Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen widespread and rampant fraud. Integrity.
• So if the goal is to decrease fraud, this helps protect our constituents against fraud.
• Again, we saw widespread fraud this past cycle.
• This is not about fraud.
• So it is not about fraud. It's about letting our citizens..." "So it is not about fraud.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for Walton County Deputy Will May, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for April 3, 2025 was adopted, and CS/HB 947 was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, mostly reviser and technical measures, with several companion Senate bills substituted and passed: SB 36 (Florida statutes adoption act), SB 42 (general reviser’s bill), SB 40 (deleting inoperative statutory provisions), and SB 38 (renaming references from the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services to the Division of Criminal Investigations). All of those passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The House also passed HB 513 on electronic transmittal of court orders, requiring clerks to electronically send certain petitions, notices, summonses, and orders within six hours, including Baker Act, Marchman Act, and risk protection order documents. Members discussed whether judges needed to direct transmission and whether there were fail-safes if clerks did not comply. HB 615, on electronic delivery of notices between landlords and tenants, was amended to strengthen tenant protections and passed 108-0. HB 655 establishing a regulatory framework for pet insurance, HB 299 on elevator accessibility requirements, and HB 1145 on workforce education also passed, with HB 1145 receiving 100 yeas and 4 nays. HB 649, removing the paper supervised protocol for certified registered nurse anesthetists, passed 77-30 after structured debate. A major portion of the meeting focused on CS/HB 1205, which would significantly revise Florida’s citizen initiative process. The bill adds a $1 million bond requirement after 25% of required signatures are collected, requires petition handlers to be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, imposes background checks and training for paid circulators, shortens petition turn-in deadlines to 10 days, increases penalties, adds signature revocation notices, and creates additional criminal penalties and enforcement provisions. Supporters argued the changes were needed to address fraud and protect petition integrity; opponents said the bill would burden First Amendment activity and make citizen-led amendments much harder to qualify. Numerous amendments were offered, including proposals to remove sensitive personal information from petition forms, soften deadlines and penalties, change validation thresholds, and alter the estimating conference process; most failed, though one amendment clarifying who pays for background checks was adopted. The transcript ends during continued debate on an amendment to strike most of the bill and prohibit public funds from being used to advocate for or against constitutional amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've seen widespread and rampant fraud in this state in this process.
• If the goal is to decrease fraud, this helps protect our constituents against fraud.
• Are they committing fraud?
• The bill sponsor has asserted this bill is meant to address fraud.
• This is not about fraud.

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Transcript Highlights:

• >> YOU MADE ME QUESTION MY OWN IDENTITY.
• WORKERS' COMPENSATION FRAUD IS A PROBLEM.
• , and workers' compensation fraud is in the Office of Insurance Fraud, so it is a conversation having
• Partner to crack down on insurance fraud, and workers' compensation fraud is in the Office of Insurance
• So, while we want to go after fraud because fraud is costly to businesses and to our economy, we want

Summary: The Senate opened with routine proceedings, approval of the prior day’s journal, and several motions to restore previously passed bills to the third-reading calendar. Senate Print 2436A, an amendment to the Administrative Code of New York City, and Senate Print 7160, an amendment to the Elder Law, were both reconsidered and restored to the calendar by roll call. Amendments were also received on Senate Print 9960, which retained its place on the third-reading calendar. The chamber then paused to honor Madeline Wilson on her 100th birthday and Marilyn D. Mosley through previously adopted resolutions, with family members and guests recognized on the floor. The Senate also welcomed Columbia Kicks Cancer, a student-run East Greenbush fundraising team that raised more than $239,000 for blood cancer research and care. The Finance Committee reported Senate Print 9005C, a budget bill amending Chapter 268 of the Laws of 1996, directly to third reading, and the Senate accepted the report and the message of necessity. The bill was then taken up on the controversial calendar, leading to extended debate on Part LL, which focused on limits on state and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, including 287(g) agreements, informal cooperation, masking rules for law enforcement, sensitive locations such as polling places, and the creation of an Office of Immigration Trust within the Attorney General’s office. Supporters argued the bill would keep state and municipal employees focused on their own duties, protect constitutional rights, and prevent New York resources from being used for federal immigration enforcement; they also said it would not bar all cooperation or prevent local police from responding to crime. Opponents argued it would hinder public safety, restrict law enforcement cooperation, and interfere with local discretion, while some raised concerns about constitutional issues and the practical effects on sheriffs, county jails, and police agencies. The debate also included a separate provision creating a civil cause of action for constitutional-rights violations by federal, state, or local officials, which supporters described as an accountability measure. Members further discussed the masking section, with supporters saying it applied broadly to officials and was intended to withstand constitutional scrutiny, while opponents cited a recent Ninth Circuit ruling striking down a similar California law. The Office of Immigration Trust and its complaint/referral process were also examined, including the role of the Governor and the State Education Department in reviewing alleged violations. No final vote on the controversial calendar bill was taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Bills: SB393 , SB731 , SB801 , SB867 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2082 , SB2717 , SB2919 , SB3074 , HJR133 , HB2 , HB18 , HB24 , HB26 , HB35 , HB43 , HB49 , HB75 , HB 103 , HB 120 , HB 126 , HB143 , HB163 , HB180 , HB216 , HB413 , HB647 , HB700 , HB748 , HB851 , HB1422 , HB1445 , HB1481 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB1586 , HB1732 , HB1828 , HB1851 , HB1916 , HB1991 , HB2014 , HB2026 , HB2038 , HB2067 , HB2193 , HB2282 , HB2293 , HB2310 , HB2464 , HB2508 , HB2516 , HB2518 , HB2524 , HB2530 , HB2674 , HB2713 , HB2715 , HB2974 , HB3016 , HB3057 , HB3062 , HB3071 , HB3120 , HB3161 , HB3180 , HB3214 , HB3234 , HB3250 , HB3463 , HB3512 , HB3556 , HB3627 , HB3680 , HB3732 , HB3801 , HB3824 , HB3833 , HB3966 , HB4044 , HB4129 , HB4226 , HB4230 , HB4263 , HB4377 , HB4384 , HB4395 , HB4396 , HB4535 , HB4668 , HB4690 , HB4751 , HB4903 , HB5033 , HB5149 , HB5154 , HB5247 , HB5331 , HB5436 , HB5667 , HB5688 , HB5693 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HCR59 , HCR127 , SJR5 , SB3 , SB4 , SB9 , SB20 , SB21 , SB23 , SB27 , SB33 , SB34 , SB36 , SB38 , SB40 , SB75 , SB213 , SB269 , SB379 , SB458 , SB528 , SB647 , SB648 , SB650 , SB681 , SB740 , SB777 , SB840 , SB843 , SB924 , SB1061 , SB1120 , SB1121 , SB1150 , SB1188 , SB1198 , SB1202 , SB1253 , SB1318 , SB1333 , SB1398 , SB1405 , SB1423 , SB1448 , SB1535 , SB1566 , SB1574 , SB1621 , SB1709 , SB1723 , SB1789 , SB1862 , SB2037 , SB2078 , SB2268 , SB2405 , SB2406 , SB2407 , SB2544 , SB2570 , SB2601 , SB2778 , SB1 , SB17 , SB260 , SB509 , SB1506 , SB1637 , SB1833 , SB2155 , SB2308 , HB2525 , SB1538 , SB1749 , SB2603 , SB3038 , SB3062 , SB3065 , HB24 , HB 128 , HB216 , HB388 , HB519 , HB609 , HB685 , HB766 , HB 1237 , HB1314 , HB1445 , HB1458 , HB1522 , HB1592 , HB1606 , HB1612 , HB1633 , HB2011 , HB2025 , HB2061 , HB2259 , HB2273 , HB2358 , HB2421 , HB2434 , HB2464 , HB2518 , HB2563 , HB2637 , HB2697 , HB2713 , HB2791 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3126 , HB3161 , HB3233 , HB3395 , HB3424 , HB3487 , HB3505 , HB3510 , HB3597 , HB3745 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3806 , HB4224 , HB4310 , HB4396 , HB4738 , HB4945 , HB5084 , HB5155 , HB5180 , HB5667 , HB5686 , HCR9 , HCR10 , HCR135 , HCR142 , SJR36 , SJR50 , SJR63 , SCR12 , SCR39 , SB2023 , SB62 , SB666 , SB847 , SB284 , SB854 , SB810 , SB1505 , SB583 , SB507 , SB1434 , SB1772 , SB2016 , SB1122 , SB731 , SB397 , SB508 , SB1436 , SB287 , SB1882 , SB393 , SB1791 , SB209 , SB2429 , SB1085 , SB1975 , SB2717 , SB1262 , SB636 , SB2056 , SB884 , SB1200 , SB1845 , SB2458 , SB801 , SB3014 , SB3013 , SB758 , SB2797 , SB2076 , SB2876 , SB1640 , SB1449 , SB1181 , SB1234 , SB2926 , SB2841 , SB1528 , SB1854 , SB317 , SB1250 , SB2082 , SB1237 , SB2819 , SB629 , SB2608 , SB1602 , SB2009 , SB867 , SB640 , SB1698 , SB2680 , SB913 , SB1071 , SB1086 , SB1087 , SB1483 , SB1444 , SB1553 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2298 , SB2622 , SB2955 , SB2334 , SB1367 , SB2044 , SB2363 , SB2565 , SB1888 , SB3036 , SB3057 , SB3043 , SB3063 , SB3035 , SB203 , SB2688 , SB2522 , SB2459 , SB2655 , SB2251 , SB1884 , SB2928 , SB2566 , SB1749 , SB2549 , SB2553 , SB2919 , SB1944 , SB1232 , SB1798 , SB2603 , SB2607 , SB2683 , SB1319 , SB3038 , SB3045 , SB1538 , SB3071 , SB3065 , SB3062 , HJR133 , HB2715 , HB3627 , HB5033 , HB2282 , HB26 , HB388 , HB1633 , HB685 , HB1606 , HB1458 , HB2791 , HB2061 , HB647 , HB4738 , HB2563 , HB 128 , HB766 , HB2259 , HB2358 , HB4384 , HB748 , HB5180 , HB3806 , HB3804 , HB3803 , HB1522 , HB3597 , HB1612 , HB4224 , HB1314 , HB 1237 , HB3126 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3505 , HB5652 , HB2025 , HB3395 , HB18 , HB2516 , HB2713 , HB24 , HB519 , HB609 , HB1592 , HB 120 , HB2421 , HB2273 , HB2464 , HB5084 , HB4396 , HB43 , HB5686 , HB2518 , HB4310 , HB180 , HB3745 , HB4044 , HB5155 , HB5667 , HB1445 , HB 1306 , HB2637 , HB5436 , HB3966 , HB2026 , HB3487 , HB4226 , HB216 , HB49 , HB4112 , HB3233 , HB2310 , HB2674 , HB322 , HB1481 , HB 126 , HB3062 , HB3180 , HB2530 , HB2524 , HB1916 , HB5650 , HB4894 , HB3120 , HB1629 , HB 103 , HB3234 , HB3680 , HB5698 , HB3171 , HB5693 , HB2694 , HB5664 , HB3732 , HB2508 , HB2293 , HB1991 , HB2014 , HB5331 , HB5247 , HB4751 , HB4690 , HB4668 , HB4464 , HB4395 , HB4063 , HB3833 , HB3623 , HB3214 , HB3512 , HB3250 , HB3016 , HB2520 , HB2221 , HB2213 , HB3824 , HB2067 , HB1732 , HB1562 , HB700 , HB1545 , HB252 , HB146 , HB5596 , HB1851 , HB3619 , HB3071 , HB3556 , HB851 , HB4230 , HB5320 , HB5651 , HB5670 , HB5665 , HB5437 , HB5679 , HB5699 , HB5661 , HB5662 , HB5654 , HB5672 , HB5656 , HB5149 , HB4903 , HB4743 , HB4666 , HB4377 , HB4535 , HB4129 , HB3812 , HB3801 , HB3595 , HB3057 , HB2035 , HB721 , HB35 , HB346 , HB2974 , HB2512 , HB5695 , HB5694 , HB5671 , HB5674 , HB5688 , HB1586 , HB5154 , HB2038 , HB163 , HB413 , HB3463 , HB3185 , HB2761 , HB2593 , HB2348 , HB2073 , HB1828 , HB1422 , HB75 , HB1871 , HB 108 , HB2306 , HB2017 , HB 1135 , HB144 , HB3689 , HB5308 , HB 101 , HB2193 , HB5666 , HB5677 , HB5682 , HB5680 , HB5658 , HB5696 , HB4144 , HB3159 , HB3254 , HB3866 , HB3010 , HB4520 , HB3642 , HB3928 , HB3815 , HB2686 , HB2012 , HB1960 , HB227 , HB654 , HB1690 , HB2128 , HB4158 , HB4530 , HB4630 , HB5659 , HB1523 , HB2078 , HB2427 , HB145 , HB1973 , HB3333 , HB3697 , HB3546 , HB3225 , HB3181 , HB3133 , HB3053 , HB2885 , HB2820 , HB2294 , HB2253 , HB1661 , HB1506 , HB 1234 , HB640 , HB621 , HB551 , HB521 , HB493 , HB272 , HB229 , HB223 , HB201 , HB186 , HB 119 , HB2080 , HB2818 , HB5394 , HB4795 , HB4466 , HB4454 , HB3940 , HB3749 , HB3151 , HB3284 , HB1403 , HB 1106 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB1500 , HB4488 , HB4264 , HB4 , HB4170 , HB3909 , HB4081 , HB4145 , HB4157 , HB4281 , HB4285 , HB4463 , HB4749 , HB4995 , HB5081 , HB5115 , HB5138 , HB5624 , HB1449 , HB3711 , HB2598 , HB3629 , HB4361 , HB824 , HB1868 , HB4848 , HB2243 , HB40 , HB 117 , HB2313 , HB3686 , HB500 , HB3793 , HB 112 , HB 104 , HB 1056 , HB42 , HB4486 , HB3000 , HB 100 , HB2240 , HB718 , HB27 , HB4904 , HB4202 , HB2853 , HB5129 , HB5093 , HB4765 , HB4748 , HB4559 , HB4350 , HB4214 , HB3388 , HB3112 , HB5196 , HB4211 , HB3516 , HB3092 , HB4233 , HB4687 , HB705 , HB 1094 , HB2037 , HB3005 , HB3848 , HCR141 , HCR118 , HCR127 , HCR40 , HCR59 , HCR10 , HCR135 , HCR142 , HCR9 , HCR76 , HCR108 , HJR133 , HB18 , HB35 , HB43 , HB49 , HB75 , HB 103 , HB 120 , HB163 , HB216 , HB413 , HB647 , HB851 , HB1422 , HB1481 , HB1545 , HB1562 , HB1586 , HB1732 , HB1828 , HB1851 , HB1916 , HB1991 , HB2014 , HB2026 , HB2067 , HB2193 , HB2293 , HB2310 , HB2464 , HB2508 , HB2524 , HB2530 , HB2974 , HB3062 , HB3071 , HB3120 , HB3180 , HB3214 , HB3234 , HB3250 , HB3463 , HB3512 , HB3680 , HB3732 , HB3801 , HB3824 , HB3833 , HB4044 , HB4129 , HB4226 , HB4230 , HB4377 , HB4395 , HB4396 , HB4535 , HB4668 , HB4903 , HB5149 , HB5154 , HB5247 , HB5331 , HB5436 , HB5688 , HB5693 , HB2282 , HB2715 , HB3627 , HB5033 , HB2674 , HB3556 , HCR127 , SB3 , SB21 , SB379 , SB1405 , SB1538 , SB1749 , SB3038 , SB3062 , SB3065 , HB24 , HB 128 , HB388 , HB519 , HB609 , HB685 , HB766 , HB 1237 , HB1314 , HB1445 , HB1458 , HB1522 , HB1592 , HB1606 , HB1612 , HB1633 , HB2025 , HB2061 , HB2259 , HB2273 , HB2358 , HB2421 , HB2518 , HB2563 , HB2637 , HB2713 , HB2791 , HB2856 , HB3114 , HB3126 , HB3233 , HB3487 , HB3505 , HB3597 , HB3745 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3806 , HB4224 , HB4310 , HB4738 , HB5084 , HB5155 , HB5180 , HB5667 , HB5686 , HCR9 , HCR10 , HCR135 , HCR142 , SB2603 , HB3395 , HB636 , HB5655 , HB5689 , HB5690 , HB636 , HB5655 , HB5689 , HB5690

Keywords: SB 393, Sparks, Middleton, local government, political subdivision, public securities, government debt, municipal bonds, general obligation bonds, certificates of obligation, anticipation notes, debt maturity, weighted average maturity, economic life, useful life, tangible personal property, real property improvements, public finance, Texas Government Code, Chapter 1253

Transcript Highlights:

• in order to register to vote; we do not show proof of identity before casting a ballot.
• I'm curious, too, about how I would have to verify my identity for a mail-in ballot.
• It is so convenient, and we have no concern about voter fraud. Please vote no.
• Were as vociferous about the fraud in medical care, the fraud in food supplies.
• This is about protecting fraud and abuse.

Summary: The Senate met, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then handled a series of messages and floor actions. The chamber transmitted a large group of Senate bills to the governor and Senate Concurrent Memorial 1004 to the Secretary of State. It also received House requests to return Senate Bills 1175 and 1198 for reconsideration, which were granted without objection. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House concurrent resolutions. On H.C.R. 2001, a constitutional referral on election requirements, senators debated a Judiciary Committee amendment and a Hoffman floor amendment that would require voter ID, allow election-day tabulation of early ballots at polling places, and require legislative funding for implementation. Supporters said the measure would improve election security, voter confidence, and speed up results; opponents argued it was vague, could undermine mail voting, and lacked clear implementation details. The amendment was adopted, and after further debate the Committee of the Whole gave H.C.R. 2001 a do-pass recommendation by a 15-12 vote. Later, on third reading, the full Senate passed H.C.R. 2001 by a 16-12 vote and transmitted it to the House. The chamber also considered H.C.R. 2003, a referral on student athletics and biological sex. Senator Ortiz offered a floor amendment to replace the blanket ban approach with rules based on athletic ability and inclusion; supporters said it would preserve fairness while avoiding discrimination, while opponents said it would gut the measure and weaken protections for girls’ sports. The Ortiz amendment failed 11-16, and H.C.R. 2003 then received a do-pass recommendation in Committee of the Whole and later passed third reading. H.C.R. 2044, a referral on prohibiting preferential treatment and discrimination, also received a do-pass recommendation without recorded controversy. The Senate then adjourned after completing the remaining procedural motions and votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas Constitution mandates in Article 6, Section 4, make regulations necessary to detect and punish fraud
• These 27 laws that have been waived were instituted by this committee to detect and punish election fraud
• They provide for and enable candidates, voters, and election officials. to detect and prevent fraud.
• I have attended community college without the worry of being treated poorly because of my identity, but
• All of my gender identity has been changed legally. And I am opposed to this bill, SB1999.

Bills: SB38 , SB287 , SB291 , SB292 , SB508 , SB618 , SB901 , SB1436 , SB1494 , SB1626 , SB1719 , SB1999 , SB1333 , SB 38

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• a fraud team that is dedicated to looking at potential fraud prior to certification of benefits.
• On any cases and any suspected fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Sanchez was indicted on four felony counts, including mail fraud, securities fraud, She was indicted
• on four felony counts, including mail fraud, securities fraud, identity theft, and bank fraud.
• It doesn't eliminate fraud. It doesn't eliminate fraud; EVV doesn't eliminate it.

Committee: House Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It's like, did oh, mistaken identity.
• </c> think maybe that was mistaken identity think maybe that was mistaken identity or<01:21:18.159><c
• </c> language, culture, religion and identity language, culture, religion and identity illegitimate<02
• . identity. identity.
• ><c> that</c> different types of um fraud methods that different types of um fraud methods that they<

Committee: House State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:45.839><c> while</c><00:13:46.040><c> engaged</c> officer's facial identity while engaged
• officer's facial identity while engaged in<00:13:47.000><c> official</c><00:13:47.360><c> duties</c><
• </c><00:14:15.280><c> would</c> where disclosure of identity would where disclosure of identity would
• Using a facial covering to protect identity during prosecution as authorized by law or court order.
• Using a facial covering to protect identity during prosecution as authorized by law or court order.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a large decision-making agenda and adopted most measures, often with technical or clarifying amendments. Bills addressed wildlife habitat conservation plans, civil identification cards for 16- and 17-year-olds, electronic and mail voting for associations, remedies for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, traffic safety around stationary vehicles and pickup truck passengers, expedited permitting for housing for people with disabilities, rainwater catchment systems, EMS advisory committee membership, social media account deletion, limits on immigration-enforcement cooperation, prompt payment rules for professional solicitors, fetal death vital statistics, protections for gender-affirming care, passenger ropeways, law-enforcement facial coverings and immigration-related detention, domestic violence, health care facility access, guardianship record sealing, child protective proceedings, remote driver’s license hearings, disposable vaping products, dog attacks, insurance premium increase explanations, the DOE harm-to-student registry, Hawaiian Homes lease succession, EMS law modernization, hoisting machine regulation, release on recognizance, language interpretation rules, civil asset forfeiture for fireworks offenses, and assisted community treatment. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1897, HB 1957, HB 2121, and HB 2324, while HB 1957 was deferred indefinitely. Most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though HB 1875 and HB 1961 drew no votes from Vice Chair Gabbard, and HB 2413 was adopted with reservations. A number of bills received substantive amendment instructions. HB 1682 was amended with committee report language noting concerns about departing from the model act. HB 1768 and HB 1886 were revised to narrow or clarify immigration-enforcement restrictions and law-enforcement identification and facial-covering provisions, including plainclothes and undercover exceptions, a narrower civil immigration arrest/detention offense, and savings clauses. HB 2540 received extensive amendments to convert policy language into mandatory terms, refine facial-covering and identification rules, align criminal and policy exemptions, narrow immigration-related offenses, and clarify the definition of law enforcement agency. HB 2413 was amended to define violent offenses, change written findings to oral findings on the record, limit reconsideration of bail, and restrict who may request sanctions or financial conditions. Other amendments included technical fixes, bad-date corrections, severability clauses, and chapter-consistency changes. The committee also heard a joint Education/Judiciary item, SCR 105 and SR 99, urging the Department of Education to provide students information on pre-registering to vote before reaching voting age. Testimony was reported in support from the Department of Education, Office of Elections, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, and the League of Women Voters. With no opposition or further discussion, the committee voted to pass both resolutions with technical, non-substantive amendments (SD1).

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> examples of brazen fraud. examples of brazen fraud.
• </c> we have fraud here in Minnesota. we have fraud here in Minnesota.
• Is there any more fraud? Are off topics. Is there any more fraud?
• </c> there any more fraud questions? there any more fraud questions?
• </c> talking about the fraud issue? talking about the fraud issue?

Summary: Senate Republican leaders held a press event to roll out a package of anti-fraud proposals focused on state welfare and human services programs. Mark Johnson opened by citing recent fraud scandals, including a shuttered housing program and reports of vulnerable adults being left without care while providers billed for full services, and said Republicans want top-down reform, stronger accountability, new technology, and tighter oversight of taxpayer dollars. Michael Kreun said Republicans support an independent Office of Inspector General and argued the Senate-passed bill should not be weakened in the House; he also said the Senate should restore its role in confirming agency commissioners, especially at DHS, which he described as central to the fraud problem. Jordan Rasmusson outlined a plan to stop “blank checks” for DHS and DCYF services by requiring legislative audit review when a program exceeds budget by 5 percent and legislative approval for additional spending at 10 percent over budget. He also said DHS should adopt basic integrity tools such as electronic visit verification and client sign-off. Steve Drazkowski described two bills: a statewide “do-not-pay” list to block payments to ineligible people or entities, and an “I’m Not a Robot” proposal for Medicaid managed care that would require enrollee verification forms, with a 2 percent payment withhold used to encourage compliance and potentially fund county system upgrades. Mark Krueger said the state should improve technology and data use for eligibility determinations, citing other states’ rapid fraud-fighting systems, and proposed penalties for false reporting to the Legislative Auditor after a DHS audit found falsified site-visit records. Steve Gruenhagen said his bill would require DHS and DCYF to resume annual fraud-prevention and oversight reports to the legislature, which he said had stopped after 2017 despite rising fraud cases. Michael Holmstrom proposed unannounced site visits for all DHS and DCYF providers before enrollment, reenrollment, and revalidation, funded through provider service fees, and cited a recent case involving a woman with autism who was billed for far more care than she received. In the Q&A, Kreun said House Democrats’ delete-everything amendment to the inspector general bill removed the law enforcement division and stripped the bill of its “teeth,” and he suggested the governor’s office may have been involved in efforts to replace the bill with a weaker coordination council model. No votes were taken in the press conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• It relates to the collection of consumer credit incurred by certain individuals as a result of identity
• Generally then, House Bill 4238 would define identity theft to include violations of specific sections
• Generally then, House Bill 4238 would identify, would define identity theft to include violations of
• The committee's substantive when it is disputed and no longer collectible from the victim of identity
• Under the committee substitute, the only option for proof that someone is a victim of identity theft

Bills: HB431 , HB1522 , HB1922 , HB2467 , HB2468 , HB3228 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB4219 , HB4238 , HB4344 , HB4386 , HB4739

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee first took up pending business and favorably reported several House bills without opposition, including HB 11, HB 132, HB 1041, HB 1606, HB 2286, and HB 5061. Each was moved out of committee with a recommendation that it do pass and be printed, and several were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard HB 3306, which would extend existing construction-contract indemnity exceptions to electric infrastructure construction, maintenance, and vegetation management work for electric utilities and transmission and distribution utilities. The sponsor said the bill would reduce litigation and insurance costs for ratepayers, while construction industry witnesses argued it would shift liability onto subcontractors and create broad-form indemnity in a way Texas law has generally prohibited since 2011. HB 3306 was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4739, a Comptroller-requested cleanup bill to repeal an outdated Finance Code provision requiring remittance of a portion of certain delinquency charges to the state, and HB 3803, HB 3804, and HB 3806, all Department of Banking-requested cleanup bills dealing with confidentiality and supervision rules for perpetual care funds, state banks, and trust companies. Those bills were briefly explained and left pending without testimony. HB 4219, aimed at improving Public Information Act compliance by requiring timely notice when records do not exist or are being withheld, allowing complaints to the Attorney General, and imposing training and fee consequences for noncompliance, drew support from a journalist and a policy analyst and was also left pending. The committee then heard HB 4238 on coerced debt and identity theft. The sponsor explained that the committee substitute narrows the bill to court-ordered findings of identity theft/coerced debt, gives collectors seven business days to stop collection activity, and removes a section to avoid litigation over court orders. A law professor and a family violence advocate testified in strong support, describing coerced debt as a barrier for domestic violence and elder abuse survivors trying to rebuild credit and access housing, jobs, and utilities. The bill was left pending. HB 1522, which would require local governments to post meeting notices three business days in advance and make budget materials more accessible online and in physical form, also drew support, though a school business officials representative raised concerns about the timing language, proposed-budget wording, and taxpayer impact statements for school districts; the bill was left pending after discussion. Later, the committee heard additional pending bills, including a PUC background-check bill that would expand the commission’s authority to check current employees and contractors and obtain FBI criminal history information, HB 3805 updating money services business regulation, HB 431 extending HOA solar-panel protections to solar tiles, and HB 3228 and HB 3229 on wind and solar recycling financial assurance and recycler solvency. HB 3228 received support from a Sierra Club witness who said recycling and disposal plans are needed for end-of-life renewable energy equipment, and HB 3229 was described as requiring recyclers to show financial resources at 125 percent through a letter of credit or bond. These bills were heard and left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to improve identity verification for the return of ballots.
• The idea that voter fraud is a widespread problem has been debunked time and again by courts.
• Voter ID laws perpetuate the myth of voter fraud and do nothing to improve election integrity.
• Without a shred of evidence that voter fraud is a significant problem.
• The identities of those who would actually vote for them be untraceable.

Committee: House Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> All right, let's talk about fraud.
• are revolving around the victims and people who are being hurt by the fraud.
• A billion in fraud, $9 billion in fraud. Is that legit? I think it is. I think it is.
• </c> million of the $130 million was fraud million of the $130 million was fraud and<00:03:48.560><c>
• ,</c><00:07:55.520><c> our</c> reality when it's 90% fraud, our reality when it's 90% fraud, our taxpayers

Transcript Highlights:

• of tax fraud.
• So there's tax fraud and there's program fraud. We have really dealt with tax fraud.
• </c> fraud uh types of tax fraud fraud uh types of tax fraud uh<01:48:52.639><c> there</c><01:48:52.880
• So there's tax fraud and there's<01:50:33.920><c> program</c><01:50:34.400><c> fraud.
• </c> fraud into the future. fraud into the future.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:10:10.200><c> um</c> um provides members um with identity um um provides members um with identity
• </c> possible voter frauds in uh voter fraud possible voter frauds in uh voter fraud or<00:10:26.200>
• The speaker added that some states have withdrawn because they felt it was not detecting voter fraud
• uh in the way that it had voter fraud uh in the way that it had hoped<00:12:01.160><c> for</c><00:12
• </c> efforts to fight FR supposed voter fraud efforts to fight FR supposed voter fraud um<00:16:46.199

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• of identity theft with SNAP?
• President, they are identical.
• So, identical.
• Senator Burton, they are identical, which is Spanish for identical.
• and mail fraud, aiding and abetting wire fraud.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and recognitions, including a resolution honoring Bob Graham and a moment of silence for firefighter Roger Timmy Miley. The chamber then moved through a special-order calendar with multiple bills, many of them paired with House companions and amended before final passage. Early action included adoption of a tax conformity bill tied to federal changes in the Internal Revenue Code, with a 34-0 vote. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/SB 1758, a Medicaid and SNAP reform bill. The sponsor described provisions to strengthen fraud enforcement, impose work requirements for able-bodied adults, expand behavioral health services through a waiver, modernize Medicaid drug purchasing, and require a SNAP fraud-reduction plan and photo ID on EBT cards. Democrats offered amendments to delay work requirements until Medicaid expansion and to add protections for SNAP users such as caregivers, seniors, disabled individuals, and domestic violence survivors; both amendments failed. Senators also questioned implementation details, exemptions, and potential effects on vulnerable populations. After debate, the bill was placed on the calendar for third reading. The Senate also passed bills on technology education and AI instruction, a public records exemption and related Parkinson’s Disease Registry measures, designation of the SS American Victory as the state flagship, electronic payments for local governments, repeal of the sunset on legal tender recognition for gold and silver, public records protections for financial and digital-asset custodians, a Florida stablecoin pilot program, local government budget transparency, digital voyeurism, insurance customer representative licensing, and a medical freedom bill with amendments on vaccine-related materials and anti-kickback provisions. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition, though the public records bill for gold/silver custodians and the legal tender repeal drew a few dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> reference to correction histories, fraud reference to correction histories, fraud flags,<00:05:17.920
• </c> data as it's used for identity data as it's used for identity verification,<00:15:46.680><c> fraud
• </c><00:15:47.240><c> fraud</c><00:15:47.600><c> prevention,</c> verification, fraud fraud prevention
• </c> financial fraud financial fraud issue<01:46:55.280><c> as</c><01:46:55.440><c> to</c><01:46:55.920
• as to address the financial fraud issue as to address the financial fraud issue.<01:46:57.240><c> In

Transcript Highlights:

• Come on, people, we're in a state right now where fraud—we talk about it all the time here—fraud is prevalent
• , and where we have seen acts of fraud.
• And we found potential fraud and things like that.
• So that's clear evidence of fraud.
• This bill calls small mistakes fraud.

Bills: HB1520 , HB1545 , HJR110 , HJR203 , HB245 , HB1465 , HB1482 , HB294 , HB793 , HB809 , HB3928 , HB334 , HB2037 , HB1973 , HB285 , HB4341 , HB4264 , HB 1043 , HB837 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB 1194 , HB1646 , HB1729 , HB2498 , HB1314 , HB2295 , HB1353 , HB1531 , HB1988 , HB5398 , HB3960 , HB3923 , HB1407 , HB1764 , HB2221 , HB2214 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2213 , HB5008 , HB5092 , HB3421 , HB3663 , HB3748 , HB3800 , HB3756 , HB2613 , HB3782 , HB5246 , HB4344 , HB4044 , HB4066 , HB2702 , HB2807 , HB2869 , HB2898 , HB3181 , HB3250 , HB4153 , HB2091 , HB2115 , HB2542 , HB2768 , HB3349 , HB3352 , HB4406 , HB1593 , HB1899 , HB3133 , HB4432 , HB4960 , HB3214 , HB3915 , HB3508 , HB2145 , SB304 , SB608 , SB2312 , SB494 , SB530 , HB45 , HB2520 , HB35 , HB47 , HB318 , HB349 , HB554 , HB1359 , HB1373 , HB2254 , HB2259 , HB2853 , HB3073 , HB3088 , HB353 , HB355 , HB786 , HB762 , HB705 , HB932 , HB849 , HB 1119 , HB3041 , HB713 , HB3104 , HB3970 , HB4042 , HB4490 , HB1731 , HB2607 , HB3689 , HB1788 , HB1612 , HB138 , HB15 , HB1971 , HB1338 , HB2989 , HB267 , HB 1201 , HB2954 , HB5265 , HB1804 , HB5061 , HB1520 , HB1545 , HJR110 , HJR203 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB1809 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB3527 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HB245 , HB1465 , HB1482 , HB294 , HB793 , HB809 , HB3928 , HB334 , HB2037 , HB1973 , HB285 , HB4341 , HB4264 , HB 1043 , HB837 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB 1194 , HB1646 , HB1729 , HB2498 , HB1314 , HB2295 , HB1353 , HB1531 , HB1988 , HB5398 , HB3960 , HB3923 , HB1407 , HB1764 , HB2221 , HB2214 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2213 , HB5008 , HB5092 , HB3421 , HB3663 , HB3748 , HB3800 , HB3756 , HB2613 , HB3782 , HB5246 , HB4344 , HB4044 , HB4066 , HB2702 , HB2807 , HB2869 , HB2898 , HB3181 , HB3250 , HB4153 , HB2091 , HB2115 , HB2542 , HB2768 , HB3349 , HB3352 , HB4406 , HB1593 , HB1899 , HB3133 , HB4432 , HB4960 , HB3214 , HB3915 , HB3508 , HB2145 , HCR6 , HCR12 , HCR34 , HCR50 , HCR55 , HCR58 , HCR70 , HCR71 , HCR72 , HCR74 , HCR75 , HCR78 , HCR80 , HCR93 , HCR100 , HCR107 , HCR116 , HCR117 , HCR90

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Summary: The Florida House considered multiple bills on Day 59 of the legislative session. Key legislation included CS for HB 1103 on developmental disabilities services, which expanded a pilot program statewide while maintaining current contracts. CS for SB 1730 addressed affordable housing with amendments protecting historic districts. CS for HB 443 on charter schools allowed stricter codes of conduct and virtual student athletic participation. CS for HB 209 prohibited golf courses and hotels in state parks. Lucy's Law (CS for HB 289) increased boating safety penalties and education requirements. CS for HB 1205 significantly restricted citizen ballot initiatives by requiring petition circulator registration, limiting volunteer collections to 25 signatures, adding financial impact statements, and imposing new penalties. The House also passed bills on animal cruelty databases, waste incineration restrictions, and spectrum alerts for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their expenses aren't identical because traditional public schools have transportation and some other
• And the expenses are not identical down to the penny, right?
• It's ripe for fraud. I agree with Senator Hickey. It's ripe for fraud.
• There's been allegations of fraud and abuse of public funds.
• There's been allegations of fraud and abuse of public funds.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council meeting began with approval of the December 2025 minutes and a presentation from the Bureau of Legislative Research on the December revenue report. Dr. Carlos Silva said gross collections were about $4.02 billion, up slightly from the prior year, and net available for distribution was also above last year but down modestly from the previous month because of higher-than-expected corporate income tax refunds. Members asked about corporate tax trends, tariffs, and inflation, and Silva said it was too early to call the corporate decline a trend and that tariff effects would likely show up mainly in sales tax collections. The council then adopted several subcommittee reports, including the Executive Committee Subcommittee, Administrative Rules, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Occupational Licensing Review, PEER, Review, State Insurance Program Oversight, and Personnel. The PEER report drew the most debate because of a Department of Agriculture grant tied to Perry County and Central Arkansas Water; members discussed whether removing the Perry County portion would affect the grant’s competitiveness, and the report was ultimately adopted with the item included. The Review Subcommittee also heard questions about a BDO contract for the rural health transformation program, with DFA explaining that the contractor would manage the program while state agencies would make funding decisions consistent with the state’s application. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Education Freedom Account appropriation tied to LEARNS. Senators and representatives debated whether the program helps families or diverts money from public schools, with supporters arguing it funds students and choice and opponents arguing it is costly, vulnerable to fraud, and harms public school funding. Department of Education officials said roughly 28,000 private school students and 17,500 homeschool students were participating, that EFA students must submit standardized tests annually, and that the requested $32 million was to cover existing participants. After multiple substitute motions and extended debate, the body rejected a motion to strip out the $32 million and then adopted the report and related motions. The meeting ended after routine approvals of additional agency items and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the expenses are not identical down to the penny, right?
• It's ripe for fraud. I agree with Senator Hickey. It's ripe for fraud.
• There's been allegations of fraud and abuse of public funds.
• There's been allegations of fraud and abuse of public funds.
• In that committee, there is fraud and abuse with our public funds in our public schools.

Committee: All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council met and first heard the monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. Dr. Carlos Silva reported gross collections of $4.02 billion for the first half of the fiscal year, up slightly from the prior year, with net available for distribution also above last year and still above forecast despite a small monthly decline tied to higher-than-expected corporate income tax refunds. Members asked about corporate tax trends, the possible effects of tariffs on state revenues, and broader economic indicators such as inflation and unemployment. The meeting then moved into committee reports, including approval of the Executive Committee’s waiver request for the Van Buren School District, the Administrative Rules Subcommittee report, the Hospital, Medicaid, and Developmental Disabilities report, and the Occupational Licensing Review report. The PEER Subcommittee report prompted extended debate over a Department of Agriculture grant for Central Arkansas Water and whether a Perry County property acquisition should remain in the request. After discussion, the report was adopted. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Education and the Educational Freedom Account appropriation. Members debated whether the program diverts money from public schools, whether homeschool and private-school expenses are comparable, and whether the program should be funded separately or held for further review. Motions were made to separate or remove the $32 million EFA item, but those motions failed, and the report was ultimately adopted. Members also discussed public-school funding levels, enrollment declines, literacy outcomes, and accountability. The council then approved additional reports and rule filings, including items from DFA, the Insurance Department, the Economic Development Commission, the Division of Environmental Quality, and the Division of Parks, before adjourning.