Transcript Highlights:

• My first point: GAO has a large body of work on fraud and improper payments in the federal government
• This technology can streamline compliance, enhance customer service, and reveal fraud hidden in large
• Historically, large organizations, including private companies and big corporations, have all had to
• In fact, if you look at the FDA structure, these staff are actually paid for largely by user fees from
• they knew what their energy loads would be next year, were actually really bad at predicting them.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, waste reduction, fraud prevention, government efficiency, improper payments, data reliability, oversight

Summary: The meeting was chaired by Chairman Schweikert and involved a comprehensive discussion on how to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for reducing waste, fraud, and improper payments within federal programs. Key witnesses, including Mr. Andrew Canarsa from the Council of the Inspectors General, provided insights on the potential of AI in enhancing government efficiency. The committee emphasized the importance of reliable data and thorough examination of AI application to avoid unintended consequences while addressing the estimated $162 billion in improper payments reported by the federal government. Concerns were raised regarding the recent firing of inspectors general and the impacts that could have on oversight and accountability processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, that's a loaded question. I'll try to be quick. So with regard to resources, yes.
• Many of these are our customers, but they're also companies that we work with from an HR perspective.
• Boy, that is a loaded question.
• I just have such a hard time understanding how a junior in high school can take a full-time load as a
• high school junior and a full-time load as a college freshman at the same time.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• which increases the price largely. which increases the price largely.
• been a very a large historically there's been a very large<01:04:10.240> component<01:04:11.200
• Um so this is largely grants I get.
• So we've largely cracked the ozone.
• load shed. How do you deal with that? load shed. How do you deal with that?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to solving this problem in large to solving this problem in large buildings.<00:58:46.680> Uh
• ,<01:04:51.520> uh renters or whether it's customers, uh renters or whether it's customers
• make a large upfront down payment. make a large upfront down payment.
• customers exists per solar installer. customers exists per solar installer.
• companies can offer to customers. companies can offer to customers.

Bills: HF4560, HF4559, HF2317, HF3179, HF4880, HF2862, HF4374

Keywords: Public Utilities Commission, PUC, energy regulation, utility regulation, electric utility, public utility, rate case, multiyear rate plan, decoupling, rate decoupling, greenhouse gas, social cost of carbon, environmental cost, resource planning, certificate of need, distributed renewable energy, interconnection, budget billing, electronic filing, contested case

Transcript Highlights:

• entities that lease machines, maybe just two or three here and there, but yet still have access to a large
• That ensures that it's actually a soil amendment and not nutrient loading.
• generated in consultation with FDACS to make sure that the compost products that didn't have the nutrient loading
• This legislation updates the pre-licensure education requirements for the 440 customer service representative

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government met with a quorum present and first took up confirmation votes for appointees on tabs 2 through 6, which were recommended favorably without public testimony. The committee then heard and approved CS/SB 1474, which would direct DEP to stop issuing or reissuing permits for Class B biosolids land application when a wastewater treatment facility is reasonably accessible within 50 miles, and CS/SB 1708, which removes a timing requirement for out-of-state veterinarians seeking Florida licensure while keeping other competency safeguards in place. Both bills were reported favorably after brief discussion and support from public witnesses on SB 1708. The committee also approved CS/SB 204, as amended, to increase penalties for illegal slot machine operations, with the amendment setting misdemeanor treatment for lower-level violations and felony penalties for larger-scale or repeat offenses; the bill also creates a process for veteran service organizations to seek binding declaratory statements from the Gaming Commission about machine legality. Public testimony on that bill was largely supportive, including from gaming and veterans-related stakeholders, though one witness urged clarity so smaller, lawful operators would not face felony exposure. CS/CS/SB 1294 was then amended and reported favorably; it addresses oversight of Class AA biosolids by requiring application at or below agronomic rates, recordkeeping, IFAS guidance, and application of existing fertilizer-related requirements, while preserving an exemption for certain compost products. Later, the committee favorably reported CS/SB 772, which allows portable electronics limited licensees to sell warranty insurance and defines that coverage, and CS/SB 1504, which lets a high school student who completes a half-credit insurance and personal finance elective qualify to apply for a 440 customer service representative license upon turning 18. Finally, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment to CS/SB 540, creating cybersecurity program requirements for licensed mortgage and money service businesses, expanding oversight of certain investment advisers, clarifying emergency suspension authority for anti-money laundering violations, extending payment deadlines for examination costs, and updating director experience requirements for chartered financial institutions; the bill was then reported favorably. Senators McLean and Trunow requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tabs 11 and 13, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a substantial amount of work to get through today, with a large number of bills to be voted on
• As we know, there's a large amount of transmission hypothesized to be built out there.
• These changes ensure that the bill isn't one-sided and provides a balanced approach to customers.
• assurance that this longer-term look will be beneficial for customers.
• Senator, if I may just elaborate on what you said: by 2031, our load in Texas is going to nearly double

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This data center bill establishes a very large customer class or subclass with the PUC.
• This data center bill establishes a very large customer class or subclass with the PUC.
• This data center bill establishes a very large customer class or subclass with the PUC.
• This data center bill establishes a very large customer class or subclass with the PUC.
• Um, certainly was a large bit of center.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, the water bills are breaking the backs of the remaining 20, 30 customers.
• There are 37 customers on the system presently, according to DES, correct? About 37.
• the load to operate the community water the load to operate the community water system<00:55:41.720><
• You know, you're for the last customer. You end up owning the company, right? And here they are.
• you know you're for the last customer you know you're for the last customer you<02:08:03.719>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Most utility customers are billed monthly for energy use.
• Most importantly, a customer using the prepayment option under this bill would not be subject to start
• A customer using the prepayment option under this bill would not be subject to start service fees and
• In Northern California, we serve about 11,000 customers, and our cost of electricity is less than half
• Additionally, Assembly Bill 1945 allows us to offer to customers a voluntary prepay option, which will

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a large demographic there.
• So we work directly with our customers in trying to not only prevent, but also... ...our customers in
• They're looking out for customers.
• This impacts our customers, your constituents, every day.
• There's a cost to the customer.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Combined, all of these actions will fully make our customers whole for the cost of the 15 large generators
• for the large generators and the amount of the benefits of the commitment. ...owed by customers for
• residential customer will have paid for these 15 large generators.
• residential, small commercial, large commercial, even customers that only pay for street lamps, that
• all customer classes that were charged a cost of these 15 large generators are made whole through the

Bills: SB231, SB584, SB600, SB668, SB841, SB986, SB1003, SB1244, SB1625, SB1960, SB1963, SB1964, SB2026, SB2056, SB2368

Keywords: temporary emergency electric energy facility, temporary generation, emergency power, backup generation, mobile generator, portable generator, grid resilience, power outage restoration, transmission and distribution utility, TDU, Public Utility Commission of Texas, PUCT, Utilities Code Section 39.918, competitive bidding, lease authorization, emergency procurement, bulk power system, locational marginal pricing, reliability model, black start

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up several pending and uncontested bills. It favorably reported SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, and SB 1968, and also moved SB 2321 to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 819, which would change how the Public Utility Commission reviews proposed utility-scale solar and related interconnection projects. The committee substitute would shift the default so interconnection is allowed unless the PUC affirmatively prohibits it within 180 days, limit denial to cases where harm substantially outweighs benefits, remove public meeting requirements, retain setback and financial assurance provisions, add optional application materials such as national security and environmental information, and restore local control over county tax abatements. The substitute was adopted and SB 819 was favorably reported to the full Senate on a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 231, focused on CenterPoint’s use of large emergency generators after Hurricane Beryl. Senator King explained that the original bill was intended to prevent customers from being charged for non-mobile generators that were leased at great cost and did not match the bill’s emergency-response purpose. CenterPoint’s Jason Ryan apologized for the company’s communication failures and said the company would make customers whole through a combination of rate reductions, foregone storm-cost recovery, and a donation of the 15 large generators to ERCOT for about two years to address a San Antonio-area reliability issue, with the company absorbing the associated costs. PUC Executive Director Connie Corona said the commission could enforce the agreement through its contested-case process. Public testimony included consumer and reliability advocates, one of whom argued utility-scale microgrids should be preserved as a policy option. SB 231 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 986, which would create an alternative process for routine Public Information Act requests so local governments can make initial redactions without sending every routine exception to the Attorney General, while preserving an appeal path and training requirements. Supporters said it would reduce backlog and speed access to records; opponents argued it would shift the burden to requesters and encourage delay. The AG’s office testified that the process could improve efficiency and still fit within current timelines if used promptly. SB 986 was left pending. Finally, SB 584 was briefly laid out to require consumer reporting agencies that buy data from others to ensure the information complies with Texas law on excluded items such as bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens, and SB 600 was heard on heir property. SB 600’s substitute would strengthen notice, require an attorney ad litem, add an heir’s bill of rights, allow settlement conferences, and require fair-market-value sales protections; supporters said it would curb predatory partition practices, while opponents warned some provisions could burden or diminish minority heirs’ property rights. SB 584 and SB 600 were left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a large demographic there.
• The next scam, our customer John, is 75. Our customer John is 75. He's also retired.
• at the customer level.
• There's a cost to the customer. This impacts our customers, your constituents, every day.
• There's a cost to the customer.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also aspects of the EPP, they call it, that have to do with load.
• I guess particularly, we are talking about fairly large projects here.
• They may be as large as 3,000 acres.
• These are large batteries, like cover boards and e-bikes, and they can do a lot of damage.
• And these are large batteries.

Summary: The committee heard a series of Senate bills on environmental, climate, recycling, wildfire, outdoor access, and clean transportation policy. SB 958 would clarify CEQA treatment of impacts tied solely to increased building height, and SB 1230 would increase penalties and create CalRecycle support tools for repeat commercial illegal dumping. SB 1341 would revise how processing fees are calculated for bag-in-a-box wine under California’s recycling program. All three measures received due-pass recommendations to Appropriations, with roll calls showing majority support and the bills left open for absent members. Members then took up SB 1300, which would create a more permanent legislative role in California’s international climate cooperation and establish a climate secretariat at UC; SB 1370, which would codify and streamline wildfire fuel-reduction permitting with added safeguards, geographic and size limits, and pesticide-related amendments; and SB 1260/1268, which would codify the Outdoors for All initiative and the Deputy Secretary for Access position at the Natural Resources Agency. Each drew support from environmental, utility, business, and local-government witnesses, while SB 1370 also drew opposition from environmental and advocacy groups concerned about reduced CEQA review and herbicide use. The committee discussed amendments at length, especially on SB 1370, and all three measures advanced with due-pass recommendations. The committee also heard SB 1213, the Clean Truck Transparency Act, requiring baseline pricing disclosure for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks tied to state incentives and directing agencies to explore alternative financing. Support came from clean-air, business, and environmental groups, and the trucking/manufacturing opposition moved to neutral after amendments; the bill advanced on a due-pass vote. Finally, SB 1075, the Clean Air Promise, sought to strengthen AB 617 implementation and clarify community emission reduction planning, but it generated substantial opposition from air districts, business groups, and others over enforceability, funding, and the distinction between formal SERPs and community L-SERPs. The author described additional pending amendments to narrow L-SERP provisions, and the bill also received a due-pass recommendation to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see in the top left, in the top—strike that—bottom middle, large electronic displays with
• These things are this large and conspicuous because nobody was watching the store.
• There are large publicly traded corporations that manufacture these.
• They treat their customers correctly and in compliance with the law.
• If you're grabbing the video, you can see how often that they're loaded, how often they're unloaded,

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard a presentation from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on illegal gambling in Florida. Executive Director Ross Marchman described the commission’s role, the limited number of legal slot-machine locations in the state, and the prevalence of illegal casinos, including “fish tables” and other machines found in strip malls, gas stations, and back rooms. He said the commission has received thousands of complaints, conducted 88 operations, seized thousands of machines and millions in cash and other property, and is currently storing large amounts of seized evidence at significant cost because the cases and appeals are still pending. Marchman argued that illegal casinos are tied to broader criminal activity, including robberies, drug trafficking, human trafficking, firearms offenses, and even murders, and said the current penalties are too weak because most gaming offenses are second-degree misdemeanors. He and members discussed the need for stronger deterrents, better resources, and possible changes to the law, including whether evidence could be reduced to samples rather than retained in full. Senators also asked about cease-and-desist letters to online gaming operators, the role of manufacturers and landlords, and how the commission distinguishes legal amusement machines from illegal slot machines. Daniel McGinn, speaking as an individual, supported the commission’s concerns and said prior enforcement efforts were limited by the statutory scheme. He referenced the Gator Coin case and explained that operators often use licensing agreements and repeated cash-split arrangements to keep machines in circulation. He urged legislative action, noted a gap in the statute regarding private rights of action, and warned against creating carve-outs that could raise constitutional or compact issues. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• make in these... jobs will reverberate throughout the American West and, of course, the nation at large
• And also, although not in large numbers, they come from places like Iran and Cuba and North Korea as
• As demand grows, so does the need for more base load power, and I believe nuclear energy continues to
• Danley, Louisiana is currently home to more than 60% of the current LNG exports, and a large number of
• In terms of sage-grouse, Wyoming is home to a large population of the greater sage-grouse. grouse in

Keywords: nuclear energy, permitting process, energy production, public lands, national parks, uranium imports, legislative bills, infrastructure development

Summary: The committee meeting was dominated by discussions on a variety of legislative bills including major topics such as nuclear energy advancement, the effects of regulatory hurdles on energy production, and proposals to improve national park staffing and maintenance. Members expressed concerns over the federal government's handling of uranium imports and the necessity for maintaining a robust domestic nuclear supply chain. Efforts to streamline permitting processes to facilitate more efficient energy project development were also a focal point, alongside public testimony from stakeholders in the energy and environmental sectors. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure development to meet rising energy demands while addressing climate change impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about 435 passengers a day on average and a load factor of 64%.
• Customer service...
• <00:07:55.120> on probability that you as a customer on probability that you as a customer
• > satisfaction the highest customer satisfaction the highest customer satisfaction results<00:
• The customers seem pleased.

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, January 14, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: Amtrak officials Todd Stenis and Jeff Mann briefed the committee on Amtrak service in Mississippi, with a focus on the new Mardi Gras state-supported route on the Gulf Coast. They reviewed Amtrak’s national structure, including the distinction between long-distance and state-supported service under PRIIA section 209, and noted that Mississippi is served by the City of New Orleans, the Crescent, and the new Mardi Gras service. They said the Mardi Gras began service on August 18 and operates four trains a day between New Orleans and Mobile with Mississippi stops, supported by Mississippi, Louisiana, and Mobile. The officials reported strong early performance for Mardi Gras, saying ridership had already exceeded 60,000 by the end of December against a 71,000 first-year projection, with about 435 passengers per day and a 64% average load factor. They also cited 86% on-time performance, a 94% customer satisfaction index, and average fares of $27 in coach and $66 in business class. They said the service is benefiting from strong demand, good coordination with host railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern, and planned capital improvements totaling more than $200 million that they said should reduce trip times by 30 to 40 minutes. Committee members responded positively, with Senator Williams praising the train experience and another senator noting personal use of the Mardi Gras service. The presenters invited members to ride the train and described it as a state investment paying off across South Mississippi and the Gulf Coast. After the Amtrak presentation, the committee returned to business and took up one bill, 2019, which would delete the sunset on the provision directing the first $80 million of lottery proceeds to the state highway fund. Senator Blackmon asked for clarification, the chairman confirmed the bill would make the road funding provision permanent, and the committee approved the title and reported the bill out.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a very large, rural, sprawling community.
• Currently, the developer owns a large portion.
• So it will be a very large impact on New Mexicans as a whole.
• So, very large impacts that we're seeing from our organization.
• The items that I shared largely align with my colleagues from LFC as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• ;> While that's loading, is someone ready to<00:41:00.079> offer<00:41:00.319> some<
• :53.440> and<00:41:53.680> our customer service seriously, and our customer service seriously
• Our current case load<00:53:55.040> runs<00:53:55.280> from<00:53:55.520> 250<00
• runs from 250 to 330 cases per load runs from 250 to 330 cases per worker.<00:53:58.720> With
• <01:39:01.840> section but we could be talking a large section but we could be talking a large

Bills: HF4421, HF1937, HF4675, HF4715, HF4684

Keywords: county cost share, economically distressed county, human services finance, substance use disorder treatment, SUD services, civil commitment, state aid, county levy, poverty threshold, tax-exempt acreage, property tax exemption, Minnesota human services, county fiscal relief, local government finance, chemical dependency, behavioral health, PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services

Transcript Highlights:

• drinking water wells and the delivery of poor water quality while also raising water rates for their customers
• reason is that we are very interested, and we really agree that good water quality is something that customers
• home to countless insects and organisms like bees, butterflies, wasps, and beetles; the list is very large
• A veteran from this area loads up his hives on a semi.
• Third, if a violator that is a water utility overpumps a GCD permit to meet customer demands despite

Bills: HB630, HB685, HB1318, HB2692

Keywords: outboard motors, certificate of title, vessel regulation, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, marine documentation, HB 685, municipal utility rates, water rates, sewer rates, local government code, rate discrimination, tax-exempt entities, sales tax exemption, ad valorem tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, charitable organizations, municipal water service, municipal sewer service, utility billing, public utilities

Transcript Highlights:

• >> But the second thing would be customer >> But the second thing would be customer
• <00:18:27.600> of projects, we have a tremendous load of projects, we have a tremendous load
• Really is being driven by customer demand and building the customer amenities that are expected for a
• They're solving customer service needs. They're solving customer service needs.
• customers. And it's gone a long way. customers.

Keywords: This meeting was recovered from a back up copy and uploaded after the original meeting took place., 958, all

Summary: The committee received an update from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on the FY 2025 road fund. Officials reported road fund revenues came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, but were down about $11 million from FY 2024, largely because a motor fuels tax rate reduction took effect at the start of FY 2025. Motor vehicle usage tax receipts were stronger than expected, and the cabinet said the road fund ended the year with a $61.6 million surplus, which the budget bill directs to state highway construction. Members also discussed how the motor fuels decline affects formula distributions to cities, counties, and rural/secondary roads, with officials saying about $122.8 million had been planned for revenue sharing but was not distributed because receipts were lower than forecast. Members asked about broader revenue trends, including fuel efficiency, electric vehicles, and the removal of a hybrid fee. Cabinet officials said improved fuel efficiency and CAFE standards reduce gasoline consumption and therefore fuel tax receipts, while EVs and plug-in hybrids are subject to a user fee. They also said toll revenues from the Louisville bridges are covering bills and commitments, though they did not have detailed figures at hand. On project delivery, officials said delays are often caused by right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and the large volume of projects in the highway plan, and that much of the work happens behind the scenes before construction begins. The committee also reviewed the cabinet’s cash management approach, which was adopted after 2000 to avoid setting aside full project costs all at once and to keep the road fund cash balance above a required minimum. Officials said the balance typically rises in winter and falls in summer as project bills come due, and that the current balance was about $166 million. They also reported that project awards for the year were nearing $998 million and expected to exceed last year’s total. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes.