Transcript Highlights:

• for audits.
• what charges for audits.
• or the department that was being audited.
• or the department that was being audited.
• conducted by the state auditor and charges for audits.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and handled a mix of conference committee appointments, appropriations bills, policy bills, and House amendments. Early in the session, the chamber appointed conference committees for SB 2399 and for House-amended SBs 2213 and 2354, and also named conference committees for HB 103, HB 1308, and HB 1169. The Senate then took up several appropriations measures, including HB 1612, which creates the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at UND; the Senate adopted an amendment shifting the funding to a one-time $250,000 Community Health Trust Fund appropriation with a required $250,000 match from other sources, and the bill passed 39-7. HB 1193, the “Back the Blue” grant, was amended to make the funding one-time and focus on officer retention, then passed 41-5. HB 1329, a government spending database proposal for school districts, was amended into a legislative study and passed 42-4. HB 1020, the water budget, received extensive amendments reducing and reallocating funding across major water projects, adding studies and oversight changes, and passed 45-0 with the emergency clause. HB 1581, a tribal tourism grant, also passed 40-6. The Senate rejected HB 1330, which would have authorized divestment from direct investments in Chinese companies; after debate over the prudent investor rule, trade impacts, and whether the bill singled out one nation in law, it failed 20-26. HB 1534, limiting property valuation increases, and HB 1266, adjusting the disabled veterans property tax credit, both failed unanimously or nearly so after committee recommendations against them. HB 1566, which would have created a regulatory framework for a product discussed as kratom, was amended on the floor to convert it into a study and then passed 31-15. The chamber also passed HB 2241 on charter schools after a House amendment changed the funding formula to the statewide average from the prior year, and HB 2022, the indigent legal counsel budget, after House changes added funding flexibility, offset lost fee revenue, and included a study on a public defender office. The Senate concurred in several House amendments and then passed a number of Senate bills. SB 2375, allowing joint negotiations between dental providers and insurers under Attorney General oversight, passed 44-2. SB 2251, clarifying that open records requests during state audits should be referred to the audited agency, passed 46-0. SB 2159, related to nuclear energy research, passed 43-3 after House amendments required Industrial Commission approval and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. SB 2155, changing gratis antelope license rules, passed 30-16 after debate over landowner rights and tag distribution. SB 251, setting fees and an audit for the Private Investigative and Security Board, passed 44-2. SB 2280, the prior authorization health insurance bill, passed 43-3 with a House-added study and consumer protections. SB 2023, the Racing Commission budget, passed 41-5 after a House change made internship funding one-time. SB 2232, changing prenatal substance exposure reporting requirements and related toxicology rules, passed 44-2. SB 2241, authorizing public charter schools, passed 39-7. The session ended while the Senate was still processing SB 2022’s final passage vote, but the bill had already cleared concurrence on House amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:42.479> you<00:04:42.800> have<00:04:42.960> the decisionmaking process
• . you have the decisionmaking process. you have the ability<00:04:43.919> to<00:04:44.240>
• came through much smaller program audit came through much smaller program and<00:15:40.560> there
• This is an interesting idea that should be continued to be considered in the committee process and I
• Why wouldn't we want greater oversight of the grant process? Motans are demanding accountability.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House debated a motion to suspend the rules so House File 3843 could be recalled from committee and given second and third readings for final passage. The bill, carried by Representative Baker and supported by Representative Niska, would create a subcommittee of the governor’s workforce development board to vet nonprofit and other applicants for workforce development dollars, with the legislature retaining final authority. Supporters argued the proposal would add an extra layer of scrutiny, reduce fraud risk, and help prevent problems like those highlighted in recent reporting and past nonprofit funding scandals. Supporters repeatedly tied the bill to concerns about fraud in state grantmaking, citing the Feeding Our Future scandal and other nonprofit cases as examples of why more oversight is needed. Representative Baker said the committee process can be overwhelmed by many direct-appropriation requests at the end of session, and that a board-based vetting process would help identify red flags. Representative Enen and Representative Schultz also backed the motion, saying the bill would improve accountability and protect taxpayer dollars. Representative Pinto opposed the urgency motion, saying he supports moving toward more competitive grants but not adding another layer of bureaucracy without a fiscal note or fuller committee process. He argued the bill would not do what supporters claimed and that the legislature already makes funding decisions. After debate, the House took a roll call vote on the motion to suspend the rules. The motion failed by one vote, 67 yeas to 66 nays.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to give you guys a little bit of a background on dyslexia today. processes written language
• processes written language um<00:01:30.880> this<00:01:31.119> makes<00:01:31.439>
• instructions spelling writing processing instructions spelling writing and<00:04:53.000> behavior
• 4,200 nonprofits requiring annual audits 4,200 nonprofits requiring annual audits the<00:31:52.440
• they don't have time to get their audit they don't have time to get their audit in<00:35:28.680>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• jobs from Family Farms to processing jobs from Family Farms to processing plants<00:35:49.359>
• During this process, of course, I reached out to MDA.
• of obtaining reviewed and audited of obtaining reviewed and audited financial<01:09:58.800> statements
• you are having um a review or an audit you are having um a review or an audit done<01:17:02.600>
• it cost so much to do these audits it cost so much to do these audits there's<01:19:31.120> a

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• McFarland: BUT I JUST HEARD IT WAS PART OF THE PROCESS. >> Speaker: THANK YOU, IT'S PART OF THE PROCESS
• BUT WE'RE LETTING IT DO THE WORK BUT THEN WE ARE AUDITING THE PATCH AND AT FIRST WE WERE AUDITING ONES
• ONE SO AUDITING 100% OF WHAT IT WAS DETERMINING.
• INTAKE PROCESS THAT NOT KIND OF, WE WANT THE GOODS PROVIDER THROUGH THE PROCESS.
• HOW OFTEN ARE THE MARKETPLACE PROCESSES AND PRICES AUDITED AND IF SO, HOW OFTEN AND WHO DOES THE AUDIT

Transcript Highlights:

• I should point out we are rigorously and regularly audited by the federal government on these funds.
• So you say specifically, who is it that does that audit you're referring to?
• Can we get a copy of the latest audit report? Yes, all the states have to do this. It's mandatory.
• uh topics coming up doing a vot on audit uh topics coming up in<00:36:30.800> a<00:36:30.920>
• um can we get a copy of the latest audit um can we get a copy of the latest audit report<00:38:10.599

Bills: HF1345, HF71, HF993, HF1943

Keywords: HF1345, statutory city, public utility commission, municipal utilities, city council, local government, utility governance, commission membership, staggered terms, vacancy appointment, ordinance, Minnesota Statutes 412.341, municipal ordinance, city commission, public utilities, HF71, Minnesota, public safety, peace officers, correctional officers

Transcript Highlights:

• He said if neighborhoods are unable to participate in the process, they are going to lose.
• , and is not required by another state or federal law to perform an audit more stringently.
• Like audits, the AUPs must be completed and presented to city legislative bodies by March 1st, submitted
• provision that would allow cities that have fallen more than two years behind in submitting their audits
• years behind in submitting their audits years behind in submitting their audits or<00:12:59.440>

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:06 Attendance Roll Call: 00:11 SB 53 Discussion: 01:54 SB 53 Vote: 09:09 SB 192 Discussion: 10:15 SB 192 Vote: 13:42 HB 290 Discussion: 15:02 HB 290 Vote: 16:08 HB 314 Discussion: 16:45 HB 314 Vote: 19:38 Adjournment: 21:32, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met with a quorum and considered three bills. Senate Bill 53, sponsored by Senator Thomas, addressed Fayette County planning and zoning procedures after a 2024 law was interpreted to limit public comment at certain hearings. Thomas, along with witnesses Walt Gaffield and Zachary Davis, argued the bill would clarify that residents have a right to speak for or against planning matters affecting their homes and neighborhoods. The committee voted favorably on SB 53, with all members present voting yes. The committee then took up Senate Bill 192, sponsored by Senator Bledsoe, which would allow smaller cities to use agreed-upon procedures instead of full audits under certain conditions, with standards set by professional accounting rules and oversight by the Auditor of Public Accounts and the Department of Local Government. Supporters said the bill would help small and midsize cities facing audit costs and a shortage of auditors without reducing accountability. The committee adopted a substitute and passed SB 192 unanimously, with several members explaining their support. House Bill 290, sponsored by Representative Wilson, would change how county law library funds can be used, allowing bar associations to spend money on online legal research tools rather than only books. The sponsor said some local associations have unused funds and need more practical options. The committee passed HB 290 unanimously. Finally, House Bill 314, sponsored by Representative Lockett and Senator Williams, would reorganize oversight of the Kentucky Wired network by consolidating authority and personnel into the Commonwealth Office of Technology amid concerns about KCNA’s management. The bill drew criticism from Senator McDaniel, who called Kentucky Wired a boondoggle and questioned its costs, but the committee still passed HB 314 with favorable expression 9-2 and sent it to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was A selection process per se, but I'd have to talk to this.
• We got two audit findings, two audits completed. One was completed by the State Board of Finance.
• Those ones are only based on the audit recommendations.
• So we then had to redo the process all over again. Good. Okay.
• audit.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got a question about verification processes.
• So in SNAP, these processes...
• So in SNAP, these processes, this is a verification process. Right, and I understand that part.
• Is there any verification process?
• or the application process.

Summary: The subcommittee first recognized the Arkansas Community Colleges Leadership Institute and received a brief DHS update on the Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver reimbursement process, including that the new cost-reporting period began in January and provider/contractor calls are underway. The main presentation then focused on SNAP and TANF, with DHS describing federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill that tighten SNAP work requirements for adults ages 18 to 64 without certain exemptions, remove some prior exemptions, and add new federal definitions for Native American populations. DHS also reviewed SNAP Employment and Training providers, their service areas, projected budgets, participant characteristics, and outcomes, noting that the program is currently voluntary but will shift toward mandatory participation for those subject to the new rules. Members asked detailed questions about how mandatory participation will be implemented, how referrals will be made, what other training options exist, how verification of work, volunteering, disability, and exemptions will be handled, and whether DHS has enough funding and provider capacity. DHS said it will conduct verbal and written notices during eligibility interviews, make direct referrals to providers, use six-month recertifications and documentation from employers or volunteer organizations, and apply sanctions for noncompliance after determining whether a good cause exists. Members also requested additional data, including age breakdowns of at-risk SNAP recipients, provider-level outcomes and costs, and information on other training programs such as WIOA. The committee then moved to Medicaid community engagement requirements for ARHOME, which DHS said are also required by the same federal law and must be implemented by January 1, 2027. DHS said it is preparing policy, system changes, communications, and a customer-service/outbound verification vendor, and plans a soft launch beginning in July to help clients understand what would be required if the rule were already in effect. Members raised concerns about timing, local versus central decision-making, and how clients in rural areas will be notified and assisted. The meeting concluded with broader discussion of the committee’s workforce-development goals, the recently released Alliance for Opportunity audit, and interest in continuing the contract with that group to help guide future reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• Auditing and reporting tools, obviously, performance...
• to see where the processes can be improved.
• So there's a regular audit cycle. Every cycle goes through their annual certification audits.
• Every site is audited on a three-year cycle. Okay.
• There's a process you go through.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not prevent audits, and it does not weaken tax enforcement.
• penalties while the audit is going on.
• Is there a process for doing that now in this problem? I would assume there’s not a process now?
• I don’t think there’s a process other than, you know, we asked for the list.
• So it’s a multi-step process as we go through the system.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have five reports without findings, and these are listed on page one of the audit summary.
• of almost $59,000, could not be physically located for observation and/or properly identified for audit
• , and at War Memorial Stadium, it was discovered at the time of our audit that the change fund had an
• It was discovered at the time of our audit that the change fund had an $80 overage.
• This letter is issued to inform the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee that for the 2025 reporting

Summary: The committee met with prayer and approved the January minutes, then heard a series of Arkansas Legislative Audit reports. Reports with findings were presented for the Department of Human Services, Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Department of Corrections, and Department of Veterans Affairs, along with a special report on law enforcement racial profiling policy compliance. Several reports without findings were also filed without objection. For DHS, auditors reported apparent thefts involving false benefit claims in disaster nutrition assistance and Medicaid, a nearly $610,000 altered warrant cashed by a California auto body shop, and multiple asset-control issues, including missing equipment, inventory discrepancies, and improper sales tax paid on exempt vehicle purchases. Members questioned DHS about the warrant fraud and whether other agencies or California officials had been notified. For Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, auditors cited missing museum receipts and problems with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium; department officials said they are considering cashless payment options and provided an update on the museum loss investigation. For Corrections, auditors reported unauthorized personal fuel-card purchases totaling about $4,500 and a delayed disaster recovery test for critical IT systems. Department officials said staffing has been increased for fuel-card oversight and that a full production disaster recovery test is scheduled soon. For Veterans Affairs, auditors found improper pay for employees who were not working, duplicate vendor payment, and numerous overtime approvals that were not properly authorized; the department said it has tightened overtime approval procedures. The special report said only 203 of 383 law enforcement agencies had responded regarding racial profiling policies, and the Attorney General had notified the remaining agencies that they were not in compliance. The committee requested a list of nonresponding agencies and adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for March 12.

Transcript Highlights:

• that have findings, and we also have four reports without findings that are listed on page one of the audit
• Those cases were sent back to us, and we’re in the process of issuing notices of overpayment so that
• The misunderstanding on our part was that that included the notification to Legislative Audit.
• We knew that we needed to update, or, excuse me, to notify Legislative Audit, and at that time we did
• The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism takes all audit findings very seriously.

Summary: The committee first approved the prior meeting minutes and then heard audit reports from Mr. Bullington. Four reports without findings were filed without objection. The Department of Human Services FY24 report contained three findings: suspected fraud involving disaster food assistance and Medicaid benefits by employees, a delayed notification of a forged and cashed state warrant for nearly $610,000, and several fixed-asset and sales-tax errors. DHS officials said they had referred the benefit fraud cases to prosecutors, recovered some restitution, and would change internal procedures so accounts payable staff report such incidents directly to the chief fiscal officer. Committee members questioned the missing assets, the warrant delay, and the tax issue, and the report was deferred to the next meeting so DHS could return with written policy changes. The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism FY24 report had two findings: the loss of nearly $3,500 in museum receipts, believed to be theft at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and issues with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium. Agency officials said they had implemented new controls, including a point-of-sale and reservation system for museum rentals and more frequent reconciliation of change funds. Members asked about the criminal case, the statute of limitations, bond board reimbursement, and whether the employee’s final paycheck could be withheld. Mr. Bullington later reported that the prosecutor’s office said the Parks and Tourism investigation remained open and that additional information had been requested from the agency. The committee then deferred that report as well, and adjourned after setting the next meeting for February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't ask you to see the intricate details of the audit. I just said, can we see the audit?
• I didn't ask you to see the intricate details of the audit. I just said, can we see the audit?
• Not the individuals that were students, but the audit. The audit results. That's right. Okay.
• Can you remind me of what the requirements are for the audit? Is it auditing the private school?
• So we are audited as a part of our accreditation process.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 convened with a quorum, adopted its committee rules, and heard opening remarks from members introducing staff and outlining priorities for the session. Members from both parties emphasized education as a major issue, while several Republicans framed the committee’s work around school choice and parent empowerment. Senator West and other Democrats stressed protecting public schools, listening to Texans, and considering the effects of vouchers or education savings accounts on school districts and communities. Chairman Creighton laid out Senate Bill 2, the Texas Education Freedom Act, describing it as a universal education savings account program modeled on similar programs in other states. He said the bill would provide about $200 million for a universal eligibility pool and additional funding for students with disabilities and lower-income families, with priority weighting for former public school students. He also highlighted anti-fraud measures, vendor pre-approval, criminal background checks, cybersecurity protections, annual testing requirements for participating students, and the use of the Comptroller rather than TEA to administer the program. Creighton repeatedly said the bill is not a voucher and argued it would not take money from public schools, which he said would receive separate historic funding increases. Members questioned Creighton about the 500% of federal poverty line definition, the adequacy of the $10,000 ESA amount, whether the program would favor students already in private school, how microschools and homeschool pods would fit, and whether the bill protects religious liberty and private-school autonomy. Democrats raised concerns about disability protections, 504 students, foster children, public-school funding, open records, and the historical context of vouchers. Republicans generally supported the bill as a way to expand options for parents and students, while also asking about administration, fraud prevention, and data security. After member questions, the committee began invited testimony, with EdChoice President Robert Inlow presenting in support of SB 2 and citing the growth and reported success of school choice programs nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• . audits. audits.
• prior year audit results. prior year audit results.
• if the audits are very late. if the audits are very late.
• process of this bill. process of this bill.
• . process. process.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AND THAT IS THE PRESENTATION ON WHERE WE ARE IN THE AUDIT.
• TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS. I SEE SOME SHAKING OF HEADS. MORE DETAIL PLEASE. >> YES.
• TO ANSWER SOME THINGS THAT ARE IN THE CURRENT AUDIT.
• THE DATA WILL COME TO YOU THEN WHO DOES THE AUDITING?
• AS PART OF THE AUDIT RESPONSES WE DID UPDATE OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

Transcript Highlights:

• About regular permitting process.
• 261 um relative to election audits. 261 um relative to election audits.
• <01:02:35.760> has the law stipulates that that audit has the law stipulates that that audit
• Questions from the recount process.
• process.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you talk about the processes?
• that process. of that process will play out just at our quarterly meeting next week, but we last Last
• What's your process for outside counsel? should you need outside counsel.
• Yes, Deloitte is in the process of refunding.
• , I guess, or the application process.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:00:16.280> here would follow the same um, process here would follow the same um, process
• as where we would audit as where we would audit um,<01:00:18.600> purchases.
• >> this new audit >> this new audit within<01:00:46.280> the within the within
• And I I guess audits than in the past.
• There goes an audit right there.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 5055, the governor’s supplemental tax budget. Commissioner of Revenue Paul Marquart outlined the proposal as a balanced budget package that would leave a positive bottom line in the current biennium and beyond. He emphasized family-focused tax relief, especially a new refundable young child credit for children ages 0 to 4, which would provide up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more, benefit about 104,000 families, and phase out at higher incomes. He also described federal conformity changes, including updates to business interest deductions, dependent care credits, and Section 179 expensing, along with omitted federal items such as research expensing and opportunity zones due to cost and policy concerns. Marquart also defended broader tax modernization proposals, including expanding the sales tax to selected consumer services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services while lowering the statewide sales tax rate, and creating a social media tax on consumer data collection that would fund an AI readiness special revenue fund rather than the general fund. He said these changes would make the sales tax less regressive and better aligned with the modern economy. Additional provisions mentioned included a gun-related gross receipts tax on firearms and ammunition, cannabis tax technical changes, historic structure rehabilitation conformity, and added auditors for tax compliance. Testimony from outside groups was mixed. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the governor’s approach as a response to federal tax and spending changes, praised the decision not to conform to opportunity zones or federal no-tax-on-tips/overtime provisions, and urged even stronger revenue measures. Brian Lake of the Minnesota State Bar Association strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on consumer legal services, arguing it would burden low- and middle-income people in sensitive cases and create unfairness when individuals litigate against the state. Tanner Fritsinger of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the sales tax base expansion and the social media tax as ways to broaden revenue without raising the base rate. The committee chair thanked the commissioner and then began hearing public testimony, with additional testifiers queued up.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over 14 years I've been on the Legislative Audit Commission.
• Legislative Audit Commission. Legislative Audit Commission.
• improved in processes. improved in processes.
• , then we need to change the... audits done.
• However, um we did create a audits done.

Keywords: 1183, house