Video & Transcript Research : 'improper payments'
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VA
Virginia 2026 1st Special Session
Commission on Unemployment Compensation Jul 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- commitment to Virginia to ensure that it's not depleted for reasons that because of fraud or because of improper
- payments.
- As for overpayments and payment accuracy, we're doing a lot of work to make sure that the overpayments
- We're not seeing that same level of improper payments, and we, We're not seeing that same level of improper
- payments, and we are continuing to recover on those overpayments that were outstanding.
Summary:
The Commission on Unemployment Compensation met, established a quorum, and elected Delegate Destiny LeVere Bolling as chair and Senator Mike Jones as vice chair. The commission also adopted its electronic meeting policy and heard introductions from new members, staff, and officials from the Secretary of Labor’s office and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). Secretary Jessica Lumen outlined the administration’s workforce and labor priorities, including supporting workers, employers, and program transparency, while members raised concerns about business climate, job losses, labor participation, and the implementation of paid family and medical leave.
Staff provided legislative updates on recent unemployment-related bills. These included increases to the weekly unemployment benefit amount enacted in 2025 and 2026, a bill on labor dispute disqualification that changed how lockouts are treated for benefit eligibility, and a budget item providing $75,000 for actuarial support to the commission. The commission also discussed the 2025 work group on annual adjustments to weekly benefit amounts; staff reported that the work group did not complete its charge, and members agreed to revisit whether to reconstitute it at a future meeting. Delegate Martinez expressed support for continuing the work, and the chair said the issue would be taken up at the next meeting.
Deputy Commissioner Joanna Darkus gave a detailed presentation on Virginia’s unemployment insurance system, including current claims data, eligibility rules, employer tax structure, benefit levels, trust fund solvency, fraud prevention, and customer service operations. She reported that Virginia’s unemployment rate remains low, weekly claims are modest, the current weekly benefit range is $160 to $478, and the trust fund balance factor is projected at 50.9 percent, near the threshold for additional employer charges. Members asked about the taxable wage base, trust fund solvency, the effect of benefit increases, fraud controls, and the planned paid family and medical leave program. VEC said it is implementing that program through regulations, staffing, IT procurement, public listening sessions, and consultation with other states. A public commenter from the Virginia Poverty Law Center urged the commission to strengthen state investment in unemployment insurance and warned that federal support is uncertain. The commission then adjourned without taking further action.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 2/24/25
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- payment payment if<00:08:00.720>
the <00:08:00.960>provider <00:08:01.759>is <00 - <00:49:03.200>
in payments in payments in 2024<00:49:04.960>and <00:49:05.119>there - Cost avoidance would be, for example, preventing improper payments from being made.
- <01:18:54.400>
payment <01:18:54.840>ments <01:18:55.080>from preventing improper - payment ments from preventing improper payment ments from being<01:18:55.760>
made <01:18:56.760
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 17th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So as a result of our additional testing, we didn't identify any improper payments.
- It appears that it was more of a lack of documentation. ...improper payments.
- The Department of Transportation had support for how they made the payments.
- Promotion fund grant conditions were not met, improper breeder fund awards were given, and improper procurement
- So this recommendation addresses improper breeder fund awards.
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- There have been occasions that people have been injured and even where children have died because of improper
- There have been occasions that people have been injured and even where children have died because of improper
- lot of constituents who have received fish emails from what appears to be insurance companies for payments
- appears to be insurance<00:26:14.159>
companies <00:26:14.640>for <00:26:15.039>payments - <00:26:15.360>
that insurance companies for payments that insurance companies for payments
Summary:
The committee took up several insurance and health-related bills. Earlier discussion focused on metastatic cancer step therapy and biomarker testing, with the sponsor explaining that the bills would prevent insurers from requiring patients to try less effective treatments first and would require coverage for biomarker testing to better target treatment. The biomarker bill was described as a product of a summer study committee and was reported favorably. The committee also advanced a bill setting standards tied to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and a private residence elevator bill requiring licensing, inspection, and permitting for elevator installers, with an amendment exempting those elevators from annual inspections after the initial inspection.
Members then considered a mitigation program for retrofitting homes, with the sponsor saying the Department of Insurance and industry were close to a workable statewide program. The bill would be funded by increasing a fee paid by insurance companies, not policyholders, and would allow use of a third-party administrator capped at 5% of program funds. The committee also reported bills extending the state health plan repealer, extending the LOSAP volunteer firefighter program repealer, and creating a fraud detection trust fund at the Insurance Department to address AI- and cyber-related fraud. The fraud fund bill drew questions about whether it would raise premiums and how it would help investigators; supporters said the fund would support staffing and equipment and that the existing fund had been dormant.
Additional bills included a transparency measure for dental insurance spending, which would require reporting on the share of premiums spent on dental services beginning in 2027, and a bill expanding access to self-funded group health plans for members of legitimate professional and trade associations. The committee also heard a Mississippi Patient Protection Act aimed at strengthening willing-provider protections and limiting insurer discrimination against qualified providers; an amendment was proposed to clarify that vision benefit managers would not be treated as pharmacy benefit managers. Most measures were moved by title sufficient due pass and reported without opposition.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 21 January, 2026; 3:30 PM
Public Health and Welfare
Transcript Highlights:
- The payment never goes to the child's parent. It goes directly to the child care provider.
- Um, there will not be a direct payment to a parent in any form of this.
- Um, there will not be a direct payment to a parent in any form of this.
- Uh and we've childcare payment program.
- their payment error rate down to a lower level. program in Mississippi.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 3, a certificate-of-need measure that had passed last year but was vetoed by the governor because of one objectionable provision. The chair explained that the House had just passed the bill unanimously and urged quick Senate action so it could be sent to the governor again. He said the bill is intended to restore the prior law, with the main policy focus on rural hospitals and other future certificate-of-need changes. A question was raised about language affecting the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s academic exemption; the chair said the intent was to preserve the teaching hospital’s core exemption around its main campus while requiring certificate-of-need review for facilities it operates elsewhere, and the committee then voted title sufficient, due pass.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 2476, requested by the Board of Pharmacy. Senator Hill explained that it would let licensed pharmacists self-report substance abuse or mental health issues and enter treatment before disciplinary action, similar to programs already available for nurses and with comparable provisions for physicians and dentists. Board representatives said participants would have to stop practicing until cleared, and that failure to comply would trigger discipline; the bill was described as an alternative to professional discipline, not immunity from criminal law. After questions about definitions and how many times a person could use the program, the committee voted title sufficient, due pass.
The meeting concluded with an informational presentation from Mr. Anderson on child care funding and program operations. He said the state used ARPA funds during the pandemic to support child care certificates and providers, but those funds were exhausted, leading to a pause and a waiting list of about 20,000 families; the program currently serves about 18,000 children. He said the department is continuing $15 million in state support, is converting 30% of the TANF state assistance grant to child care, and is exploring additional TANF direct-assistance options, though cautiously because the state has not done that before. He also discussed child care tax credits, employer-based child care, and efforts to expand capacity through provider support and technical assistance.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And so as a result of— exactly how those payments will be exactly how those payments will be split.<00
- schedule and the special education aid payment schedule work.
- schedule and the special education aid payment schedule work.
- schedule and the special education aid payment schedule work.
- schedule and the special education aid payment schedule work.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- , impose require background studies, impose sanctions,<00:05:47.759>
stop <00:05:48.080>payment - /c><00:05:48.720>
when <00:05:48.960>there's <00:05:49.199>a Sanctions, stop payment - It says DHS must be able to recover improper payments.
- It says DHS must be able to recover improper payments.
- It says DHS must be able to recover improper payments.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- You don't want payment to be based on findings.
- However, when you look at the definitions, it says that misappropriated claims means an improper payment
- , including a duplicate payment, incorrect coding, payment for ineligible services.
- However, when you look at the definitions, it says that misappropriated claims means an improper payment
- , including a duplicate payment, incorrect coding, payment for ineligible services.
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 2079, which authorizes a memorial for Arizona journalist Don Bolles in Wesley Bolin Plaza. The sponsor described the memorial as a no-cost way to preserve Arizona history and honor Bolles, who was assassinated in 1976 while investigating corruption and drug cartels. The bill was moved and passed unanimously, 7-0, for a due pass recommendation.
Members then considered HB 2080, a strike-everything amendment addressing deed and title fraud. The bill would require photo identification for certain county recorder filings, add identifying measures for deeds and real property documents when notarized, create an assessor alert system tied to property addresses, and increase penalties for knowingly filing false claims or forged real property documents from a misdemeanor to a class 4 felony. Testimony from county assessors, the Attorney General’s Office, and a fraud victim emphasized the scale of the problem and the need for layered protections. The committee adopted the amendment and passed the bill 7-0.
HB 4064, concerning municipal improvement districts, drew more debate. The bill would move the petition requirement earlier in the process before a city or town adopts a resolution of intention for an improvement district. Supporters from Camp Verde, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, a developer, and the Yavapai Apache Nation said the change would improve transparency, reduce wasted planning costs, and help finance sewer and infrastructure projects in rural areas. Opponents argued it could force property owners into infrastructure they do not want and infringe on property rights. The bill passed 5-2.
The committee also approved HCR 2048, which would withhold pay for statewide elected officials and legislators if the general appropriations bill is not enacted by April 30 and send the measure to voters. Supporters said it would create a stronger incentive to finish the budget on time; opponents said more work was needed on session length and bill volume. The resolution passed 4-3. Later, HB 2324, allowing municipalities with their own fire codes to petition for county buildings inside city limits to be inspected under local code through an intergovernmental agreement, passed 7-0 after testimony from county and state fire officials who supported the concept but wanted technical amendments.
The committee then passed HB 4087, authorizing a memorial plaque for former legislator Barbara Leff, with the family covering costs. Finally, HB 2239 created a child care grant program and infrastructure fund to expand child care in underserved and rural communities. Supporters described severe child care shortages, economic impacts, and safety concerns; the sponsor framed it as an investment in workforce participation and child well-being. The bill passed 5-0 with one present and one not voting. The committee then began hearing HB 2375 on historic districts and middle housing, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that measure.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Rules Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Re-roof a home due to improper underlayment preparation for the shingles or the roofing top.
- Edwin Henry: “Improper underlayment preparation for the shingles, for the roofing top.
- Relay tile due to improper subfloor preparation. Very expensive.
- Edwin Henry: “So if I authorize payment for deficient work to a subcontractor, and I know that work is
- working on your roof and you find that they installed the shingles over some rotten plywood or the improper
Summary:
The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and took up a long agenda of bills, most of which were reported favorably. Early measures included CS/SB 62 on candidate qualification, which would allow qualified candidates or political parties to sue over violations of party-affiliation qualification requirements, and CS/SB 156, the Officer Jason Raynor Act, which would clarify resistance-to-officer language and impose a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter committed against a law enforcement officer. SB 156 drew strong support from the City of Daytona Beach and law enforcement groups, while the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers opposed parts of it, arguing the bill removed existing limits on force and erased sentencing distinctions. The committee also approved several open-government sunset review bills, including CS/SB 7014, SB 7016, CS/SB 7012, SB 7000, SB 7002, SB 7004, SB 7006, and SB 7008, all of which extend or preserve public records or meeting exemptions for topics such as social media investigations, small business loan records, motor vehicle enforcement records, emergency shelter information, military affairs records, conviction integrity unit materials, Public Service Commission proceedings, and Gaming Control Commission records.
The committee also approved SB 624, allowing batterers’ intervention programs to offer optional faith-based activities, with supporters saying faith-based counseling can help reduce domestic violence and opponents not appearing in the excerpt. HB 167 on former phosphate mining lands was reported favorably after supporters from the Florida Chamber and Associated Industries backed the bill, which limits strict liability claims involving natural geological substances on former phosphate mines but not phosphogypsum stacks. CS/SB 48 on housing, as amended, would require local governments to allow accessory dwelling units, limit certain local barriers, and extend housing incentives; it drew broad support from housing, business, real estate, and advocacy groups. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives, CS/SB 364 on CPA licensure modernization, SB 292 on public records protection for appellate court clerks, CS/SB 296 and CS/SB 298 on domestic and dating violence protections and related public records exemptions, and SB 386 on farm equipment warranty protections were also reported favorably, generally with supportive testimony from affected industries, advocacy groups, or public safety stakeholders.
Later, the committee approved SB 168 expanding public nuisance law to include gambling houses and increase penalties and enforcement tools. It also heard but temporarily postponed CS/CS/SB 290 on the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services after the chair allowed public testimony because many stakeholders had traveled to attend; one opponent, a longtime builder, argued the bill could criminalize contractors who withhold payment for deficient subcontractor work. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes on selected bills and then adjourning.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So let's think it through and ensure that we have a payment mechanism and not just a project at the end
- payments or payment errors over the last decade.
- Paragon estimates that Medicaid issued nearly $1.1 trillion in improper payments over the last decade
- Most healthcare providers will always refund excess payments to the patient.
- There is no statutory requirement that over payment be refunded by a certain date.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- influence. 643 talks about improper influence.
- > of<01:46:55.600>
rent, currently include non-payment of rent, currently include non-payment - And many people with for improper entry.
- Um, a section A improper entry is a misdemeanor or a felony?
- capital A section capital A improper capital A section capital A improper entry<02:28:19.760>
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Jan 21st, 2026
Finance and Taxation General Fund
Keywords:
school psychologist, school psychology, interstate compact, licensure compact, license reciprocity, portable license, equivalent license, professional licensing, psychology board, school mental health, student services, educational services, interstate practice, reciprocal licensing, background check, continuing education, workforce shortage, military spouse, active duty military, compact commission
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 4/2/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- from the state and get a $100 payment from the state it's<00:50:00.359>
it's <00:50:00.520> - Chair, is this program set up to be a one-time payment for that reduction, or is this an ongoing payment
- for uh or or is this an ongoing payment for as<00:53:58.880>
long <00:53:59.079>as <00: - for just that one reduction or whether there will be more acreage and additional payment.
- The indirect payment, that two-for-one, is nearly 425,000 pounds.
Keywords:
agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This particular piece will make sure that the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program policy
Keywords:
HF1918, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, child welfare, foster care, out-of-home placement, permanency planning, relative search, noncustodial parent, kinship care, family preservation, African American Child and Family Well-Being, racial disproportionality, maltreatment reporting, educational neglect, truancy, school attendance, Great Start compensation, child care provider payments, TEACH early childhood program
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- currently do that for kickbacks, but other allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse—so, for example, payment
- 31.519>
like waste and abuse so um for example like waste and abuse so um for example like payment - :33:34.039>
uh <00:33:34.279>if <00:33:34.440>there <00:33:34.559>are payment - withholds or uh if there are payment withholds or uh if there are other<00:33:35.279>
allegations
Keywords:
veterans, veterans affairs, State Soldiers Assistance Program, Veterans Stable Housing Initiative, MAXIS, human services data, data sharing, eligibility verification, informed consent, private data, benefits coordination, veteran housing, veteran assistance, Department of Human Services, Children Youth and Families, state benefits, federal benefits, privacy, public assistance, human services
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Nov 19th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- , whatever it happens to be, you can be making a payment for a travel voucher, you can be making a payment
- But any improper payments, any ineligible amounts, you're paying and chasing those amounts because the
- Now we have to make a payment by date certain.
- eligibility prior to each payment.
- This helps ensure accurate and timely cross-checks to avoid improper payments.
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K-12 Education met for its first meeting of the 2025 session to hear the Auditor General’s operational audit on 2024-25 school funding accountability challenges, focused largely on the Family Empowerment Scholarship and its interaction with the FEFP. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy described rapid growth in scholarship enrollment, timing mismatches between scholarship payments and public-school funding calculations, delayed membership survey processing, weak cross-check and recoupment procedures, inconsistent handling of parent survey responses, and limited documentation for withholding and returning funds. The audit said these issues contributed to funding inequities, duplicate-payment risks, and an unexpected draw on state education funds, and it recommended separating scholarship funding from the FEFP, aligning application windows with budget timing, strengthening controls and staffing, and creating clearer, documented recoupment and balance-limit processes.
Committee members questioned whether current law gives the department and scholarship funding organizations enough authority and whether the system is effectively a pay-and-chase model. Several senators expressed concern about the lack of timely reconciliation, the size of the funds involved, and the absence of clear records showing how money was recovered or withheld. Adam Emerson, executive director of the Office of School Choice, said the department is working more closely with school districts and scholarship funding organizations, including pausing payments when districts identify students still enrolled in public schools, and said the office wants to improve the process.
President Gates then previewed legislation he said would address the audit’s findings by funding Family Empowerment Scholarships as a separate FEFP categorical, expanding the Education Stabilization Fund, setting clearer application and acceptance deadlines, moving to monthly payments with eligibility verification before each payment, assigning student IDs for scholarship assistance, lowering SFO management fees, requiring annual audits, and requiring prompt return of audit-related funds. Public comment included a private-school attorney describing losses from unpaid scholarship amounts. Members generally supported the need for reform, with several senators saying the program should be preserved but better structured and more accountable. The committee adjourned after the discussion, with no vote taken on the legislation.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Mar 24th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We make sure that the federal government receives their proper royalty payment.
- We make sure that the federal government receives their proper royalty payment.
- And we did adjust the percentage of those payments to...
- Step four, and we adjusted the percentage of those payments to 5% and 10%.
- And that's just to ensure that our payments reflect the true child care utilization.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - Part 2)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2023 alone, over $13 billion in improper payments were made.
- In 2023 alone, over $13 billion in improper payments were made.
- In 2023 alone, over $13 billion in improper payments were made.
- In 2023 alone, over $13 billion in improper payments were made.
- In 2023 alone, over $13 billion in improper payments were made.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- As a result of our additional testing, we didn't identify any improper payments.
- The Department of Transportation had support for how they made the payments.
- Promotion fund grant conditions were not met, improper breeder fund awards were given, and improper procurement
- So that is the main part, I guess, of the recommendation that we had, related to that improper support
- So this recommendation addresses improper breeder fund awards.
Summary:
The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations.
Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose.
The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria.
The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- As a result of our additional testing, we didn't identify any improper payments.
- It appears that it was more of a lack of documentation. ...improper payments.
- Promotion fund grant conditions were not met, improper breeder fund awards were given, and improper procurement
- So that is the main part, I guess, of the recommendation that we had related to that improper support
- So this recommendation addresses improper breeder fund awards.
Summary:
The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses.
Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself.
The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings.
The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.