor incompetency cases (SB 820), and AI companion chatbot safeguards for minors and self-harm risks (SB 243). Most measures passed with little or no opposition, though SB 578 drew sharp debate over the workplace outreach program and its funding. The Assembly also took up concurrence items and approved numerous Assembly bills with Senate amendments. These included transparency in legislative nondisclosure agreements (AB 1370), affordable faculty/staff housing provisions at community colleges (AB 648), tribal youth foster care reforms (AB 1378), EV charger payment regulations (AB 1423), technical Political Reform Act changes (AB 1511), diacritical marks on vital records (AB 64), reproductive health protections with urgency (AB 260), union and collective bargaining protections (AB 288), bench trial statement-of-decision streamlining (AB 515), agricultural land stewardship (AB 524), geothermal exploratory project rules (AB 527), Medi-Cal field medicine changes (AB 543), tobacco-related provisions (AB 573), social media platform rules (AB 656), state parks transaction reporting (AB 679), professional licensing changes (AB 742), and child care staffing and assistant teacher pathways with urgency (AB 753). Votes were generally strong, with several measures passing unanimously or near-unanimously.
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-23 (10:00AM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • fund interest for purposes approved by the Supreme Court. ...entitled an act relating to trust fund
  • And with approximately $10 billion in trust accounts across the state of Florida, what this does offer
  • I trust Bob. I know many of you in this chamber know Sheriff Gultieri, and I think he represents...
  • operators, will put stuff in trust or into an LLC or whatever it might be.
  • It is a foundation of trust.
Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and moments of silence, including tributes related to the FSU campus shooting, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, John Thrasher, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and visiting student and community groups. The chamber then moved into special order bills and adopted a resolution honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim. A number of measures were taken up and passed, including child care and early learning provider regulation updates, false reporting/swatting penalties, health care billing and collection protections, hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren, young adult housing support for foster and homeless students, the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, trust fund interest rules for IOTA accounts, transportation-related changes, public records exemptions for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate court clerks, municipal water and sewer utility rates in Miami-Dade, motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonating law enforcement, trespass at large-scale ticketed events, refund of patient overpayments, stem cell therapy standards, insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives, pre-arranged transportation services, and the Uniform Commercial Code update for digital assets. Several bills were amended before passage, often by substituting House companions and adopting late-filed amendments. The transportation bill was significantly revised to remove speed-limit increases and utility-related provisions while adding beach equipment removal, flood-wake enforcement, expectant mother parking permits, and local regulation of micromobility devices; it passed 37-0. The trust fund interest bill drew the most debate, with supporters arguing it right-sized a volatile funding stream for legal aid and opponents warning it would sharply reduce support for legal aid organizations; it passed 28-10. The municipal water and sewer rate bill also prompted extended debate over fairness, fiscal impact, and accusations of racism, but passed 36-2. Public records exemption bills for AHCA investigators, JQC employees, and appellate clerks passed with varying margins, with supporters emphasizing safety and anti-doxing protections. One bill on cardiac emergencies and another on education were temporarily postponed. Most measures were adopted by wide margins, often unanimously, after brief sponsor explanations and little or no debate. The Senate also adopted a resolution honoring the late USF coach Amir Abdur-Rahim and recognized several visiting groups in the gallery. After completing the day’s special order calendar, the Senate recessed for lunch until 1:30 p.m. or on call of the President.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 04/01/25

Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:
  • Section 10 amends the local housing trust fund grants program to require a grantee to use the funds within
  • :19:20.400> housing Section 10 amends the local housing Section 10 amends the local housing trust
  • 22.000> program<00:19:22.320> to<00:19:22.559> require<00:19:22.799> a trust
  • fund grants program to require a trust fund grants program to require a grantee<00:19:23.440> to<
  • developed in a statewide coalition with industry stakeholders and community members and delivered by trusted
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Mar 20th, 2025

Alabama Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • the 5th to the appointing John Norris the 5th to the appointing John Norris the 5th to the Alabama Trust
  • Fund Board receives a Alabama Trust Fund Board receives a Alabama Trust Fund Board receives a favorable
  • Norris to that the Senate confirm John Norris to that the Senate confirm John Norris to the Alabama Trust
  • Do we do the Alabama Trust Fund board. Do we do the Alabama Trust Fund board.
  • fund to general fund and education trust fund to general fund and education trust fund to fund all the
Bills: SCR 13, SCR 24, SB 1, SB 12, SB 15, SB 17, SB 24, SB 57, SB 65, SB 213, SB 371, SB 372, SB 378, SB 379, SB 388, SB 400, SB 402, SB 427, SB 495, SB 499, SB 502, SB 509, SB 535, SB 583, SB 610, SB 621, SB 650, SB 706, SB 740, SB 840, SB 854, SB 856, SB 875, SB 893, SB 918, SB 925, SB 974, SB 995, SB 1006, SB 1018, SB 1025, SB 1061, SB 1073, SB 1106, SB 1121, SB 1194, SB 1252, SB 1253, SB 1268, SB 1300, SB 1343, SB 1362, SB 1447, SJR 36, SJR 12, SJR 57, SCR 25, SCR 22, SCR 12, SCR 24, SCR 8, SB 565, SB 372, SB 765, SB 62, SB 666, SB 707, SB 888, SB 687, SB 847, SB 1248, SB 740, SB 14, SB 1006, SB 504, SB 925, SB 1121, SB 995, SB 857, SB 305, SB 296, SB 284, SB 815, SB 1379, SB 1300, SB 1497, SB 1499, SB 1498, SB 1061, SB 65, SB 241, SB 304, SB 402, SB 499, SB 621, SB 974, SB 1023, SB 1024, SB 1025, SB 1106, SB 686, SB 112, SB 371, SB 204, SB 400, SB 609, SB 1447, SB 670, SB 502, SB 427, SB 850, SB 854, SB 413, SB 1555, SB 1362, SB 1346, SB 1033, SB 1220, SB 1073, SB 810, SB 987, SB 1539, SB 893, SB 447, SB 875, SB 406, SB 509, SB 985, SB 965, SB 1119, SB 1505, SB 24, SB 57, SB 1194, SB 1253, SB 1215, SB 1532, SB 1268, SB 1302, SB 856, SB 650, SB 583, SB 673, SB 840, SB 213, SB 681, SB 1172, SB 1252, SB 378, SB 610, SB 918, SB 1343, SB 608, SB 487, SB 955, SB 957, SB 988, SB 990, SB 1019, SB 1021, SB 1120, SB 251, SB 958, SB 535, SB 761, SB 1, SB 541, SB 315, SB 379, SB 1018, SB 1737, SB 266, SB 1415, SB 57, SB 499, SB 974, SB 1025, SB 1061, SB 1268, SR 302, SR 303, SR 304, SR 305, SB 30, SB 1333, SB 1666, SB 30, SB 1333, SB 1666
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Session (05/14/2026)

New Hampshire House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We trust someone's going to be there to take care of us.
  • We trust someone's going to be there to take care of us.
  • That support depends on trust.
  • Trust is not homelessness, or violence.
  • <02:01:56.320> and their conversations will be trusted and their conversations will be trusted
Keywords: 1189, house, all
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session - Session 2 - 42nd Legislative Day Jun 30th, 2026 at 02:00 pm

Delaware Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Trust your people. Trust your constituents. And they'll trust you.
  • Whether you agree or not, they will trust you.
  • But please, trust your people. Because if you want trust, you've got to trust.
  • But again, trust your people, and please be considerate of their pocketbooks because they earned it.
  • They were taught to trust.
Keywords: 1064, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Mar 26th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • One is trust, the second is taxes, and the third is taking.
  • We trust Congress to amend the Constitution, but not the people? Why would Congress...
  • They can't trust that the Founders put Article V in there.
  • But the way they view us now, in the whole... ...is they don't trust us as much.
  • That if it became an issue, their trust would be in the people, that that trust would be well founded
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 27th, 2025

Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Transcript Highlights:
  • The daughters operated it in trust for a approximately a hundred years.
  • Alamo Trust employees, they're not state employees.
  • is funded by fees directly to the trust fund.
  • trust fund is required to transfer any remaining balances at the end of the biennium to X dot, which
  • Certainly this was landmark by the legislature. vested with the Safekeeping Trust.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • 00:31:45.919> the and tell me if you don't that um the and tell me if you don't that um the trust
  • <00:31:47.519> H<00:31:47.799> home<00:31:48.000> man<00:31:48.320> is trust
  • it<00:32:17.279> has<00:32:17.440> it's<00:32:17.559> a<00:32:17.760> trust
  • <00:32:18.080> duty<00:32:18.880> to and and it has it's a trust duty to and and it
  • 45 days to match or beat the best trusts 45 days to match or beat the best Bonafide<01:20:22.760>
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 834, which would change restrictions on transfers of real property under chapter 201H, HRS, and was discussed in the context of Hawaiian homelands and HHFDC-funded projects. Supporters, including HHFDC, DHHL, and individual testifiers, said the bill would clarify that Hawaiian homelands should not be subject to the 201H buyback and appreciation restrictions, while preserving affordability requirements tied to federal mortgage and tax credit programs. HHFDC explained that the main concern was the buyback/share-appreciation provisions, especially for DHHL projects using LIHTC or similar financing, and said aligning the statute with DHHL’s program goals would not be a problem. Members questioned whether removing the restrictions could weaken affordability protections, and whether the state could still prioritize beneficiaries and workforce housing, but no vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 759, which would add the DHHL chairperson or designee to the HHFDC board of directors and adjust quorum requirements. DHHL and several supporters argued the measure would give Hawaiian Homes a seat at the table, improve access to HHFDC funding sources such as tax credits, private activity bonds, and revolving funds, and help leverage limited resources to reduce the Hawaiian Homes waitlist. One testifier supported the bill but urged safeguards to prevent favoritism or abuse of power, and another raised concerns about whether a DHHL representative would need to recuse from voting on projects involving DHHL. HHFDC testified that DHHL projects still must compete under the same criteria and set-asides as other applicants, and that the board already includes multiple public and executive representatives. Members pressed on whether DHHL could achieve the same informational goals without a voting seat, and whether the added board role would create leverage or conflicts. The DHHL witness said a nonvoting role could provide information, but a voting seat would be more useful for decision-making and advocacy. The discussion also covered DHHL’s use of LIHTC, rent-to-own models, transitional housing, and other layered financing, as well as the broader need to coordinate state housing resources. The transcript ends during continued questioning, with no final committee action or vote shown.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Municipal and County Government (02/10/2026)

Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • October of 2024, there was a public hearing and $500,000 was taken out by the school board from two trust
  • was taken out by the school board from was taken out by the school board from two<00:54:25.359> trust
  • two trust funds. two trust funds. and<00:54:28.160> it<00:54:28.480> just<00:54:28.720
  • <05:02:01.120> on conservation easement from a a trust on conservation easement from a a trust
  • Now we have conservation easements that trusts can get on your land.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/26

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • , trusted partners, and fraud<00:08:44.400> enforcement<00:08:44.880> provisions.
  • And fourth, move resources quickly through local governments and trusted partners like foundations.
  • And fourth, move resources quickly through local governments and trusted partners like foundations.
  • I know what happens when fear divides a community and people stop trusting each other.
  • affecting the trust of our customers. affecting the trust of our customers.
Bills: HF4477
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/26

Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I sense that I could trust you as much as I trust Representative Jeff Backer. >> And that's a lot.
  • trust you as much as I trust could trust you as much as I trust Representative<00:20:39.520> Jeff<
  • And in the process, our trust in DHS has been eroded.
  • Help us rebuild the trust with DHS.
  • Help us rebuild the trust with DHS.
Bills: HF3174, HF3800
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session-Day 15, February 26, 2026-AM

Wyoming House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • As he makes a speedy and full recovery, I trust.
  • permanent mineral trust fund. permanent mineral trust fund.
  • You have the permanent mineral trust You have the permanent mineral trust fund. fund. fund.
  • mineral trust fund. mineral trust fund.
  • See, that's the deal with a trust fund.
Keywords: 916, all
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session-Day 14, February 25, 2026-AM

Wyoming House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Cowboy State Agricultural Trust Fund.
  • >> Cowboy State Agricultural Trust Fund. >> Cowboy State Agricultural Trust Fund.
  • Um, trust the trust fund. >> Representative Heiner. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
  • trust funds.
  • trust funds.
Keywords: 916, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Office of Inspector General debate 2/24/26

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is in here a separate entity to investigate and enforce because there is that lack of trust.
  • This is in here a separate entity to investigate and enforce because there is that lack of trust.
  • We are in a point in our state where the trust and legislature is really low." >> is really low.
  • <01:25:24.639> and<01:25:25.120> legislature state where the trust and legislature
  • state where the trust and legislature >> is<01:25:27.679> really<01:25:28.000> low.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: The committee took up Senate File 856, a bill to create a statewide Office of Inspector General to combat fraud. Representative Norris presented a delete-everything amendment that would keep most of the Senate bill but add more emphasis on fraud prevention, fully fund the office, avoid duplicating work already done by the BCA’s financial crimes division, and preserve subject-matter expertise by keeping some existing inspectors general in their agencies. He said the amendment would retain strong investigative powers, including subpoenas, while using the BCA for arrests, and he acknowledged his original version was likely too broad, so he planned to offer smaller amendments if needed. Chair Nash and other members challenged the DE on both process and substance. Nash said the amendment had not been shared with key stakeholders, noted that the Senate author had publicly distanced herself from it, and pointed to a governor’s office document saying the administration wanted a different approach than the Senate bill. He argued the Senate bill was a bipartisan, bicameral product and said the committee should be careful about accuracy and process. Representative Davis questioned Norris about the claim that the Senate bill was underfunded and about the governor’s role in selecting the inspector general, arguing that the governor should not have broad control over the office. Norris responded that the Senate bill’s fiscal note estimated roughly $12 million for the biennium, but the bill appropriated less than that amount, and he said the Constitution requires the governor to appoint the inspector general if the office is in the executive branch. He said the DE tried to preserve independence through a bipartisan advisory commission, Senate confirmation, a five-year term, restrictions on partisan activity, and removal only for cause with a public hearing. After debate from several members, the committee held a roll call and the DE failed on a 7-7 tie, so it was not adopted.