Video & Transcript Research : 'Insurance Commissioner'
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NH
Transcript Highlights:
- a<01:48:22.639>
a <01:48:22.960>bank <01:48:23.119>or <01:48:23.679>insurance - <01:48:25.040>
And like a a bank or insurance company. - And like a a bank or insurance company.
- I’m clearing over six grand a month after taxes and mortgage and insurance.
- I’m clearing over six grand a month after taxes and mortgage and insurance.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the Chief Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
- With me today is my I'm the Chief Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Financial Protection and
- Despite these efforts, survivors do continue to face a significant gap between insurance proceeds and
- Despite these efforts, survivors do continue to face a significant gap between insurance and insurance
Summary:
The committee heard a series of May Revision budget items, beginning with the State Controller’s Office. SCO described requests for Fiscal Book of Record stabilization, payroll system implementation, ACFR reporting support, and unclaimed property outreach funding. Members focused on the Fiscal system’s July go-live, the improved timeliness of the ACFR, and the unclaimed property program’s roughly $15 billion balance and outreach efforts. The Department of Finance and LAO raised no major concerns, and the item was closed after discussion of how the new outreach funding would be used.
The committee then considered several revenue proposals. Finance presented a proposal to tax pre-written digital software and SaaS, with estimated General Fund gains of $450 million in 2026-27 and $900 million ongoing; LAO suggested broader digital tax changes and a business-use exemption, while industry groups opposed the measure as a tax on essential digital tools. CDTFA also presented an administrative request tied to the software tax, and later a $10 million budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs. The committee then heard a federal conformity proposal for new children’s tax-deferred accounts, which LAO supported, and a proposal to cut the first-year LLC/LP minimum tax from $800 to $400, which Finance said would aid small business formation but LAO argued was poorly targeted and would reduce revenue.
Another major item was a permanent business tax credit limitation beginning in 2027, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability. Finance said it would raise about $850 million in 2026-27 and more in later years, while LAO noted it would mainly affect large firms using the R&D credit and could also touch California Competes and other programs. Public testimony split sharply between business groups opposing the cap and advocates supporting it as a progressive revenue measure. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment proposal, which would retain a smaller staff to continue improving the free filing system and return most of the prior funding to the General Fund.
The hearing concluded with the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which brings in about $221,000 to $266,000 annually for arts grants and teacher stipends. Members and advocates supported the item but also urged larger arts funding, including the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund. The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development then presented proposals for the California Civic Media Program, CA RISE reappropriation, and a reversion of unused Chips for America facility funds; LAO supported the latter two but was cautious about new civic media spending. Members raised concerns about the civic media program’s scope, including the exclusion of broadcast and the lack of a specific ethnic media set-aside, while GoBiz said funds would begin going out in the fall if approved.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration May 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the Chief Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
- With me today is my I'm the Chief Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Financial Protection and
- Despite these efforts, survivors do continue to face a significant gap between insurance proceeds and
- General Fund, and Despite these efforts, survivors do continue to face a significant gap between insurance
- and insurance proceeds and the cost to rebuild, compounded by the limited access to affordable construction
Summary:
The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment.
The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions.
Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss.
The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Please read the next bill: Senate Bill 114, a bill to be entitled an act relating to insurance research
- Senators, this bill creates the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at the
- Please read the bill a third time: Senate Bill 114, a bill to be entitled an act relating to insurance
- appraisers, supervisors of elections, school superintendents, school board members, mayors, city commissioners
- , and county commissioners.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors.
The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects.
Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- professional officers imposes heavy financial burdens, including extensive training costs, fees, insurance
- Sheriff's Association, as we've heard, has been supportive, as is AG Uthmeier and also Agriculture Commissioner
Keywords:
veterans, treatment court, nonviolent felony, probation, mental health, places of worship, house of worship, church, mosque, synagogue, religious security, armed security, volunteer security, private security, security guard licensing, licensure exemption, Florida Statutes chapter 493, Class G license, Class C license, security services
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and considered several criminal justice bills. SB 50 on Veterans Treatment Courts was amended to clarify that entry into the program requires approval of the state attorney and to make the bill prospective only. Supporters, including veterans advocates and crime survivors, argued the bill would expand access to treatment-focused diversion for veterans with nonviolent charges and service-related trauma. The committee adopted both amendments and reported the bill favorably. SB 52, which creates an exemption from security licensing requirements for unpaid armed volunteers providing security at places of worship, also drew support from law enforcement and faith leaders who said it would clarify a legal gray area for churches; the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and reported the bill favorably.
The committee then considered SB 436 on felony battery and prison release reoffender enhancements. An amendment was adopted to align felony battery involving injury to law enforcement with the bill’s intent to address the disparity between battery on an officer and resisting with violence. Members discussed concerns about mandatory minimums and the scope of the enhancement, including how it might apply in cases involving older prior offenses or mental health crises, but the bill was ultimately reported favorably. SB 676, which creates graduated penalties for adults who involve minors in animal cruelty offenses and increases penalties for related conduct, was supported by animal welfare advocates and reported favorably and unanimously.
Later, the committee approved SB 536 on criminal gang members after adopting an amendment clarifying the definition of gang-related conduct and requiring multiple criteria for gang membership. Members raised concerns about social media, neighborhood association, juvenile application, and overbroad labeling, but the sponsor said the bill was aimed at gang-related criminal activity and recruitment, not innocent association. The committee also reported favorably SB 432 on controlled substances, which adds concentrated 7-OH to Schedule I and creates penalties for xylazine products that resemble candy or food and for trafficking in xylazine; SB 524, an FDLE bill updating duties related to medical examiners, training, and complaint service procedures; and SB 590, which tolls the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse offenses until the crime is known to law enforcement. All of these bills were reported favorably, and the meeting adjourned after a final vote correction was entered for SB 524.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Jun 27th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- You all heard the land commissioner this year delaying some land for sale, uh, for the point or for lease
- The, on the backside is a story, uh, article about health insurance premiums, again, discussing what
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine certain pending nominations. Apr 29th, 2025 at 02:00 pm
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And it is something that I worked on as the Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce during
- bill In the opinion of myself and I think others on this committee, we have to have affordable crop insurance
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the censorship industrial complex. Mar 25th, 2025 at 01:00 pm
Constitution Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Two Democratic commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission, that's an independent agency, were removed
- protests were the most expensive of any civil disorder in U.S. history, at $2 billion or more in insurance
Keywords:
censorship, First Amendment, social media, misinformation, free speech, government regulation, Big Tech, public discourse
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on the implications of government involvement in censorship, particularly regarding social media platforms and compliance with misinformation standards. senators and witnesses discussed growing concerns over the influence of large tech companies, like Facebook and Google, in shaping public discourse and suppressing dissenting views. A significant part of the meeting included testimonies from various experts emphasizing the dangers of the 'censorship industrial complex'—a term used to describe the collaborative efforts between government entities and private organizations to control information flow. This collaboration is viewed as a violation of First Amendment rights, with calls for urgent legislative action to restore free speech protections.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 4, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- They must show proof of insurance.
- And I guess I will close with the words of Commissioner Diaz, which is, 'Let the kids play.'
Summary:
The Student Academic Success Subcommittee met to discuss Florida’s current “sports choice” rules and high school NIL policy, then heard and passed HB 151. FHSAA officials and Sarasota County Schools staff explained eligibility rules for student-athletes, including GPA, age, semester limits, physicals, insurance, and the different participation options for traditional public, charter, home education, Florida Virtual, and private school students. Members focused on how controlled open enrollment works, whether private school students can play at public schools and vice versa, transfer timing and capacity limits, recruiting restrictions, and the role of local district policies. Sarasota officials said about 400 students in their county participate through non-traditional athletic arrangements, and FHSAA said statewide there are 5,460 non-traditional student-athlete forms on file out of roughly 280,000 student-athletes.
The committee then reviewed Florida’s high school NIL framework. FHSAA said students in grades 9-12 may enter NIL deals, with no income cap, but they are barred from agreements involving adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco/vaping, cannabis, controlled substances, gambling, weapons, political or social activism, and NIL collectives. Students must have a written contract and cannot use school logos or uniforms without permission. FHSAA said about 25 students statewide had NIL deals so far, and Sarasota was first to file. Members raised concerns about recruiting, taxes, financial literacy, mental health, and whether students should be treated as employees, while district staff said they provide education and financial literacy resources but do not review contracts.
After the discussion, the committee took up HB 151 by Rep. Abbott. The bill allows students at FHSAA-member private schools to participate in sports at another member school when their own school does not offer that sport, and it removes the current 200-student enrollment limit. An amendment clarifying the private-school language was adopted without objection. A public witness from a small private school supported the bill, saying it would let the school join FHSAA without losing local athletic access for its students. Despite some members raising fairness and funding concerns, the bill passed on a 15-0 vote and was reported favorably.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Without insurance in Texas, you have very little option for inpatient care.
- You see, she turned 26, and she was dropped from my insurance policy.
- Indeed, the insurance funding in this bill is critical to all employees across the state.
- insurance.
- Medicaid only ended up having to pay our health insurance premiums through the HIP program.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (01/30/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- lending situations and insurance lending situations and insurance situations.<01:57:49.520>
So - I'm police commissioner of the city of Rochester. Um, I've been a police commissioner eight years.
- >
the <04:17:57.680>ones Local police commissioners are the ones Local police commissioners - <04:34:19.199>
and from from other police commissioners and from from other police commissioners - , um for from other police commissioners, um for from other police commissioners, they<04:34:29.840
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Environment and Agriculture (04/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- But insurance is interesting because, um, you know, you can file a claim with insurance and if the insurance
- But insurance is litigate the issue.
- <01:52:00.639>
company insurance and if the insurance company insurance and if the insurance - :53:04.719>
the <01:53:04.920>regulation, insurance as the as the regulation, insurance - Like State kind of insurance is it?
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 302, which would update New Hampshire’s solid waste facility background-check law so the state can continue to access federal FBI criminal databases for checks on key owners and officers. Senator Howard Pearl and DES Waste Management Director Mike Whimsatt said the bill is the third attempt to correct prior drafting problems that prevented the FBI from accepting the language. They explained that the existing statute has long required background checks for hazardous and solid waste facility applicants because of concerns about organized crime, but the current wording is too ambiguous for federal use. The bill also includes technical corrections, clarifies which company officers must be checked, specifies which DES officials receive the results, and removes the Department of Justice as an unnecessary middleman. Committee members asked about the purpose of the bill, whether family members are covered, who pays the cost, and whether permits have ever been denied; Whimsatt said the applicant still pays, the checks focus on key officers, and at least one permit had been denied in the past due to a felony conviction. The hearing then closed, with one person listed in favor on the blue sheet and no opposition noted online.
The committee then opened Senate Bill 229, which would allow retailers to sell uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat and remove the sunset on the existing program. Senator Pearl said the bill would expand market opportunities for farmers while keeping labeling and traceability requirements in place, including identifying the meat as uninspected and maintaining records of the source farms. Representative Bixby, who had worked on earlier legislation, explained the current framework in detail: the animals are raised on closed farms, must be fenced, cannot be newly imported, and are subject to annual veterinary herd inspections and recordkeeping. He said the prior bison inspection regime was too burdensome for farmers to maintain, and the current law was intended as a workable compromise. Questions from members focused on how many farms participate, how many animals have been sold, and whether the program posed disease risks; the witness said he did not know the exact numbers, and Bixby said the existing import and fencing rules help prevent chronic wasting disease from entering the state. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left before the committee for further consideration.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Dec 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Statute also requires school districts and charter schools to include long-term cost estimates of insurance
- so increases in English learners, increases in students with disabilities, and also increases in insurance
- I earn a full salary, receive retirement benefits, and have access to health insurance, something that
- I'm a commissioner on the Public Education Commission. I have a grandson also who attends NMIS.
Summary:
The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer.
The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- great Texas Legislative Internship Program, which was founded in 1990 by then Senator and now Commissioner
- We make a whopping $7,200 a year, most of which goes to our health insurance and our retirement.
- Then we have George Jambore, who is my policy director and has learned a lot about insurance this session
- We receive $600 a month before taxes and before insurance.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 4/16/26
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- in Minnesota, including in the Attorney General's office, and even through the appointment of commissioners
- ,<00:32:23.520>
even appointment of commissioners, even appointment of commissioners, even - is doing what we're doing with HR1 and cutting our opportunities to have credits for our health insurance
- is doing what we're doing with HR1 and cutting our opportunities to have credits for our health insurance
- is doing what we're doing with HR1 and cutting our opportunities to have credits for our health insurance
Bills:
HF4252
Keywords:
higher education, student aid, financial aid, grant programs, scholarships, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, community college, technical college, postsecondary institution, college affordability, student fees, athletic facilities, competitive athletics, developmental education, remedial courses, pregnant students, parenting students, priority registration
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Carbon Sequestration Programs Study Commission (06/05/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> Uh, I think Commissioner Craypo is here in place of Mr.
- Commissioner Craypo is here in place of Mr. Hackley, correct? >> That's correct. >> Okay.
- >> Present. >> [snorts] >> Uh, Commissioner Gorman? >> Here. >> Representative Tierney?
- , they got into the financial component about states should maybe start to look at having deeper insurance
- insurance pools or whatever it may be. insurance pools or whatever it may be.
Summary:
The meeting opened with a quorum present and approval of the April 17 minutes. The commission then heard a presentation from attorney Jacob Rhodes of Cleveland, Waters and Bass on the history and legal basis of New Hampshire’s timber tax, explaining that timber was historically treated as part of real property, that a 1913 case confirmed that view, and that a 1949 constitutional amendment created a separate timber yield tax to discourage clear-cutting and support forest conservation. He described the tax as a tax on the yield when timber is severed, not an income tax, and noted that towns are reimbursed through a system based on Department of Revenue Administration market data and local reports of cut.
Members and guests asked how “yield” is defined, how the timber tax interacts with current use, and whether carbon sequestration could be treated similarly. Testimony explained that current use generally is not affected by harvesting timber, that towns can tax standing timber under RSA 79:5 but rarely do because it is labor-intensive, and that carbon credits might be valued using a similar market-data approach. Several speakers discussed a prior bill drafted with DRA input that would have treated carbon more like timber, but noted it never fully advanced in the General Court and that the version ultimately discussed by the House differed from the earlier DRA-comfortable draft.
The discussion also covered whether carbon sequestration agreements are effectively long-term leases or transfers of timber rights, with Rhodes suggesting that 99-year arrangements could be taxable transfers of real property under DRA rules, though he had not reviewed specific agreements. DRA staff said they do not currently have a timber-like survey mechanism for carbon and would likely need access to proprietary market data or a subscription service to build one. No formal vote was taken beyond approving the minutes; the commission appeared to agree to revisit the carbon/timber valuation issue and the draft bill at a future meeting.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAM-HWN, WAM-PSM, WAM-CPN Informational Briefings 01-08-2026
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 8,000 buildings that are on the of the 8,000 buildings that are on the state's<01:21:08.480>
insurance - books<01:21:09.360>
to <01:21:10.000>really <01:21:10.320>come state's insurance - books to really come state's insurance books to really come back<01:21:10.719>
and <01:21:10.880 - So this doesn't cover this already. >> I will defer to one of the commissioners. amount is in the governor's
- . >> Good afternoon, Naomi Koi Commissioner.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/29/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- So, um, I Commissioner Galdier's seat.
- >
practicing The commissioners are all practicing The commissioners are all practicing lawyers - Um, question on you, Commissioner Money.
- Commissioner Jay Scully and I Commissioner Jay Scully and I would<00:48:26.640>
propose <00:48: - or payment upfront. insurance or payment upfront.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 1/22/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a former zoning commissioner, Chair, in St.
- Since 2020, we've endured double-digit increases in insurance.
- In 2023, it was a 25% increase in insurance.
- in 2023 it was a 25% increase Insurance in 2023 it was a 25% increase in<00:43:20.760>
insurance< - It's because of the structure of the insurance market and reinsurers that insurers in California and
Summary:
The House Housing Finance and Policy Committee approved the previous meeting’s minutes and then heard testimony from Housing First Minnesota and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities on housing supply, affordability, and land-use policy. Mark Foster of Housing First Minnesota said the state is chronically undersupplied by roughly 100,000 units, that the median new single-family home price has risen above $530,000, and that only about 27% of Twin Cities households can now afford a new home. He argued that regulatory and local approval processes, especially planned unit developments and aesthetic mandates, add significant cost and reduce the number of homes built, and he urged the committee to remove exclusionary barriers and modernize residential development approvals.
Members questioned Foster about zoning, aesthetic requirements, and homeowners associations. He said most new housing in growing metro communities is negotiated through PUDs, which he described as increasing costs and limiting supply, and gave examples such as stone exterior requirements adding thousands of dollars to a home. He also said HOAs can be useful in some cases but are often imposed when not needed. Several legislators responded positively to the Housing First Minnesota Foundation’s work, including transitional housing and veteran housing projects.
Elizabeth Wefel of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said cities outside the metro also face a housing shortage, but their challenges differ: market failure, inadequate sewer and water infrastructure, and gaps in starter, workforce, and senior housing. She said many Greater Minnesota cities are already updating zoning, reducing lot sizes, allowing more density and ADUs, and investing local money, land, and partnerships to spur development. She asked the legislature to speed up rollout of housing funds, support infrastructure and workforce programs, and adjust housing tax credit and TIF rules, while warning against one-size-fits-all preemption of local zoning authority. Members discussed the need for tailored solutions and the differences between metro and Greater Minnesota housing markets.
TX