Video & Transcript Research : 'combat'
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appr/Sub-Natural Resources REVISED Feb 11th, 2026 at 10:15 am
Transcript Highlights:
- That is every single combat sports event. And that's also every single wrestling event.
- Youth combat sports, but we regulate youth kickboxing because there was a major issue with how that was
- we might be regulating other youth sports, but right now that's what we have, and it's really just combat
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Press Conference: Reproductive Rights Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- My service record includes 13 years as a United States Navy SEAL with multiple combat tours to Iraq and
- As warfare and battlefields evolve, So too must we. so too must our approach for combating the scourge
- Many post 9/11 veterans have spent their entire adult lives in a combat zone, only to face their greatest
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House/Senate DFL Media Availability 12/4/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We want to take strong<00:12:34.880>
measures <00:12:35.760>to <00:12:36.000>combat< - <00:12:37.279>
I <00:12:37.600>also strong measures to combat fraud. - I also strong measures to combat fraud.
- <00:13:14.639>
been <00:13:14.800>done <00:13:14.959>to <00:13:15.200>combat - much work that has been done to combat much work that has been done to combat fraud.<00:13:16.639
Summary:
House and Senate DFL leaders Erin Murphy and Zach Stevenson discussed Minnesota’s budget forecast, arguing that rising health care costs, federal policy changes under Trump and congressional Republicans, and cuts to health care, food support, and clean energy are worsening the state’s fiscal outlook and household affordability. They said the state’s economy remains strong but is being undermined by higher premiums, tariffs, canceled projects, and shifting costs to state and local governments, while Republicans are prioritizing tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations over working families.
A major topic was fraud prevention and oversight. In response to questions, the leaders said every dollar of fraud is unacceptable, but that the budget forecast is not the right tool to measure it. They pointed to existing efforts, including BCA investigators, a governor-ordered and legislature-authorized audit, stronger laws passed in 2023-2025, and work on an independent inspector general proposal. They said the House DFL supports stronger anti-fraud measures and wants fraudsters held accountable, while also protecting services for vulnerable Minnesotans.
The leaders also defended prior DFL budget decisions, saying the 2023 legislative session ended with a $5 billion surplus and rejecting Republican claims that DFL spending drained the state’s coffers. They said Minnesota must still balance its budget, but that the structural deficit is being driven largely by rising medical assistance and health care costs, which they argued are tied to federal actions and broader health system instability. No votes were taken in this transcript; it was a press availability with questions and responses.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/20/25
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- 2024, the legislature passed much-needed clarification and authority around the OIG's mission to combat
- <00:24:34.720>
fraud in 2023 and 2024 and help combat fraud in 2023 and 2024 and help combat - We should have been combating it a long time ago. Thank you, Representative P.
- it a long time ago thank you combating it a long time ago thank you representative<00:28:57.240>
- fraud uh leveraging Technologies combat fraud uh leveraging Technologies uh<00:48:38.280>
by <
Keywords:
opioids, substance use, addiction recovery, mental health, state cabinet, HF1310, Office of Cannabis Management, cannabis, marijuana, tribal consultation, government-to-government relationship, Minnesota tribes, Tribal governments, state government, consultation, rulemaking, Indian affairs, cannabis regulation, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 03/19/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:07:53.280>
Patel <00:07:53.599>Lao <00:07:54.000>and Gerilla Unit to combat - the Patel Lao and Gerilla Unit to combat the Patel Lao and North<00:07:54.400>
Vietnamese North - We thank the legislature for giving us one-time funding to build an Army combat fitness center in Arden
- We thank the legislature for giving us one-time funding to build an Army combat fitness center in Arden
- <00:22:14.880>
fitness funding to build an Army combat fitness funding to build an Army combat
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- So, I do appreciate your efforts to combat this, and hopefully we can report back after this bill passes
- So, I do appreciate your efforts to combat this, and hopefully we can report back after this bill passes
- So, I do appreciate your efforts to combat this, and hopefully we can report back after this bill passes
- So, I do appreciate your efforts to combat this, and hopefully we can report back after this bill passes
- Combat this, and hopefully we can report back after this bill passes that maybe I can fall off the top
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum and began by noting several personal matters, including prayers for Senator Higdon’s family emergency and for Senator Smith’s daughter. The committee then heard Senate Bill 291, sponsored by Senator Storm, which would expand efforts to combat copper theft and related disruptions to broadband and telecommunications infrastructure. Storm said the bill builds on prior legislation by creating a statewide licensing and oversight system for recyclers, requiring licensing through the Kentucky Motor Vehicle Commission, and using the LeadsOnline database to connect law enforcement statewide. Testimony from representatives of River Metals Recycling and Charter Communications supported the bill as a public safety measure, while acknowledging added operational costs and compliance changes for recyclers.
Members discussed the impact of copper theft on service outages, including a local example where theft disrupted internet service and affected homes, businesses, schools, and first responders. Senator Wheeler explained his vote by emphasizing the harm to children and businesses and the seriousness of the problem. The committee voted favorably on SB 291, with eight ayes, and reported it with the recommendation that it pass.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 94, sponsored by Senator Wilson, with a committee substitute. The bill amends Kentucky’s motor vehicle franchise law to revise compensation for dealers’ warranty and qualifying repair work, establish more objective standards for reimbursement, and create a uniform process for labor-time disputes. Wilson and witnesses from the Kentucky Auto Dealers Association and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation described the measure as the product of extensive negotiation among dealers, manufacturers, and suppliers, aimed at updating compensation rules for increasingly complex vehicles and helping retain technicians. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted unanimously to report SB 94 favorably with the committee substitute attached.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/06/2026 - Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Access to Breakthrough Mental Health Therapies
Transcript Highlights:
- experience with unconventional treatments and for challenges that are unfortunately common among combat
- These occurred primarily during training, nighttime combat equipment parachute jumps, These occurred
- primarily during training, nighttime combat equipment parachute jumps, repeated exposure to high explosives
- And the qualifier was that each had to have at least two combat deployments after 9/11 and a diagnosis
- So, hence, early intervention and prevention are vital to combat these unacceptable numbers.
Summary:
The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Access to Breakthrough Mental Health Therapies met to discuss psychedelic-assisted treatments for serious mental health conditions, with a focus on psilocybin, ibogaine, MDMA, and related compounds. The chair framed the issue as a clinical and access problem for veterans, first responders, and others with PTSD, depression, TBI, addiction, and suicidal ideation, emphasizing that these therapies are intended for supervised medical settings rather than take-home use. Members reviewed research claims and policy trends, including FDA breakthrough therapy designations, state-level psychedelic legislation, and the role of Arizona’s right-to-try law in expanding access once federal approval is in place.
Testimony came from Alan Mullen, a retired Army Special Forces veteran, who described his PTSD/TBI history and said ibogaine treatment helped him confront trauma and showed promise in reducing symptoms under strict medical monitoring. Dr. Sue Cisley of Scottsdale Research Institute described ongoing FDA-controlled trials in Arizona, said current medications often fail high-need patients, and urged removal of research barriers and preparation for right-to-try and expanded access. Dan Freiberg of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona said firefighters face chronic exposure to trauma, often rely on alcohol or other coping mechanisms, and need effective alternatives beyond traditional therapy. Dr. Chung Trin discussed late-stage psychedelic trials, the FDA breakthrough pathway, safety oversight, and the need for state readiness when approvals occur.
Committee members asked about how the treatments work, whether they require psychotherapy support, safety concerns including suicidality and black-market abuse, patenting and synthetic versus natural versions, and costs compared with ketamine and other treatments. Witnesses said the therapies are administered with extensive screening, monitoring, and integration support, and argued that addiction potential appears low under medical supervision. The discussion ended with interest in sending correspondence to federal officials to support right-to-try cooperation and in continuing the research and policy work; no formal vote or action was taken in the portion provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Education is the key to combating hatred and fostering understanding among all people.
- anti-Semitism remains a disturbingly persistent issue in our society, and we must remain vigilant in combating
- Whether it be in our schools, our workplaces, or in our communities, we must combat anti-Semitism, hatred
PA
Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session (Jun 29 2026)
Pennsylvania Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Germany in Berchtesgaden and the Eagle's Nest, Winters led Easy Company through some of the fiercest combat
- those men: a man of faith, a man of uncommon courage, a Pennsylvanian, and one of America's greatest combat
- Harding flew 596 combat missions in Southeast Asia, all in propeller aircraft, including 101 missions
- As a Sandy pilot and on-scene commander, Harding helped direct combat search-and-rescue missions to recover
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 23rd, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And a significant challenge our members face when combating this criminal activity is the use of fake
- Many of these veterans are already volunteering to combat trafficking and protect vulnerable people.
- He said he had received the Legion of Merit and three Bronze Stars with combat distinguishing devices
- for his combat service.
- It's an important tool to help combat the surge of crisis of telecommunications copper theft.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support.
The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary (2-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 169 is a modernization of law enforcement tools to help combat the war on children.
- Senate Bill 169 is a modernization of law enforcement tools to help combat the war on children.
- Senate Bill 169 is a modernization of law enforcement tools to help combat the war on children.
- Senate Bill 169 is a modernization of law enforcement tools to help combat the war on children.
- Senate Bill 169 is a modernization of law enforcement tools to help combat the war on children.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:07
SB 60: 00:00:53
Discussion in Opposition to SB 60: 00:04:41
SB 130: 00:25:36
SB 169: 00:25:44, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 60, a Religious Freedom Restoration Act measure sponsored by Senator Steve Rawlings. Rawlings said the bill would strengthen protections for sincerely held religious exercise by requiring government burdens on religion to be justified by clear and convincing evidence of a compelling interest, expanding remedies including attorney’s fees, and waiving sovereign immunity so individuals could sue the government. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill drew testimony both in support and opposition.
Supporters, including Greg Baylor of Alliance Defending Freedom, argued the bill would protect a fundamental right and that similar laws have existed federally and in many states without the feared consequences. Opponents, including Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign, Sam Markusen of the University of Louisville, and Rabbi Ben Fred, warned the bill was overly broad, could undermine local anti-discrimination laws, and might invite lawsuits or allow religious claims to be used to justify discrimination. Senator Thomas questioned whether the bill could affect vaccine requirements and public accommodations; Baylor said public health or other compelling interests could still prevail in court and that the bill would not predetermine outcomes. The committee then voted on SB 60, with several members explaining their votes, and reported the bill favorably.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 169, sponsored by Senator Danny Carroll, which would expand the Attorney General’s and Kentucky State Police’s administrative subpoena authority in child exploitation investigations to include social networking companies, mobile payment services, and cloud storage services. Attorney General’s office representatives Will Schroer and Matt Heden said the change would modernize investigative tools to help identify online child predators and obtain limited account-holder information such as usernames, IP addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. Senator Thomas asked about the bill’s use of the term “reasonable cause” instead of probable cause and about the scope of the information obtained; the witnesses said the term is already in statute and that the subpoenas would not authorize searches, only basic identifying information. A motion was made and seconded, and the committee began the roll call vote on SB 169 as the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Press Conference 1/6/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Also, when there's known fraud in the agency, what are they doing to combat it?
- fraud in the agency what are they doing fraud in the agency what are they doing to<00:16:04.519>
combat - 05.720>
that <00:16:05.880>work <00:16:06.079>is <00:16:06.240>being to combat - it all of that work is being to combat it all of that work is being done<00:16:07.000>
first < - Executive order, uh, to try to combat fraud and actually have the executive branch police itself.
Summary:
House Republican leaders, led by Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth and Majority Leader Harry Niska, outlined their priorities for the upcoming Minnesota House session and said they intend to use an organizational majority to advance their agenda. They said their focus will be on stopping fraud, making government more accountable, reducing taxes and fees, and addressing affordability, energy costs, public safety, education, and permitting reform. Specific proposals mentioned included repealing the tax on Social Security benefits, rolling back automatic gas tax increases, repealing the nuclear moratorium, and changing state programs they said should be limited to people in the country legally.
A central theme was the creation of a new House committee on fraud and agency oversight, which Republicans said will have subpoena power and be chaired by Rep. Kristin Robbins. They said the committee will investigate known fraud, review agency internal controls, and press agencies for information on staffing, office space, and cost savings. Rep. Jim Nash also described a proposed “fraud note” scoring system to rate agencies on whether they have implemented Office of the Auditor’s recommendations, with the goal of informing appropriations decisions.
On education and public safety, Niska said Republicans want fewer mandates and higher standards in schools, citing low reading and math proficiency, and leaders said they want stronger accountability for repeat and juvenile offenders. They also said they expect committee chairs to be Republican, may reduce Democratic committee seats if Democrats do not show up, and are not planning a power-sharing agreement unless the chamber returns to a true tie. They discussed the pending court case involving Rep. Brad Tabke, a possible recall process for absent legislators, remote voting rules, and a special election timeline, while insisting they expect Democrats to appear on the first day of session and that they will proceed with organizing the House and electing a speaker on January 14.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- out those goals, report out the work, and the effectiveness of the partnership in addressing and combating
- out those goals, report out the work, and the effectiveness of the partnership in addressing and combating
- out those goals, report out the work, and the effectiveness of the partnership in addressing and combating
- And in really increasing the effectiveness of all of our approaches to combating misclassification fraud
- The effectiveness of the partnership in addressing and combating misclassification fraud.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Apr 7th, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- think it's a fairly a small population in the state of Texas, and these are folks that are wounded in combat
- And I have the... ...In broad strokes, these are individuals who have been wounded in combat.
- It's awarded for service in a combat or non-combat situation based on sustained performance or specific
- I deployed on multiple combat and peacekeeping missions, taking care of those men and women while deployed
Keywords:
Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- ALL SIX FORMATIONS ARE COMMITTED BY COLONELS THE ARMY LARGEST FORMATION IS IT COMBATING WITH OVER 3500
- OUT OF THE SIX GEOGRAPHICAL COMBATANT COMMANDS THE FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD HAS SOLDIERS DEPLOYED TO FORM
- ALL OF US WHO SERVED WHETHER IT WAS IN COMBAT OR NOT IF WE SERVED WE WERE STRESSED.
- PUSHED THE EDGES ON PURPOSE BECAUSE WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE PREPARED AND WE HAD TO DO BUT IN COMBAT
- I AM A COMBAT VETERAN HAVING SERVED 20 YEARS OF HONORABLE SERVICE IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Criminal Jurisprudence SC New Offenses and Changed Penalties Apr 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The legislature added a state penalty for mail theft in 2019 in an effort to combat porch pirates who
- House Bill 4414 has a similar goal, aiming to combat the specific theft of checks, also known as check
- House Bill 4414 will help combat this problem by creating a new state-level penalty structure for the
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jun 22nd, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- My father served as a combat medic during Desert Storm.
- responsibility of coaching soldiers from across the Army through one of the most realistic and austere combat
- I'm not only presenting this as a legislator, but as a 100% disabled combat veteran who served 21 years
- Member mentioned, and the need for long-term care for injured service members who have been injured in combat
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Housing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Housing
Transcript Highlights:
- This is in a lot to combat individual homelessness as well.
- Some of them took refuge in an area of Boston called the Combat Zone.
- No one wanted to go to the Combat Zone or even Boston after dark.
- The Combat Zone is now a theater district. Businesses thrive. Yet more progress is needed.
- We have the chance here to build the bridge between incarceration and community and combat recidivism
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of housing and homelessness bills. Chairs Rich Haggerty and Julian Cyr opened by noting the committee’s focus on EOHLC programs such as RAFT, MRVP, and HomeBASE, and several members and advocates emphasized the urgency of the state’s homelessness crisis, including rising family homelessness and the need for earlier intervention, more stable subsidies, and stronger long-term housing tools.
A major theme was homelessness prevention and rehousing. Multiple witnesses supported bills to codify and strengthen RAFT and HomeBASE, arguing that assistance should be available earlier in a crisis rather than only after a notice to quit or imminent loss of housing. Testimony from legal services, homelessness coalitions, social workers, municipal housing staff, and tenant advocates said the programs help families avoid eviction and shelter, but need more flexibility, higher benefit caps, and permanent statutory protection. Several speakers also urged support for codifying the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), describing it as a critical long-term subsidy for low-income households and older adults, and warning that codification would protect the program from future budget or policy changes.
The committee also heard testimony on housing stability for older adults, affordable homes for people with disabilities, supportive housing, housing cooperatives, home sharing, local preference, and reentry housing for returning citizens. Advocates for older adults described a Somerville bridge subsidy pilot that helped stabilize seniors while they waited for permanent housing, and urged statewide expansion. Supporters of supportive housing called for an interagency board to streamline funding and development, while cooperative housing proponents backed creation of a Massachusetts Center for Housing Cooperatives and a dedicated funding reserve. A bill to secure housing for returning citizens drew support from reentry providers and Senator Adam Gomez, who said stable housing is essential to successful reintegration. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses generally asked the committee to report the bills favorably, and some members asked follow-up questions on data and program details.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 7th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We need all of the above to combat rodents. This is a tremendous health concern.
- We need all of the above to combat rodents. This is a tremendous health concern.
- AB 2595 provides those tools and gives the county and its cities a way to combat the dramatic rise in
- The need for resources to combat this is in front of us, to make sure that this body continues to move
- that you represent and acknowledging California's first people from your territory and to start to combat
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then handled a long daily file with several procedural motions and guest introductions. Members also adopted a resolution recognizing CASA volunteers and welcomed student, school, sports, and community groups to the chamber. The body approved a motion to suspend rules for several procedural purposes, including moving bills between committees and allowing a bill to be heard on shortened notice.
On the floor, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1389, which ratifies and extends a tribal-state gaming compact with the Yurok Tribe through December 31, 2026. Members then passed a series of bills on third reading, including AB 1632 on removing the notarization requirement for trespass letters, AB 2380 on county pest control fee authority, AB 2080 on county investment delegation, AB 2149 on reporting pupil achievement gaps, AB 1625 on Sacramento Regional Transit board meeting and stipend changes, AB 2179 on expanding e-filing for workplace violence restraining orders, and AB 2753 barring registered sex offenders from running for or holding elected office. AB 2636, AB 1544, AB 1637, AB 2534, and AB 2595 also passed, addressing juvenile firearm possession, court access, medical record integrity, forced marriage protections, and local e-bike restrictions for children under 12 in San Mateo County.
The Assembly adopted several resolutions, including ACR 173 reaffirming California’s sister-state relationship with Jalisco, ACR 163 designating May as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Awareness Month, ACR 180 designating Compost Awareness Week, and ACR 182 establishing Youth Mental Health Awareness Week. These resolutions drew extensive supportive remarks from members across caucuses, with strong emphasis on Indigenous justice, mental health, agriculture, and environmental stewardship. AB 108, a budget bill providing up to $25 million in emergency bridge funding for distressed hospitals, received broad bipartisan support and was sent to the Governor immediately after concurrence in Senate amendments. The chamber also added coauthors to multiple resolutions and removed AB 2512 and AB 1956 from the consent calendar at the author’s request.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
INSURANCE & COMMERCE - SENATE AND HOUSE Feb 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It does take all of us and all the cross-agencies to combat this every day.
- we see from overseas and other pieces, they weren't really helpful, at least to us, in trying to combat
- light on this topic, helping our Arkansans figure out a way as leaders how we can help them perhaps combat
- And I'm hopeful about future legislative opportunities to combat this. So, Ms. Tierney. Thank you.
- because it’s starting to ramp back up again, and we’re going to collaborate on best practices on how to combat
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.