Transcript Highlights:

• And according to a Harvard Business Review study, phishing, which is a type of cybersecurity scam through
• And also in their study, out of 112 people, 60% of them fell for AI-related scams.
• In the past, you had to spend years learning how to master your craft of scamming.
• I'm a 30-year veteran of crime prevention work. I'm a 30-year veteran of crime prevention work.
• I'm a crime prevention practitioner.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The meeting opened with a report on annual solvency certification for institutions of higher education, which required no action and was to be distributed later. The main presentation focused on artificial intelligence in K-12 and higher education, delivered by students from Arkansas State University, the University of Central Arkansas, and Valley View High School. They argued that AI is becoming central to education and the workforce, especially as Arkansas adds major data center investments, and said students should be taught to use AI responsibly so they can compete for jobs, improve internships, and keep talent in-state. They also emphasized concerns about academic integrity, cybercrime, and the need for ethics training and district-level guidance. The presenters shared survey findings from educators in several Arkansas districts, saying most teachers support teaching responsible AI use, believe students without access to AI will be disadvantaged, and want training and district-level management. They described existing AI uses at Arkansas colleges, including AI tutors, AI-generated practice exams, homework feedback tools, and classroom applications in business, climate science, and urban forestry. They also proposed an AI library built on the state’s Access Act infrastructure so K-12 and college students could access shared AI tools and resources across Arkansas. Committee members asked about student attitudes, classroom concerns, and whether AI could help standardize course materials and objectives across institutions. The presenters said reactions among students are mixed, with arts students especially worried about copyright and originality, but that many recognize AI’s real-world value. A UCA representative added that faculty training, ethics discussions, and academic dishonesty guidance are already underway there. The chair thanked the students, noted their work on related research projects, and then moved to a second presentation from Pine Bluff community leaders. The Pine Bluff group described community-based school support efforts, including the Pastors on Patrol program, mentoring, anti-bullying and nonviolence training, drug and vaping education, leadership clubs, and a youth diversion effort for students at risk of detention. They said their work is aimed at improving school climate, encouraging citizenship and scholarship, and reducing negative behavior. Members praised the group’s efforts and asked about expanding the programs to other districts; the presenters said their model and curriculum can be shared and adapted. The meeting ended after the chair thanked both groups and adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• And according to a Harvard Business Review study, Phishing, which is a type of cybersecurity scam through
• And also in their study, out of 112 people, 60% of them fell for AI-related scams.
• In the past, you had to spend years learning how to master your craft of scamming.
• I'm a 30-year veteran of crime prevention tools. I'm a 30-year veteran of crime prevention tools.
• I'm a crime prevention practitioner.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• The state this allows an injunction to be filed that would prevent any additional assets from being stolen
• The 10 years before full in capacity is when we see exploitation and this problem with scams and exploitation
• I almost fell victim to a scam for publishers clearing House.
• So, you know, we can find people to come into court to represent someone who's being scammed.
• I get scams on my cell phone all the time. Given my age. That's that's there.

Transcript Highlights:

• to increasing neighbors, fall victim to increasing frauds<00:14:14.959><c> and</c><00:14:15.199><c> scams
• , and find workplaces to frauds and scams, and find workplaces to be<00:14:17.519><c> agist</c><00:14
• ensure that grants are administered properly and that there is appropriate oversight in place to prevent
• fraud and misuse of place to prevent fraud and misuse of those<00:25:30.080><c> funds.
• Uh also uh our fraud prevention efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cryptocurrency kiosks have become major conduits for fraud and scams, particularly targeting seniors
• Without the action we are taking by passing this bill, scams will continue to grow and more Floridians
• I bring this amendment to Senator Yarborough's bill to bolster his great efforts to prevent drowning
• I will note all the requirements on drowning prevention and safe bathing in the amendment are new.
• This expands the scope of the bill to include drowning prevention so we can incorporate Senator Smith's

Transcript Highlights:

• Without the action we are taking by passing this bill, scams will continue to grow and more Floridians
• treating bicycle and pedestrian injuries and a member of an organization involved with efforts to prevent
• Drownings at the age level are difficult to prevent through lessons.
• I bring this amendment to Senator Yarborough's bill to bolster his great efforts to prevent drowning
• This expands the scope of the bill to include drowning prevention so we can incorporate Senator Smith's

Transcript Highlights:

• officials, I believe that lottery companies should provide aid and training on how to detect these scams
• They don't really know how to weed out scams.
• I hope nobody gets scammed out of their money that they won, and so I do believe that all this bill and
• I'm assuming that that would prevent, like, external damage on your face. But is...
• I do understand that preventing larger, more financially, like national businesses, does promote the

Committee: All GIRLS STATE

Transcript Highlights:

• These machines have been exploited by criminals and scam operations, making them a pressing concern for
• money that Iowans reported sending through Bitcoin Depot and 94.92% through CoinFlip were, in fact, scam
• DOJ found that 98% of Bitcoin Depot's transactions and 95% of CoinFlip's transactions in Iowa were scams
• Most of the scam victims were above the age of 60.
• We're not going to prevent it.

Bills: HB 11 , HB14 , HB132 , HB1584 , HB1606 , HB5061 , HB 1041 , HB2286 , HB132

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and quickly reported several measures favorably, including HB 12, SB 1361, SB 1705, SB 1749, SB 1897, SB 2344, SB 2566, HB 3809, and HB 4215, with most sent to the Local and Uncontested Calendar. HB 12’s substitute clarified a limited midterm review of regulatory agencies tied to Sunset Commission recommendations. SB 2696’s substitute changed med spa regulation from a license to a certificate, with training instead of an exam, plus background checks, continuing education, and two-year renewals. HB 3809 dealt with battery energy storage decommissioning and recycling, and HB 4215 was reported without a substitute. SB 1978, concerning interconnection of electric facilities in ERCOT and federal jurisdiction concerns, was reported out on a 5-3 vote after debate, but then the chair later announced the bill was withdrawn and left pending subject to the call of the chair. HB 1899 was also reported favorably, with one nay. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 14, the advanced nuclear energy bill. Senator Schwertner described it as creating a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, a nuclear permitting coordinator, a development fund, a completion grant program, and a workforce development program. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives from Fermi America, Dow/X-energy, CPS Energy, Paragon Energy Solutions, Bridge to Nuclear, Aalo Atomics, and the Texas Association of Business, argued that Texas should lead in advanced nuclear, citing future baseload demand, data centers, industrial power needs, supply-chain development, and long-term energy diversification. Opponents, including Public Citizen, Texas Nuclear Watchdogs, Sierra Club, and individual citizens, argued the bill would subsidize unproven, expensive technology, create grants rather than loans, and expose taxpayers to major risk while doing little to meet near-term energy needs. Several members questioned whether the state should fund projects that may not produce grid power for years, and whether the bill’s grant structure and new office were justified. The committee also heard HB 5061, which Senator Schwertner said would prohibit unethical surveillance and misuse of confidential information by state contractors, create a confidential reporting system through the State Auditor’s Office, authorize Texas Rangers investigations, protect whistleblowers, and impose penalties including contract termination, fines, and contracting bans. No public testimony was offered, and the bill was left pending. HB 132, sponsored by Senator Hughes, would extend confidentiality protections for sensitive information to hostile acts by foreign adversaries; it was also left pending after no testimony. HB 1584 was then laid out, with Senator Schwertner explaining it would require utilities to maintain and update priority restoration lists for critical facilities after Hurricane Beryl exposed communication failures, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know of any reason personal or otherwise that would in any way prevent you from fully and honorably
• the business at following the money to take down drug cartels, money launderers, crypto-currencies. scams
• You are saying that you will prevent Elon Musk from... instance, blocking federal payments for his own
• And as you said in our conversation, permanently passing this bill and preventing this tax hike on our
• for the wealthy by pretending that extending their 2017 tax scam will only cost $0.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: nomination, Deputy Secretary of Treasury, economic policy, inflation, tariffs, tribal nations, government relations

Summary: The meeting convened to consider the nomination of Mike Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. During the session, multiple members voiced concerns regarding current economic policies under the Trump administration, particularly around inflation, tariffs, and the impact on small businesses. Discussions frequently centered on the administration's approach to tariffs and taxation, and how these factors contribute to the rising cost of living and potential job losses. Additionally, the importance of bolstering government-to-government relationships with tribal nations was emphasized, highlighting the need for specialized offices focused on tribal affairs within the Treasury Department.

Transcript Highlights:

• So nothing in this bill would prevent the use of AI, to be clear.
• So nothing in this bill would prevent Do you want to...
• So nothing in this bill would prevent the use of AI, to be clear.
• This exposes individuals to various forms of exploitation, identity theft, scams, misinformation, and
• The bill would not prevent youth from using companion AI and other aspects, such as music tutoring.

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Biliary atresia is a disease in which the bile ducts are blocked, preventing bile from leaving the liver
• Biliaria atresia is a disease in which the bowel ducts are blocked preventing bowel from leaving the
• But in short, this bill will prevent 20 families each year in Florida from going through the unfathomable
• We can no longer be complicit in a preventable health risk.
• Florida needs nursing, nurses who know what they're doing, not scams and failures. Thanks, Mr.

Bills: S0162 , S0254 , S0688 , S0794 , S1110 , S1574

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum present and took up several health-related bills. CS/SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics was heard first. The bill would require coverage for medically necessary orthotics and prosthetics without lifetime or continuous-use caps, direct AHCA to seek federal approval and update contracts, and require annual reporting. Testimony from a child using prosthetic “gymnastics blades,” his mother, and another young person with a prosthetic leg emphasized the high cost of activity-specific devices and the impact on children’s mobility, sports participation, and quality of life. Senators voiced strong support, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1574, “Maddie’s Law,” which adds newborn screening for biliary atresia using the existing blood specimen collected at birth. The sponsor and the child’s father described the condition as time-sensitive and potentially fatal without early detection, and argued the screening could prevent transplants and save money. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 794 on background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, training, and access issues. Parents and a support coordinator testified that strong support coordination is essential for families and that the bill would help standardize expectations and improve services. An amendment aligning the bill with the House companion was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members next heard SB 162, which requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. Supporters, including nurses and the Florida Nurses Association, described surgical smoke as a workplace hazard with toxic chemicals and potential cancer risks; hospital representatives said they support the intent but argued existing federal and state standards already regulate the issue and the bill is too prescriptive. A late-filed amendment clarifying the smoke must be “effectively captured and filtered” was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 254, a major nursing education bill that tightens oversight of low-performing nursing programs, creates a temporary provisional license and preceptorship pathway for graduates awaiting NCLEX results, requires remediation for delayed testing, and increases transparency by posting passage rates. Nursing groups supported stronger standards, while private nursing schools warned the bill could reduce capacity and discourage program directors; the amended bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 688, which would reestablish licensure and regulation of naturopathic doctors in Florida, create a board of naturopathic medicine, set licensure and renewal requirements, and define the scope of practice while excluding most prescription authority. Supporters said it would expand health care choices and allow naturopathic doctors to practice openly, while opponents from the medical community warned the bill could authorize diagnosis and treatment without sufficient training and rely on unproven therapies. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned after members thanked staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• working closely with my House co-chair, Representative Murphy, and identifying the alarming rate of scams
• working closely with my house co-chair representative murphy and identifying the um alarming rate of scams
• Are we seeing more scams? Is it just anecdotal? Do we see data on it?
• Scams are not on the decrease. They are definitely on the rise. We see a lot of that.
• In addition to preventing human suffering, improving throughput, and reducing excess claims to payers

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle, who said DMH serves about 29,000 people and is facing rising demand, higher operating costs, and uncertainty about federal funding. She explained that the FY26 budget prioritizes fully funding the state-operated inpatient system, which is at 100% occupancy and often serves people transferred from Bridgewater State Hospital, while making reductions in other areas to balance the budget. Those reductions include a 50% cut to case managers, a pause on closing the Pocasset unit pending a working group on Cape access, and changes to youth and contracted services such as right-sizing IRTP and CIRT, reducing Youth PACT from seven teams to three, scaling back flex and jail diversion grants as ARPA funds wind down, and preserving the behavioral health helpline and community-based crisis services. Members from Western Massachusetts and the Cape raised concerns about access, staffing, and the impact of cuts, and Doyle said the department would continue operating IRTP services, improve the referral process, and work with stakeholders on the Pocasset review and other access issues. The committee also discussed school-based mental health, 988, loan forgiveness for workforce recruitment, and the role of co-response programs for law enforcement. Secretary Robin Lipson then testified for the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, describing a proposed FY26 budget increase of about 21% to support councils on aging, home care, elder abuse investigations, caregiver support, care transitions, and nutrition programs. She said the agency is managing rising demand, especially from the growing 80-plus population, and noted uncertainty around federal Older Americans Act funding after the federal disbursement agency was disbanded. To control costs, the office will manage intake and caseload growth in a fully state-funded home care program, but current clients will not lose services. Lipson also highlighted a new $1 million line item for local mini-grants to support age-friendly initiatives. In questions, members focused on elder scams, and Lipson said scams are increasing and the agency is working with banks, district attorneys, and public awareness campaigns. The Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz presented the agency’s FY26 request and said the biggest challenge is health care affordability, with family premiums near $29,000 annually and many residents delaying care because of cost. He emphasized that recent legislation significantly expands HPC’s role through a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which will examine the drug supply chain and pricing, and a new Office of Health Resource Planning, which will support statewide planning around closures and access gaps. The new law also creates task forces on maternal health access and primary care, and adds transparency and oversight for private equity in health care. Members asked about pharmaceutical costs, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, 340B, and maternal health closures; Seltz said the data show rapid growth in GLP-1 spending and that the new offices will help the state better understand cost drivers and access problems. The Center for Health Information and Analysis then began its testimony, describing its role as the state’s data hub for health care spending, utilization, quality, and affordability analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• You are aware we have a president who calls the Green New Deal a scam and it's anti-science, and it's
• There are rules to prevent that.
• I agree with President Trump: the science of forestry would have prevented that fire.
• It's the scam of global warming and letting the brush grow up, burning the whole thing down.
• </c><01:42:55.840><c> of</c><01:42:56.080><c> GL</c> prevented that fire it's the scam of GL prevented

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• erosion along ditches and preventing erosion along ditches and bodies<00:09:33.240><c> of</c><00:09:
• A popular bipartisan approach to preventing fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars is back again this
• fraud and protecting taxpayer preventing fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars<00:10:38.920><c> is</
• >> Yeah, I mean, so in my first term, I've spent almost all of the years working on fraud prevention.
• >> Yeah, I mean, so in my first term, I've spent almost all of the years working on fraud prevention.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, it makes ADRA the single authority for credentialing addiction, counseling, prevention, and peer
• Addiction, counseling, prevention, and peer support.

Bills: HR174 , HR194 , HCR98 , SB39 , SB124 , SB190 , SB236 , SB270 , SB273 , SB359 , SB415 , SB426 , SB437 , SB451

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: fenbendazole, cancer treatment, public health, FDA, clinical trials, patient safety, visual acuity, student health, de-identified data, longitudinal analysis, education policy, SNAP, food stamps, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, grocery delivery, delivery fees, service charges, online grocery, food access, food insecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• It will prevent the cost from being passed on to residential, industrial, agriculture, and commercial

Bills: HB2992 , HB3183 , HB3464 , HB4170 , HB4338

Committee: Senate Energy

Keywords: HB2992, Data Center Customer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, Corporation Commission, Oklahoma utilities, ratepayer protection, data centers, artificial intelligence computing, AI data centers, cryptocurrency mining, large load customer, electric rates, utility tariffs, cost causation, rate design, public power utility, municipal utility, electric cooperative, investor-owned utility, load growth, interconnection

Transcript Highlights:

• This does not prevent growth. This does not restrict areas.
• This does not prevent growth. This does not restrict areas.
• This does not prevent growth. This does not restrict areas.
• This does not prevent growth. This does not restrict areas.
• This does not prevent growth. This does not restrict areas.

Bills: SB341 , SB340 , SB341 , SB354 , SB340

Committee: Senate Transportation and Energy

Keywords: SB341, Alabama, veteran license plate, veteran tag, distinctive license tag, specialty plate, radiation exposure, atomic bomb testing, ionizing radiation, World War II veterans, Vietnam veterans, Korean War veterans, Cold War veterans, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, Department of Veterans Affairs, probate judge

Transcript Highlights:

• standards for directors, prohibiting loans to directors, and shores up investigative authority to prevent
• What's to prevent someone from discriminating racially against a potential customer?
• Or is that something we're trying to prevent? Thank you for the question.

Bills: SB1195 , SB1245 , SB1379 , SB1420 , SB1473 , SB1534 , SB1743 , SB1769 , SB1945

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: nuisance, racing facility, racetrack, qualified defense, local property rights, noise regulation, legal claims, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, drug offenses, DUI penalties, residential treatment, human trafficking, victims, prevention, support services, Attorney General, pilot program, grant funding, public comment

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that this Office of the Homeless Youth and Prevention and Protection Program Advisory Committee

Bills: HB1873 , HB2600 , SB5957

Committee: House Early Learning & Human Services

Keywords: child care, Working Connections Child Care, WCCC, graduate students, professional students, higher education, full-time student, affordable child care, subsidized child care, child care subsidy, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, income eligibility, state median income, copayment, copay waiver, family support, workforce participation, working families, special needs child care

Transcript Highlights:

• demonstration by the school district that the sale is necessary to restore financial stability and prevent
• districts, they have this ability, and I'm certainly open to any kind of adjustment to the bill to prevent
• The tool that this legislation provides can be viewed as a preventive measure to protect these important
• It can also be used as a caution and preventive measure to make sure that this step is never taken, but
• I believe HB 2668 is a preventative approach.

Bills: HB2514 , HB2551 , HB2236 , HB2470

Committee: House Capital Budget

Keywords: HB 2514, global war on terror, GWOT, war on terror memorial, Capitol campus memorial, Washington veterans, fallen service members, military memorial, post-9/11 veterans, Iraq War, Afghanistan War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, veterans memorial, capitol grounds, state memorial, Secretary of State, Capitol Committee, Department of Veterans Affairs