Transcript Highlights:

• lot of dealers that aren't doing what they need to do, especially when it comes to copper and copper theft

Bills: HB2975, HB3405, HB3406, HB3728, HB3902, HB3977

Keywords: poultry waste, nutrient management, environmental regulations, agriculture, water quality, pollution prevention, best management practices, noxious weeds, poison hemlock, kudzu, landowner responsibilities, environmental control, public nuisance, eradication, burn bans, fire danger, drought conditions, emergency declaration, scrap metal, regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• On May 30th, the Atoka Police Department responded to a theft in progress at the local Walmart.

Bills: HB4139, HB4143, HB4144, HB3974, HB3303, HB3790, HB3697, HB3262, HB4226, HB2936, HB3322, HB4296, HB3278, HB4202, HB3648, HB3500, HB3037, HB3428, HB3257, HB3432, HB3043, HB3044, HB3078, HB3940

Keywords: home warranty, service contracts, transparency, insurance regulation, consumer protection, motor vehicles, traffic collisions, car accident, auto accident, crash report, collision report, property damage threshold, Department of Public Safety, DPS, law enforcement reports, insurance claims, financial responsibility, uninsured motorist, private property accidents, public roadway

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, the bill creates an offense of real property theft and real property fraud.

Bills: SB2, SB3, SB5, SB9, SB10, SB14, SB16, SB34, SB18

Keywords: flooding, public safety, outdoor warning sirens, disaster preparedness, emergency response, flood warning, outdoor sirens, local government, safety measures, flood management, emergency preparedness, municipal safety, disaster response, disaster relief, emergency funding, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, hemp regulation, consumable products

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance met in the second special session and considered a series of bills, mostly related to flood response, water infrastructure, taxation, school accountability, property fraud, and legislative procedure. Senator Zaffirini presented SB 18 on TCEQ permit exemptions for certain erosion, floodwater, and sediment control dams or reservoirs; Senator Perry presented SB 2 on flood relief preparedness, SB 14 on credit impact fees and water supply/conservation incentives, and SB 5 on Hill Country relief funding; Senator Bettencourt presented SB 3 on early warning flood sirens, SB 9 on replacing STAAR with three annual tests and strengthening A-F accountability, and SB 10 on lowering the rollback tax rate from 3.5% to 2.5%; Senator West presented SB 16 on property transaction ID requirements and new real property theft/fraud offenses; and Chair Huffman laid out SB 34, which changes legislative witness immunity rules from transactional immunity to testimonial immunity consistent with federal law. The committee also heard brief explanations that several bills were the same as versions previously passed by the Senate or committee, and there was limited public testimony, with no witnesses on most bills and only position cards on SB 16. Senator West raised a concern on SB 10 about a possible carve-out for police pay raises, but Senator Bettencourt said no change would be made at that time. For SB 34, Chair Huffman explained the bill would still allow compelled testimony before the legislature but would no longer provide blanket immunity, while preserving the right to counsel. The committee voted favorably on all bills considered. SB 18, SB 2, SB 14, SB 3, SB 16, SB 5, and SB 34 were reported out unanimously or near-unanimously, while SB 9 passed 10-1 and SB 10 passed 8-3. At the end of the meeting, Senator West requested to be shown voting nay on SB 9, and the chair granted unanimous consent. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Theft of public funds to hold those accountable who defraud the government.
• I am also excited about the inclusion of the wage theft subpoena provisions, which is really going to
• I am also excited about the inclusion of the wage theft subpoena provisions, which is really going to
• I am also excited about the inclusion of the wage theft subpoena provisions, which is really going to
• I am also excited about the inclusion of the wage theft subpoena provisions, which is really going to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• groups with knowledge and expertise to develop best-practice guidance relating to straw purchases and theft
• operational, we have regulations in place that reflect the best industry standards for the prevention of theft
• An act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to theft.
• This bill provides for the crime of gift card theft. If no questions, roll call. Mr.

Summary: The House convened with Girl State participants presiding for part of the session, including introductions of the student leadership and a unanimous voice vote passing House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the young women participating in Delaware Girl State. The chamber also welcomed congressional interns and other guests, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and observed a moment of silence for Nathan Cynix and Kara Feeley before prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes for Representative Ron Gray, who was recognized for his 14 years of service and his work on issues such as bond bills, dredging, bike paths, small business, constituent service, and agriculture-related funding. Multiple members from both parties praised his humor, honesty, mentorship, and dedication to the House and his district. Gray responded with extended remarks reflecting on his family legacy, legislative service, and appreciation for colleagues and staff, and the chamber later sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at his request. The House then received communications, including Senate messages returning several bills and informing the chamber of Senate passage of additional measures. Members were also told that the FY27 bond bill, House Bill 500, had been placed on desks as a gift for review. The House read in Consent Agenda S, which included House Bill 476, House Joint Resolution 13, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 168, Senate Bill 297, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, and Senate Joint Resolution 21, and began a roll call vote on the consent agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will increase our cyber risk and the potential for people losing their ability to... identity theft
• to people losing their ability to people losing their ability to identity<00:59:33.040> theft
• c> become<00:59:33.920> more<00:59:34.160> easy<00:59:34.720> uh identity theft
• will become more easy uh identity theft will become more easy uh if<00:59:35.119> those<00:59

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:11 Approval of Minutes 00:02:00 Information Items 00:02:25 CPE Special Report 00:03:26 Review of Executive Branch Agency Plans 00:31:48 A. Attorney General 00:32:10 B. Court of Justice 00:36:41 C. Cabinet for Economic Development 00:50:44 D. Kentucky Public Pensions Authority 00:56:06 E. Board Discussion of Planning Issues 01:05:12, 958, all

Summary: The Capital Planning Advisory Board opened its fourth meeting, confirmed a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes by unanimous voice vote, and then heard information items and agency presentations. The main substantive presentation came from the Council on Postsecondary Education, which outlined its capital planning recommendations for the 2026–28 biennium. CPE staff described the role of Kentucky’s research and education network (Kron), including connectivity to cloud services, Internet2, identity services, and new local AI/inferencing capacity, and argued that the network is now essential to higher education, health care, and extension services. They said the network’s recent upgrades were driven by privacy, security, redundancy, and the need to support modern research and AI workloads at lower cost than commercial providers. CPE also presented its broader higher-education capital request: $700 million for asset preservation and $1.73 billion for new construction, for a total recommendation of about $2.4 billion. Staff said they do not plan to recommend IT projects or equipment in this cycle, despite reviewing 48 IT submissions totaling nearly $1.4 billion and equipment requests totaling $322.6 million. For asset preservation, they said the recommended allocation method would remain based on each institution’s share of Category 1 and 2 square footage, and they noted that the state’s prior facility assessment is now 12 years old, with deferred maintenance still estimated in the $7–9 billion range. For new construction, they said the requests are heavily focused on STEM and health-related facilities that are difficult to retrofit into older buildings. Board members asked about how asset-preservation amounts were determined, including why Northern Kentucky University’s request was much larger than its prior allocation. CPE staff responded that campus size, building age, and institutional prioritization affect the requests, and that schools are asked to submit more projects than are likely to be funded. The board then moved on to an Attorney General capital plan overview, where senior counsel Will Schroeder began describing the office’s technology needs and the office’s prior reliance on a 2020 appropriation to replace legacy systems and improve security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 494 by Sparks relating to the establishment of a theft of petroleum products task force.
• Senate Bill 494 by Sparks relating to the establishment of a theft of petroleum products task force.
• This bill would establish the task force to combat oil field theft and petroleum theft.

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.

Transcript Highlights:

• And all of the ID theft that happened during the pandemic, but we are always looking, you know, and finding
• research paper, with a clearly defined focus that includes cyber security and privacy and identity theft
• work highlights the crucial. interplay of cyber security, privacy and protection against identity theft
• , is the only community and you have two different line items, cyber security and then privacy and theft

Bills: HB512, HB2248, HB2679, HB2832, HB3112, HB3368, HB3490, HB3512, HB3623, HB3666, HB3700, HB3711, HB3770, HB3963

Keywords: grievance procedures, state agency, employee rights, workplace regulations, employment law, employees, employment actions, appeal, state employees, workplace rights, disciplinary actions, employment conditions, employment disputes, job protections, public information, transparency, government accountability, information access, notification requirements, federal funding

Transcript Highlights:

• forward to meet their intent<00:43:15.000> that<00:43:15.200> wage<00:43:15.520> theft
• was<00:43:16.119> not<00:43:16.440> going<00:43:16.800> on intent that wage theft
• was not going on intent that wage theft was not going on in<00:43:17.559> the<00:43:17.760>
• and<00:43:32.599> when To use responsible contractors, and when applicable, create wage theft

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And so many of our people, because of this kind of theft, were going hungry.
• Of this kind of theft, we're going hungry.

Summary: The House met in extended session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and a series of journal, committee, and Senate bill reports. Members also received several referrals and Senate messages, and the Speaker signed multiple bills already prepared for the Governor. The chamber then took up a long slate of measures, largely budget-related and conference/concurrence items, with repeated roll-call votes and several brief floor remarks for and against the bills. Among the major actions, the House passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills addressing fiscal code and budget implementation, abusive towing practices, telemarketing robocalls and caller ID spoofing, prostitution penalty changes, veteran notification procedures, the cosmetology licensure compact, solar decommissioning, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, E85 flex fuel definitions, local road transfers, civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and trailer sales. The House also adopted House Resolution 580 designating July 18, 2026, as Piping Plover Day. Most of these measures passed overwhelmingly, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most significant debate centered on House Bill 2400, the General Appropriations budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, and House Bill 1505, the education-related budget implementation bill. Supporters described the budget as a bipartisan compromise that funds adequacy and tax equity for schools, public safety, mental health, roads and bridges, veterans, seniors, and workforce programs while avoiding broad-based tax increases. Opponents argued the budget used accounting maneuvers, deferred spending, and was structurally unbalanced. After extended debate, the House concurred in the Senate amendments to HB 2400 by a 167-35 vote and to HB 1505 by a 172-30 vote. The House also considered House Bill 2559, which included Commonwealth property conveyances and a controversial provision affecting Penn State branch campus properties. A motion to recommit the bill failed, and the House ultimately concurred in the Senate amendments by a 105-97 vote after members debated property rights, labor effects, and the future use of the campuses. The session concluded with the Senate later concurring in several House amendments, the Speaker signing the final bills, and the House adjourning until September 9, 2026, unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides relative to unauthorized entry and theft of critical infrastructure.
• Representative Jacob Landry says the bill provides relative to unauthorized entry and theft of critical

Bills: HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HR275, HR276, HR279, HR282, HR286, HR289, HR292, HR295, HR302, HR319, HCR112, HR307, SCR59, SCR61, SCR62, SCR68, SCR69, SCR70, SCR54, SCR55, SCR64, SCR75, HCR3, HCR49, HCR66, HCR67, HB1, HB2, HB42, HB45, HB66, HB71, HB79, HB126, HB133, HB145, HB159, HB167, HB213, HB218, HB222, HB289, HB291, HB312, HB313, HB316, HB324, HB352, HB383, HB398, HB403, HB429, HB457, HB459, HB511, HB549, HB571, HB579, HB591, HB608, HB616, HB624, HB766, HB769, HB783, HB799, HB804, HB864, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB971, HB983, HB1005, HB1017, HB1051, HB1056, HB1095, HB1126, HB1129, HB1186, HB1193, HB1223, HB1224, HB1230, HB1235, HB1249, HB723, HB36, HB140, HB181, HB198, HB205, HB211, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB302, HB335, HB342, HB487, HB513, HB623, HB682, HB730, HB740, HB761, HB775, HB797, HB812, HB816, HB940, HB968, HB979, HB1028, HB1029, HB1038, HB1049, HB1084, HB1161, HB1194, HB1199, HB1201, HB1203, HB1247, HB1256, SB25, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB228, SB237, SB250, SB405, SB406, SB414, SB433, SB480, SB513, SB149, HB359, SB29, SB43, SB78, HB210, HB258, HB468, HB784, HB134, HB1117, SB42, SB274, SB382, SB449, SB300, HR74, HB463, HB715, HB998, SB80, SB268, SB444, SB479, HB901, HR20, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB123, HB74, HB119, HB368, HB414, HB552, HB732, HB776, HB848, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1236, SB208, SB217, SB283, SB387, SB389, SB401, SB408, SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• bill is House Bill 429 by Representative Jacob Landry, providing relative to unauthorized entry and theft
• House Bill 429 by Representative Jacob Landry provides relative to unauthorized entry and theft of critical

Bills: HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HR275, HR276, HR279, HR282, HR286, HR289, HR292, HR295, HR302, HR319, HCR112, HR307, SCR59, SCR61, SCR62, SCR68, SCR69, SCR70, SCR54, SCR55, SCR64, SCR75, HCR3, HCR49, HCR66, HCR67, HB1, HB2, HB42, HB45, HB66, HB71, HB79, HB126, HB133, HB145, HB159, HB167, HB213, HB218, HB222, HB289, HB291, HB312, HB313, HB316, HB324, HB352, HB383, HB398, HB403, HB429, HB457, HB459, HB511, HB549, HB571, HB579, HB591, HB608, HB616, HB624, HB766, HB769, HB783, HB799, HB804, HB864, HB874, HB909, HB951, HB971, HB983, HB1005, HB1017, HB1051, HB1056, HB1095, HB1126, HB1129, HB1186, HB1193, HB1223, HB1224, HB1230, HB1235, HB1249, HB723, HB36, HB140, HB181, HB198, HB205, HB211, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB302, HB335, HB342, HB487, HB513, HB623, HB682, HB730, HB740, HB761, HB775, HB797, HB812, HB816, HB940, HB968, HB979, HB1028, HB1029, HB1038, HB1049, HB1084, HB1161, HB1194, HB1199, HB1201, HB1203, HB1247, HB1256, SB25, SB132, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB228, SB237, SB250, SB405, SB406, SB414, SB433, SB480, SB513, SB149, HB359, SB29, SB43, SB78, HB210, HB258, HB468, HB784, HB134, HB1117, SB42, SB274, SB382, SB449, SB300, HR74, HB463, HB715, HB998, SB80, SB268, SB444, SB479, HB901, HR20, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB123, HB74, HB119, HB368, HB414, HB552, HB732, HB776, HB848, HB870, HB953, HB956, HB1236, SB208, SB217, SB283, SB387, SB389, SB401, SB408, SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Summary: The House met with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then received Senate messages, committee enrollment reports, and a series of House resolutions. Members adopted or advanced numerous resolutions recognizing individuals and institutions, expressing condolences, and creating or continuing study task forces on topics including homeownership assistance, speech-language pathology assistant licensure, clean water, Medicaid reporting, voter accessibility, air monitoring, fire chief operations, maternal health, and other issues. Several Senate resolutions were also concurred in, and personal privileges were used to recognize the family of Susan Ann Taylor Bidding and to commend Anita Whitaker LaFontaine and her father, Green Whitaker, Sr. The House then moved through Senate bills on final passage. Bills approved included measures on registrar of voters compensation, dental coverage related to cancer treatment, paid parental leave planning for educators, election supervisor compensation days, weight management services, nursing facility quality oversight, a Slidell hotel occupancy tax subject to voter approval, medical debt interest-rate limits, Medicaid coverage for weight-loss medications, a shrimping-related butterfly net exception, public works design-build contracting, and a municipal lead-service-line replacement measure. Some bills were temporarily returned to the calendar, including measures on water utility service lines and registrar compensation, while others passed with strong bipartisan margins. The chamber also considered Senate amendments to many House bills and concurrent resolutions. Members concurred in amendments on topics such as hospital stabilization, student loan access for certain professional degrees, rural economic development, behavioral health and school policies, retirement and compensation provisions, food labeling, climate-change litigation, school emergency plans, anti-cancer medication coverage, domestic abuse procedures, and several infrastructure and workforce measures. A few bills were rejected for further conference, including some retirement, alternative power, and AI-related provisions. The session ended with the House taking a one-hour recess for lunch, with instructions to return by 12:45.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman, if I understand your bill correctly, it's about the theft of things like copper and things
• And I do believe when asked by this body to vote for an amendment on a bill earlier about the theft of

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the 65th and 66th days, with the first journal approval passing by roll call 124-0. Members then offered several introductions recognizing interns and special guests, including a lengthy tribute to law enforcement officers who were wounded in the line of duty and the presentation of Capitol-flown flags to some of them. The chamber received committee reports from Fiscal Review recommending passage of several measures, including Senate Joint Resolution 87, Senate Bills 878 and 994, conference reports on House Bill 2818 and Senate Bill 973, and Senate Bill 1825. The House then took up House Bill 2818, a conference report dealing with annexation-related language for the St. Joseph Airport and added provisions affecting St. Charles and Jefferson counties. After debate about local control and development, the House approved the conference report 140-7 and then passed the bill 136-7. Members next considered Senate Bill 1825, which updates county salary commission schedules, removes sheriffs and prosecutors from salary commissions, and gives certain fourth-class counties additional time to transition to third-class status. After discussion about county pay, coroners, and local fiscal impacts, the House adopted the Senate substitute 109-35 and finally passed the bill 106-39. The House also approved House Committee Substitute for Senate Joint Resolution 87, the so-called constitutional sheriff resolution, after adopting a St. Louis City amendment clarifying the City of St. Louis sheriff provisions; the resolution passed 100-47. Finally, the House passed Senate Bill 878, which expands pharmacist authority for certain common ailments, emergency waivers, and behind-the-counter access to ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, with a House amendment adding blood pressure cuff and opioid-alternative language; it passed 132-13. Senate Bill 903, addressing theft and vandalism involving telecommunications and critical infrastructure, also passed 137-5. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings, noted additional bills to be considered upon return, and adjourned until May 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• huge issue that's occurring globally, specifically here in our country, regarding fraud and identity theft
• criminals exploit the vulnerable and the elderly and minors and it greatly enhances Oklahoma's identity theft

Bills: HB3407, HB1242, HJR1081, HB3443, HB3781, HB1939, HB4237, HB3430, HB3321, HB3905, HB3329, HB4253, HB4421, HB4311, HJR1046, HB2015, HB3244, HB4265, HB3941, HB4203, HB2941, HB3695, HB3380, HB3132, HB3673, HB3134, HB3383, HB4490, HB4058

Keywords: property rights, abandoned homes, manufactured homes, notification, salvage, real estate, Oklahoma Tax Commission, landowner liability, redemption, HB1242, cervidae, deer, elk, sales tax exemption, agricultural exemption, livestock, ranching, farm tax, agricultural sales tax, agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• We are stalwart in working on preventing metal theft and working with law enforcement.
• to thank him for his leadership in advancing and improving data sharing to help prevent fraud and theft

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the bond trust fund that is a fidelity bond to help ensure if there's theft by employees of those
• entities that there's coverage for those thefts from that program.

Summary: The committee first adopted prior minutes and then heard several standing committee audit reports. The executive committee report noted audit and special reports scheduled for the month, one outstanding committee-requested report, and a request to gather information on a possible special report for February. The city/county/local report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, including reinstatement of turn-back funds for 17 entities, 59 of 64 delinquent 2023 entities filing reports, and action on the town of Daisy requiring repayment of misused street funds. The education report filed three higher education audit reports and deferred one Northwest Arkansas Community College report. The state agencies report filed four reports and deferred audits of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism for more information on corrective actions. The committee then received a special audit review of the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UA Little Rock. Auditors said the program received $10 million in desegregation funding and a $50,000 grant, awarded $1.87 million in scholarships to 379 students, and saw 116 students graduate. The review found many scholarship eligibility exceptions, including awards above the maximum and to students who did not meet GPA, enrollment-hour, or full-time requirements, and numerous disbursement documentation and authorization problems. Committee members sharply questioned the program’s oversight, the role of former staff, the use of funds for travel and cultural activities, and whether any improper spending should be referred for criminal review. UALR representatives said the program was overseen as a sponsored program, that some controls were later strengthened, and that Philander Smith only verified enrollment rather than eligibility. The committee voted to table the report until the next meeting and asked staff to gather the federal court order and additional information. Finally, the committee reviewed the annual report on matters referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General for 2024. Staff said 164 matters were referred, with 28 criminal charges filed, 39 still under review, 3 dismissed, 5 pending in court, and 96 not charged; convictions in 20 cases led to fines, restitution, audit costs, and some bond trust fund payments. Prosecutor representatives explained that many referrals do not become criminal cases because of intent, timing, or other legal limits, and said they generally seek restitution even when charges are not filed. Members asked for more standardized reporting, including whether restitution was recovered and why cases were not prosecuted, and discussed possible training and a checklist for future reports. The committee then voted to file the report and adjourned, with the next meeting set for February 12-13.

Transcript Highlights:

• the knowledge that the American people are learning more every day about the great grift, really a theft
• the knowledge that the American people are learning more every day about the great grift, really a theft

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House and Senate DFL leaders Erin Murphy and Zach Stevenson discussed Minnesota’s budget forecast, arguing that rising health care costs, federal policy changes under Trump and congressional Republicans, and cuts to health care, food support, and clean energy are worsening the state’s fiscal outlook and household affordability. They said the state’s economy remains strong but is being undermined by higher premiums, tariffs, canceled projects, and shifting costs to state and local governments, while Republicans are prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations over working families. A major topic was fraud prevention and oversight. In response to questions, the leaders said every dollar of fraud is unacceptable, but that the budget forecast is not the right tool to measure it. They pointed to existing efforts, including BCA investigators, a governor-ordered and legislature-authorized audit, stronger laws passed in 2023-2025, and work on an independent inspector general proposal. They said the House DFL supports stronger anti-fraud measures and wants fraudsters held accountable, while also protecting services for vulnerable Minnesotans. The leaders also defended prior DFL budget decisions, saying the 2023 legislative session ended with a $5 billion surplus and rejecting Republican claims that DFL spending drained the state’s coffers. They said Minnesota must still balance its budget, but that the structural deficit is being driven largely by rising medical assistance and health care costs, which they argued are tied to federal actions and broader health system instability. No votes were taken in this transcript; it was a press availability with questions and responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• recognition of historic and ongoing harms against Native American tribes, harms that include genocide, land theft
• recognition of historic and ongoing harms against Native American tribes, harms that include genocide, land theft

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, adopted the previous day’s journal, and handled several procedural motions, including suspending rules to allow committee notices and moving some bills and items on and off the file. Members also introduced a number of guests and fellows on the floor, including Equality California Comcast Fellows, tribal youth visitors, interns, local officials, and community representatives. On the floor file, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1216 (TK-12 omnibus education technical changes), AB 377 (high-speed rail), and AB 951 (health care coverage), and adopted ACR 103 declaring July 14-18, 2025 as California Western Monarch Protection Week. The body also adopted AJR 18, a resolution calling for an official legislative apology to California Native Americans for historic injustices and affirming support for healing and reconciliation, and ACR 71 designating a portion of State Route 101 as the Little Saigon Freeway. Each of these measures drew supportive remarks from multiple members, and co-author rolls were opened before final adoption. The Assembly also adopted SCR 66 proclaiming Law Day, after a lengthy partisan debate over the rule of law, executive power, and recent federal and state actions; the resolution was ultimately adopted by voice vote after 51 co-authors were added. Members then adopted SJR 3 urging Congress to reverse SNAP cuts and protect CalFresh benefits, with debate focused on food insecurity, fraud, work requirements, and the impact on low-income Californians; the resolution passed with 69 ayes and no noes after 70 co-authors were added. SB 757, authorizing local governments to use nuisance abatement liens or special assessments to collect abatement costs, also passed 68-0, and ACR 94 on anti-microbial resistance was adopted on the consent calendar. The session concluded with adjournments in memory honoring Jane Day, agricultural leader John C. Harris, and Willie Earl Arno, followed by announcements of committee meetings and the schedule for the next floor session. The Assembly adjourned until Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And they're saying the reason why is that there's so much theft.
• away a convenience for law-abiding customers because this state doesn't want to crack down on retail theft

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's terrible things that are happening with misclassifications of workers and wage theft.
• There's terrible things that are happening with misclassifications of workers and wage theft.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all