Transcript Highlights:

• A year, 14 months ago, the governor, in an executive order, merged the fraud unit at DEED that was doing
• order merged the fraud unit at deed that order merged the fraud unit at deed that was<00:34:57.520
• Fraud, more fraud, more fraud over here.
• fraud?" fraud?"
• , which again morphed into more fraud and more fraud and more fraud.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 856, which would create an Office of the Inspector General to combat fraud in state public programs. Representative Norris described the bill as the product of a long bipartisan, bicameral working group and emphasized the office’s independence, five-year term, Senate confirmation, removal-for-cause protections, authority to investigate entities receiving public funds, prevention-focused duties, and required public and annual reporting. Representative Anderson PE also thanked the bipartisan authors and staff, saying the bill was the result of extensive negotiations and should move forward without reopening the agreement. Members then considered several amendments. Norris offered a technical cleanup amendment, A44, to clarify language about embedding employees at the Department of Education, distinguish civil and criminal investigative authority, and update law-enforcement terminology; it was adopted. Anderson PE then offered and secured adoption of a technical amendment, A45, to correct a drafting error. Representative Cleorne offered A37 to add prepayment review procedures for all agencies, but it failed on a roll call, 65-67. Cleorne also offered A38 to appropriate $15 million for OIG modernization and data-sharing improvements, but withdrew it after noting it would be out of order. A39, which would have renamed the proposed law enforcement unit from an anti-fraud and waste bureau to an anti-fraud and enforcement unit, failed on a roll call, 66-67, after debate over whether “waste” should be included in the title and scope. During debate on the naming amendment, supporters argued the title should better reflect law-enforcement work and avoid implying the office was a “waste” agency, while opponents said the existing language reflected the bipartisan working-group agreement and that changing it could jeopardize the bill’s progress. Representative West cited inspector general standards that include waste among their duties, and Representative Pinto questioned the substantive basis for opposing the change. Later, Representative Mhler offered A41 to eliminate the future law-enforcement agency entirely, arguing it would be duplicative and unfunded; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Reschke, sorry. act to address fraud. act to address fraud.
• So, they would know what fraud is and know what to do when they saw fraud.
• decrease fraud.
• and fraud measures.
• we see that there's fraud. we see that there's fraud.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said he got the two bills, 647 and 648, confused because they were both relating to deeds and he did
• Senator, they were both relating to deeds.
• Second, strict reporting and fraud prevention measures are now mandated.
• My specialty is financial crime, especially fraud.
• My specialty is financial crime, especially fraud.

Bills: SB383, SB1012, SB1181, SB1705, SB2075, SB2221, SB2586, SB2864, SB2994

Keywords: SB 383, ERCOT, Texas Utilities Code, interconnection, wind power facility, offshore wind, coastal wind, nearshore wind, Gulf of America, Texas coast, three marine leagues, electric grid, transmission line, distribution facility, renewable energy, battery storage, energy storage, grid access, power grid, electric service

Summary: The committee took up a long list of pending bills before moving to several bills on the day’s posting. It reported favorably SB 438, SB 512, SB 647, SB 648, SB 715, SB 758, SB 1964, SB 2121, SB 2145, SB 2167, SB 2330, SB 2349, SB 2443, SB 2629, SB 2702, SB 1495, and SB 2268, with several of those adopted from committee substitutes. Some measures were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while others were reported to the full Senate. Votes on the pending-business bills were generally strong, though SB 715 and SB 2330 drew recorded opposition; SB 647 and SB 648 had one member present not voting because of confusion over the deed-related bills. A major discussion centered on SB 715, which would establish a reliability standard and penalties/incentives for generation resources. Senator Sparks said the committee substitute would avoid unfairly penalizing existing dispatchable generation, allow wind and solar to qualify through storage or backup power, give the PUC flexibility to set standards and phase in the program, and exempt switchable units. Critics raised concerns that it could raise consumer costs and destabilize the market, while supporters argued it would improve reliability. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported out 6-4. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2330, dealing with payroll deduction for association dues, where the author said the bill would end state involvement in dues collection except for first responders covered by meet-and-confer agreements. Members questioned why teachers and other employees were treated differently, and the bill was reported out 6-5. Other notable bills included SB 2864 on building-integrated photovoltaics, SB 1012 on sale of surplus state property, SB 2221 on fraudulent UCC filings, SB 1705 regulating cryptocurrency kiosks with licensing, transaction limits, fee caps, and a 72-hour hold, SB 1181 on combative sports licensing, SB 2586 on HOA transparency, SB 2075 as a TDLR cleanup bill, and SB 383 restricting offshore wind interconnection based on impacts to shipping, wildlife, and coastal interests. Several of these were left pending after testimony, with SB 1705 drawing both law enforcement support and industry concerns over the fee caps and limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re just modifying it just a little bit to put less requirements from the DEED.
• We don’t want to make it burdensome for the DEED.
• We don’t want to make it burdensome for the DEED.
• We don’t want to make it burdensome for the DEED.
• Period. burdenful for the deed. We just want to burdenful for the deed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , both fraud on public programs and fraud more broadly.
• , both fraud on public programs and fraud more broadly.
• , both fraud on public programs and fraud more broadly.
• the uh fraud committee for? the uh fraud committee for?
• , different frauds in types of frauds, different frauds in different<00:26:05.919> states.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Some will have DEED, and some may have Greater Minnesota Housing Fund.
• ><00:58:19.039> and<00:58:19.400> some<00:58:19.640> may stack some will have deed
• The other thing: we've had an awful lot of fraud around here in the state of Minnesota in the last few
• around here in the an awful lot of fraud around here in the state<01:03:17.039> of<01:03:17.160
• <01:05:08.279> uh prudent way and avoid uh any um fraud uh prudent way and avoid uh any um

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• will have what's called Navigators deed will have what's called Navigators in<00:19:27.520> the
• <01:18:13.400> conducted<01:18:13.800> a Frasier mentioned deed conducted a Frasier
• mentioned deed conducted a survey<01:18:14.280> and<01:18:14.440> found<01:18:14.800><
• <01:25:05.480> of most recent data available from deed of most recent data available from
• eospace helps reduce the risk of fraud eospace helps reduce the risk of fraud waste<01:35:39.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to split that existing directs deed to split that existing extension<00:26:11.679> equally<00
• Some de-funding extensions that DEED requested.
• I believe that we are labor and deed. Uh, say this again, Trey.
• I believe that we are labor and deed. Uh, say this again, Trey.
• I believe that we are labor and deed. I believe that we are labor and deed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got several questions in relationship to program integrity and fraud.
• And so, to program integrity and fraud.
• Um there was a press conference in which DED mentioned uh that some cases um in relationship to fraud
• <00:47:29.359> mentioned press conference in which deed mentioned press conference in which
• deed mentioned uh<00:47:30.000> that<00:47:30.240> some<00:47:30.480> cases<00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is widespread fraud in our industry.
• This<00:15:47.400> is<00:15:47.600> widespread<00:15:48.520> fraud<00:15:49.160>
• in<00:15:49.280> our This is widespread fraud in our This is widespread fraud in our industry
• Um it also leads to a lot of uh fraud.
• the fraud the fraud uh<01:03:31.960> aspects<01:03:32.680> and uh aspects and uh aspects

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• mentioned was in my bill, and I just wanted to confirm that the proposal is that the ombudsman would be at DEED
• have been some differences, and I will just continue to hope that we can move towards something at DEED
• One of the things that they specifically asked for is that that position be held at DEED.
• designing the program structure, the DNR is focusing on risk control and mitigation measures to prevent fraud
• How will grants be monitored to ensure that there's no fraud?

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• fraud to literally steal that property.
• Graceland is just one example of an attempt to steal a property through deed fraud.
• Graceland is just one example of an attempt to steal a property through deed fraud.
• Unemployment insurance fraud isn't a victimless crime.
• I'm just concerned that we over-tighten, and I don't want fraud myself.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Pastor Tedrick Woods, followed by routine chamber actions including excusing Senator Gutierrez and receiving House messages that the House had passed HB 21 and HB 49. Senators also recognized advocates visiting the gallery on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis awareness and introduced the Doctor of the Day. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including HCR 66, by voice vote. The Senate then took up and passed a series of measures, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Among the bills finally passed were HJR 2, which would prohibit state death taxes; HB 206, limiting counties from requiring cash bonds for pipeline construction; HB 517, barring property owners associations from fining homeowners for discolored vegetation during watering restrictions; HB 2756, requiring TDCJ correctional officers to receive de-escalation and behavioral health training; HB 451, expanding screening for commercial sexual exploitation risk among children in DFPS and TJJD custody; SB 705, cleaning up the air conditioning and refrigeration contractors advisory board; SB 2017, creating an offense for burnouts and wheelies; SB 1858, expanding body armor grant eligibility to ISDs; SB 1400, directing a study on transfer-student outcomes for community college funding; SB 2764, requiring notice to manufactured home buyers about converting homes to real property; SB 748, a licensing cleanup bill on laser hair removal; SB 2519, restricting certain ad valorem tax uses and bonds after amendment; SB 2878, the courts bill with amendments on Brazoria County courts and youth diversion provisions; SB 466, allowing families to request fetal death certificates at any gestational age; SB 1608, requiring timely physical exams for inpatient mental health admissions; SB 1730, limiting civil damages claims arising from certain uses of force or deadly force; SB 2417, clarifying Attorney General antitrust investigation work product and discovery rules; and SB 1946, creating a family violence, criminal homicide prevention task force. The Senate also passed HB 3204, renaming and updating the Polytechnic College at Sam Houston State University, and SB 1986, requiring opioid warning labels. Several bills drew brief debate or amendments. Senators discussed broader HOA reform while considering HB 517, and SB 2203 on TCEQ discovery procedures was amended to require party motions, set a 15-day expiration for certified issues, and limit hearing abatement. SB 2017 was amended to change the mens rea language from knowingly to intentional. SB 2519 was narrowed by amendment to a forward-looking policy statement separating maintenance-and-operation taxes from debt-service taxes. SB 2878 also received amendments to reduce the number of new Brazoria County courts and add youth diversion and crisis-response provisions. SB 466 prompted a floor debate over whether fetal death certificates are appropriate for pre-20-week losses, with supporters emphasizing family closure and opponents arguing the document has no estate-related purpose. SB 1730 also prompted questions about the relationship between criminal findings and civil liability in self-defense cases. The session concluded with additional House and Senate measures being signed in the presence of the Senate and continued consideration of SB 2177, a grant program to help local law enforcement solve violent and sexual offenses.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to help us prevent future fraud.
• How do we justify a system that allows fraud and mismanagement?
• Let's demand accountability for waste, fraud, and abuse. Members, vote Green.
• You have seen daycare fraud.
• From the explicit fraud, the type of fraud that occurred in the Ashby Elevator.

Transcript Highlights:

• pass in the governor's anti-f fraud pass in the governor's anti-f fraud package<01:18:08.239>
• deed uh looking<01:21:15.679> at<01:21:15.880> unemployment<01:21:16.480> fraud<
• Medicaid fraud control unit.
• Medicaid fraud control unit.
• model of fraud.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• House File 1792, number five on the calendar for the day, an act relating to contracts for deed, the
• <00:44:02.240> I for deed, the first engrossment. I for deed, the first engrossment.
• to address predatory practices by some investors and speculators against deed purchasers.
• sales. one being sales made by for deed sales. one being sales made by a<00:45:06.400> state<
• I think we've all witnessed fraud in different industries, but especially in the real estate industry

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and we know Minnesota government certainly is no stranger to fraud and waste.
• We've had $611 million of fraud that we've identified in the last six years, Mr. Chair.
• and we know Minnesota government certainly is no stranger to fraud and waste.
• We've had $611 million of fraud that we've identified in the last six years, Mr. Chair.
• <00:32:01.880> and who is literally committing fraud and who is literally committing fraud

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we say that we're going to prevent every instance of potential fraud? That's not possible.
• Every instance of potential fraud, that's not possible.
• Okay, so there are going to be some restrictions on the deed. ...to the federal government.
• Okay, so there are going to be some restrictions on the deed, and those are going to be listed as exceptions
• It's filed with the deed or shortly after as part of the closing package. Okay.

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of temporary appropriation requests, reserve fund transfers, federal grant appropriations, and review items. Early items included a $32 million appropriation and matching reserve transfer for the Department of Education’s educational freedom account program, a $476,000 request for the State Crime Lab, and a $90,000 assessment coordination request from DFA. Members asked questions about the assessment contract costs, and the item was approved. The committee also approved a $1 ARPA return to the CDC and a Department of Human Services reallocation package that moved general revenue and positions among divisions to meet client needs. The most extensive discussion centered on a $32 million restricted reserve transfer for the educational freedom account program. Members questioned the growing number of participating students, the program’s long-term funding needs, and safeguards against improper purchases. Agency representatives said about 44,000 students were being funded, that reimbursements and marketplace purchases are reviewed, and that reporting and audit controls are in place, though not every instance of fraud can be prevented. The committee approved the transfer after discussion. Members also approved smaller cash and federal grant items, including funding for a teacher shortage data dashboard, All Kids Bike grants, crime lab outsourcing, veterans cemetery operations, and a podiatric medicine licensing investigation fund. The most contentious item was a $7 million federal Forest Legacy grant request for Central Arkansas Water and the Department of Agriculture to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed, including acreage in Perry County and Pulaski County. Members debated water quality, development pressure, property tax impacts, local support, and whether Perry County had been adequately consulted. Agency and company representatives argued the acquisition would protect drinking water, preserve forested watershed land, and support recreation, while some legislators emphasized the county’s tax and development concerns. Senator Davis moved to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and to request removal of the Perry County portion; that motion passed. The committee then reviewed the remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay plan request, and adjourned.

Bills: HB3327, HB3711, HB4104, HJR1077, HB3329

Keywords: State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 3711, which was described as a work in progress aimed at increasing transparency for taxpayers about instructional expenditures in school bond communications. Members questioned whether the bill changed what districts may bond for, and the author said it did not alter the bond process, only added communications. After title was struck, the bill passed committee 13-5. House Bill 4104, dealing with repeat peeping Tom and clandestine recording offenses, was presented with an amendment adding conduct involving three or more separate victims as a basis for felony treatment. The amendment was adopted after questions about its legal basis and a recent court decision. The bill as amended then passed committee unanimously, 18-0. The committee also took up House Joint Resolution 1077, which would send to voters a proposal to move $1 billion from the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust corpus into a new Oklahoma’s Futures Trust Fund. The proponent said the T-SET board would remain in place, the corpus would stay protected, and annual earnings from the new fund would be split between reinvestment and legislative appropriations for health and education. Opponents argued the measure would shift money from an independent endowment to a politically controlled process and could weaken existing T-SET programs. After debate, the resolution passed committee 14-4. Finally, House Bill 3327 proposed expanding the State Board of Education from seven to nine members, with appointments divided among the governor, speaker, and president pro tem, and allowing removal only for cause. Members raised questions about geographic representation and vacancy appointments, but the bill passed as amended 15-2. House Bill 3329, a trailer bill related to sunset legislation, added a July 1, 2027 sunset for the Board of Psychological Examiners after concerns about its handling of a complaint and a recent court ruling; it passed as amended 14-2, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a big problem with fraud in that area.
• It does not attempt to measure any kind of fraud.
• There's fraud in Medicaid.
• We do have to do the fraud reduction for SNAP so that we don't lose the money.
• We do have to do the fraud reduction for SNAP so that we don't lose the money.

Bills: S0006, S0026, S0206, S0532, S0576, S1012, S1110, S1178, S1192, S1758, S1760, S7046, S7048

Keywords: child welfare, negligence, settlement, injury compensation, Department of Children and Families, motorcycle accident, compensation, Department of Transportation, legal claim, autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, special education, exceptional student education, ESE, teacher preparation, educator certification, micro-credential, loan forgiveness, student loan repayment

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met and considered a large agenda of bills, reporting several measures favorably. Early action included SB 6, a settled claim bill involving the Department of Children and Families and the estate of Leila Estrada and Sapphire Williams, which was approved for $3.8 million. The committee also passed a cybersecurity internships bill creating a Department of Commerce program with Cyber Florida, and SB 532, which lets clerks of court retain the full amount of certain excess revenue and clarifies foreclosure-sale procedures. Veterans housing measures, CS for CS for SB 1602 and SB 1604, were approved to create a pilot program and a related trust fund for vacancy relief and risk mitigation for veteran housing. The committee also favorably reported SB 1110 on Medicaid and insurance coverage for orthotics and prosthetics, with emotional testimony from a student and family describing the high cost and importance of activity-specific prosthetics. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 1012 after adopting an amendment that removed inmate emergency and specialty medical service compensation provisions while retaining changes to the contractor-operated institutions inmate welfare trust fund. Another bill, CS for CS for SB 1614, was narrowed by a delete-all amendment to focus on limiting the use of excess fees for new building construction by local governments. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate, with some support testimony submitted in writing or waived. The most extensive discussion centered on CS for CS for SB 17, a major Medicaid and public assistance overhaul. The bill would create a Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight, allow the Legislature to retain its own actuary, tighten Medicaid program oversight, update encounter-data reporting, set performance standards for managed care plans, revise pharmacy benefit manager rules, and require DCF to implement SNAP fraud-reduction and payment-accuracy reforms, including photo IDs on EBT cards and updated work requirements. It also would direct agencies to seek federal waivers for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults and expanded behavioral health services. After lengthy questioning and testimony, the committee adopted amendments adding a transitional medical benefits glide path for people who gain employment and later lose Medicaid eligibility, and exempting hospice patients with six months or less to live. Supporters argued the bill would improve accountability, reduce fraud, and save money, while opponents warned it would create administrative burdens, increase paperwork, and cause eligible people to lose coverage or food assistance. The committee ultimately reported the bill favorably as amended.

Bills: S0100, S0102, S0104

Keywords: Florida Statutes, codification, revisers bill, statutory adoption, official law, general laws, repeal by omission, statutory compilation, Florida Legislature, legal code update, session law, statute revision, F.S., codified laws, legislative services, pending civil remedies, accrued rights, reviser bill, statutory cleanup, technical corrections

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules met with a quorum present and heard three housekeeping/statutory revision bills. Chair Passidomo introduced the committee’s new staff director, and the committee proceeded quickly through the agenda with no public appearance forms, questions, or debate on any of the bills. SB 100, the Adoption Act, prospectively adopts the 2026 Florida Statutes as an official document and adopts the statute materials passed by the 2025 regular session as official state statute law. SB 102 deletes statutory provisions that were previously repealed or expired and are now without effect. SB 104 is the General Reviser's Bill, which removes obsolete language, updates cross-references, and corrects grammatical and typographical errors in the Florida Statutes. Each bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. After the votes, several senators asked to be recorded as voting favorably on tabs 1 and 2, and the committee adopted that request without objection. The meeting then adjourned, with members reminded that the committee would meet again on Thursday.