Transcript Highlights:

• These are not human entities. These are algorithms. They are machines mimicking as therapists.
• Um, the amendment actually covers a lot of what you were just talking about in that it's really looking
• Um, the amendment actually covers a lot of what you were just talking about in that it's really looking
• Um, the amendment actually covers a lot of what you were just talking about in that it's really looking
• Um, the amendment actually covers a lot of what you were just talking about in that it's really looking

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the FDIC only covers very specific things, and I don't think any of it's due to fraud.
• One of them, Representative Dahlaby covered on the legislative part.
• I don't really have anything else to cover, but I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you, Joe.
• I think you covered questions that weren't even asked, and I appreciate that because you were listening
• Is there any insurance that you can carry to cover that? No, sir.

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:

• I know the FDIC only covers very specific things, and I don't think any of it's due to fraud.
• One of them, Representative Dahlaby covered on the legislative part.
• I don't really have anything else to cover, but I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you, Joe.
• I think you covered questions that weren't even asked, and I appreciate that because you were listening
• Is there any insurance that you can carry to cover that? No, sir.

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:

• Let's face it, the summer has been really bad for our public safety entity in Minneapolis or in St.
• before this incident were there, and so, and but there's ones that we never, that the press never covers
• > no</c><00:04:34.080><c> one</c><00:04:34.160><c> ever</c><00:04:34.400><c> does</c> press never covers
• that no one ever does press never covers that no one ever does and<00:04:35.120><c> so</c><00:04:35.360
• And they don't just cover Hennepin County; they cover the whole state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today our hearing will cover labor and workforce development.
• The Possibility Lab is a is a entity within UC Berkeley that did an independently funded study on the
• And what the fund is designed to do is to cover any work comp costs associated with with a pre-existing
• injury such that an employer's compensation would only cover the injury that occurred while that worker
• The question may be asked, was this going to be enough to cover our needs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's two separate entities. We're the executive and they're the judiciary.
• </c> employment in a covered position ends. employment in a covered position ends.
• </c> until the employment in that covered until the employment in that covered position<00:19:09.120>
• Meant to cover more serious crimes.
• </c> cover more serious crimes. cover more serious crimes.

Bills: SB2041

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: land court, real property, legal documents, bureau of conveyances, judicial confirmation, property registration, working group, Hawaii Revised Statutes, reform, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard SB 2041, which would repeal the Land Court, transfer its functions to the Bureau of Conveyances, and create a working group to recommend implementation. DLNR and Judiciary stood on their written testimony, while Realtors supported the bill and one testifier raised concerns about the loss of judicial authority, title disputes, adverse possession, and possible effects on Kuleana lands. Members questioned whether property could be deregistered and what the legal consequences would be, and the Bureau of Conveyances said deregistration is already available but burdensome. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted by both committees. The Judiciary Committee then heard SB 2247, which restricts certain governor-appointed, Senate-confirmed executive branch employees from participating in campaign fundraising. The State Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission supported the bill as a way to curb pay-to-play concerns and the appearance of undue influence, and several advocacy and civic groups also testified in support, with one person opposing. The committee agreed to amend the bill so the restrictions apply only after confirmation and continue until the person leaves the covered position. The committee voted to pass SB 2247 with amendments. Finally, the Judiciary Committee heard SB 2143, which would make the Attorney General the interim Chief Election Officer if that office becomes vacant until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement. Supporters argued the bill would provide continuity, prevent delays in certifying election results, and protect election integrity; opponents argued it would politicize the office, create a conflict of interest, and was unnecessary because current law already provides a process for filling vacancies. Testimony was extensive and sharply divided, with many speakers on both sides. The transcript provided does not include a final vote or action on SB 2143.

Transcript Highlights:

• next to the U.S. government, I imagine California is up there as one of the largest procurement entities
• Next to the U.S. government, I imagine California is up there as one of the largest procurement entities
• consumer sensors and in fact direct to consumer care that's outside of what we would traditionally be covered
• This is going to cover an area that is, I think, important to all of us from privacy and consumer protection
• Well, with that, a lot of information covered here today, I want to thank you all for your participation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, in this instance, it's ratepayers without representation, and those ratepayers cover numerous
• I think Senator Keenan covered it quite well, but I want to make a couple of points.
• continue with the rest of the process as outlined in the statute potentially directing it to a favorite entity
• Most of what I had intended to cover was discussed already by Representative Gentile, whose bills are
• Most of what I had intended to cover was discussed already by Representative Gentile, whose bills are

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hybrid hearing on bills related to land use, zoning, permitting, municipal governance, and homelessness. Early testimony focused on a home rule petition for Ipswich to remove a residency requirement for a town manager, with supporters saying it would broaden the applicant pool and help fill a vacant permanent manager position. Another panel backed legislation to change the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission’s governance so ratepayers in surrounding communities would have representation, arguing the current board structure leaves many users without a voice in rate-setting and capital decisions. Several housing and zoning bills drew testimony. Senator Keenan and the Home Builders and Remodelers Association supported a bill to toll the one-year period for acting on a variance while an appeal is pending, saying appeals should not consume the time needed to implement approved projects. Representative Murray and the Real Estate Bar Association also testified on broader zoning reforms, including changes to undersized lots, merger rules, hearing deadlines, appeals, and variance standards; they argued the proposals would reduce delay and uncertainty and help housing production. Committee members questioned whether shifting zoning appeals from de novo to closed-record review would limit new evidence, and the witnesses said the change would speed cases while preserving limited opportunities to supplement the record. The committee also heard testimony on bills to end the criminalization of homelessness. Representatives, advocates, and shelter organizations said local camping bans and fines are counterproductive, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass decision, and urged a statewide response centered on housing and public health rather than punishment. Other municipal bills included remote participation in open town meetings for Wayland and a statewide local option, Fairhaven and Mattapoisett charter changes, and Cambridge’s request to use automated parking enforcement and mail parking tickets. The hearing also included testimony supporting fairground zoning flexibility, a Shrewsbury solar siting bill, and an Inspector General bill clarifying county land disposition procedures by requiring written notice to DCAM and a defined response period. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's a bill in the Senate authored by Senator Meisel that may open up... ...two other entities
• I assume there's a covering for ethics, just to make sure that we cross our T's correctly?
• It does need to be, it will be covered.
• And please note that the Department of Education, in terms of the sunset, includes all entities placed
• I'm not sure that they can cover every topic.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee met on March 18, 2026, with 11 members present and adopted prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee first heard HB 649 by Rep. Brass, which would create a statewide common application portal for dual enrollment. Supporters from the Pelican Institute and the Board of Regents said the bill would simplify enrollment, reduce paperwork for counselors and families, and improve awareness of dual enrollment options. Members asked about nonparticipation by institutions and access for nontraditional students; the bill was reported favorably without objection. The committee then took up HB 807 by Rep. Brass, which would establish the Workforce Instructor Capacity Investment Program within LCTCS to help recruit and retain instructors for high-demand workforce programs. Testimony from River Parishes Community College, Dow, and the Louisiana Chemical Association described instructor shortages as a bottleneck for training workers for major industrial projects, and said employer-sharing models and apprenticeships have been successful. An amendment expanded eligibility to include LSU Eunice and Southern University at Shreveport, and the committee adopted the amendments. After debate about whether the state needed a new fund versus using existing systems, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-1 roll call vote. Next, the committee heard HB 285 by Chairman Bacala, which authorizes school boards to cooperate with banks and credit unions to operate branches in high schools as part of financial literacy programs. Bacala said the bill clarifies statutory authority, and an amendment added banks to the original credit union language. Members discussed ethics, exclusivity, student access, and whether the branches could market products; supporters from LABI and financial industry groups said the programs improve hands-on financial education. The bill was reported with amendments without objection. The committee also considered HB 28 by Rep. Owen, which adds a BESE-level appeal for certain teacher certification applicants affected by administrative or contractor errors. Owen described a case in which applicants paid for certification programs but were denied because of a mentor-signature issue, and said the amendment would require BESE or its designee to act within 30 days. Department of Education staff said the Teacher Certification Appeals Council had already granted extensions rather than outright denials in the affected cases, but the committee advanced the bill after a 9-4 roll call vote. Finally, the committee began HB 268 by Rep. Carver, which would strengthen career exposure requirements for students by tying activities more closely to high-wage, high-demand jobs and adding an annual exposure requirement in K-5; testimony emphasized early workforce awareness, and discussion focused on keeping the requirements manageable for schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even though, unlike some other states, neither California hate crime nor vulnerable victim laws cover
• crime or vulnerable. unlike some other states, neither California hate crime or vulnerable victim laws cover
• federal government agencies, we're not going to get the help that we thought we would from federal entities
• about the relationship and role between the... to get the help that we thought we would from federal entities
• H.S. provides monthly trainings and capacity-building support, covering topics such as communications

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've already covered the top half of this final thoughts graph. Thank you.
• We've already covered the top half of this final thoughts graph.
• So we've got that base covered. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Rogers. Okay.
• And so I'm a big advocate of cooperation between government entities.
• Automated enforcement was authorized by the state to allow these entities to run these programs.

Summary: The committee first received a lengthy presentation from JLBC staff comparing the JLBC baseline budget with the executive proposal. Staff said the baseline shows about $577 million in available cash above statutory formulas, but that major items not included—especially tax conformity, ongoing health and school repair costs, and new federal Medicaid/SNAP administrative requirements—would significantly change the picture. The executive budget was described as about $1.1 billion larger than the JLBC baseline, driven by revenue and spending proposals including border security funding, tax conformity, higher sports betting taxes, elimination of a data center equipment exemption, short-term rental and water surcharges, SNAP administrative and error-rate costs, and several one-time items that staff argued appear ongoing. Members also discussed rising caseloads and supplementals in developmental disabilities, Medicaid/Access, and education, including concerns about declining enrollment, possible fraud in Access, and the SNAP error rate. The committee then heard and passed SB 1032, which appropriates $1.5 million from the General Fund in FY 2027 to fund the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Testimony from the sponsor and advocates emphasized the need for independent oversight of the Department of Corrections, transparency, whistleblower reporting, and avoiding federal receivership. The bill was given a due pass recommendation on a 10-0 vote. Next, the committee considered several transportation appropriations. SB 1064, as amended, would appropriate $3 million to ADOT for improvements along West Route 66 in Flagstaff; the mayor and local planning officials testified that the corridor is congested and dangerous, with significant growth and crash history. The bill passed 7-3. SB 1059 would appropriate $9.2 million for an additional right-turn lane at SR 87 and SR 260 in Payson; supporters cited severe backups and safety concerns, and it passed 7-3. SB 1062 would appropriate $1 million for an additional left-turn lane at US 60 and Superstition Mountain Drive in Gold Canyon; supporters said the intersection is a major bottleneck and safety issue, and it passed 6-4. Finally, the committee began hearing SCR 1004, which would place on the ballot a prohibition on photo enforcement systems used by local authorities or state agencies for speeding and red-light violations. The sponsor and public testimony argued that automated enforcement is unpopular, unconstitutional, and prone to abuse, citing allegations of campaign money tied to ticket revenue and forged judicial signatures on citations. The transcript cuts off during public testimony, before any committee vote on SCR 1004 or the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if I don’t cover your point, let me know. This is about not whatever that is.
• We have a bar that is covering for individuals that should be charged with sex crimes who are not.
• There was no opposition from any government entity on a request to speak, so I think the concerns that
• to their reputation and is entitled to loss of earnings, which are calculated during the period covering
• We also even extended that to reaching out to the Secretary of State's office and other entities for

Bills: SB1003 , SB1006 , SB1029 , SB1037 , SB1038 , SB1039 , SB1040 , SB1053 , SB1057 , SB1060 , SB1061 , SB1068 , SB1069

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: election, canvass, certification, ballot tabulation, write-in candidates, registration, voting procedures, campaign finance, contribution limits, reporting requirements, political action committees, elections, campaign contributions, candidate committees, posthumous provisions, termination process, Arizona Revised Statutes, voting systems, vote tabulation, election security

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's not a partisan entity and a nonprofit state agency.
• Even if those people are here illegally, they are specifically not covered by this bill with regard to
• But I believe that it is covered.
• The capital felonies that are covered by this bill are first-degree murder, the killing of an unborn
• What he was supposed to was against state legislation or state entities stepping into the shoes role

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why do you need us to create an entity in government when this could be done privately and it's a 501
• Would you entertain covering a more broader area so that our licenses can stop being scanned?
• Would you entertain<00:57:19.200><c> covering</c><00:57:19.599><c> a</c><00:57:19.839><c> more</c><00
• :57:20.079><c> broader</c><00:57:20.640><c> area</c> entertain covering a more broader area entertain
• The previous speakers have covered a number of points, but I'll try to make mine brief.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a lot of conversation about adding different entities to the actual working group.
• </c><00:10:26.640><c> uh</c><00:10:26.800><c> to</c> about adding different entities uh to about adding
• different entities uh to the<00:10:27.279><c> actual</c><00:10:27.600><c> working</c><00:10:28.000><
• to serve as uh appropriate entities to serve as uh program<00:54:42.480><c> administrators.
• And then um other entities requirements.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There may be an entity operating in the state sending money to places.
• They're covered if they're...
• Taxation and license fees won't cover the cost of regulation, much less.
• If you charged $600 per hemp license per year, that would cover it.
• I think, really, to cover themselves, because, you know, it's...

Bills: HB5

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: hemp, cannabinoids, regulation, occupational licenses, consumable products, marketing, criminal offenses, labeling requirements, health and safety, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that is my understanding then I'll turn it over to the worthy and wonderful Senator Mchuan who will cover
• Members, in your spreadsheet, there is a statutory appropriation to DEED that's being covered.
• </c> being covered. being covered. um<00:52:20.079><c> that</c><00:52:20.400><c> deed</c><00:52:20.800
• </c><01:28:29.040><c> They're</c> entity is not worthy of it. They're entity is not worthy of it.
• ,</c><02:06:08.239><c> the</c> to consider the size, the entity, the to consider the size, the entity

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in that case, the only other entity it could apply to is if another city forms somewhere, which would
• obstruction to them, but I want their success, but I want to make sure that the rest of the state's covered

Committee: House Municipal

Summary: The Municipal Program of Cultural Affairs Committee met with a quorum and took up three Senate bills by Senator Edmonds, all related to the new City of St. George. The first bill, SB 348, would allow a local enforcement agency to contract with third-party vendors for administrative support in motor vehicle liability enforcement, such as plate processing, insurance verification, and notices, while making clear the vendors would not have police powers. Members raised concerns that the bill as drafted appeared statewide rather than local to St. George, and discussed how to limit it properly. After debate, the committee adopted amendments to narrow SB 348 to cities incorporated after October 1, 2019 and to sunset the authority on July 31, 2028, with the understanding that St. George could return later with a properly advertised local bill. The bill then received favorable action. The committee then considered SB 485, which transfers authority to levy and collect the insurance premium tax within St. George to the city beginning January 1, 2027; it was reported favorably without objection. Finally, the committee heard SB 444, which gives St. George expropriation authority for public infrastructure projects such as roads, drainage, flood protection, water, sewer, and utilities, using procedures similar to other Louisiana municipalities and DOTD. Members asked about the process and confirmed it was standard municipal authority and not related to private industry. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and members and a reminder that this was the committee’s last meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, and in that case the only other entity it could apply to is if another city forms somewhere, which
• But I want to make sure that the rest of the state's covered, that this doesn't just get lost in the

Bills: SB348 , SB444 , SB485

Committee: House Municipal

Keywords: motor vehicles, enforcement, administrative support, law enforcement, private service provider, regulatory compliance, expropriation, public purpose, property rights, compensation, city governance, St. George, insurance premium tax, city of St. George, municipal authority, local taxation, East Baton Rouge Parish, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• finding what we might now call over-appropriations or dormant projects, last year we were able to cover
• Even though some of those projects had activity that maybe we weren’t aware of in these non-state entities

Summary: The Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs met on May 19, 2026, established a quorum, approved the May 11 minutes, and then took up several House bills. House Bill 1039, presented by Rep. DeSotel, would add taxpayer protections in local sales tax audits by requiring clear notice that waiving prescription is voluntary, requiring a written request identifying records sought before an estimated assessment, and allowing mutual agreements to suspend interest and penalties during an audit. The committee had no opposition and reported the bill favorably. House Bill 799, handled by the State Fire Marshal’s office, would move boiler inspections into the Fire Marshal’s office and allow licensed industry inspectors to perform them, with the stated goal of improving efficiency because current staffing only covers about 20% of inspections; it was also reported favorably without objection. The committee then spent most of the meeting on House Bill 2, the capital outlay bill, with Chairman Bacala explaining that the House had worked with the Division of Administration and Facility Planning and Control to find about $50 million in savings through cash-flow adjustments, under-budget bids, over-appropriations, and bundled-project savings. He argued the bill has grown beyond a true five-year plan and that some prior funding is not transparent because money placed in projects in earlier years no longer appears in later versions of the bill. Division officials said the savings would help address deferred maintenance, especially in higher education, and that Priority 2 projects are used to absorb additional funds if more savings are found later in the year. Senator Luneau asked about dormant projects and the process for removing or reallocating funds from projects with no recent expenditures; officials said such removals must go through the Bond Commission and that they are considering ways to improve the process. Bacala then offered amendments to HB 2, saying they kept Priority 1 fully funded, added about $54 million in Priority 2 projects, and included a large Priority 5 list of member requests. The committee adopted the amendment set without objection and then reported HB 2 as amended favorably. The committee also reported House Bill 3 favorably; Bacala described it as a housekeeping measure that provides bonding capacity to move HB 2 forward. Finally, the committee granted staff authority to make technical changes to the reported bills and adjourned on Senator Lambert’s motion.