Video & Transcript Research : 'legislative branch'
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KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy. (3-11-26)
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- And help us, the legislative branch, with planning.
- It also should help the executive branch as well. Um, but that's one of the main...
- And help help us,<00:26:04.440>
the <00:26:04.560>legislative <00:26:05.160>branch,< - /c><00:26:05.600>
with us, the legislative branch, with us, the legislative branch, with planning - executive branch as well. executive branch as well.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/01/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- You have a legislative branch which is supposed to be the exclusive lawmaking branch, a judicial branch
- You have a legislative branch powers.
- You have a legislative branch which<00:17:02.960>
is <00:17:03.040>supposed <00:17:03.280 - <00:25:36.800>
Uh <00:25:36.960>moreover, of the legislative branch. - Uh moreover, of the legislative branch.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Media Availability 5/17/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, as you know, we just finished up this legislative session in a number of historical ways.
- We secured a large package also for public official safety here at the Capitol, the judicial branch,
- <00:04:52.480>
branch, <00:04:52.919>something <00:04:53.280>that judicial branch - branch, something that judicial branch branch, something that was<00:04:53.680>
worked <00:04: - That is probably one of the most singularly interesting pieces of legislation that we've seen become
Summary:
House Republican leaders in Minnesota gave a post-session recap focused on what they described as major accomplishments in a tied legislature. They highlighted passage of the Office of Inspector General bill to combat fraud, along with tax and fee relief measures including $125 million in property tax relief and $250 million in car tab reductions. They also pointed to funding for hospitals and uncompensated care, county IT modernization, school safety and mental health programs, public official safety at the Capitol and judicial branch, and a $1.2 billion bonding bill for infrastructure.
Leaders repeatedly contrasted this session with the prior Democratic trifecta, arguing Republicans blocked new tax increases and helped make government more accountable and affordable. They said the OIG bill had been a top priority, had previously been blocked in the House, and was now signed into law. On health care, they said the final package included support for hospitals and denied that discussions about 340B involved pharmaceutical companies, saying offers on that issue were rejected by House Democrats.
In response to questions, leaders said the tie forced public negotiation and that Minnesotans were the real winners because lawmakers worked together. They also defended the lack of final floor votes on gun-related proposals, saying those measures had been voted on multiple times in committee and on the floor but did not have the votes to pass. On transparency, they said the process was as open as possible and that bonding projects had been heard in committee and reviewed by the bonding team before inclusion.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
to legislate I presented legislation to legislate I presented legislation to make<00:17:58.720- But I have on the judicial branch.
- Prosecutors are part of the executive branch. Judges are part of the judicial branch.
- Judges are part of the executive branch. Judges are part of the judicial<00:57:55.119>
branch. - voted in expedient to legislate. voted in expedient to legislate.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Committee of Conference on HB 1, HB 2 (06/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, the legislative budget assistant, Mr.
- The legislative budget assistant, Mr.
- Thankfully, as we look at legislative branch, no change; executive department, no change.
- Thankfully, as we look at legislative Thankfully, as we look at legislative branch,<01:27:09.600
- something has to be done legislatively something has to be done legislatively which<01:43:59.760
Summary:
The Committee of Conference on HB 1 and HB 2 was called to order, and Legislative Budget Assistant Michael Kaine reviewed the working documents before the committee. He explained the compare report, the detailed change sheet, the HB 1 index, the HB 2 side-by-side, the surplus statement, and a revenue handout, noting that the committee would vote up or down on all detail-change items and that unresolved items on hold would be removed from the final bills. He also identified staff available to answer technical questions and noted that the committee would track the dollar impact of decisions as it proceeded.
Members then turned to the revenue outlook, with discussion focused on the gap between the House and Senate budget positions. House members said their budget guidance was based on revenue estimates that were significantly below the governor’s proposal, and they discussed whether additional revenue could close part of the gap. Department of Revenue Administration Commissioner Lindsey Stepp presented updated revenue estimates based on May data, explaining the methodology and the ranges for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027. She said business taxes were the largest source of uncertainty, with estimates reflecting current economic conditions, recent revenue performance, and a range of possible growth rates.
Committee members questioned the assumptions behind the business-tax ranges, including why the low and high scenarios were set at 2% and 8% growth. Stepp said the range was based on historical performance and current economic factors such as inflation, tariffs, and business behavior, and she noted that June is a major estimate-payment month for business taxes. Members also discussed recent revenue trends, including the effect of tariffs and the possibility of federal tax policy changes affecting repatriated profits. The commissioner and House members also discussed other revenue sources, including rooms and meals and real estate transfer taxes, with the House side arguing that lower mortgage rates and home prices could increase real estate transfer revenue. No votes were taken in the portion provided, but the committee discussed possible upward adjustments to House revenue assumptions, including increases of roughly $70 million in total based on the updated outlook and additional insurance-related revenue.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (01/21/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I am the legislative director of legislative affairs for the Department of Health and Services, and I
- of legislative affairs of Affairs of legislative affairs director<00:15:57.759>
uh <00:15:57.839 - importantly to you our legislative importantly to you our legislative Liaisons<00:17:13.720>
- branch Branch uh the employees uh in the branch Branch uh the vast<01:35:55.360>
majority <01: uh Executive Branch the judicial branch uh Executive Branch the judicial branch uh businesses
Summary:
The meeting began with committee process reminders from the chair, including rules for questioning witnesses, time limits for testimony, and how motions and committee reports are handled. The chair also discussed the committee’s history, emphasized a cooperative approach with agencies and the Judiciary, and noted that a special committee on the Family Division of Circuit Court had previously done useful work; he said a new subcommittee could be appointed later to continue looking at judicial-system issues. He also mentioned that the Speaker’s office was expected to name members to the DHHS oversight committee by Friday at 1.
The substantive presentation was from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Child Support Services. Attorney John Williams introduced the bureau team, and Bureau Chief Lisa Dekowski described the program’s mission: encouraging responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child well-being by locating parents, establishing paternity, setting or modifying support orders, and enforcing court-ordered child and medical support. She said the bureau operates statewide under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, works with courts, employers, and other partners, and serves both in-state and out-of-state cases, with some international and tribal coordination. She also cited program scale, saying the bureau dispersed about $76 million to families in New Hampshire in fiscal year 2023 and that most collections go directly to families.
Members asked about enforcement tools, especially passport denial. In response to a question about a case involving a very small shortfall, the bureau said the federal passport-denial threshold is $2,500 in arrears, not a few cents, and that denial remains in place until the balance is resolved or an arrangement is made with the agency, with hardship factors potentially considered. The bureau also explained that either parent can apply for services when a child support order exists and that the bureau can help initiate income withholding orders. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee, February 23, 2026
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Transcript Highlights:
- we issued at the end of the legislative we issued at the end of the legislative session<00:07:41.919
- says investigations of executive branch says investigations of executive branch agencies<00:20:21.600
- And the inciting event executive branch.
- This is about the legislative race.
- I think that flies in the face of what good legislating is.
Bills:
HB0086
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Government, Elections And Indian Affairs Feb 3rd, 2025
House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- If the courts become involved, it will not be to displace the legislative or executive branches of government
- And we are opposed to this legislation.
- All branches of government are involved.
- It begins with the legislative branch passing legislation, seeking to define in various contexts what
- No, the court never really recommends legislation.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House repasses conference committee agreement on HF2446 5/18/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Sean Haydorn, committee legislative Sean Haydorn, committee legislative assistants<00:03:24.480>
- <00:03:31.840>
Assistant Nisley, Committee Legislative Assistant Nisley, Committee Legislative - Nick Roth, and committee legislative Nick Roth, and committee legislative assistant<00:03:44.239
- <00:04:21.759>
branch <00:04:22.079>and the executive branch branch and the executive - branch branch and preparing<00:04:23.040>
a <00:04:23.280>a <00:04:23.680>good <
Summary:
The House took up the conference committee report on House File 2446, the agriculture budget bill for the Department of Agriculture. Representative Anderson explained that the conference agreement kept the core House and Senate priorities while accepting some Senate policy provisions and fee increases, including grain license fees and food handling fees. He said the overall target was reduced, but major programs were preserved, including funding for the Board of Animal Health, egg emergency and inspection programs, elk and wolf compensation, milk processing capacity, farm safety and innovation, a new bioefficiency program to reduce fertilizer use in limited areas, and increased meat inspection funding.
Representative Hansen and several other members urged adoption, describing the bill as a bipartisan “hybrid” that reflects changing agriculture and includes both traditional farm support and newer priorities. Supporters highlighted food assistance and worker protections, including funding to offset federal cuts to local food purchasing and milk distribution programs, farm-to-school and early care programs, avian flu testing, urban agriculture, and a study to expand Olmsted County’s soil health and nitrate reduction work. Some members noted concerns about fees, while others emphasized support for all types of agriculture, cottage food bakers, and the role of farm workers.
After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report and advanced the bill. Following further discussion, the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a roll call vote of 130 ayes and 4 nays, and its title was agreed to.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Apr 7, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- cycle on excited two-year legislative cycle on excited delirium. delirium. delirium.
- of government, including the legislative branch, within the executive branch, certainly in the judicial
- of government including the branches of government including the legislative<00:24:30.000>
branch - branch within the executive legislative branch within the executive branch,<00:24:32.040>
certainly - branch, certainly in the judicial branch branch, certainly in the judicial branch um<00:24:34.800
Summary:
The committee heard a series of resolutions and a few bills, with testimony largely in support across the agenda. Early measures included HCR 15/HR 17 supporting Kamehameha Schools’ admissions policy, and HCR 22/HR 22 urging Congress to pass federal kidney disease legislation; both drew support and no opposition. The committee also heard HCR 146 HD1/HR 138 HD1 on “excited delirium,” with testimony from advocates urging the resolutions be broadened to include related terms such as hyperactive delirium and agitated delirium, and from family members and disability-rights advocates describing the issue as harmful pseudoscience tied to police-custody deaths and calling for a ban on the term and better mental-health responses.
The committee then took up HCR 123/HR 115 on creating a coordinated support and stabilization task force for Native Hawaiians experiencing homelessness or extreme low income. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands testified in support, describing its transitional housing work and saying collaboration and data-sharing with the state homelessness office would help beneficiaries and others; members questioned whether existing entities already do similar work and whether the proposal would extend beyond beneficiaries. HCR 32/HR 32, which asks the governor’s senior advisor on mental health and the justice system to develop a plan to increase access to Hawaii State Hospital for certain criminal defendants, drew support from the Department of Health, the governor’s office, and disability-rights advocates, who emphasized coordinated planning, diversion from arrest when appropriate, and matching people to the right level of care.
Additional resolutions addressed a range of policy issues: renaming Leeward Community College to Puloulou Community College (with no testimony), creating an ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi pathway under the Niʻihau dialect at UH (UH noted existing courses already cover the dialect but not a degree pathway), moving to a demerit-point driver licensing system (support only), and coordinating transportation infrastructure planning for Hawaiian home lands (DHHL supported the measure and said an expired DOT memorandum of understanding had covered related collaboration). The committee also heard support for expanding DHHL financial literacy and homeownership-preparedness programs, a resolution asking the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to examine algorithmic discrimination, and a resolution urging the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Advisory Committee to follow its rules, comply with the Sunshine Law, review its executive director, and strengthen accountability; the last measure drew 11 written supports and no opposition. No final votes or decisions were taken in the portion provided, as the hearing focused on testimony and questions.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (3-4-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- , the legislative branch, providers, and others at the same table so we can get information, get everybody
- of the Executive Branch the legislative<00:09:42.279>
branch <00:09:43.279>um <00:09:43.480 - >
and <00:09:43.800>providers <00:09:44.680>and legislative branch um and providers - and legislative branch um and providers and others<00:09:45.680>
uh <00:09:45.800>at <00 - If something that we do in the legislative branch is going to have consequences or unintended consequences
Keywords:
Meeting start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:15
HB 537 Discussion 00:01:30
HB 537 Vote 00:05:15
HB 695 Discussion 00:07:00
HB 695 Vote 00:23:15
HJR 31 Discussion 00:27:40
HJR 31 Vote 00:29:55, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 537, as amended by PHS 1, which was described as a technical measure needed to ensure Kentucky can receive opioid settlement funds despite changes in bankruptcy court orders. The sponsor and Attorney General’s office explained that the bill does not change the settlement formula or substantive terms, but adjusts the mechanism for receiving the money. After brief discussion, the committee adopted PHS 1 and then passed HB 537 out favorably on a 17-0 vote, with one member recording attendance after arriving late.
The committee then considered House Bill 695, also amended by PHS 1, a Medicaid stabilization bill. The sponsor said the measure is intended to hold the program steady while the legislature gathers more information and awaits work by a future Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board. The bill would limit new waivers, state plan amendments, and coverage expansions; require reporting and record retention; create a Kentucky Medicaid Pharmaceutical Rebate Fund; direct certain behavioral health and managed care changes; and include an emergency clause. Members raised questions about the rebate fund, work requirements, and whether the bill could affect coverage or funding, while supporters emphasized transparency, data collection, and preventing new expansions until oversight is in place.
Several members spoke in favor of the bill’s goals but expressed caution about micromanaging a complex program and about possible unintended consequences for beneficiaries. Representative Fleming stressed the need for stronger oversight and noted the potential fiscal impact of federal Medicaid changes. Representative Stevenson voted pass, saying the committee should let the new oversight board handle the issue, and Representative Gentry also passed, citing concern about overreach and the burden of data collection. The committee ultimately reported HB 695 favorably on a 16-1 vote with three pass votes. Afterward, members recorded additional yes votes on HB 537 for the record.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Committee Meeting Jun 25th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Executive
Transcript Highlights:
- The first item on our agenda includes gubernatorial appointments, as well as two pieces of legislation
- That is the role of the executive branch. There is no place for that in the judiciary.
- of government and the work that you do in your branch.
- So now we can move to the legislative portion of the committee meeting.
- Chair, we do not have anyone signed up in person to give public comment on this legislation.
MN
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Unfortunately, it's not getting funded, but legislators, legislative staff, and executive branch staff
- branch.
- branch.
- Previously convicted felons used gun violence against members of the legislative branch of the New Mexico
- And he concluded that this legislation didn't implicate the plain text And he concluded that this legislation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Commission on Data Practices 1/22/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- work needs to be done as legislators work needs to be done as legislators with<00:19:07.120>
- <00:47:17.920>
that historically all the legislators that historically all the legislators - proponents of this legislation. proponents of this legislation.
- judicial branch employs electronic judicial branch employs electronic reporters<01:34:45.040>
for - legislative commission data practice. legislative commission data practice.
Summary:
The committee continued its hearing on enforcement and compliance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, first taking additional public testimony from Melissa Zimmerman and Matt Senot of the East Side Corridor residents in Owatonna. They described submitting roughly two dozen data requests across several government entities related to a proposed highway project, saying some agencies responded but others did not, and that even after they substantially prevailed in a data practices complaint and the court imposed a maximum civil penalty, they still did not receive meaningful access to the records. Zimmerman said the lack of access harmed their ability to comment on the project’s environmental review, and both witnesses argued that the law needs stronger enforcement, realistic timelines, better communication, and more accessible remedies for requesters who cannot afford repeated litigation. They also raised practical barriers such as inaccessible file formats, missing software on a county-provided laptop, and the need for electronic delivery options.
The committee then heard from Eric Johnson of Anoka County, who testified about Chapter 13 issues involving third-party polygraph data used in probation monitoring. He argued that when the state relies on third-party-generated summaries, the responsible authority’s obligations for access, retention, and correction are unclear, and there is no effective remedy when the third party does not respond. Johnson said the county directed him to seek raw data from the third party, which had not responded, and he warned that short retention periods can make data subject rights unenforceable if the records are destroyed before a request is resolved. Members asked about statutory citations and retention schedules, and several commented that the issue may warrant review of data-retention rules.
During member discussion, legislators broadly agreed that the Data Practices Act’s enforcement mechanisms are not working well enough and that many requesters cannot afford to pursue administrative or court remedies. Co-Chair Scott suggested staff compile the testimony into a report to identify possible legislative fixes, while Senator Lucero said there may be some “low-hanging fruit” that could be addressed quickly in the short session. The chair also floated the idea of involving the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution in a mediation role to improve communication and reduce gridlock, though members noted that any process would still need to produce results consistent with the law. The committee then moved on to its next agenda item, a discussion of the BCA Fusion Center and its annual reporting requirements.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- This was actually the first situation that came up following the passage of the legislation in Seminole
- Part of that, as you know from the legislation, is that there's no relationship between the parties and
- Ironically enough, just after the last legislative session, we live in Indian Rocks Beach, Barry Allen
- Supreme Court to ensure there's a well-funded judicial branch.
- They also are located on our five branch offices.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and Senator Thompson excused. The committee first considered Senate Bill 48 by Senator Garcia on judicial sales and procedures. Garcia explained a delete-all amendment that would create clearer statewide procedures for alternative judicial sales, increase transparency, remove bidding credits, extend sale timelines, and add oversight for auctioneers and escrow agents to prevent fraud and collusion. After no questions or opposition, the amendment was adopted, Senator Pasadoma said the rewrite addressed many of his concerns, and the committee then voted CS for SB 48 favorably with unanimous yes votes from members present.
The committee then received a presentation from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office on the effectiveness of Florida’s recent anti-squatting law, House Bill 621/SB 888. Presenters described several cases in which deputies used the new process to remove unlawful occupants, including a false landlord report, a long-term fake lease situation, and a more recent unlawful occupancy case. They said the law has helped protect property owners and potential victims, but suggested technical changes: clearer authorization for deputies to enter and use force if needed, and a fix to the affidavit penalty provision because false statements are currently being charged as false reports rather than perjury under the existing wording.
The Florida Bar also presented on its role in regulating lawyers, lawyer advertising, and the unlicensed practice of law. Bar leaders explained that the Bar operates under the Florida Supreme Court’s authority, is funded by member fees, and handles complaints through a multi-step process involving intake, branch offices, grievance committees, referees, and final Supreme Court review. They described advertising review procedures, discipline statistics, consumer assistance, the Clients’ Security Fund, and enforcement against unlicensed practice. Senators asked about the Legislature’s authority over lawyer advertising, the prevalence of legal ads, the role of public members on grievance committees, and how those members are selected and used.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- auditor the legislative the legislative auditor the legislative reference<00:26:15.559>
library - We serve the entire legislative branch, the House and the Senate, all 201 members.
- First of all, while we're in the legislative branch, we're also somewhat independent from all of you.
- While we're in the legislative branch, we're also somewhat independent from all of you.
- We're in the legislative branch, and we audit folks outside of the branch, so there's structural independence
Summary:
The committee met on January 16, 2025, for an organizational and informational session. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Jim Nash reviewed committee expectations, including that nonpartisan staff are to be used for factual information rather than political arguments. He also noted the committee rules were a blend of prior chairs’ rules and would be posted without a vote.
Helen Roberts of House Fiscal gave a high-level overview of the committee’s jurisdiction and budget structure. She explained that the State Government Finance Committee oversees funding for major administrative agencies, the legislature, constitutional offices, and several boards, councils, and commissions. She emphasized that the committee’s general fund base for fiscal years 2026-27 is about $1.31 billion, less than 2% of the state general fund, and that the largest pieces are the Department of Revenue, the legislature, and pension aids. She also described how all-funds presentations differ from general fund views, highlighting internal service funds such as Minnesota IT Services, Department of Administration services, and other chargeback or reimbursement arrangements. Members asked questions about House and Senate budgets, debt service related to the Capitol Area building project and move costs, and how Minnesota IT Services is funded through fee-for-service chargebacks.
Colby Sullivan of House Research then summarized a memo in the packet that outlines the entities within the committee’s jurisdiction and the constitutional and statutory provisions governing them. He pointed members to the memo as a reference and noted that the committee also has jurisdiction over the Legislative Coordinating Commission, the legislative auditor, the legislative reference library, the reviser of statutes, the Secretary of State’s budget and certain duties, and three gambling-related agencies, though gambling policy itself is generally handled by another committee. He offered to help members with bill drafting and amendments and to provide a linked electronic version of the memo.
The Office of the Legislative Auditor then began an overview of its work. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall explained that the office is nonpartisan, serves all 201 legislators, and provides oversight through financial audits, program evaluations, and special reviews focused on state funds. She distinguished the Legislative Auditor from the State Auditor, noting that the State Auditor is an elected constitutional officer who focuses on county and local government funds. Randall said the office would also present a deep dive into its November performance audit of the Minnesota State Lottery. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- But 2,180 cases have arisen in a short time because the legislative and executive branches have so much
- But 2,180 cases have arisen in a short time because the legislative and executive branches have so much
- But 2,180 cases have arisen in a short time because the legislative and executive branches have so much
- and the legislative branch has caused them to go to court.
- and the legislative executive branch and the legislative branch<00:42:49.359>
has <00:42:49.599
Summary:
The Judiciary and Agriculture and Environment committees held an informational briefing on how recent federal policy changes, funding delays, cancellations, and layoffs are affecting Hawaii’s climate mitigation and adaptation efforts, and on the legality of some of those federal actions. Chair Carl Rhodes and Chair Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing it as part of an interim series on the rule of law and Hawaii’s response to federal actions. They noted there would be no public testimony, only invited presenters, and that questions would be held until the end. No votes or formal committee actions were taken.
State climate change coordinator Leah Laramie described broad impacts from federal actions, including grant cancellations, litigation over terminated funding, staff cuts at NOAA and EPA, and the effect of the federal tax and spending law she said would raise energy costs, reduce grid reliability, and threaten renewable energy and transportation projects. She highlighted the loss or expiration of incentives for EVs and other clean-energy technologies, the termination of the Solar for All program and other rescissions, and the risk to major Hawaii projects such as Carbon Smart Commodities and other energy and land conservation programs. She also said the state’s attorneys general had taken numerous climate-related legal actions, including suits challenging federal cuts and the oil companies’ role in the climate crisis.
Retired Justice Michael Wilson focused on the rule of law and climate justice, arguing that Hawaii is on the front line of climate change and that fossil fuel companies pose the greatest long-term threat. He said the state lacks a comprehensive climate protection plan despite the urgency of the crisis, cited UN and scientific warnings about a limited time horizon and severe warming, and pointed to projected local harms such as sea-level rise, beach loss, infrastructure damage, and major economic losses in Waikiki. His remarks emphasized the need for stronger planning and legal accountability, especially in light of federal rollbacks and the influence of fossil fuel interests.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAM-AEN, WAM-JDC Informational Briefings 01-09-2026
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Commodities branch manager Keith Otsuka. Measurement standards branch Richard Coleman.
- Plant pest control branch manager Dr. Han Lau. Pesticides branch manager Esther Reichert.
- branches as far as park progress? branches as far as park progress?
- Which branch is that in? Which branch is that in? AGR AGR AGR 151.
- prosecutors in each branch. prosecutors in each branch.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE AND HOUSE Feb 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- One of them, Representative Dahlaby covered on the legislative part.
- Oh, look up the number for that Chase branch that's down the street.
- will move forward in the legislative process.
- She was instructed to go to a different branch than her normal branch, where somebody might not be as
- As legislation is passed, we'll be in physical session this year, but as legislation is passed, we need
Summary:
A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, the Attorney General’s office, the state bank and securities commissioner, the insurance department, AARP, and mortgage industry representatives. Witnesses described fraud as increasingly organized, technology-driven, and often transnational, with common schemes including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonations, business email compromise, gift card and wire scams, crypto kiosk fraud, check fraud, and mortgage/real estate fraud. Several witnesses emphasized that seniors are disproportionately targeted and that losses are often underreported because victims feel embarrassed or do not know where to report incidents.
Testimony highlighted both state and national responses. Bankers and regulators pointed to Arkansas’s 2025 actions on crypto ATMs and elder-fraud education, including training for gift-card sellers and safe-harbor protections for banks under the Safe AR Act. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division described its complaint process, a new financial fraud task force, and examples of recovered funds, including quick recoveries from Bitcoin kiosk scams and wire fraud cases. The American Bankers Association and others urged stronger accountability for telecoms and social media platforms, citing spoofed caller ID, impersonation ads, Section 230 issues, and the need for a national scam-prevention strategy or federal office. Artificial intelligence was identified as a major emerging risk because it can generate convincing scam emails, websites, and impersonation content at scale.
Members asked about reporting procedures, whether banks reimburse fraud losses, how crypto affects recoverability, the safety of tap-to-pay versus chip use, and whether public online records contribute to fraud. Witnesses generally advised victims to report scams through the proper channels, avoid clicking links or responding to suspicious messages, and verify requests independently by contacting institutions directly. The committee also heard that banks and regulators are already sharing information and educating consumers, but that more legislative and cross-agency action may be needed. No formal vote or bill action was taken beyond approval of the November 3, 2025 minutes.