Transcript Highlights:

• our most vulnerable populations from fraud.
• of the people of this state because the state needs to be protected from an officer.
• SB 240 is about protection.
• her from the coach and from school.
• you all, from our state officials, and we can protect the children in our school districts.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• against While I recognize the bill's goal is to fight SNAP fraud, which is commendable, SNAP fraud is
• of the people of this state because the state needs to be protected from an officer.
• her from the coach and from school.
• the protection that they need.
• you all, from our state officials, and we can protect the children in our school districts.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Hughes: And so Senate Bill 2043 would protect physicians and healthcare providers from retaliation
• Those acts would be protected again so that patients can be protected and that's what the bill does and
• just a pure speech protection.
• So if it's protected as speech, this bill would protect them from being disciplined because they're expressing
• That is protected speech, and this bill prohibits an employer from taking action against an employee

Bills: SB 240, SB 1183, SB 1184, SB 1577, SB 2043, SB 2051, SCR 42, SJR 68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• most vulnerable populations from fraud, and ensures that taxpayer dollars are used for their intended
• of the people of this state, because the state needs to be protected from an officeholder.
• her, from the coach and from school.
• To pass this bill will be to actively protect and act Protection that they need.
• you all, from our state officials, and we can protect the children in our school districts.

Bills: SB240, SB1183, SB1184, SB1577, SB2043, SB2051, SCR42, SJR68

Keywords: biological sex, gender identity, public facilities, civil penalties, local government, EBT, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, TANF, temporary assistance for needy families, welfare benefits, benefit card fraud, fraud hotline, card replacement, photo ID, recipient photograph, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1183, by Senator Creighton, which would require Lone Star Cards used for SNAP and TANF benefits to display the recipient’s name and photo, add fraud-reporting information, and require HHSC to track replacement-card requests. Creighton argued the bill would reduce fraud and protect taxpayer dollars, citing Texas SNAP theft and overpayment data. HHSC testified that photo IDs on the card are technically possible and explained how authorized secondary users are added. Dr. Amber O’Connor of Every Texan testified against the bill, saying SNAP fraud is a small share of expenditures, that the proposal would be costly and ineffective, and that federal rules limit mandatory photo requirements. Public testimony closed and SB 1183 was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1184, also by Senator Creighton, which would lower from 20 years to 10 years the minimum age of collectible wine that Texas collectors may sell to permitted restaurants. Supporters said the change would help Texas restaurants access desirable vintages, keep collectible wine in-state, and align with market demand; invited witnesses from the wine industry testified in favor. No opposition was heard, public testimony closed, and SB 1184 was left pending. Next, Senator Birdwell laid out Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68, both aimed at revising Texas impeachment procedures in response to issues identified during the 2023 impeachment process. The measures would clarify constitutional and statutory impeachment authority, require sworn testimony, extend review periods for House members, address conflicts of interest and presiding officers, require cost reporting, and modify rules for impeaching the governor or lieutenant governor. A committee substitute added protections for the accused, longer review periods, and a fallback presiding-officer option. Witnesses generally supported stronger accountability but raised questions about whether the language should also cover retired or visiting judges. Both measures were left pending after testimony. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1577, which would expand Texas Motor Speedway’s alcohol sales authority to include distilled spirits and remove certain event and concession limits; the Speedway’s representative supported the bill and it was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 and Senate Bill 240, which would recognize only two sexes and restrict access to sex-designated private spaces in public facilities based on biological sex. Supporters argued the measures were needed to protect women’s privacy and safety, including in schools and shelters, while opponents warned about enforcement problems, privacy concerns, and impacts on transgender Texans and others who do not fit stereotypical sex traits. After extensive testimony, both measures were left pending. The committee then took up multiple pending bills and reported several favorably, including SB 511, SB 33, SB 510, SB 871, SB 2024, SB 2166, SJR 27, SJR 40, SB 1313, SB 1314, SB 1316, SB 1541, SB 2420, SB 1999, SB 2309, SB 1860, and SB 2429, with some also certified for the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I look forward to having some policy that bans people that are convicted of fraud from continuing
• So, I look forward to having some policy that bans people that are convicted of fraud from continuing
• So, I look forward to having some policy that bans people that are convicted of fraud from continuing
• So, I look forward to having some policy that bans people that are convicted of fraud from continuing
• <01:42:13.440> fraud motans who are both suffering from fraud motans who are both suffering

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:

• Beyond that, the merit-based competitive hiring processes and protections that are being removed from
• Beyond that, the merit-based competitive hiring processes and protections that are being removed from
• Beyond that, the merit-based competitive hiring processes and protections that are being removed from
• Beyond that, the merit-based competitive hiring processes and protections that are being removed from
• Beyond that, the merit-based competitive hiring processes and protections that are being removed from

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:

• Are there any preferences on hearing from...
• In my past work with the Department of Family and Protective Services, I heard from former foster youth
• from lawsuit and from liability, largely intended to safeguard public funds from being overly burdened
• There's nothing in the bill that precludes someone from any different race from being appointed.
• Yes, I mean, Senator West, we've had substitutes all over the dais from bills coming over from— Oh, I

Bills: HB4, HB20

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 heard a series of higher education and K-12 bills, initially without a quorum and with several measures left pending subject to the call of the chair. Early bills included HB 1868, which would direct a study on lowering the dual-credit funding threshold for public junior colleges from 15 to 9 semester credit hours; HB 2598, which would replace statutory references to “licensed specialist in school psychology” with “school psychologist”; HB 3629, which would bar registered sex offenders from serving on independent school district boards of trustees; and HB 4361, which would require the Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules for timely emergency notifications at public institutions of higher education. Each received brief sponsor explanations, no opposition testimony, and was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4848, requiring public higher education systems to ensure at least one institution offers affordable competency-based bachelor’s degree programs in high-demand fields, and HB 1211, which would remove the age 25 deadline for former foster youth to use public college tuition waivers. HB 1211 drew extensive supportive testimony from Texas CASA, a former foster youth who benefited from the waiver, and a current student headed to medical school, all arguing the change would better match the realities faced by youth aging out of care. Members discussed the bill’s fiscal uncertainty and the argument that the waiver is an investment in workforce participation; the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard HB 20, creating an Applied Sciences Pathway Program to let high school students earn certificates in targeted industries such as welding, plumbing, electrical work, manufacturing, and oil and gas while in school. Industry and workforce groups strongly supported the bill as a way to address labor shortages, while Texas 2036 raised concerns about allowing applied versions of core academic courses to substitute for traditional instruction. HB 4687, which would extend governmental immunity protections to certain campus/district charter schools and adult charter high schools, also received support from a charter-school attorney who said it would align statutes with existing case law and not expand charter rights. HB 4236, as substituted, would create a study group to examine the property value study’s effect on school finance and alternative valuation methods; it was adopted as a committee substitute and left pending. The committee also heard HB 824 on civics instruction in high school government courses and HB 2243, which would create a commission on teacher job satisfaction and retention; the latter prompted debate over removing “ethnic diversity” language from the commission’s makeup. After adopting the substitute for HB 2243 by roll call, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Family Code 264.001 gives the state a compelling interest in protecting children from abuse, neglect,
• from.
• I got that from Child Protective Services. The schools would not give it to me.
• And we don't have time to protect our kids; we have to protect them now.
• What we're hearing from Texas classrooms and from Texas teachers.

Bills: HB4, HB20

Keywords: district composition, congressional election, Texas, legislature, voting districts, fraudulent solicitation, disaster relief, nonprofit organizations, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud prevention, charitable donations

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2853, which would allow the UT System Board of Regents to adjust the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee above the current statutory cap, subject to student approval, to help fund a new student union building. Senator Blanco explained the bill and the committee substitute, there were no questions or witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the committee adopted the substitute and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair. The committee then heard House Bill 610, which would limit severance payments for terminated independent school district superintendents to six months’ salary and benefits. Senator Paxton described large severance payouts and said the bill had passed the House overwhelmingly. There were no witnesses, public testimony was closed, and the bill was left pending. A lengthy hearing followed on House Bill 4623, which would waive school district immunity in certain cases involving negligent hiring, supervision, or employment of professional school employees who commit abuse or related misconduct against students. Senator Paxton and several witnesses, including survivors and parents, argued the bill was needed to address cover-ups, delayed reporting, and repeated failures to remove dangerous employees; some members raised concerns about liability caps, litigation, and how the bill would interact with the Tort Claims Act. The committee also heard from TEA staff and employee-group witnesses who discussed possible injunctions and stronger no-hire protections. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4, an accountability and assessment bill that would restore A-F ratings, change the state testing system, and replace STAAR with shorter, more instructionally useful assessments. Senator Bettencourt explained the committee substitute, including annual ratings, limits on taxpayer-funded lawsuits, and a phased-in testing redesign with beginning, middle, and end-of-year assessments. Testimony was generally supportive from education and business groups, though some witnesses favored norm-referenced testing while others emphasized criterion-referenced, TEKS-aligned assessments; one witness noted social studies assessments were restored in the bill. The hearing concluded with additional invited testimony and no final vote reported in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• this work are protected by from arbitrary and politically motivated dismissals, similar to what we are
• Beyond removing merit-based competitive hiring processes and protections from these positions, the bill
• the protections from these positions the protections from these positions the bill<00:08:21.319>
• She said they are taking away from those people when somebody commits fraud or abuse.
• and also, you know, taking the proactive steps that we need to in order to prevent fraud from taking

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:

• Medical assistance fraud steals from hardworking taxpayers across Minnesota.
• 53.200> from Medical assistance fraud steals from Medical assistance fraud steals from hardworking
• The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit from 2019 to 2025 secured over $80 million in civil penalties and criminal
• > unit<00:35:14.240> from The Medicaid fraud control unit from The Medicaid fraud control
• So, when people commit Medicaid fraud, they're stealing from the most vulnerable neighbors.

Bills: HF3423, HF2354, HF3634

Keywords: healthcare, provider enrollment, medical assistance, legislation, state funds, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, service verification, Medicaid, human services, electronic documentation, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The second correction is to add requested language from the authors on lines 1.4 through 1.8.
• , from December 31st to now be either post-audit but no later than the end of the first quarter.
• That pertains to House File 2354, Representative Norris' bill for Medicaid fraud.
• and one being from Representative Norris for the Attorney General's Office to enhance Medicaid fraud
• It goes up from 1% to 2%.

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:

• And I would entertain a motion to approve the minutes from April 3rd, Vice Chair Davis.
• Okay, we have a motion to approve the minutes from April 3rd. Any comments? All in favor? Aye.
• Section 7 deals with medical assistance fraud and other theft.
• This also overlaps with the governor's package on anti-fraud proposals.
• Next, we have Justin Stofron from the Minnesota Farmers Union.

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:

• 18.320> from Medical assistance fraud steals from Medical assistance fraud steals from hardworking
• from consumer to Medicaid fraud; they stay in Medicaid fraud because of the dedicated nature of the
• from consumer to Medicaid fraud; they stay in Medicaid fraud because of the dedicated nature of the
• :28.920> against<01:07:29.680> fraud protecting our uh entities against fraud protecting
• 43.880> from<01:42:44.120> overreach need to protect ourselves from overreach need to protect

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:

• There are anti-fraud and legislative oversight provisions.
• One being from Chair Nash for the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and one being from Representative
• Norris for the Attorney General's office to enhance Medicaid fraud.
• It goes up from 1% to 2%.
• It goes up one from 1% to wagering fee.

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:

• of an appropriation from of an appropriation from 2023<00:04:59.199> and<00:04:59.440>
• with medical assistance fraud. with medical assistance fraud.
• <00:09:10.240> the bill if you'd like to on PDF from the bill if you'd like to on PDF from
• <00:32:21.840> Uh<00:32:22.159> our from from my perspective, we did.
• Uh our from from my perspective, we did.

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:

• bill, applies only... ...applies only to new vehicle brands and is designed to prevent manufacturers from
• The bill also seeks to prevent manufacturers from bypassing the Florida dealer franchise laws through
• Increased eightfold, from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024.
• We have Brian Jogers, from the Elder Law Section of The Florida Bar, waiving in support.
• And we have Karen Morillo from AARP, waiving in support. With that, we are in debate.

Bills: S0888, S1516, S1562

Keywords: professional services, design professionals, contracting parties, indemnification, public policy, caller identification, telecommunications, fraud prevention, STIR/SHAKEN, telecom regulations, call blocking, consumer protection, motor vehicle, franchise, dealership, distribution, licensee, successor, franchise agreement

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee met with all members present and took up three bills. On Senate Bill 1562, as amended by a strike-all, Senator Trumbull explained that the measure would apply only to new vehicle brands and would limit any one dealer or dealer group to no more than one-third of statewide sales after a brand reaches 1,000 vehicles in Florida, with the stated goal of promoting competition and preventing manufacturers from concentrating sales through a single dealer. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. Senator Smith later asked to be recorded in the negative on this bill, and Senator Yarbrough asked to be recorded in the affirmative on SB 1562 and SB 888. The committee then heard Senate Bill 888 by Senator Martin, which would limit professional services contracts for architects, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects so they are liable only for their own negligence or that of those under their supervision, extend those protections from public to private contracts, void broader indemnity clauses, require a professional standard of care, and prohibit additional-insured requirements. There was no debate or opposition, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, Senator Garcia presented Senate Bill 1516 on caller identification information, citing the volume of robocalls and fraud losses among older adults. The bill would prohibit misleading caller ID practices, require telecommunications companies to provide accurate originating number and location information, create penalties for violations, and require STIR/SHAKEN authentication or a comparable framework. Two appearance forms were filed in support from the Elder Law Section of The Florida Bar and AARP, and Senator Smith voiced support during debate. The committee reported the bill favorably. The meeting concluded with closing remarks and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• AC from the people that benefit from AC from the access<00:19:29.919> to<00:19:30.200> these
• say that the governor has not been a trustworthy partner in fraud, and so that's people from the very
• from those whistleblowers from hearing from those whistleblowers from inside<00:31:48.799> of
• and so that's people partner in fraud and so that's people from<00:32:25.559> the<00:32:25.720
• us from domestic violence situation from us from domestic violence situation from recovering<01:

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:

• protected from arbitrary or Poli protected from arbitrary or Poli politically<00:10:29.880> Mo
• 7, subdivision 3, in fact gives broader protections against removal from the OIG than what is afforded
• data from unlawful disclosure.
• <00:41:30.720> disclosure protect uh data from unlawful disclosure protect uh data from unlawful
• Sean Williams from House Research: So the data that I have is from since 2021 from the Department of

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:

• >> Um, there has been some allegations of fraud and a lawsuit from Iowa.
• <00:31:50.240> Uh<00:31:50.480> the fraud and a lawsuit from Iowa.
• Uh the fraud and a lawsuit from Iowa.
• A ban is probably the best way to protect consumers from fraud. Thank you. Thank you.
• I appreciate the comments from the Office of Consumer Protection and would like to echo that CoinFlip

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:

• We acknowledge that every good gift comes from You, and we could do nothing of value without You.
• May our decisions bring justice, strengthen families, protect the vulnerable, and not the freedoms You've
• President, there's a message from the House. Admit the messenger, Mr. President.
• HCR 5, Craddock, congratulating Don Sparks of Midland on receiving the 2025 Chief Roughneck Award from
• HCR 5 Craddock congratulating Don Sparks of Midland on receiving the 2025 Chief Roughneck Award from

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.