Transcript Highlights:

• He is a registered nurse with a strong intensive care background, currently working in a variety of ICU
• President, for several years, I've run a bill to try to require background checks to prevent sexual offenders
• checks.
• It wasn't even to require background checks. But Mr.
• So, there are camps in our state that don't do background checks, and the parents are completely unaware

Bills: HB2268, HB3000, HB3043, HB3066, HB3078, HB3143, HB3144, HB3244, HB3298, HB3320, HB3467, HB3321, HB3329, HB3431, HB3464, HB3499, HB3500, HB3586, HB3590, HB3650, HB3671, HB3695, HB3700, HB3701, HB3764, HB3767, HB3834, HB3931, HB3934, HB3940, HB3944, HB3979, HB3985, HB4113, HB4294, HB4302, HB4317, HB4324, HB4359, HB4426, HB4427, HB4430, HB4431, HB4434, HJR1077, SR42, SR35, HJR1023, HB1225, HB1374, HB1381, HB1590, HB1675, HB2153

Keywords: HB2268, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, appropriation, General Revenue Fund, PACE, Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, elderly care, aging Oklahomans, long-term care, Medicaid, health care funding, provider reimbursement, rate increase, low-income seniors, senior services, integrated care, emergency measure, cosmetology, barbering

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:29.679> or open arms no matter what background or open arms no matter what background
• While we had him resting on one side, Ryan was then, “You need to go back and check on him.”
• Yamane calls over to check on my husband. Mr.
• Yamane calls over to check on my husband, and I'm like, “Ryan, he's perfectly fine.”
• on him in this case we ended up check on him in this case we ended up rushing<00:30:26.000> him

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We passed universal background checks and red flag laws that we know are saving lives.
• We passed universal background checks and red flag laws that we know are saving lives.
• We passed universal background checks and red flag laws that we know are saving lives.
• We passed universal background checks and red flag laws that we know are saving lives.
• We passed universal background checks and red flag laws that we know are saving lives.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• check.
• background check. background check.
• <00:06:19.280> check<00:06:19.600> there<00:06:19.759> would without a background
• check there would without a background check there would be<00:06:20.080> no<00:06:20.319>
• not request or conduct a background not request or conduct a background check<00:13:07.600> and

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about a simple background check, assessing what you've done or what you were incarcerated
• Housing, who have housed close to 700 people, the numbers demonstrate that if you have a criminal background
• It's normal for people to do a background check. We're not trying to stop that.
• It's, the numbers demonstrate that if you have a criminal background, you are less likely to be given
• It's normal for people to do a background check. We're not trying to stop that.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with recognitions of several young climate advocates visiting the State House and then adopted an adjournment in memory of Nancy Driscoll, with remarks honoring her long public service and family legacy. The chamber then took up Senate No. 2947, An Act Regarding Fair Housing Practices in the Commonwealth, after a Ways and Means redraft. Senators supporting the bill described housing discrimination against voucher holders and Black applicants, emphasized the need for stronger enforcement, transparency, and fair housing education, and noted the bill’s goal of increasing penalties and public reporting for discriminatory brokers. Several amendments were debated. Senator Tarr offered an amendment to require annual HUD-related compliance certifications from municipalities and public agencies, notification to the Attorney General of federal findings, corrective action plans, and possible enforcement consequences; it was defeated on a roll call, 6-30. Senator Kennedy’s gender-neutral language amendment changing “salesmen” to “salespersons” was adopted. Senator Payano’s amendment to require publication of license suspensions as well as revocations for discriminatory conduct was also adopted. Senator Edwards withdrew an amendment that would have expanded housing protections for returning citizens. Senator Keenan’s amendment to anonymize complaint summaries while preserving publication of revoked licensees’ names was adopted. After the Ways and Means amendment, as amended, was adopted, the bill was ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed by a unanimous roll-call vote of 37-0, later clarified as 38-0. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Tuesday at 11 a.m. and adjourned in memory of John Arizian and Nancy Driscoll.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> When we talk about background is that is something on their the pastry.
• The bill is especially find something related to background checks. >> You're recognized.
• Chair. >> There's not anything on background checks, all the background checks and all those protocols
• So there would be any change in the background screening and that type of thing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next item relating to the BCA background checks.
• relating to the BCA background checks. relating to the BCA background checks.
• At the relates to background checks.
• <00:54:48.720> It perform background checks for them.
• It perform background checks for them.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Public Safety Policy Conference Committee met on May 8, 2026, with all conferees present. The chair opened with decorum instructions, explained that the meeting was policy-only, and noted that no public testimony had been signed up. Members then introduced themselves, with several noting they were retiring at the end of the session or year. The committee adopted a series of provisions, mostly by unanimous voice vote, including House language on identity theft and financial crimes updates, supervision abatement and restitution considerations for corrections, protective-order enhancements for murder penalties, prediction markets, victim-notification requirements for plea and sentencing hearings, research data privacy, ignition interlock and impaired-driving license changes, DOC licensing and sanctions for juvenile/adult community-based residential facilities, criminal-conviction employment and licensing standards, jail medication procedures, domestic abuse law changes, and a grant-use extension for dual-status/crossover youth funding. Several items were described as technical or clarifying changes, while others updated law to address AI-related identity theft, foreign protective orders, victim privacy, and corrections oversight. The committee also heard discussion on a Senate provision allowing victims of domestic violence to petition for wireless account and phone-number transfers. A witness supported the concept but urged changes to better align the state language with existing federal law; members noted the issue might need another vehicle or further work. For the domestic abuse item, staff explained that an A15 amendment would later adjust the warrantless-arrest window from 28 days to 14 days. On the jail-medication item, a member emphasized the changes were clarifying and not an admission that last year’s law was flawed. All adopted provisions passed by voice vote without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, Your background investigation is pretty personal.
• checks on those volunteers.
• I just want to verify: volunteers are not going to be asked to pay for their own background check, right
• It's been likened to the buying a gun website background check; it's pretty quick.
• I'm not, let me double check on the third pot, the $24 million for developing the...

Bills: SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3, SB8, SB4, SB43, SB1, SB2, SB13, SB6, SB10, SB16, SB14, SB3

Keywords: education, accountability, public school assessment, state law, transparency, intervention, performance ratings, Texas congressional redistricting, U.S. House districts, congressional map, redistricting, gerrymandering, 2020 Census, census tracts, block groups, voting districts, election law, Texas House of Representatives districts, federal congressional districts, 2026 elections

Transcript Highlights:

• As chairman, I'm committed to a thorough review of nominations pursuant to the statutorily required check
• My background being 20 years active duty as an operational officer pilot in the Air Force.
• My background being 20 years active duty as an operational officer pilot in the Air Force.
• There is no possible way, coming from your background, and again, I'm not discounting your background
• , but your background is in one side of the equation, right?

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement. Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders. A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the names that you submitted, you guys had said that, or someone had said that you had checked
• And I don't have any background with either.
• I mean, I guess entertain a motion or at least a consensus check if everyone's good for that.
• But, yeah, I mean, for a consensus check, if Bob Herman is the direction you guys lean in, I think Bob
• But I think if we've got one A and one B on the table, maybe we check those and wait until we do that

Summary: The Explanatory Statement Committee for Initiative Petition 28 met on July 14, 2026, to select a fifth member needed to complete the committee. LPRO staff explained the committee’s role in preparing an impartial, plain-language ballot measure statement, reviewed the statutory deadlines, and noted that if the committee could not agree on a fifth member, the Secretary of State would appoint one. Committee members introduced themselves as the two chief petitioners and representatives for sportsmen’s and agricultural interests. The discussion focused on possible fifth members. The Secretary of State had already confirmed the availability of Bob Herman and former Representative Lane Shetterly. One member also suggested Jake Hammons, an Oregon prosecutor with animal cruelty law experience, but the group did not pursue that option immediately. Members discussed the relative neutrality and experience of the candidates, with several expressing comfort with either Herman or Shetterly and a preference to move quickly. The committee voted unanimously to use Bob Herman as the first choice and Lane Shetterly as the alternate fifth member, with the understanding that if both were unavailable the committee would reconvene. LPRO said it would confirm the fifth member, distribute the draft explanatory statement prepared by Legislative Counsel, and schedule the drafting meeting for July 22, 2026. Members were invited to submit alternative draft language by July 21.

Transcript Highlights:

• A bit about my background: I am an Arizona native.
• I appreciate, especially learning about your educational background.
• I thought I'd provide a little background information. I'm an Arizona guy.
• I've checked with other nearby states. Some of them have seen smaller increases.
• You've seen his background. You know what he has. The man has a lot to do there.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We passed universal background checks and red flag laws that we know are saving lives.
• We passed universal background checks and red flag laws that we know are saving lives.
• We passed universal background checks and red flag laws that we know are saving lives.
• We passed universal background checks and red flag laws that we know are saving lives.
• We passed universal background checks and red flag laws that we know are saving lives.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Who goes back and checks to see if they've done that?
• Who goes back and checks to see if they've done that?
• And then we have several different programmatic checks.
• I will have to check. I am not the expert on this data.
• Well, just a little background on that.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, one thing that is very important is that we do a criminal background check that's completed.
• Now, all of these things that the driver does is on a criminal background check.
• Background checks are yearly.
• <01:07:19.720> check<01:07:19.960> that's criminal background check that's criminal
• <01:07:26.280> The background checks are yearly. The background checks are yearly.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board first approved the September 24 minutes and then heard a presentation from four certified community behavioral health clinic providers: Pathways, NorthKey, Seven Counties Services, and NewVista. The presenters explained the difference between traditional community mental health centers and CCBHCs, describing CCBHCs as an enhanced model that integrates behavioral health, primary care, wraparound services, and crisis response. They reviewed the federal history of the model, Kentucky’s entry into the Medicaid demonstration in 2022, and the scheduled end of the enhanced federal match on December 31, 2027. They also emphasized required services such as 24-hour mobile crisis, care coordination, and services for veterans, and described care coordination as a key feature that helps patients follow up after hospital or emergency discharge, manage medications, and connect to transportation and other supports. The presenters gave examples of improved outcomes, including a patient who was able to remain living independently because of coordinated home-based and telehealth support, and they argued that CCBHCs are helping Kentucky build a more responsive crisis system through 988, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization units. They said the model is data-driven, uses performance metrics, and has led to stronger collaboration among community partners. One speaker said more than 100 agencies participated in a Jefferson County community health needs assessment and continued meeting afterward to reduce redundancies and barriers to care. They also said crisis call hub compliance and mobile crisis outreach compliance improved significantly over the past year. Members asked about how navigators and connectors fit into the model, how CCBHCs work with managed care organizations, and how the program could expand statewide. The presenters said navigators are not built into the CCBHC model but may be used through referrals, while the CCBHCs continue to bill MCOs the same way and receive a Medicaid wrap payment for the enhanced rate. They said the goal would be for all community mental health centers to become CCBHCs, but that a state plan amendment would be needed and could not be limited only to CMHCs if submitted to CMS. They estimated about $28 million would be needed statewide to continue the program in the next biennium, combining the loss of enhanced federal match and the state share of enhanced service costs. The board also discussed transportation, with one presenter explaining that their program arranges Medicaid transportation for eligible appointments, and members raised concerns about mental inquest warrant transport and whether sheriffs should remain involved. No votes were taken on the CCBHC or transportation items during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I HAVE MULTIPLE AGENTS, STOCK AGENTS, AGENTS CHECKING ON AGENTS. THAT'S ONE WAY TO CHECK AI.
• YOU DON'T PUSH ONE AGENT AGAINST A PROBLEM EACH ONE CHECKS THE LAST ONE AND THAT'S ONE WAY YOU CAN GET
• BUT WE WANTED TO MAKE IT BROADER AND HERE IS AN EXAMPLE FROM A PSYCHOLOGY BACKGROUND.
• THERE ARE QUITE A FEW FROM A MEDICAL BACKGROUND.
• THAT IS THE GOAL THAT WE WANT THIS DAY I TO NOT BE THERE ARE QUITE A FEW FROM A MEDICAL BACKGROUND.

Transcript Highlights:

• checks that are required pursuant to the Texas Dental Practice Act.
• checks per year.
• Uh You have to review these applications and do the queries on background checks to make sure these people
• Uh, periodic checks on folks. Correct. That's correct.
• Um, what we call a rap back on a criminal background check when someone, you know, is arrested and, um

Transcript Highlights:

• And so they'll take someone who has an auditing background, a financial background.
• <00:19:29.840> So background, a financial background.
• So background, a financial background.
• So basically they're making background.
• <00:35:18.240> those could someone could be checking those could someone could be checking

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Attorney General's office is the one that essentially cuts the checks for those costs.
• The Attorney General's office is the one that essentially cuts the checks for those costs.
• <00:56:13.240> information on page three and background information on page three and background
• As long as the topic is up, I’ve read the recommendation and the background.
• recommendation uh and the background recommendation uh and the background what<00:58:44.640>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 30, 2025, and first organized itself by electing Senator Jim Gray as vice chair, electing Representative F as clerk, appointing Michael Caine as legislative budget assistant, and adopting the committee’s rules and procedures. The committee also adopted an amendment to the rules allowing audits to be automatically released to the public once placed on the Fiscal Committee agenda, with members discussing that the change would improve transparency and reduce paper handling. The minutes from the November 15, 2024 meeting were approved, with members who were absent abstaining. The committee then worked through a consent calendar and several individual items. It removed or noted withdrawals on a few items, including item 25004 for further discussion, item 25016 withdrawn by the Department of Education, item 257 removed by Representative F, and item 25001 removed under Tab 4. Item 25004, concerning the newborn screening program, prompted testimony from the Department of Health and Human Services explaining that the program is mandatory with an opt-out provision; officials said 99.2% of newborns were screened in 2023, meaning the opt-out rate was under 1%. The committee also approved item 25007, related to DHHS community health workers and telework policy, after hearing that the workers are not placed in schools and that DHHS follows statewide telework policy. On the regular calendar, the committee approved a Department of Administrative Services request to extend the release date for fiscal year 2024 numbers to March 31, and approved a Department of Fish and Game item. It also approved winter maintenance funding for the Department of Transportation after hearing that the $5.7 million request might not last through the winter if additional storms occur; DOT said even a small storm can cost more than $1 million and that crews are dispatched based on road conditions and supervisory judgment. The committee then approved items for the Judicial Council and the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant. The final discussion focused on the Health and Human Services dashboard and the Youth Development Center claims. DHHS acknowledged a data error in the APS client line and said Community Mental Health Center caseload data is still not fully accurate because two centers are undergoing EHR conversions. Members also asked about the low census at the Sununu Youth Development Center and about the process for managing future claims related to the YDC settlement fund. Witnesses from the Attorney General’s office said the fund is handled through a unique arrangement involving DOJ appropriations and judicial branch staff, that current judicial budget cuts are not yet affecting the litigation pace, and that the average resolution so far has been about $500,000, though future claims may vary. No votes were taken on the discussion items beyond the approvals noted above.

Transcript Highlights:

• They get you to apply for the job, and then they send you all the information for the background check
• check, and that's where they get your Social Security number and other things.
• the check fraud pieces.
• Lastly, to echo the previous witness, we do continue to see check fraud.
• And then by the time that check clears, it's bad.

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:

• We're going to start with a little bit of background about the school.
• That you see of students that come from an impoverished background out there.
• So I appreciate that background.
• And my question might be more for Greg in the background.
• It looks like we have a great combination of experience and backgrounds.