Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and committee, removes the language from the original bill that created an accreditation process
• Through targeted recruitment, contract refinement based on feedback, and dedicated ongoing technical
• , I would just like a commitment to really... ...communication, understanding of this process.
• the ACCESS And those are the team members that are processing public benefits that you mentioned, that
• So an example of that includes we've made an For those team members that are processing benefits.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, as amended, the sponsor explained that the original child welfare language was replaced with a strike-all requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation to work with DCF and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability, report findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and allow penalties for failure to provide requested information. The committee adopted the amendment and amendment to the amendment, heard supportive testimony from child welfare advocates, and reported the committee substitute favorably. The committee also heard CS/SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, and clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, parents, and other supporters testified in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. On SB 794, the sponsor described requirements for background screening of employees in residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, workforce needs, geographic service gaps, and related recommendations due in 2027. The committee adopted a conforming amendment and reported the bill. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined DCF’s recent work on child welfare, behavioral health, peer support, and technology improvements, and answered questions about child welfare system challenges, funding formulas, opioid settlement dollars, and interoperability of agency systems. After public comment, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably, with Chair Graal voting no. The meeting ended with a request to record one senator’s vote on SB 1600 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and committee, removes the language from the original bill that created an accreditation process
• Through targeted recruitment, contract refinement based on feedback, and dedicated ongoing technical
• , I would just like a commitment to really... ...communication, understanding of this process.
• And those are the team members that are processing public benefits that you mentioned, that are working
• So an example of that includes we've made an ...for those team members that are processing benefits.

Bills: S0556 , S0794 , S1600

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Keywords: high school diploma, graduation requirements, physical education credit, performing arts credit, marching band, Special Olympics, students with disabilities, IEP, individual education plan, 504 plan, Florida education, school credits, diploma substitution, ROTC, dance class, State Board of Education, public schools, graduation pathways, adaptive physical education, Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and a technical amendment that shifted the bill from creating an accreditation process to requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation, DCF, and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability in the child welfare sector and report findings to the legislature by January 1, 2027; the bill also included enforcement provisions for failure to provide requested information. Support was noted from child and family advocacy groups, and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard CS for SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, if included in the student’s IEP, and would clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy both PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, families, and other supporters testified in favor, emphasizing flexibility, access, and recognition of rigorous activity. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 794, which requires background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs serving people with developmental disabilities and directs a review of waiver support coordination, including quality, consistency, access, competencies, recruitment and retention, caseloads, and geographic gaps in services. An amendment to conform to the House version was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members then questioned Secretary Taylor Hatch regarding her confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Senators raised concerns about child welfare system performance, parent notification and rights, CBC funding formulas, managing entities, opioid settlement spending, peer support expansion, and technology/interoperability improvements. Hatch described DCF’s recent data and initiatives, including reductions in out-of-home care entries, youth advisory efforts, missing children recovery operations, expanded behavioral health capacity, and technology upgrades for benefits processing. Public comment included support from family and provider organizations and concerns from a former foster care worker about medical misdiagnosis cases. The committee voted to recommend Hatch’s confirmation favorably, with Chair Grall voting no, and adjourned after allowing Senator Sharief to be recorded as voting in favor of SB 1600.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through targeted recruitment, contract refinement based on feedback, and dedicated ongoing technical
• And I see there is a brokenness to the system in terms of the ability to process families, cases, and
• , I would just like a commitment to really. communication understanding of this process I would just
• And those are the team members that are processing public benefits that you mentioned, that are working
• And those are the team members that are processing public benefits that you mentioned, that are working

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm grateful that you're stewarding this through the process.
• So I'm grateful that you're stewarding this through the process.
• And as we do in this process, we all rely on each other and on the information we're given.
• So typically in the development process you have a 30-day review, at which time local government would
• And that is part of the process that's also in the statutory timeframes.

Summary: The committee first temporarily postponed HB 381, then heard and passed HB 1015 by Rep. Hunschofsky, which expands flood disclosure requirements to long-term rental tenants in addition to homebuyers and clarifies that renters’ insurance does not include flood coverage. An amendment changed rental disclosure language to “dwelling unit,” and the bill received support from the American Flood Coalition, Audubon Florida, and the Florida Association of Realtors. Rep. Robinson praised the bill’s added protections, and the measure passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. The committee then considered HB 247 by Rep. Connerly, an affordable housing bill requiring local governments to adopt ordinances allowing accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas without added parking requirements, while limiting ADUs in planned unit developments and master-planned communities. Two amendments were adopted: one removed mezzanine financing language and another added certain newer manufactured homes to the ADU definition. Testimony was generally supportive, including from AARP, Florida Realtors, Americans for Prosperity, the Florida Chamber, and the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, but several members raised concerns about parking, infrastructure, historic neighborhoods, and short-term rentals. The bill passed favorably, though Ranking Member Cross voted no. Next, the committee took up HB 913 by Rep. Lopez, a broad condominium reform package addressing governance, financial transparency, reserves, insurance, voting, recalls, structural safety, and related issues. Three amendments were adopted: requiring seven years of posted meeting minutes online, allowing reserve contributions to be paused if a building is deemed uninhabitable, and clarifying that certain 2024 condo-law amendments do not apply retroactively to pending matters. Support came from AARP, the Florida Land Title Association, the Florida Bar’s Real Property section, Association Reserves, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Marriott, and others, while speakers urged continued work on reserve-account clarity and caution on hotel-condo provisions. Members praised Rep. Lopez’s work, and the bill passed unanimously. Finally, the committee heard HB 579 by Rep. Overdorf on development permits and orders, which would require clearer application requirements, hold local governments to existing review timeframes, provide fee refunds when deadlines are missed, and prevent local governments from arbitrarily limiting quasi-judicial hearings. Members asked about incomplete applications, substantive changes that restart timelines, and whether the bill should address additional land-use changes; the sponsor said he was open to continued discussion but believed the bill’s definitions were broad enough. Public testimony supported the bill, and after debate from Rep. Hunschofsky and Rep. Cross noting some remaining concerns, the bill passed favorably. The chair then reminded members to engage sponsors early on future bills and moved to rise from committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• We completely overhauled the pardon process, which is now significantly more efficient and fully processed
• As I just indicated, we're going to increase our automation processes.
• We were paying a contracted amount of $35,650.92 on that.
• So, we're saving that money by bringing that process back in-house.
• Next is agency goals and key performance metrics: Increased automation processes.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is in the process of being in a lawsuit.
• As with legislation that happens, and this is no different than the process that we've seen before with
• Isn't that process already in place with background checks? Superintendent? Mr.
• Some structure as minimal as this will actually be to begin with, but just start that process to set
• The easiest area possible, and that is with the hiring and the process that comes into play with that

Committee: Senate Education

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bills 1371 and 1372, which were described as measures to improve student safety by requiring more consistent disclosure and sharing of personnel information across educational entities, including public, charter, private, and micro schools. Senator Nichols said the bills would help ensure that allegations of misconduct, resignations during investigations, disciplinary actions, and other relevant employment history are not kept internal but are disclosed during hiring, and that cases involving covered individuals would be referred to the Idaho Professional Standards Commission. The State Superintendent said the department shared the goal of stronger mandatory reporting and hiring safeguards, and noted ongoing work with the Attorney General’s office and school attorneys to refine the language and align it with existing law and ethics training. Several committee members questioned how the proposal differed from current background checks and mandatory reporting laws, whether it would affect out-of-state applicants, and how it would apply to private schools and micro schools. Nichols said the bills were intended to fill gaps where information is not reported or transferred, and that the language would be adjusted to request records from prior employers over the last 10 years without automatically disqualifying applicants if information is unavailable. He also said the whistleblower language from SB 1372 would likely be folded into SB 1371 so the issues could be handled in one bill. The superintendent added that the department is also working on reinforcing the code of ethics and mandatory reporting expectations for educators. Testimony included statements from a friend reading a written statement for Dr. Laura Bolton, who said she had reported misconduct in the Boise School District and faced retaliation; the chair stopped that testimony when it touched on allegations tied to a current or previously settled case. Kathy Wilson testified that her son was assaulted in a Boise school restroom and said the district failed to report properly, while Tori Dole described retaliation after she reported concerns about a registered sex offender connected to a Boise school. After discussion, Senator Woodward moved to hold both bills in committee, and the motion passed unanimously, with the chair saying the committee would bring the bills back once the language was ready.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal is to address the issues that exist as a provider contract and build capacity.
• </c> provider contract and build capacity. provider contract and build capacity.
• </c> community supports approval process community supports approval process report<01:08:47.040><c>
• And I know that's on your mind, process.
• That's why I went this whole process.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , it can be a complicated process.
• I will say that we are in the process of working to expand those services.
• I recently sat in a meeting and we discussed... ...admissions process.
• I can't tell you exactly the process that happened.
• Provide a clear definition of hospital-level care to facilitate the admissions process.

Keywords: 1212, all

Summary: The hearing focused on the future of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, with commissioners, agency officials, workers, and families describing the hospital as a unique integrated setting combining medical care, rehabilitation, education, residential services, and adaptive engineering. Opening remarks from legislators emphasized continued budget funding, the legal requirement that Pappas not close before the commission reports, and a request to extend the commission’s deadline. Several commissioners and witnesses argued that admissions have effectively been curtailed while discharges continue, creating what they described as a de facto closure. Union leaders from AFSCME, SEIU, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association said staff are experiencing uncertainty, morale problems, and loss of confidence because referrals are being discouraged and the census is shrinking. They urged immediate action to stop admission denials and unnecessary discharges, and some proposed temporary modular units or other short-term investments to restore admissions while longer-term plans are developed. Parents and former patients testified that Pappas provided life-changing opportunities and supports that they could not find elsewhere, and that alternative programs or proposed Western Massachusetts options would not meet the same needs. Department of Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein said the administration supports keeping Pappas open and stable during the commission’s work, but argued that admissions must comply with hospital-level-of-care rules and that the campus’s deteriorating infrastructure limits who can be safely served. He said DPH is continuing admissions where appropriate, backfilling staff, and exploring ways to expand services, including outpatient therapies and adaptive engineering, while also acknowledging that Pappas is a one-of-a-kind system with no true in-state duplicate. Commissioners requested de-identified admissions and denial data and continued to press the department on whether the current operational changes amount to a silent closure.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it increases processing costs.
• When we challenging in processing.
• </c> we can process. we can process. &gt;&gt; Anybody<01:23:08.480><c> else?
• </c> um through that notification process. um through that notification process.
• </c> abandoned vehicle process available. abandoned vehicle process available.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The plants turn the CO2 through photosynthetic processes into cellulose and oxygen.
• The plants turn the CO2 through photosynthetic processes into cellulose and oxygen.
• The other thing we did was we had some longer-term and midterm contracts.
• </c> entered into those earlier contracts entered into those earlier contracts when<02:50:14.120><c>
• </c><02:53:08.960><c> to</c> you to go through a process to you to go through a process to essentially

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we can do the appeal process for the city.
• Uh we had appeal process is a good one.
• </c> the reform process. the reform process. Thank<01:10:32.640><c> you.
• So, yes, I'm very sympathetic toward the time process, and if we could have a larger time process with
• So, yes, I'm very sympathetic toward the time process, and if we could have a larger time process with

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill addresses the Agency for Health Care Administration contracting for a comprehensive study on
• They become risk-contracted providers. So I appreciate you looking into this.
• need to provide transparency for ALFs that claim to provide memory care services, but the resident contract
• acuity, not true memory care, could face burdensome rules beyond needed, simple transparency and contract
• you're advertising that you're providing memory care, you add some additional language into the contract

Summary: The Health Care Facilities and Systems Subcommittee met with a quorum present and considered four measures. The first was the PCS for HB 815, which would direct AHCA to study referral patterns by Medicaid managed care organizations and plans, including whether patients are being steered to providers with ownership or profit-sharing ties and how those services compare in cost. Members discussed transparency and potential cost impacts, and the PCS was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The committee then took up HB 1543, which narrows and clarifies an existing licensure attestation related to foreign countries of concern and controlling interests in health care entities. An amendment was adopted without objection to make clear the attestation applies to direct controlling interests. The bill was supported as a clarification for complex corporate structures, and it was reported favorably as amended by a 17-0 vote. Next, HB 899 addressed prescription drug coverage disclosures, aiming to prevent mid-year changes that could disrupt treatment or increase out-of-pocket costs for patients with chronic conditions. Supporters from Epic Pharmacies and the Florida Society of Rheumatology appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. Finally, the PCS for HB 493 on memory care facilities sought to add minimum standards and oversight for facilities advertising memory care services. The Florida Senior Living Association opposed the bill as overbroad and urged more refinement, while AHCA supported the added guardrails. The sponsor said the bill was intended to protect vulnerable residents and improve transparency, and the PCS was reported favorably by a 17-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a political process.
• In the normal prison process, you're downgraded and step down through that process, but if you have a
• </c><02:26:57.920><c> so</c> help talk them through the process so help talk them through the process
• There's no due process. This law is literally replete with due process.
• with du process in literally replete with du process in order<05:52:04.718><c> to</c><05:52:04.958><

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We operated under contract. It's been happening for like 50 years.
• We're updating the alternative gear authorization process.
• And those are whales, domoic, quality, and process.
• It was an interesting process, but we did get it done.
• another process.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture

Summary: The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture held its annual State of the Fishery forum, focusing on salmon, Dungeness crab, kelp, ocean conditions, and related aquaculture and committee reports. Opening remarks from committee leadership emphasized climate impacts, reduced federal NOAA support, state investments through Proposition 4, coastal resilience funding, and the importance of fisheries to rural economies and tribal communities. Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot described a decade of drought and climate stress, highlighted progress such as Klamath River dam removal, wetland restoration, and the state’s salmon strategy, and warned that federal funding uncertainty and staffing cuts could undermine restoration and fishery recovery efforts. Senator Cortese raised concerns about illegal cannabis cultivation damaging riparian habitat and water flows, and both Crowfoot and Fish and Wildlife Director Bonham said enforcement against illicit grows remains a major environmental priority but is constrained by resources. Director Bonham provided a broad update on California fisheries, reporting encouraging signs for salmon after several difficult years, including improved ocean conditions, stronger returns in some runs, and successful short recreational openings in 2025. He also noted major challenges, including reduced federal hatchery production at Nimbus, ongoing uncertainty around winter-run and spring-run recovery, and the need for continued habitat restoration, monitoring, and hatchery investment. On Dungeness crab, Bonham said the fishery remained valuable but constrained by whale entanglement risk, warming ocean conditions, and domoic acid concerns; he described new marked-line distribution, ropeless and alternative gear trials, and ongoing aerial and vessel monitoring. He also said the department’s unified cannabis enforcement task force had served numerous warrants and seized large amounts of illegal cannabis, but more funding is needed for sustained operations. In the salmon panel, Yurok Tribe fisheries director McCovey said the Klamath still faces low run sizes, climate-driven warming, wildfire impacts, and federal uncertainty, but he pointed to dam removal, restoration work, and AB 263’s river-flow protections as major advances. PCFFA president Bradshaw stressed that the three consecutive salmon closures have devastated coastal communities and argued for major reinvestment in aging Central Valley hatchery infrastructure and better broodstock management at Fall Creek. CalTrout’s Schneider said salmon remain at risk statewide, but cited Prop 4, habitat reconnection, floodplain restoration, improved water management, and monitoring as the main tools for recovery. In the crab panel, CDFW’s Schumann reported that the 2024–25 season produced record prices per pound and about $55 million in value despite delays and trap reductions, but he warned that three confirmed whale entanglements and elevated whale presence could force a conservative opener for 2025–26. PCFFA’s Domrash supported marked line, alternative gear, and a new gear-recovery network, while also criticizing the current ramp system as a response to a problem not fully grounded in science.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one on page six, line 3, by deleting After the word 'process' and before the word 'and', the word
• But anytime there's a third party coming in, there needs to be new negotiations, new contracts with that
• The Corporation Commission is chipping away with that, but it's a very slow process, very slow process

Bills: HB3183 , HB4316 , HB4484 , HB3469 , HB3464 , HB3173 , HB3989

Committee: Senate Energy

Keywords: electric utilities, grid congestion, transmission technology, advanced power flow controllers, dynamic line rating, energy efficiency, rural water service, district organization, emergency legislation, Oklahoma, water management, state vehicles, state-owned vehicles, state-leased vehicles, motor vehicle use, commuting use, personal use, fleet management, Corporation Commission, field inspectors

Transcript Highlights:

• remember from last year, it gives a contractor who is working, in this case the county, the ability to contract
• the city that I've served on, is that once we appoint the members of the library board, there's no process
• So we do have an elected process.
• House Bill 658 provides a process for a board of county commissioners to fill vacancies on a cemetery

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about a process that's We're talking about a process that's supposed<00:15:33.519><c> to
• </c><01:20:36.480><c> but</c> statute to understand the process but statute to understand the process
• </c> this process actually works. this process actually works.
• </c> educational process. educational process.
• </c> um so this process is the whole process um so this process is the whole process of<05:18:47.520>

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• process.
• That application process happens where?
• I'm not advised on the process.
• Yeah, through the through the RFP process.
• The accreditation process for private schools already includes safety assessments. and also the process

Bills: SB2 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117 , SB503 , SB2 , HB 120 , HB20 , HB150 , HB6 , HB 100 , HB210 , HB215 , HB1393 , HB 1151 , HB 1268 , HB142 , HB451 , HB 124 , HB2 , HB2000 , HB2196 , HB213 , HB222 , HB645 , HB1458 , HB 1022 , HB141 , HB502 , HB643 , HB3093 , HB1700 , HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• or that whole process is.
• <01:18:34.480><c> or</c><01:18:34.760><c> or</c><01:18:35.080><c> that</c> process or or that process
• </c><01:19:43.679><c> and</c> go through this whole legal process and go through this whole legal process
• The change in the process would... Thank you, Mr. Fritz.
• The change in the process would... Thank you, Mr. Fritz.

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 655 would limit collection of unpaid motor vehicle taxes, fees, and penalties to the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. The Department of Transportation opposed the bill, saying it could significantly affect state and county revenues and that the fiscal impact was hard to estimate. The Tax Foundation noted the bill would shorten the existing collection period, while an individual testifier supported it as a narrow measure that would help owners of old or inherited vehicles. In questioning, the department said it could not quantify the cost but suggested it would prefer case-by-case flexibility rather than a fixed five-year limit. HB 697 would authorize Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement personnel to inspect and certify evidence from automated speed enforcement systems and would appropriate funds for the program. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, citing the workload created by the red-light camera pilot and the need to assist police and prosecutors. The Department of the Attorney General supported the concept but recommended technical amendments so the verification language would apply consistently across the chapter and allow the appropriate reviewing entity to act. The committee also heard support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and opposition from three individuals. HB 711 would require defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child while driving under the influence to provide financial support to the surviving child. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing that criminal restitution must be tied to verified losses and that this type of long-term support is better handled in civil court, where trusts, conservatorships, and insurance claims can be addressed. The Department of Transportation supported the bill as a deterrent to impaired driving, and police, prosecutors, and an injury prevention group also submitted support. Members questioned whether the measure was better suited to civil litigation, and the public defender agreed that the civil system was the proper venue. HB 108 would allow direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees and require county liquor commissions to adopt rules. The Attorney General raised constitutional concerns, saying the bill’s different treatment of out-of-state manufacturers could violate the dormant Commerce Clause and recommended revisions. Brewers and distillers testified in support, saying the bill would put beer and spirits on a similar footing with wine direct shipment, help small producers reach consumers, and support the local economy without increasing underage access. They also said the bill should be amended to address grandfathering language. No final votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Therefore, staff recommends discontinuing the process withholding turnback as outlined in Code 14-59-
• Therefore, staff recommends discontinuing the process withholding turnback as outlined in Code 14-59-
• So we would have a plan to, at our next meeting, go ahead and address that, at least start a process
• He moved to Benton, but we're in the process of getting, or retained, another city attorney.
• Other than we receive them, we process them, and we send them through the committee.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee began with prayer and approval of the January 8 minutes, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that for the 2022 reports, 19 of 43 entities had had their turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reports, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five outstanding. The committee also filed a report on Adona, where staff said the city had made enough progress toward substantial compliance with municipal accounting laws to discontinue withholding turnback, and the committee adopted that recommendation. The bulk of the meeting focused on municipal accounting noncompliance cases. Gum Springs and Denning were presented with extensive repeat findings involving budgets not adopted by ordinance or resolution, missing or incomplete bank reconciliations, inadequate receipts and disbursement records, payroll issues, and improper handling of Act 833 funds or other city money. Both cities’ mayors and recorders-treasurers testified about efforts to correct records, obtain training, and work with the Municipal League; the committee voted to start the 60-day turnback-withholding clock for both and then filed the reports. Fargo was deferred because no city representative was present. Additional reports included Green Forest, Elaine, Strong, Brooklyn, Mineral Springs, Rondo, Waldo, Columbia County, and several private water and sewer entities. Strong drew significant concern over missing garbage-bag revenue, improper fund transfers, and deficit balances; the committee deferred that report to the March meeting. The committee also heard investigative or referred reports on the Faulkner County Fair Association, Brooklyn payroll direct-deposit fraud, and other entities with questionable disbursements or recordkeeping. In several cases, staff recommended filing the reports after responses were received; in others, the committee deferred action when responses were lacking or representatives were absent. The meeting ended with a motion to defer a Cross County Rural Water matter so the entity could appear at the next meeting.