Video & Transcript : 'Alabama Department of Insurance' :
Page 194 of 500
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Rural Issues Feb 18th, 2026
Special Committee on Rural Issues
Transcript Highlights:
- Alabama did this, University of Alabama, Birmingham, because of the other hospitals not having the ability
- similar legislation that allowed the University of South Alabama and UAB to address some of those same
- Do you know how this worked for Alabama or Colorado or some of the other states that you mentioned?
- of South Alabama and UAB.
- should probably tackle the amount of profits in the last three years that our insurance providers have
Committee:
House Special Committee on Rural Issues
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session on House Bill 1714, adopting an amendment that clarified the bill would not apply to hunting dogs or animals not under direct control of the hunter and would not affect a specified section of law. The committee then rolled the amendment into a House Committee Substitute and voted the substitute do pass, with the roll call showing passage.
The committee then heard House Bill 317, which would authorize MU Health Care to collaborate with hospitals and providers in a 25-county area and seek state-action antitrust immunity for those transactions. The sponsor and MU Health Care testified that the bill is intended to help preserve rural hospitals and keep care local, citing multiple hospital closures in Missouri and examples from Alabama and other states. Supporters from MU Health Care, rural hospitals, and local business and health leaders described the bill as a way to stabilize struggling facilities, maintain emergency access, and protect rural economies.
Opponents, including the Missouri Insurance Coalition and the Missouri Health Plan Association, warned that the bill could codify monopoly power, raise prices, and reduce competition, and argued that the language was too broad and not limited to distressed hospitals. Some committee members also raised concerns about antitrust immunity, facility fees, market share, and whether the bill should be tightened to ensure voluntary participation and clearer limits. No vote was taken on House Bill 317 before the hearing adjourned.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- are insurers for municipalities that have a lot of concerns, and I just wanted to let you know that
- </c> little bit of discussion if if we can. little bit of discussion if if we can.
- <00:19:45.200><c> Department</c><00:19:45.600><c> of</c><00:19:45.760><c> Public</c><00:19:46.080><c>
- </c> Alabama Department of Public Health? Alabama Department of Public Health?
- Um, would this legislation have any impact on the Alabama Department of Public Health?
Committee:
Senate Healthcare
Keywords:
rural health, healthcare access, state funding, health transformation, appropriations, fiscal policy, healthcare funding, economic development, mental health, maternal health, antitrust, competition, market regulation, business practices, consumer protection, anaphylaxis, epinephrine, auto-injector, public health, school safety
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Guthrie Jr. of Coleman, Alabama, on January 7, 2026, at the age of 71.
- Guthrie Jr. of Coleman, Alabama, died on January 7, 2026, at the age of 71. He was born to John J.
- Be it resolved by the Senate of the Legislature of Alabama that immediately upon the adoption of this
- </c><00:35:11.680><c> that</c> in Alabama as to the custody of that in Alabama as to the custody of that
- When they eat, they enlarge the pool of insurers.
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber received several House messages referring local bills to the Committee on Local Legislation, including measures affecting Lawrence, Clayurn, Limestone, Shelby, and Alabaster. The Senate also recognized guests in the gallery, including local leaders, law enforcement officials, and a Jackson County Junior Leadership group.
During personal privilege remarks, Senator Figures offered a tribute to Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., highlighting his civil rights legacy, political influence, and impact on Black voter participation and representation; the Senate observed a moment of silence. Senator Smitherman also thanked her for the remarks. The Senate then adopted Senate Joint Resolution 47, mourning the death and celebrating the life of John J. Guthrie Jr., and Senate Joint Resolution 48, commending Tommy Jax for emergency actions to help a sick child.
The Senate considered numerous confirmations from the Committee on Confirmations, all receiving favorable reports and being confirmed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls, including Walter Bracie and Eric Bone to the Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission, Morgan Garner and Susie Beal to the Alabama Electronic Security Board of Licensure, and Joe Brown, Brian Williams, James Spears, Charles Hedrickk, and Kathy Pierce to the Alabama Board of Polygraph Examiners. Committee reports also advanced several bills, including local legislation and county/municipal government measures.
On the floor, the Senate adopted a special order calendar and passed or adopted several bills: SB 239 on child custody jurisdiction enforcement, SB 190 on a sales tax exemption for an ocular eye service company, SB 252 on Governor’s Mansion Authority employees and leave benefits, SB 170 on health savings account regulatory coordination, SB 210 on the chiropractic board, SB 242 on commercial driver’s licenses, and SB 70 on crimes and offenses. SB 247 on insurance was carried over at the sponsor’s request for further work, and SB 83 on guardianships and conservatorships was taken up with discussion of a committee amendment to clarify removal of proceedings from probate to circuit court and notice requirements; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- City and the entire state of Alabama.
- Athletics in the state of Alabama.
- Now therefore, be it resolved by the legislature of Alabama, both houses... the legislature of Alabama
- Ladies and gentlemen, the Alabama State Department of Education invites you to attend the career and
- of Education... and the State Department of Education, with input and in collaboration with the Alabama
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- I pulled together Alabama Department of Public Health.
- </c><01:11:16.640><c> like</c> Department of Insurance that I'd like Department of Insurance that I'd
- They have a state and Alabama Department of Public Health officer. Yes. Got that.
- Alabama Department of uh Public Health officer.<01:14:13.080><c> Yes.
- Association of Fire Chiefs, the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, the Alabama Firefighters
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then quickly handled routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the prior journal, and allow bills and committee reports throughout the day. The chamber first took up House amendments to Senate Bill 19 on insurance, including a changed start date and a bill name honoring David McHanie and Roy Johnson. On a long roll, the Senate concurred 22-0 with one abstention. Senator Singleton then used personal privilege to present a Black History observance highlighting Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Benjamin O. Davis Sr., and Mahalia Jackson.
Committee reports followed, with the Senate confirming Brandy Williams to the Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards and Education Commission and Lynn Brewer to the Alabama Board of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors. Senator Singleton spoke at length in support of the trades-related confirmation, emphasizing the importance of skilled labor, contractor oversight, and workforce training, while also discussing the need to support such professions and the role of boards in protecting consumers. The Senate also received favorable reports from Judiciary, Education Policy, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Tourism, and Local Legislation on a range of bills, many with amendments or substitutes, and placed them on the next day’s calendar.
In motions and resolutions, Senator Elliott recommitted Senate Bill 310 to local legislation and introduced Senate Joint Resolution 50 honoring Coach Tim Carter, which was sent to rules. The Senate adopted Senate Joint Resolution 51 mourning Junior Harold Sorrells and several House resolutions from the Rules Committee, including recognitions for the Alabama State Games, Mack McCutcheon’s retirement, the Black pioneers of Macon County, Alicia Cannon, Joseph William Jones Jr., and Louis Vuitton the Pitbull Day. The chamber also recognized several school leaders in the gallery and then moved into local bills, beginning with Senate Bill 266, a proposed constitutional amendment regarding Covington County, for which a bill reading was requested using the previous roll.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- c> of</c> University of West Alabama Board of University of West Alabama Board of Trustees.<00:19:11.600
- of West Alabama Board to the University of West Alabama Board of<00:19:19.120><c> Trustees</c><00:19
- </c> children of Alabama. children of Alabama.
- University of West Alabama.
- </c><03:02:18.720><c> of</c> therapy board and the department of therapy board and the department of
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum. The chamber approved routine motions to excuse absent senators, dispense with the previous day’s journal, and allow introduction of bills and committee reports throughout the day. The Senate also received several House messages referring bills to committee, including local constitutional amendments for Limestone, Blount, and Mobile counties, a human cloning bill, a Fair Campaign Practices Act bill, a public education bill, a court fees bill, and a physician assistance bill.
Committee reports were then taken up. The Finance and Taxation General Fund, Confirmations, State Governmental Affairs, County and Municipal Government, Education Policy, Banking and Insurance, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Transportation and Energy, and Local Legislation committees all reported a number of bills favorably, many with amendments or substitutes. Several measures were advanced to the calendar for the next legislative day, and the Senate confirmed multiple appointments, including Eileen Meyer and Tiffany Martin to the Alabama Board of Midwifery, Jennifer Ag, Jerry Gross, and Edgar Hower II to the University of West Alabama Board of Trustees, Patricia Sims, Tony Cochran, and Sandy Stimson to the Alabama State Port Authority Board of Directors.
The Senate then adopted a special order calendar under Senate Resolution 34, setting the order of business for the 10th legislative day. The main floor debate centered on House Bill 161, the App Store Accountability Act, which was described as a child-protection measure requiring parental permission, age verification by app stores, accurate app age ratings, and limits on minors entering contracts through app downloads. Senators speaking in support said the bill was needed to protect children from harmful online content and preserve parental control, and they discussed an amendment clarifying the meaning of “act” and preserving compliance with other state age-verification laws. The debate was ongoing in the portion provided, and no final vote on HB 161 appears in this excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Public Pension Oversight Board (10-21-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> So, one of the things that kind of came So, one of the things that kind of came up<00:07:45.199>
- <00:10:14.399><c> pension</c> we saw out of uh all of our pension we saw out of uh all of our pension
- </c> assumed rate of return of 8%. assumed rate of return of 8%.
- </c> you a little bit of an idea of where you a little bit of an idea of where that<00:26:58.880><c>
- It's kind of this rate of return.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Attendance Roll Call: 01:02
Approval of Minutes: 02:03
Annual Investment Review: 04:10
Adjournment: 37:34, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, welcomed new staff member Sean Parks, and announced that it would not meet in November. The next meeting was scheduled for December 8 at 10:00 a.m., with the chair noting that pension bills would be heard then and emphasizing that all pension bills must go through the full process and include actuarial analysis.
Brad Gross of the Public Pension Oversight Board presented a detailed review of Kentucky retirement systems’ investments and funding. He said fiscal year 2025 ended with about $50.5 billion in pension assets and $12.52 billion in retiree health assets, both up from the prior year. He reported strong investment performance across the systems, with all Kentucky public pension funds exceeding their policy benchmarks and the median peer return of 10.4%. He also discussed long-term return trends, asset allocation differences among the systems, fee levels, and cash flow, noting that cash flow remains a key monitoring issue and that supplemental appropriations have improved the cash position of some funds, especially the Kentucky State Police and TRS systems.
Gross also explained that assumed rates of return have generally fallen over time, which increases unfunded liabilities and required contributions, and said the systems’ current assumptions range from 5.25% to 7.1%. He noted that the committee’s materials included peer comparisons and historical charts, and that all asset classes were within target ranges. In response to a question from Senator Funky From, Gross was asked about pension spiking and whether supplemental general fund contributions could create a false sense of security in cash flow analysis; the question was raised but not resolved in the portion of the transcript provided.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House County and Municipal Government Committee Apr 30th, 2025
County and Municipal Government
Transcript Highlights:
- there that prohibits that, but I think there's some municipalities that have said without this piece of
- legislation that... ...without this piece of legislation that they can't do this.
- As a matter of fact, I think there's not. But we made sure... Again, I apologize.
Committee:
House County and Municipal Government
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate County and Municipal Government Committee Apr 30th, 2025
County and Municipal Government
Transcript Highlights:
- So, one of these where one chip is... Okay. So, one of these where one chip is a serving.
- House Bill 247 essentially renames the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for the state of Alabama's
- Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Favorable.
- And you know, we're in the middle of the waning days of our session and still have a lot of unfinished
- We just passed a lovely set of tax reform...
Committee:
Senate County and Municipal Government
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Ethics and Campaign Finance Committee Mar 5th, 2025
Ethics and Campaign Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- You're late filing the campaign report, and currently, the Secretary of State is required to send you
- prohibit foreign nationals from contributing and having any expenditures in elections within the state of
- Alabama.
Committee:
House Ethics and Campaign Finance
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture (2-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- You can go and file a complaint with the attorney general's office and the Department of Agriculture.
- You can go and file a complaint with the attorney general's office and the Department of Agriculture.
- So we invite the Department of Agriculture. I'm not talking about the state entities.
- So we invite the Department of Agriculture. I'm not talking about the state entities.
- our locals so we invite the have all of our locals so we invite the Department<00:24:47.159><c> of</
Keywords:
Intro: 00:00
Attendance Roll Call: 00:31
Discussion of SB 122: 02:30
Roll Call Vote on SB 122: 26:47, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Agriculture Committee took up Senate Bill 122, a measure dealing with pet stores, breeders, and the scope of local regulation. The chair explained the bill was intended to balance private business rights with local control, and said he wanted to clarify definitions such as qualified breeder, local authority, and where fees and fines would go. He also said he would work on a floor amendment and noted concerns about whether the bill would allow localities to outright ban pet stores or instead only regulate them. The committee first adopted a committee substitute by motion and voice vote.
Supporters of the bill, including representatives from Petland and an attorney who had worked on animal-related regulation in Ohio, argued that the bill would create statewide standards, protect responsible pet retailers from what they described as politically motivated local bans, and preserve consumer choice. They said local governments would still be able to inspect, require documentation, and enforce licensing, but not shut businesses down without due process. A senator from Campbell County asked whether the bill would interfere with strong local ordinances; supporters responded that the bill would set standards higher than USDA rules and still allow local regulation, while opposing local bans.
Opposition came from the Kentucky League of Cities and representatives of Kentucky animal care and control agencies. KLC said local decisions should remain at the local level and noted that several cities and one county already had ordinances that could be affected; it also said the bill was opposed by its board and might overlap with pending litigation. Animal control representatives said the bill did not clearly define breeder verification or enforcement responsibility, could restrict local authority, and did not address animal care conditions or consumer transparency. After questions and debate, the committee voted on the bill; the roll call ended in a 5-5 tie, and Senate Bill 122 failed to pass out of committee.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:52:16.079><c> Department</c><00:52:16.319><c> of</c><00:52:16.480><c> Mental</c> to the Alabama
- Department of Mental to the Alabama Department of Mental Health<00:52:17.359><c> uh</c><00:52:17.440
- </c> the state of Alabama. the state of Alabama.
- On page 43 of the calendar, House Bill 372 by Representative Rigsby, relating to the Department of Insurance
- Last year we passed PBM legislation, and this expanded the Alabama Department of Insurance authority
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- or any confusion or lack of covering claims, that would be brought to the insurance departments.
- My name is Stephen Mary, and I am the legislative director at the Department of Commerce and Insurance
- companies pay the department for the operation of insurance regulation.
- Department of Insurance.
- It is coming out of the dedicated fund that's paid by insurance companies for the operation of the department
Committee:
House Insurance and Banking
Summary:
The Insurance Committee held public hearings on House Bill 3328 and House Bill 2324. HB 3328, sponsored by Rep. Castile, is a broad homeowners insurance package that would redirect insurance dedicated fund money into a Missouri Stronger Homes Fund, create a Missouri Disaster Mediation Act for disaster-related claims, update public adjuster regulation, strengthen fraud provisions, add consumer notices, and establish roof-hardening grant programs. The sponsor and the Department of Commerce and Insurance said the bill is still being revised in a committee substitute, especially on public adjuster language and fortified roof standards. Committee members asked about the dedicated fund, mediation benchmarks, the role of public adjusters, and how the program would affect disaster recovery in places like St. Louis.
Testimony on HB 3328 was mixed. The Department of Commerce and Insurance and several insurance industry groups supported the bill’s consumer protections, mitigation funding, mediation process, fraud language, and assignment-of-benefits ban, but said the public adjuster fee cap would likely be removed and that the bill needs technical changes for mutual insurers and roofing standards. Public adjusters testified in opposition to the cap as written, saying their fees are typically 10-15% and are disclosed in contracts, and that they were working with the sponsor on revisions. A shingle manufacturer also opposed the fortified roof language as drafted because some of its products may not fit the current standard. The committee then closed the hearing on HB 3328.
The committee next heard HB 2324, sponsored by Rep. Lucas, which would restrict the sharing or sale of vehicle driving data and was described by the sponsor as a privacy bill aimed at stopping companies like OnStar from selling driving data to insurers. Opponents from the Missouri Insurance Coalition and NAMIC said the bill would not actually target OnStar, but would instead interfere with voluntary telematics-based discount programs used by insurers, potentially raising premiums and creating administrative burdens. They also noted existing federal and state rules already govern insurer data use and that the bill could create a mismatch between risk and pricing. The hearing on HB 2324 was then closed, and the committee adjourned.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate of the Legislature of Alabama that we congratulate and commend
- Be it resolved by the Senate of the Legislature of Alabama that immediately upon the adoption of this
- Senate Joint Resolution 14 by Senator Orr commending the Alabama chapters of the Daughters of the American
- Senate Joint Resolution 14 by Senator Orr commending the Alabama chapters of the Daughters of the American
- ><c> the</c><00:42:15.680><c> Alabama</c> ladies and gentlemen of the Alabama ladies and gentlemen of
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, approved excusing absent members, dispensed with the previous day’s journal, and allowed bill introductions and committee reports throughout the day. Members also recognized guests in the gallery, including Judge Smitherman and later Karen Butler, wife of Senator Tom Butler. The chamber adopted Senate Joint Resolution 11, honoring Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated on its Founders Day and 118 years of service, after reading the resolution at length and hearing brief remarks from Senator Figures.
The Senate then adopted the Rules Committee’s special order calendar and took up several bills. Senate Bill 12 by Senator Gudger, repealing a prior community development districts law tied to a Coleman County project, passed. Senate Bill 19 by Senator Livingston, dealing with health insurance/prostate cancer screening, also passed. Senate Bill 89 by Senator Sessions, repealing the 1931 State Pilotage Commission statute, passed; Senate Bill 134 by Senator Beasley, concerning taxation and interstate warehousing of tobacco products, passed after a committee amendment was adopted; Senate Bill 100 by Senator Kelly, extending the State Board of Pharmacy sunset for one year with appointment changes, passed; Senate Bill 114 by Senator Bell, expanding Alabama’s handling of out-of-state warrants to additional felonies, passed; Senate Bill 122 by Senator Stewart, regarding the State Board of Registration for Foresters, passed; Senate Bill 35 by Senator Kitchens, updating vessel registration language for Coast Guard compliance, passed; and Senate Bill 127 by Senators Coleman-Madison and Stewart, continuing the Board of Examiners in Counseling for four years, passed.
Senate Bill 28 by Senator Elliott, which would raise the earnings cap for retired law enforcement officers and district attorneys returning to work and address school bus driver staffing, was discussed at length but carried over at the sponsor’s request. Senators raised concerns about the bill’s impact on RSA/retirement system funding and the possibility of broader pressure for similar retiree reemployment arrangements, while supporters emphasized staffing shortages, training savings, and benefits for schools and public safety. The session concluded with the calendar completed and a new resolution introduced by Senator Orr recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service, which was taken up for immediate consideration and adopted.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Mar 31st, 2025
Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department receives a large portion of its funding from the sale... of these
- Anyone in agriculture knows the value of fire departments.
- I am the Director for the City of Dallas's Animal Services Department.
- I'm an associate professor of Functional Genomics in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University
- of the Department of State Health Services.
Bills:
SB34 , SB119 , SB261 , SB532 , SB1035 , SB1245 , SB1247 , SB1267 , SB1442 , SB1930 , SB1948 , SB2078 , SB2112 , SB2143 , SB2155
Committee:
Senate Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Keywords:
wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Rural Issues Feb 18th, 2026
Special Committee on Rural Issues
Transcript Highlights:
- Alabama did this, University of Alabama, Birmingham, because of the other hospitals not having the ability
- when they established similar legislation that allowed the University of South Alabama... ...and they
- established similar legislation that allowed the University of South Alabama and UAB to address some
- Do you know how did this work for Alabama or Colorado or some of the other states that you mentioned?
- of South Alabama and UAB.
Committee:
House Special Committee on Rural Issues
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- My provider said that she is partially retiring because of the malpractice insurance.
- So my next question was going to be, how does the Department of Health feel about losing this data?
- was going to be, how does the Department of Health feel about losing this data?
- The registrar inside the Department of Health collects the data. They have not reported since 2019.
- According to the Department of Health, the concentration of fentanyl-like substances and fentanyl products
Committee:
House House Judiciary
Keywords:
medical malpractice, judgments, independent providers, insurance, personal assets, settlements, healthcare, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- for all of us.
- of Women Voters of New Mexico.
- He had a couple of points of concern regarding SB 261.
- I'm just confused at the end of all of this, of what we're doing.
- Stephen Robinson and Sean Sullivan of the Department of Justice, let me turn over to my co-sponsor, Senator
Committee:
Senate House Judiciary
Keywords:
medical malpractice, judgments, independent providers, insurance, personal assets, settlements, healthcare, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 264, which would create state criminal and civil penalties for election interference, including stationing armed personnel at polling places or drop boxes, changing voter qualifications or election procedures contrary to state law, and obstructing or intimidating voters, poll workers, or election administrators. The sponsor and Secretary of State staff said the bill was a response to concerns about possible federal interference in New Mexico elections and was modeled largely on existing federal law, while also adding emergency-related provisions for counties affected by disasters. Support came from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and the Center for Public Policy; there was no opposition testimony. After questions about enforcement, federal conflict, and the role of local law enforcement, the committee passed SB 264 on a due-pass motion.
The committee then took up SB 261, a related bill revising firearm restrictions at polling places. The sponsor said the bill would remove most exemptions that had allowed firearms in or around polling locations, while preserving limited exceptions for election administrators to request law enforcement assistance and for certain rural or co-located law enforcement offices. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, Common Cause, and the Center for Public Policy, argued that firearms at polls can intimidate voters and poll workers and that the bill would create clearer, safer rules. Opponents, including representatives of a rifle and pistol club, a county sheriff’s office, and the New Mexico Business Coalition, argued that concealed carry holders and officers should not be treated as threats, that the bill could create confusion or criminalize lawful conduct, and that law enforcement needs to remain armed to respond to emergencies and protect polling sites. Committee members debated constitutional tailoring, rural enforcement issues, and how the bill would interact with the earlier election-interference bill. The committee ultimately passed the Judiciary Committee substitute for SB 261 on a due-pass vote.
Finally, the committee heard SB 221, which would add a new crime and racketeering predicate for theft and misappropriation of petroleum products and oil and gas equipment. The sponsor, the Attorney General’s office, and industry and law enforcement witnesses said oilfield theft has become more organized and dangerous, causing environmental damage, safety hazards, lost production, and revenue losses, and that existing laws are not sufficient to address the conduct. An opponent questioned whether the conduct was already illegal and argued that the bill singled out one industry and could overcriminalize conduct already covered by other laws and regulations. After discussion about proportionality and whether the bill was necessary, the committee voted on the Judiciary Committee substitute and the motion failed on a tie vote, so SB 221 did not advance.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- My provider said that she is partially retiring because of the malpractice insurance.
- What specific data elements will no longer be available for us as policymakers in the Department of Health
- So my next question was going to be, how does the Department of Health feel about losing this data?
- The registrar inside the Department of Health.
- The registrar inside the Department of Health collects the data. They have not reported since 2019.
Committee:
House House Judiciary
Keywords:
medical malpractice, judgments, independent providers, insurance, personal assets, settlements, healthcare, healthcare privacy, electronic medical records, reproductive health, gender-affirming care, data protection, location tracking, confidentiality, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting, vital statistics, public health reporting, medical records
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 195, which would protect the personal assets of certain health care providers from collection in medical malpractice judgments. Supporters said the bill would help recruit and retain physicians, especially in high-liability fields like obstetrics, while opponents argued broader malpractice reform should focus on insurance and legal representation. Members discussed whether the bill’s definition of “independent provider” matched existing law, and the committee adopted a friendly amendment to add osteopathic physician. HB 195 then passed on a 9-0 vote.
The committee then heard House Bill 279, a health care privacy and safety measure for reproductive and gender-affirming care. The sponsor said it would strengthen protections for sensitive health information, limit geofencing around clinics, allow providers to keep personal addresses confidential, and remove provider names from medication abortion packaging. Supporters framed it as a privacy and safety bill; opponents said it would weaken parental access, create confusion for emergency physicians, and shield abortion access. After extensive questions about HIPAA, emergency care, and data collection, the bill passed 6-3.
Senate Bill 30, which would repeal the requirement that induced abortions be reported to the state registrar, drew similar testimony. The sponsor and supporters argued the reporting requirement is outdated, medically unnecessary, and exposes providers to surveillance and possible out-of-state targeting; opponents said the data supports transparency and public health oversight. Members questioned what data would be lost and how the state currently uses the reports. SB 30 passed 6-3. The committee also heard House Bill 234 on fentanyl definitions, with law enforcement and business groups supporting clearer criminal penalties; members and the sponsor worked through possible amendment language to better align the bill with existing controlled-substance definitions, and the discussion was continued for a revised draft. Finally, House Bill 292, the New Mexico Prison Rape Elimination Act, received broad support from advocacy groups and passed the committee substitute 7-0.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Jan 27th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
State Government & Tribal Relations
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of you may have seen footage of one family's home swept down the Nooksack River just north of where
- or lack of.
- The details of that are still being worked out between the Department of Licensing and the State Patrol
- In June 2022, the California Department of Justice inadvertently exposed confidential personal data during
- of command.
Committee:
House State Government & Tribal Relations
Keywords:
public records, concealed pistol licenses, firearm purchases, transfers, exemptions, transparency, Constitution amendment, legislative sessions, session duration, state legislature, governance, emergency meetings, public agencies, accountability, open government, HB2491, WaTech, Washington Technology Solutions, public disclosure, public inspection