Transcript Highlights:

• Since then, the first barrier to rebuilding was insurance, creating discrepancies in cost estimates.
• After three years, they received 45% of the funds needed to rebuild from insurance.
• Immediately following the insurance settlement, the Office of Public School Construction contributed
• Insurance premiums are going up going forward.
• Insurance premiums are going up going forward.

Summary: The committee heard opening public comment and then took up several K-12 budget items in the Governor’s January proposal. On LCFF and necessary small schools, the Department of Finance described a 2.41% COLA, a roughly $2.2 billion increase for districts and charters, and a $30.7 million ongoing augmentation to raise necessary small schools funding by 20%. The LAO supported funding the COLA and said the small schools proposal had merit, but questioned the 20% figure and warned about a sharp funding cliff around the enrollment thresholds. Members and witnesses repeatedly raised declining enrollment, attendance, and the need to align funding with outcomes and local cost pressures. The chair and several members also asked whether consolidation, shared administration, or alternative formulas could better address small district costs, and the issue was left open for further discussion. The panel then discussed special education equalization. Finance proposed $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 funding to raise the statewide special education base rate to $999 per ADA, which would fully equalize SELPA base rates; the LAO said the same target could likely be reached with less money under current assumptions. CDE strongly supported equalization as an equity issue and said about 15% of students are identified with disabilities, with identification rising by roughly 20,000 to 25,000 students per year. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, high caseloads, and the need to use any additional funds for inclusive practices, alternative diploma pathways, and the extraordinary cost pool. The committee also discussed whether the budget language should reflect the $509 million amount or the $999 rate, and the item was held open. For the Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant, Finance proposed restoring $757.3 million one-time to complete the program, while the LAO recommended approval because learning loss remains unresolved and districts have generally used the funds for tutoring, supplemental instruction, and other academic supports. CDE explained that LEAs must revisit their needs assessments and that many districts are using the funds alongside other support systems, but members pressed for clearer accountability and better data on how much money actually goes to tutoring or other direct services. The committee then reviewed the Student Support and Professional Development Discretionary Block Grant, with Finance proposing $2.8 billion one-time and the LAO saying discretionary funding can help districts address local priorities but should be paired with fiscal oversight and possibly more targeted priorities. Members split between supporting flexibility for local needs and worrying that the grant could be used to cover ongoing structural deficits without clear evidence of student-outcome gains; the issue was also held open. Finally, the committee heard a high-level overview of school facilities funding under Proposition 2, with Finance proposing to continue $1.5 billion in bond spending in 2026-27. OPSC said that at the current pace all Prop 2 K-12 funds would likely be exhausted around 2029-30, and that demand is shifting toward modernization as enrollment declines in many areas. Members asked about school closures, reuse of unused sites, and the new small school district facilities program, which OPSC said is moving toward proposed regulations and would begin accepting modernization applications in November 2026 and new construction applications in January 2027. The committee also briefly noted community college facilities funding and asked for more information later in the process.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the budget would backfill the current account deficit in our state insurance liability account.
• This is essentially Washington state's self-insurance liability risk pool.
• That account is funded through billing out through our central service model to agencies for insurance
• We know they're scarce, but at least establish some increase, especially for utilities and insurance.
• Besides the hefty across-the-board cut, this proposal at least quadruples WSU self-insurance premium

Bills: SB5998

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: fiscal appropriations, budget, state funding, financial management, operating expenses, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, so is it basically like an insurance policy that the is that the formula like we're going to
• The states that have successfully used exclusive use contracts often look at it as an as an insurance
• Insurance personnel.
• Um, and then if you get into things like insurance, it's another $4 million that, that I pay straight
• up for insurance for a very dangerous mission.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• We do, when our insurance premiums go up or when the price of care goes up to recover the costs from
• private insurers.
• And all of these jobs that are being lost are also employer-provided health insurance.
• INSURERS.
• AND ALL OF THESE JOBS THAT ARE BEING LOST ARE ALSO EMPLOYER PROVIDED HEALTH INSURANCE.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, September 8, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, she took two hours going through, navigating, you know, connecting her to, getting her insurance
• It doesn't matter if you have dental insurance or Medicaid or cash; it doesn't matter.
• primary insurance. And so my question is primary insurance.
• </c><01:08:59.200><c> And</c> not just insurance, but Medicaid.
• And not just insurance, but Medicaid.

Committee: Joint Health Services

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They ask me about why their health care insurance premiums are going up.
• THEY ASK ME ABOUT WHY THEIR HEALTH CARE INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE GOING UP.
• AND WHILE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE ABOUT TO GET KICKED OFF THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE.
• Your government is functionally an insurance company with an army.
• YOUR GOVERNMENT IS FUNCTIONALLY AN INSURANCE COMPANY WITH AN ARMY.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jerry Bump, Acting Insurance Commissioner.
• Uh we'll we'll insurance commissioner.
• So I... um insurers recognize pharmacists that um insurers recognize pharmacists that are<00:22:52.880
• I also have eight people on my car insurance policy.
• So, every so um car insurance policy.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with SB 1442, which would update the statute governing the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division and clarify its role as the state Medicaid provider of intensive mental health services for children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance. The Department of Health testified in strong support, saying the current statute is outdated and warning against any unfunded mandate because the division relies on federal funding and faces uncertainty about future resources. Written testimony from several organizations also supported the bill. The committees took no immediate action and said they would hold decision-making until later. The hearing then moved to SB 479 on ABLE savings accounts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, arguing that ABLE accounts help people with disabilities save money without losing benefits and that the state needs more outreach and staffing to expand participation. A testifier with a disability said the bill would help people keep Social Security and housing stability. The chair indicated an intention to move the bill forward, and asked about funding; the discussion settled on a requested appropriation of about $75,000 for incentives. Next, SB 1245 on reimbursement of pharmacists drew broad support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, rural pharmacies, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and others, who said the bill would improve access to care, especially on neighbor islands and in rural communities, and help pharmacies participate in 340B-related services. The Insurance Division and HMSA raised concerns about bill language, saying it could be read to cover pharmacists outside an insurer’s network and that the scope of reimbursable services needed clarification; the pharmacists’ association said the bill is intended to apply only to in-network pharmacists and should continue to reference existing scope-of-practice law. The hearing also took up SB 1279, which would allow pharmacists to authorize medications via telehealth under certain circumstances. The State Board of Pharmacy opposed the bill, citing patient safety, a pilot project with reported errors, concerns about controlled substances and unregulated technicians, and the view that in-person pharmacist services are safer and already available on the affected islands. Several pharmacies and health care groups supported the measure as a way to preserve 340B access and improve service on Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, while some local pharmacies said they already provide in-person service and opposed remote dispensing. No votes were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, just this morning, I got an email from our medical rep, and our insurance, medical insurance,
• I've got a bill that we're trying to get more help with those through insurance, getting them available
• to more opportunities for insurance coverage.
• that bill again, bringing importance to what you're referencing here, to make sure we try to get insurance

Summary: The committee met with four members present and approved the May 7, 2026 minutes. It then considered a series of transportation, motor vehicle, aviation, port, and memorial designation bills. Several measures were reported favorably, including HB 1086 on electronic titling and digital title transfers, HB 745 extending special tandem load permits, HB 1175 updating the definition of aerospace, HB 1108 creating a Homeschool Proud license plate, HB 722 changing reinstatement procedures so certain suspended licenses are restored once fees are paid, HB 1024 creating a Louisiana Democratic Party license plate, HB 1173 giving drivers on reinstatement payment plans a three-month grace period before late fees apply, and HB 98 imposing a $25 annual royalty fee on a retired legislators’ plate to help restore the Pentagon Barracks. HB 487, dealing with red-light overtaking and an added fine, and HB 1032, a technical cleanup bill aligning DWI/drug-impairment language, were also reported favorably. HB 1050, a CDL cleanup bill that adjusts age and testing provisions and removes outdated vision-waiver language, and HB 1192, creating a Louisiana Dental Hygienist Association plate, were approved as well. HB 989, which would have raised public license tag agent convenience fees, was supported by private tag agents but drew questions about fee parity and business impacts; it was reported favorably. A separate bill on driving school pricing and refunds was deferred and turned into a study resolution after the sponsor said more stakeholder discussion was needed. The committee also advanced several memorial and infrastructure measures. HB 401 designated the Lance Corporal Justin McLeese Memorial Bridge, with members speaking about his military service and sacrifice. HB 1081 moved the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission under the Office of Multimodal Commerce for administrative support while leaving port boards independent. HCR 63 created a task force to study whether certain active-duty military personnel could operate federally owned vehicles on state highways without a civilian license. HCR 69 urged priority improvements to the Interstate 12 corridor, especially the bottleneck and interchange areas near I-55, citing safety and evacuation concerns. SCR 58 asked DOTD to review public-private partnership practices, using the Belle Chasse Toll Bridge as a case study and focusing on lessons learned for future projects. HB 1001 designated a portion of U.S. 190 as the Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway. HB 1218 named Highway 1090 the Lewis Pett Miramon Memorial Highway, with family members and supporters describing Miramon’s wartime service and role in building Slidell. HB 1172 designated a highway segment in memory of a 14-year-old hit-and-run victim, Kulin Carrier. One major policy bill, SB 514, was amended and reported favorably. It updates Louisiana’s aeronautics statutes, transfers responsibility for aeronautics activities and facilities from the DOTD secretary to the Office of Multimodal Commerce commissioner, and modernizes the law to align with federal aviation rules and new technologies, including advanced aviation and electric vertical takeoff and landing programs. Members asked about the lengthy amendments, fuel tax language, airport development reporting, and the Transportation Trust Fund, and the sponsor and DOTD explained that the changes were largely technical and intended to keep Louisiana eligible for federal aviation funding and compliant with current standards. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 1244, which would add a brain-injury designation to driver’s licenses and require law-enforcement training. The sponsor and advocates described how the designation could help de-escalate encounters and improve safety for people with brain injuries; the bill was reported favorably, with members noting it could also cover broader brain-injury conditions if medically certified. After that testimony, the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• 2,000 establishments that had covered employees—covered means employees that you pay unemployment insurance
• 2000 establishments that have covered employees covered means employees that you pay unemployment insurance
• I think we can talk about the need for better insurance programs, better adoption and use of existing
• insurance programs by farmers.
• don't have as thin of margins on a year-to-year basis, and so tend not to like to pay for those insurance

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then they turned around and... charge the hospital for blood, then the hospital charged our insurance
• figure out the first testimony that we heard from the family was that they then got charged by the insurance
• guess, the cost was passed off to their... to the hospital, and I guess they got billed on their insurance
• I'm sorry, out of money, but the insurance paid their part, but then Tanya had to...
• I understand that, but I know there are times when my insurance doesn't...

Committee: House Public Health

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• afforded individual assistance. which provides crisis counseling, legal services, disaster unemployment insurance
• right now. plan and the moonshot effort to try to decrease the losses from wildfire or else home insurance
• But relative, just relative to the increase in insurance.
• The insurance cost that will happen to the communities that burned now and maybe some of those homes
• community is essential for the that is trusted statewide would allow people to potentially get lower insurance

Committee: House Emergency Management

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

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

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

Committee: House Human Services

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

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, if the clerk will call the roll, we'll get Banking and Insurance started.
• HB 545, Representative Crow, welcome to Banking and Insurance. Yes, sir. Thank you, Senator.
• HB 545, Representative Crow, welcome to Banking and Insurance. Yes, sir. Thank you, Senator.

Bills: HB545

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: HB545, legal tender, cash rounding, nearest five cents, nickel rounding, in-person cash transaction, cash transactions, change making, sales tax, Department of Revenue, merchant payments, consumer payments, currency rounding, cash payment, retail transactions, payment methods, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The licensure and also the piece that really goes to insurance.
• are practicing in Florida today, completely unregulated, completely unlicensed, and also with no insurance
• some of whom went to a naturopathic medical college. sat for the two-part exam, have malpractice insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance. Health and Human Services and Appropriations. HB 2559. Behavior.
• HB 2693, insurance bona fide. HB 2697, expired opioid. HB 2698, commerce.
• HB 2399, watercraft insurance. HB 2399, U.T. revision. HB 2412, appropriation HCCS.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tammy Penhollow, a board-certified anesthesiologist, pain medicine physician, and Navy veteran. Members also introduced several guests in the gallery, including school board members and representatives from Republic Services, which was highlighted for its Arizona operations, employment, and sustainability work. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and two excused. The main floor business consisted of reading a large number of bills and resolutions for first and second reading and referring first-read measures to committee. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public safety, education, health and human services, water and natural resources, commerce, taxation, housing, transportation, artificial intelligence, abortion-related issues, firearms, labor, and appropriations. No substantive debate or votes on individual bills were taken during this portion of the session. Toward the end of the meeting, members made committee announcements and birthday wishes, including a birthday greeting for Representative Aaron Márquez. Committee schedules were announced for Commerce, Education, Natural Resources, Energy and Water, Government, Judiciary, Ways and Means, and others. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 1:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Bill 933, Avila Fadias from the Health Committee to the Insurance Committee.
• Assembly Bill 1073, Avila Fadias, from the Judiciary Committee, to the Insurance Committee.
• Assembly Bill 1073, Avila Fanias, from the Judiciary Committee to the Insurance Committee, Assembly Bill

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A co-payment, co-insurance, or deduction requirement on coverage for services provided in accordance
• Fund must pay to an insurance producer that issues insurance policies on behalf of the fund.
• And additionally prohibits the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund from paying commission on a policy
• Insurance Fund must pay to an insurance Insurance Fund must pay to an insurance producer<00:42:02.720
• > producer that issues insurance policies producer that issues insurance policies on<00:42:04.920><c>

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was able to get data from one insurance company that reported to the insurance department that more
• intended to, like, if they didn't have insurance or didn't have enough coverage, why wouldn't insurance
• </c> ago we were told that the insurance ago we were told that the insurance companies<04:27:27.319><
• ><c> the</c><04:27:34.439><c> insurance</c><04:27:34.800><c> companies</c> we were told the insurance
• </c><04:27:41.680><c> company</c> I've ever heard that insurance company I've ever heard that insurance

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2 retirement provisions, focusing on Group Two/Tier B changes in pages 25-39. Jan Goodwin of the New Hampshire Retirement System and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions, but it restores certain pre-2011 benefit rules for Tier B members, including changes to average final compensation and earnable compensation, and it also addresses the annuity multiplier for years of service. Members discussed the tier structure, with Tier A referring to vested members, Tier B to those hired before 11/1/12 who were not vested, and Tier C to later hires. Several members expressed concern that the bill’s purpose was to restore Tier B benefits, not to change Tier A rules or create broader changes affecting newer hires. The retirement system flagged two likely drafting problems. First, it said a provision appears to omit a special-duty/earnable-compensation limitation in the Group Two section, which they believed was a scrivener’s error caused by moving language out of the Group One definition without adding it back for Group Two. Second, they noted the bill’s multiplier language overlaps with changes already enacted in HB 1647, which increased the multiplier for service beyond 15 years for Group Two and carried an estimated $26 million cost. The committee discussed that HB 1647 was originally broader in the House, but the Senate narrowed it to Tier B only. The actuary’s comparison of the 2023 and 2025 HB 2 versions showed the bills are close, but the 2025 version differs in funding and timing. Staff said the 2025 bill appropriates $2.5 million more per year for 10 years, and that, together with updated actuarial assumptions and a larger share of the affected tier having already retired or otherwise left service, results in a larger reduction in unfunded liability than the 2023 bill: about $98.2 million versus $68.5 million. Employer contribution impacts were described as small overall, though the 2025 bill was said to be somewhat more favorable than the 2023 version. Members also questioned why House Bill 1 only funds $5 million in the first year, and staff said that was tied to the governor’s revenue estimate and that the full funding does not begin immediately. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly received testimony, asked clarifying questions, and noted that some issues would be addressed in the fiscal note worksheet.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it does not pave the way for insurance it does not pave the way for insurance reimbursement<00:24
• </c><00:24:50.440><c> and</c> fully credentialed in all insurances and fully credentialed in all insurances
• the ability to bill their insurance.
• the ability to bill their insurance.
• </c> any mother whether they have insurance any mother whether they have insurance or<02:26:13.520><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Health and Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard two midwifery bills, with testimony focused primarily on HB 1194. Committee chairs opened the hearing with rules for Zoom testimony and noted the bills relate to midwives. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs said it supported the intent of HB 1194 and offered comments. Supporters of the bill, including the Midwives Alliance of Hawaii, argued that midwifery should remain subject to mandatory licensure to protect consumer safety, citing the state’s regulatory licensing standards and a 2025 state auditor sunset analysis. They said the bill would strengthen educational standards and public protection, and some offered clarifying amendments. Opponents argued HB 1194 would restrict access to care and fail to protect traditional, cultural, and community-based birth practices. Testifiers from the Hawaii Home Birth Task Force, the Hawaii Home Birth Collective, the Libertarian Party of Hawaii, the Center for Reproductive Rights, Pacific Birth Collective, and Papa Ola Lōkahi said the bill would limit licensure pathways, reduce access in rural and underserved areas, and burden Native Hawaiian and traditional practitioners. Several speakers said the measure could worsen Hawaii’s maternal health shortages, especially on Maui, and urged lawmakers to defer HB 1194 or instead advance HB 1328, which they said better protects practitioner access and cultural practices. The Hawaii affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives said it opposed HB 1194 because it did not align with national or state standards for certified midwives and could create conflicts with Medicaid reimbursement and prescriptive authority. The ACLU also opposed the measure, emphasizing reproductive rights, privacy, and the need to preserve apprenticeship pathways to licensure. No vote or final committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:16:05.920><c> for</c> excuse me, unemployment insurance for excuse me, unemployment insurance
• Two different taxes, but same insurance.
• </c> also a benefit because your insurance also a benefit because your insurance rates<01:42:40.320><
• I like this insurance cost is low. I mean, I get it. Um, why that would be is it...
• I just forgot what the insurance... there's different types of insurance.

Keywords: 910, house, all