Video & Transcript Research : 'fraud reporting'
Page 134 of 500
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- If not, we will put that in our report, our legislative report, and that's something that we If not,
- we will put that in our report, our legislative report, and that's something that we might need to look
- Like let's look at a report that's been completed.
- So what I would say is we still need a discussion on fraud.
- We still need a discussion on fraud.
Summary:
The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and discussed several vacant membership slots, including positions tied to the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian appointments. Members said they would try to fill the vacancies and, if not, include the issue in the legislative report and consider statutory changes in the next General Assembly.
The task force then heard from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association and Civitan Services about DDPA’s role in supporting 80 provider organizations serving more than 13,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across 75 counties. They described services such as early intervention day programs, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services, and said autism falls within the populations they serve. They also shared survey information on services used by older adults with IDD and offered contact information for providers.
Members also heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to add licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while noting that Arkansas Medicaid already pays for some of these evaluations. Task force members and Dr. Scott discussed the roles of psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and the possibility of using training or board oversight to ensure evaluators are properly qualified, with some noting that speech pathologists’ inclusion has historical and clinical roots. The task force also said it still needs a future discussion on fraud, plans to invite the Attorney General’s office, and wants to identify priorities for the 2027 session before adjourning.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- That objection report, standing committees listed on the calendar will not be read, and the reports will
- Reader please read the report.
- Please read the report. The Senate will come to order. Reader, please read the report. Mr.
- Read the report, please. Mr.
- The same program that our Arizona Auditor General recently reported on, finding evidence of fraud, poor
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/26
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, I've been crippled by lawyer fraud and judicial fraud. who<00:56:43.280>
have <00:56:43.520 - fraud going on in Minnesota right now. fraud going on in Minnesota right now.
- The root fraud is a forensic medical investigation fraud.
- root fraud is a forensic medical investigation<00:58:48.080>
fraud. - investigation fraud. investigation fraud.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/05/26
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- The Minneapolis Federal Reserve released a report in October of 2025 on investor home purchasing, which
- A Realtors report from June of 2025 also indicated that 13% of homes purchased nationally in 2024 were
- A<00:05:12.400>
Realtors <00:05:13.440>report <00:05:14.120>from <00:05:14.400>- <01:09:26.560>
and is they are you worry about fraud and is they are you worry about fraud- I mean these actually if there was fraud I mean these actually if there was fraud they<01:09:32.000
- <01:09:26.560>
NY
Transcript Highlights:
- So auto fraud, she's put together a task force that's already meeting. So I met with state police.
- So in particular, required discounts for dashboard cameras, which we've seen actually help in fraud.
- So that's been used in our fraud cases: dashboard cams. And then highlighting proposals.
- So auto fraud, she's put together a task force that's already meeting. So I met with state police.
- So that's been used in our fraud cases, dashboard cams. And then highlighting proposals.
Summary:
The Senate Banking Committee met for its first meeting of the session, with Chair James Sanders Jr. and Ranking Member George Borrello opening the hearing and noting a collaborative approach to committee work. The committee first considered and advanced several bills: S.114, which would prohibit state-chartered banks from investing in or financing private prisons; S.2040, which would require money transmitters to provide a consumer warning; S.5473, which would require disclosures in advertisements involving virtual tokens; and S.8406, Sanders’ bill to amend the community bank deposit program. Each bill was moved and approved by committee, with S.8406 passing unanimously.
The committee then heard from Caitlin Azar, Acting Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), who outlined her background and DFS priorities. She emphasized affordability, consumer protection, stability, and innovation, and discussed DFS-led initiatives in the governor’s budget, including Banking Development Districts, non-bank mortgage CRA regulations, CDFI investment guidance, and consumer restitution. She also said DFS plans to issue buy-now-pay-later regulations in February, expand student lending protections and borrower education, and continue work on insurance affordability, including auto and homeowners insurance reforms, anti-fraud efforts, and discounts tied to telematics, dash cameras, and safe-driving courses.
Members questioned Azar about the balance between regulation and access, especially in crypto, buy-now-pay-later, and insurance markets. She said DFS aims to preserve competition while preventing discriminatory or excessive practices, and described existing oversight of virtual currency, including coordination with federal regulators. Another member asked about AI in auto insurance underwriting and pricing; Azar said DFS requires transparency, bias review, governance controls, and consumer recourse, and that credit scores cannot be used to deny or increase rates. The chair also raised concerns about foreclosure in Southeast Queens, improving BDD paperwork and data collection, and increasing the number of state-chartered credit unions. Azar said DFS is working on process improvements, community input, and maintaining open communication with the committee, but no additional votes or formal actions were taken during the DFS hearing.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- health care fraud, errors, and abuse.
- health care fraud, errors and abuse.
- This is for analysis and reporting. Number five..."
- Are all the monthly reports?
- The report you have is a snapshot as of the end of March, I guess.
Summary:
The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of budget, appropriation, transfer, and contract items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests for several agencies, including the Auditor of State, Department of Education, and Labor and Licensing; ARPA return requests from Workforce Services; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests for State Police and Agriculture; restricted reserve transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic stimulus; a Commerce reallocation of positions and spending authority; cash fund, budget classification, overtime, and pay plan requests; and 17 methods of finance items for universities and other agencies. Most items were approved without objection after brief explanations from staff and agencies.
Several items drew questions and were held or discussed further. A Department of Human Services discretionary grant package for the RSVP program was held over after Senator Irvin raised concerns about whether the grants were an effective use of state general revenue and asked for more information on administration costs and program operations. In the contracts section, Representative Richardson questioned a DHS sole-source contract with EMS Link for document management software and a DHS contract with Presidio; the EMS Link item was held for additional answers, while the Presidio item was clarified as not sole-source and was allowed to proceed. Members also asked for more information on a Department of Education mental health referral contract with Care Solace, which officials said is a statewide concierge/referral service connecting students to Arkansas providers and telehealth options.
The committee also reviewed monthly reports, including the Medicaid Trust Fund. DHS and DFA officials said the fund was currently sufficient to finish the fiscal year, though it was being drawn down and would likely require a $100 million transfer from restricted reserves in FY27, with another $100 million set aside in the governor’s budget as a backstop. Members discussed the need to define a minimum reserve level and to better account for ongoing Medicaid costs in the budget. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- committee report. committee report.
- . report. report.
- favorable report. favorable report.
- . report. report.
- . report. report.
Summary:
The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School.
The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles.
Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment.
One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Patrol had reported 883 migrant deaths.
- I supplied you with our BOSA report; if you look at page two, it addresses special interest groups.
- In June of last year, DHS OIG put out a report under Mayorkas.
- Because I want to, when we did our interim report, I just want to set what I think is the.
- As you know, law enforcement must report to law enforcement.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider S.527, to require the Federal Trade Commission to study the role of intermediaries in the pharmaceutical supply chain and provide Congress with appropriate policy recommendations, S.1040, to amend the Federal Trade Commis Apr 3rd, 2025 at 09:15 am
Senate Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- Supposed fraud in federal court related to the freeze.
- The bill was reported out of the committee by voice vote in each of the past two Congresses.
- The ayes have it. 1040 will be reported and Senator Black Byrne has asked that she be recorded as nay
- So 1095 is reported. Our last bill is, Senator Lee will be recorded as no.
- The ayes have it and 1096 is reported. We adjourn. Thanks everyone.
Keywords:
drug competition, product hopping, generic drugs, biosimilars, federal regulations, FTC Act, patent, biological products, healthcare access, affordable prescriptions, Medicare, Federal Trade Commission, sham petitions, competition, public health, unfair competition, healthcare, pharmaceutical, antitrust law, pay-for-delay
Summary:
The meeting focused on addressing the high cost of prescription drugs and the abusive practices that contribute to elevated prices affecting American families. Several bills were presented, including proposals to end pay-for-delay deals and to enhance transparency in the operations of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The discussion was notable for its emphasis on consumer protection and ensuring that cheaper generic drugs reach the market more effectively. Members expressed frustration over past attempts to pass similar legislation stalling in the Senate, leading to renewed efforts to push these bills forward.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 01/30/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- This is just the reports for the 2023 plan year, and in your packets is the most recent quarter 3 report
- This is just the reports for the 2023 plan year, and in your packets is the most recent quarter 3 report
- This is just the reports for the 2023 plan year, and in your packets is the most recent quarter 3 report
- This is just the reports for the 2023 plan year, and in your packets is the most recent quarter 3 report
- This is just the reports for the 2023 plan year, and in your packets is the most recent quarter 3 report
Summary:
The committee heard a reinsurance overview from Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer of the Minnesota Department of Commerce on the Minnesota Premium Security Plan. She explained that reinsurance helps stabilize premiums in the individual market by reimbursing insurers for high-cost claims, and said Minnesota’s program has lowered premiums, preserved carrier participation, and helped maintain consumer choice. She warned that without continued funding, the program would be depleted and individual-market premiums could rise by about 25%, with potential losses in coverage and access to care. She also described the program’s structure under a federal 1332 waiver, the role of MCHA in administering the program, and the state’s receipt of more than $650 million in federal pass-through funds to date.
Dryer said the current program is funded through the end of 2025, though the federal waiver authority runs through 2027. The governor’s proposal would create a new assessment on insurers, estimated at roughly 2% to 3%, to fund the state share of the program and avoid another full waiver submission. She noted that the proposal assumes MinnesotaCare funding would be held harmless and that the program would be reduced if federal basic health plan funding were negatively affected. She also said projected costs changed because individual-market enrollment has grown and enhanced federal subsidies were removed from the estimate.
Members raised concerns about the proposal’s impact on premiums and the history of the fund. Senator Rasmusson argued the new assessment amounts to a large tax increase on health insurance and questioned who would be assessed and whether the surcharge would be capped. Dryer responded that the assessment would be based on annual claims experience and market conditions, with final amounts determined at the end of each year, not monthly. Senator Duckworth and Senator Frentz supported reinsurance as a way to keep premiums lower, while also questioning how the program should be financed. Senator Green asked about the mechanics of the assessment and the role of the department in setting it, and Senator H questioned why the fiscal note assumed 12% annual growth for program costs when general premium growth was lower. No vote or formal action was taken in the meeting.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- that<01:25:39.960>
or that we report we could report that or that we report we could report - >
required go next slide this report is required go next slide this report is required every<01 - <01:33:23.360>
covers report covers report covers uh<01:33:24.600>performance <01:33:25.080 - wanted to focus on fy2 24 for the report wanted to focus on fy2 24 for the report one<01:42:05.000
- [Music] reports that they've submitted in the reports that they've submitted in the last<01:47:13.560
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate File 75, a pilot project to test autonomous or semi-autonomous mowing and vegetation management along state highways. Senator Jasinski said the bill is intended to reduce traffic delays caused by ditch mowing and improve worker safety by moving crews out of active traffic. An A1 amendment was adopted to shift the funding source from the general fund to trunk highway funds. Testifiers from Bot Crew described robotic mowing technology, including remote piloting, autonomous navigation using LiDAR, cameras, GIS data, and obstacle detection, and said the machines could work at night and potentially reduce labor needs while improving safety. Members asked about mowing around guardrails, bridge features, and sensitive plants; the company said the system could be programmed to identify and avoid certain vegetation and could also be used for seeding. The committee then approved the bill, as amended, and re-referred it to finance.
The committee next received the Department of Public Safety’s presentation on the governor’s budget request. Commissioner Bob Jacobson outlined an operating adjustment for DPS divisions, a request for grant administration authority to allow a portion of grant funds to cover oversight costs, and then turned to division-specific items. State Patrol Colonel Christina Bovich presented a request for $48.5 million in each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for a new metro headquarters, plus a recruitment proposal that would provide $1 million in each of 2026 and 2027 and $10 million in later years to expand recruiting, advertising, and academy capacity. She also proposed a change to the excessive-speed penalty so that driving more than 35 miles per hour over the limit would trigger a six-month license revocation, regardless of the posted speed zone. Members questioned the headquarters funding source, the cost of recruitment efforts, and academy expenses; Bovich said the academy costs about $350,000 per person and that the recruitment request would support broader outreach, including nationwide recruiting.
Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hansen then presented a request for an additional $485,000 per year in trunk highway funds for planning and administration. He said the money is needed to cover rising operating costs, maintain the federal match for traffic safety grants, and support new federal public participation and engagement requirements tied to traffic safety funding. No votes were taken on the DPS budget items during the portion of the meeting provided.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/04/2026 - Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- violation of the digital goods advertising requirements an unlawful practice under the Arizona Consumer Fraud
- the Attorney General to investigate and take appropriate actions as provided by the Arizona Consumer Fraud
- violation of the digital goods advertising requirements an unlawful practice under the Arizona Consumer Fraud
- the Attorney General to investigate and take appropriate actions as provided by the Arizona Consumer Fraud
- And take appropriate actions as provided by the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.
Keywords:
digital goods, advertising, ownership, license, consumer protection, refund policies, streaming services, minors, content creators, online platforms, compensation, trust accounts, child protection, video content, privacy, employment, independent contractor, marketplace, digital services, contractual agreements
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/25/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We haven't done an annual report.
- We haven't done an um annual report. We haven't done an annual<00:13:47.760>
report. - committee to start the annual report committee to start the annual report until<00:13:53.600>
- Thank you, everyone. annual report. annual report.
- annual report. annual report.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 23rd, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- and financial fraud and the explosion of this.
- Unfortunately, some of those reports have data problems.
- It just says the gunshot report, gunshot detection systems.
- And if one time a year to report to TECO, several different things, And if one time a year to report
- And this reporting requirement segregates results.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support.
The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, April 10, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >
that <00:10:59.480>228,000 March jobs report showed that 228,000 March jobs report showed - And to error, fraud, and exploitation.
- <01:12:19.920>
are campaign commit committee reports are campaign commit committee reports - The clerk will report the motion.
- <03:52:24.399>
section the civil division civil fraud section the civil division civil fraud
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Carbon Sequestration Programs Study Commission (06/05/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Fraud statutes?
- Fraud >> Under the what do you say? Fraud statutes? statutes? statutes?
- This is what the bill says we're supposed to report on ultimately with the final report.
- NHTOA's report.
- I like to not just have it one report. I like to not just have it one report.
Summary:
The meeting opened with a quorum present and approval of the April 17 minutes. The commission then heard a presentation from attorney Jacob Rhodes of Cleveland, Waters and Bass on the history and legal basis of New Hampshire’s timber tax, explaining that timber was historically treated as part of real property, that a 1913 case confirmed that view, and that a 1949 constitutional amendment created a separate timber yield tax to discourage clear-cutting and support forest conservation. He described the tax as a tax on the yield when timber is severed, not an income tax, and noted that towns are reimbursed through a system based on Department of Revenue Administration market data and local reports of cut.
Members and guests asked how “yield” is defined, how the timber tax interacts with current use, and whether carbon sequestration could be treated similarly. Testimony explained that current use generally is not affected by harvesting timber, that towns can tax standing timber under RSA 79:5 but rarely do because it is labor-intensive, and that carbon credits might be valued using a similar market-data approach. Several speakers discussed a prior bill drafted with DRA input that would have treated carbon more like timber, but noted it never fully advanced in the General Court and that the version ultimately discussed by the House differed from the earlier DRA-comfortable draft.
The discussion also covered whether carbon sequestration agreements are effectively long-term leases or transfers of timber rights, with Rhodes suggesting that 99-year arrangements could be taxable transfers of real property under DRA rules, though he had not reviewed specific agreements. DRA staff said they do not currently have a timber-like survey mechanism for carbon and would likely need access to proprietary market data or a subscription service to build one. No formal vote was taken beyond approving the minutes; the commission appeared to agree to revisit the carbon/timber valuation issue and the draft bill at a future meeting.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- The other question I had on slide 18: you noted that students in resident classrooms also reported that
- The last two slides: the AZTR teachers report learning more methods than non-AZTR teachers by significant
- And that is stop fraud in the ESA voucher... In this body.
- And that is stop fraud in the ESA voucher program, make Arizona more affordable.
- a child or a family, and we may be looking, going to a school that we think they're at or we're reported
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Education (3-3-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- That is not right, so the reporting was a reporting requirement.
- The KDE report, the district never had a mandate for them to report to us.
- That is not right, so the reporting was a reporting requirement.
- That is not right, so the reporting was a reporting requirement.
- The reporting was a reporting requirement.
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Education met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 68, which was presented by Kentucky Department of Education staff as a cleanup measure to reduce duplicative or outdated reporting requirements. The bill, as amended by a committee substitute, would streamline reporting on local wellness policies, school breakfast programs, school budgets, audits, and school nutrition assessments, while preserving existing requirements to adopt wellness and physical activity policies and maintain audit obligations. Members asked whether removing reporting on physical activity and related topics would weaken oversight; KDE responded that districts would still have to adopt the policies and be reviewed under federal nutrition monitoring, but the state reports were often incomplete, hard to compare, and not especially useful. The committee adopted the substitute and passed SB 68 unanimously.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 207, the School Innovation Act, sponsored by Senator West. The bill would create an optional program allowing school districts to apply to the Kentucky Board of Education for waivers from certain administrative regulations and establish three-year “schools of innovation,” potentially with third-party partners, to give struggling schools more flexibility and a fresh start. Senator West said the model was inspired by a visit to a school of innovation in South Carolina and by examples from South Carolina and Indiana, and he argued that the bill would let districts try new approaches without mandating participation. He also said existing “district of innovation” language in statute is a relic and that the bill would replace it with a school-based model.
Committee members asked about fiscal impact, eligibility, and whether the bill was limited to failing schools. Senator West said the fiscal note was indeterminate because participation is voluntary and could range from none to many districts, but he expected little direct budget change and possible outside philanthropic funding if a district chose to participate. He said the bill does not limit participation to the bottom 5% of schools and would be left to local district discretion. Members also raised whether high-performing or specialized schools could use the model; West said yes, if a district chose. Supportive testimony emphasized that the bill could reduce burdensome oversight and allow schools more flexibility to innovate. The discussion ended with continued questions and no final action recorded in the excerpt.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Budget Section Human Resources Division Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- You noted the Rural Health Transformation Program, staffing, and consultants in your report.
- Health Transformation Program staffing and consultants in your report.
- The payment error rate is not a measure of fraud.
- There's been a lot of fraud.
- A lot of people perceive error rate as fraud and whatnot. It's not necessarily that at all.
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on health-related projects and Department of Health and Human Services budget matters. Representatives from CHI St. Alexius in Bismarck and Williston, and Altru in Grand Forks, reported progress on behavioral health expansion projects, including demolition and construction milestones, updated timelines, funding status, staffing plans, and barriers such as an unbudgeted air handler replacement in Williston. Members asked about original completion dates, use of telehealth, recruitment of psychiatrists and other staff, and whether the new beds might reduce the need for patients to travel to Jamestown State Hospital. The projects were described as on track overall, with completion expected in 2027 for the larger builds and earlier openings for some phases in Williston.
The committee then heard from HHS leadership on technical line-item transfers and the Salaries and Wages Block Grant. Donna Ockland explained that recent transfers were administrative corrections to place spending in the proper budget lines and did not involve new spending, and she reviewed FTE counts and vacancies across the department. Questions focused on behavioral health staffing changes and the use of consultants in the Rural Health Transformation Program. Pat Rainer outlined the rural health program’s first-year grants and priorities, including workforce retention, rural rotations and housing, community wellness initiatives, behavioral health promotion, safety net services, hospital equipment, suicide prevention training, technology, and EMS support. He said North Dakota’s plan was drawing positive national attention, but the department still needed to obligate roughly $199 million by September and was working with CMS on timing and compliance.
The committee also received an update on certified community behavioral health clinics from Elena Zeller. She said North Dakota had been accepted as a demonstration state, with certification efforts underway in Williston, North Central, Fargo, and Dickinson. Members asked about care coordination, service growth, staffing, and whether certification would expand to all clinics; the department said it was still collecting baseline data and evaluating impacts before making future recommendations. Finally, Rebecca Askins reviewed SNAP payment error rates, explaining that the 2025 rate was finalized at 9.89 percent and that the department is working on training, system changes, and quality assurance steps to get below 6 percent. Members pressed on the causes of monthly variability, the performance of the SPACES system, and accountability for ongoing errors, and the department said it expects improvement over the next 6 to 12 months.
US
Transcript Highlights:
- . and facts and evidence from the GARM report.
- So this was a report that came out of the House Judiciary Committee last summer.
- And I think that pattern of conduct is is quite troubling and that's what the house report concluded
- Well, I'll tell you that the press is widely reporting, forgive me, the press is widely reporting that
- Do you support volume two of the report being made public? No. Okay.
Keywords:
nominations, Deputy Attorney General, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Justice, Todd Blanch, Gail Slater, confirmation hearing
Summary:
The meeting focused on the nominations of Todd Blanch and Gail Slater for the positions of Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, respectively. The committee considered the qualifications of both nominees, with opening statements provided by the nominees themselves. There was an evident emphasis on the rigorous vetting process that nominees undergo before their selection, highlighting the importance of the roles within the Department of Justice. Members of the committee engaged in a structured question-and-answer session to further evaluate the nominees' capabilities and fit for the positions they were nominated for, with each member allotted seven minutes to pose questions.