Transcript Highlights:

• [snorts] Uh, we will now hear from the Attorney General's Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control.
• I'm the director of the Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control. >> Thank you.
• I'm the director of the Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control. >> Thank you.
• So, in general Medicaid fraud control So, in general Medicaid fraud control units,<00:01:43.200>
• One is the list of the active Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigations.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board reconvened and heard a presentation from the Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control unit. AG staff described the unit’s structure and work: it investigates and prosecutes Medicaid provider fraud, and also handles abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases involving vulnerable adults in facility settings when asked to assist. They said the office has prosecutors, detectives, auditors, and support staff, works with federal partners, Commonwealth’s attorneys, CHFS, DMS, OIG, and MCOs, and uses a hotline and referral line for complaints. They also explained the MCO referral process, including monthly meetings, stand-down lists, and review of referrals for a “credible allegation of fraud” before the AG office decides whether to open a criminal or civil investigation. The presentation focused heavily on current fraud trends. Staff said behavioral health is a major concern, along with participant-directed waiver services, medically assisted treatment, cash billing for services, controlled-substance billing, and vision and dental fraud. They gave examples such as duplicate time sheets for family caregivers, questionable Suboxone counseling and urine drug screening practices, and a prior optometry case involving false claims for children’s glasses. They also discussed CMS’s estimate that about 5% of Medicaid payments are improper, noted that most improper payments are at the fee-for-service level, and said there is no reliable overall fraud-rate estimate. They highlighted a sharp shift in behavioral health billing after the cabinet’s November 1, 2024 policy changes, saying individual psychotherapy spending dropped while group billing increased, suggesting providers may have moved billing to different codes. Members asked about the scale and timing of cases, how MCO referrals are screened, and whether the data reflected more people being served or just higher spending. The AG office said investigations can take years, with some federal cases still awaiting sentencing from 2018 and 2019 matters, and that they currently had nine individuals awaiting sentencing in federal court. They also reported 58 hotline reports during the referenced period, six cases opened from MCO referrals, and four additional MCO referrals not accepted for active cases. Several members raised concerns about home-based services and the risk of abuse or fraud when family members are reimbursed, and asked whether the process could be streamlined; the AG office said it had no immediate recommendations but would be willing to return with suggestions after further review.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Madam Speaker, I have a question about the section related to duties of controllers.
• So, on page 3789 of today's calendar, there's subsection C, subsection 1: a controller shall provide
• The categories of personal data that the controller sells to third parties, if any, the categories of
• This bill balances a Vermonter's right to control data while ensuring our Vermont businesses are not
• The statute specifies that if, as a result of a mental illness, the capacity to exercise self-control

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first returned to Senate Bill 71, a consumer data privacy and online surveillance bill. Members debated a proposed amendment that would have removed language allowing companies to rely on consumer consent to sell certain sensitive data. Supporters argued consent pop-ups and terms-of-service notices are not meaningful consent and that sensitive data should be categorically protected, citing Maryland and other states. Opponents, including the committee presenter, said the bill was a carefully negotiated compromise needed to establish Vermont’s first data privacy framework and warned that adopting the amendment could jeopardize passage in the Senate or with the governor. The committee reported the amendment unfavorable on a 9-0 straw poll, the House rejected the amendment, and then approved the committee’s recommended proposal of amendment by roll call vote, 129-3. During questioning on S. 71, members discussed the bill’s applicability thresholds, with the presenter explaining that the 35,000-consumer threshold was modeled on Connecticut, while lower 3,000 thresholds for sensitive data and data sales were based on business testimony and intended to capture smaller entities such as accountants, lawyers, nonprofits, and trade associations that share or sell lists. Members also asked about the bill’s many exemptions, which were described as covering entities already regulated by state or federal law, including health care entities under HIPAA and banking and insurance sectors. The presenter and supporters emphasized that the bill still requires clear privacy notices, limits data collection to what is reasonable and disclosed, and gives consumers rights to opt out, correct, and delete data. After the roll call vote, the House ordered third reading, suspended rules to place S. 71 in all remaining stages, passed it in concurrence with proposal of amendment, and suspended rules to message the action to the Senate forthwith. The House then moved to Senate Bill 193, relating to establishing a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons. The committee presenter from South Burlington previewed that the bill would create a permanent forensic facility, with a separate amendment expected to address interim arrangements while the facility is being developed. The transcript ends as the House begins second reading of S. 193 and the committee reports are introduced, with further debate not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• the engines and the flight controlling the engines and the flight controls<00:26:57.120> and<
• That's controls and all these things.
• It's an controlling a reactor today.
• Meaning, like, we don't control that.
• <01:29:49.040> here<01:29:49.120> and<01:29:49.280> I controls here and I controls

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're looking at who is applying for the license, who the controlling individuals are.
• We're looking at who is applying for the license, who the controlling individuals are.
• We're looking at who is applying for the license, who the controlling individuals are.
• We look at controlling individuals are.
• applying to be controlling individuals. applying to be controlling individuals.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I also know that when you contract out, at a certain point, you start losing a little bit more control
• . uh as an more control over the process. uh as an example<00:52:42.079> of<00:52:42.240> that
• But once we hire a county employee on and they’re there past their first year, we lose control of that
• But once we hire a county employee on and they’re there past their first year, we lose control of that
• over that and put that to have control over that and put that all<01:33:55.840> in<01:33:55.920

Bills: HF3738, HF2295, HF3520, HF3666

Keywords: pediatric care, hospital discharge, home care, healthcare accessibility, nursing services, family support, mental health, crisis services, Dakota County, mobile crisis response, public safety, treatment services, rehabilitation, behavioral health fund, client eligibility, home and community-based services, case management, waiver services, county services, disability advocacy

Transcript Highlights:

• But what is your quality control process?
• It is about control.
• We had to call the police to help control him, although we did not want him arrested.
• Hemp products gave me back control of my own health.
• This will only eliminate Texas business. their mission control.

Bills: HB 28, SB 3

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, HB28, public testimony, committee decorum, bill substitute, legislative process

Summary: The meeting featured significant discussions regarding HB28, where the chair outlined the plans to bring forward a substitute for the bill. The chair emphasized the importance of maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings. Members engaged in deliberations, and a number of public witnesses were invited to testify, thereby enriching the discussion around the bill. This interaction provided valuable insights into public sentiment regarding the issues at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Apparently, we have to chase it down to try to control it after it is out of control. >> And it this
• <00:37:38.240> That technology that is out of control.
• That technology that is out of control.
• control it after it is out of control. control it after it is out of control.
• And that's what not been controlled yet.

Bills: HF3661, HF2380, HF3468, HF3483

Keywords: facial recognition, privacy, government surveillance, public safety, data protection, civil liberties, disability rights, discrimination, accommodations, employment, housing, public services, education, civil action, failure to render aid, damages, Minnesota Statutes, legal liability, trespass, civil immigration enforcement

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from February 24 and February 26. It then took up House File 3661, a bill originally authored by Representative Gomez and presented by Representative Feist, which would ban government use of facial recognition technology and be re-referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. The committee adopted the A1 amendment, described as a technical amendment based on House Research recommendations, before hearing testimony on the bill. Representative Feist said the bill is aimed at preventing serious privacy and civil-liberties harms, including secretive surveillance, racial and gender bias, and the lack of statewide rules governing government use of facial recognition. Supportive testimony came from Chad Marlo of the ACLU, who argued the issue is bipartisan, the technology has accuracy problems, and government use is expanding against vulnerable groups. Chris Wayland of Restore the Fourth Minnesota also supported a ban, emphasizing the inability to opt out of facial recognition and the lack of standards, disclosure, and community input. Rich Newmeister urged stronger transparency measures, including agency policies and public notice in buildings using the technology. Major Spencer Baky of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office opposed an outright ban, saying facial recognition is used only as an investigative lead, not for positive identification or real-time surveillance, and that results are corroborated before use. He said the office has used the tool in hundreds of investigations and supports a statutory framework with safeguards instead of a ban. In member discussion, Representative Hudson argued a blanket ban was too broad and suggested a more targeted evidentiary approach, while Representative Moller and Representative Kurr expressed concern about misuse and the federal government's use of the technology. Representative Durant asked whether there was a current Minnesota problem and whether stakeholders and law enforcement had been involved in drafting the bill. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, beyond adoption of the amendment and the committee’s continued consideration of HF 3661.

Transcript Highlights:

• Simance pointed out about crowd control Simance pointed out about crowd control in<00:31:22.240>
• control in a very compressed time frame. control in a very compressed time frame.
• <00:32:09.600> is<00:32:09.840> the do not believe that crowd control is the do not
• believe that crowd control is the primary<00:32:11.279> concern<00:32:11.919> that<00:
• I think the clerk needs to be able to be empowered to control both numbers and behavior.

Bills: SF0028, SF0030, SF0031, SF0032

Keywords: voting, elections, electronic voting systems, transparency, public testing, voter registration, qualified elector, residency requirements, voting rights, mortgage modification, priority, electronic signatures, real property, financial covenants, 911 services, emergency response, grant funding, next generation technology, government accountability, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is some control on that side in terms of this variable.
• So there is some control on that side in terms of this variable.
• So there is some control on that side in terms of this variable.
• So there is some control on that side in terms of this variable.
• General um no self-control in the General Assembly.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:12 Approval of Minutes: 00:01:34 Actuarial Valuation Update – KPPA: 00:02:10 Actuarial Valuation Update – TRS: 00:25:32, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from KPPA officials Ryan Barrow and Erin Saratt on the annual actuarial valuations for the retirement and insurance systems. They said the systems’ funding status improved overall, with three of five insurance funds fully funded, CERS hazardous dropping from over 100% funded to 90.9% because of premium changes, and KRS receiving $650 million in supplemental funding over the biennium. They also reported strong investment returns above assumed rates, higher payroll and membership counts, and resulting actuarial losses tied to higher salaries and premiums, especially on the insurance side. Members asked several questions about what drove the actuarial losses and whether legislation affected them. KPPA said the CERS insurance loss was driven by premium increases and Senate Bill 10, while the pension-side losses were largely due to higher payroll and benefits for Tier 1 and Tier 2 members. They explained that new Tier 3 employees are designed to add no additional unfunded liability, and that the state administers the systems but does not directly control all hiring. Questions also focused on retiree health premiums, which KPPA said rose about 15% for non-Medicare retirees and 38% for Medicare retirees, with the increase attributed to utilization, prescription costs, and the Inflation Reduction Act. The committee then heard from TRS Deputy Executive Secretary and General Counsel Beau Barnes on the 2025 TRS actuarial valuation. He reported that the Retirement Annuity Trust and Health Insurance Trust both received full funding, the retirement trust’s funded ratio improved to 61%, TRS 4 remains well funded with no liability, and the health insurance trust improved to 89.1%. Barnes said TRS is on track to fully fund legacy liabilities within the amortization period, with 2044 as the point when the system reflects 100% funding and 2046 as the last year needing additional dollars for the legacy liability. He also explained that lower assumed investment returns and updated mortality assumptions increased liabilities, but that TRS uses direct rate smoothing for budgeting purposes. At the end of the meeting, the chair circulated a proposed set of “do’s and don’ts of pensions,” emphasizing that future legislation should not create unfunded liabilities. Barnes also noted he would later discuss several legislative proposals for the 2026 session, but the transcript provided ends before that discussion or any votes on those proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• This isn't about control or community character.
• This isn't about control or change that.
• The city will still have local control The city will still have local control if<00:57:39.520>
• They'll still have local control books.
• components of our current local controls components of our current local controls processes,<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a long, messy process that is locally controlled by and accountable to Minnesotans.
• by and accountable to locally controlled by and accountable to motans<00:37:55.599> one<00:37
• Our analysis of the MCA opt-out data, controlling for GPA, found that white students were more likely
• Our analysis of the MCA opt-out data, controlling for GPA, found that white students were more likely
• Our analysis of the MCA opt-out data, controlling for GPA, found that white students were more likely

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These trainings cover a broad range of issues over several days, including ethics, internal controls,
• controls uh Performance Management<00:04:38.680> conflict<00:04:39.280> resolution<00:
• The agency that we became aware of was the Pollution Control Agency, PCA.
• This kind of feeds into that internal control space as well.
• years with complete Democratic control years with complete Democratic control uh<00:44:56.760>

Bills: HF10

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• it young people and we can't control it young people and we can't control it because a lot of these
• it and they don't manpower to control it and they don't manpower to control it and they don't give any
• on and and I we've got to get a control on and and I we've got to get a control on and and I know we
• but you can't put a list of of control but you can't put a list of of control but you can't put a list
• and become a nuisance but it control and become a nuisance but it control and become a nuisance but

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to control too much. We're putting the This is insanity.
• We're trying to control too much. We're putting these burdens on business.
• We're all about local control until we disagree.
• Any type of financial controls, and it should concern us.
• We had things to restrain the out-of-control spending that exists all over the state.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we do some things to try to control cost here as well.
• Because you can't control the employers.
• They only approve them for, you know, type 2 diabetes control. So that's a prior auth, right?
• And so you have those kinds of things. ...control, so that's a prior auth, right?
• But they control the money, you know, so they've got the cards; we don't.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• internal controls and related functions. internal controls and related functions.
• specifically their internals controls specifically their internals controls and<00:14:47.199>
• unit within the attorney general control unit within the attorney general which<00:42:46.800> this
• in this case itself which would control in this case on<00:47:21.119> 18.31 on 18.31 on 18.31
• He said the latter are more internal-controls issues and more financial issues within an agency, and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, if passed, this bill will increase the MAFCU, or Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, staff from 32 to 50
• I do have Nick Wanka, who is the head of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, here to testify.
• Fraud Control Unit staff from 32 to 50. Fraud Control Unit staff from 32 to 50.
• So, with the MAFCU office, or the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the federal government provides a 75%
• Uh, but he is the head of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• recommendation is to do it at this level, which would provide revenues to put into the council’s control
• um so that we can help to train control um so that we can help to train workers<00:16:26.800> to<
• or have control over.
• the models, right, that we don't currently regulate or have control over.
• or have control over.

Bills: HF4598, HF4884, HF3732

Keywords: workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability

Transcript Highlights:

• The systems in place to control that leachate have protected surrounding groundwater, but I am speaking
• If we control the access to the permit, we can create a different leverage point and just structure a
• And then the use of dual-screened wells is something we actually do not control.
• And then the use of dual-screened wells is something we actually do not control.
• seem to, from what we can tell, be an adequate control set.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Environment Department on PFAS contamination in private wells in La Cienega, Santa Fe County. Staff said the plume likely came from historic use of firefighting foam associated with airport and National Guard fire-training activities, with possible additional contribution from septic systems and consumer products. They described the contamination as affecting about 200 private wells, the short-term response of providing residential filters through a $2 million legislative appropriation, and ongoing work to define the plume’s full extent, identify responsible parties, and consider longer-term regional water solutions. Members asked about filter costs, replacement schedules, disposal of used cartridges, follow-up testing, health studies, and whether cleanup or containment had begun; the department said cleanup would follow once the plume is fully mapped and that DOH is soliciting interest in a blood study. The committee also discussed the need to track disposal of PFAS filters and the possibility of broader statewide capacity for similar work. The committee then took up abandoned uranium mine cleanup. NMED and EMNRD staff reviewed the new uranium mine reclamation program created by HB 164, the state dashboard tracking sites, and the FY26 appropriation of $20 million for neglected contaminated sites, of which $12 million is being used for neglected uranium mines and the remainder for other contaminated sites. They said six contractors were hired, three priority sites in Grant County are moving forward quickly, and additional sites are being prepared for possible FY27 work. Members pressed for details on how funds are spent, why the revolving fund remains unfunded, how federal, state, tribal, and landowner requirements are coordinated, where contaminated material will be moved, and whether cleanup could also address homes built with contaminated materials. Staff said the work is governed by multiple regulatory layers, that the state is seeking an additional $25 million for FY27-FY28 plus a time extension, and that partnerships with tribes would require longer-term agreements. The committee also discussed federal cleanup efforts and the new Good Samaritan law, with members urging stronger advocacy for New Mexico sites, including tribal lands, and asking whether the Attorney General should pursue legal action against federal parties responsible for legacy contamination. Staff explained that some sites are already covered by settlement funds tied to responsible parties, while neglected sites are those with no responsible party and no other cleanup program. The committee then heard from EMNRD on Class VI carbon sequestration primacy. Staff said New Mexico currently has no operating Class VI wells, about 27 Class II acid-gas injection wells are operating, and only a small number might be candidates for conversion. They explained that the state’s primacy application would require more public outreach than federal rules alone, and that cost estimates for post-injection site care are based on long planning horizons, with some costs borne by operators and some by the state after closure. No votes were taken on the substantive items discussed; the committee approved the prior meeting minutes and took a brief recess between presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Duluth International Airport's 70-year-old air traffic control tower has the distinction of being
• <00:18:00.160> We<00:18:00.400> are air traffic control tower at DH.
• We are air traffic control tower at DH.
• state-of-the-art air traffic control state-of-the-art air traffic control facility<00:18:23.120>
• <00:59:01.680> um That is one way we want to control um That is one way we want to control

Bills: HF1972, HF229, HF1090, HF1084, HF1307, HF1274, HF1609, HF2110, HF211, HF216, HF222, HF224, HF225, HF203, HF206, HF207, HF208, HF227, HF246, HF427, HF466, HF502, HF680, HF971

Keywords: community center, Breckenridge, capital investment, state bonds, economic development, HF229, North Branch Area Hockey Association, Stacy Ice Arena, Chisago County, general fund appropriation, grant, ice arena, hockey rink, youth sports, recreational facility, community arena, nonprofit, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, local infrastructure