Transcript Highlights:

• $1,000 or more were victims of fraud. $1,000 or more were victims of fraud.
• . fraud. fraud.
• from devastating fraud. from devastating fraud.
• complaints data shows that online fraud or internet fraud is $16 billion last year.
• results of this report are. results of this report are.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Or if somebody wanted to commit fraud in registering, how easy that would be?
• Fraud in terms of voter registration fraud, right? That's what I… thank you.
• up a lot of voter registration fraud.
• Fraud, then we've got to work some provisions in here to prevent voter registration fraud, which could
• There is no rampant election fraud, and this remains true.

Bills: HB2442, HB3697, HB4288, HB5256, HB5337, HB5362, HJR161

Keywords: HB 2442, Texas Election Code, Election Code Section 84.001, early voting, ballot by mail, mail ballot, absentee voting, runoff election, primary runoff, general runoff, voter application, election administration, county election officials, opt-out, voter choice, mail voting, ballot application, voting by mail, Election Code, size requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• The licensure report really tailored the bill at hand to the licensure report.
• The licensure report really, now the bill at hand, really tailored to the to licensure report.
• Elder fraud is growing in our nation. I just pulled an FBI report that it's very large.
• We see reports of elder fraud all the time. I think Chairman Stanley raised the question of...
• That's a Medicaid fraud check.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence held a hearing on several bills, led by Chair Tom Stanley and Senate Chair Patricia Jehlen. The committee first heard testimony on H. 765/S. 487, an act relative to councils on aging, which would update outdated statutory language and allow directors of councils on aging to make staffing decisions when a council is structured as an advisory body. Representative Donahue and Betsy Connell of the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging said the change reflects how most councils now operate and would resolve conflicts like the one that arose in Sherborn. Members asked about whether the bill would affect town managers, volunteer roles, and whether the language should more clearly exempt informal volunteer help; supporters said the bill is aimed at municipal staffing structures, not unpaid volunteer assistance. The committee then took extensive testimony on H. 789/S. 470, an act to improve Massachusetts home care, which would create a statewide licensure system for non-medical home care agencies and entities. Julie Watt, Jay Krillovich, Betsy Krimmins, Lisa Gargoni, Tim Foley, and several providers and advocates supported the bill, arguing that licensure would establish baseline standards for background checks, training, service plans, insurance, complaint procedures, and labor-law compliance, while helping consumers identify legitimate providers and reducing fraud and abuse. Several witnesses described problems with unlicensed or poorly supervised providers, and family members and dementia advocates emphasized the need for dementia-specific training and better oversight for vulnerable clients. Tim Foley also raised concerns about private equity’s growing role in home care and said stronger regulation is needed to protect consumers and workers. Committee members focused on practical questions about the bill’s scope, including whether it would reach informal paid helpers, volunteers, or people doing occasional household tasks, and what agency would enforce the rules. Supporters said the bill is intended to cover entities advertising home care services, not unpaid volunteer help, though they acknowledged regulators would need to work out details. John Sneeth of Tribute Home Care offered a more cautious view, saying licensure should not unduly burden smaller providers or reduce competition, and that enforcement would be key. The hearing also included testimony from the Alzheimer’s Association and family caregivers, who strongly supported the bill’s dementia-training provisions and described how trained caregivers improved safety and quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. At the end of the hearing, the committee also heard support for H. 778/S. 473, regarding the Commission on LGBTQ Aging, with Lisa Krinsky urging funding for a full-time director and continued support for the commission’s strategic plan. After public testimony concluded, the committee adjourned the hearing by motion and voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• None of them were reported to VAERS. I had to report them to VAERS.
• We're talking about deed fraud, right?
• , wire fraud, mortgage fraud, you name it, and this is not new but there seems to be with probably rising
• So I'm a big proponent of proper property fraud because, well, preventing property fraud, I'm sorry.
• And we do have cases that we could report.

Bills: HB 1181, HB3704, HB1363, HB1610, HB1615, HB1620, HB3223, HB1317, HB2884, HB2176, HB4027, HB1664, HB933, HB2613, HB3353, HB2086, HB4101, HB3441, HB4145, HB3455

Keywords: judiciary, judges, justices, retired, legal assignments, judicial conduct, notary public, criminal offense, education requirements, official documents, record retention, implicit bias, bias training, judicial training, judge education, court personnel, continuing legal education, CLE, state bar, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going to focus and for fraud.
• And by not things such as fraud.
• me—although the dollar... um report.
• that were maybe not accurate. information behind the report that I information behind the report that
• <01:48:24.960> that's with the current rampant fraud that's with the current rampant fraud

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the legislative auditor on a performance audit of the governor’s office and lieutenant governor’s office covering July 1, 2022 through December 31, 2024. The audit reviewed receipts, inventory, payroll, and non-payroll expenditures and found 12 findings, concluding the office generally did not comply with the criteria tested because of internal control deficiencies. The auditor said four of five prior findings that remained relevant were not fully resolved, and that the problems were widespread across financial operations, creating opportunities for waste and fraud, though no evidence of wrongdoing or misuse of funds was found. The main findings involved weak segregation of duties, late vendor payments, inaccurate reimbursements and vendor payments, missing documentation, and poor receipt management. Auditors said one employee handled purchasing, receiving, payment processing, and inventory functions without adequate oversight; vendors were often paid late, resulting in more than $1,000 in late/reactivation fees; reimbursements and some state airplane payments contained errors; and many vendor payments, reimbursements, and purchasing card transactions lacked required support. The office also failed to collect about $12,000 for events at the governor’s residence, did not fully process several deposits, and lacked documentation for some billed or deposited amounts. Members reacted strongly to the repeated control failures and the lack of documentation, with several saying the issues were pervasive and concerning even if the dollar amounts were not large. Questions focused on whether the problems reflected different treatment of vendors versus employee expenses, whether restitution was being sought, and whether legislation was needed. The auditor responded that the state already has the necessary policies and procedures, and that the issue is implementation and oversight by the governor’s office, not new legislation. The auditor also said the governor’s office had been receptive and had begun taking steps to address the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reported favorably. Thank you, senators.
• By your vote show committee substitute for Senate Bill. 1322, reported reported favorably.
• It's not so much that there's a an abundance of fraud.
• You stated that this is about being preventative, trying to prevent fraud, supposed to fraud that you've
• This bill is not going after fraud.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section four u modifies a reporting Section four u modifies a reporting requirement<00:09:30.240
• <00:10:03.120> and<00:10:03.360> provides of fraud and provides of fraud and provides
• The investigations relate to fraud, theft, waste, and abuse or other misuse of public funds.
• The investigations relate to fraud, theft, waste, and abuse or other misuse of public funds.
• > the reporting requirement for the reporting requirement for the alternative<00:12:54.800>

Bills: HF1306

Keywords: education, school policy, teacher training, student health, emergency response, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:17:35.200> representative fraud representative fraud representative mlan<02:17:37.240>
• <02:18:03.280> it's do that but if there is fraud it's do that but if there is fraud it's
• um repeal the quarterly reporting um repeal the quarterly reporting requirement<03:37:52.160>
• Right now, this is the only report that I have to HHS oversight that's a required legislative report.
• Right now, this is the only report that I have to HHS oversight that's a required legislative report.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They can't find any fraud.
• Briggs would report to the SBA administrator and carry out day-to-day operations.
• However, as you have noted, there is way too much fraud in these programs or was too much fraud.
• That reduced a lot of that fraud.
• current programs and have a zero-tolerance approach to fraud going forward.

Keywords: SBA, small business, nominations, Bill Briggs, Casey Mulligan, regulations, capital access, public support

Summary: The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship convened to consider the nominations of Bill Briggs for Deputy Administrator of the SBA and Dr. Casey Mulligan for Chief Counsel for Advocacy. The discussions highlighted the critical role of the SBA in promoting small businesses, with emphasis on overcoming challenges posed by excessive regulations and the need for improved access to capital. Several committee members expressed their concerns over recent layoffs within the SBA and the closure of district offices, which they believe undermine support for small businesses across the nation. The committee meeting saw extensive dialogue about the implications of regulations on small business operations and how the nominees plan to address these issues if confirmed. Public support for the nominees was acknowledged through letters from various stakeholders who advocate for small business interests.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh until last week the Commerce fraud uh until last week the Commerce fraud Bureau<00:15:16.560>
• BCA and is now part of a larger fraud BCA and is now part of a larger fraud and<00:15:24.399>
• You can look up licenses or report senior fraud, in addition to unclaimed property.
• You can look up licenses or report senior fraud, in addition to unclaimed property.
• > fraud and text fraud and emo fraud in uh fraud and text fraud and emo fraud in uh second<00:30:16.519

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• DHS has a strong track record of going after fraud, of working to prevent fraud and to prosecute fraud
• <01:28:45.000> of track record of going after fraud of track record of going after fraud of
• > and<01:28:48.679> to working to prevent fraud and to working to prevent fraud and to
• $100 million fraud story broke.
• <01:31:25.639> is time and we we were assured fraud is time and we we were assured fraud is

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for a Health and Finance Policy hearing, began with member and staff introductions, and noted that Representative Keeler was participating as a non-voting member. The chair outlined committee rules on decorum and then introduced the day’s first agency presentation from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), with Commissioner Cunningham appearing to present the department’s budget priorities. Commissioner Cunningham described MDH’s broad public health role and emphasized that public health is underfunded relative to health care, with significant reliance on federal dollars. The department’s main budget request was for infectious disease prevention and response to offset anticipated federal funding losses. MDH also outlined several fee increases tied to public water systems, wells, licensing and certification, assisted living and health care facilities, HMO regulation, food/pools/lodging inspections, radioactive materials, X-ray equipment, and asbestos abatement. The commissioner said these changes were needed because costs, workload, and regulatory complexity have increased, while many fees have not been updated in years. MDH also presented budget-neutral proposals, including continuing the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee, converting the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force into a standing advisory committee, restoring some local and tribal public health cannabis and substance misuse prevention grants, creating direct American Indian Health Special Emphasis Grants, reauthorizing the State Trauma Advisory Council, and extending firefighter PFAS biomonitoring work. The department also requested an operations adjustment for rising employee, insurance, fuel, utility, and legal costs, and referenced additional Clean Water Legacy Fund proposals. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided. Representative Bierman then offered supportive comments, praising MDH’s work and backing the funding and fee proposals, especially the restoration of local public health prevention grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• the First Amendment exist such as fraud the First Amendment exist such as fraud and<00:12:48.000
• To bring the report out.
• There is a credit card fraud statute, and gift card tampering would be a Class D felony.
• There is a credit card fraud statute, and gift card tampering would be a Class D felony.
• There is a credit card fraud statute, and gift card tampering would be a Class D felony.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:36 SB 4 Discussion 01:16 SB 4 Vote 28:30 SB 130 Discussion 31:18 SB 130 Discussion 36:02, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 4, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create a state artificial intelligence governance framework for Kentucky government agencies and address AI-generated misinformation in campaigns and elections. The bill’s sponsors said it is intended to regulate only state government use of AI, not the private sector, and would require oversight by the Office of Technology, agency reporting, and annual reporting to the General Assembly. They also said the elections provisions were narrowed to focus on AI-generated audio and video, remove image disclosures, eliminate prior restraint and monetary damages, and rely on disclosure requirements modeled on laws they said had survived constitutional review in Texas. Testimony on SB 4 was mixed. Supporters emphasized transparency, human accountability, and the need to prepare state government for rapidly changing AI tools, citing possible uses such as fraud detection, inmate classification, and transportation planning. An opponent from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression argued the bill would burden core political speech, create First Amendment problems, and invite litigation and abuse, especially in the election context. Members asked about litigation, constitutional concerns, costs, and whether the bill should be expanded later to cover ordinary citizens harmed by AI-generated content. Several members expressed support but noted reservations about the election sections or the need for future amendments. After discussion, the committee voted on SB 4 and reported it favorably. The roll call showed the measure passing with favorable expression, with some members explaining votes as supportive but cautious, and one member initially passing before later recording a yes vote. The chair then moved to Senate Bill 130, and Senator Scott Maiden and Kentucky Retail Federation representative Shannon Stiglets began presenting it as a response to gift card scams and theft of redemption information, describing recent large-scale supermarket fraud cases in Kentucky and saying the problem is tied to broader organized retail crime.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we know that they don't prosecute fraud, the fraud occurred in that sphere.
• We felonious assistance program fraud.
• <00:14:41.279> in<00:14:41.920> that fraud, uh the fraud occurred in that fraud, uh
• now saying shall be reported uh to CPS. now saying shall be reported uh to CPS.
• Motion to rise and report. >> Thank you, guys.

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 2 February, 2026; 4:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice and public safety bills. Early discussion focused on immigration-related concerns and the costs of enforcement, with one senator pressing for data to support claims about crimes by undocumented immigrants and another citing specific cases and DPS removals of drivers with falsified CDLs. The committee also heard a bill requiring the sex marker on a driver’s license to match sex at birth; the sponsor said it was the same measure passed by the committee the prior year, and it received a title sufficient/do pass recommendation. Several bills addressed corrections and court procedures. One bill clarified that people in intervention court are subject to the sentencing judge’s sanctions and are not entitled to a separate technical-violation hearing like probationers or parolees; the sponsor said it would reduce, not increase, leniency, and the committee passed it. Another bill extended the statute of limitations for felonious assistance program fraud from five to ten years, citing the TANF fraud case and the need for more time to detect abuse in executive agency programs; it also passed. The committee then approved a bill allowing judges, after a hearing and specific findings, to order firearms removed in domestic violence cases and protective-order proceedings when the weapons pose a credible threat. The committee also advanced a bill increasing penalties for witness tampering, with the sponsor saying prosecutors wanted a stronger tool because defendants were sometimes willing to accept the current five-year penalty rather than face the underlying offense. Members discussed whether the bill covered intimidation versus tampering and whether the penalty should be tied to the underlying crime; a motion to reconsider/adjust the bill was adopted, and the bill ultimately received a do pass recommendation. Another measure increased fines for handheld mobile device violations while driving, especially in school and work zones, and members discussed whether the bill should be stronger and how any collected fines would be used; it passed. Finally, the committee approved a bill requiring reporting of certain convictions and adjudications to the Child Protective Services central registry, and ended by passing a bill increasing the fine for failing to use a screen on loads that can spill from vehicles and damage windshields, with members noting the fine had not been updated since 1974.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our report contains 13 findings, including four repeat findings from our report that was released
• higher level in your follow-up reports. higher level in your follow-up reports.
• what is in the reports. what is in the reports.
• Um and then we get into what's a uh pretty horrible report. Horrible report.
• So, thank you, you you horrible report. And horrible report.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, all the reports were he didn't come through a metal detector.
• Well, all the reports already didn't come through a metal.
• So all these cases where you had clear voter fraud going on were never, never seen.
• But I consider that to be a successful prosecution of voter fraud.
• So anyway, the bottom line of the story is that, yes, fraud does occur.

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1065, which would require government property contracts to prohibit contractors from barring licensed handgun holders from carrying firearms on leased or owned public property, with civil penalties and attorney general enforcement for violations. Senator Hall and invited witnesses from the Texas State Rifle Association, NRA, and Texas Gun Rights argued the bill would close a loophole exposed by the State Fair of Texas gun ban and protect law-abiding Texans’ self-defense rights. Opponents, including Moms Demand Action/Everytown, said the bill would undermine event organizers’ ability to set site-specific safety rules and could increase liability and insurance costs. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. The committee next took up Senate Bill 2742, which would create civil penalties for independent school districts and officials who use public resources for electioneering, waive immunity defenses, and expand attorney general enforcement. Senator Hagan-Bood said current law bans the conduct but lacks meaningful penalties, making injunctions the only remedy. No public testimony was heard, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2743, also by Senator Hagan-Bood, which would allow a court to disqualify local prosecutors who refuse to prosecute election offenses and appoint the attorney general to handle the case, with a committee substitute adjusting the removal process through an adjacent-county judge. Opponents from the Texas Civil Rights Project argued the bill would undermine prosecutorial discretion and was vague and open to abuse, while a Harris County election official described past instances where alleged voter fraud cases were not pursued. After testimony, public comment was closed and SB 2743 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our mandatory reporting.
• Um, we have a public accountability division The division goes out and investigates any report of fraud
• , whether it be client fraud, retail fraud, or anything like that.
• We have mandatory reporting to the... We have mandatory reporting to the CDC.
• We are required to report reportable diseases to the Center for... reportable diseases to the Center

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> 9-0, bill's given a favorable report. >> 9-0, bill's given a favorable report.
• seen a lot of voter fraud seen a lot of voter fraud or,<00:19:58.000> you<00:19:58.080>
• <00:24:58.000> The that's how someone reports it. The that's how someone reports it.
• report as amended. Thank you. report as amended. Thank you.
• Bill's given a favorable report.

Bills: HB91, HB95, HB255, HB318, HB91, HB95, HB255, HB318

Keywords: county housing authority, public housing, housing authority, affordable housing, low-income housing, mixed-use development, community facilities, subsidiary, affiliate, public corporation, municipal tax exemption, deed tax, mortgage tax, probate fee, bond financing, housing project, urban redevelopment, rural housing, public-private partnership, eminent domain

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of standing committees and divisions.
• If there is no objection, the reports will be adopted.
• The clerk will report the motion. The clerk will report the motion.
• be recalled from the committee on fraud be recalled from the committee on fraud prevention<00:11
• As the lead on the fraud committee, uh, I spoke with Representative Anderson.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• we see we reported is all too familiar.
• crime report that we saw in 2023.
• scam or has been a potential victim of a fraud scam.
• So in the version is filed, earned wage access companies were prohibited from reporting to consumer reporting
• And so we're concerned that these entities then could decide to start reporting to consumer reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• who's been found guilty of voter fraud who's been found guilty of voter fraud by<00:26:29.200>
• I'm unaware of any single case in which identity fraud was the basis of a voter fraud prosecution.
• I'm unaware of any single case in which identity fraud was the basis of a voter fraud prosecution.
• was the basis of a voter identity fraud was the basis of a voter fraud<00:30:45.679> prosecution<
• for the report on HB 269.

Keywords: 1189, house, all