Transcript Highlights:

• As we believe this functionality will be shared across agency.
• And certainly we're happy to share those criteria. Thank you.
• What I can share with you from HCAI's perspective...
• Can you share?
• We can share that. We could work with your staff in providing information.

Summary: The committee heard opening budget remarks from the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst’s Office on the May Revision for Health and Human Services. Finance said the proposal significantly reduces projected out-year operating deficits through a mix of revenue increases and program cost reductions, while the LAO warned that even with booming revenues the state still faces a structural deficit and should prioritize reserves and avoid new ongoing commitments. The chair and members echoed concern about cuts to vulnerable populations, but also noted the need to maintain the overall level of budget solutions and add to reserves. The hearing then moved through a series of CalHHS and HCAI proposals, mostly held open after presentation. CalHHS requested additional legal support to respond to federal H.R. 1-related issues and a net-zero transfer of positions for a shared eligibility/data-sharing platform. Other items included ongoing funding for the 988 Behavioral Health Crisis Service Fund and a request for EMSA to fund maintenance of its enterprise data management system. HCAI presented proposals for hospital fair pricing implementation, the data exchange framework, the all-payer claims database, CalRx insulin development, the diaper access initiative, distressed hospital grants, opioid settlement fund reversion, and the Rural Health Transformation Program. Members questioned funding sources, special fund use, contracting exemptions, timelines, and whether some proposals should be more targeted or supported by alternative funding. A major discussion centered on HCAI’s diaper access initiative and the use of a Public Contract Code exemption to continue contracting for free diapers distributed through hospitals. The chair and some members criticized the optics of the selected vendor and questioned the lack of an income threshold, while HCAI said the program was designed to be universal and administratively simple, with future phase-two direct-to-consumer purchasing to be handled by a different vendor. Another extended exchange focused on distressed hospital funding, where HCAI said the May Revision would provide up to $50 million for hospitals at immediate risk of closure, but members argued the repeated annual need shows a structural problem and asked for broader reforms to hospital payment and care transitions. The final major topic was the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission’s budget. The Commission opposed the May Revision’s reduction of the Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and a $6.7 million cut to community advocacy contracts, arguing both are core Proposition 1 tools for statewide innovation and community engagement. Finance responded that the proposal is within Proposition 1’s allowable maximums and that prior unspent appropriations could be redirected if the Legislature wanted to restore the full amount. No votes were taken; items were generally held open for later action.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to go ahead and share my screen. I have a few slides.
• I'll stop sharing my screen in just a second. We do have some slides from Melissa.
• All of us on here have enough information and are happy to share it.
• We were up to almost 40 people earlier, so this is great information to be shared around.
• And this recording will be shared on our web page.

Summary: The Workforce Support Subcommittee met to discuss how registered apprenticeships could help address workforce shortages in disability services, human services, and other high-need fields. Co-chairs and staff introduced the session as a practical overview of apprenticeship pathways, with a focus on how employers, intermediaries, and training providers can work together to build programs. The discussion emphasized that apprenticeships can be used not only in the trades, but also in health care, early childhood education, medical interpreting, and other occupations facing recruitment and retention problems. Amara Ramon of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards explained the structure of registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts, including employer-led on-the-job training, related technical instruction, wage progression, credentialing, and state support through templates, compliance oversight, and grants. Melissa Sebeli described her role as an intermediary at the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, saying intermediaries help employers design, register, and manage programs, recruit apprentices, and keep programs compliant. She said the model offers employers a pipeline of workers, retention benefits, tax credits, and flexibility to tailor training to local needs. Lisa Morris described a new apprenticeship for medical interpreters, built from an existing training program and employer demand for experience, with a pre-apprenticeship, 2,000 hours of work-based learning, and related technical instruction tied to certification requirements. Members and attendees asked about where apprentices come from, how employers recruit, how wages are set, and whether state agencies or workforce boards can serve as intermediaries. Speakers said recruitment can come from career centers, youth programs, incumbent workers, community colleges, job fairs, ESL centers, and community-based organizations. They also discussed accommodations and modified curricula for people with intellectual, developmental, and neurodiverse disabilities, citing Bridgewater State’s Excel program as an example. No votes were taken; the meeting concluded with encouragement for organizations to contact the presenters or Division of Apprenticeship Standards to explore apprenticeship options and with notice that materials and the recording would be posted online.

Transcript Highlights:

• coming back to a song that I first learned in Sunday school when I was a boy, and I would like to share
• </c><00:00:42.920><c> would</c><00:00:43.040><c> like</c><00:00:43.200><c> to</c><00:00:43.320><c> share
• </c><00:00:43.640><c> the</c> was a boy, and I would like to share the was a boy, and I would like to
• share the lyrics<00:00:44.200><c> of</c><00:00:44.320><c> it</c><00:00:44.480><c> with</c><00:00:44.680
• </c><00:09:53.360><c> about</c> One last thing I want to share about One last thing I want to share about

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• BUT I HAVE NOTHING TO SHARE.
• HAPPY EXCITING OR INTERESTING YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH US?
• WE ARE HAPPY TO SEE YOU FEEL FREE TO SHARE.
• SHARED SERVICES IS OUR NEW VENDOR AND ITS ROLLING OUT.
• SHARED SERVICES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yet the burden of this gap is not shared equally. Yet the burden of this gap is not shared equally.
• One story I often share is what I call the playground problem.
• That kind of alignment can move us from parallel efforts to shared accountability.
• Thank you for sharing your story with us today. Thank you for sharing your story with us today.
• And if you had more to share, please do submit it in writing. Thank you so much.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of child welfare, family support, and human services bills. Testimony strongly supported a guaranteed cash stipend for young adults aging out of foster care (S.161), with the Attorney General’s Office, youth advocates, and foster care providers describing high rates of homelessness and poverty after exit from care. Providers also urged action on a resolve to study the foster care liability insurance crisis (H.197/S.1280), saying premiums and coverage losses are forcing program cutbacks and could reduce foster care capacity statewide. Another major topic was a direct care worker medication administration program registry (H.237/S.162), which supporters said would help recruit and train workers, especially bilingual staff, to address workforce shortages in human services. Several bills focused on child protection and child welfare system practices. Supporters of H.267/S.145 called for advance notice to children’s attorneys when placements or other major events change, arguing that timely communication is essential to prevent unnecessary disruption and improve advocacy. Testimony also backed legislation to formally recognize and strengthen children’s advocacy centers and the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (H.233/S.112), with prosecutors and CAC leaders describing the trauma-informed model as a longstanding, effective response to child abuse and trafficking. A bill to establish a Massachusetts children’s cabinet (S.115) drew support from advocates who said cross-agency coordination is needed to align policy and funding for children’s well-being. The committee also heard testimony on bills addressing safety, equity, and family support. Senator Lovely and survivors supported S.152, which would create a civil cause of action for sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority or trust, with witnesses describing grooming and power imbalances in schools and youth-serving settings. H.274, a bill of rights for people experiencing homelessness, was supported by advocates who said it would add anti-discrimination protections and voting and privacy rights amid rising criminalization of homelessness. H.272/S.171 to protect maternal health received support from Rep. Montaño, MLRI, and a physician, who said the bills would make cash assistance available earlier in pregnancy and remove the medical-verification barrier. H.4216 on equitable hair care for children in state custody was supported by social workers and advocates who said hair care is tied to identity, dignity, and mental health. H.255 on empowering early educators drew testimony about barriers faced by renters and condo owners trying to open home-based child care programs. H.217, concerning resources and support for pregnant and parenting families, drew testimony from anti-abortion pregnancy resource center advocates. No votes were taken during the hearing, and several bills had no one signed up to testify or were deferred when witnesses were unavailable.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'd like to share how this bill came to be because I really don't believe it was by accident.
• So I ended up meeting with Hannah in my office, and I decided at that point that I would share my story
• , and I haven't shared it with many people at all.
• So, I just want to say thank you, Representative Bennett, for sharing your story.
• So, thank you, Chair Bennett, for introducing this bill and sharing your story.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I may ask to bring that back to the next meeting to share; maybe we can share some highlights from
• So I'm happy to follow up and maybe put it in that shared file or shared drive, wherever we end up putting
• Do I need to share the slides, or does someone share them in the committee?
• Yes, we'll have you share your slides with us. Okay, please. One second.
• Thank you for sharing this. I have a lot of little notes on here. So thank you for...

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Rural Health Transformation Committee met to receive an overview from Department of Health and Welfare Director Juliet Sharon on Idaho’s Rural Health Transformation Program, created under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Sharon explained the $50 billion federal program, Idaho’s application timeline, the state’s ranking and award amount, and the five broad initiative areas in the approved plan: technology and access, innovative care models, workforce development, chronic disease and behavioral health, and rural infrastructure/partnerships. She emphasized that the funding is tightly overseen by CMS, with required reporting, compliance checks, sustainability plans, and the risk of losing funds if Idaho does not obligate money or meet milestones on time. She also outlined the state’s plan to hire a 12-person temporary team and to use a mix of RFPs and competitive subgrants, with monthly reporting to the committee and a shared information space to track solicitations, rubrics, and awards. Committee members questioned several parts of the plan, especially scope-of-practice issues tied to the application, the use of telehealth funding, workforce retention, and the survey process used to shape the application. Representative Tanner asked whether the state could continue pursuing scope changes for dental hygienists and physician assistants and whether legislative action could affect funding outcomes; Sharon said the state would continue to evaluate those policies, but that compliance, timely spending, and performance would be the main factors affecting funding. Representative Healy raised concerns about the survey’s heavy use of “other” responses and about telehealth spending, arguing some telehealth uses may not be practical for specialty care. Representative Manwaring requested a shared drive for real-time data and asked for raw survey results and dollar-based funding caps. Sharon agreed to provide follow-up information, including survey data and additional details on funding limits. Chris Jones of Catalyst Policy Group then presented broader policy observations and examples from other states. He praised Idaho’s application, urged the committee to keep the focus on patient-centered rural access, and highlighted ideas such as community health workers, remote patient monitoring, rural training pipelines, value-based care networks, and telehealth models that reduce staffing needs and improve sustainability. He also cautioned against relying on social determinants of health funding, noted the importance of rural training and partnerships, and praised Idaho’s 3.5% tribal set-aside. The committee ended by agreeing to set up a shared information hub with LSO, to expect follow-up materials and possible solicitation drafts soon, and to tentatively plan its next meeting around CMS’s Idaho visit on May 28.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you share what the differential is?
• Thank you for sharing that. customer protections.
• Thank you for sharing that. and glad. Across California.
• Thank you for sharing that.
• And can you share more about that? Yes, that is correct.

Summary: The Communications and Conveyance Committee held an oversight hearing on the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), focused on telecommunications, broadband deployment, resiliency, and the California Teleconnect Fund. Chair Tasha Boerner said the hearing was intended to examine structural issues at the CPUC, including whether telecommunications oversight should remain within the commission, while also reviewing major programs such as Last Mile, BEAD, carrier of last resort, and emergency preparedness. CPUC President John Reynolds and Deputy Executive Director Anna Maria Johnson described the commission’s work on public safety, universal service, broadband grants, Lifeline modernization, and network resiliency, including the 72-hour backup power requirement and merger review. Members questioned CPUC officials about the pace and metrics for Last Mile and BEAD projects, the relationship between middle-mile and last-mile buildout, and how the commission balances carrier obligations with the risk of driving providers out of high-cost areas. They also pressed the CPUC on the California Lifeline home broadband pilot, asking when enrollment would be available, which providers were participating, how much of the state would be covered, and what the surcharge impact would be. CPUC said 15 providers had been approved, one was already serving customers, and the rest were still onboarding, and it committed to provide follow-up information on timelines, coverage, and costs. A major portion of the hearing centered on the California Teleconnect Fund and proposed changes to how schools would access the program. Superintendent Tony Thurmond argued strongly against shifting administration from county offices of education and districts to individual schools, saying it would add burden, worsen inequities, and risk underuse of a valuable broadband subsidy. Committee members echoed concerns that smaller schools and districts may lack the staff to manage direct applications and reporting. In public comment, the Los Angeles County Office of Education supported the CDE’s position and urged changes that would align the program more closely with E-Rate and reduce administrative burdens. No formal vote was taken, and Chair Boerner closed by saying she remained committed to pursuing reforms to the CPUC and referenced her bills AB 2289 and ACA 9.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to the school resource officer and sharing that concern.
• Going to share the story of a woman who briefly shared her story with me when she was 8.
• Thank you for your bravery to share your story.
• I'm going to share something that I said earlier.
• Thank you for sharing Senator Grall.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was in the MySpace era, and I shared this story with you. But I grew up very sheltered.
• As I shared with you, I've been really trying to wrap my brain around kind of where does...
• The CCPA is an outlier, relying on opt-outs for this sort of sharing.
• Now I've decided I want to share it with Safeway, and I do that.
• Thank you so much for sharing your story. Thank you so much for sharing your story today.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Vern, anything you want to share with us to close out?
• </c><00:10:04.200><c> what's</c> wanted to invite you to share what's wanted to invite you to share what's
• a little bit more I'd like so to share a little bit more I'd like to<00:21:21.799><c> turn</c><00:21
• I'd also like to point out that the share of participating households that include seniors or people
• I'd also like to point out that the share of participating households that include seniors or people

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It just requires sharing needed to be.
• </c><00:20:52.000><c> Um</c> states to implement cost sharing. Um states to implement cost sharing.
• </c> to specify what these cost sharing to specify what these cost sharing requirements<00:21:40.320>
• In the past, when we did have cost sharing, a lot of times the cost sharing was so low that it did not—it
• </c> collaborating and information sharing collaborating and information sharing with<00:42:06.560><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• cultural history and our shared cultural heritage.
• cultural history and our shared cultural heritage.
• I just want to thank all the testifiers that came out today and to share their concern.
• I just want to thank all the testifiers that came out today and to share their concern.
• I just want to thank all the testifiers that came out today and to share their concern.

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:

• Thanks for the opportunity to share my perspective.
• And I think we all share that goal.
• And I think we all share that goal.
• share, potential impacts to eligibility, et cetera?
• That's the federal share.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services heard an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, community care licensing, child support, and related budget issues. CDSS described the Governor’s proposed child and family services budget, emphasized a family-centered and kin-first approach, and reported that foster care entries and congregate care placements have declined over the past decade. Witnesses also highlighted the importance of extended foster care to age 21, while noting persistent racial disparities for Native American and Black children and the need for stronger prevention, family finding, and community-based supports. A major focus was the proposed tiered rate structure (TRS), which CDSS said would shift funding from placement-based rates to child-centered supports, including care and supervision, strength-building dollars, and immediate needs funding paired with high-fidelity wraparound services. CDSS and county representatives said implementation is on track, with foundational policy guidance expected by the end of the year, CANS/CFT timeliness targeted by year-end, and the CWS CARES system nearing go-live in October 2026. Counties and providers raised concerns about whether the rate model and wraparound capacity will be sufficient, especially for higher-acuity youth, and asked for more data, clearer guidance, and continued collaboration. County Welfare Directors Association representatives also requested continued emergency response funding and an extension of flexible family supports, arguing both are needed to stabilize front-end child welfare work and bridge to TRS. Providers from FFAs and STRTPs warned that insurance costs, provider closures, and the transition to TRS could threaten service capacity unless the state addresses long-term insurance and reimbursement issues. LAO noted the Governor’s budget contains no new child welfare augmentations and said the main General Fund change reflects the expiration of one-time funding. No votes were taken; members instead asked for follow-up data, technical assistance, and possible future legislative or trailer bill solutions, including on insurance and implementation timelines.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thanks for the opportunity to share my perspective.
• And I think we all share that goal.
• share, potential impacts to eligibility, et cetera?
• share, potential impacts to eligibility, et cetera?
• That's the federal share.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’d like to share with you what this actually looked like in practice.
• But I would agree with what was just shared.
• Just a few points: I would agree with what has been shared.
• Charlott, I think I'll bookend to... ...already has been shared. Mr.
• . sharing as soon as April with their draft LCAPs.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on coherence in California’s education planning and reporting systems, especially the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and related grant plans. Committee chairs and members described widespread frustration with duplicative, lengthy, and sometimes conflicting reporting requirements, while emphasizing that the goal was not to reduce accountability but to make planning more useful, stable, and student-centered. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond also previewed the Governor’s education budget priorities, including expanded learning, community schools, universal transitional kindergarten, literacy supports, and concerns about the proposed Prop. 98 deferral. Panelists from the State Board of Education, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office said the LCAP was intended to balance local flexibility with statewide transparency, but has become overloaded by repeated revisions and additional requirements. They argued for fewer core reporting elements, more stability over time, better alignment of planning cycles, and integrated systems that reduce duplication. Fresno County staff described a multi-year calendar and support tools that help districts manage timelines, but said these tools only ease the burden rather than solve the underlying problem. The LAO noted that some newer plans, such as expanded learning and transportation plans, are narrative-heavy and often less informative than separate reporting requirements. Local district leaders and county officials described the practical effects of the current system: staff time diverted from instruction, multiple portals and forms, audit risk aversion, and planning documents that can exceed 100 pages. Several superintendents said coherent systems work best when districts have clear priorities, stable governance, and aligned budgets, and when state requirements are predictable and tied to outcomes like literacy, attendance, and student achievement. The California Federation of Teachers added that coherence also depends on meaningful collaboration with educators, classified staff, parents, and communities. Committee members repeatedly asked whether the state should streamline reporting, create a uniform portal, or develop a more unified grant-reporting structure, and Thurmond said the department was piloting a simplified common form and was willing to work with the Legislature and districts on broader solutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, systems thinking to really maximize our impact and share...
• So I just had a few slides that I wanted to share.
• There's a lot of barriers in multifamily, and I want to share a few of them.
• I appreciate the opportunity to share a perspective with the committee.
• And I would share a couple suggestions there.

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Select Committee on Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure focused on California’s EV market, charging infrastructure, and the effects of recent federal actions. The chair opened by emphasizing California’s progress on EV adoption and charging reliability, but also noted ongoing challenges with affordability, access, interoperability, heavy-duty electrification, and federal headwinds. She highlighted interest in technologies such as inductive charging and thanked host organizations and staff before moving to the first panel. State agency witnesses from Go-Biz, CARB, and the California Energy Commission described current programs and priorities. Go-Biz outlined its role in coordinating agencies, supporting permitting, and advancing the state’s ZEV market development strategy and equity action plan. CARB discussed federal attacks on its clean vehicle regulations, litigation to defend waiver authority, and the importance of incentives and regulatory programs such as Advanced Clean Trucks, Advanced Clean Fleets, Clean Truck Check, HVIP, and Clean Cars for All. The CEC detailed its funding and regulatory work on charging and fueling infrastructure, charger reliability, payment methods, roaming, and statewide planning, while stressing the need for more charging in multifamily housing and more public DC fast charging. All three agencies said federal rollbacks and permitting delays are major obstacles, but that California remains committed to expanding ZEV adoption. The second panel featured advocates, local government, utility, and research perspectives. CalETC urged continuous state funding through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and emphasized the low-carbon fuel standard, multifamily charging, and managed charging. An EV advocacy group proposed a conquest-style state incentive for new and used EV buyers and argued that multifamily housing is a major untapped market, while also favoring Level 2 charging over Level 1 for most home and apartment settings. Los Angeles County and LADWP described large-scale local deployment of chargers, fleet electrification, workforce training, and the need for sustained funding, agency coordination, and streamlined permitting and grid interconnection. UCS recommended prioritizing replacement of older high-emitting vehicles, using fuel policy revenues to support cleaner cars, and expanding bidirectional charging. The chair closed by asking for more discussion on Level 1 versus Level 2 charging and noted the importance of education, affordability, and practical deployment strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• uses car sharing where you can rent someone's car—they have to have UM, too.
• We have ride-share drivers all over our major cities. They're everywhere.
• But what about specifically for ride sharing, those states? I don't know.
• Look, I share the concerns.
• So I share some of those concerns as well.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 774, which would extend required hearing-aid coverage for certain individuals up to age 26. Representative Boyer said the bill helps young adults maintain access to hearing aids during school and early work years. The Louisiana Academy of Audiology supported the measure, and the committee adopted technical amendments and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then heard extensive testimony on HB 702, which would require transportation network companies to provide uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Representative Landry and supporters argued that current law and court rulings have left injured drivers and passengers without meaningful coverage in some cases, especially for riders who do not own cars and therefore lack personal UM coverage. Insurance agents and legal witnesses said they cannot currently find a product to cover the driver in certain ride-share phases, while Uber representatives opposed the bill, warning it would raise fares and noting that drivers already have optional occupational accident coverage and that passengers’ own UM coverage would generally apply. After debate over costs, coverage gaps, and whether the issue should instead be studied further, the committee voted to voluntarily defer the bill. The committee next considered HB 477, as substituted, which would require coverage for prosthetic and custom orthotic devices and associated services. Representative Ebert and witnesses described the bill as a modernization of existing coverage rules so people with limb loss can obtain more than one medically necessary device, including activity-specific prosthetics. Testimony from amputees and a physical therapist emphasized the impact on mobility, work, sports, and quality of life. The committee adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably by substitute. The committee also reported HB 76, which updates oral anti-cancer medication parity rules, by adopting amendments that clarify applicability and exempt certain limited-benefit and ERISA self-funded plans. HB 903, which increases the commissioner of insurance’s fine authority, was amended to set higher aggregate caps and then reported favorably. Finally, HB 291, which would prohibit health plans from penalizing hospitals when a member of the care team is out of network, drew support from the sponsor and the Louisiana Hospital Association as a preventative measure against insurer pressure tactics; Louisiana Blue opposed it, citing cost concerns and questioning the need for the bill. The transcript ends during that bill’s hearing, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we can share you some draft legislation.
• I'd like to share a little bit about IQ's background.
• Internal information sharing...
• And then we also participate in industry information sharing.
• We can't share that information with law enforcement.'

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• meeting created so that we could look at the list of potential nominees that has been reviewed and shared
• And the one thing that was shared was that, although it was verbally mentioned, just to explicitly add
• Happy to keep this within the 30-minute bracket that we shared so folks can get on with your days.
• And so as the new commissioners are coming on board, we will make sure that we'll be sharing that on
• And I would love your support on that and sharing that with your respective districts and anyone that

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting focused on the Cape Verdean Cultural Center commission’s membership expansion. After an initial roll call, the chair noted quorum was not yet present, but quorum was later reached with additional members joining. The commission first reviewed and approved the January 13 meeting minutes, which covered prior discussions on public process, transparency, future listening sessions, and the need to broaden representation on the commission. The main item was a proposed slate of 12 additional commissioner nominees developed by a nominating subcommittee. The slate was intended to fill gaps in expertise and geographic representation, including arts and cultural programming, history and preservation, museums, architecture, fundraising, nonprofit governance, higher education, language preservation, community organizing, economic development, legal expertise, and communications. Members discussed the list, made a few corrections to geographic assignments and names, and noted that nominees could decline and that additional candidates could still be considered later. The commission voted to approve the slate of nominees, and the motion passed. Members also agreed to send appointment letters within the week. The next full meeting was scheduled for Monday, February 23 from 3 to 4 p.m., with plans to publicly market that meeting, include public comment, and continue outreach to potential commissioners and the broader community.