Transcript Highlights:

• We are doing that work, and when I tell people all the time, when we think of election crimes and fraud
• Well, that is one form of election fraud. Campaign finance is a form of election fraud.
• Well, that is one form of election fraud. Campaign finance is a form of election fraud.
• What we saw last election cycle, initiative petition fraud, is a form of election fraud.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Florida Commission on Ethics on several proposed legislative changes. The commission asked for changes to the Whistleblower Act to better cover ethics complaints, a public records exemption for commissioners’ and staff members’ sensitive personal information, an expanded gift-disclosure family definition to include foster relationships, and a first-time waiver of fines for late financial disclosure filers. Staff also requested technical fixes, including treating a timely postmarked appeal as filed on time, clarifying Form 6 filing requirements for appointees to elected seats, extending ethics-training requirements to municipal appointees filling unexpired terms, and clarifying where Form 10 gift disclosures are filed. Commission staff reported high electronic filing compliance rates, the rollout of automated fines, and an average of 92 days for completed preliminary investigations in 2025. They also updated the committee on two federal court challenges involving the in-office lobbying ban and the Form 6 requirement for elected municipal officers. The committee then heard from Secretary of State Cord Byrd, who outlined preparations for the 2026 election cycle and several policy proposals. He discussed work with new supervisors of elections, ongoing election-crimes enforcement, cooperation with federal agencies on citizenship verification, and data-sharing agreements with other states. Byrd also proposed a statewide pre-certification audit system with grants for smaller counties, a more streamlined process for checking voter citizenship status after registration, and a modernization fix for voter records affected by randomized driver’s license numbers. Members asked about special elections, election-crimes investigations, returning-citizen voting determinations, chain-of-custody procedures, and interstate data-sharing agreements. Byrd said special election timing is controlled by the governor, the elections-crimes office investigates but does not arrest, returning-citizen applications are resolved within 90 days, and he is confident in current chain-of-custody practices. The committee also considered gubernatorial nominations. By unanimous vote, members approved a block of nominees, then separately took up Joshua Kellum’s nomination to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The committee heard sworn public testimony from Robin Blevins, who urged rejection of Kellum’s appointment and criticized his background and past involvement in FWC-related advocacy. After brief discussion, the committee voted unanimously to approve Kellum’s nomination as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• He repeated that there is no evidence of fraud that they could find.
• <00:35:41.839> it there any data to show fraud it there any data to show fraud it increases
• or less versus more instances of fraud or less versus the<00:35:50.160> two<00:35:50.320>
• SVAC and there is no evidence of fraud. SVAC and there is no evidence of fraud.
• I repeat, there is no evidence of fraud I repeat, there is no evidence of fraud that<00:36:07.040

Bills: SB3240

Keywords: defense, workforce development, local business, manufacturing, federal funding, economic resilience, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety-related measures and indicated at the outset that, because of short notice, the bills would likely be deferred to the later decision-making agenda. On SB 2645 relating to fire prevention, the bill would restructure the process for selecting the State Fire Marshal and make related changes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Governor’s office, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Hawaii State Fire Council, DLNR, Maui Fire Department, AIA Hawaii State Council, and others testified, with DLNR supporting most of the bill but opposing the provision changing the marshal’s nomination process to a governor appointee. In questions, members reviewed the relationship between the State Fire Council, the commission, and the marshal, and the Governor’s office clarified that it supported the overall intent but wanted the commission to remain the sole appointing entity. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 3083 relating to protective orders, with support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the judiciary, the Hawaii National Guard, the Military and Community Relations Office, DBED, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Members focused on whether the draft reflected language worked out with the judiciary and whether the bill addressed a previously identified gap in implementation. The Military and Community Relations Office said it had worked with the judiciary on amendments and wanted to ensure the statute created a collaborative process with installation partners and law enforcement. The witness also said the draft appeared to reflect the agreed language, though he noted there were multiple bills moving and that technical amendments might still be needed. No action was taken during the hearing. SB 608 relating to veterans’ rights and benefits drew both support and opposition. Support came from the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, Veterans Benefits Guide, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and individual veterans and service members, who argued the bill would improve access to claims assistance and provide choice and faster help for veterans. Opposition came from the VFW Department of Hawaii and the Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which argued the bill should be amended to align with federal law, especially on accreditation and fee caps. Testimony and questioning centered on whether third-party claims assistance should be regulated, whether fee caps are preempted by federal law, and whether there was evidence of fraud tied to non-accredited representatives. Supporters said the bill would help veterans navigate a slow system, while opponents said accredited representatives are accountable and that the bill should be narrowed. The committee also heard SB 2054 relating to public safety, which would prohibit the Hawaii National Guard from deploying to assist federal troops, federal law enforcement, or other states’ National Guard units in Hawaii when the governor objects. The Hawaii National Guard opposed the bill, while the ACLU of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and numerous other organizations and individuals supported it, arguing it would protect civil liberties and prevent federal overreach. The hearing ended without a vote or final action on these measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we found in the fraud that.
• We absolutely want to do everything we can to prevent fraud.
• quickly, uh as have been on the fraud quickly, uh as have been on the fraud committee<00:14:25.279
• fraud. People are leaving this state. fraud. People are leaving this state.
• attest to the massive level of fraud attest to the massive level of fraud that<00:47:34.160>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• When the AHCCCS fraud happened over the last several years, there was an overcorrection and it devastated
• For years, fraud in the behavioral health space, when unchecked, targeted Native people and exploited
• So, after years of fraud followed by an overcorrection, this is a crushing blow to the good providers
• Thank you for your bipartisan investigation into Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse throughout Arizona.
• I will be excited and happy to vote yes, to bring an end to the fraud and the death that were caused

Bills: SB1086, SB1193, SB1318, SB1345, SB1346, SB1451, SB1496, SB1611, SB1630, SB1631, SB1632, SB1672

Keywords: reimbursement, healthcare, laboratory services, noncontracting providers, Arizona health care cost containment, personal identifying information, PII, privacy, confidential records, public records exemption, commercial disclosure, data privacy, licensure, certification, health professions, health care licensing, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, emergency medical care technician, EMCT

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning and welcome to the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.
• First and only bill on this agenda is Senate Bill 888, Senate Draft 1, relating to consumer protection
• I'm with the DCCA Office of Consumer Protection.
• <01:21:13.840> safety jobs, public public and consumer safety jobs, public public and consumer
• judgment, especially when it's consumed judgment, especially when it's consumed in<01:32:40.880>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection.
• Specifically, this bill prohibits the sale of consumer data and gives consumers more agency over the
• Savina Tacker with the Consumer Attorneys of California.
• Danny Kando, Kaiser, here on behalf of the California Low Income Consumer Coalition and National Consumer
• strong consumer protections.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this includes how fraud, waste, abuse, and theft and benefit accuracy are being handled in the state
• And then we'll show you what available data says on theft, fraud, and misuse in New Mexico.
• Turning to slide 23, this slide describes the distinction between payment errors and fraud.
• And this office is responsible for fraud prevention and detection for SNAP and for all the other HCA
• These data indicate relatively few criminal charges of SNAP fraud and misuse are brought forward and

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:33:24.080> about and yeah there might be some fraud about and yeah there might be some
• fraud about somebody<01:33:25.480> who<01:33:26.040> like<01:33:26.560> carries
• Alternatives not only benefits consumers Alternatives not only benefits consumers but<05:01:25.638
• This bill does not compromise consumer safety; it actually strengthens it by promoting better, faster
• This bill does not compromise consumer safety; it actually strengthens it by promoting better, faster

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on a bill arising from the Lee case involving animal seizures and humane society involvement. Members and the commissioner discussed concerns about due process, lack of clear notice to animal owners, the need for owners to understand when they are surrendering ownership, and whether humane agents should have additional training or certification. Several members also questioned the role of the NH SPCA and humane societies, the absence of oversight, and whether there was any financial or policy conflict in their involvement. The commissioner said the Department of Agriculture does not have a direct relationship with humane societies, but does coordinate with police on seizures, and noted that problems tend to arise when agencies do not consult the department first. Testimony and discussion focused on possible fixes to the bill, including clearer written notice of rights, requiring a third-party qualified veterinarian or other neutral evaluator, establishing the condition of animals at the time of seizure for later court proceedings, and possibly using teleconferencing with a veterinarian in limited circumstances. Some members suggested the bill may need a broader study committee, while others said it should be amended now rather than delayed. The chair said the bill would be worked on further and sent to the subcommittee for more detailed review. The committee then opened a hearing on HB 250, which would allow local governing bodies to regulate dog muzzling. Representative Jodi Newell testified that the bill was intended to let municipalities respond to dangerous dogs, citing Keene’s attempt to require muzzling after a serious incident but lack of clear authority under current law. Deborah LeBlanc also testified about a dog attack that seriously injured her dog and said a muzzle requirement could have prevented the attack. Committee members asked about the incident, existing dog-control laws, and whether the dog had been leashed; the discussion suggested the bill was meant to clarify local authority over muzzling as a public safety measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• But you also want to know from a consumer point of view, was the service satisfactory?
• I'd like to get a report from what the HHS found with waste, fraud, and abuse, if anything, and what

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• involving exploitation of persons for labor, services, or commercial sex through the use of force, fraud
• Who benefits from that is not going to be the consumer; it's going to be the companies that receive the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we said why a prior authorization could be thrown out due to fraud or misrepresentation, et
• committee of probably, I'm guessing, about 12 people from all different backgrounds: nursing, physician, consumer

Bills: SB20, SB111, SB211, SB218, SB14

Keywords: prior authorization, pharmacy benefits manager, PBM, health insurer, prescription drugs, step therapy, formulary, auto-adjudication, electronic portal, appeals, medical necessity, serious mental illness, mental health, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, substance use disorder, addiction treatment, cancer, autoimmune disorder

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, a fraudulent application induced by fraud is not currently an independent basis to begin eviction
• because this bill is truly at the crux of their occupation, public safety, the court system, and consumer

Transcript Highlights:

• The Alliance for a Stronger FDA is a group of more than 150 stakeholders, including consumer, patient
• But what I think he missed was we all also oppose waste, fraud, and abuse in these programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• fingerprint requirements for all retailers and motor vehicles, recreational vehicles, and trailers to reduce fraud
• land, which is part of the Texas Miracle moving fuel, uh, to Mexico, which is one of the largest consumers

Bills: HB 767, HB 1242, HB 1373, HB 1404, HB 1708, HB 1936, HB 2041, HB 2198, HB 2270, HB 2315, HB 2415, HB 2427, HB 2455, HB 2457, HB 2522, HB 2523, HB 2686, HB 2763, HB 2775, HB 2944, HB 3034, HB 1683, HB 1695

Keywords: highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, HB 1242, Texas Transportation Code, U.S. Highway 281, Brooks County, Ernesto Soliz Cantu, memorial highway, road naming, TxDOT, road signage, commemorative resolution, memorial markers, county road 304, Huppergate Road, Los Robles Trail, Farm-to-Market Road

Transcript Highlights:

• wanted to ask you, you know, if we have the sense of nothing to hide, we want to root out ways against fraud
• We talk about inflation around here, the most inflationary cost affecting consumers, businesses, the

Keywords: nominations, labor, health, veterans, Social Security, Elon Musk, transparency, government accountability

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on various executive nominations and their implications on labor and health affairs. Significant discussions surrounded the nomination of Mr. Sonderling as the Deputy Secretary of Labor, with members expressing concerns about workforce cuts affecting veterans and Social Security employees. There was also a debate led by a member regarding the authority and influence of private individuals, specifically citing Elon Musk's involvement in government decisions. Such discussions raised questions about transparency and accountability within governmental agencies, leading to a proposal for Mr. Musk to provide testimony before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• expanded authority, for example, to impose criminal penalties for severe violations like embezzlement, fraud
• possible to basically mask the overall cost by not maintaining the building, which means you were consuming

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met for a panel discussion on current issues affecting Florida condominiums. DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin highlighted the department’s expanded condo education, complaint, and ombudsman services under HB 1021, including new online resources, board member certification, increased outreach, and broader complaint jurisdiction. She said the division has filled most of its new positions and that the new condo website is intended to improve transparency and access to records and information. Other panelists focused on insurance, inspections, and market impacts. Insurance agent Mike Clarkson said the condo insurance market remains difficult, especially for older buildings, and raised concerns about roof replacement demands, Citizens’ depopulation practices, and the mismatch between reserve studies and insurer timelines. Building officials representative Ron Laceca described challenges with phase one and phase two inspections, including incomplete databases, limited contractor capacity, and the need for local flexibility and better recordkeeping. University of Florida researcher Bill Hughes said his data show the condo market has not suffered a major overall decline from the new laws; he argued the rules have made costs more transparent and may strengthen the market over time. Community association manager Jamie Ballard said the biggest pressures on associations are rising insurance costs and early roof replacement requirements, and she supported board certification while opposing the continuing education exemption for long-tenured CAMs. In committee discussion, members pressed witnesses on whether recent condo laws caused insurance and roof-cost problems, and witnesses generally said those issues are driven more by the market than by the legislation. Senators also discussed possible reforms, including better data collection, clearer reporting duties for managers, and possible changes to insurance and reserve practices. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• To ensure transparency for consumers, the tax amount should be determined by the legislature and set
• Services through a new tax on consumers Services through a new tax on consumers there<03:06:01.640
• CTIA views this fee as a tax that would be passed on to consumers. Okay, and have you... follow up?
• This what may be minimal to one consumer may push them right over the edge on another.
• This what may be minimal to one consumer may push them right over the edge on another.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Are veterans frauds? committing fraud? No, sir. What that refers to is sort of the following.
• So that would be improper, but they use the word fraud. Well, the.
• This is the broad category of fraud, waste. Fraud happens.
• Let me give you an example of fraud.
• That's fraud at our veterans by poor processes. Completely agree.

Keywords: veterans affairs, VA modernization, employee layoffs, mental health, suicide prevention, transparency, senate committee, bipartisan support, oversight

Summary: The meeting involved detailed discussions on various veterans' issues, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amidst a backdrop of significant staffing changes. Members expressed deep concerns over the recent layoffs of over 1,000 VA employees, emphasizing the crucial nature of these positions in the context of mental health support for veterans, particularly amid rising suicide rates. Senators articulated the need for transparency and effective communication between the VA and Congress to avoid further breakdowns in services. The session also spotlighted the ongoing modernization of VA systems and the urgent need to streamline processes to benefit veterans effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• after World War II, when this cyanobacteria was found in a lot of the natural vegetation that was consumed
• The state has been allowing physicians to get away with fraud.
• The state has been allowing physicians to get away with fraud.
• <04:49:13.160> New Physicians to get away with fraud New Physicians to get away with fraud
• begged us to solve this problem consumer begged us to solve this problem and<05:45:07.798> cited<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've actually implemented one of those step plans for our insurance fraud investigators.
• So we have a plan to keep and retain those insurance fraud investigators, and we need to implement those
• for our other fraud investigators and our crime analysts.
• Law enforcement, those are investigators that look into fraud across the state, either through financial
• or fiscal integrity or insurance fraud, workers' comp fraud.