Transcript Highlights:

• policy referred to the Committee on Insurance.
• HB 4387 by Hicklin, relating to the replacement of transactions of certain life insurance and annuity
• contracts in the insurance industry, for the Committee on Insurance.
• HB 4392 by Morgan, relating to prohibited insurance discrimination on the basis of the insured's marital
• status following the death of the insured spouse, for the Committee on Insurance.

Bills: HJR4 , HJR6 , HB195 , HB 13 , HB143 , HB135

Keywords: occupation tax, securities, financial regulation, tax exemption, legislative amendment, capital gains tax, realized gains, unrealized gains, investment income, asset sale, capital assets, wealth tax, estate tax, trust tax, tax limitation, constitutional amendment, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, property tax, sales tax

Transcript Highlights:

• One obvious way climate change is harming Americans across the country is through spiraling insurance
• premiums and a looming collapse in property insurance markets.
• Szabo, the cost of homeowners insurance is on the rise and since 2018 homeowners insurance non-renewal
• I would not have any regulatory authority over the insurance markets themselves.
• And how those insurance companies may or may not react due to changes in the climate.

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, next up, Insurance Division, Jerry, Chief Deputy Insurance Commissioner. Um, stand. Thank you.
• thought I saw him outside nope uh next thought I saw him outside nope uh next up<00:02:56.879><c> Insurance
• division</c><00:02:58.640><c> Jerry</c><00:02:59.239><c> chief</c><00:02:59.440><c> deput</c> up Insurance
• division Jerry chief deput up Insurance division Jerry chief deput insurance<00:03:00.560><c> commissioner
• </c><00:03:01.560><c> um</c> insurance commissioner um insurance commissioner um stand<00:03:04.280><

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Government Operations met on January 31, 2025, to hear several bills related to disaster resilience, the National Guard, veteran services, and memorials. SB 111 on hurricane-resistant criteria drew support from HEMA and DAGS, with one witness suggesting tighter language on funding timing, wind-speed standards, and bathroom access. SB 239 on disaster preparedness, requiring new public buildings and schools to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and serve as shelters, received support from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which said its facilities should be able to withstand such storms but shelter capacity would be limited. SB 998, creating a Hawaii First Responders Memorial study and consultant appropriation, drew support from state and local officials and one written opposition. During the first decision-making segment, the committees adopted amendments to SB 111, including changing the effective date language to July 1, 2026. For SB 239, the committees agreed to amendments removing correctional facilities from the shelter requirement, changing “public buildings” to “state buildings,” retaining the January 1, 2026 construction date, and accepting DAGS language. SB 998 was advanced as introduced. Government Operations lacked quorum and said it would formally vote later, but Public Safety and Military Affairs took action on the measures before it. A second Public Safety and Military Affairs hearing later considered SB 1381, SB 1382, SB 1379, SB 609, and SB 1377. Testimony was generally supportive: the Department of Defense, HEMA, the Office of Veteran Services, veterans groups, and others backed the National Guard, emergency preparedness, veteran services, and veteran cemetery measures, while one witness opposed SB 1379. Members asked why SB 1382 needed statutory changes, and the Adjutant General explained it was to better protect National Guard members during law-enforcement support duties. The committee then passed SB 1381 with technical amendments, SB 1382 as is, SB 1379 with technical amendments, SB 609 with amendments including deleting appropriations and changing the effective date to July 1, 2077, and SB 1377 with technical amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• provided by nursing for health insurance provided by nursing facilities<00:24:27.679><c> to</c><00:24
• The funds would be fully insured while maintaining the continuing of services.
• Senator Liski to the amendment. insured uh, while maintaining the uh, insured uh, while maintaining the
• </c> but uh basically you hold an insurance but uh basically you hold an insurance that<01:51:31.600>
• </c> day, we're asking the private insurance day, we're asking the private insurance companies<01:56:

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with chairs explaining that the program integrity omnibus bill is a combined draft assembled from individual member bills and governor proposals, many of which had already been heard in committee. Members emphasized the compressed end-of-session timeline, said the language was not yet ready for enactment, and invited continued revisions as the bill moves next to judiciary and finance. Several speakers stressed the need for bipartisan collaboration, while also warning that the Legislature must act this session on program integrity rather than defer reforms. The fiscal staff then walked through a spreadsheet showing the bill’s overall budget effects and major provisions. The package includes DHS proposals on transforming human services, market- and receipt-based rate reform, enhanced program and payment integrity, uniform service standards, nursing facility rate changes, ICS reforms, and a repeal/redesign of housing stabilization, along with child care assistance integrity and human services redesign items in DCYF. Staff highlighted that the bill combines multiple sources, including governor proposals and member bills, and noted several items that are also in the supplemental human services budget. Committee discussion focused heavily on prepayment review, remote supports, ICS, and provider accountability. Chairs said the bill would codify prepayment review with a 60-day notice requirement after providers were caught off guard by prior rollout, and that remote supports and ICS language were placeholders or under active debate. One member argued the system needs stronger standards but cautioned against harming compliant providers, while another urged the committee to learn from good providers and warned against repeating failed implementations. Staff also reviewed thematic indexes covering billing and service delivery oversight, EVV, administrative reform, licensing and background studies, provider enrollment, sanctions, and child care provider compliance training. No formal votes were taken in the portion provided. The hearing ended with staff beginning the index walkthrough and members indicating that posted amendments would be considered as the bill advances through the remaining committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• an insured vehicle.
• for the Maryland Insurance Administration.
• for the Maryland Insurance Administration.
• . the Maryland Insurance Administration.
• It creates a an insurance company.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation, journalized the prayer, and recognized Read Across America Day with a special resolution congratulating the Maryland State Education Association on the program’s 28th anniversary. Senators also welcomed several guests and student groups, including Eleanor Roosevelt High School students, Maryland Federation of Republican Women members for Red Scarf Day, medical shadows from Johns Hopkins, a student page prospect, and a group from Matthew Henson Elementary School. The chamber then took up multiple Finance Committee consent calendars and individual local alcohol-related bills, all of which were reported favorably, adopted without objection, and ordered printed for third reading. Measures included changes to alcohol license fee refunds for uniformed service members, Anne Arundel County license classifications and compensation for liquor board officials, a Baltimore City racetrack license extension, a Cecil County license quota change, and new or expanded licenses for golf courses, sports venues, and barber shop/beauty salon establishments. The Senate also advanced bills on social work licensing, a rural readiness economic development program, a Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission extension, peer-to-peer car sharing insurance rules, telematics-based auto insurance disclosures and appeals, and veteran status notation on public profiles. Several bills were amended before being advanced, generally with technical or clarifying changes and no recorded opposition. Senate Bill 18 would create a provisional social work license; Senate Bill 351 would regulate insurer use of vehicle telematics data; Senate Bill 395 would revise insurance and liability rules for peer-to-peer car sharing; and Senate Bill 197 would alter comprehensive plan elements in land use law. Senate Bill 439, protecting fire and rescue public safety employees from adverse action based on medical cannabis certification, also moved forward without amendment. One measure, Senate Bill 69, which would make permanent the nonprofit navigator position in the Department of Commerce, was discussed at length after a member raised concerns about oversight of nonprofit grant funding. On request, the bill was special ordered to the next day for further consideration. All other bills discussed in the transcript were advanced to third reading by unanimous or near-unanimous voice action, with no recorded roll-call votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:29.240><c> and</c><00:15:29.920><c> this</c> through assessments on insurers and this through
• assessments on insurers and this ask<00:15:30.680><c> does</c><00:15:31.000><c> not</c><00:15:31.319
• um next is the proposal to insurers um next is the proposal to strengthen<00:15:44.959><c> mandatory
• They gain an unfair advantage over other employers and avoid unemployment insurance premiums and taxes
• They gain an unfair advantage over other employers and avoid unemployment insurance premiums and taxes

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She has a roof that has reached catastrophic failure and cannot find an insurance company to insure that
• She has a roof that has reached catastrophic failure and cannot find an insurance company to insure that
• She has a roof that has reached catastrophic failure and cannot find an insurance company to insure that
• </c><00:38:06.119><c> providers</c><00:38:06.599><c> are</c> result insurance providers are result insurance
• coverage, while paying $400,000 in insurance premiums.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Insurance Committee is long gone, so come and join us here at the Budget Committee in Room 2100.
• settle-up payments, budgetary borrowing, and payments toward the state's outstanding unemployment insurance
• What the measure simply says is that the unemployment insurance loan is a allowed use of the debt payment
• I'm glad to see that our unemployment insurance is a part of this strategy.
• And then when it comes to the unemployment insurance loan, the state is paying the interest on that loan

Summary: The Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review held an informational hearing on ACA 20, the Save for California’s Future Act, and took no votes. The chair described the measure as a way to strengthen the state’s Rainy Day Fund by increasing reserves during strong revenue years and helping pay down long-term obligations. The vice chair said he preferred a broader spending rule tied to a rolling average of revenues, rather than the proposal’s reserve-focused approach. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained how Proposition 2 currently requires deposits into the Budget Stabilization Account and debt payments when revenues are strong, and how ACA 20 would change those rules by increasing required reserve deposits, raising the BSA target from 10% to 20% of General Fund revenues, creating a “super excess capital gains” deposit requirement, extending debt-payment requirements through 2040, and expanding eligible debt uses to include Proposition 98 settle-up, budgetary borrowing, and federal unemployment insurance debt. The Department of Finance said the administration supports the measure and believes it improves Proposition 2. Members asked about the Gann limit, whether the measure would allow more spending or simply change how deposits are counted, the impact on infrastructure and other programs, the size of the UI debt, and how the proposal would affect future budget flexibility. Several senators supported the goal of saving more in good years and using reserves to avoid painful cuts in downturns, while others questioned whether the proposal was sufficiently simple or whether a larger structural spending rule would be better. Public comment largely supported the measure, with one former legislative staffer arguing it follows earlier reserve reforms and helps address the state’s UI debt. The chair closed by noting the committee would not act that day and that the measure would be considered on the Senate floor the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Insurance Committee is long gone, so come and join us here at the Budget Committee in Room 2100.
• settle-up payments, budgetary borrowing, and payments toward the state's outstanding unemployment insurance
• What the measure simply says is that the unemployment insurance loan is a allowed use of the debt payment
• I'm glad to see that our unemployment insurance is a part of this strategy.
• And then when it comes to the unemployment insurance loan, the state is paying the interest on that loan

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we had Act 651, which was a bill to help employers with group health insurance coverage.
• What we did is we required insurance companies, upon request by a policyholder, to provide claims data
• Insurance companies, upon request by a policyholder, to provide claims data for groups of 50 or more
• So what we've Done is asked for a lower threshold after talking to the insurance department.
• they're Of quotes, which, of course, saves them a lot of money when they're able to lower health insurance

Committee: All JBC-SPECIAL LANGUAGE

Summary: The committee reconvened and took up several amendments and bills. Senate Bill 15 was amended to transfer Keep Arkansas Beautiful functions to ARDOT and replace the current commissioners with an advisory council; the amendment was adopted without objection. An amendment to Senate Bill 7 lowering the claims-data threshold for group health insurance from 50 employees to 25, to help smaller employers and municipalities shop for coverage, was also adopted. An amendment to Senate Bill 41 that would have restricted University of Arkansas at Fayetteville athletic funding from academic funds was rejected after members questioned its scope and fiscal basis. The committee then considered an amendment to House Bill 1051 that would cap online sports-betting free play at 5% of gross receipts. Senator Hester argued the current unlimited promotions were predatory and effectively subsidized casinos, while other members questioned the tax and accounting assumptions and whether the proposal belonged in a fiscal committee. The amendment failed, and a separate agriculture-related amendment from Representatives Vaught and Painter to exempt certain tractor parts tied to diesel exhaust fluid systems was also not adopted, with members citing drafting and enforcement problems and suggesting it should go through the revenue committees. After suspending the rules to add items, the committee adopted a technical correction to Senate Bill 4 clarifying physician licensure language so the rural workforce pathway would apply to underserved and primary care shortage areas, rather than the narrower federal term originally used. The committee also adopted an amendment to Senate Bill 77 deleting a fund-transfer section and instead increasing appropriation authority and creating a matching-fund mechanism to help Arkansas TV pay PBS dues, with supporters saying it would leverage private donations and preserve PBS access while allowing the commission to decide programming. The bill passed as amended, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members and new members, you don't realize, but last year, we were fortunate to pass a bill where insurance
• And I've had the opportunity to sit before several of y'all last year as we walked to the insurance bill
• And so, you know, you guys were very instrumental last year in carrying this insurance bill forward.
• And soon after that, she said, hey, we are getting this insurance to cover the cost of IVIG for my daughter
• And so, you know, you guys were very instrumental last year and carrying this insurance bill forward.

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, March 11, with a quorum present and heard several specialty license plate bills. HB 801 by Rep. Martinez would create a classic black specialty plate, with revenue directed to State Police high-speed pursuit training for local law enforcement. Members discussed the need for better pursuit training in light of fatal crashes, adopted a set of amendments and a technical change, and reported the bill favorably with amendments. The committee also advanced HB 891 by Rep. Landry, which creates wildlife conservation specialty plates and adjusts revenue distribution to support conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited and Quail Forever, while also helping the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries conservation fund. Testimony from LDWF and the conservation groups emphasized habitat work, fundraising leverage, and conservation benefits. The bill drew extended questioning from Vice Chair Fontenot about Ducks Unlimited’s work, including its projects in Louisiana and other states and whether certain habitat practices affect duck migration; the committee then reported the bill with amendments. HB 587 by Rep. Dickerson would create a PANS/PANDAS specialty plate to raise awareness and return revenue to the general fund to help cover treatment costs. The bill was supported by a parent and child who described the disorder and the impact of insurance coverage for IVIG treatment; it was reported with amendments. HB 331 by Rep. Mack created a Louisiana GOP specialty plate and was reported with amendments after brief discussion. HB 629 by Rep. Lyons created a plate for the Crew of Athena and was also reported with amendments. HB 428 by Rep. Baham created an LSU baseball championship plate recognizing the 2023 and 2025 national title teams and was reported with amendments. Rep. Walters voluntarily deferred HB 129, HB 130, and HB 854, and the committee adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 644, by the Business Committee, is an act relating to the Idaho Travel Insurance Act.
• regarding a premium tax, travel protection plans, travel protections, travel administrators, travel insurance
• House Bill 644, by the Business Committee, is an act relating to the Idaho Travel Insurance Act.
• Section 41-1092, Idaho Code, to revise provisions regarding requirements for limited lines travel insurance
• House Bill 648, by the Business Committee, is an act relating to health insurance.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to that, we were billing people's insurance, and there's a long story about that, but when you
• bill somebody's insurance, and especially if you're under 26 years old and you don't want to tell your
• So they pay a certain premium so they can keep their health insurance, their medical insurance, and premiums
• . ...premiums so they can keep their health insurance at a reasonable cost.
• I have three insurances. My primary is Medicare.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 05:24.320><c> and</c> enforcement and finance companies and enforcement and finance companies and insurance
• :25.240><c> and</c><00:05:25.640><c> we've</c><00:05:25.800><c> come</c><00:05:26.000><c> up</c> insurance
• companies, and we've come up insurance companies, and we've come up with<00:05:26.280><c> some,</c>
• were some specific language changes that I looked at for financial services companies as well as insurance
• Like, let's say you buy a truck in Florida and get insurance rates for Florida and then you park it in

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• roads, provided they comply with federal laws, are registered in Texas, and have data recording, insurance
• accordance with the laws of the state, covered by the Motor Vehicle Liability Coverage, or self-insurance
• We amended the insurance code provision so it's clear that AVs are included.
• The related insurance requirements are the same for transportation network companies.
• We made sure that we included the insurance companies, so they would know when, and the manufacturers

Bills: SB 1493 , SB 1598 , SB 1895 , SB 1919 , SB 2039 , SB 2226 , SB 2243 , SB 2425

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: SB 1493, Texas Transportation Code, motor vehicle lighting, vehicle lighting standards, high-mounted stoplamp, center high mount stop lamp, CHMSL, brake light, stop lamp, federal motor vehicle safety standards, 49 C.F.R. 571.108, FMVSS 108, vehicle inspection, automotive compliance, Transportation Committee, Texas vehicle equipment, motor vehicle collision report, crash report, accident report, traffic accident

Summary: The committee meeting focused on two primary bills, SB1598 and SB1493. SB1598, introduced by Senator Hagen Booth, addresses the clarity of collision report information access for law enforcement, aiming to enhance the tools available to police agencies across Texas for solving crimes. The meeting featured strong support from police representatives, including Sheriff Brian Hawthorne of Chambers County, who emphasized the significance of the CARFAX program for police in facilitating access to vital vehicle information, free of charge. Public testimony reflected a consensus on the necessity of the bill for improved investigatory processes.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 612 by Shaheen, relating to the establishment of an education savings account program and insurance
• to health benefit plan coverage for certain at-home risk, testing kits refer to the community on insurance
• coverage for search serious emotional disturbance of a child or for the committee on insurance HB 710
• Insurance, HB 713 by Howard, relating to and accepting to certain reporting requirements for health care
• Refer to the Committee on Insurance, HB 722 by Busey.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And many of these individuals will likely not have access to other forms of insurance.
• County indigent programs, it should be mentioned, are not comprehensive insurance.
• And again, county indigent care isn't necessarily like a health insurance coverage piece.
• Some of these relatives who have stepped up are seniors and don’t have health insurance from work, so
• For all my life, I’ve had the privilege of being insured through my mother’s workplace.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services heard an overview of the expected California budget and program impacts from H.R. 1, including changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh eligibility, redeterminations, work requirements, immigration-related coverage rules, retroactive coverage limits, and reductions in federal matching for certain services and provider financing mechanisms. DHCS and CDSS described implementation plans focused on automation, data matching, clearer communications, county training, and outreach, while noting that many federal details are still pending. The Legislative Analyst’s Office also reviewed how H.R. 1 could increase pressure on county indigent care systems, explaining the history of county responsibility under Section 17000, 1991 realignment, and AB 85, and warning that counties may face large increases in uninsured residents seeking care without corresponding funding flexibility. An independent policy expert urged consideration of a more standardized statewide approach to indigent care and raised questions about governance, benefits, and financing. Department witnesses estimated substantial coverage losses and fiscal effects: DHCS projected major Medi-Cal disenrollment tied to work requirements, six-month renewals, narrowed immigrant eligibility, and reduced retroactive coverage, while CDSS estimated large CalFresh benefit losses and a significant increase in administrative workload and payment accuracy pressure. Members questioned how exemptions would work for older adults, people experiencing homelessness, undocumented residents, and cash workers, and asked about the effect on the CalFresh Minimum Nutrition Benefit Pilot and on county administrative funding. Officials said they would use available data and self-attestation where possible, but acknowledged that many cases would require manual screening and that the county workload estimates remain in dispute. They also said the state is still evaluating the impact of H.R. 1 on provider taxes and state-directed payments, which could create additional budget pressure. County representatives from Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Tulare, and San Bernardino described major local consequences if H.R. 1 is implemented as written. They warned of higher uninsured rates, more strain on emergency rooms and public hospitals, increased homelessness and food insecurity, and a likely need to rebuild or expand county indigent care programs that were largely scaled back after the ACA. Counties said they are already freezing hiring, cutting positions, reducing overtime, deferring spending, and launching outreach and coordination efforts with managed care plans and community partners, but argued that these steps are not enough without additional state support. Several counties backed the California County Welfare Directors Association’s request for $373 million in General Fund support for eligibility work and asked for a CalFresh match waiver to soften the new county share of administrative costs; Los Angeles and Santa Clara also emphasized that their local revenue measures would not close the projected gaps. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, prioritizing OFR regulated insurers, insurers that if any questions or concerns ever
• If you could jump on the desk, you would, in the middle of selling beekeepers insurance.
• A bill to be entitled, an act relating to foreign and alien bail bonds insurers.
• House Bill 271, a bill to be entitled, an act relating to foreign and alien bail bonds insurers.
• Burgess. be entitled and act relating to foreign and alien bail bonds insurers. Is there a debate?

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And to go back on some of the insurance...
• And to go back on some of the insurance conversation, the term that you used was speculating on insurance
• Have you talked to any of the insurance companies about this language?
• I know insurance was brought up earlier. We are monitoring this issue.
• This is a completely different issue with respect to insurance, though.

Committee: House Emerging Issues

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 6276B2 is the first step toward leading the requirement that local public banks have FDIC insurance
• The proponents want the state, not the FDIC, to insure the deposits in local public banks.
• does seem to us like the real goal here is to eliminate the sunset prematurely and have the state insure
• The proponents want the state, not the FDIC, to insure the deposits in local public banks.
• does seem to us like the real goal here is to eliminate the sunset prematurely and have the state insure

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

Keywords: 988, house, all