Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go on to the method of finance. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• The first two methods of finance are with ASU Jonesboro.
• Item C is an alternative delivery method project.
• Alternative method. Seeing none, motion to review.
• or the traditional RFP method.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 7-18, service award programs, Section 40-7-18.07, cash, we revised the section title from cash to payment
• The revised rule now allows for additional payment methods to team members, such as payroll adjustments
• 147, the change to 71-02-03-02.2, subsection 4, provides clarification of the time frame on which payment
• if the request and payment complies with this section and is... ...of medical expenses if the request
• and payment complies with this section and is within the limits of appropriated funds.

Summary: The committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rule changes tied to House Bill 1620/1622, which concern North Dakota’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact. The Board said it is waiting on compact rules, especially fee structures, before finalizing its own rules. The committee then took up extensive Office of Management and Budget personnel rule revisions, covering salary administration, recruitment, leave policies, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR practices and implement recent legislation, including new hire leave and enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions; the committee raised concerns about the subjectivity and fairness of the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but no action was taken against the rules. The North Dakota Lottery presented emergency and regular rule changes, including updates tied to the Millionaire for Life game and miscellaneous clarifications. The Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology described rule updates that add speech-language pathology assistants to the rules, ease continuing education requirements for out-of-state applicants, expand temporary licensure, and clarify supervision standards. The State Electrical Board reviewed numerous code updates, including changes to electrical and fire alarm standards, receptacle labeling, countertop receptacles, and a major new conveyance/elevator inspection program added by the Legislature; the board said it is preparing to begin inspections by August 1. The Industrial Commission’s Geological Survey Division presented new rules implementing House Bill 1459 on critical minerals in coal-bearing formations, including permit, reporting, confidentiality, and royalty-related provisions. The committee asked about confidentiality of exploration data and drilling depth. The Public Employees Retirement System outlined rule changes implementing several bills affecting defined benefit, public safety, defined contribution, insurance, deferred compensation, and retiree health credit programs, and noted possible future proposals to add state EMS or create a LOSAP-style plan. The Department of Health and Human Services presented substance use disorder voucher rules implementing House Bill 1012, including allowing individuals to apply directly and setting reimbursement procedures; the rules were expected to have a $250,000 general fund impact already included in the budget. The longest discussion involved the Gaming Commission rules. Members questioned whether the commission had authority to raise poker tournament buy-ins from $300 to $1,500, viewing it as an expansion of gaming rather than a mere clarification. After debate, the committee voted to void that specific rule section for lack of statutory authority. The rest of the gaming rules covered higher raffle limits from House Bill 1192, the change from “bar” to “alcoholic beverage establishment,” veterans’ organization proceeds, credit ticket voucher kiosks, online raffles, and advertising restrictions; the presenter said several public comments led to revisions or withdrawals of proposed language. The meeting ended with discussion of upcoming Ethics Commission travel-reporting rules and scheduling the next committee meeting in September.

Transcript Highlights:

• And at any time an employer intends to change its method of payment, each employee shall be given written
• method of payment.<00:41:10.160> Each<00:41:10.319> employee<00:41:10.720> shall
• <00:51:13.359> That's payment method to get rid of me?
• That's payment method to get rid of me?
• or the method of payment has been or the method of payment has been changed.<00:54:55.839> They

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• aren't only limited to payments.
• Direct payments have been $2.9 million over the last three years.
• Quincy has failed to monitor lease payments.
• We have gone with zero payments for function and restaurant services in the past.
• That audit indicated that we were not receiving our payments.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened its hearing with procedural remarks, including a strict three-minute testimony limit, livestream instructions, and a July 1 deadline for written testimony. Chairs Lewis and Rauch then heard testimony on a wide range of municipal home rule petitions and related bills, with many local officials and advocates being taken out of order because of the large turnout. A major topic was firefighter residency. Representatives of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts and Sen. Keenan supported H. 2260/S. 1449, which would replace the current 15-mile residency rule for non-civil-service fire departments with a negotiable standard, generally allowing residency within 15 miles and permitting expansion through collective bargaining. Supporters said the change would improve recruitment and retention amid the housing crisis and create parity with civil-service departments. Acton Fire Chief Anita Arnhum and Sen. Senna also backed H. 4168 for Acton, making similar arguments about recruitment, paramedics, and the need for local flexibility. The committee also heard strong support for charter overhaul petitions for Somerville and Lynn. Somerville officials, including Rep. Barber, Mayor Ballantyne, Councilor Jake Wilson, and charter committee member Beverly Schwartz, described a years-long public process to replace an 1890s-era charter with a modern document emphasizing transparency, public participation, clearer governance, and a possible change to the mayor’s term length. Lynn Mayor Nicholson similarly supported a charter update to modernize city operations and financial procedures. Cambridge-related charter and procurement reforms were also briefly endorsed by Rep. Cabral. Other bills discussed included a proposal by Sen. Eldridge and Rep. Scarsdale to create a state grant program for municipal sustainability directors, and regional school finance bills supported by Rep. Lanatra and Jason Frazier to expand special education reserve funds and create a regional school assessment reserve fund. Acton witnesses also supported library governance changes and a checkout bag charge proposal. The committee heard sharply divided testimony on Quincy’s H. 3897, a 50-year lease extension for Quarry Hills/Granite Links: Quincy officials and business supporters praised the public-private partnership and future investment potential, while residents argued the lease was too long, should be competitively bid, and deserved more oversight and auditing. The hearing also included testimony on Boston trash truck noise restrictions and a PEG access/cable funds bill supported by Mass Access, as well as a Southwick petition to elect part of the Conservation Commission, which one select board member opposed as contrary to current law and good governance.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> an act relative to supporting the an act relative to supporting the preferred<00:33:27.800> method
• of communication of an preferred method of communication of an individual<00:33:29.800> with<
• of communication within the state method of communication within the state service<00:33:53.000>
• Not only does this hurt family finances, it also jeopardizes the social security payments and future
• payments payments and<01:17:24.800> future<01:17:25.480> retirement<01:17:26.560> security

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The methods of finance, if you would. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon, members.
• These are the methods of finance, Mr. Chair.
• Item C is your alternative delivery method construction project over $5 million.
• This is the alternative delivery method project, Mr. Chair.
• This is the alternative delivery method project, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vehicle so that we can make the appropriate emergency appropriations for, uh, temporary hazard pay payments
• believe these arbitration methods believe these arbitration methods include<00:18:13.640> some
• from uh list right now strike method from uh list right now statute<00:18:30.400> calls<00:18
• first payment for benefits within<00:50:13.319> two<00:50:13.520> weeks<00:50:13.760><
• of benefits shall be made first payment of benefits shall be made to<00:50:20.280> covered<00

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, there's a lot of different methods to produce hydrogen, from turquoise to gray to green
• And then finally, it allows payments for lease and equipment to tribal governments to be eligible for
• of taxes and fees to the appropriate jurisdiction. of pennies, not just the remittance or payment of
• And finally, if the payment method, for example, check, credit, or debit card, does not require rounding
• People make their payments; the new owners of this property that bought it at auction make their payments

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 407.18 service award programs, Section 407.1807, cash, we revised the section title from cash to payment
• The revised rule now allows for additional payment methods to team members, such as payroll adjustments
• 147, the change to 71-02-03-02.2, subsection 4, provides clarification of the time frame on which payment
• disease, or an IMD, to submit a request for reimbursement of medical expenses and to specify when payment
• if the request and payment complies with this section and is within the limits of appropriated funds

Summary: The Administrative Rules Committee met on June 11 and first approved the March 12, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rules tied to recent legislation, including North Dakota’s participation in the physician assistant licensure compact and a new physician nutrition continuing education requirement. The Board said it was waiting on compact rules and fee information before finalizing its own changes. The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the Office of Management and Budget on broad personnel rule revisions, including salary administration, recruitment, leave, sick leave, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR language and implement recent legislation such as enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions and new hire leave. Members questioned the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but OMB and counsel said those standards come from statute, not the rules. The committee also heard and accepted rule packages from the Lottery, the Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, the State Electrical Board, the Industrial Commission, PERS, and Health and Human Services, with each agency describing mostly technical, clarifying, or statutory-conforming changes and noting the public notice and comment process. The most significant action came during the Gaming Commission rules presentation. After questioning whether the commission had authority to raise the poker tournament buy-in limit from $300 to $1,500, members moved to void Section 99-01.3-09-01 on the ground that the agency lacked statutory authority for that change. The motion passed on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed several gaming-related issues, including online raffles, kiosk use, advertising restrictions, and the broader policy question of whether charities should be allowed to own bars, but took no further formal action on those topics.

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding is that tap is always the preferred method. My colleague, Mr.
• Sources of payment for anyone that you need to pay. Thank you, Brandon.
• So normally what we do is consumers submit a complaint, and we contact the method of payment that they
• Normally what we do, scammers have been asking for methods of payment in different ways.
• And gift cards is one way that the scammers do ask for payment.

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members and witnesses describing scams targeting seniors, small businesses, and working families. The committee first approved the November 3, 2025 minutes, then heard from the Arkansas Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, banks, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, the Arkansas Mortgage Bankers Association, the State Bank and Securities Department, the Insurance Department, and AARP. Witnesses described common schemes including spoofed bank calls and texts, government imposter scams, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, fake job postings, gift card scams, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, identity theft, and insurance fraud. Several witnesses emphasized that cryptocurrency kiosks and crypto transfers make recovery difficult or impossible, and that artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing and scalable. Witnesses repeatedly stressed education, verification, and coordination among banks, law enforcement, regulators, and consumers. Bank and mortgage representatives urged consumers to slow down, independently verify wire instructions, avoid clicking unexpected links, use tap-to-pay rather than chip or swipe when possible, and never share account credentials or one-time codes. The Attorney General’s office said it investigates consumer complaints, mediates disputes, works with social media platforms to remove scam ads, and recently created a Financial Fraud Task Force with bankers and other stakeholders. The State Bank and Securities Commissioner highlighted the Safe AR Act, the state’s crypto kiosk framework, and fraud education efforts such as “fraud bingo,” while the Insurance Department described its law-enforcement role and a range of insurance-related fraud schemes it prosecutes. AARP said fraud is widespread and underreported, especially among older adults. Members asked about reporting scams, how losses are handled, whether tap is safer than chip, how crypto fraud works, whether Arkansas has model legislation to address telecom and social media impersonation, and how local law enforcement and state agencies coordinate investigations. Witnesses said banks generally absorb much of the financial loss under federal rules, while consumers bear the inconvenience and account changes. Several witnesses said Arkansas should consider additional legislation to hold telecom companies and social media platforms accountable for spoofed caller IDs and impersonation ads, and one witness said a federal Scam Act is moving in Congress. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes, but witnesses agreed to share consumer education materials and model legislation with committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• beginning, and I am carrying House File 2370, which is a bipartisan bill which is also the program payment
• and expanded authority to stop payments and expanded authority to stop payments and<00:04:04.959
• <00:04:08.319> from agencies to withhold payments from agencies to withhold payments from
• This gives us an earlier intervention that we can use before payment. Withholds challenge it.
• This gives us an earlier intervention that we can use before payment.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and other types of uh welfare payments and other types of uh welfare payments<02:12:47.760> and
• > the payments and other payments from the payments and other payments from the state<02:12:49.640
• So, if a government employee is making payments while they know that those payments are illegal, this
• And so, I can't withhold payments.
• That they would want us to um make payments intentionally, payments intentionally, um, um, um, make payments

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill sets forth three payment methods, including a reloadable instant card.
• Committee Substitute for House Bill 4412, requiring certain websites to utilize age verification methods
• material harmful to minors can be held liable if they fail to perform reasonable age verification methods
• Age verification includes a government-issued identification or a commercially reasonable method.
• Engrossed House Bill 5686, relating to the timing of payments of annually required deposit into eligible

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest introductions, including students, community leaders, food bank representatives, and visitors connected to Hunger Free West Virginia Day. A resolution recognizing March 10, 2026, as Hunger Free West Virginia Day was adopted, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 on the Southern West Virginia water crisis was referred to the Rules Committee. The chamber also heard remarks highlighting Hunger Free West Virginia’s work and a West Virginia company, Unigen, developing pharmaceutical manufacturing in the state. The Senate concurred with House amendments and passed several measures, including Senate Bill 467 on enforcement of Purple Heart parking spaces, Senate Bill 712 on cattle guards on certain public roads, and Senate Bill 781, a supplemental appropriation measure that was also made effective from passage. The chamber then adopted and passed Senate Bill 844, a large supplemental appropriation to the Department of Human Services, and Senate Bill 87, a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Commerce, both effective from passage. Other third-reading bills passed included the Blue Envelope Program for drivers with autism, dementia, or intellectual and developmental disabilities; coverage for scalp cooling systems during chemotherapy; expansion of sex-offender registration to include solicitation of a minor and non-consensual disclosure of private images; child safety reporting requirements for school personnel; age-verification requirements for websites hosting harmful sexual material; free Gold Star parent vehicle registration; online training and updated standards for sanitarians; sheriff hiring authority; organ donor registration through voter registration; a Cold Case Task Force; abandoned vehicle title procedures; nutrition continuing education for physicians; special plate rules; gift card fraud offenses; protections for athletic officials; in-year school personnel movement; administrative services powers; pharmacy benefit manager regulation; vape shop regulation; reduced parole supervision fees; disability service credit for certain troopers; property valuation reporting changes; and quarterly Hope Scholarship payments. The Senate also advanced a large number of House bills and committee substitutes on second reading, including supplemental appropriations and measures on mental health examinations, dog registration rules, juvenile jurisdiction on military installations, military interpersonal violence, kinship care subsidies, a statewide prevention plan, contraband smuggling into federal prisons, forestry equipment levy treatment, and Commerce Department rules for microgrid districts and high-impact data centers. Several committee amendments were adopted, and many bills were advanced to third reading without objection. No executive communications were reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also actual, um, assumptions and methods.
• There's also actual um assumptions<00:06:15.199> and<00:06:15.520> methods.
• Uh out of those assumptions and methods.
• <00:11:05.440> Uh<00:11:05.680> that and methods of the systems.
• Uh that and methods of the systems.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:09 Attendance Roll Call: 00:01:42 Approval of Minutes: 00:03:23 Overview of Actuarial Audit Process: 00:03:47 Overview of Reemployment After Retirement Provisions: 00:25:26 Teachers’ Retirement System: 00:25:26 Kentucky Public Pensions Authority: 00:50:32 Adjournment: 01:02:55, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with quorum, approval of the prior minutes, and an announcement that the June meeting had been canceled and replaced by this combined May/June meeting; the next official PPOB meeting was announced for July 21 at 2:30. Staff then gave an overview of the Public Pension Oversight Board’s required actuarial audit process, explaining that House Bill 238 requires a review every five years of the retirement systems’ actuarial assumptions and methods, funded by the systems themselves. The presentation distinguished this audit from a financial or forensic audit, described the three possible audit levels (full replication, limited/spot review, or basic review), and noted that the last audit in 2021 was a level one performed by Milleman Consulting at a cost of about $190,000. Members discussed timing for the next audit cycle, with a request to LRC likely needed in July or August to target the June 30, 2026 valuation, and several members expressed interest in another level one review. Questions also addressed whether prior audits found major issues; staff said the 2021 review was generally clean but recommended more consistency in reporting and assumptions across systems. The committee then welcomed new staff and interns, including Odet Guanzi of KPPPA and Team Kentucky intern Amamira Bowman. Bo Barnes of the Teachers Retirement System presented an overview of the statutory framework for reemployment after retirement under KRS 161.605. He explained that the law is intended to let retirees return to help with staffing needs, do so in an actuarially sound way through required contributions, and keep TRS compliant with federal tax rules for a qualified plan under section 401(a). Barnes described the required breaks in service and earnings limits for retirees returning part-time or full-time, including the three-month or 12-month break depending on the employer, the 6,900-day limit, and the daily wage threshold based on years of service. He also noted a lightly used critical shortage program that allows school districts to hire retirees without a wage cap, while still observing the break-in-service rules. Members asked questions about who decides the scope and level of the actuarial audit, how the audit would treat leave balances and other benefit-related items, and whether the prior level one audit identified substantial problems. Staff said the committee would request the audit, but LRC would handle contracting, and that the audit scope could include items like sick leave and annual leave costs if requested. On the reemployment topic, Barnes emphasized that the rules are designed to avoid pre-arranged retire-and-return arrangements that could jeopardize TRS’s tax-qualified status. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the meeting concluded with the presentations and discussion of these pension oversight issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• We would be able to tell you trends around method.
• We would be able to tell you trends around method.
• We would be able to tell you trends around method.
• We would be able to tell you trends around method.
• We would be able to tell you trends around method.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• payment has been made or not. payment has been made or not.
• payment within 60 days of the invoice. payment within 60 days of the invoice.
• The GC would not provide the payment.
• But, unfortunately, the payment paid.
• their rights to seek timely payment. their rights to seek timely payment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It depends on the cooling methods that the data center uses.
• Depends on the cooling methods that the data center uses.
• It depends on the cooling methods that the data center use.
• They use these closed-loop cooling methods.
• So you can't get a payment there.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there's a method now to get<00:04:25.600> those<00:04:25.759> individuals<00:04:26.240
• I feel like that might be outside of the scope of the discussion here in terms of issues with payment
• Second to that is the payment process.
• is issued so it's withholding payment is issued so it's withholding payment<00:20:40.520> uh<
• <00:21:41.880> process uh second to that is the payment process uh second to that is the payment

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 27, as amended by committee substitute, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry. The sponsor said the substitute was developed with UK, U of L, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Parkinson’s in Motion to better define a movement disorder center, add Parkinson’s experts from both universities to the advisory committee, require automated reporting, and delay implementation until 2027. Testimony emphasized the need to track diagnoses and testing while protecting confidentiality and allowing people to opt out. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted unanimously to pass SB 27 with a favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 93, dealing with hearing aid coverage for children. A parent described the high cost of hearing aids for her son and the financial burden created by insurance limits, while a pediatric audiologist explained that early identification and treatment improve language outcomes and that families can spend about $30,000 on hearing aids from birth to age 18. The committee substitute removed adults from the bill and added an in-network requirement for pediatric audiologists, along with a replacement interval consistent with Medicaid guidelines and repair/loss coverage provisions. After questions about costs, replacement timing, and insurer practices, the committee voted unanimously to pass SB 93 with a favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 153, a transparency and due-process bill concerning Medicaid prepayment review. The sponsor and witnesses from Addiction Recovery Care and Frontier Behavioral Health said prepayment reviews can be imposed with little notice or explanation, disrupt cash flow, and burden rural and smaller providers; they argued the bill would require clearer notice, reasons, and timelines without stopping legitimate reviews. Members asked about managed care organizations, contract issues, and whether the bill would conflict with existing agreements, and the sponsor said it would not. After discussion and an explanation of vote from Senator Douglas, the committee voted to pass SB 153 with a favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, where you can get your payment every year for 20 years or whatever it is, or a one-time payment
• payment.
• The legislation or the state rules are designed as it's not a lease payment, but it's a lump-sum payment
• That is the only method I have been a part of dealing with. You may continue.
• And then the lease payments to landowners, up to $82 million over the same time.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding is that tap is always the preferred method. My colleague, Mr.
• So normally what we do is consumers submit a complaint and we contact the method of payment that they
• Normally what we do, scammers have been asking for methods of payment in different ways.
• Gift cards is one way that the scammers do ask for payment.
• Later on, that policy cancels for non-payment.

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