Transcript Highlights:

• Medical assistance fraud steals from hard-working taxpayers across Minnesota.
• That's disgraceful, and we're here to help crack down on this kind of fraud.
• Granting the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit this authority when conducting provider fraud investigations
• or there is a finding of fraud.
• Fraud prevention relies on those that report program concerns.

Bills: HF2354 , HF1672 , HF2389 , HF2870 , HF2743 , HF1918 , HF2551 , HF1671

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• How big of a problem is this type of consumer fraud in Minnesota?
• How big of a problem is this type of consumer fraud in Minnesota?
• How big of a problem is this type of consumer fraud in Minnesota?
• How big of a problem is this type of consumer fraud in Minnesota?
• How big of a problem is this type of consumer fraud in Minnesota?

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington already has a false claims act limited to Medicaid fraud.
• I'm very interested in preventing fraud.
• fraud in the first place.
• It's just a few examples of what kind of fraud we're talking about.
• So in a case of like $15,000, and protect against waste fraud and abuse.

Summary: The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. House Bill 2445, requested by the Attorney General, would curb “probate for profit” schemes by extending the waiting period before a “suitable person” can be appointed, limiting non-intervention powers and repeat appointments, tightening venue rules, and restricting self-dealing by estate administrators. The sponsor and Attorney General’s Office described cases in which strangers used probate loopholes to control estates, sell property, and profit from heirs; the Northwest Justice Project and other witnesses strongly supported the bill. Members raised questions about whether the bill would complicate probate for laypeople and about the timeline changes, and the sponsor said she was open to amendments. No vote was taken. The committee also heard House Bill 2386, which would replace a statutory garnishment answer form with a form developed by the Washington Pattern Forms Committee or a substantially similar form. The sponsor and a district court judge said the current form causes calculation errors, especially for fluctuating wages, and that the change would make garnishments more accurate and transparent. A collectors’ association supported updating the form but asked for a longer implementation period and flexibility for employers to use their own forms; the judge said a rollout period would not be a problem. The bill was heard but not voted on. House Bill 2585 would create a Washington State False Claims Act modeled on the federal act, allowing the Attorney General and private relators to pursue fraud against state programs, with treble damages, civil penalties, and whistleblower protections. Supporters said it would recover stolen public dollars and deter fraud in areas such as wages, housing, education, and environmental programs. Contractors warned that the bill could sweep in good-faith construction change orders, and a wireless industry group asked for a tax exemption; the Attorney General’s Office said it supported the concept but would provide technical and substantive feedback. The bill was heard without action. Finally, House Bill 2590 would exempt limited equity cooperatives from the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act unless they elect coverage, while keeping the tax exemption framework for those cooperatives. The sponsor and housing advocates said WUCIOA imposes requirements that do not fit cooperative ownership and can hinder permanently affordable housing, while lenders already impose appropriate reserve and governance standards. Witnesses from cooperative development organizations and community land trusts supported the bill, and committee members asked about resale limits, reserve obligations, and who benefits from appreciation. The hearing concluded without a vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2453, which would allow board-certified psychiatric pharmacists to participate in certain involuntary treatment proceedings and provide concurring medical opinions for involuntary medication under less restrictive alternative orders. Supporters said it would improve workforce capacity and continuity of care; opponents argued it could weaken civil-liberty protections and that pharmacists lack authority for diagnosis and treatment. The hearing ended with no final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> related to suspected or confirmed fraud related to suspected or confirmed fraud in<00:36:26.960>
• </c><00:53:27.520><c> more</c> better so that we can stop fraud more better so that we can stop fraud
• </c> chair uh so a suggestion from the fraud chair uh so a suggestion from the fraud committee<01:18:
• </c> members that serve on the fraud members that serve on the fraud committee<01:18:48.520><c> here<
• Like other areas of fraud, and I think Representative Ric mentioned the Fraud Committee in the House,

Bills: HF1855 , HF102 , HF1082 , HF1354 , HF2184 , HF1792 , HF2296 , HF2429 , HF2543 , HF2566

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:

• And uh with this bill, report fraud.
• So So we're promptly uh report fraud.
• </c> provisions of the governor's anti-fraud provisions of the governor's anti-fraud uh<00:14:58.959>
• </c> relating to suspected or confirmed fraud relating to suspected or confirmed fraud in<00:15:10.800
• We can be proud of the movements that we're doing to prevent consumer fraud and fraud on businesses and

Transcript Highlights:

• She's the deputy in charge of our Medicaid fraud control unit, or Mafuku.
• We are the end of the road, as far as the Medicaid fraud train goes.
• Medicaid fraud is a very different bird to try to prosecute.
• Medicaid fraud? I'm sorry. No, no, no. Go ahead.
• We know it wasn't an intentional fraud situation.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to adopt the November 2018 minutes and receive a primer on the subcommittee’s role and Medicaid oversight in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s history and explained that Medicaid is audited annually through the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including weaknesses in eligibility and data-matching controls, improper use of Medicaid funds for partially non-Medicaid work, issues with incarcerated juveniles’ coverage, the absence of a Medicaid recovery audit contractor program exception request, reporting problems involving MFCU recoveries, and provider eligibility documentation concerns. Staff also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for further action. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of Medicaid’s structure, eligibility, delivery systems, and budget. DHS described Arkansas Medicaid as covering about 850,000 people through fee-for-service, managed care, and premium assistance for the expansion population, and outlined major spending categories such as institutional care, long-term services, pharmacy, capitated payments, and supplemental payments. DHS also explained the difference between state plan amendments and waivers, and said it has a beneficiary-fraud unit that refers cases to local prosecutors. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, distinguishing between suspensions for credible allegations of fraud and recovery actions for mistakes or overpayments. OMIG said it works with DHS and law enforcement, issues quarterly and annual reports, and has increased recoveries in recent years. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, can also handle long-term care neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases, and works with local prosecutors as special deputies. Committee members asked about court venue, provider suspensions, beneficiary fraud, education of providers, and the status of Medicaid expansion work requirements; DHS said it is preparing to implement community engagement requirements under HR 1 and will begin with a soft launch before full enforcement. No formal votes were taken beyond adoption of the minutes, and the meeting adjourned after questions were answered.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are the end of the road as far as the Medicaid fraud train goes.
• Medicaid fraud is a very different bird to try to prosecute.
• Medicaid fraud, I'm sorry. No, no, no, go ahead.
• Attorney's allegation of fraud.
• We know it wasn't an intentional fraud situation.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-MEDICAID SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• I call it the buy one fraud three.
• . fraud. fraud.
• Let's keep fighting fraud, members. Vote green.
• Let's keep fighting fraud,<00:04:31.240><c> members.
• </c> fraud, members. Vote green. fraud, members. Vote green.

Transcript Highlights:

• being here. >> My pleasure. >> All right, let's talk about fraud. >> All right, let's talk about fraud
• Uh, a billion dollars in fraud, $9 billion in fraud. Is that legit? I think it is.
• Uh, a billion dollars in fraud, $9 billion in fraud. Is that legit? I think it is.
• Uh, a billion dollars in fraud, $9 billion in fraud. Is that legit? I think it is.
• </c> that's fraud. that's fraud.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> errors or if they're submitting fraud errors or if they're submitting fraud claims.<00:20:54.720
• </c> gap. uh to to to uh um uh prevent fraud gap. uh to to to uh um uh prevent fraud against<00:24:11.039
• </c><00:25:40.960><c> so</c> actually want to prevent the fraud so actually want to prevent the fraud
• </c> motans and taxpayer dollars from fraud. motans and taxpayer dollars from fraud.
• </c> conversation we're having about fraud conversation we're having about fraud here<00:30:48.960><c

Transcript Highlights:

• Unemployment fraud is a real thing.
• I don't believe in fraud. I want fraud to end.
• So you're promoting work, deterring fraud, 2026 is good. I agree. Let's find the fraud in it.
• So there is fraud out there.
• So there is fraud out there.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee first heard SB 410, which would add current and former licensed private investigators, and their spouses and children, to the list of people whose home address, phone number, date of birth, photographs, and related family information are exempt from public records disclosure. Sponsor Senator Trunow said the exemption is meant to protect investigators who work on sensitive matters such as fraud, missing persons, human trafficking, and abuse cases and may face retaliation. After a technical amendment was adopted, the committee heard testimony from a private investigator describing threats and safety concerns, then voted to report the bill favorably as CS/SB 410. The committee then took up SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility verification. Senator McClain said the bill is intended to combat unemployment fraud by requiring claimants to contact five prospective employers per week, appear for scheduled interviews, and undergo regular identity, immigration, employment, and incarceration checks, with fraud information shared among agencies and published annually. Opponents, including labor advocates and representatives of construction and rural workers, argued the bill would add barriers for legitimate claimants, worsen Florida’s already low recipiency rate, and create problems for seasonal, rural, and transportation-limited workers. Supporters said the system needs stronger fraud controls and that employers and taxpayers bear real costs from noncompliance. The committee reported SB 216 favorably after debate. In routine open-government sunset review business, the committee approved two committee bills. SPB 7014 extends for five years a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations of a social media standards law, with staff noting the exemption has not been used because of ongoing constitutional litigation. SPB 7016 preserves a public records exemption for certain financial information held by an economic development agency when administering state or federally funded small business loan programs; supporters said the exemption protects applicants from fraud and harassment, while Senator Smith said he would vote no to remain consistent with his prior opposition. Both measures were submitted as committee bills and reported favorably, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• almost to the very end of the governor's comments and his statements from his speech tonight is when fraud
• They want accountability for the fraud and they want affordability.
• They want accountability for the fraud and they want affordability.
• for the fraud and they want<00:05:18.680><c> affordability.
• bills and not just merely anti-fraud bills and not just merely talk<00:10:37.880><c> about?

Summary: Republican legislative leaders reacted critically to Governor Walz’s speech, saying it was divisive and focused too heavily on Democratic priorities rather than unity or bipartisan work. Speaker Daudt and Majority Leader Liska argued the governor ignored the state’s affordability problems, including high property taxes, rising business costs, and what they described as mandates imposed under full Democratic control. They also said the speech downplayed poor educational outcomes and failed to offer a unifying vision for the final weeks of session. A major theme was fraud and accountability. Leaders said the governor waited too long to address the state’s large fraud scandal and then deflected blame to other states. They said Minnesotans want accountability and affordability, and they pointed to the House Fraud Committee and the Senate’s OIG bill as examples of anti-fraud work Republicans say Democrats have blocked. They also criticized the governor’s tax proposals as a “bait and switch,” arguing that promised tax cuts would be offset by new taxes on services and banking fees. The discussion also touched on school safety, gun policy, child care credits, and the HCMC bailout. Republicans said they were willing to work on bipartisan school safety measures, including mental health supports and funding for public, private, and charter schools, but believed gun-control proposals lacked the votes. On the child care credit, leaders said they would keep evaluating it but were concerned about future deficits and the need for a pay-for. In response to questions, they said they were not surprised HCMC was not mentioned and said conversations were continuing. One leader also objected to the governor’s comments about voting access for people of color, calling them disrespectful.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Fraud Control Unit staff from 32 to 50. Fraud Control Unit staff from 32 to 50.
• </c> is one that is currently tackling fraud. is one that is currently tackling fraud.
• </c> concerned about fraud. concerned about fraud.
• Although, them be investigating fraud.
• </c><00:52:40.320><c> against</c> in terms of the total fraud against in terms of the total fraud against

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't approve fraud.
• We don't approve fraud.
• For you to call it fraud? For you to call it fraud?
• Taking money fraud. Fraud is disgusting.
• The people that are committing these<01:40:29.960><c> frauds,</c> these frauds, these frauds, hold<01

Bills: HF3542 , HF3819

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, child care, licensing, inspections, compliance, program integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• Up the Medicaid fraud unit in that committee, not him.
• Because we have a lot of Medicaid fraud going on, and we have a lot of fraud going on in our state, and
• office for medical assistance fraud.
• sharing to make sure that that we can get out suspected fraud when there is suspected or confirmed fraud
• We can be proud of the movements that we're doing to prevent consumer fraud, fraud on businesses, and

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Medicaid fraud or anything else. Medicaid fraud or anything else.
• The best defense against the fraud.
• </c> opportunities for fraud. opportunities for fraud.
• </c> that increase the risk for fraud. that increase the risk for fraud.
• </c> amidst these fraud allegations? amidst these fraud allegations?

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• That's disgraceful, and we're here today to crack down on this type of fraud.
• After all, it takes people to fight fraud.
• We also can't investigate or prosecute fraud in obtaining benefits, also known as welfare fraud, or fraud
• convictions than other similarly-sized Medicaid fraud control units.
• We investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud.

Bills: HF2783 , HF2603 , HF2846 , HF2354 , HF1836 , HF2713 , HF1198 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• But at the same time, we're fraud.
• allegation of fraud is under that<00:09:13.680><c> section.
• Um and it includes fraud that section.
• We are all against accepts fraud at all.
• What we are concerned about is fraud.

Transcript Highlights:

• They do fraud monitoring and chargebacks, and we can talk about chargebacks with Keeley and fraud.
• The fraud problem facing this commission is not marginal.
• Today's fraud is digital and AI-enabled.
• We heard a lot about fraud.
• It's what lets fraud protection work.

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Business held a public hearing focused on credit card interchange fees, cashless transactions, chargebacks, fraud, and possible reforms affecting small businesses in Massachusetts. Chair Paul Feeney opened the meeting, outlined the commission’s charge, and noted that the hearing would hear from small business owners, industry representatives, and others on the effects of payment trends and proposed policy changes. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that universal card acceptance and the current interchange system are important to Massachusetts tourism and should not be disrupted ahead of a busy summer season. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates, who said processing fees are especially burdensome because restaurants operate on very thin margins and are charged fees on sales tax and tips that are not retained as revenue. Testifiers including Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, and Kerry Colzer described rising operating costs and gave examples of annual or monthly fee totals, urging relief from fees on tax and gratuity amounts. Ryan Lotz also asked for chargeback reforms, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, proportional fees, and safeguards against repeat abuse. Several witnesses, including Dan Swanson, argued that states have authority to regulate aspects of the payment system and cited the Illinois litigation and federal court rulings as support for state action. Opposing testimony came from credit unions, banks, payment industry representatives, and policy groups, who warned that changing interchange rules could create compliance burdens, reduce rewards, raise account fees, and shift costs elsewhere. Witnesses such as Alex Vereen, Brad Popolado, Keely McEwen, David Montero, Hunter Hamburlin, and Luke Bondar emphasized fraud prevention, network security, consumer protections, and the need for a stable, uniform payment system. Some suggested alternatives such as vendor compensation, surcharging, instant payments, or QR pay code standards, while others argued that sales tax and tip amounts cannot easily be separated within current card-network architecture. The chairs said the commission is still exploring options, discussed possible state-level solutions, and announced plans for one more public hearing before moving toward recommendations and a report. The commission then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> fraud uh in investments. fraud uh in investments.
• The fraud fraud back and get it again.
• </c> that's fraud.
• Now a lot of that is fraud that's fraud.
• </c> fraud and and not renew their license. fraud and and not renew their license.

Committee: Joint Insurance