Transcript Highlights:

• and their bargaining power and mobility and their bargaining power and the<00:07:46.400> training
• and bargaining power and worker mobility and bargaining power and take<00:09:18.399> away<00:
• I worked at a CAP agency here in Ramsey County, and we had a loan program for low-income individuals.
• <00:45:37.760> as Pipstone um Nobles and Rock County as Pipstone um Nobles and Rock County
• The concerns that we as Henipin County.

Bills: HF3889, HF2567, HF3878

Keywords: workforce development, grant program, employment, economic development, funding, employment contract, labor policy, employee rights, unconscionable provisions, public policy, legal enforcement, airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We also represent auto suppliers, mobility, and technology companies.
• We also represent auto suppliers, mobility, and technology companies.
• the US we also represent<00:16:19.279> Auto<00:16:19.639> suppliers<00:16:20.160> mobility
• <00:16:20.600> and represent Auto suppliers mobility and represent Auto suppliers mobility
• We also represent auto suppliers, mobility, and technology companies.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 737, which would amend Minnesota’s lead- and cadmium-related product restrictions and was re-referred to the Committee on Environment, Finance and Policy. Representative Bjorn Olson said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could no longer make cadmium-based art supplies in Minnesota, and he argued the law unintentionally swept in professional art materials that are used safely and are important to Western art culture. The committee first adopted the author’s A2 amendment, which broadened the bill to include additional exemptions beyond paint and pastels, including certain pens, mechanical pencils, and vehicle keys/key fobs. Testimony in support came from Darren Reenie of Wet Paint Artist Materials and Framing, who said artist paint and related supplies account for a significant share of sales and that the ban threatens independent art supply businesses and artists’ access to essential pigments. Josh Fiser of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation supported the key and key fob exemption, saying the current law is overly broad, exposure risk is minimal, and Minnesota should align with California and European Union standards. Bill Morgan of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute and Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association also supported the amendment, arguing there was little scientific basis for including pens, mechanical pencils, and professional artist materials, and citing prior reviews in the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the European Union. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, through Assistant Commissioner Kirk Kadelka, opposed broad exemptions and emphasized that no amount of lead is safe for children. He said the law was based on evidence from consumer products associated with elevated blood lead levels and argued that safer alternatives exist for many of the items in the amendment, including pens, mechanical pencils, and some key components. He also raised concerns about exposure during production and disposal. Committee members questioned the scope of the exemptions and whether the industry had workable alternatives. The A2 amendment was adopted, and the bill was then advanced for further consideration and re-referred as noted by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Delegate from Richmond County, Delegate Kent. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr.
• The delegate from James City County, Delegate Anderson. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr.
• The delegate from Montgomery County, Delegate Franklin. Mr.
• Delegate from Loudoun County, Delegate Reed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• We will start county, cities, and towns, 10 minutes after public safety concludes tomorrow.

Keywords: March 05, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• IT HAS BEEN PROVEN OVER THE LAST 16 MONTHS THAT SOME COUNTIES WANT TO CONTINUE.
• UNFORTUNATELY WE KNOW WHEN THIS BILL PASSES OUR CITIES AND COUNTIES HAVE NO CHOICE WHETHER OR COUNTIES
• A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT FOR THE RELIEF OF MARCUS BUTTON BY THE PASCO COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD.
• SEPTEMBER 22, 2006 A PASCO COUNTY SCHOOL BUS DRIVER EXCUSE ME.
• A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT FOR THE RELIEF OF MARCUS BUTTON BY THE PASCO COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:13.760> for and we can give create mobility for and we can give create mobility for
• the as part of that county the as part of that county um<00:47:04.079> reporting<00:47:04.560
• didn't hear anything from the counties didn't hear anything from the counties and<01:39:28.000><
• On behalf of counties, my name is Emily Murray, and I represent the Association of Minnesota Counties
• of that. represent the Minnesota County Engineers represent the Minnesota County Engineers Association

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These pathways are central to our commitment to economic and social mobility and are responsive to student
• In the end of time, we keep on getting feedback from the industry and that that kind of county Columbia
• If I could relate an arrest in my county Palm Beach County for an AI criminal allegedly, this person
• It's civility is important because it is a key component of social mobility.
• Social mobility is key in the example is set at the top are flagged ships goes all the way through our

Transcript Highlights:

• At Georgia DOT, we recognize that mobility of people and freight safely and efficiently is more than
• company and many others are experiencing record opportunities allowing us to enhance safety and mobility
• highway and bridge formula funds to support over 91,000 new projects, at least one in nearly every U.S. county
• righting communities' harm by past transportation decisions and also about eliminating barriers to mobility
• transportation perspective that that Expressway is essential to making the city work making you know the nine counties

Keywords: Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, IIJA, bipartisan infrastructure, funding flexibility, NEPA, environmental reviews, bureaucratic delays, federal funding, infrastructure investment

Summary: The committee meeting focused on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, discussing the ongoing implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Chairman Capito highlighted the bipartisan nature of the legislation and the necessity of refining existing provisions to ensure effective delivery of transportation projects. Notable emphasis was placed on the need for flexibility in funding to address inflation impacts and delays caused by bureaucratic hurdles, especially relating to environmental reviews under NEPA. Witnesses from state transportation agencies provided valuable insights into real-world challenges faced in project execution, ultimately underscoring the importance of continuous federal support for infrastructure development. The discussion also touched on the broader implications of federal funding freezes by the previous administration, which have reportedly hindered several ongoing and planned projects. This issue raised significant concern among committee members, who urged the need for reliable funding and the removal of unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles that could cause delays in project implementation. The meeting concluded with a commitment from the members to work collaboratively to overcome these challenges and ensure a smooth path forward for critical infrastructure investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The original document that we may need to lean on the chancery clerk or somebody in the county so that
• <00:32:12.720> so<00:32:13.120> that<00:32:13.360> if or somebody in the county
• so that if or somebody in the county so that if somebody<00:32:14.000> does<00:32:14.240>
• So that way CPAs can go across other states that have also got this reciprocity for the mobility.
• So that way CPAs can go across other states that have also got this reciprocity for the mobility.

Keywords: Business and Financial Institutions - Room 409, 2 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2725, which would shorten the required hold period for pawn brokers on precious metal coins and bullion from 21 days to 3 days, change fingerprinting renewal from annually to every three years to match FBI requirements, and make a technical address update. The sponsor and a Mississippi Pawn Brokers Association representative said the change was needed because gold and silver prices are volatile and pawn brokers are disadvantaged compared with jewelry stores. After questions about whether the bill affected pawn loans, the committee adopted a do pass motion and passed the committee substitute. Next, Senate Bill 2530 on perpetual care cemeteries would raise the trust-fund threshold from $50,000 to $75,000 and allow longer-term CDs so cemetery funds can earn more interest. Members discussed Secretary of State oversight, annual reporting, and the fact that only interest, not principal, may be used for cemetery care. The committee then moved the bill out with a title sufficient do pass recommendation. The committee also considered Senate Bill 2712, which would allow small lenders to charge up to a $10 fee for insurance in lieu of filing a UCC on certain collateralized loans. It was described as a way to reduce costs and follow guidance from the Department of Banking and Consumer Finance, and it was passed out on a do pass motion. Senate Bill 2714, a major unclaimed property bill, drew extended discussion about creating a legal process for abandoned safe deposit boxes: banks would inventory contents with a notary and two officers, notify owners and heirs, transfer contents to the Treasurer after notice periods, and allow the Treasurer to auction items while preserving proceeds for claimants. Members raised concerns about notice methods, privacy, wills and other documents, and whether first-class mail should be changed to registered mail; the committee adopted a conceptual amendment to use registered mail and added a reverse repealer, then passed the bill out. Finally, Senate Bill 2732 was introduced to combat identity theft by allowing a child’s credit to be frozen at birth through a form provided with the birth certificate. The sponsor said the bill is aimed at protecting minors from fraud and noted that credit freezes and unfreezes are free. The discussion was brief, and the bill was presented as a consumer protection measure for children.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I don’t think you can just walk into the county clerk’s office and file a warranty deed.
• You might find them in the county clerk under a probate matter or guardianship.
• For instance, Sebastian County, and that's perfectly fine.
• For instance, Sebastian County, and that's perfectly fine.
• Sebastian County, and that's perfectly fine.

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, regulators, law enforcement, AARP, and mortgage and insurance industry representatives. Witnesses described a wide range of scams, including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonation, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, gift card fraud, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and crypto kiosk schemes. Several speakers emphasized that fraud is increasingly organized, technology-driven, and amplified by artificial intelligence, and that seniors are disproportionately targeted and often suffer the largest losses. Testimony highlighted both prevention and recovery efforts. Bankers said institutions spend heavily on training, customer education, and fraud detection, but often cannot stop losses once customers have been convinced to authorize transfers. The Attorney General’s office described its Consumer Protection Division, a new Financial Fraud Task Force, and examples of recovering funds quickly from crypto kiosk and wire fraud cases. The State Bank Department and Securities Department said Arkansas’s 2025 crypto ATM legislation and related education requirements have helped, and they urged continued public education. The Insurance Department reported major insurance-fraud trends, including fake insurance cards, forged policies, premium-finance schemes, and staged auto accidents, and said it prosecutes these cases aggressively. Members asked about reporting scams, the security of tap payments, how fraud losses are tracked, the role of crypto kiosks, and whether Arkansas should pursue model legislation or stronger action against telecom and social media companies. Witnesses said tap payments are generally safer than chip or swipe, that crypto transfers are often unrecoverable, and that spoofed caller ID and impersonation ads remain major problems. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association urged state and federal action against telecom and social media platforms and supported national scam legislation. No new bills were voted on at the meeting, but members approved the November 3, 2025 minutes and several witnesses offered to share model legislation, consumer education materials, and state-by-state fraud data with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• County by 2030.
• economy across the largest county land mass-wise in the nation.
• I think it was replicated from something that happens in Orange County.
• and Los Angeles County, who have similar programs.
• In Stanislaus County, we've seen both the promise and the fragility of this sector firsthand.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so the commissioner from Lake County, welcome to the committee.
• My name is Rich Svey, and I am chair of the Lake County Board of Commissioners.
• Lake County supports this direction.
• Lake<00:35:47.440> County<00:35:47.680> supports<00:35:48.079> this Lake County
• County, will 10% go to IL RB? County, will 10% go to IL RB?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Raymond Munoz, and I am an ESE student that attends in Palm Beach County.
• Robert Stewart, representing Hillsborough County Public Schools, waives in support.
•   457 ROBERT STEWART REPRESENTING  HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS  458 >> Rep.
• Back in Lake County, the chairman of Lake-Sumter State College Board of Trustees, Brett Jones, a good
• Orange County Public Schools. Marquise McMiller appears for information. Do you wish to testify?

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and began by welcoming students and coaches participating in the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Members then heard and voted on a series of education-related bills, with most measures receiving favorable reports by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The first bill, HB 1081, created a Cybersecurity Internship Clearance Readiness Program in the Department of Commerce for NCACE-designated universities and Florida College System institutions; a friendly amendment expanded access to private schools, and the bill passed 19-0. HB 1201 updated Florida’s epilepsy/seizure plan law to clarify protections for charter school students, require acceptance of physician-submitted plans, extend training validity to five years, and expand training to regular bus drivers; epilepsy advocates supported it, and it passed 19-0. HB 851 required annual autism-specific professional learning opportunities for teachers and school-based administrators, and it also passed 19-0. HB 615, dealing with IEPs, required quicker parent notice when services are missed, faster access to service logs, individualized parent orientation, and standardized district service logs; parents and advocates testified strongly in support, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 1503 added technology-related competencies to education courses and directed the Department of Education to develop computer science certification coverage; it passed 19-0. HB 371 required public schools to display portraits of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington in common areas and passed 19-0 after testimony both for and against. HB 731 revised extracurricular eligibility rules and allowed local policies for compensating coaches and activity sponsors; an amendment broadened manual requirements and clarified fee actions, and the bill passed 18-0. The committee also took up HB 173, a parental rights bill that drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. The bill would require parental consent for many medical decisions for minors, give parents access to medical records, and expand parental review/opt-in rights for certain school surveys and biofeedback devices. Supporters argued it restores parental authority, improves safety, and prevents children from being cut out of important medical decisions; opponents warned it would remove confidential access to STI treatment, crisis mental health care, and other services for minors in unsafe or abusive homes. Members raised questions about abuse exceptions, emergency care, and how the bill would affect routine treatment and time-sensitive care. The bill was not voted on in the portion provided, and debate continued through multiple rounds of sponsor responses and member comments.

Transcript Highlights:

• in Southwest Washington and encompasses most of the city of Vancouver, as well as parts of Clark County
• in the state of Washington for about 32 years and have served in a variety of roles, first in King County
• and Snohomish County, and as department director for both of those later in my career.
• , certainly one in Yakima County and in Jefferson County in particular, is really concerned.
• Certainly one in Yakima County and in Jefferson County in particular is really concerned that their payer

Summary: The committee met to hear introductory briefings from the Department of Health and the Health Care Authority on agency priorities, federal changes, and implementation challenges. Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham said his department’s listening tour is focused on strengthening governmental public health, improving health care quality and access, and responding to federal funding disruptions and the shutdown’s effects on programs such as WIC. HCA Director Ryan Moran said the agency is prioritizing coverage preservation, oversight of major contracts, affordability, behavioral health integration, rural health transformation, and internal agency operations. Members asked about licensure delays; Worsham said the backlog had been reduced from about four months to six weeks and should be caught up by January 1, with possible further process changes if needed. A major portion of the meeting focused on H.R. 1 and its Medicaid-related implementation. Governor’s health policy advisor Caitlin Stafford, HCA staff, and interim Medicaid Director Trinity Wilson said the state is working with DSHS, the Health Benefit Exchange, tribes, and other partners to prepare for eligibility changes, work requirements, and six-month redeterminations. They said the state expects up to 30,000 Apple Health enrollees could lose coverage under the law’s non-citizen eligibility changes, and that the work requirement/redetermination provisions could affect about 620,000 adults, with roughly 80,000 also enrolled in SNAP. HCA said it hopes to automate most verification, but about 15% to 20% of cases may require manual review, with technology costs estimated at up to $30 million. Staff also said they are trying to keep H.R. 1 implementation mostly in budget language rather than statute, and that communication and navigator support will be important to minimize confusion and coverage loss. The committee also received an update on the Rural Health Transformation Program created in H.R. 1. HCA said Washington submitted its application to CMS on November 5 after extensive stakeholder engagement, including more than 310 written comments, webinars, and tribal consultation. The application centers on six initiatives: rural hospital innovation, community care and prevention, tribal investments, technology and data, workforce development, and rural behavioral health. HCA said the state is likely to receive less than the full $200 million annual amount assumed in the federal program, and that an advisory committee may be created to help guide spending over the five-year program. Members asked about palliative care, small business impacts, and communication with enrollees; HCA said it expects to share outreach toolkits and that no 2026 statutory changes are currently anticipated, though that could change. The final panels covered organ donation and transplant services. Department of Health staff explained the 2023 “Lights and Sirens” law for organ transport vehicles, including licensing, driver qualifications, insurance requirements, and use of emergency lanes and traffic preemption; the department said one company is currently licensed and there have been no complaints. LifeCenter Northwest described the organ procurement process, the legal framework under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, and the rarity and complexity of deceased donation, noting Washington has seen strong growth in donation and transplants over the past decade. University of Washington Medical Center staff then outlined its transplant programs for kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas, and multi-organ transplants, describing the multidisciplinary evaluation and waitlist process and the coordination required with donor organizations and hospitals.

Transcript Highlights:

• In total, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has $500,000 per year for county affairs, and then
• They've developed a special connection... that enabled Sherburne County to partner with Stearns so that
• Similarly, the City of Duluth operates a mobile mountain bike fleet, providing lessons and experiences
• It hurts every county in this state, and it hurts the DNR.
• Serving more than 400,000 visitors from all 87 counties each year, we believe firmly in the power of

Bills: HF2563

Keywords: HF2563, legacy finance bill, Legacy Amendment, outdoor heritage fund, clean water fund, parks and trails fund, arts and cultural heritage fund, Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Clean Water Council, Minnesota legacy funds, habitat conservation, prairie restoration, wetland restoration, forest conservation, riparian buffers, water quality, groundwater protection, drinking water, septic systems, watershed planning

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, some trails in Floyd County, trails in Lawrence County are coming shortly and trails in Johnson County
• /c><00:04:56.400> Lawrence<00:04:56.880> County Floyd County, trails in Lawrence County
• counties in a specific area.
• c><00:15:27.040> a<00:15:27.199> specific county or two counties in a specific county or
• , uh, to tag them because this county is charging more money in this county.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:01:12 Approval of Minutes 00:02:25 Co-Chair & Member Comments 00:02:48 Discussion of 2025 SB 137 00:06:58 Outdoor Adventure Tourism Opportunities 00:41:56 Public Service Commission Update 01:21:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior minutes. Members also observed a moment of reflection for Charlie Kirk and offered condolences to Representative Bobby McCool on the death of his mother. Representative Fugate then made announcements about the ongoing ATV/UTV trail system, including an October 21 opening in Letcher County and an October 2 groundbreaking in Knott County, and staff was asked to circulate the dates to members. The main agenda item was Senate Bill 137, presented by Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong with testimony from George Ecklan of the Coalition of the Homeless and Wesley Bryant, a flood survivor and Eastern Kentucky resident. The bill would prohibit utility disconnections for non-payment during dangerous weather and emergencies, including extreme cold, excessive heat, and declared natural disasters. Supporters said the measure is narrow, does not forgive past-due balances or change reconnection policies, and is intended to protect vulnerable residents, reduce risks to first responders, and create a minimum statewide standard amid a patchwork of utility policies. They cited weather thresholds and historical examples of extreme weather and disaster declarations in Kentucky. Testimony emphasized the human impact of shutoffs, especially for low-income households, older adults, and families facing illness or disaster recovery. Bryant described experiences with people shivering without heat or struggling to keep children cool when power was cut off, calling electricity a lifeline rather than a luxury. Representative Gu raised concerns that utility bills have become unaffordable due to broader policy and rate issues, argued that some customers may not pay if shutoffs are prohibited, and questioned whether the bill was needed. Senator Chambers Armstrong responded that the proposal is limited to non-payment shutoffs during short periods of dangerous conditions and is meant to keep people safe during emergencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stewart, Colorado's first and second Black state representatives, served in Arapahoe County from 1881
• Stewart, Colorado's first and second Black state representatives, served in Arapahoe County from 1881
• Stewart, Colorado's first and second Black state representatives, served in Arapahoe County from 1881
• They understood that democracy mobilize.
• continue to train leaders, mobilize continue to train leaders, mobilize communities,<01:16:04.320

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our counties. our counties.
• , county residents, county property taxpayers.
• For counties, the average county property tax was over 8% this year.
• county.
• county.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill by Assemblymember Connolly, an act relating to mobile homes.
• AB 456 improves the buying and selling process for mobile home owners.
• As a former county elections official, the ballot is information into the county voter information guide
• In my county, Kern County. 12% of public school students attend charter schools.
• We already have no CSU or UC presence in my 11 counties.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Childers, who represented Palm Beach County for over 15 years.
• Another provision is the mobile home park provision.
• What that provides for is if somebody owns their mobile home, but they lease their pad within a mobile
• living in a smaller county or rural county in the state of Florida.
• living in a smaller county or rural county in the state of Florida.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And most people think of Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, and you can see them on the right side of that
• And most people think of Verizon AT&T&T mobile, and you can see them on the right side of that chart.
• And if you notice, none of these are Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T.
• We do see in Clark County, Washington, a high number of folks depositing funds into crypto ATMs.
• We do see in Clark County, Washington, a high number of folks depositing funds into crypto ATMs.

Summary: The committee began with a work session on the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s cannabis market study, presented by JLARC staff member Susanna Pratt. The report found Washington’s cannabis production in 2023 was likely two to three times higher than retail sales, with production estimated at 292,000 to 443,000 pounds of THC versus 139,000 pounds sold. Pratt explained that canopy data are inconsistent and that the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s traceability system is incomplete and unreliable, limiting data-driven regulation, tax verification, recall tracking, and diversion enforcement. JLARC recommended that LCB submit a plan by the end of 2025 for obtaining accurate licensee data by the end of 2026; LCB partially concurred and said a 2027 timeline may be more realistic. JLARC also concluded that the social equity producer licenses would likely have only a minimal effect on statewide production capacity, and suggested the legislature consider broader ways to increase equity in the industry. Members asked about the slow issuance of social equity licenses and about comparable traceability systems in other states. The committee then heard a series of presentations on fraud and scam prevention. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association described the scale of fraud losses, the role of telecom spoofing, social media scam ads, SIM farms, and crypto ATMs, and argued for a shared-responsibility approach involving banks, telecoms, and platforms. Katie Clark of IQ Credit Union described member-to-member fraud, romance scams, and the operational and financial impacts on credit unions, and recommended better information sharing, safe harbors for returning scam-related funds, and stronger fraud education. Kyle Innes of SIFMA highlighted investor fraud and Washington’s 2009 report-and-hold law, which he said helped shape similar protections in most states, and emphasized the need for better communication among financial firms, APS, and law enforcement. Brian Gerard and Ali Higgs from the Department of Financial Institutions discussed “pig butchering” and other investment scams, focusing on how scammers build trust through social media, dating apps, fake websites, and crypto schemes before extracting funds. Across the fraud presentations, witnesses repeatedly stressed consumer education, interagency information sharing, and stronger controls on telecom, social media, and crypto ATM activity. Members asked about model laws from other states, the role of financial education in schools, and whether crypto ATMs should be regulated or banned. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.