Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not micromanage or dictate what insurers do.
• People pay their health insurance premiums so that their insurer will pay for their medical bills when
• People pay their health insurance premiums so that their insurer will pay for their medical bills when
• The choice is up to the insurers.
• We're also concerned about a confusing liability framework.

Bills: HB2261, HB2283, HB2425, HB2110, HB2113, HB2122, HB2152

Keywords: healthcare, transparency, patient communication, credentials, professional standards, medical loss ratio, insurance, health plans, cost management, nursing delegation, registered nurse, RN, home care aide, nursing assistant, certified nursing assistant, CNA, medical assistant, home health, hospice, community-based care

Summary: The House Health Care and Wellness Committee held public hearings on House Bills 2261, 2283, and 2425, then took executive action on House Bills 2110, 2113, 2122, and 2152. HB 2261 would require health care providers to wear badges showing name, credential, and degree initials, require similar disclosures in advertising, and restrict use of the title “physician surgeon”; supporters framed it as a patient transparency measure, while many providers and associations opposed it as burdensome, confusing, and harmful to access, especially for adult family homes and solo practices. HB 2283 would raise the medical loss ratio for fully insured plans to 90%; supporters said it would direct more premium dollars to care and lower costs, while insurers warned it could destabilize markets and reduce flexibility for administrative services. HB 2425 would modernize nurse delegation rules, expand what tasks can be delegated, and broaden liability protections; supporters said it would reduce barriers and help address workforce shortages, while opponents raised patient safety and accountability concerns. During executive session, the committee advanced all four bills. HB 2110, allowing certain nurses without EMT certification to provide care on inter-facility specialty care transport, was amended and reported out with a due pass recommendation. HB 2113, which addresses radiological technicians performing IV contrast procedures under certain supervision arrangements, was reported out without amendment. HB 2122, requiring hospitals to offer flu vaccines under specified conditions, was amended three times and then reported out. HB 2152, requiring certain facilities to allow medical cannabis use by qualifying patients with terminal conditions, was amended to include exemptions and policy details, including naming it Ryan’s Law, and was then reported out as amended. The committee adjourned after these votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do remove. excuse me, reduce liability insurance from $300,000 to $100,000 so they still have to have
• insurance.
• plan, or even adding a child to your own private insurance.
• And work low income jobs that don't offer insurance.
• Appropriations and insurance and stuff. Yes, that's right.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• discount programs in Medicaid the term usual and refers to the price a pharmacy would charge a patient insurance
• Our team of pharmacists is available 24-7 to answer clinical questions and we accept most... insurance
• RxPASS is not insurance. and is not a substitute for insurance, but as these results demonstrate it could
• We don't want to insure people. Well, hell, they got to get access some.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 6248, addressing travel insurance, was heard in this committee last Wednesday.
• It substantially adopts the Travel Insurance Model Act, including providing licensing...
• requirements, duties, requirements, and restrictions around travel insurance.
• It provides that limited lines travel insurance... By Senator Stanford.
• insurers from using wildfire risk as a disqualifying risk factor for coverage if a property...

Bills: SB6248, SB5976, SB6079, SB6250, SB6257, SB6289, SB6230, SB6312, SB6149, SGA9060, SGA9169, SGA9265, SGA9266

Keywords: travel insurance, travel protection plan, travel assistance services, cancellation fee waiver, travel retailer, travel administrator, limited lines producer, insurance producer license, blanket travel insurance, trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel medical coverage, emergency evacuation, repatriation, inland marine, premium tax, consumer protection, unfair trade practice, insurance commissioner, Washington RCW

Summary: The Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Committee met on cut-off day and first received a staff briefing on several gubernatorial appointments and bills, including travel insurance (SB 6248), false subject lines in commercial emails (SB 5976), wildfire mitigation grants and insurance underwriting limits (SB 6079), small loan principal limits (SB 6250), appraiser trainee licensing tolling (SB 6257), the statewide economic development strategic plan (SB 6289), cash transaction rounding to eliminate pennies (SB 6230), surveillance pricing in grocery stores, and a late-added proposed substitute on the definition of rural counties. Staff noted fiscal impacts where available and described proposed substitutes that adjusted effective dates, reporting requirements, eligibility, and other technical details. In executive session, the committee voted to recommend confirmation for gubernatorial appointments 9060 (Alicia Levy), 9169 (Michael Charles), 9265 (Brian Bennett), and 9266 (Noah Skartford). It then advanced SB 6248, SB 6079, SB 6250, SB 6257, SB 6289, SB 6230, and SB 6149 with due pass recommendations, sending most to Rules and SB 6079 to Ways and Means. SB 5976 was not considered, and SB 612 was removed from the agenda. Members and the chair closed by thanking committee staff, stakeholders, tribes, and those who testified in person or online during the short session. The committee then adjourned.

Bills: SB1540, SB2610, SB2373

Keywords: election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, cybersecurity, data breach, breach of system security, exemplary damages, punitive damages, liability shield, safe harbor, small business, mid-sized business, Texas Business & Commerce Code, sensitive personal information, personal identifying information, identity theft, fraud prevention, NIST

Transcript Highlights:

• A liability framework designed to deter providers can qualify.
• A liability to substantial burdens.
• So, penalties generally affect how malpractice insurance is assessed.
• Representative Yen, a $25,000 fine is malpractice insurance is um assessed.
• Do malpractice insurance is um assessed.

Bills: HB0117, HB0126

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Bills: HB0117, HB0126

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:26:39.280><c> Insurance</c> Insurance companies appear to be dragging out the process.
• ,</c> it takes to collect from the insurers, it takes to collect from the insurers, the<01:27:07.920>
• I'm the insurance commissioner.
• I'm the insurance commissioner.
• </c><01:31:31.280><c> uh</c> internal review to the insurance uh internal review to the insurance uh

Bills: HB0117, HB0126

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Bills: SB2901, SB2902, SB2903, SB2904, SB2905, SB2906, SB2907, SB2908, SB2909, SB2910, SB2911, SB2912, SB2913, SB2914, SB2915, SB2916, SB2917, SB2918, SB2919, SB2920, SB2921, SB2922, SB2923, SB2924, SB2925, SB2926, SB2927, SB2928, SB2929, SB2930, SB2931, SB2932, SB2933, SB2934, SB2935, SB2936, SB2937, SB2938, SB2939, SB2940, SB2941, SB2942, SB2943, SB2944, SB2945, SB2946, SB2947, SB2948, SB2949, SB2950, SB2951, SB2952, SB2953, SB2954, SB2955, SB2956, SB2957, SB2958, SB2959, SB2960, SB2961, SB2962, SB2963, SB2964, SB2965, SB2966, SB2967, SB2968, SB2969, SB2970, SB2971, SB2972, SB2973, SB2974, SB2975, SB2976, SB2977, SB2978, SB2979, SB2980, SB2981, SB2982, SB2983, SB2984, SB2985, SB2986, SB2987, SB2988, SB2989, SB2990, SB2991, SB2992, SB2993, SB2994, SB2995, SB2996, SB2997, SB2998, SB2999, SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum

Bills: SB2901, SB2902, SB2903, SB2904, SB2905, SB2906, SB2907, SB2908, SB2909, SB2910, SB2911, SB2912, SB2913, SB2914, SB2915, SB2916, SB2917, SB2918, SB2919, SB2920, SB2921, SB2922, SB2923, SB2924, SB2925, SB2926, SB2927, SB2928, SB2929, SB2930, SB2931, SB2932, SB2933, SB2934, SB2935, SB2936, SB2937, SB2938, SB2939, SB2940, SB2941, SB2942, SB2943, SB2944, SB2945, SB2946, SB2947, SB2948, SB2949, SB2950, SB2951, SB2952, SB2953, SB2954, SB2955, SB2956, SB2957, SB2958, SB2959, SB2960, SB2961, SB2962, SB2963, SB2964, SB2965, SB2966, SB2967, SB2968, SB2969, SB2970, SB2971, SB2972, SB2973, SB2974, SB2975, SB2976, SB2977, SB2978, SB2979, SB2980, SB2981, SB2982, SB2983, SB2984, SB2985, SB2986, SB2987, SB2988, SB2989, SB2990, SB2991, SB2992, SB2993, SB2994, SB2995, SB2996, SB2997, SB2998, SB2999, SB3000

Keywords: geological subsurface characterization, groundwater, geothermal resources, environmental review, Hawaii groundwater and geothermal resources center, scientific research, non-extractive, public trust doctrine, clean energy, greenhouse gas, carbon sequestration, climate change, energy policy, Hawaii state energy office, emissions reduction, sustainable development, fare-free transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, public transit, tax on petroleum

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, House Bill 4126 deals with liability for dirt bikes and those types of vehicles that ride on
• private property tracks, and it releases liability to the track owner.
• Members, House Bill 2933 is an omnibus insurance consumer protection bill.
• The protections include tightened timelines and increased penalties for insurance carriers for claim
• I might call on Ashley Scott from the Insurance Department to talk about what timelines I see for mediation

Bills: HB1453, HB2933, HB2941, HB2945, HB2959, HB3087, HB3094, HB3297, HB3298, HB3319, HB3321, HB3386, HB3453, HB3471, HB3505, HB3510, HB3544, HB3549, HB3652, HB3727, HB3791, HB3845, HB3906, HB4119, HB4125, HB4126, HB4198, HB4236, HB4425, HB4343, HB4094, HB3407

Keywords: foreign ownership, property rights, agricultural land, Attorney General, divestment, real estate, felony penalties, insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, fentanyl, overdose, first responders, drug reporting, immunity, controlled substances, penalties, abortion

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is data that's already collected by many plans and sent to the insurance commissioner.
• to insurers in Washington State around compliance with mental health parity laws.
• So despite insurance coverage, accessing mental health and substance use care can be difficult.
• Individuals often find that care is not readily available within their insurance networks.
• Many psychologists and other mental health providers want to work with insurance.

Bills: HB2555, HB2658, HB2683, HB2685, HB2168, HB2196, HB2545

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare, traditional practices, health insurance, coverage expansion, mental health, insurance coverage, transparency, consumer protection, efficiency, health carriers, providers relations, tribal data, data protection, privacy, sharing of information, Indigenous rights, overdose prevention, data sharing, public health

Summary: The House Health Care and Wellness Committee held public hearings on four bills. HB 2555 would require the Health Care Authority to apply by July 1, 2026, for a Medicaid waiver to cover traditional health care practices at tribal and urban Indian facilities. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, tribal health leaders, and the Health Care Authority, said the bill would recognize traditional medicine, expand access, and potentially reduce downstream costs, while HCA noted the timeline may be difficult and that reimbursement issues, especially for urban Indian organizations, are still being worked out. HB 2685 would codify tribal data sovereignty principles, require state agencies to handle tribal data consistently with those principles, direct disease reporting to tribal health jurisdictions, and exempt certain tribal data from public disclosure. Tribal leaders supported the bill as a way to improve access to data and better tell the story behind it, while the Washington Coalition for Open Government opposed the broad public records exemption and HCA said the bill may be overbroad, especially regarding data sets that include tribal members and undefined ownership interests. HB 2658 would require health carriers to report standardized coverage and access data, especially for behavioral health, and the Insurance Commissioner would post the data publicly and maintain a dashboard. Supporters said it would expose gaps between promised and actual behavioral health coverage, while opponents argued it duplicates recent parity reforms, could be misread, and adds administrative burden. HB 2683 would shorten carrier credentialing timelines from 90 days to 30 days and require carriers to post billing and coverage information more openly. Supporters said it would help providers join networks faster and improve transparency for patients, while opponents raised concerns about safety checks, privacy, and implementation burden. After public hearing, the committee took executive action on three bills: it adopted two amendments and passed HB 2168, which concerns overdose mapping data, by a 16-1 vote; it rejected an amendment to HB 2196 but then passed the bill, which requires coverage for PANDAS/PANS treatments, by a 15-2 vote; and it passed HB 2545, allowing elective percutaneous coronary interventions at ambulatory surgical facilities, by a 13-4 vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, the insurance piece is fairly straightforward.
• One would be the $6 per year charge on insurance.
• Insurance is doing what they do.
• They are insuring that property.
• The insurance is, in my opinion.

Bills: S3091, H5477

Keywords: crumbling concrete, pyrite, pyrrhotite, homeowner assistance, financial relief, CEDAC, construction, insurance surcharge, foundation repair, Massachusetts

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on two late-file matters, centered on S. 3091, a bill to create relief for homeowners affected by the crumbling concrete/pyrrhotite crisis. Senator Peter Durant presented the bill as a way to establish a crumbling concrete assistance fund, administered by CEDAC, to help replace failing foundations and reimburse homeowners who already paid out of pocket. He said the proposal follows recommendations from a state commission and would be funded by a $6 fee on homeowner/condo insurance policies and a $6-per-cubic-yard surcharge on concrete, with the goal of spreading costs broadly rather than placing them on homeowners alone. Several affected homeowners testified about severe financial and emotional harm, including expensive foundation replacements, lost equity, inability to sell or refinance, and long delays in getting help. Homeowners Karen Riani, Michelle Iglesi, Karen Bellotti, and Russell Dupierre described living with homes that became unsellable or unaffordable to repair, and urged the committee to move the bill forward. Committee members asked about inspection practices, whether pyrrhotite can be detected during home sales, whether the bill would ban pyrrhotite, and how much funding the program would need. Witnesses said the problem is broader than originally understood, affecting at least 52 municipalities, and that the only fix is full foundation replacement. They also said the bill includes training and education for inspectors, but does not ban pyrrhotite outright because the issue is now being addressed through quarry testing and material controls. Representatives of the concrete industry, including Craig Dauphinay, Karen Marshall, and Guy Glottis, said they support homeowner relief and the creation of a fund, but strongly opposed the concrete surcharge. They argued the industry has already taken significant steps, including supporting state testing and regulation of aggregate sources, and said the surcharge would unfairly assign blame, raise costs for residential, municipal, and infrastructure projects, and create cross-border competitiveness issues with neighboring states. They favored a Connecticut-style model funded primarily through insurance assessments, noting that Connecticut’s program has been successful and that Massachusetts could adopt a similar approach. No vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, due to the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986, 1986, vaccine manufacturers hold no liability
• This clarification ensures that all forms of advertisement are covered under this liability clause, providing
• Liability limits at the federal level, but focusing on the advertising as a kind of a way to give us
• Preempted by the Federal Act had to do with products liability harm caused by.
• That's the—so the federal, the— The federal law that gave pharmaceuticals the no liability was not so

Bills: HB220, HB783, HB2240, HB3336, HB4202, HB4449, HB4904, HB3441, HB4284

Keywords: sexual assault, healthcare facilities, forensic examination, survivor support, emergency contraceptive, online impersonation, civil liability, social media, identity theft, defamation, counseling damages, injunctive relief, public health, safety regulations, community health, state standards, healthcare access, HB 3336, alcoholic beverage tax credit, spent grain

Transcript Highlights:

• Hospital relates to civil liability for online impersonation.
• Chairman and members, House Bill 4904 by Representative Guillen relates to civil liability of property
• House Bill 4904 would protect property owners... ...who are not involved in training from civil liability
• Generally then, House Bill 4904 would establish liability protections for property owners who permit
• This is a bill that we heard earlier, sponsored by the Dean of the Senate, related to civil liability

Bills: HB220, HB783, HB2240, HB3336, HB4202, HB4449, HB4904, HB3441, HB4284

Keywords: sexual assault, healthcare facilities, forensic examination, survivor support, emergency contraceptive, online impersonation, civil liability, social media, identity theft, defamation, counseling damages, injunctive relief, public health, safety regulations, community health, state standards, healthcare access, HB 3336, alcoholic beverage tax credit, spent grain

Bills: HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390, HB527, HB563, HB580, HB579, SB190, HB15, HB390

Keywords: liability, off-roading, parks, participant safety, risk management, SNAP, food assistance, public assistance, income standards, Department of Human Resources, eligibility, HB580, Alabama Healthy Schools Act, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school meals, cafeteria, vending machines, fundraising sales

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that something that insurance now will be able to cover if a physician prescribes this to a patient
• They'll Cyberexction tablets as they come, and that would typically be covered by insurance.
• I've worked with the insurance committee to try to Get the language right and get the dollar amount to
• It has to do with the requirements for the malpractice insurance.
• But the hospital Kept all the liability for those drugs.

Bills: HB3552, HB2984, HB4124, HB3934, HB3448, HB3131, HB4200, HB4201, HB3011, HB1912, HB3380, HB3881, HB3538, HB3851, HB3907, HB4430, HB4431, HB4457

Keywords: childcare, differential pricing, Department of Human Services, child care subsidy, licensed providers, emergency legislation, child care, subsidy program, annual report, program integrity, overpayments, ivermectin, over-the-counter medication, pharmacy immunity, healthcare access, FDA approval, prescription, public health, dentistry, licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• Where does the liability fall? That's a great question. And with a little bit of leniency, Mr.
• Is that something that insurance now will be able to cover if a physician prescribes this to a patient
• They'll dispense ivermectin tablets as they come, and that would typically, yes, be covered by insurance
• I've worked with the insurance committee to try to get the language right and get the dollar amount to
• It has to do with the requirements for the malpractice insurance.

Bills: HB3552, HB2984, HB4124, HB3934, HB3448, HB3131, HB4200, HB4201, HB3011, HB1912, HB3380, HB3881, HB3538, HB3851, HB3907, HB4430, HB4431, HB4457

Keywords: childcare, differential pricing, Department of Human Services, child care subsidy, licensed providers, emergency legislation, child care, subsidy program, annual report, program integrity, overpayments, ivermectin, over-the-counter medication, pharmacy immunity, healthcare access, FDA approval, prescription, public health, dentistry, licensing

Summary: The committee took up a series of health, human services, and related bills. House Bill 3552, allowing child care providers to bridge the gap between subsidy reimbursement rates and standard tuition rates, was adopted and reported out 11-2. House Bill 2984, as a substitute, would direct DHS to compile a report on the child care system, including subsidy payment error rates, the number of facilities, closures, and voluntary closure feedback; it was reported out 14-0. House Bill 4201, changing master teacher requirements in child care from licensed capacity to actual enrollment, also passed unanimously. House Bill 3380, creating the Fostering the Future for Oklahoma Children and Families Act to modernize foster care data systems and improve outcomes, passed 12-0. House Bill 4430 and House Bill 4431, both cleanup measures tied to prior nurse practitioner/PA scope and pharmacy-related provisions, each passed 13-0. Several bills focused on health care access, regulation, and public safety. House Bill 4124 would allow over-the-counter ivermectin sales for human use with labeling and dosing information; after extensive questioning about safety, labeling, children, and liability, it passed 9-5. House Bill 3934, a large amended measure affecting dental practice and supervision rules, passed 14-0 after discussion about x-rays, telemedicine, and dental assistants. House Bill 3448, requiring insurance coverage related to group home provider liability for property damage, passed 14-0. House Bill 3131, setting baseline standards and oversight for homeless shelters with roles split between Commerce and Health, drew concerns about local control, temporary shelters, and fiscal impact, but passed 8-6. House Bill 4200, creating a revolving fund for forensic assertive community treatment teams to address the jail-to-homelessness cycle for people with severe mental illness, passed 11-3. The committee also advanced several public health, consumer, and industry bills. House Bill 1912, the Corn Masa Nutrition Enhancement Act, generated extensive debate over folic acid fortification, parental choice, MTHFR genetics, and potential health effects; with a PCS allowing a non-fortified option, it passed 9-5. House Bill 3011 repealed the home brewing license while keeping home-brewing limits and sales restrictions, and passed 11-3. House Bill 3881, the Alternative Nicotine Products Regulatory Act, increased application costs and removed a registry deemed inconsistent with federal law, passing 13-0. House Bill 3538, targeting pharmacy benefit manager vertical integration and its effects on access and pricing, passed 13-0 after discussion of mail-order restrictions and pharmacy closures. House Bill 3851, defining private label/control label alcoholic beverages under the three-tier system, also passed 13-0. House Bill 3907, requiring direct-hire staffing for facilities serving vulnerable adults and children with a short temporary staffing grace period, passed 13-0. The committee then moved on to House Bill 4457, a specialty-drug/PBM measure, with discussion beginning about PBM practices and specialty pharmacy access.

Bills: HB 1193, HB 2495, HB 2733, HB 3104, HB 3395, HB 4325, SB 3009

Keywords: child enrollment, parent rights, managing conservator, education, family law, civil liability, barratry, penalties, legal actions, damages, judgment enforcement, court fees, child support enforcement, dormant judgments, legal proceedings

Transcript Highlights:

• they say, "We have these rising costs of insurance."
• I think the way the insurance companies work.
• So the insurance companies are making massive profits, but insurance premiums are not going down.
• There is no insurance available on the domestic or international insurance market for a mom-and-pop trucking
• Insurance companies and trucking companies.

Bills: SB39, SB2129, SB2141, SB2246, SB2323, SB2439, SB2722, SB 39

Keywords: commercial motor vehicle, truck liability, motor carrier, trucking, civil liability, respondeat superior, negligent entrustment, negligent maintenance, negligent loading, negligent repair, bifurcated trial, exemplary damages, punitive damages, personal injury, collision, employer liability, vicarious liability, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Texas tort reform, commercial truck accident