Transcript Highlights:

• There needs to be an auditing system.
• Where is the audit of the true facts of the real and truth in return on investment?
• Well, I made a call a couple days ago to the state auditor's office, and I asked for this audit, and
• nobody knows of such an audit that we're getting the return on investment for any of these tax credits

Summary: The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 2998 and adopted a House committee substitute that narrowed the bill to a study of the Upper Mississippi River Basin and the Rural Development Office, with a new date of December 1, 2029. Members asked about the fiscal note and whether the proposal was simply a study rather than a broader project. The committee then voted the substitute do pass on a 21-0 roll call. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 913, which would extend several agricultural tax credits for five years and add/adjust provisions for short-line railroads, biodiesel, rolling stock, meat processing, specialty crops, and related programs. Senator Gregory and supporters said the bill would provide certainty for agricultural investment, rural development, ethanol and biodiesel production, meat processors, and short-line rail infrastructure, with several witnesses emphasizing return on investment, competitiveness, and the importance of keeping Missouri agriculture strong. Some members also discussed the rolling stock credit and local tax backfill, with supporters saying it simply makes local political subdivisions whole and does not create a double payment. Opponents, led by the State Public Advocate, argued Missouri’s tax credit system is too large, costly, and insufficiently audited, and said the state could not afford the projected fiscal impact. They criticized the credits as giveaways and questioned whether the programs would happen without incentives. Despite those objections, the hearing featured broad support from farm, rail, banking, agribusiness, chamber, and commodity groups, and no vote was taken on SB 913 before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Joint audit and evaluation committee. Honorable Jared Solomon, House Chair, Honorable Steven J.
• committee following joint statutory committee appointments.<00:03:17.120> Joint<00:03:17.360> audit
• Joint audit and evaluation appointments.
• Joint audit and evaluation committee.<00:03:19.040> Honorable<00:03:19.680> Jared<00:03

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, January 22, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in session with 127 members initially present, opened with prayer and the journal reading, and then took up introductory business. House Bills 394 through 444 were read the first time and referred to the appropriate committees, and Introductory House Bond Initiatives Number Two was referred to Appropriations. The Speaker also announced and the House adopted appointments to the Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics and the Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee. Most of the meeting consisted of committee and delegation announcements. Appropriations, Environment and Transportation, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means all announced briefings later that day, while several other committees said they would not meet. Delegations from Frederick, Anne Arundel, the Eastern Shore, Prince George’s, Montgomery, Charles, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Southern Maryland announced upcoming meetings, many by Zoom. A Montgomery County delegate also announced a Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee briefing on the Department of Social and Economic Mobility. The floor included multiple guest and caucus recognitions. The Women’s Caucus promoted a service drive for hygiene, baby, and women’s products for the YMCA Druid Hill pantry, and the Legislative Black Caucus announced new leadership, with Chair N. Scott Phillips and Senate Vice Chair Shaneka Henson. The House welcomed visitors for Maryland Bankers Association Day, Transportation Association of Maryland advocacy day, the Maryland chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies, CPA Day, and sportsmen and sportswomen day, along with student visitors and a guest of a Prince George’s County delegate. No substantive debate or recorded votes occurred beyond the adoption of committee appointments, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 23 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• which requires the Office of Legislative Auditor to report to the legislature annually on whether an audited
• /c><00:01:27.040> an legislature annually on whether an legislature annually on whether an audited
• > has<00:01:28.400> imple<00:01:28.880> implemented<00:01:29.439> its audited
• entity has imple implemented its audited entity has imple implemented its recommendations.<00:01:30.479

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Through a federal award, we reimbursed pharmacists for managing medications among high-risk patients
• Through a federal award, we reimbursed pharmacists for managing medications among high-risk patients
• this does sort of create that possibility, as opposed to us being billed to fly them over for the audits
• There are very... so a lot of the pharmacy benefit management companies that oversee drug programs for
• companies that oversee um management companies that oversee um drug<00:55:39.319> programs<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1046 SD1 on condominiums. Testimony on that bill focused on reserve funding and enforcement of reserve study requirements. The Community Associations Institute opposed the bill, saying it would create hardship, confusion, and be difficult to administer, while also urging stronger penalties for boards that fail to comply with reserve study rules. The Real Estate Commission offered comments, and one testifier spoke in support. No vote was taken during the portion provided. The committee then heard SB 532 SD2 HD1 relating to the Department of Education, which would improve access to pre-approved medications for students with health conditions at school and during off-campus activities. The Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi nursing and medical programs, and the Department of Education all supported the measure, with DOH suggesting amendments to better identify the correct student and improve medication safety. Members had no questions, and the bill moved on. Next was SB 1245 SD2 HD1 relating to pharmacists, a bill to allow reimbursement for clinical services pharmacists are already trained and licensed to provide. The University of Hawaiʻi, Board of Pharmacy, Walgreens, Mikai Drugs, and the Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association supported the bill, emphasizing improved access to care, recruitment and retention of pharmacists, and better chronic disease management. The Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association also discussed proposed amendments to prevent plans from denying coverage or network participation when pharmacists meet credentialing requirements. Members questioned whether insurers would actually use pharmacists and how the bill would affect pay and contracting; no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 1279 SD2 HD1, another pharmacists bill focused on telepharmacy and 340B-related issues. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation supported it, saying telehealth could reduce costs and avoid travel for audits, while the Board of Pharmacy opposed it. Lānaʻi representatives opposed the bill and asked for an exemption, arguing the island already has close in-person access to a resident pharmacist and clinics. The Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association supported the measure, citing large patient savings from 340B pricing, while Mikai Drugs opposed it, arguing that mail-order and telepharmacy are not necessary on some islands and can create delivery and medication-safety problems. Members asked questions about insurer participation, scope of practice, and whether the bill would meaningfully change reimbursement; the transcript ends before any final action or vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• tens of thousands to the Department of Insurance and minor and absorbable cost to the Department of Managed
• Wanacott with the California Business Properties Association, as well as the Building Owners and Managers
• HCD and TECAC monitor compliance through periodic sample audits, and the volume of that monitoring is

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 13, 2026, and began by taking up a large consent calendar, moving a first group of bills to the floor consent calendar and a second group by due pass. The committee then heard and advanced a series of measures covering housing, public safety, health care, education, and local government issues. Among the bills discussed were AB 2641 on a sales tax exemption for pawnbroker redemptions, AB 2525 on a narrow Surplus Lands Act exemption for Mission Bay Park, AB 1732 and AB 2433 on student housing and the Affordable Homes Bonus Law, AB 2055 on boating safety and enforcement, AB 1579 on children’s crisis residential services, AB 2139 on a Surplus Lands Act amendment for an Inland Empire soccer project, AB 2041 on EMS reporting, AB 1973 on reproductive health scope for advanced practice clinicians, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 2700 on utility rates and wildfire victim compensation, AB 1809 on school job order contracting, SB 73 on election security, AB 2418 on commercial building permit timelines, AB 1970 on step therapy limits for serious mental illness and substance use treatment, AB 2361 on peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing liability, AB 1976 on bike and pedestrian project approvals, AB 2110 on tax increment financing for workforce housing, and AB 2146 on supportive housing documentation and vacancy rules. Testimony was generally supportive for the measures heard. Authors and sponsors emphasized consumer fairness, housing production, public safety, access to care, and administrative streamlining. Supporters included local governments, housing advocates, school districts, law enforcement groups, health care organizations, and affected individuals. AB 2700 drew especially extensive public testimony from wildfire survivors and local officials who urged stronger compensation for victims of PG&E-caused fires and relief from high utility costs. AB 2034 and AB 1790 were raised during public comment on bills not heard in committee, with several industry groups opposing AB 2034 and both supporters and opponents speaking on AB 1790’s Waters Edge issue. Most bills were reported out of committee on due pass motions, with several noted as amended or with members not voting on particular roll calls. The committee also read and approved a lengthy suspense calendar, then opened public comment on bills not presented that day before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• As amended, the bill would also codify requirements that managers give ample notice to tenants of their
• But I think this is a great first step in saying that we need to build that framework. that managers
• We actually did an audit for Orange County that just came out recently on HUD vouchers.

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing bills. AB 2270, by Assemblymember Arambula, would give farmworker housing projects scoring parity in the state low-income housing tax credit program so they are not disadvantaged by amenity-proximity criteria that do not fit rural agricultural areas. Supporters, including La Cooperativa Campesina, said the bill would help farmworker projects compete fairly for credits; there was no opposition, and the bill was later approved 11-0 and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered AB 2552, which would clarify use of the state’s new CEQA vehicle miles traveled (VMT) mitigation bank for affordable housing near transit. The author and supporters from the California Building Industry Association and business groups said the bill would add guardrails so the program is cost-effective and usable, while Housing California, the Planning and Conservation League, and others opposed the least-cost requirement, arguing it could undercut the new mitigation bank before implementation. After discussion about balancing housing and environmental goals, the bill passed 11-1 to Appropriations. AB 2689 would require good cause for nonrenewal of certain state-subsidized housing tenancies when a household’s income exceeds 140% of area median income for two consecutive years, with notice requirements and protections if the tenant cannot afford market rent. Some members supported the bill as a way to free up scarce subsidized units and create a housing “ladder,” while others objected that it could punish people for increasing their income. The bill was amended and passed 11-1. The consent calendar items AB 2308, AB 2397, and AB 2512 were also approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• on interims. and we have the word oversight in five major substantial committees that handle and manage
• office on a regular basis, who also has a role in rooting that out through their financial statement audits
• Yeah, I mean, I think we can manage... That much later in the year when they have something to say.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, and I'm glad that you brought that up because I think that's another place and that we need to audit
• State law provides unemployment insurance benefits to military families to help them manage the real-life
• State law provides unemployment insurance benefits to military families to help them manage real-life

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Military and Veterans Affairs Committee heard presentations on several bills, beginning as a subcommittee because a quorum was initially lacking. AB 2531 by Assembly Member Irwin would expand California’s uncompensated care grant program to include veterans whose federal VA coverage does not include abortion services, and would add a CalVet website link to abortion resources. Supporters, including Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, Equality California, and Reproductive Freedom for All California, argued the bill responds to federal restrictions on VA abortion care and helps veterans access care. Opponents, including the California Family Council, objected to using taxpayer funds for abortion-related services and raised concerns about the bill’s information and policy framing. Committee members also questioned the bill’s veteran verification language and funding structure, with some urging a clearer proof-of-veteran standard; the author said she was open to looking at that issue. AB 2054 by Assembly Member Gibson would update California’s paid family leave rules for relatives of military service members by broadening the definition of covered active duty to include certain domestic deployments, emergency activations, and training assignments. The Department of Defense and Navy Region Southwest supported the bill, saying it would better reflect modern military service and help military families manage disruptions at home. Members praised the bill as a needed fix for families affected by state and domestic deployments, and no opposition was raised. AB 2219 by Assembly Member Schiavo, the Faster Service for Veterans Act, would require county veterans service offices to fill vacancies within 12 months, speed up CalVet accreditation, expand training and public awareness, create a statewide work queue, improve data collection, and require periodic reporting on office capacity and performance. The California Association of County Veterans Service Officers supported the measure, saying it would improve timeliness, accountability, and staffing decisions based on need. After discussion, the committee voted to pass AB 1702, AB 1765, AB 2203, and AB 2467 on consent, and to pass AB 2054, AB 2219, and AB 2531, all with re-referrals to Appropriations or Insurance as applicable. Final recorded votes showed the consent calendar adopted 8-0, AB 2054 adopted 8-0, AB 2219 adopted 8-0, and AB 2531 adopted 6-2.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, these organizations, these boards that were managing those programs were just holding on to it.
• They had to enter that information year after year for three years before they could get that audit.
• U.S. policymakers, program managers within the executive branch, and lawmakers all have to do a better

Bills: SB197, HB140, SB214, HB214, HB147, HB270, SB73

Keywords: business regulation, nonprofit entities, electronic filing, merger agreements, limited liability companies, partnerships, property transfer, termination fees, HB140, private sewer systems, wastewater utilities, Public Service Commission, PSC jurisdiction, utility regulation, rate setting, rate consolidation, affiliated systems, common ownership, private utilities, sewer rates

Transcript Highlights:

• Access's division of fee-for-service management serves some of our state's most vulnerable populations
• How an audit turns out or you're not being paid in a timely manner, it's just basic economics.
• I think it's the selection of the appropriate medication and the monitoring that needs to be managed
• It just manages how these—” “It just manages how these drugs, the antiviral, antibacterial, and antibiotics
• I am one of the managers for the group home monitoring program.

Bills: SB1095, SB1114, SB1116, SB1162, SB1164, SB1178, SB1179, SB1249, SB1253, SB1346, SB1347, SB1446, SB1561, SB1813

Keywords: gender transition, minors, irreversible surgery, health professionals, puberty-blocking drugs, medical procedures, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• This process in no way, shape, or form is going to hurt the counties and their ability to manage their
• But under this bill, they'll be subject to an annual audit by the Commissioners Court, or more audits
• Constables are elected officials chosen by the voters to manage the day-to-day Or court approval.
• In the facilities management in Bexar County, we have about $337 million in capital projects.
• He's now the house manager at that very home, caring for disabled veterans.

Bills: HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403

Keywords: quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code

Summary: The subcommittee on county and regional government heard a long agenda of county-related bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097, by Rep. Martinez, would let counties that opt in use an independent hearing examiner instead of a civil service commission for certain deputy sheriff discipline appeals; the bill drew support from CLEET’s Robert Leonard, who said it would be fairer and faster, and it was left pending. HB 4642, by Rep. Gonzalez, would require counties that contract with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas jail-standard protections and oversight; Gonzalez, detainee Jess Hampton, his wife, Texas Jail Project’s Krish Kundu, and TCJS director Brandon Wood all discussed deaths and poor conditions in Louisiana facilities, staffing shortages, and the need for guardrails and data collection. The bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4350, by Rep. Capriglione, allowing peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face targeted threats and should have protections similar to judges; a title industry witness warned about preserving the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687, by Rep. Harless, would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet training and certification standards within set timeframes; Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen supported professionalization, and the bill was left pending. HB 4105 would let very large counties give a local-bid preference for construction and infrastructure contracts, and HB 4205 would require pay parity for similar law enforcement ranks within large counties; both were supported by Harris County officials and constables and left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 5403, which would repeal a special rule limiting Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs’ control over commissary funds; the author said it would remove an outdated population bracket, and the bill was left pending. HB 4462 would require large counties to allow elected officials named in civil suits to seek outside counsel and have a role in settlement decisions; supporters argued county attorneys and commissioners court can have conflicts of interest, while questions focused on who qualifies and whether the bill could complicate settlements. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 240, by Rep. Swanson, would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively preventing tax action without all commissioners present and defaulting to the no-new-revenue rate if quorum is not met; urban counties opposed it as a potential budget obstruction, while supporters said it protects taxpayers and representation. That bill was also left pending. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 3319, which would create a civil service system for constable department employees in large counties, but the discussion is cut off before testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• A collaborative management agreement is required between the dentist and the dental therapist, which
• This collaborative management agreement... ...dental therapists through this collaborative management
• collaborative management agreement.
• Because of the collaborative management agreement that the dentist can control within the scope of the
• You heard about the management of medical emergencies.

Summary: The Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. HB 21 would create a new licensed profession of dental therapy under the Department of Health and Board of Dentistry, allowing trained dental therapists to provide a limited scope of care under a supervising Florida-licensed dentist through a collaborative management agreement. Sponsor Rep. Cheney argued the bill would help address severe dental shortages and improve access in underserved areas; opponents from the Florida Dental Association and oral surgery groups warned that the bill would allow irreversible procedures by less-educated providers and could compromise patient safety. Supporters, including dentists, hygienists, and community health center leaders, said dental therapists would expand access and free dentists to handle more complex care. An amendment was adopted to require proof of local anesthesia training, adverse-incident reporting, and updated background screening language. The bill was reported favorably as amended by a 14-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 27, which creates the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact to allow licensed social workers to practice across member states, including through telehealth, and to help military families and address workforce shortages. Supporters from the National Association of Social Workers and other advocates said the compact would improve mobility, reduce administrative burdens, and expand access to mental health services, especially in underserved and rural areas. A technical amendment restoring model language and setting an effective date of July 1, 2025 was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. Finally, the committee heard HB 29, the public-records companion to the social work compact, which creates exemptions needed for compact compliance and allows the compact commission or its committees to meet in closed session when discussing information exempt under law. After a technical amendment authorizing closed meetings for exempt matters was adopted, the bill was reported favorably as amended on a 15-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• , while presuming the chief elections officer can execute these expanded duties despite unresolved audit
• When Common Cause audited the in-person voting on the day of, we saw a lot of people registering to vote
• duties can execute these expanded duties despite<01:16:36.480> unresolved<01:16:37.199> audit
• unresolved audit failures and accountability<01:16:39.199> gaps.
• When Common Cause audited the to do.

Bills: HB1546

Keywords: Medicaid, health insurance, healthcare access, insurance subsidies, pilot program, affordable care, preventive services, low-income, community engagement, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2083, which would add homeless shelters to Hawaii’s drug-free/safe-zone protections. The City and County prosecutor’s office strongly supported the bill, saying service providers asked for the change because drug activity near shelters can undermine recovery efforts. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, focusing on a possible notice problem because many shelters are not readily identifiable and the bill’s 750-foot distance requirement could be difficult to apply. The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii also opposed the bill, arguing it would expand criminalization of poverty and drug use and that drug-free zone laws are ineffective and disproportionately harmful. The prosecutor’s office said it would do more research on the notice concern. The committee then moved on without taking a vote in the transcript provided. The committee next discussed HB 2087, which would change the treatment of abuse of family or household member cases by ending the deferred-acceptance pilot and returning to the prior statute. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying the pilot had not reduced backlog as intended and that domestic violence cases should remain petty misdemeanors without deferral. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Public Defender’s Office both opposed HB 2087, instead urging extension of the pilot for another five years so the legislature can better evaluate how deferred acceptance is working. They said deferrals can be a useful incentive for behavior change and that more data is needed before ending the program. Committee members questioned the prosecutor about why Hawaii should differ from other counties and whether repeat offenders could keep receiving deferrals; the prosecutor said the deferral is available only once and reiterated support for returning to the old statute. The committee then heard HB 2096 on aggravated circumstances in child protective proceedings. The family court and Attorney General’s Office supported the bill, saying current law limits aggravated-circumstances findings to the early return hearing, which can prevent findings in the most serious abuse cases when key evidence is not yet available. They said the bill would allow such findings later in the case and, with proposed amendments, would let the court consolidate aggravated-circumstances and termination-of-parental-rights hearings to reduce delay and appeals. The Libertarian Party of Hawaii opposed the measure, arguing it would expand state power in family matters and could worsen outcomes for parents and children. Committee questions focused on the amended language, including what “another court of competent jurisdiction” means and whether a charge alone would be enough; the judiciary responded that criminal courts are included, but a hearing and opportunity to defend would still be required. Finally, the committee took up HB 1959, another domestic violence measure. The Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Public Defender’s Office, the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and county prosecuting offices testified in support. Supporters said the bill would extend the pilot program while keeping deferred acceptance of guilty pleas in place, giving more time to evaluate whether the program is working and whether a more formal diversion model should be developed. The coalition also suggested technical fixes to ensure judiciary data reporting continues and that the deferred-acceptance statute is not inadvertently repealed. No vote or final action was taken in the transcript before the committee moved on to the next bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• not to exceed one manager for every 11 employees.
• ratio of one manager for each 11 staff members.
• Small agencies that have less than 11 employees can still hire a manager.
• Technology and Management at Dallas Baptist University.
• All right, House Bill 5469 addresses a challenge in how we manage government resources.

Bills: HB565, HB3743, HB4310, HB5083, HB5129, HB5195, HB5331, HB5469, SB21, HB3185, SB 21

Keywords: constitutional amendment, fiscal impact, state budget, ballot measure, transparency in voting, management-to-staff ratio, state agencies, employee regulations, government efficiency, workforce management, public information, governing board, transparency, confidentiality, access rights, privacy, identifying information, state agency, consent, occupational license

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide some kind of college prep or college life strategies, whether it be note-taking, time management
• , stress management, all these types of things that a student will have the skill needed to be successful
• If they don't have this language, they can still do it, but they might be subject to an audit finding
• But what there could be is an audit finding because it violated the Financial Control Division procedure
• In 1996, the rules were changed, and I think it was in 1998 that Gary Johnson created NMW to manage the

Bills: SB37, SB29

Keywords: high-quality literacy instruction, science of reading, structured literacy, reading instruction, literacy assessment, dyslexia screening, phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, biliteracy, English language learner, ELL, bilingual education, dual language program, reading intervention, reading difficulty, reading improvement plan, literacy coach

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, um, you know, I kind of relate this to the legislative audit commission or the legislative
• audit commission or the auditor himself.
• I kind of relate this to the um you know I kind of relate this to the legislative<00:10:35.360> audit
• <00:10:35.839> commission<00:10:36.560> or<00:10:36.800> the legislative audit
• commission or the legislative audit commission or the auditor auditor auditor himself.<00:10:39.200>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . or you may have uh substantial an audit. or you may have uh substantial delays<03:22:46.720> in<
• The IRS cannot fully close the tax gap through traditional audits alone.
• <03:44:57.760> The<03:44:57.920> IRS<03:44:58.479> whistleblower audits alone
• The IRS whistleblower audits alone.
• anxiety, depression, and help manage anxiety, depression, and OCD.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you should know that CMS in Washington does annual audits for the program and have assessed that
• CMS in Washington does annual audits for the program and have assessed that two things.
• We're already over 200 referrals from DHS, managed care organizations, and law enforcement.
• and from DHS, managed care organizations and law<00:29:34.560> enforcement.
• My name is Chris McNulty, general counsel for Minnesota Management and Budget. Thank you.

Bills: HF2354, HF3621, HF3429, HF3483

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud, payment withholding, withheld payments, program integrity, public funds, state agency, program participant, credible allegation of fraud, administrative reconsideration, contested case, chapter 14, data practices, confidential data, protected nonpublic data, anti-fraud

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from March 5 by voice vote and welcomed new member Representative Van Binsbergen. It then took up House File 2354, which Chair Liebling moved to re-refer to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. Representative Norris presented the bill as an updated version of the Medical Assistance Protection Act, aimed at strengthening the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, closing loopholes, equalizing fraud penalties, and increasing penalties for large-scale Medicaid fraud. Attorney General Ellison said the bill would add 18 specialized staff to the unit, moving it from 32 to 50 positions, and argued the federal-state matching structure makes the Attorney General’s office the proper home for the funding because the unit is dedicated to Medicaid fraud work. Nick Wonka, director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, explained the bill’s provisions affecting committee jurisdiction: expanded subpoena authority to obtain financial account contents in provider-fraud investigations, conforming legal representation language to preserve the unit’s authority, venue changes to allow charging in counties where parts of the offense occurred, and a restitution change to let courts order restitution for related conduct in the same scheme. He said the subpoena change would speed investigations and align the Attorney General’s authority with other agencies, and that the restitution change would help recover more fraudulently obtained Medicaid funds. No public testimony was offered. Members questioned why the funding should go to the Attorney General’s office rather than the BCA, whether the new records authority was federally required, how the venue language would work across state lines, and whether the added FTEs indicated the fraud problem was larger than expected. Ellison and Wonka responded that the federal grant requires the work to stay within the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, that the unit’s investigators are specialized and work with, but separate from, law enforcement, and that the venue provision applies only within Minnesota while out-of-state matters would be referred to the appropriate authorities. The amendment that had been posted was withdrawn and not offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• When Virginia did an audit in 2019 to evaluate our incentives, we concluded that 90% of the investment
• When Virginia did an audit in 2019 to evaluate our incentives, we concluded that 90% of the investment
• Virginia did an audit in 2019 to evaluate our incentives.
• My name is Zach Martin, and I'm the manager of government affairs for Minnesota Power.
• We also invest in and support a lot of the developers that build and manage affordable housing throughout

Bills: HF1277, HF1006

Keywords: data centers, tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, economic development, employment growth, property tax, abatement, land bank, redevelopment, political subdivision, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If somebody is under audit, you may have people contest that through an appeal here on probably 5% to
• If somebody is under audit, you may have people contest that through an appeal here on probably 5% to
• If somebody is under audit, you may have people contest that through an appeal here on probably 5% to
• style that may have more to a management style that may have more uh<00:27:29.559> Capital<00
• management areas, so those two classes are really similar.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all