Bills: SB1767, SB1859, SB1767, SB1859

Keywords: alcoholic beverages, shipping, retailers, legal compliance, civil penalties, interstate regulation, enforcement, cyber crime, fraud unit, digital evidence, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, investigative powers, financial deception, ransomware, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:12.400> across all types of of combating fraud across all types of of combating fraud
• programs, but we do all types of fraud. programs, but we do all types of fraud.
• associations, property managers and unit associations, property managers and unit owners.<00:43:
• <00:48:57.280> Um number of units. Um number of units.
• of units.

Bills: HF4075, HF3826, HF3825, HF3827, HF3459, HF3711, HF4200, HF3908, HF3712

Keywords: firearm restrictions, domestic violence, public safety, court orders, criminal convictions, identity theft, subpoena authority, fraud, statute of limitations, financial crime, victim notification, expungement, criminal justice, plea agreements, minor victims, identification protection, stalking, crime data, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, law enforcement grants

Transcript Highlights:

• So regarding the BCA, the BCA fraud unit has been doing some Medicaid fraud, but mostly they're insurance
• So regarding the BCA, the BCA fraud unit has been doing some Medicaid fraud, but mostly they're insurance
• So regarding the BCA, the BCA fraud unit has been doing some Medicaid fraud, but mostly they're insurance
• <02:06:05.200> unit fraud unit fraud unit has<02:06:06.840> been<02:06:06.960> doing
• We're all against fraud. We hate fraud.

Bills: SF1750, HF2700, HF1606, HF3356, HF3946, HF3970, HF3658, HF3875, HF2627, SF856, HF1268, HF1338

Keywords: common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is the worst uh of the fraud Minnesota is the worst uh of the fraud it<00:05:31.880>
• We hear a lot about waste, fraud, and abuse, and so the fraud, I think, is a well-understood term.
• I get fraud, but I hear waste, fraud, and abuse, and like, what are these things?
• I get fraud, but I hear waste, fraud, and abuse, and like, what are these things?
• abuse, and I understand fraud.

Bills: HF1, HF2

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• fraud committed against state programs. fraud committed against state programs.
• >> aspect of fraud is looked at. >> aspect of fraud is looked at.
• expressly at fraud. expressly at fraud.
• fraud has happened. Absolutely. fraud has happened. Absolutely.
• triggers, not just intentional fraud. triggers, not just intentional fraud.

Bills: HF3676, HF3683, HF3395

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from February 19 and February 26, while skipping the February 24 minutes because of a drafting error that would be corrected later. It then took up House File 3676, a Safe at Home program bill described by Rep. Nash as arising from a constituent’s dangerous identity exposure and intended to tighten protections for participants, including allowing emancipated minors to enroll. Testimony from the Secretary of State’s office explained that the bill would clarify who may apply for a minor, require proof of guardianship, strengthen court findings before a participant’s physical address can be disclosed, increase penalties for harmful disclosure, prohibit discrimination based on participation, require state agencies to designate a Safe at Home contact person, allow use of the Safe at Home card as proof of residence for certain ID purposes, and require judge training. Members raised concerns about federal compatibility, constitutionality of court-related provisions, and the need for a fiscal note on the felony penalty. Several sections were noted as being removed or modified in a later engrossment, and the committee voted to re-refer HF 3676 to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. The committee then heard House File 3683, which would direct the state budget forecast to include the estimated cost of fraud. Rep. Nash argued that fraud is a significant but unquantified drain on state resources and said the bill would adapt existing forecast language used for inflation to track fraud costs. Minnesota Management and Budget Deputy Commissioner Anna Mingi testified that fraud is unacceptable and that the agency works to prevent and detect it, but said the twice-yearly forecast is not the right tool for this kind of retrospective analysis. She explained that if fraud is identified, the forecast would reflect reduced spending through program integrity actions rather than a separate fraud-cost line item. The bill was moved and referred to the general register after a roll call was requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair and member, Senate Bill 1308 establishes the Foreign Adversary Fraud Office within the Office
• of the Attorney General to pursue consumer fraud violations involving technology produced by a foreign
• Senate Bill 1308 creates the Foreign Adversary Fraud Fund to support enforcement activities, with a $500,000
• Just to give you my background, I was the Consumer Litigation Unit Chief at the Arizona Attorney General's
• disclosing material facts about the products, which is a classic violation of the Arizona Consumer Fraud

Bills: SB1308

Keywords: foreign adversary, consumer fraud, technology security, critical infrastructure, Arizona attorney general, fraud office, appropriations, 1182, all

Summary: The Science and Technology Committee heard Senate Bill 1308, which would create a Foreign Adversary Fraud Office within the Attorney General’s Office to investigate and litigate consumer fraud involving technology produced by foreign adversaries. The bill also establishes a Foreign Adversary Fraud Fund, includes a $500,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2026-27, and directs excess balances to a Foreign Adversary Technology Rip and Replace Fund administered by the Department of Homeland Security to help remove and replace vulnerable technology in state systems and critical infrastructure. A representative from State Armor and an attorney with experience in the Attorney General’s consumer litigation unit testified in support. They argued the measure would protect consumers from undisclosed security vulnerabilities in products such as cameras and routers, citing examples of hacked or relabeled foreign-made devices and saying the cases could generate restitution and penalties that would more than offset the initial appropriation. They also said the bill would help governments avoid buying products with hidden risks and would support replacing vulnerable equipment in public systems. Members asked how the rip-and-replace fund would be used and who would identify critical infrastructure for replacement. Testimony indicated the Department of Homeland Security would administer those funds and identify the infrastructure, while the Attorney General’s office would use the appropriation to pursue cases. After discussion, the committee voted 8-0, with one member absent, to give Senate Bill 1308 a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• unit.
• investigative unit.
• unit also not in this bill is the fraud unit also not in this bill is the transfer<00:09:42.399>
• the Commerce department for their fraud the Commerce department for their fraud investigative unit
• He said when you look at the Attorney General's responsibility for the Medicaid fraud unit, it is 75%

Bills: HF1, HF98

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• unit handled two categories of cases: provider fraud and what the U.S.
• Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has existed for over 40 years.
• Bureau, which is now the State Fraud Unit at the BCA.
• Our state Medicaid fraud unit has a smaller staff size than other Medicaid fraud units with similar Medicaid
• Unit is conducting provider fraud investigations.

Bills: HF3043, HF2891

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• The consumer fraud it is intended to address is serious.
• This is both consumer fraud and a national security problem.
• This bill will empower Arizona's AG to continue prosecuting this particularly dangerous form of fraud
• This particularly dangerous form of fraud by dedicating specific resources to this effort, and allow
• I'm interested in this nexus between consumer fraud and the national security risk.

Bills: SB1097, SB1308

Keywords: appropriation, claims, relief, state funding, named claimants, foreign adversary, consumer fraud, technology security, critical infrastructure, Arizona attorney general, fraud office, appropriations, 1182, all

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on March 11, 2026, and considered two bills. The first, SB 1097, was described as the annual name claimants’ bill, appropriating $370,211.08 from the General Fund and $33,021.08 from other specified funds to pay claims against state agencies in fiscal year 2026. There was no public testimony, no questions from members, and the committee voted 14-0 to give the bill a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard SB 1308, which would create a Foreign Adversary Fraud Office and Fund in the Attorney General’s Office to pursue consumer fraud involving technology produced by foreign adversaries. The bill also appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2027 and establishes a mechanism to transfer excess fund balances to a new Foreign Adversary Technology Rip and Replace Fund administered by the Department of Homeland Security. Kelly Curry testified in support on behalf of State Armor, arguing the bill addresses both consumer fraud and national security risks tied to connected technologies and foreign-made surveillance equipment. Members asked about similar cases and settlements in other states, and Curry cited recent filings in Nebraska, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as a Missouri case that reportedly settled in the tens of millions. During the vote, some members explained support while expressing general caution about creating new funds or appropriations outside the budget process. The committee approved SB 1308 on a 10-4-2 vote and sent it forward with a due pass recommendation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:52.880> unit like every other Medicaid fraud unit like every other Medicaid fraud unit
• Medicaid fraud unit size is based on the Medicaid fraud unit size is based on the size<00:20:15.039><
• And our state Medicaid fraud unit has a smaller staff size than other Medicaid fraud units with similar
• every Medicaid fraud unit in the country every Medicaid fraud unit in the country on<00:55:32.640
• know the state fraud unit at the BCA know the state fraud unit at the BCA know about<01:15:48.880

Bills: HF3043, HF2891

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the problems they’ve had with fraud are not fraud within government.
• She said that, while fraud within government can happen, it has not characterized Minnesota.
• the investigation process of fraud the investigation process of fraud throughout<00:19:37.919>
• Fraud and abuse, and this bill seems to be mostly directed at fraud, you know, but I don't quite know
• But we'll talk more about that in the fraud committee.

Bills: HF25, HF1, HF428

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:06.200> and approach to addressing waste Fraud and approach to addressing waste Fraud
• But the problem is, and this is a cyclical issue that we're seeing relating to fraud, the biggest fraud
• relating to fraud uh the biggest<01:10:15.320> fraud<01:10:15.640> that<01:10:15.800><
• Is he part of the fraud? What's going on?
• <01:13:43.120> that focus on one element of the fraud that focus on one element of the fraud

Bills: HF1, HF779, HF1034

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Bills: HB139

Keywords: ad valorem tax, tax rates, voter-approval, taxing unit, property tax, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, when you look at what's happened on percentage property tax growth by taxing units by type, and
• this is over 25 years, you'll see some pretty heavy fluctuations on special taxing units, depending on
• that is that the state is set up and said, in this particular case, there might have been a taxing unit
• And then you have small cities and special taxing units, which are subject to an 8% limit.

Bills: SB9

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met to hear Senate Bill 9, which would lower the voter-approval tax rate for certain local taxing units from 3.5% to 2.5%. Sen. Bettencourt, the bill author, argued the change would continue the state’s property tax reforms begun in 2019, slow local levy growth, and give voters more say over larger tax increases. He and supporters cited data showing property tax levies have grown faster than population plus inflation, and said the bill would help protect taxpayers while preserving the state’s broader investments in school tax relief, water, rural law enforcement, and ambulance funding. Supporters included the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas Public Policy Foundation, and the Texas Association of Manufacturers. They said the bill would improve transparency, encourage more disciplined budgeting, and create certainty for homeowners and businesses. They argued that lower tax-rate growth would help attract and retain employers and investment, and that voters would still be able to approve higher rates when needed. Local officials and other opponents said the bill would constrain cities and counties facing rapid growth, inflation, infrastructure needs, and public safety costs. Testimony from county judges, city finance officials, firefighters, and urban county representatives emphasized pressures from jail operations, roads, water, EMS, police and fire staffing, and unfunded mandates. Several witnesses asked for carve-outs or exemptions for public safety and disaster-related costs, warning that a one-size-fits-all cap could force service cuts or shift costs elsewhere. The committee heard extensive questioning but no final vote or disposition on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the worst, you know, fraud in the country here in Minnesota.
• We still have no idea what the exact—I mean, we all want to stop fraud, we know that, right?
• <00:41:06.480> in urge us as we think about fraud in urge us as we think about fraud in Minnesota
• My goal is always to prevent fraud, and you and I've had that conversation.
• My goal is always to prevent fraud, and you and I've had that conversation.

Bills: HF1, HF1754, HF1809, HF1478

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• My understanding is that the Fraud Unit at DEED was moved in with the BCA.
• You know, you took an insurance fraud unit that's funded by insurance dollars and has statute required
• DEED deals with insurance fraud and then we have our financial fraud unit over at the BCA.
• fraud unit that's funded ins insurance fraud unit that's funded by<00:17:31.120> Insurance<00:
• :07.039> BCA<00:19:07.559> so financial fraud unit over at the BCA so financial fraud unit

Bills: HF1, HF1384

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• That pertains to House File 2354, Representative Norris' bill for Medicaid fraud.
• Auditor and one being from Representative Norris for the Attorney General's Office to enhance Medicaid fraud

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 7 deals with medical assistance fraud and other theft.
• 16, 17, and 18, so we're now on what pages 31 through 36 have to do again with medical assistance fraud
• This also overlaps with the governor's package on anti-fraud proposals.
• revenue system continues to provide expected service levels, state revenues, and safeguards against fraud
• The support for tax processing also weakens our ability to prevent fraud and build trust to support the

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got a lot of fraud bills on one.
• Something that we fraud indicators.
• Uh the fraud and a lawsuit from Iowa.
• completely disagree with that fraud completely disagree with that fraud statistic.<00:32:07.039>
• > this number one targets for fraud in this number one targets for fraud in this sector.<00:55

Bills: HB2227, HB1775, HB1560, HB1642, HB1647, HB2003, HB1640, HB2198

Keywords: eviction, housing stability, tenant screening, court records, writ of possession, foreclosures, public sale, eligible bidders, housing, downpayment, judicial foreclosure, digital financial assets, consumer protection, financial kiosks, refunds, transaction security, HB1642, Hawaii, cryptocurrency ATM, crypto ATM

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on February 5, 2026, and heard testimony on several bills, beginning with HB 227 relating to eviction records. Supporters, including the Public First Law Center and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, argued the bill would help people who prevail in eviction cases avoid long-term housing harm from online court records, while the Public First Law Center said keeping records off eCourt Kokua would not violate the First Amendment because the records would still be available in person. Members discussed access-to-justice concerns, and a witness said legal aid attorneys could still access the records through the attorney-only Jeff’s system and the court’s access-to-justice room. The chair also asked about precedent, and a witness cited a Hawaii Supreme Court case as supporting removal from the online database rather than sealing records entirely. The committee then took up HP 1775 relating to foreclosures, but the transcript only shows in-person opposition comments from the Hawaii State Bar Association Collection Law Section, the Hawaii Credit Union League, and the Hawaii Bankers Association. The credit union and banking groups said they had concerns about broader negative impacts on mortgage lending and other requirements, but no detailed discussion or action was captured before the committee moved on. The next measure, HB 1560 relating to consumer protection, drew support from the Office of Consumer Protection and cryptocurrency companies including Coinflip and America Digital, which said they already use wallet-pinning and other safeguards to prevent fraud. AARP Hawaii did not take a formal position but said the bill addressed a real problem, noting that Hawaii residents, especially in Kona, had lost more than $920,000 in 2024 to cryptocurrency ATM scams and arguing that stronger oversight was needed. The committee also heard HB 1642, which would ban cryptocurrency kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection supported the ban as the best way to protect consumers from fraud, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed it, arguing kiosks provide cash-based access to crypto, especially for unbanked or underbanked consumers, and that targeted regulation would be better than an outright ban. AARP Hawaii took no formal position but strongly emphasized the harm caused by scams, saying victims are often frightened into acting quickly and that kiosk transactions currently lack enough friction or intervention. Finally, HB 1647, also on consumer protection, would impose liability on host businesses that provide space for crypto kiosks. The Office of Consumer Protection warned small businesses might not understand the liability, while Coinflip, Bitcoin Depot, and America Digital opposed the bill, saying it would unfairly shift enforcement duties to host stores and could discourage businesses from hosting kiosks, effectively creating a de facto ban. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the provisions<00
• The BCA, the fraud unit.
• But the Medicaid control fraud unit has But the Medicaid control fraud unit has nothing<00:17:19.000>
• fraud unit. fraud unit. Thank<00:20:39.720> you.<00:20:40.200> Um Thank you.
• Um and of the Medicaid fraud unit.

Bills: HF2354, HF3621, HF3429, HF3483

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud, payment withholding, withheld payments, program integrity, public funds, state agency, program participant, credible allegation of fraud, administrative reconsideration, contested case, chapter 14, data practices, confidential data, protected nonpublic data, anti-fraud

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from March 5 by voice vote and welcomed new member Representative Van Binsbergen. It then took up House File 2354, which Chair Liebling moved to re-refer to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. Representative Norris presented the bill as an updated version of the Medical Assistance Protection Act, aimed at strengthening the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, closing loopholes, equalizing fraud penalties, and increasing penalties for large-scale Medicaid fraud. Attorney General Ellison said the bill would add 18 specialized staff to the unit, moving it from 32 to 50 positions, and argued the federal-state matching structure makes the Attorney General’s office the proper home for the funding because the unit is dedicated to Medicaid fraud work. Nick Wonka, director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, explained the bill’s provisions affecting committee jurisdiction: expanded subpoena authority to obtain financial account contents in provider-fraud investigations, conforming legal representation language to preserve the unit’s authority, venue changes to allow charging in counties where parts of the offense occurred, and a restitution change to let courts order restitution for related conduct in the same scheme. He said the subpoena change would speed investigations and align the Attorney General’s authority with other agencies, and that the restitution change would help recover more fraudulently obtained Medicaid funds. No public testimony was offered. Members questioned why the funding should go to the Attorney General’s office rather than the BCA, whether the new records authority was federally required, how the venue language would work across state lines, and whether the added FTEs indicated the fraud problem was larger than expected. Ellison and Wonka responded that the federal grant requires the work to stay within the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, that the unit’s investigators are specialized and work with, but separate from, law enforcement, and that the venue provision applies only within Minnesota while out-of-state matters would be referred to the appropriate authorities. The amendment that had been posted was withdrawn and not offered.