Transcript Highlights:

• The problem we were running into: we had insurance companies, bless their heart—you have to say that
• Now the good news is, after a year and a half of fighting with the insurance companies, the insurance
• The good news is, after a year and a half of fighting with the insurance companies, the insurance companies
• Firefighters, if they get cancer, they don't want to fight insurance companies.
• Chair, sir, what did the insurance carrier argue that the lack of a comma meant?

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement met and first announced that HB 2691 would be held and not heard further that day. The chair also limited testimony to three speakers for and three against, with two minutes each unless extended by a minority leader. The committee then took up HB 2993, which would allow the Department of Public Safety to spend on legal services independent of the Attorney General and, as amended, redirect $5 million from the Consumer Protection Consumer Fraud Revolving Fund to the Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission Fund. Supporters argued the bill would give DPS outside counsel and shift money toward front-line public safety work; opponents said it was political retaliation that would weaken consumer protection enforcement and divert funds from Arizonans who benefit from AG actions. The committee adopted the chairman’s amendment and then approved HB 2993 on an 8-6 vote, with one absent. The committee next heard HB 2231, a clarifying bill updating the list of cancers covered under the occupational disease presumption for firefighters, peace officers, and fire investigators. The sponsor and firefighter testimony said the bill does not expand benefits but fixes a drafting problem, including a disputed comma that had been used by insurers to challenge claims; the Industrial Commission was listed as neutral if needed. Members discussed whether the presumption is rebuttable and how punctuation affected the statute’s meaning. During roll call, several members explained their votes in favor as a matter of grammar and statutory clarity, and the committee passed HB 2231 by a 14-0 vote with one absent. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is the task force on homeowners and commercial property insurance to look at the rising cost
• of insurance.
• of insurance.
• Now, just a few words about the homeowners insurance task force.
• Now, just a few words about the homeowners insurance task force.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Miguel Batistas with the California Department of Insurance here on behalf of Insurance Commissioner
• John Winger here on behalf of America's Health Insurance Plans.
• John Winger here on behalf of America's health insurance plans.
• The insured plans for communicating with the insured have to be enumerated regarding options available
• And then today make sure that our insurance covers the care that we get.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health bills focused on access to preventive care, behavioral health, hospital services, and patient safety. Early items included AB 554, which would expand and protect access to HIV prevention drugs like PrEP, including injectable forms and coverage protections; supporters said it would shore up access amid federal threats, while insurers opposed it as a costly benefit mandate. AB 577 would limit insurer and PBM practices that steer medications away from physician offices and require more transparency and patient consent; doctors and patient advocates supported it, while health plans and insurers warned it could raise drug costs and disrupt specialty pharmacy networks. AB 546 would require coverage for portable HEPA purifiers for vulnerable enrollees during declared emergencies, especially wildfire smoke events, with support from air quality and public health groups and opposition from insurers concerned about benefit expansion and cost. The committee also heard AB 224, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark plan after a public review process, adding infertility treatment, hearing aids, and durable medical equipment if approved by CMS for the 2027 plan year. DMHC said the state had completed the review and needed legislation to meet federal timing, and the measure drew broad support. AB 1032 would require plans and insurers to reimburse up to 12 additional behavioral health visits for enrollees in wildfire-affected counties for a limited period after an emergency; supporters argued it would fill gaps in trauma care after disasters, while insurers said existing parity and continuity-of-care rules already address the issue and that the bill could create inequities. AB 849 would require trained chaperones for sensitive ultrasound exams and training on how to observe and intervene; it was backed by a survivor and patient advocates, with hospitals and health districts raising staffing concerns. Later, AB 1196 would direct the Department of Public Health to update outdated rules requiring three surgeons for certain heart surgeries using cardiopulmonary bypass; supporters said the rule no longer reflects modern practice and strains staffing, while cardiology representatives had no formal opposition but wanted to review amendments. AB 1113 would codify a right to wear a mask for health reasons in public spaces, with support from disability and public health groups. AB 1386 sought to add perinatal care to the list of basic hospital services, prompting testimony about maternity ward closures, workforce shortages, and rural access; the author said the bill would be amended further and that the committee would need to revisit timelines and implementation details. The committee also heard AB 1429, which would address Kaiser’s repeated mental health parity violations and improve access to behavioral health care, though the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill is shown. Several bills were moved with motions and seconds, but many were held for quorum; AB 1196, AB 1113, and AB 1386 were among the measures advanced to a roll call or held on call, and the committee repeatedly noted that final votes would occur when quorum was available.

Transcript Highlights:

• It went to insurance, I understand that.
• Understand this: if you're borrowing on insurance policies, you know, insurance policies are 12 months
• you know insurance policies insurance you know insurance policies are<01:00:26.839><c> 12</c><01:00:
• </c><01:01:20.000><c> premium</c> they've used an insurance premium they've used an insurance premium
• </c> to interest on interest on insurance to interest on interest on insurance proceeds<01:32:43.199>

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to consumer protection, liquor regulation, construction procurement, and state contracting. On House Bill 565, DCCA and the Office of Consumer Protection stood on written testimony, and a committee member raised a question about whether creators of remains would have to hold them indefinitely if family members did not respond; the member indicated language would be fixed to address that issue. No vote was taken. House Bill 208, dealing with liquor law changes, drew strong support from Scarlet Honolulu and Maui Brewing Company, who said the measure would modernize liquor rules and add guardrails, while the Wine Institute and Anheuser-Busch opposed it as a special tax break or unnecessary expansion of liquor-related authority. Members questioned whether anonymous complaints should be allowed and whether the bill could lead to retaliation; the supporter said complaints should not be anonymous and suggested the Liquor Commission had been accused of writing complaints to target licenses. No action was taken. House Bill 939, concerning taxation of low-ABV spirits-based beverages, received support from Maui Brewing Company and Johnson Brothers, who said it would align tax treatment with existing categories and reduce confusion, while the Wine Institute and Anheuser-Busch opposed it as a narrow tax break that could reduce revenue and should instead be considered in a broader alcohol tax review. House Bill 808, on construction defect insurance or related protections for state projects, drew comments from DAGS, the State Procurement Office, and the Subcontractors Association, with the latter warning it would make state contracting harder and shrink the contractor base; the chair questioned what recourse the state has when defects appear after a project is completed. House Bill 809, addressing procurement and subcontractor-listing corrections, drew opposition from SPO, DAGS, and the Subcontractors Association, while the General Contractors Association supported it; members debated whether a 24-hour correction window would create abuse or simply allow minor ministerial fixes, and the bill’s sponsor said the goal was to reduce bid protests and procurement discretion. No votes or final committee actions were recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• a window-mounted portable cooling device, require a landlord to state in the lease whether their insurance
• also removes provisions stating in the lease requiring a landlord to state whether the landlord's insurance
• of window-mounted portable cooling devices and the requirement to notify a tenant if and when the insurance
• It also changes the insurance requirements in the bill so that you don't have to go and ask your insurance
• It also changes the insurance requirements in the bill so that you don't have to go and ask your insurance

Summary: The Housing Committee met on February 24 and considered two bills for executive action: Senate Bill 5496, which limits homeownership by corporate entities, and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6200, which addresses tenants’ ability to install portable cooling devices. Staff reviewed proposed amendments to both bills before the committee recessed for caucus and then returned to take action. For SB 6200, one amendment was withdrawn and another was adopted. The adopted amendment clarified that landlords may restrict or prohibit window-mounted portable cooling devices, removed insurance-notice requirements, and eliminated evaporative coolers from the bill’s definition of portable cooling devices. Members supporting the bill said it was a health and housing measure aimed at protecting tenants during increasingly frequent heat events, while some members noted concerns about lease burdens and implementation. The bill, as amended, passed out of committee on a 13-4 vote. For SB 5496, three amendments were offered and all were rejected. The amendments would have changed how investment entities are treated, adjusted the 100-property cap for existing owners, and narrowed the definition of single-family residential property to freestanding homes on their own parcels. Supporters of the bill argued it would help preserve housing opportunities for families and protect the homeownership market from large corporate purchases, while opponents said it would reduce rental supply, interfere with private transactions, and raise constitutional concerns. The bill passed out of committee on a 9-8 vote. The chair then announced the committee’s final scheduled meeting was canceled and adjourned the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam President and Senator, I get to thinking sometimes about our civil liability or liability insurance
• I get to thinking sometimes about our civil liability or liability insurance, and I know the secretary
• And then all of a sudden, the insurance guy says, you're going to do what?
• I wish we had more insurance people in here that could explain that.
• I wish we had more insurance people in here that could explain that, because, as you know, we haven't

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam President and Senator, I get to thinking sometimes about our civil liability, or liability insurance
• I get to thinking sometimes about our civil liability or liability insurance, and I know the secretary
• And then all of a sudden, the insurance guy says, you're going to do what?
• I wish we had more insurance people in here that could explain that.
• I wish we had more insurance people in here that could explain that, because, as you know, we haven't

Summary: The Senate debated and passed Senate Bill 241, a child care assistance measure. Opponents raised concerns about the bill’s education requirements, residency definitions, sustainability if oil and gas revenues decline, fraud and misuse of funds, staffing needs for unannounced inspections, liability insurance, and whether the state would be left covering costs in a shortfall. Supporters argued the bill reflects the reality of working families, would expand access to child care, and includes guardrails and a five-year funding plan. After debate, the Senate passed the Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 241, as amended, by a vote of 25-15. The chamber then received House messages announcing passage of several House bills and referred them to committees: HB 63 on water project funding to Senate Conservation, HB 64 on appropriations to Senate Finance, HB 165 on industrial revenue bond lease assessments to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation, HB 285 on disabled veteran property tax exemptions to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation, HB 184 on the Conservation Legacy Permanent Fund to Senate Finance, and HB 291 on a range of tax and revenue changes to Senate Tax, Business and Transportation. Senate Memorial 30, requesting a study of safety and maintenance issues on U.S. Highway 491, was introduced and referred to Senate Rules. During announcements, members outlined upcoming committee meetings, including Rules, Tax, Business and Transportation, Education, Finance, Conservation, and others. The Senate also discussed the upcoming 100th Bill Party and related social events. The body then recessed until 11 a.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rising home values push up the cost of insurance.
• Rising home values push up the cost of insurance, adding to the hardship.
• An increasing number of seniors without mortgages are choosing not to have insurance.
• They can't afford insurance and other necessities.
• It makes no sense when you have an older home not to have insurance. You have to have insurance.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on bills related to senior and disability property tax relief, with a focus on helping older adults and people with disabilities remain in their homes. Testimony supported H. 3968, which would make certain senior and disability property tax exemptions permanent so eligible residents would not have to refile annually, and H. 3198, which would expand the senior circuit breaker tax credit by indexing income and credit limits to cost of living and raising the home valuation cap from $1.1 million to $1.5 million. Representative Scanlan also testified in favor of several additional bills, including a local option motor vehicle excise tax exemption for low-income seniors and veterans, a local property tax cap for low-income seniors, an expanded senior property tax exemption, and a senior property tax deferral program designed to be revenue neutral over time. Witnesses from the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers generally supported local-option property tax relief measures and said they would help seniors age in place while giving municipalities flexibility. Committee members raised concerns about possible abuse or fraud if exemptions became permanent, and about how assessors would verify continued eligibility without annual reapplication. Supporters responded that eligibility could still be tied to real estate transactions and other documentation, and that the current annual filing requirement causes many eligible seniors to miss out on benefits. Mass Senior Action Council members testified that many seniors are struggling with rising property taxes, insurance, and other costs, and urged broader reforms such as freezing assessed values, improving outreach, strengthening the work-off program, and allowing more flexible payment or deferral options. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance companies from slashing reimbursement in a way that targets these communities.
• If the insurance companies thought they could get away with this cost shift onto my community and my
• Insurers' recent cuts on CRNA provider care are just as qualified.
• It's not even about insurance versus health care providers.
• If I'm an insurance broker, if I'm running my insurance company, I don't want anybody telling me what

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not set rates, does not approve rates, and does not require insurers to publish pricing
• It gives Florida homeowners a clear, plain language explanation of why their insurance rates increase
• The bill requires insurers, when they file For a rate change, insurers must include a consumer-facing
• My peers could use your help with their insurance costs, be it health insurance, auto insurance, or home
• insurance.

Transcript Highlights:

• If folks are not on Medicare, Medi-Cal, and they have no other way to have health insurance, and they
• The hospital has to make up that money somewhere, and that means that... ...insurance rates are going
• to go up for everybody paying for insurance, so that cost is going to be borne by Californians in one
• rates for folks that are paying out-of-pocket insurance costs.
• Health insurance is a basic need, along with food and shelter.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on SB 100/AB 100, the early action budget bills, with a focus on Medi-Cal funding, wildfire recovery, and several smaller budget adjustments. The Department of Finance explained that the bill would add $2.8 billion General Fund and $8.3 billion federal funds for Medi-Cal, along with other items including wildfire-related local assistance for Los Angeles County, property tax backfills for fire-damaged local agencies, Cal OES wildfire monitoring authority, nonprofit security grants, the Property Tax Postponement Fund, FARMER and Clean Cars for All funding, foster family home insurance claims, Proposition 98 technical assistance for LA wildfire-impacted schools, teacher credentialing authority, and Proposition 4 climate bond appropriations for wildfire and forest resilience projects. Much of the member discussion centered on rising Medi-Cal costs, the recent $3.4 billion cash-flow loan, and whether the new appropriation would cover payments through June. Finance said the new funds were for program costs and cash flow, not repayment of the loan, and that no additional loan authority remained. Members also debated the causes of higher Medi-Cal spending, including expanded eligibility, higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, and federal policy changes. The LAO noted that forecasting errors are not unusual but that current revisions are somewhat higher than typical, though not unprecedented. Several members emphasized that Medi-Cal supports access to care and hospital stability, while others raised concerns about sustainability and future federal cuts. Public commenters largely supported the bill, especially the Medi-Cal funding and wildfire-related provisions. Health and labor advocates argued that the program is functioning as intended by covering more low-income Californians and preventing uncompensated care. Representatives of special districts and the Altadena Library District supported the property tax backfill provisions tied to the Eaton fire. The hearing ended without a vote, with the chair noting that the committee would adjourn for floor session and that the Assembly would vote on one of the early action bills later that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• And add $9,030,100 for health insurance funding. Thank you.
• So we significantly underfund health insurance to school districts.
• And it was assumed that maybe they would pay less for health insurance.
• So we significantly underfund health insurance to school districts.
• And it was assumed that maybe they would pay less for health insurance.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's great for families to get access to more affordable rates for private health insurance.
• We know that many people experience homelessness due to rising health insurance costs.
• We've got a health care affordability fund that is funded through the insurance premium surtax. Mr.
• Okay, so if there's an insurance premium surtax anyone that buys private insurance in the state of New
• Chairman and Senator, it is on both public and private insurance.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the first be it further resolved, we really want to look at overall and evaluate health insurance
• And there's also disparity amongst the institutions in terms of how they offer various insurance insurances
• It's not a level playing field in terms of affordability or access to various insurances.
• While UNM offers health insurance to graduate workers, neither dental nor vision are included.
• through both the Public School Insurance Act as well as through HCA and through private and self-insurance

Bills: SB106 , SB171 , SB179

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, education, documentary, historical figure, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez, Northern New Mexico State School, SB179, Senate Bill 179, UNM, University of New Mexico, medical Spanish, Spanish-language curriculum, health sciences, health professions education, language access, bilingual healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a problem because I pay insurance. So if their stuff is expired, guess what?
• They're not paying insurance at all. And then they run the lights.
• And I'm paying insurance every... ...And then they meet, they beat way down there.
• or keeping up with insurance. ...have suspended licenses and have issues getting insurance or keeping
• up with insurance.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Student health insurance is often costly with high premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
• Still quite a few do not have insurance or their coverage is minimal.
• So they choose to enroll in Rice's Student Health. insurance program.
• Requiring insurance coverage allows students to focus on their studies. and graduate and not have to
• Self-funded options, as a general matter, cut out that middleman of the insurer and allow for. lower

Bills: SB530 , SB757 , SB769 , SB1085 , SB1241 , SB1242 , SB1409 , SB1878 , SB2138 , SB2314 , SB2231 , SB2361 , SB2431 , SJR59

Committees: Senate Education , Senate Education K-16

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Transcript Highlights:

• Article 2 is insurance...
• These provisions relate to the Minnesota Insurance Guarantee Association and a requirement that an insurer
• Article 3 is the Limited Long-Term Care Insurance Model Act by the National Association of Insurance
• Also in there are provisions related to the Minnesota Automobile Insurance Plan.
• APSO, or Minnesota's Auto Insurance The plan offers auto insurance coverage for these drivers.

Bills: HF1545 , HF2426 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• systems</c> insurance uh medical insurance systems insurance uh medical insurance systems in<02:45:57.400
• </c> Affairs Insurance Division. Affairs Insurance Division.
• </c> health insurance coverages. health insurance coverages.
• </c><05:04:34.640><c> company</c> directly connect insurance company directly connect insurance company
• Insurance<05:05:20.280><c> rates</c> Insurance rates Insurance rates making<05:05:21.840><c> needs</c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• North Dakota Insurance Reserve. September. Mr.
• “During the insurance crisis of the 1980s, many public entities could not afford or even obtain insurance
• insurance paying?
• the insurer and the people that are at...
• If somebody runs a stop sign, hits a bus, and they're insured, where is their insurance in this process

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are we have a variety of insurance.
• </c> compensated, uh, by their insurance compensated, uh, by their insurance company,<00:58:58.000><c
• </c><01:20:26.880><c> like</c> that's unemployment insurance like that's unemployment insurance like
• ,</c><01:21:00.080><c> crosses</c> crosses unemployment insurance, crosses crosses unemployment insurance
• </c> order to get paid by an insurance order to get paid by an insurance company.<01:38:33.520><c> We're

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house