Transcript Highlights:

• On Monday, I sit on the fraud committee too, and on Monday the Office of Grants Management was presented
• 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.
• and with businesses and uh fraud and with businesses and grants<01:25:38.560> okay<01:25:38.960

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:

• No, we do Medicaid provider fraud, not non-profit. ...off of grants.
• and grants management, grant monitoring, and grantee evaluation.
• Fraud Control Unit talking about grants.
• Medicaid is a huge piece of it, but there are areas of grants where there's not nonprofit fraud that
• There have been OLA report after OLA report about fraud in grants management, and we have made steps

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:

• No, we do Medicaid provider fraud, not nonprofit grants. Thank you, uh, Representative Greenman.
• Um, is grants and grants to nonprofits?
• Medicaid is a huge piece of it, but there are areas of grants where there's nonprofit fraud that we have
• There have been OA report after OA report about fraud in grants management, and we have made steps towards
• and<02:15:09.440> we<02:15:09.760> have fraud in grants management and we have fraud

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.
• 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
• they can do other things but this grant they can do other things but this grant you<00:49:11.400
• say you are not eligible for the Grant say you are not eligible for the Grant under<00:49:27.640

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:

• It's about $400 million worth of grants. It's a mix of, you know, large grants and small grants.
• It's about $400 million worth of grants. It's a mix of, you know, large grants and small grants.
• /c><00:52:21.480> representative Grant uh grants are given representative Grant uh grants are
• year in Grants that were granted<00:53:08.040> by<00:53:08.280> this granted by this granted
• Grants and those were only the grants Grants and those were only the grants that<01:26:57.199>

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:

• <00:10:06.200> and approach to addressing waste Fraud and approach to addressing waste Fraud
• examine and regulate and oversee grants examine and regulate and oversee grants or<00:25:55.760>
• 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><
• <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

Transcript Highlights:

• counties create a grant grant fund where counties create a grant grant fund where counties uh<00
• We have the worst, you know, fraud in the country here in Minnesota.
• <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:

• in fraud.
• We mentioned DEED fraud.
• DEED deals with insurance fraud and then we have our financial fraud unit over at the BCA.
• state agency that Awards a grant state agency that Awards a grant Mr Mr.
• <01:06:56.839> that<01:06:57.039> alone grant the one % on the grant that alone grant

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:

• expressly at fraud. expressly at fraud.
• Uh, it says to establish permanent bans on state contracts and grants for individuals convicted of fraud
• Uh, it says to establish permanent bans on state contracts and grants for individuals convicted of 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:

• combat fraud. combat fraud.
• The BCA investigates all types of fraud, child care fraud, food fraud, other things.
• The BCA investigates all types of fraud, child care fraud, food fraud, other things.
• I keep hearing you talk about what federal grants require, what's required of the Medicaid fraud unit
• <00:31:04.520> unit grant and have the Medicaid fraud unit grant and have the Medicaid fraud

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, grant us clarity of mind, humility of heart, and courage to do what is right.

Bills: SB3, SB16

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Senator Hagenbuch, who asked for wisdom, humility, courage, and guidance in serving Texas and conducting the chamber’s work with integrity and respect. After the prayer, the House messenger reported that the House had passed several congratulatory and commemorative resolutions, including HCR 2 honoring the victims of the July 2025 Hill Country floods, HCR 3 marking the dedication of the Children’s Emergency Relief International George M. Cowden Building in Austin, HCR 4 congratulating Ricky and Anne Lowe on their 47th wedding anniversary, and HCR 5 recognizing Don Sparks of Midland for receiving the 2025 Chief Roughneck Award. Following the House message, the Senate announced a brief recess while awaiting completion of the House calendar. Senator Zaffirini then moved that the Senate stand in recess until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, and the motion was adopted without objection.

Bills: SB 2, SB 3, SB 10, SB 16

Keywords: flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power, weather siren, emergency management, flood-prone area, warning system, real property theft, real property fraud

Transcript Highlights:

• provide direct grants.
• Importantly, the MDVA may withhold grants if the grantee has committed fraud, is under criminal investigation
• Office grants, and veteran service organization grants, since they each have their own statutory grant
• A summary of the grants.
• grant requirements.

Bills: HF3727, HF3684, HF3467

Keywords: veterans property tax, homestead exclusion, disabled veteran, totally and permanently disabled, service-connected disability, property tax relief, market value exclusion, surviving spouse, family caregiver, county veterans service officer, Minnesota property tax, assessment year 2027, homestead tax benefit, veterans tax exemption, DD214, VA disability rating, veterans, veterans affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, grant standards

Transcript Highlights:

• grants management here? grants management here?
• So this would be every grant, you know, this would imply any grant from, like, you know, grants for cows
• So this would be every grant, you know, this would imply any grant from, like, you know, grants for cows
• All of that is part of a grant, a robust grant monitoring visit.
• If it's a grant that serves grant.

Bills: HF3422, HF3461, HF2904

Keywords: state grants, grant oversight, grants management, executive agencies, Minnesota Department of Administration, commissioner of administration, fraud prevention, waste prevention, grant monitoring, financial reconciliation, grant compliance, state government, public funds, grant recipients, competitive grants, grant administration, administrative oversight, monitoring visits, grant policy, legislative leave

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill HB 273 creates a limited exception allowing municipalities and first responders to grant funding
• don't part participate in the grant don't part participate in the grant processing<00:22:23.760>
• <00:22:35.280> I<00:22:35.440> know things like that and grants.
• I know things like that and grants.
• the grants that the city offers. the grants that the city offers.

Bills: SB292, HB351, HB141, HB273, SB292, HB351, HB141, HB273

Keywords: education oversight, subpoena authority, investigation, State Superintendent, school misconduct, ad valorem tax, road funding, local government, referendum, Choctaw County, HB141, Alabama, state employees, salary deductions, payroll deduction, State Comptroller, membership dues, voluntary contributions, insurance premiums, financial instruments

Transcript Highlights:

• So the Texas IRAP grants, those can...
• I'm just trying to figure out the way those grants work, where you would write those grants and ask whatever
• So would they be prevented from applying for the grants because they're longer, or is that not a...?
• In 2011, HB 362 granted solar panels legal protection against these HOA restrictions, but solar tiles
• Records Act exception for the Workforce Commission's Fraud Detection and Prevention information.

Bills: HB431, HB648, HB 1006, HB1926, HB2037, HB2468, HB2788, HB2791, HB3255, HB3260

Keywords: HB 431, Texas Property Code, Property Code Chapter 202, solar roof tiles, solar shingles, solar energy device, homeowners association, HOA, property owners' association, POA, renewable energy, residential solar, distributed solar, roof-mounted solar, homeowner rights, architectural control, restrictive covenants, real estate, subdivision regulations, multi-zoned subdivisions

Bills: SF3045, HF2783, HF1943

Keywords: omnibus, state government, local government, elections, campaign finance, voter registration, absentee voting, election administration, electronic rosters, lobbying, lobbyist disclosure, state budget, appropriations, biennial budget, Minnesota Secretary of State, Minnesota Management and Budget, state personnel, civil service, affirmative action, disability employment

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to focus on fraud.
• fraud that's going on in our state here. fraud that's going on in our state here.
• And you talked about gone in fraud.
• call will be granted. call will be granted.
• A roll call has been granted. >> Thank you. A roll call has been granted.

Bills: HF3477, HF3480, HF3781, HF3357, HF3737, HF3664, HF3621

Keywords: civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, immigration enforcement, economic impact, Operation Metro Surge, study, appropriation, local government, Legislative Commission on Legislative Security, legislator security, elected official security, staff security, statehouse security, capitol security, legislative district safety, political violence prevention, threat assessment

Summary: The committee first attempted to approve minutes from February 24 and March 3, but members identified multiple spelling errors in names, so approval was held and the motion withdrawn. The committee then took up House File 3477, a bill by Representative Long proposing a civil remedy for constitutional violations by government actors, including federal actors. An author’s amendment (A4) was adopted to remove a subdivision and clarify retroactivity. In discussion, members raised concerns about Supremacy Clause and immigration-related issues; the author responded that the bill applies evenly to state and federal actors and is meant to enforce constitutional rights, not immigration law. After debate, the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register failed on a 6-7 vote, with one member excused. The committee next heard House File 3480, authored by Representative Howard, which would commission an independent economic impact study of Operation Metro Surge. An A2 amendment was adopted to add a dollar amount for the study and clarify timing. Representative Howard said the study would help the legislature understand statewide impacts and noted reported harm to businesses, child care, schools, and local governments. Testimony in support came from Laura Santiago, reading a statement from Christopher Gomez of Willmar, who described ICE agents entering his family’s restaurant, the detention and deportation of family members, and resulting business losses. Rachel Ser, Minneapolis emergency management director, cited a preliminary city assessment estimating major impacts including food insecurity, lost wages, business revenue losses, hotel cancellations, and rental assistance needs. Some members questioned the cost and usefulness of the study, while others said suburban and greater Minnesota communities also wanted the data. The transcript ends during continued discussion of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• authorizes the commission, in coordination with TEA and the Higher Education Coordinating Board, to award grants
• I'm here in support of House Bill 4479, which establishes the Rural Workforce Development Grant.

Bills: HB875, HB1667, HB2369, HB3844, HB4415, HB4479, HB4483, HB4676, HB5118, HB5400, HB5545

Keywords: workers' compensation, municipal construction, bidding requirements, small municipalities, contracting policies, first responders, PTSD, mental health, emergency services, medical expenses, injury claims, insurance carriers, opportunity youth, workforce development, employment, education, federal funds, employment discrimination, immunity waiver, public employees

Transcript Highlights:

• Wilson: the grants for it, but the grant that was basically addressed within Senate Bill 5, as you know
• Member: Grants don't go to a city or a county or a non-profit, the grant goes to the state? Mr.
• Member: And who are the eligible entities to get the grant? Mr.
• fraud, etc.
• So are you comfortable with large amounts of election fraud?

Bills: HB8, HB12, SB 3, HJR1, SB 11, SB 16, SB 14

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround