Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, it's the old adage: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
• We've not been successful in getting an Office of Scam and Fraud Prevention built.
• So we work directly with our customers in trying to not only prevent, but also... ...our customers in
• thought that he was speaking to an Apple employee who was working with the federal government to prevent
• Spend a lot of time filling out suspicious activity reports on their efforts to prevent and stop crime

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, regulators, law enforcement, AARP, and mortgage and insurance industry representatives. Witnesses described a wide range of scams, including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonation, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, gift card fraud, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and crypto kiosk schemes. Several speakers emphasized that fraud is increasingly organized, technology-driven, and amplified by artificial intelligence, and that seniors are disproportionately targeted and often suffer the largest losses. Testimony highlighted both prevention and recovery efforts. Bankers said institutions spend heavily on training, customer education, and fraud detection, but often cannot stop losses once customers have been convinced to authorize transfers. The Attorney General’s office described its Consumer Protection Division, a new Financial Fraud Task Force, and examples of recovering funds quickly from crypto kiosk and wire fraud cases. The State Bank Department and Securities Department said Arkansas’s 2025 crypto ATM legislation and related education requirements have helped, and they urged continued public education. The Insurance Department reported major insurance-fraud trends, including fake insurance cards, forged policies, premium-finance schemes, and staged auto accidents, and said it prosecutes these cases aggressively. Members asked about reporting scams, the security of tap payments, how fraud losses are tracked, the role of crypto kiosks, and whether Arkansas should pursue model legislation or stronger action against telecom and social media companies. Witnesses said tap payments are generally safer than chip or swipe, that crypto transfers are often unrecoverable, and that spoofed caller ID and impersonation ads remain major problems. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association urged state and federal action against telecom and social media platforms and supported national scam legislation. No new bills were voted on at the meeting, but members approved the November 3, 2025 minutes and several witnesses offered to share model legislation, consumer education materials, and state-by-state fraud data with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, it's the old adage: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
• "We would love to see a White House Office of Fraud and Scam Prevention.
• We've not been successful in getting a Office of Scam and Fraud Prevention built.
• So we work directly with our customers in trying to not only prevent, but also..."
• thought that he was speaking to an Apple employee who was working with the federal government to prevent

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members and witnesses describing scams targeting seniors, small businesses, and working families. The committee first approved the November 3, 2025 minutes, then heard from the Arkansas Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, banks, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, the Arkansas Mortgage Bankers Association, the State Bank and Securities Department, the Insurance Department, and AARP. Witnesses described common schemes including spoofed bank calls and texts, government imposter scams, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, fake job postings, gift card scams, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, identity theft, and insurance fraud. Several witnesses emphasized that cryptocurrency kiosks and crypto transfers make recovery difficult or impossible, and that artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing and scalable. Witnesses repeatedly stressed education, verification, and coordination among banks, law enforcement, regulators, and consumers. Bank and mortgage representatives urged consumers to slow down, independently verify wire instructions, avoid clicking unexpected links, use tap-to-pay rather than chip or swipe when possible, and never share account credentials or one-time codes. The Attorney General’s office said it investigates consumer complaints, mediates disputes, works with social media platforms to remove scam ads, and recently created a Financial Fraud Task Force with bankers and other stakeholders. The State Bank and Securities Commissioner highlighted the Safe AR Act, the state’s crypto kiosk framework, and fraud education efforts such as “fraud bingo,” while the Insurance Department described its law-enforcement role and a range of insurance-related fraud schemes it prosecutes. AARP said fraud is widespread and underreported, especially among older adults. Members asked about reporting scams, how losses are handled, whether tap is safer than chip, how crypto fraud works, whether Arkansas has model legislation to address telecom and social media impersonation, and how local law enforcement and state agencies coordinate investigations. Witnesses said banks generally absorb much of the financial loss under federal rules, while consumers bear the inconvenience and account changes. Several witnesses said Arkansas should consider additional legislation to hold telecom companies and social media platforms accountable for spoofed caller IDs and impersonation ads, and one witness said a federal Scam Act is moving in Congress. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes, but witnesses agreed to share consumer education materials and model legislation with committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• So how much of the money in HB2 for upstream prevention services like early childhood, universal pre-K
• That is a place where we can prevent Kids from needing foster care, and I feel like the department has
• Preventable overdose deaths have a lasting consequence far beyond the individual, especially for the
• This situation was entirely preventable. These situations are not rare.
• HB 137 has the potential to remove one of the most significant and preventable barriers to care.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes clear, enforceable timelines that prevent both intentional delay and simple neglect.
• My name is Amy Keith from Common Cause, and we ask you to vote no on SB 1334 because it will prevent
• We believe this bill will remove thousands of eligible U.S. citizens from the voter rolls and prevent
• This bill can remove or even prevent people like me, a naturalized citizen, from voting.
• These requirements for the additional documents will prevent people from voting.

Bills: S0460, S0748, S1180, S1334

Keywords: special elections, vacancy, Governor authority, election timeframe, judicial determination, voting rights, felony, sentencing, civil rights, criminal justice, rehabilitation, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections. The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes. The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.

Transcript Highlights:

• are kind of subject to potentially going without coverage, they are likely to forego the upstream preventive
• for the Income Support Division staffing and invests in food support for New Mexicans and fraud prevention
• And I would like to hear more conversation about not just preventative, but how are we preparing these
• , and $75,000 for statewide medical transportation. ...$100,000 for suicide prevention, and $75,000 for
• And most importantly, we were also not funded for the $200,000 in suicide prevention.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anything with their license suspension, which potentially has the effect of preventing them from even
• As Senator Parker said, it does not prevent necessary psychological interventions for a child in crisis
• For a child in crisis, for example, nor does it prevent the use of licensed and regulated therapeutic
• My goal is indeed to prevent kids from being in an abusive situation of any kind, and that’s why I’d
• My goal is indeed to prevent kids from being in an abusive situation of any kind, and that’s why I’d

Bills: HB40, HB1916, HB1973, HB2524, HB2530, HB3180, HB3421, HB3783, HB4170, HB4213

Keywords: business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, divorce, property division, family law, court jurisdiction, marital assets, parent-child relationship, birth certificate, identity proof, Family Code, court process, attorney fees, court costs, legal expenses, dispute resolution, child support

Summary: The committee heard several House bills, most of them relating to family law and court procedure, and left each bill pending after testimony. House Bill 1916 would clarify that the court that issued a final divorce decree retains exclusive jurisdiction over later actions involving undivided property. House Bill 1973 would require a certified birth certificate, if reasonably available, to be filed with a SAPCR petition or allow alternative proof of parentage while keeping the information confidential. House Bill 2530 would add qualifications and procedural safeguards for appointing amicus attorneys in SAPCR cases, including notice and hearing requirements, minimum qualifications, conflict rules, and limits on what amicus attorneys may do. House Bill 2524 would make Family Code references to attorney’s fees consistent by using “reasonable and necessary” language. House Bill 3180 would correct a scrivener’s error in the civil discovery rules by changing “settlement” to “statement.” The committee also heard House Bill 4213, which would change the interest rate on overdue child support from the current 6 percent simple interest to a fixed 5 percent and require the Attorney General to report on the impact of the change. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters argued lower interest could improve collections and help low-income obligors catch up, citing research and the size of child-support arrearages; opponents said lowering the rate would reduce incentives to pay and harm custodial parents and children. The Attorney General’s office raised implementation concerns about a House version that would have created a variable rate, while the committee substitute was described as restoring a simple fixed rate. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee also discussed House Bill 40, updating business court provisions and supplemental jurisdiction; House Bill 3421, streamlining probate procedures for original wills and copies; and House Bill 417, clarifying venue for lawsuits involving private transfer fees on real property. Each drew limited testimony and was left pending. Finally, House Bill 3783 drew extensive testimony on court-ordered counseling and reunification therapy in family cases. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would protect children and abuse victims from coercive, unregulated reunification practices, while opponents argued it was too broad, could interfere with legitimate therapy and judicial discretion, and might affect military families and other high-conflict cases. The committee heard testimony from judges, therapists, parents, survivors, and advocates, but took no final action and left the bill pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe in this we have agreement, which would adopt the HD2, making a couple changes though: preventing
• I believe in this we have agreement, which would adopt the HD2, making a couple changes though: preventing
• I believe in this we have agreement, which would adopt the HD2, making a couple changes though: preventing
• 00:47:55.680> with<00:47:55.920> respect<00:47:56.160> to<00:47:56.400> preventing
• um the HD to with respect to preventing um the HD to with respect to preventing anyone<00:47:57.119

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Integrates private health insurance into the OIG's Texas Fraud Prevention Partnership, enabling real-time
• Creates a new subchapter E and Chapter 701 modeled after the Texas Medicaid Fraud Prevention Act, allowing
• And also, uh, down the road, these equipment will, uh, prevent falls, prevent pneumonia, and on average
• So, also this will prevent, uh, cost. Uh, down the line.
• We have other provisions in the law to prevent fraud.

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal is to make the fines substantial enough to compel businesses to act sooner, preventing nuisances
• A bill aimed at preventing misleading advertising by public notaries and non-lawyers offering assistance
• It is not preventing lawsuits. It's truly providing clarity.
• It doesn't prevent causes of action. It just satisfies what is now shades of gray.
• We are preventing businesses from doing what they should be doing.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first postponed CS for HB 781 at the sponsor’s request. It then heard and passed CS for HB 429, which codifies the existing process for terminating or cancelling motor vehicle dealer franchises and requires manufacturers to provide written sales and service performance criteria; the bill was supported by the Florida Automobile Dealers Association and was reported favorably 12-0. The committee next took up HB 983 on homeowners associations, where the sponsor described HOA fraud and abuse concerns and proposed expanding local law enforcement authority to investigate, inspect, and audit HOAs, easing recall procedures, and allowing prevailing-party attorney’s fees in recall disputes. Two amendments were adopted: one removing constitutionality-problematic Kaufman language, and another defining financial statements more comprehensively to improve HOA transparency. The bill drew support from Miami-Dade County and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and was reported favorably as amended 14-0. The committee also passed CS for HB 1343 on public nuisance abatement fines, which raises daily fines from $250 to $500, removes the $15,000 cap, adjusts foreclosure timing on unpaid nuisance liens, and allows attorney-fee calculations to include legal assistance time. Members discussed due process and notice concerns, and the sponsor said he would work on clarifying notice for both owners and nuisance-causing parties; the Orange County Sheriff’s Office supported the measure, citing violent crime tied to nuisance properties. CS for HB 643 on residual market insurers was then reported favorably without discussion. CS for HB 1183 on cybersecurity incident liability followed; it would shield government and private entities from liability if they substantially comply with cybersecurity standards, with the sponsor explaining that the bill was revised after a prior veto to define substantial compliance through policy letters, disaster recovery planning, and multi-factor authentication. Despite concerns about the breadth of the liability protection, the committee adopted an amendment and reported the bill favorably 13-1. PCS for HB 915, addressing advertisements for representation services, was also reported favorably 14-0. The bill targets misleading advertising by nonlawyers and notaries, especially in immigration-related services, requiring clear bilingual disclosures and allowing damages, fees, and injunctive relief for violations; it was supported by faith-based and civil rights groups. CS for HB 585 on former phosphate mining lands was then approved 14-0; the sponsor said it would create a defense to Water Quality Assurance Act strict liability for naturally occurring substances on former phosphate mine sites, require notice recording, radon surveys, and pre-suit radiation testing, and it would not apply retroactively to pending litigation. HB 6503, a claims bill for Mandy Penny Lemon, was also reported favorably 14-0 after brief sponsor remarks describing her severe injuries and homelessness following a 2018 incident. Finally, the committee considered HB 129 on pesticide-related products liability. A strike-all amendment was adopted that bars failure-to-warn claims for EPA-registered pesticide products when the label is consistent with EPA’s most recent human health risk assessment and carcinogenicity classification, while preserving claims if information was withheld, concealed, misrepresented, or destroyed to obtain or maintain the label. Supporters argued the bill provides certainty and respects EPA’s scientific labeling process; opponents warned it would effectively block access to courts and delay claims until after lengthy EPA investigations. After extensive debate, the committee reported the bill favorably as amended 13-1.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the intent is certainly not to prevent any new facilities from coming online.
• I think what we would all want is certainly to prevent another facility like this one in Miami-Dade that
• So the intent is certainly not to prevent, you know, any new facilities from coming online.
• I think what we would all want is certainly we would want to prevent another facility like this one in
• I'm certainly not trying to prevent anything as it relates to waste-to-energy facilities, and certainly

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met with a quorum present and considered a series of environmental, water, waste, boating, and land-use bills. SB 834 on recreational fishing vessel licenses was briefly explained as aligning licensure rules for freshwater and saltwater captains and was reported favorably. SB 1208 on service lateral assessment and rehabilitation would require periodic CCTV inspections, a seven-year assessment cycle, and a long-term public database for sewer laterals; county representatives opposed it over private-property and cost concerns, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 978 on advanced wastewater treatments, as amended, would require DEP reports and a long-term prioritization plan for upgrading large wastewater facilities to advanced treatment; the committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee then took up SB 1822 on auxiliary containers, which would preempt local regulation of certain packaging and define the term in statute. The sponsor argued it would reduce a patchwork of local rules and help businesses, while opponents from environmental groups, local advocates, and some local governments warned it would weaken plastic and foam restrictions, including in parks and coastal communities. Despite substantial opposition and several senators expressing concern, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for SB 384 on notice for annexation of state-owned lands, after a technical amendment requiring written or email notice to legislative delegations, and reported it favorably. SB 1008 on waste incineration would bar new ash-producing incinerators or waste-to-energy facilities within a half-mile of residential, commercial, or school property. The sponsor said the bill was aimed at preventing another fire-related incident like the Doral plant and clarified it was intended to apply only to new facilities, not existing ones; waste-to-energy and county representatives opposed it as too restrictive, while several senators sought clarifying changes. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute amendment to CS for SB 594 on port channel and turning basin buffer zones, reducing the proposed anchoring setback from 5,000 feet to 2,500 feet and allowing ports to create buffer zones after public hearings and rulemaking; the bill was then reported favorably. Finally, SB 830 on lost or abandoned property, aimed at streamlining removal of migrant vessels that pose navigational and environmental hazards, was reported favorably after brief support testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with the Emergency Medical Service and Injury Prevention Branch for the Department of Health.
• Medical Service and injury prevention Medical Service and injury prevention Branch<00:15:09.440>
• SMP is a volunteer-based program that provides information on how to detect, prevent, and report Medicare
• SMP is a volunteer-based program that provides information on how to detect, prevent, and report Medicare
• and Report Medicare fraud detect prevent and Report Medicare fraud abuse<00:18:55.960> and<00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services heard a series of gubernatorial nominations and board appointments, mostly to health-related advisory councils and commissions. Nominees testified briefly about their backgrounds and reasons for serving, including Melanie Lao for the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee; Asana Saragosa Torres and Jessica Stevens for the State Council on Mental Health; several nominees for the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee, including S. Brian, Jacob Pelo, Patrick Winfield Lougher, Dr. An Young, Marin Anka, and Kenneth Faria; Roxanne Row for the Hawaii County Health Planning Council; Lewis Johnson and Susie Schulberg for the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs; Mariah Nicholls and Evan Nakatsuka for the State Rehabilitation Council; and Co Woly for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation board. Testimony in support came from the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, and other individuals and organizations, with several nominees emphasizing lived experience, rural health access, mental health advocacy, EMS experience, or community service. One nomination, GM 522 for Melanie Lao, drew favorable comments about her qualifications and written responses. GM 572, Roxanne Row’s nomination to the Hawaii County Health Planning Council, was the only item that raised concern because the committee had not received her questionnaire answers directly; after questioning, the chair deferred decision-making on that nomination until March 5 pending receipt of the answers. The committee also noted a title correction for GM 548, changing the reference from an advisory board to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to advise and consent on all nominations except GM 572, which was deferred. The adopted recommendations covered GM 522, 523, 525, 526, 540, 541, 548, 575, 576, 577, 579, 629, 630, 631, and 633. The meeting then adjourned after congratulating the nominees and inviting them to remain for a group photo.

Transcript Highlights:

• This vacancy rate does not prevent Cal OSHA from fulfilling its mission to protect workers.
• They are the first line of defense in preventing wage theft, in preventing discrimination, in preventing
• We have helped them prevent and stop workplace rights violations, not just themselves, but like their
• Number five, Cal OSHA Workplace Violence Prevention Plans in Hospitals. The. Any comments.
• Going to item number 7, Health and Safety Workers' Compensation, Injury and Illness Prevention Programs

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• PREVENTION SERVICES WHICH ARE PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO HELP HIGH RISK YOUTH AVOID GOING DEEPER INTO THE SYSTEM
• THE MAJORITY OF THE WORK WE ARE DOING IS ON THE FRONT AND ON THE AREAS OF PREVENTION.
• WE ARE TRYING TO PREVENT THOSE CHALLENGES FROM HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND WORKING HAND-IN-HAND
• PREVENTING SYSTEM CONTACT AND FOR THE KIDS THAT COME IN CONTACT HOW DO WE REDUCE RECIDIVISM?
• ON THE PRESENTATION YOU HEARD YOU WERE THERE WERE PROVIDERS IN THE FRONT AND WITH PREVENTION AND THE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• barriers to prevent suicide attempts. barriers to prevent suicide attempts.
• advocates<00:03:20.560> to the suicide prevention advocates to the suicide prevention
• together with the suicide prevention together with the suicide prevention advocates<00:05:10.880
• national suicide prevention hotline.
• <00:24:56.080> national for the suicide prevention national for the suicide prevention national

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• non-disclosure agreements which prevent non-disclosure agreements which prevent libraries<00:10:
• /c><01:15:50.880> show practices in violence prevention show practices in violence prevention
• This is aligned with best practice and violence prevention as in the violence prevention field as a whole
• This is aligned with best practice and violence prevention as in the violence prevention field as a whole
• This is aligned with best practice and violence prevention as in the violence prevention field as a whole

Bills: HF3698, HF3067, HF3730

Keywords: libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• They just told us how to prevent it from happening to us.
• When you read it, it is preventing. It prevents me from introducing that evidence.
• If we can prevent the... Things like this are what I hope we are working on.
• And this was 100% preventable. I will never get to see my son again. He was only 25.
• And it was 100% preventable. Preventable.

Bills: HB4011, HB2680, HB4325, HB4327, HB4944, HB1761, HB4688, HB3453, HB40, HB1707, HB4749, HB2322, HB3647, HB4139, HB4081, HB2203, HB2100, HB4170, HB3104, HB4623, HB40

Keywords: partition, heirs' property, real estate, co-ownership, family property, non-heir cotenant, right of first refusal, pilot services, liability limitation, maritime commerce, Matagorda Bay, Lavaca Bay, transportation code, maritime industry, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, wrongful death

Transcript Highlights:

• Big investments go to substance use prevention, treatment, recovery, and mental health services.
• <01:02:47.520> and away from kids, invest in prevention and away from kids, invest in prevention
• <01:14:54.480> work prevention work prevention work >> and<01:14:56.560> um<01:14
• <01:16:00.400> There<01:16:00.640> is and prevention representation.
• There is and prevention representation.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , aging, and public health prevention, aging, and public health outreach<00:35:59.520> programs
• So, we're to them as well as prevention.
• POINTER study that came out regarding prevention.
• POINTER study that came out regarding prevention.
• POINTER study that came out regarding prevention.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, approving the prior meeting minutes with one abstention from a member who had been absent. It then received an update from DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver on the department’s rural health transformation grant submission. Weaver said the grant was submitted ahead of the deadline, reflected input from communities and providers statewide, and would now enter a CMS review and negotiation phase. She explained that the governor’s office will oversee the grant with DHHS, that some proposals may be limited by federal parameters, and that the department may need to hire some staff to administer the grant, within the grant’s administrative cap. Members also discussed DHHS budget pressures and staffing. The department’s CFO, Nathan White, reviewed the agency’s budget mix, noting that DHHS accounts for a large share of the state’s operating and general fund budgets, and explained projected general fund lapse estimates, which he said are currently just under $20 million for the department. He also described why lapse projections are difficult to predict in DHHS because many costs are driven by utilization and because some funds are statutorily non-lapsing. White reported that vacancy rates have risen, citing about 400 unfunded positions in the current biennium and the department’s hiring freeze, while emphasizing that direct-care positions are being prioritized. Committee members raised concerns that back-of-the-budget cuts and weak revenue collections could affect the department’s ability to manage lapse projections. The committee then heard from Division of Public Health Director Ian Watt on vaccine policy and federal changes. Watt said New Hampshire continues to support access to safe and effective vaccines, including through the universal purchase program and seasonal respiratory virus guidance. He explained a recent CDC change regarding the MMRV vaccine, which now discourages the combined shot for the first dose in children under four because of febrile seizure risk, while still allowing it for the second dose. Watt said New Hampshire’s school and child care vaccine mandates remain stable, with nine vaccines required for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, and that the state continues to review federal recommendations cautiously. He also said there have been no supply or funding disruptions affecting vaccine access, and that childhood vaccine funding through commercial insurers remains intact. Finally, the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias presented its annual report. The subcommittee said it met about six times, heard presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and began work on updating the state’s Alzheimer’s plan, which had last been updated in 2015-2016. To gather more direct input, the subcommittee formed a needs-assessment work group to develop a survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers. It recommended integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease, aging, and public health outreach; embedding cognitive health into systems of care and the state health improvement plan; adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS; and continuing partnerships with aging and advocacy organizations. Members praised the report and suggested it should clearly identify the subcommittee and include page numbers in future versions.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the best ways to prevent violations is to... when there are violations in their workplace.
• Public agencies are required by state and federal law to prevent and correct workplace discrimination
• Public agencies are required by state and federal law to prevent and correct workplace discrimination
• Yeah, and if I may, Madam Chair, we’re not trying to prevent them.
• It's why we have to do everything we can to prevent these fires from happening in the first place.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with most drawing support after amendments or ongoing stakeholder negotiations. SB 29, by Senator Laird, would extend a sunset on the law allowing pain-and-suffering claims to survive a plaintiff’s death; supporters, including a family member describing a medical negligence case, labor groups, consumer advocates, and disability and elder organizations, argued it prevents defendants from running out the clock, while hospitals, medical groups, and business organizations warned of higher costs and added liability. After extensive debate about data collection, settlement reporting, and the impact on health care access, the bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. SB 294, by Senator Reyes and presented by Senator Laird, would require employers to notify a worker’s emergency contact if the worker is arrested or detained and would create a template to inform employees of state and federal labor rights. Labor and worker advocates said the bill would help workers understand and enforce their rights amid weakened federal enforcement; there was no opposition on file, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations. SB 697 would modernize water-rights adjudication by allowing the State Water Board to use technology instead of requiring in-person field investigations; with no opposition, it also passed unanimously. The committee also advanced SB 37 on attorney advertising, SB 645 on peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 303 on bias-mitigation trainings in public workplaces, and SB 464 on expanding pay-data reporting for specified state workers. SB 37 drew support from consumer and legal groups but concerns from Walker Advertising about joint advertising; members said negotiations were ongoing, and the bill passed. SB 645 would extend anti-bias jury-selection rules to certain civil rights cases; criminal-defense and defense groups said they were close to agreement, and the bill passed. SB 303 and SB 464 were both amended to narrow scope and moved forward after several opponents shifted to neutral or removed opposition. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills, all sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe that upstream prevention is really the key to improving health and sustaining our economy.
• We know that fluoride is a necessary tool when it comes to preventing dental decay and cavities, and
• <00:42:52.960> dental<00:42:53.280> decay when it comes to preventing dental decay
• I want to talk to you a little bit about the importance of the prevention of dental cavities.
• Fluoride is successful in preventing cavities. This is a fact. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Kines.

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:37 Discussion of 25RS HB 392 00:03:10 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 392 00:04:20 Discussion of 25RS HB 580 00:13:28 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 580 00:14:54 Discussion of 25RS HB 688 00:18:40 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 688 00:21:40 Discussion of 25RS HB 16 01:19:44 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 16 01:27:32 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 392, sponsored by Representative Proctor, which would help the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities pay for emergency medical and psychiatric services provided to patients outside state facilities when those facilities cannot meet their needs. Proctor described it as a continuing improvement bill to address payment issues for services delivered at community-based facilities. The bill received no substantive opposition in the meeting and passed the committee with favorable expression by a vote of 15 yes, 0 no, and 1 pass. The committee then considered House Bill 580, presented by Representative Kim Moser and Elena Sweezy, which tightens oversight of peer support specialists. The bill was described as building on House Bill 505 from the prior year by reinstating supervision requirements, adding parameters around group sizes, creating a pathway for temporary peer support specialists to become fully registered after nine months, and addressing Medicaid reimbursement and accountability concerns. Members asked about reimbursement; the sponsor said Medicaid was okay with the bill and that commercial insurance coverage would be up to insurers. Representative Fleming emphasized the need for stronger financial oversight of the peer support code. The committee adopted a substitute and title amendment, then passed the bill with favorable expression. House Bill 688 was then heard, with Representative Bratcher explaining that it addresses two issues: preventing fraud in nurse licensure by giving the Kentucky Board of Nursing more discretion to review out-of-state credentials, and expanding school authority to administer certain emergency medications. He said the bill changes the board’s authority from “shall” to “may” so it can verify transcripts, curricula, accreditation, and exam passage. During discussion, Representative Sharp explained his yes vote by noting the bill also adds rescue medications such as glucagon and Solu-Cortef and allows prescribed emergency medications for known conditions in schools. The committee passed the bill with favorable expression. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 16, which would leave decisions about adding fluoride to drinking water to local governing bodies rather than maintaining a state mandate. Supporters, including Representative David Hale, Dr. Jack Call, and Cindy Batson, argued that fluoridation should be a local choice and raised concerns about cost, potential health risks, and the precautionary principle. Opponents, including Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association, defended fluoridation as beneficial for preventing tooth decay and warned that local removal decisions could increase Medicaid costs and may not reflect the broader public interest. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote on House Bill 16 in the excerpt.