Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Senate Standing Committee on Consumer Protection.
• This bill was reported from the Consumer Protection Committee last year.
• credit report to notify such consumer of their right to obtain a security freeze.
• credit report to notify such consumer of their right to obtain a security freeze.
• And that concludes our meeting of the Consumer Protection Committee. our meeting of the Consumer Protection

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Consumer Protection met for its third meeting of the 2026 session and considered seven bills. The agenda focused on consumer fraud and disclosure issues, including bicycle serial numbers to deter theft, 45-day notice before credit card account closures, prohibiting hospitals and health care providers from storing credit card information without consent, gas station assistance for disabled motorists, deletion of financial information after cancellation of automatic renewals or continuous services, protections for private education loan borrowers and co-signers, and notice of the right to place a security freeze when a consumer credit report is accessed. Several sponsors and members described the bills as responses to constituent complaints or practical consumer-protection concerns. Senator Myrie noted support for the credit card notice bill but raised concerns about fraud-related account shutdowns and possible amendments; one member said she would vote no on that bill but was open to further discussion. Other bills drew little or no debate, with members generally describing them as common-sense protections or overdue disclosures. The private education loan bill was described as increasingly urgent due to federal changes affecting student loans. The committee voted to advance all seven bills. Some were reported to the calendar, while others were reported to first reading or to another committee, depending on the bill. The meeting concluded after the final vote, with the chair noting that vote sheets were available for absent members.

Transcript Highlights:

• consumer payment applications. consumer payment applications.
• different kinds of consumer risks. different kinds of consumer risks.
• <01:01:15.760> reporting,<01:01:16.720> consumer respect to consumer reporting, consumer
• consumers $5 billion a year. consumers $5 billion a year.
• and less consumer freedom.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill further outlines certain practices that constitute consumer fraud and allows the Attorney General
• to take action in line with the consumer fraud statute.
• Thank you. ...to consumer fraud and allows the Attorney General to take action in line with the consumer
• fraud statute.
• I believe in consumer choice, and that consumers ought to be able to pick.

Bills: SB1003, SB1060, SB1134, SB1275, SB1327, SB1429, SB1618, SB1634, SB1654, SB1803, SCR1002, SCR1005, SCR1023, SCR1027

Keywords: election, canvass, certification, ballot tabulation, write-in candidates, registration, voting procedures, voter registration, temporary absence, absentee voting, residency, military voters, overseas voters, election law, Arizona Revised Statutes, political signs, campaign materials, public safety, municipal regulation, veterans

Summary: The committee first heard a lengthy presentation and discussion focused on Arizona State University’s foreign research ties, especially collaborations and funding connected to China and Chinese military-affiliated institutions. The presenter argued that ASU and the Arizona Board of Regents had not been transparent about foreign gifts, contracts, and research partnerships, citing federal reporting forms, the Wolf Amendment, export-control concerns, and alleged links to dual-use technologies such as quantum systems, AI, robotics, microelectronics, and biosecurity. A witness from American Global Strategies testified in support, saying the bill would help protect U.S. research security and national security by imposing state-level guardrails on sensitive collaborations. After questions, the committee considered a strike-everything amendment to SB 1060 that would bar public universities from entering into or continuing certain loans, gifts, contracts, research partnerships, or sponsored projects involving the PRC, the CCP, and listed Chinese military-linked universities, require ABOR review and approval, and impose reporting and budget penalties. The amendment was withdrawn, and the committee instead took up SB 1327, which directs ABOR to require university research security policies and to report annually on those policies and on foreign contributions over $250,000; SB 1327 received a 4-2 do-pass recommendation, with Del Santos, Hernandez, and Márquez voting no and Kolodin, Powell, Keshel, and Gillette voting yes. The committee then heard SB 1803, a veterans bill regulating unrecognized persons who assist with VA disability claims. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would protect veterans from bad actors by requiring disclosures, capping fees, banning certain practices, and filing service agreements with the Attorney General, while opponents argued it could restrict consumer choice, resemble a price ceiling, and still allow non-attorneys to engage in the unauthorized practice of law. After extensive debate over contingent fees, legal ethics, and whether the bill was too favorable to one company, the committee continued the hearing with additional testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So is this going to protect them from fraud, or will it protect their... ...protect them from fraud,
• We will now move to PCS for 147, Prohibited Practices and Consumer Debt Collection.
• I was reading through the text you sent me and I was looking at the consumer goods.
• So I think this doesn't expose the consumers any more than the information.
• So this is something that I see as being a benefit to the consumers of Florida.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and heard several insurance- and financial-services-related bills. HB 315 was temporarily postponed. The chair also noted that, following the speaker’s remarks, members should expect additional special meetings as the committee investigates insurance-related issues and seeks transparency and the truth. HB 497, relating to nonprofit agricultural organization health coverage, was presented as a way to give Florida Farm Bureau members—especially farmers, ranchers, and small business owners—more affordable health coverage options. An amendment added statutory placement changes, disclosures that the product is not commercially sold, and annual financial audits. Members discussed ACA-related protections, fraud, and insolvency concerns, and the bill received support from Florida Farm Bureau and was reported favorably 16-0. HB 379, the annual securities package, updated exemptions, foreign jurisdiction rules, the Florida Invest Local Exemption, merger-and-acquisition broker rules, fingerprinting requirements, and technical issues in the Securities Guarantee Fund. Three amendments clarified entity definitions and fingerprint/live-scan requirements; the bill drew support from industry and OFR and passed favorably 17-0. The PCS for HB 147 on consumer debt collection clarified prohibited communications during nighttime hours, with the sponsor and supporters explaining the intent was to allow email while restricting other forms of contact and reduce litigation over passive communications. Members and public witnesses discussed ambiguity in the wording, and the sponsor said further cleanup language may still be needed; the PCS was reported favorably 17-0. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance, drew support from industry and humane society representatives, and passed favorably 17-0. HB 367 on home and service warranty association financial requirements allowed financial compliance through multiple contractual liability insurance policies and alternative parent-company documentation; an amendment corrected cross-references and duplicative language, and after questions about consumer protections and insolvency, the bill was reported favorably 17-0. Finally, HB 7003 preserved a public-records exemption for sensitive financial technology sandbox application materials; members discussed the sandbox concept and possible future issues, but no amendments were taken and the bill passed favorably 17-0. The meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation is a significant step forward in consumer protection and fighting fraud.
• NICB is proud to support this pro-consumer, anti-fraud legislation, and respectfully asks for your aye
• So the Autoglass Safety Council supports consumer protection, ADAS calibration, documentation, and anti-fraud
• up against any potential fraud.
• Fraud increases premiums. We... ...concern. Fraud increases premiums. We all pay for it.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with SB 99, which would require courts and law enforcement to better recognize military protective orders in domestic violence cases and allow civilian judges to consider those orders when reviewing restraining order requests. Supporters, including the Department of Defense and military-related organizations, said the bill would close jurisdictional gaps that leave military families vulnerable off base. The bill drew no opposition and was approved on a unanimous vote, with members also expressing support for the author’s request to be added as coauthors. Members then heard SB 1237, a pay equity reporting enforcement bill that would increase penalties for repeat noncompliance with California’s employer pay-data reporting requirements. The author and supporters from Power California Action and HOPE argued that stronger penalties are needed because the state is still missing pay data for hundreds of thousands of workers and wage gaps persist, especially for women of color. There was no opposition testimony, but one member voted no; the bill passed to Appropriations and was placed on call. SB 1387 followed, proposing to allow Jewish identity to be reported as an ethnic category in state demographic data collection. Supporters said the change would improve data accuracy and help identify discrimination, while opponents from Jewish Voice for Peace and other Jewish speakers argued the bill was unworkable, unnecessary, and could be harmful or exceptionalizing. The committee approved the bill on a unanimous vote to Privacy. The committee also approved SB 932, which would require assignees filing civil actions to identify the original party in the case caption, after testimony that the change would improve transparency and help courts, the public, and journalists track assigned claims. SB 988, an auto glass industry bill, drew the most extensive debate: the author and the National Insurance Crime Bureau said it would curb fraud, restrict certain assignment-of-benefits practices, and improve consumer safety, while independent glass shops and their associations warned it could restrict consumer choice and favor insurers or large networks. Despite those concerns, the bill passed to Appropriations. SB 1296, requiring landlords to disclose pet policies before collecting application fees, also passed after supporters described the bill as a narrow transparency measure and opponents raised concerns about pet addenda and eviction procedures. Finally, SB 747, the “No Kings Act,” would create a state cause of action for constitutional violations by federal officers; supporters cited abuses by ICE and Border Patrol and the need for accountability, while law enforcement groups warned about uncertainty around qualified immunity and retroactivity. The bill was supported by several members, but the transcript ends before a final committee vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of Consumer Reports, in support, SB 898 requires makers of connected devices to tell consumers
• SB 898 requires companies to provide information consumers can use when they purchase consumer devices
• SB 435 is a critical piece of pro-consumer legislation that will protect consumer information and increase
• CPA and fulfill consumer requests and rights.
• Justin Brookman, Consumer Reports, in support, also for Consumer Action and Asian Americans Advancing

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• under their watch. and there's enormous fraud and that and there's enormous fraud and that hasn't<00
• <00:14:54.959> fiscal Nash's bill um to create fraud fiscal Nash's bill um to create fraud
• , where it's consumer fraud, that's under the jurisdiction of the BCA.
• And the attorney general also has a consumer fraud protection division, and they work collaboratively
• fraud side.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Committee Chair Kristen Robbins opened by criticizing the governor’s fraud package as too focused on new spending and staffing, and not enough on culture change, accountability, eligibility rules, and an enterprise-wide IT/data strategy. She said the committee had heard a good overview from multiple commissioners, but she remained concerned that piecemeal technology investments and added staff would not address the root causes of fraud. Robbins also said she would introduce a bill based on issues raised in committee, including requiring grants management staff to complete Office of Grants Management training and certification. A major action announced was the launch of a new whistleblower portal at mnfraud.com, which legislators said will let people submit basic fraud allegations, after which staff will follow up and forward matters to the Office of the Legislative Auditor, BCA, law enforcement, or the attorney general as appropriate. Members noted that the Office of the Legislative Auditor already has a separate reporting portal, and there was a question about why the new site does not allow anonymous reporting; Robbins said contact information is needed so staff can follow up. She also said the portal is intended to centralize and triage reports from agency workers, service recipients, and providers. Republican members said the governor’s proposal still misses key pieces. Vice Chair Anderson argued the package mostly adds staff to agencies that failed to catch or act on fraud, and said Minnesota needs a statewide independent inspector general with authority outside agencies and a stronger whistleblower system. Representative Marion Rarick said the proposed criminal penalty increases are too small compared with federal penalties and criticized the package for adding only one forensic auditor at the BCA while DHS receives many more positions. She also argued that agency managers should face sanctions when fraud occurs under their watch and said the state needs a culture where employees can be rewarded for good work but also held accountable for failures. Members discussed several other ideas, including creating new crimes for kickbacks and theft of public funds, requiring fraud fiscal notes, improving data sharing and eligibility verification, and using better IT so systems can talk to each other. There was also discussion of whether government services should rely less on nonprofits and private contractors; one member said fraud often follows a particular business model rather than the sector itself, while another suggested capping salaries of top nonprofit executives receiving government funds. The committee also noted that the governor’s fraud package is being presented as a package but will likely move as separate provisions through different omnibus bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• The producer, the cottage food producer can be no more than one step removed from the consumer.
• SNAP kids consume 43% more sugary drinks than those not on SNAP.
• And finally, it improves, it maintains consumer safety while improving choice for consumers. is.
• We believe Medicaid fraud should be prosecuted to the full extent.
• kind of consumers and taxpayers.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reflects higher forecasts for consumer reflects higher forecasts for consumer spending<00:37:38.320
• Uh I hope I've answered your question. consumer prices Mhm. uh because consumer prices Mhm. uh because
• the governor speak about fraud, I've heard the other leaders of the Democratic Party speak about fraud
• , heard the governor speak about fraud, heard the governor speak about fraud, I've<01:34:44.320><
• ,<01:34:48.160> uh Democratic Party speak about fraud, uh Democratic Party speak about fraud

Bills: HF3425

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses filing fraud businesses filing fraud protection.<00:33:41.120> It<00:33:41.440
• from fraud.
• They do a ton of consumer protection. They have lawyers working in consumer protection.
• medical assistance fraud.
• We can be proud of the movements that we're doing to prevent consumer fraud and fraud on businesses and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• A controller that has obtained personal data about a consumer from a source other than the consumer is
• The opt-out process must be consumer-friendly and easy to use by the average consumer.
• without notifying the consumer and providing the consumer an opportunity to consent. providing the consumer
• A controller may not require a consumer to create a new account to exercise consumer rights, but may
• require a consumer rights, but may require a consumer to use an existing account.

Bills: HB 14, HJR 31, HB 43, HB 18, HB 106, HB 36, HB 26, HB 149, HB 121, HB 206, HB 136, HB 3114, HB 2733, HB 1732, HB 3700, HB 467, HB 1130, HB 1846, HB 1442, HB 1147, HB 2176, HB 2701, HB 805, HB 2890, HB 1154, HB 1644, HB 2118, HB 1718, HB 2488, HB 2596, HB 1971, HB 2468, HB 484, HB 2578, HB 3204, HB 1041, HB 307, HB 685, HB 1710, HB 538, HB 2525, HB 3125, HB 2027, HB 2894, HB 3077, HB 3684, HJR 99, HB 1399, HJR 5, HB 1330, HB 2110, HJR 2, HJR 6, HB 1587, HB 14, HJR 31, HB 43, HB 18, HB 106, HB 36, HB 26, HB 149, HB 121, HB 206, HB 136, HB 3114, HB 2733, HB 1732, HB 3700, HB 467, HB 1130, HB 1846, HB 1442, HB 1147, HB 2176, HB 2701, HB 805, HB 2890, HB 1154, HB 1644, HB 2118, HB 1718, HB 2488, HB 2596, HB 1971, HB 2468, HB 484, HB 2578, HB 3204, HB 1041, HB 307, HB 685, HB 1710, HB 538, HB 2525, HB 3125, HB 2027, HB 2894, HB 3077, HB 3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• It amends the law that we passed last year with regard to consumer fraud reimbursements after they have
• <00:07:42.080> fraud consumer fraud consumer fraud um um um um um um reimbursements reimbursements
• and consumers. and consumers.
• paid out to the defrauded consumer. paid out to the defrauded consumer.
• defrauded consumer is $100,000. defrauded consumer is $100,000.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• INSUFFICIENT FRAUD WARNINGS. NO DAILY LIMITS AND NO REFUND POLICY. THERE IS NO STATE OVERSIGHT.
• ONE, IT REQUIRES MANDATORY FRAUD WARNINGS OUTLINED ON PAGE 3.
• THIS WILL PUT A BIG FRAUD WARNING BASICALLY.
• PER CAPITA, WE HAVE THE MOST SENIORS THAT ARE VICTIMIZED BY THESE SCAMS AND FRAUDS. USED TO.
• WE DISCLOSE TO CONSUMERS WHAT WE ARE DOING ON THAT UPON THE REQUEST.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your interest in learning about the nation's first consumer fraud restitution fund of its
• The impact of scams and consumer fraud is profound, especially when older adults are at a time in their
• AARP is helping to lead the effort to protect Minnesotans from consumer fraud through community education
• Minnesota's new consumer fraud restitution fund is already helping to address this problem in three key
• . consumers. consumers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• fund from uh the insurance fraud fund from uh the insurance fraud prevention<00:04:14.080> account
• Without the capacity to provide oversight and accountability, consumers are more susceptible to fraud
• consumers are more susceptible to fraud consumers are more susceptible to fraud or<00:18:46.880>
• vehicles, we must ensure that consumers vehicles, we must ensure that consumers are<00:19:06.080
• balance the beneficial consumer balance the beneficial consumer protections<00:20:07.840> passed

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• fraud.
• Yes, I believe they were yesterday in accordance with fraud.
• In the state of Florida, if you're going to commit fraud, you should be arrested.
• Used, may be being consumed. Representative Hartloman. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• . used may be being consumed.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [clears throat] Michael Angelo, consumer advocate with the Division of Consumer Advocacy.
• , the proliferation of fraud.
• <00:32:01.760> we're that fraud, the type of fraud we're that fraud, the type of fraud we're
• Fraud is rampant right now.
• It's all anti-fraud pretty much. Yeah, it does center around anti-fraud.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the area of insurance and consumer protection, we're going to start with the Division of Consumer
• In the area of insurance and consumer protection, we're going to start with Division of Consumer Services
• They also investigate crimes associated with insurance fraud or insurer fraud and any insurance agent
• They also investigate crimes associated with insurance fraud or insurer fraud and any insurance agent
• and fight fraud.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you mean by the fraud?
• <01:27:58.080> with community and providing consumers with community and providing consumers
• Steers and sell meat direct to consumer. Steers and sell meat direct to consumer.
• name of animal health and consumer name of animal health and consumer protection.<01:49:38.719><
• franchising, we have protected consumers franchising, we have protected consumers and<02:29:37.439

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the that the consumer has paid.
• consumer plus the 1-cent handling fee. consumer plus the 1-cent handling fee. they<00:11:34.399>
• The second consumer to the customer.
• , as a consumer, basically, as a consumer, we're<00:56:17.599> paying<00:56:18.880> this
• I mean a a publicly criminal fraud.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the Office of the Auditor’s recent audit of Hawaii’s deposit beverage container program and the Department of Health’s response. State Auditor Les Condo reviewed the program’s structure, noting it was created to increase recycling and reduce litter, but said prior audits have repeatedly found weak internal controls, reliance on self-reported data, and an “honor system” approach. He cited examples of underreporting and overpayment risks, including a Whole Foods settlement and secret-shopper testing at a redemption center where the program reimbursed more than what was actually paid to consumers. Condo said the special fund continues to grow, increasing by more than $12 million between FY24 and FY25, and that the 2024 audit found no meaningful progress in implementing earlier recommendations. He also noted that many prior recommendations were later codified in law, including risk-based audits and internal control requirements, and said the office will audit the program again in about a year. Senator Fevella said the briefing was needed because he has seen little progress over the years and emphasized the program’s goals of reducing litter and promoting recycling. He noted that Hawaii has lost a glass recycler, underscoring broader challenges in the system. Department of Health Deputy Director Kathleen Hoe said the department is committed to addressing longstanding problems and said the director’s office meets with the program twice a month. Program staff outlined steps being taken to respond to the audit, including revising accounting and inspection/enforcement manuals, retaining third-party services, and implementing risk-based audits of distributors and redemption centers. They said internal control process documents from distributors were due June 30, with about 200 received and roughly 100 still outstanding, and that enforcement letters are being sent. The department also described plans for electronic reporting to reduce manual entry and improve accuracy, as well as a broader legislative proposal for a tiered audit system. Under that proposal, larger distributors would remain subject to the current every-other-year audit requirement, middle-tier distributors would be audited every five years, and smaller distributors would be exempt. Officials said the governor had temporarily waived enforcement of the 2025 independent audit requirement because of cost concerns for smaller distributors, while the department reviews submitted audits and considers a longer-term fix. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.