Transcript Highlights:

• Nix: WHEN WE SPOKE TO STAKEHOLDERS WE FOUND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF FRAUD AND IDENTITY THEFT THAT COMES
• THE POINT IS THE USE OF AI INTEGRATED INTO THIS EQUIPMENT HAS AN OVERALL IMPROVEMENT BOTH FOR THE GROWER
• AS I MENTIONED AT THE BEGINNING LABOR IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE SO IF YOU HAVE A EQUIPMENT LIKE THIS ONE CAN
• > AS WE'RE DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGY PART OF WHAT WE DO IS LOOK AT WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL COST OF THE EQUIPMENT
• , WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL SAVINGS OF USING THE EQUIPMENT AND COME UP WITH WHAT IS A RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Transcript Highlights:

• appeal timeline. issues such as crimes like embezzlement, issues such as crimes like embezzlement, theft
• ,<00:09:01.960><c> bribery,</c><00:09:02.600><c> falsification</c><00:09:03.320><c> of</c> theft, bribery
• , falsification of theft, bribery, falsification of records,<00:09:03.880><c> and</c><00:09:04.040><c
• So, this proposal is one of a number of proposals from the administration this session to better equip
• </c> theft or misuse of services. theft or misuse of services.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• So as a result, that increases the amount that people spend, as well as the reduction in theft and other
• However, nationally and locally, check fraud has surged in recent years, driven by mail theft, check
• elevated security risks, Cash handling comes with elevated security risks, added costs, including theft
• And then on top of that, they have the ongoing software subscriptions, equipment costs, and administrative

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Business held a public hearing focused on credit card interchange fees, cashless transactions, chargebacks, fraud, and possible reforms affecting small businesses in Massachusetts. Chair Paul Feeney opened the meeting, outlined the commission’s charge, and noted that the hearing would hear from small business owners, industry representatives, and others on the effects of payment trends and proposed policy changes. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that universal card acceptance and the current interchange system are important to Massachusetts tourism and should not be disrupted ahead of a busy summer season. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates, who said processing fees are especially burdensome because restaurants operate on very thin margins and are charged fees on sales tax and tips that are not retained as revenue. Testifiers including Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, and Kerry Colzer described rising operating costs and gave examples of annual or monthly fee totals, urging relief from fees on tax and gratuity amounts. Ryan Lotz also asked for chargeback reforms, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, proportional fees, and safeguards against repeat abuse. Several witnesses, including Dan Swanson, argued that states have authority to regulate aspects of the payment system and cited the Illinois litigation and federal court rulings as support for state action. Opposing testimony came from credit unions, banks, payment industry representatives, and policy groups, who warned that changing interchange rules could create compliance burdens, reduce rewards, raise account fees, and shift costs elsewhere. Witnesses such as Alex Vereen, Brad Popolado, Keely McEwen, David Montero, Hunter Hamburlin, and Luke Bondar emphasized fraud prevention, network security, consumer protections, and the need for a stable, uniform payment system. Some suggested alternatives such as vendor compensation, surcharging, instant payments, or QR pay code standards, while others argued that sales tax and tip amounts cannot easily be separated within current card-network architecture. The chairs said the commission is still exploring options, discussed possible state-level solutions, and announced plans for one more public hearing before moving toward recommendations and a report. The commission then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington has struggled with auto thefts and vehicle prowls.
• Washington has struggled with auto thefts and vehicle prowls for decades, and the underlying statute,
• we believe, is intended to prevent auto thefts and vehicle prowls.
• help patients afford care over time while practices still cover basic costs like staff, rent, and equipment

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills. SB 5720 would enact the Uniform Consumer Debt Default Judgments Act, adding complaint and notice requirements before default judgments in consumer debt cases and preserving existing debt-buyer protections; the sponsor and witnesses from consumer and collection groups described it as a compromise measure, and there was broad support with 53 people signed in pro. SB 5833 would allow a vehicle to remain running for up to 30 minutes to keep a pet safe from heat or cold; the sponsor said he would amend liability language, while animal control and police groups raised concerns about shifting the focus away from animal welfare and creating liability issues, though many sign-ins were pro (107 pro, 4 con). SB 5936 would update human trafficking law by allowing prosecution of business entities that knowingly benefit from trafficking, adding confidentiality protections for victims, and creating a process for T and U visa certifications; survivors and advocacy groups supported it, while hospitality and law enforcement groups asked for clarifying amendments, especially on business liability and duplicative visa procedures, and sign-ins showed 24 pro and 283 con. SB 5993 would prohibit interest on new and unpaid medical debt and shorten enforcement of judgments involving medical debt to six years without renewal; supporters said it would reduce financial harm and help patients, while hospitals, physicians, collectors, and business groups warned it could discourage payment and worsen provider finances, especially for rural hospitals, with 129 sign-ins pro and no con sign-ins. Finally, SB 5735 would create state standards for labeling imitation firearms, including BB guns and toy guns, with advisories and penalties for altered markings; the sponsor said it was intended to reduce mistaken shootings, while gun-rights and firearms-training witnesses argued federal law already covers the issue and that the bill would burden lawful training and competition, with 8 pro and 184 con sign-ins. The committee closed each public hearing and adjourned without recorded votes on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Examples include identity theft scam, romance scam, or pretending to be the government.
• Examples include<00:21:35.840><c> identity</c><00:21:36.159><c> theft</c><00:21:36.559><c> scam,</c><
• 00:21:37.280><c> romance</c> include identity theft scam, romance include identity theft scam, romance
• And as we heard yesterday, it makes people vulnerable to theft and even kidnapping and assault.
• </c><00:58:39.680><c> and</c> it makes people vulnerable to theft and it makes people vulnerable to theft

Bills: HF3642 , HF2700 , HF3615

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 476 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez and others, an act relating to metal theft.
• I'm pleased to present AB 476 will enhance enforcement against copper wire theft and protect critical
• These measures aim to deter copper wire theft, protect public safety, and increase transparency.
• In the scrap metal industry, copper prices are near historic highs and copper theft is rampant across
• In the Central Valley, copper wire theft is running rampant.

Transcript Highlights:

• We keep buying equipment.
• We keep buying equipment.
• We keep buying equipment.
• We keep buying equipment.
• We keep buying equipment.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill provides more definitions for abuse and fraud and adds a definition of theft.
• statutes, our identity theft statutes, and financial exploitation statutes.
• statutes, our identity theft statutes, and financial exploitation statutes.
• At present um we are using other theft<02:22:41.439><c> statutes</c><02:22:41.840><c> that</c><02:22:
• I do know that in order to become what's considered a PAP, there is um a fair amount of equipment and

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Deceit, illegal compensation, bulk identity theft, and perjury.
• And one of the concerns that was brought out by the report is that identity theft is a real problem,
• It delves into medical marijuana treatment centers reporting attempted actual marijuana thefts to law
• It delves into medical marijuana treatment centers in reporting attempted actual marijuana thefts to
• It deals with mobile action. actual marijuana thefts to law enforcement within 24 hours.

Summary: The Senate began with opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including interns, Denim Day awareness, and a resolution honoring Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange on the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for former Senator Karen Johnson Gendron. After routine business, the Senate took up several special-order bills. The first major bill, transportation offenses involving death, increased penalties for repeat DUI/BUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide offenses. An amendment added penalties for refusal to submit to breath or urine testing and required law enforcement to notify suspects of those penalties. The bill passed 37-0. The Senate then passed SB 306 on Medicaid providers, requiring broader after-hours and holiday access to care and setting network standards for Medicaid managed care plans, also by a 37-0 vote. The chamber next considered a major condominium and cooperative associations bill responding to post-Surfside safety and financial concerns. Senators described the measure as balancing building safety with financial relief, extending reserve-study deadlines, allowing temporary reserve relief after inspections, tightening oversight of managers and inspectors, and adjusting voting, resale, and reserve rules. After extensive debate and praise from members for the bill’s sponsors and staff, the bill passed 37-0. The longest discussion centered on a constitutional amendments/petition process bill aimed at curbing fraud in citizen initiative petitions. Sponsors argued that the 2024 petition process was plagued by fraud and identity theft and proposed tighter rules for circulators, faster submission deadlines, voter notification, penalties, and limits on petition handling. Senators offered and adopted multiple amendments, including changes to petition-circulator definitions, invalid-signature thresholds, and voter notification procedures. After a substitute amendment was withdrawn, the Senate continued debating the underlying amended bill, with members split between concerns about election integrity and worries that the bill would burden volunteers and make it harder for citizen initiatives to qualify.

Transcript Highlights:

• or equipment in the victim's<01:26:40.560><c> name.
• I have people talk to me about deed theft, and it's kind of the same idea, where somebody fraudulently
• :17.280><c> deed</c> I have people talk to me about uh deed I have people talk to me about uh deed theft
• :39:19.040><c> of</c><01:39:19.119><c> the</c><01:39:19.360><c> same</c><01:39:19.520><c> idea</c> theft
• and it's kind of the same idea theft and it's kind of the same idea where<01:39:20.239><c> somebody<

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in reducing egg crimes so not just theft in reducing egg crimes so not just theft vandalism<01:07
• House Bill 498 is a necessary step towards addressing agriculture theft.
• agriculture theft and worked through<01:11:10.480><c> the</c><01:11:10.600><c> legal</c><01:11:11.000
• vandalism and trespassing have theft vandalism and trespassing have become<01:11:38.360><c> far</c><
• Mahalo for your time agriculture theft Mahalo for your time and<01:12:22.440><c> for</c><01:12:22.560

Committee: House Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:

• is current ARMOR equipment.
• Uh the rest is current armor equipment.
• </c><01:25:22.239><c> and</c> the differences of in the equipment and the differences of in the equipment
• </c><01:25:24.880><c> now</c> the old age of which their equipment now the old age of which their equipment
• </c> only apply to kids in schools but equip only apply to kids in schools but equip them<03:34:36.239

Transcript Highlights:

• had individuals who've applied for licenses, for example, who have gun crime convictions and felony theft
• If somebody has been charged with theft, they might not be the best person to protect somebody's assets
• If someone is involved in identity theft, credit card fraud, or financial crimes, they might not be the
• to telecommunications equipment includes broadband and cable services.
• Copper theft continues to be a significant problem in Minnesota.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, you may be equipped to answer this question, but do we have qualifying intimidations codified
• Members, House Bill 3244 modernizes Oklahoma’s criminal fraud and identity theft statutes.
• s shocking to me when you see that, when you hear about the numbers, we’re in a fraud and identity theft
• this will save local election boards money by removing this requirement of maintaining outdated equipment

Bills: HB2299 , HB2939 , HB2941 , HB2960 , HB3062 , HB3087 , HB3114 , HB3244 , HB3262 , HB3304 , HB3345 , HB3386 , HB3431 , HB3498 , HB3581 , HB3645 , HB3648 , HB3764 , HB3852 , HB3974 , HB4141 , HB4144 , HB4227 , HB4237 , HB4343 , HB4425

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee considered a large slate of executive nominations and bills. The nominations of Kevin Buchanan to the Oklahoma State Council of Interstate Adult Offender Supervision, Bobby Raines to the Polygraph Examiners Board, and Colton Richardson to the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System Board were each advanced to the full Senate without opposition. The committee then heard and advanced several measures on elections, criminal law, public safety, and civil procedure, including bills on Article V convention commissioner guardrails, precinct official terms and oaths, fraud and identity theft, treatment screening for arrested individuals, electronic monitoring eligibility, press access to certain arrest information, foreign terrorist organization-related offenses, CDL eligibility tied to the meth registry, sheriff service fees, fentanyl overdose reporting and presumptions, corporate law updates, appraiser fees in condemnation cases, child sexual abuse reporting protections, eviction mediation, garnishment response deadlines, retired municipal judges carrying firearms, critical mineral ownership restrictions, removal of a sunset on a sexual assault nurse examiner coordinator, enhanced riot and assault penalties, ability-to-pay hearings at sentencing, firearm component liability protections, hospice admission authority, government tort claims coverage for OU Health Authority, and tort claims coverage for county jails housing inmates for other entities. Several bills drew notable questioning and amendments. House Bill 2299, dealing with Article V convention commissioners, was advanced after debate over the bill’s “intimidation” language and its potential effect on political speech; Senator Jett opposed it on vagueness grounds. House Bill 3852 on precinct officials was amended to reflect Election Board recommendations, including changing a disqualification period from three to six years, before advancing. House Bill 2939, removing obsolete fax-machine references from election law, was amended to strike a repealed-law reference and then advanced. House Bill 4343, setting a $350 fee for court-appointed appraisers, prompted extended concern about fixing a market rate in statute; the title was stricken so the measure could be worked on further, but it still advanced. House Bill 4227, the child sexual abuse NDA bill, advanced after the author recognized concerns and agreed to strike the title for further work, and House Bill 3386 on same-day eviction mediation also advanced after the author struck title to revisit discrimination concerns. Other measures advanced with little or no opposition, including House Bills 3244, 3345, 3114, 4144, 3764, 3304, 3262, 2941, 3498, 4141, 4237, 3062, 3431, 3581, 3648, and 3974. Some bills generated focused policy questions, such as whether the fentanyl overdose presumption would be rebuttable, whether the meth registry is lifetime or time-limited, whether the electronic monitoring bill would be too restrictive, and whether the riot-mask felony language could affect law enforcement officers operating in an official capacity. The committee also restored title on several measures before advancing them. The meeting concluded with Chairman Howard thanking the committee and staff and noting it was his final policy committee meeting as chair before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when the $186 million investment came from Modernizing Older Californians Act, they were more equipped
• drill down for a second on that, because that investment wasn't primarily for capital stuff, for equipment
• enterprise data pipeline has unlocked the ability to perform rapid analytics that are used to prevent EBT theft
• before it happens and can be directly attributed to millions of dollars in avoided theft.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because she's nonverbal and requires one-to-one care, no program in California is currently equipped
• No overtime, limited rights, little ability to combat wage theft, and that is a part of our history.
• No overtime, limited rights, little ability to combat wage theft, and that is a part of our history.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several guest introductions, including a Canadian diplomatic delegation visiting for Canada Day at the Capitol and the undefeated Under-11 San Juan Spirits soccer team. The chamber also recognized guests connected to later resolutions, including families and advocates tied to profound autism and farm worker issues, as well as arts education leaders. The Senate adopted SR 89, recognizing March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day, after remarks emphasizing the need for greater awareness, research inclusion, and lifelong services for people with profound autism and their caregivers. Members also adopted SCR 147, proclaiming March 26 as Arts Education Month, with support focused on the value of arts education for creativity, engagement, and student success. Both resolutions passed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes. The chamber then took up AB 2156, an urgency measure renaming Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Worker Day and proclaiming March 31 as Farm Worker Day. Supporters from multiple caucuses and regions spoke about the history of farm labor, the contributions and sacrifices of farm workers, and the need to honor the broader movement and its diverse participants; some speakers also referenced recent allegations and the desire to center survivors and workers rather than one individual. The bill passed with 37 ayes and 0 noes, including the urgency clause. The Senate also adopted a consent calendar of several items without objection, then adjourned in memory of Caitlin Mardell Mallet and Roxanne Miller. The session concluded with announcements of a committee meeting and a one-week spring recess, with the next floor session scheduled for April 6, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because she's nonverbal and requires one-to-one care, no program in California is currently equipped
• No overtime, limited rights, little ability to challenge wage theft.
• No overtime, limited rights, little ability to challenge wage theft, and that is a part of our history

Transcript Highlights:

• the emergency rooms and it frustrates me to hear legislators who, not all of us, are trained and equipped
• substitute House Bill 20 relating to measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations and theft
• House Bill 20, relating to measures to prevent and reduce fraudulent charitable solicitations and theft

Bills: SB 8 , SB 1 , SB 2 , SB 5 , SB 10 , HB27 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , SB 9 , SB 7 , SB 17 , SB 4 , HB20 , HB18 , HB7 , HB17 , HB1 , HB20 , HB18 , SB9 , SB7 , SB17 , SB4 , SB1 , SR85 , SR87 , SB8 , SB5 , SB2 , SB10 , HB27

Transcript Highlights:

• Our methods unit is equipped to deal with millions of agency records or other entities' records, and
• So, for example, our criminal justice policy area dealt with felony theft thresholds this past year,
• So for example, our criminal justice policy area dealt with felony theft thresholds this this past year

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll have the officers, we'll have their equipment, the cars, and most of that is already there.
• The cars and equipment—you know, they've got the resources in place now, but they don't want to take
• A delinquent child is a child that has committed a crime, like an assault or theft or something like
• Their military experience equips them with leadership abilities, technical expertise, and strong work
• They purchased the equipment and established procedures within the SBI, which this body had asked for