Video & Transcript Research : 'Insurance Commissioner'
Page 103 of 500
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (02/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- uh the children's health insurance uh the children's health insurance program<01:12:36.520>
it's - , commercial insurance, etc.
- , commercial insurance, etc.
- And then I had a very nice exchange with Commissioner Landry today.
- > I call you commissioner I keep I call you commissioner I keep forgetting<02:24:26.720>
all <02
Summary:
The meeting began as a Division 3 work session on HB 71, but much of the early discussion focused on whether a previously discussed non-germane amendment could be considered or voted on that day. Members and the chair debated process and notice requirements, and the clerk’s guidance was that the amendment needed a separate public hearing before the full Finance Committee. The amendment was described as requiring DHHS contracts and addenda to include compliance with the Patient Bill of Rights, with a repeal date so the requirement would expire on November 30, 2026. The motion to move OTP on HB 71 with the amendment was withdrawn, and the committee agreed the amendment would be scheduled for a future full Finance hearing instead.
The committee then turned to HB 71 itself and heard testimony from DHHS representatives John Williams and Jenny O’Higgins on the fiscal note and policy implications. Members questioned the estimate that the bill could put $12 million to $18 million per year in federal funding at risk, including HUD and Office of Refugee Resettlement funds. DHHS explained that the estimate was based on a broad reading of the bill’s term “specified alien,” which they said was not clearly defined in the bill, so they analyzed it using the federal definition of “alien” and assumed the bill could affect lawfully present non-citizens as well as undocumented individuals. They said the figure represented a worst-case scenario and that they were not claiming the loss was certain.
Members also pressed DHHS on whether the bill could affect emergency sheltering in schools, public academies, or institutions of higher learning during disasters. DHHS said the language could create conflicts with federal funding conditions because emergency shelter programs generally cannot impose barriers on who may be sheltered, and they warned that excluding certain people could affect refugee-related and HUD funding. Questions were raised about whether the bill’s language would apply to private institutions as well as public ones, and whether the state could still use schools in short-term emergencies. DHHS said the language was broad, that they could not answer every legal question definitively, and that they would need input from public health and legal staff. No final vote on HB 71 was taken in the portion provided; the committee remained in discussion/work session mode after the amendment motion was withdrawn.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate - Health and Public Affairs Feb 11th, 2026 at 05:14 pm
Senate Health & Public Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The New Mexico County Insurance Authority is a self-insurance pool.
- It is not an insurance company; it's a self-insurance pool. So all of the dollars...
- It is not an insurance company; it's a self-insurance pool.
- The insurance pool has gone up over 100% in costs, and counties are now making tough, tough decisions
- The insurance pool has gone up over 100% in costs, and counties are now making tough, tough decisions
Keywords:
massage therapy, licensure, health and safety standards, continuing education, establishment licensing, civil rights, sovereign immunity, damages, public body, lawsuit limitations, legal notice, child welfare, computing infrastructure, data management, Department of Health, appropriation, foster care, Indian children, cultural competency, training services
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Appropriation and Revenue. (2-25-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Our insurance cost, in comparison to liability and property insurance in 2020, was $168,000 in my district
- >> Randy White, commissioner, juvenile >> Randy White, commissioner, juvenile justice
- <00:46:18.240>
here commissioner here commissioner here [clears throat and cough]<00:46:19.280 - Commissioner, I'm going to >> Very good.
- Senator, thank Commissioner, thank you.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:10
SB 11 Discussion 00:01:20
SB 11 Vote 00:05:00
SB 41 Discussion 00:5:43
SB 41 Vote 00:15:03
SB 59 Discussion 00:20:30
SB 59 Vote 00:28:15
SB 57 Discussion 00:29:40
SB 57 Vote 00:40:00
SB 125 Discussion 00:42:43
SB 125 Vote 00:50:53
SB 191 Discussion 00:53:19
SB 191 Vote 00:59:38, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 11, a proposal to create a matching-grant program for neighborhood storm shelters in rural Kentucky. Sponsor Steve Meredith and supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the City of Morgantown said the idea was to use FEMA-style funding to help residents who live far from community shelters, noting that in some rural counties it can take 30 to 45 minutes to reach a shelter during severe weather. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 11-0, with no nay votes.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 41, which would require a ballot referendum whenever a taxing entity raises property taxes more than 4 percent, rather than relying on the current petition process. Sponsor Gary Boswell said the bill would give taxpayers more direct control and argued that local governments should simply avoid raising taxes above the threshold. Superintendents from Rockcastle and Casey counties opposed the bill, saying it would weaken local control, add election costs, delay budgets, and make it harder for school districts to keep up with inflation, insurance, transportation, and construction costs. After debate, the committee passed the bill 7-3 with favorable expression.
Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 59, which would add criminal penalties to KRS 65.013, the law barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot questions. Sponsor Steve Rawlings said the measure was prompted by reports of school officials using public resources to oppose a 2024 ballot issue and argued the law needs real enforcement to protect taxpayers and election integrity. Members raised concerns about First Amendment issues and the bill’s gray areas, especially for public employees speaking on their own time; Rawlings said the substitute removed volunteer references, allowed balanced issue debates, and clarified that employees acting on their own time and resources would not be prohibited. The committee passed the bill 8-3 with favorable expression.
The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 57, as substituted, from Senator Danny Carroll. The bill would create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program under the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, with up to three projects receiving up to $25 million each to help cover early site permitting and related licensing costs. Carroll, along with witnesses from the UK Center for Applied Energy Research and the Public Service Commission, said the goal is to build a nuclear energy ecosystem in Kentucky, with safeguards including surety bonds, deadlines, and cost-recovery provisions. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 01/23/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- through one of these public insurance programs.
- through one of these public insurance programs.
- <00:54:12.240>
through uh get their health insurance through uh get their health insurance - <00:54:14.040>
programs one of these public Insurance programs one of these public Insurance - , and our assistant commissioners.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 24th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- But it's primarily in our unemployment. insurance program.
- We have a very small residual amount of our unemployment insurance.
- My name is Rick Thompson with the County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas.
- We don't always agree with these commissioners. or their staff.
- who serves as the designated bingo commissioner.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- After listening carefully to the DOL, we agreed that a 30-day notice can be waived if the commissioner
- A 30-day notice can be waived if the commissioner believes there's an imminent public safety threat.
- This could again create a commission with one senator, two representatives, Commissioner of DES, DOT,
- This was technical corrections to certain insurance laws. Sponsor was Representative Hunt. >> Yes.
- insurance laws. insurance laws.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- to thank the Kohas County Commissioners to thank the Kohas County Commissioners and<00:50:45.200
- >
to instructing Commissioner Davis to instructing Commissioner Davis to undertake<01:00:51.040 - . insurance. insurance.
- Who's likely to be paying the insurance on the car? The parents.
- The be paying the insurance on the car?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/26
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
Partridge, <00:25:46.400>she And even uh Commissioner Partridge, she And even uh Commissioner- They can actually Commissioner Tuma.
- She said it was less of a question and more of a comment. insurance rates are going up across the insurance
- And we're passing the house insured.
- And our Petro Fund is basically a big insurance carrier insuring every tank in Minnesota.
Bills:
HF3298
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (7-8-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Chris Chamnes, Commissioner of the Department of Employee Insurance.
- 03:33.120>
Department Chamnes, Commissioner of the Department Chamnes, Commissioner of the Department - of Employee Insurance. of Employee Insurance.
- insurance law. insurance law.
- Is are those the commissioners<00:58:45.680>
or commissioners or commissioners or the<00:58:46.319
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 10 minutes, and then handled a routine agenda of contracts and agreements. It deferred one Kentucky Educational Television contract to the August 2025 meeting because the vendor was not registered with the Secretary of State, and then approved the remaining routine items on the PSC green list and related contract lists without objection.
The most detailed discussion involved two personal service contracts for the Kentucky Employees Health Plan. Officials from the Personnel Cabinet and Department of Employee Insurance explained that the contracts were designed to identify claims errors and overspending, with vendors paid a percentage of validated savings recovered for the plan. Senators asked how the savings were calculated and whether the contracts had changed plan processes; staff said the contracts had produced realized savings, some errors had been corrected going forward, and the vendors report quarterly. The committee approved those contracts.
The committee then took up a retroactive Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority contract for a customized College Info Road Show bus. Members questioned why the contract was being presented months after execution, why it involved an out-of-state vendor, and whether the purchase was reasonable and timely. KHEAA staff said the delay stemmed from the need to finalize sustainability and safety details after the RFP, and acknowledged internal process and staffing issues. Several members criticized the retroactive approval process and said they could not validate the purchase from the information provided, but the committee ultimately approved the contract after debate.
A final KHEAA discussion focused on the purpose and value of the mobile outreach bus. Staff said the bus supports college and financial aid outreach, especially in rural areas, and has been used for 26 years. Some members questioned the return on investment and whether the state should rely more on broadband and remote outreach, while others supported the program as a way to reach students and families. The committee approved the KHEAA contract, with Senator Douglas voting no and explaining concerns about whether such outreach programs are the proper role of government and whether they are the best use of public funds.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Page 15, section 17 is an unemployment insurance report.
- This is unemployment insurance report.
- <01:08:31.520>
of commissioner of commissioner of education.<01:08:33.199>I <01:08:33.359 - Thank you, Commissioner. Um, we're uh Commissioner Brown has been called over to HHS.
- Thank you so much, Commissioner. Um, we are going to begin testifying.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Mar 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- My name is Shelby Atkinson on behalf of the insurance commissioner of DCCA.
- I'm currently in San Diego at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
- <01:25:27.360>
Um <01:25:27.960>we insurance commissioner of DCCA. - Um we insurance commissioner of DCCA.
- the National Association of Insurance the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.<01:28
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 83, which would require hotel keepers to give adequate notice of service disruptions to guests and third-party vendors. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but asked for amendments to restore remedies and add a nonwaiver provision, arguing that without penalties the measure would lack consequences and that consumers should not be able to waive the notice rights. Supporters, including Unite Here Local 5 and individual testifiers, said guests deserve transparency and meaningful recourse when disruptions occur, especially for labor disputes, construction, or other service interruptions that affect the experience they paid for.
Hotel industry representatives, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the Hawaii Hotel Alliance, and hotel workers/testifiers, opposed the bill in its current form while offering amendments. They said the measure was too broad, difficult to implement, and could interfere with collective bargaining, third-party booking systems, and existing contracts. They also argued that some disruptions are not easily known in advance and that the bill unfairly singles out hotels compared with other industries. One testifier emphasized that notice should be required only for actual, known disruptions rather than potential events, and another raised concerns about applying the bill to properties not directly involved in a labor dispute.
After the SB 83 testimony, the committee moved on to SB 2798, which would make permanent and expand statewide the agricultural enforcement pilot program created in 2025 and rename it the agricultural enforcement program. The chair introduced the measure and called on the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity as the first testifier, but the transcript excerpt ends before testimony or any vote on SB 2798.
NJ
New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Jun 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- He declines my insurance, which I'm required to provide. So now I'm not paying for his insurance.
- If I'm an employer and one of my employees declined my insurance, because Medicaid is a better insurance
- ' health insurance?
- , compared to how much the insurance company...
- Of money for a year of insurance compared to how much the insurance company would have to pay, the employee
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Committee met on June 28, 2026 and considered a long list of budget and policy bills, reporting many of them out of committee, often with amendments. Early measures included AB 2550 on continued dependent health coverage for certain adults with disabilities, AB 4794 allowing tax data sharing with the New Jersey Innovation Authority and Secure Choice Savings Board, and AB 3381/SB 1493 updating occupational therapy licensure requirements. The committee also advanced AB 4014, creating a social media research center at a public four-year institution, though one member opposed it as unnecessary spending given existing research on social media harms. Another bill, AB 5048/SB 1281, would ban certain apparel and diaper products with intentionally added PFAS; some members opposed it over safety and cost concerns, especially for firefighter gear, but it was reported. The committee also moved AB 383, which promotes volunteerism to help FamilyCare and SNAP recipients meet eligibility requirements, and AB 4357, extending telehealth pay parity, though one member objected to parity between telehealth and in-person care.
The committee then took up several energy, environmental, and housing-related bills. AB 5188, the Advanced Grid Technologies Act, was released despite opposition from some members and labor interests. AB 2524 would let dual-use solar projects participate in community solar, and AB 5236 would strengthen pediatric psychiatry and behavioral health services; both were reported. AB 5348, allowing temporary use of open-space and related funds for certain municipalities, drew sharp criticism as a diversion of preservation money to fill budget holes, but passed. AB 5280 returned unexpended county appropriations to Hudson County and authorized supplemental operating aid; it also passed despite objections about prior bidding violations. AB 5347 provided certain motor vehicle-related funding to municipalities and was reported, as was AB 5334/SB 4423, appropriating Green Acres and CBT revenues for local open space and park projects.
A major portion of the meeting focused on tax and business-related bills. AB 5329 increased the child tax credit for 2026-2028, with testimony urging that the expansion be made permanent; it was reported. AB 3899, the General Contractor Licensing Act, also passed. AB 5310/SB 4406 clarified sentencing under certain circumstances and was reported. AB 5330, allowing temporary transfers in the pension system, drew testimony from NJEA warning that the State Health Benefits Program was in crisis and asking for a longer repayment period to avoid rate spikes; the bill was still reported. AB 1326 created a higher education governance and funding task force and was amended to add a Talmudic institution or theological seminary representative. Later, AB 5333/SB 4424 appropriated additional Green Acres and CBT funds for recreation and conservation projects and was reported.
The committee also advanced several business and alcohol-related measures, including AB 5235 establishing the School-Based Partnership for Access and Resilience for Kids program, AB 5325 reducing business formation fees, AB 4836/SB 2368 on portable solar devices, AB 4881 establishing an advanced nuclear energy procurement program, AB 3974/SB 3183 revising renewable energy incentive and solar interconnection rules, AB 4013 creating a social media research center focused on addictive behavior, AB 5225 making temporary alcohol beverage provisions permanent, and AB 5295 revising alcoholic beverage licensing laws. The most contentious debate came on AB 4085, the Fair Price Protection Act, which would restrict “surveillance pricing” and regulate grocery pricing practices. Consumer advocates supported the bill as a protection against individualized pricing, while retailers and chambers of commerce argued the language was too broad and could undermine loyalty programs, discounts, and electronic shelf labels. Despite those objections, the committee voted to report the bill after amendments. Finally, AB 4530/SB 3739 on EV supply equipment standards was reported, and AB 5322 imposing a temporary cap on net operating loss deductions under the corporate business tax sparked strong opposition from business groups and a policy debate over whether legitimate losses and investment-related deductions should be limited; the bill was still moved out of committee.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (04/25/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- So, um, I'm Ann Landry, associate commissioner.
- Asked me to uh cover this topic for the commissioner, um, and her.
- by Commissioner Hanks who's the<00:21:53.280>
uh <00:21:53.440>head <00:21:53.679>of - out the door they have their insurance out the door they have their insurance card<00:31:50.640>
- <00:42:10.800>
of my county, our commissioner of my county, our commissioner of corrections
Summary:
The committee first handled roll call and approved the prior meeting minutes. Members discussed attendance and substitutions, then moved to the DHS commissioner’s update, which focused on New Hampshire’s Medicaid 1115 waiver and the new community re-entry initiative for people leaving correctional facilities. The presenter explained that the waiver lets the state cover certain services not normally covered under Medicaid, including substance use disorder treatment, serious mental illness services, adult dental benefits, and the new community re-entry component. She also noted that a separate youth re-entry component is federally required, with youth defined up to age 21 and foster-care-related coverage extending to age 26.
The update described how the adult re-entry program works for incarcerated individuals with behavioral health needs, providing up to 45 days of pre-release services, care coordination with managed care organizations and DOC staff, telemedicine assessments, discharge prescriptions, insurance cards, and connections to community mental health, primary care, and substance use providers. For youth, the program includes more intensive case management, 30 days of pre-release services, and 30 days of post-release care coordination, with a stronger emphasis on screening, diagnosis, and holistic assessment. The presenter said New Hampshire received the adult waiver in July 2024, has implemented the program in state correctional facilities, and is beginning work at the youth center.
Members and the presenter discussed why the program is structured as a waiver rather than a standard Medicaid benefit, with the explanation that CMS is allowing this as a newer policy area and that states generally pursue waivers for certain services. The chair and others emphasized the need for real cost and outcome data, and the presenter said an independent evaluator and evaluation plan are required under the 1115 waiver. Early results cited included 30 adults enrolled so far, 10 released, five youth enrolled with one released, and anecdotal early successes such as housing, employment, and better continuity of medication and treatment. The committee did not take any additional votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- consultation with the relevant insurers. consultation with the relevant insurers.
- <00:32:35.200>
can guardrails around how the insurer can guardrails around how the insurer - And I want to thank the insurance industry, the private insurance market, for stepping up and saying,
- <00:34:46.960>
industry, want to thank the insurance industry, want to thank the insurance - held commissioners He hasn't held commissioners accountable. accountable. accountable.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Economic Development and Tourism Committee Mar 5th, 2025
Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- They pay the revenue commissioner or tax collector's office for the collection services, and it would
- As you know, mortgage companies escrow for taxes and insurance, and in all these other states that have
- this law, they escrow for taxes... ...that have this law, they escrow for taxes, insurance, and assessments
- Chairman, and I have the revenue commissioner, Lee County, here who can answer any...
- I think y'all all know very well that the revenue commissioners are elected, and those persons who face
Keywords:
HB145, scrap tires, scrap tire disposal, illegal dumping, ADEM, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, environmental enforcement, Class 2 municipality, municipal court, local enforcement, delegation agreement, primacy, waste management, tire recycling, tire hauling, environmental quality act, misdemeanor penalties, Class A misdemeanor, Class B misdemeanor, Class C misdemeanor
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPN-JDC, JDC Public Hearings 02-21-2025
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- This allows an insured to authorize the insurer to electronically deliver a claim check to the insured
- This allows an insured to authorize the insurer to electronically deliver a claim check to the insured
- <00:12:44.959>
to up is s SP 142 this allows an insured to up is s SP 142 this allows an insured - >
electronically authorize the insurer to electronically authorize the insurer to electronically - of capacity under a county commissioner of capacity under a county commissioner County County County
Summary:
The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary decision-making meeting on February 21, 2025, considered a long list of previously heard measures and generally recommended passage, often with amendments that delayed effective dates to July 1, 2050 or made technical clarifications. Among the measures acted on were bills relating to property, hotels, service disruptions, transportation, consumer protection, license plates, condominium disputes and fines, election fraud intimidation, vehicle inspection fines, restaurant reservation services, insurance claim checks, foreclosed home sales, labor relations court authority, public housing authority powers, community outreach boards, arson penalties, driving without a valid license, pet animals in vehicles, important agricultural lands, public records retention, transit-oriented development review, sex offender-related licensing actions, National Guard assault penalties, federal recognition timing, medical cannabis caregivers, cease-and-desist orders, and critical infrastructure information sharing.
Several measures drew specific discussion or reservations. SB 1030 on election fraud intimidation was amended after consultation with the Attorney General to focus on unconcealed carry and add definitions. SB 5 on legislative vacancies was recommended to pass unamended, but the committee noted constitutional concerns and requested an Attorney General opinion. SB 95 on inspection fines was amended to set a $400 fine amount, though one member objected and the recommendation failed in at least one committee. SB 102 on third-party restaurant reservation services was amended to clarify who may sue and to allow contracted reservation services to distribute reservations on a restaurant’s behalf. SP 1022 on leaving pets in vehicles was amended to remove duplicative language because existing animal cruelty law already covered the conduct. SP 1451 on critical infrastructure information sharing was amended to tighten confidentiality language from “would reveal” to “could reveal” vulnerabilities.
Most measures were adopted by the committees with little or no opposition, though several members noted reservations or objections on particular bills, including transportation, consumer protection, and inspection-fine measures. One bill, SB 1255 on records retention for government-function contractors, was deferred to a later meeting on February 26, 2025. Overall, the committees advanced most measures with amendments and recorded the recommendations for transmission to the next committee or chamber.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 8th, 2026
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Cook, you mentioned things like insurance and so forth.
- It flags parents who file for unemployment insurance.
- I'm the Executive Commissioner at the Health and Human Services Commission.
- The directive to the Commissioner, welcome you and Mr. Winners over here.
- Instead, we could assign privately insured and Medicare-insured clients to fee-for-service because right
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- department of educa of the commissioner department of educa of the commissioner of<00:04:46.880>
- <01:05:02.960>
of commission and to the commissioner of commission and to the commissioner - 202526 school year, the self-insured 202526 school year, the self-insured premiums<01:35:34.000>
- Each one of those health insurance.
- Wages are health insurance. Not everyone takes the insurance, but everyone takes the wages.
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- Providers with expertise are limited, misdiagnoses are common, and insurance coverage is inconsistent
- We have the same insurance coverage when we are out as PennDOT highways do, PennDOT drivers and PennDOT
- This bill provides for the State Workers' Insurance Fund investment authority.
- This bill would allow the State Workers' Insurance Fund, or SWIF, to invest up to 20% of its assets in
- These decisions on investments are made by a three-person board: the L&I Secretary, the Insurance Commissioner
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, and first handled routine business including postponing approval of the prior journal and confirming a quorum. Several committee reports were adopted, including measures from Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Tourism and Recreation and Economic Development, Appropriations, Rules, Commerce, and Environmental and Natural Resource Protection. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 531, designating June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month, after testimony from Rep. DeLosier and discussion of a constituent’s experience with severe scoliosis; the resolution passed 201-1.
The House then adopted a series of additional resolutions and bills, including Diaper Need Awareness Week, a study on PANS/PANDAS, 717 Day, Little League World Series Week, and a resolution commemorating America 250 in Pennsylvania. It also passed bills on Sunshine Act agenda notice changes, veteran death notifications, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, township audit deadlines, first responder memorials, road transfers, parole board succession, and restrictions on HOA limits for rooftop solar. The solar bill drew multiple failed amendments on HOA voting rules, native plants, energy-source discrimination, and net metering; one amendment on indemnification for elected officials at special events was adopted.
In final passage votes, the House approved legislation to prohibit NDAs related to data centers, with debate centered on transparency and local control; it passed 171-31. The chamber also passed bills allowing Pittsburgh school administrators to collectively bargain, requiring hunting and trapping education options in schools, expanding SWIF’s equity investment authority, and scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule 3 controlled substance. The Counseling Compact bill and a parole-record privilege bill both passed unanimously or near-unanimously, and the House signed those measures for presentation to the Governor. The session ended with referrals of new bills to committees, a motion to adjourn, and adjournment until July 1, 2026.
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- Providers with expertise are limited, misdiagnoses are common, and insurance coverage is inconsistent
- We have the same insurance coverage when we are out as PennDOT highways do; PennDOT drivers and PennDOT
- This bill provides for the State Workers' Insurance Fund investment authority.
- This bill would allow the State Workers' Insurance Fund, or SWIF, to invest up to 20% of its assets in
- These decisions on investments are made by a three-person board: the L&I secretary, the insurance commissioner
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several guests, including a student advocate and family members connected to a resolution on scoliosis awareness. The chamber first took up committee reports from Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness, Tourism and Recreation and Economic Development, and later Appropriations, Rules, Commerce, and Environmental and Natural Resource Protection, agreeing to the reported bills and resolutions. House Resolution 531, designating June 2026 as Scoliosis Awareness Month, was adopted 201-1 after remarks describing the condition and the advocacy of a young constituent. The House also adopted resolutions designating Diaper Need Awareness Week, directing a study on PANS/PANDAS, recognizing 717 Day, Little League World Series Week, and commemorating America 250 in Pennsylvania, with broad bipartisan support.
The House then considered several bills on final passage. House Bill 2146, updating the Sunshine Act’s 24-hour agenda notice rule after a court ruling, and Senate Bills 130, 511, 971, 972, 1181, and 1235 were agreed to. House Bill 1239, limiting HOA restrictions on rooftop solar, drew multiple amendments; some were withdrawn, and others failed on tied votes, after debate over HOA governance, native plants, and net metering. House Bill 2219, on license plates and transportation provisions, had an amendment agreed to removing indemnification language for elected officials at special events, and then passed as amended. House Bill 2558, banning non-compete agreements for broadcast workers, saw an amendment to preserve limited non-competes fail, and the bill passed. House Bill 2359, prohibiting government NDAs related to data centers, passed 171-31 after extensive debate over transparency and local control.
The chamber also passed House Bill 2455, granting Pittsburgh school administrators collective bargaining rights, despite objections that existing appeal protections already exist; it passed 106-96. House Bill 2460, creating hunting and trapping education provisions, passed 180-22 after debate over whether it duplicated existing law and imposed a mandate. House Bill 2499, expanding the State Workers’ Insurance Fund’s equity investment authority, passed 173-29. House Bill 2529, scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule III controlled substance, passed 198-4 amid testimony about overdose risks and concerns about criminalization. Senate Bill 604, joining the Counseling Compact, passed 188-14, and Senate Bill 1259, clarifying parole record privilege and expanding notice to denied parole applicants, passed unanimously 202-0. The House then made referrals and committee assignments, signed the two Senate bills for presentation to the Governor, and adjourned until July 1, 2026.