Transcript Highlights:

• Under the federal HR1 law, one in every 20 Washingtonians are at risk of losing their insurance in the
• Under the federal HR1 law, one in every 20 Washingtonians are at risk of losing their insurance in the
• Attorney General's Office receives notice of transactions involving private equity and commercial insurers
• For the record, I'm Nico Jansen with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
• You've heard from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner today.

Summary: The committee first waived the five-day notice rule for five House bills, then held public hearings on several measures. On Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548, the committee heard staff and sponsor testimony on expanding health care merger notice requirements to the Attorney General, adding transactions involving majority ownership/control and asset sales, requiring public posting of notices, pausing closings until information requests are substantially complied with, and adding filing fees. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Attorney General’s Office, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, nurses, and patient advocates, said the bill would improve transparency and oversight of consolidation and private equity in health care; the Washington State Medical Association and Washington State Hospital Association were neutral after compromise language, though the hospital association raised concern about the added fees. The hearing closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 2333, which would allow candidates and elected officials to use campaign or surplus funds to reimburse personal security expenses related to threats tied to their public roles. The sponsor and several prosecutors described personal threats and argued the bill is needed to protect public servants, while public disclosure officials said current PDC processes and the state Address Confidentiality Program already provide some protections and cautioned against over-codifying agency discretion. Some testimony urged restoring earlier address-protection provisions, while county auditors said the revised bill removed operationally unworkable redaction language and was acceptable as amended. The bill had broad signed-in support and opposition, but no vote was taken. For Engrossed House Bill 1574, staff explained the bill would expand Good Samaritan-style protections for people seeking overdose help, bar arrest or conviction for possession in those circumstances, limit related penalties and forfeiture, and allow hospitals and other health facilities to distribute public health supplies without committing paraphernalia infractions. Supporters said it would save lives and improve access to drug checking and harm reduction services, while prosecutors and law enforcement groups said the bill was too broad, especially regarding arrest limits, protection-order violations, probation/parole, warrants, and civil forfeiture. The sponsor said the bill was intended to keep people alive and encourage calls for help. The committee also heard Engrossed House Bill 2156, which would let Attorney General investigators be designated limited authority peace officers to electronically serve search warrants in economic and financial crime cases; the AGO and retailers supported it as a tool against organized retail theft and wage theft, while sheriffs and police chiefs opposed it and urged added guardrails and deconfliction with local law enforcement. Finally, on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320, the committee heard a bill to regulate 3D-printed and digitally manufactured firearms and digital firearm manufacturing code. The sponsor and supporters, including students, pediatricians, and a gun-violence survivor’s family member, said it was needed to address untraceable ghost guns and keep pace with technology, while opponents argued the bill was overbroad, raised constitutional concerns, and targeted files and speech rather than criminal conduct. No votes were taken in the hearing excerpts provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• some of these folks that have commercial uh businesses and they use a house like for instance an insurance
• some of these folks that have commercial uh businesses and they use a house like for instance an insurance
• some of these folks that have commercial uh businesses and they use a house like for instance an insurance
• some of these folks that have commercial uh businesses and they use a house like for instance an insurance
• some of these folks that have commercial uh businesses and they use a house like for instance an insurance

Bills: SF0024

Committee: Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• high-capacity magazines, and they want to ensure that there's a human doctor involved in denials by health insurance
• high-capacity magazines, and they want to ensure that there's a human doctor involved in denials by health insurance
• high-capacity magazines, and they want to ensure that there's a human doctor involved in denials by health insurance
• doctor involved in denials<00:15:27.680><c> by</c><00:15:28.240><c> health</c><00:15:28.480><c> insurance
• </c> denials by health insurance companies. denials by health insurance companies.

Summary: House Republican leaders outlined their agenda for the tied legislative session, saying their priorities are to stop fraud, make Minnesota more affordable, safer, and more competitive, and reduce mandates while raising education standards. They highlighted several planned bills, including an independent inspector general (HF 1), a “Fraud Isn’t Free” measure to impose consequences on agencies and commissioners that allow fraud, and statutory guidelines for high-fraud-risk programs. They also said they want to lower health care costs through a permanent reinsurance program and cost defrayal for new mandates, study property tax increases, conform state tax law to federal changes on tips, overtime, and scholarship tax credits, and avoid any tax increases. On public safety, Republicans said they will pursue tougher penalties for repeat offenders and repeat gun crimes, judicial accountability, and a school safety package that would support public and nonpublic schools, school safety personnel, and facility improvements. In education, they emphasized school choice tax credits, reading proficiency, and curriculum focused on basic academic fundamentals. They also said they want to protect and expand mining, reform permitting, end the nuclear moratorium, and make the state more attractive to businesses. On housing, one member said they are working on a more targeted affordable housing package rather than a broad sweeping bill. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on immigration and cooperation with federal authorities. Republicans said they want a statewide framework for local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, referencing House File 16 and saying they are open to changes and bipartisan work. They argued that local and state cooperation would improve safety and prevent situations where criminal suspects are released into the community. They also said Democrats have blocked similar efforts in committee and on the House floor. In response to questions, leaders said there is no current appetite for sports betting, bonding will be discussed but there are no promises, and they do not support the 2024 omnibus bill model. They said they are not interested in vaccine mandates, but will consider Medicaid funding impacts and other health-related proposals if bills are introduced. They also said election integrity measures such as voter ID, provisional ballots, and voter-roll cleanup will remain priorities. Throughout, leaders said they expect a bipartisan process in the tied House and expressed hope that both parties can work together on some issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is nothing in the current budget to pay down unemployment insurance, which, because we have such
• California did not, and because of that, unemployment insurance premiums will continue to rise for our
• There is nothing in the current budget to pay down unemployment insurance, which, because we have such
• California did not, and because of that, unemployment insurance premiums will continue to rise for our
• People are losing their insurance and having to go on Medi-Cal.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unemployment insurance is housed under the Department of Workforce Services.
• What this does is measure the adequacy of the unemployment insurance fund in preparation for any type
• Just a couple performance measures: unemployment insurance has an error rate.
• Essentially, we determine eligibility and issue the benefit, whether that be unemployment insurance,
• So we weren't able to, as an example, publish the unemployment insurance or the unemployment rate for

Committee: Joint Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• , some legal costs, and some federal funds authority. ...break down into marine insurance, some legal
• Jessica Chichino, the Senior Vice President for Behavior and Infrastructure Research at the Insurance
• I am with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• We're based in Virginia, and we're sponsored entirely by auto insurers, with the mission of reducing
• And once you build it, you're going to be paying insurance, electrical.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The committee began with a transportation budget and revenue overview from Haley Gamble and Brian Moore. They reviewed the 2025-27 adopted transportation budget, noting $15.5 billion in expenditures, with the Department of Transportation making up the largest share. They said the 2025 session’s new revenues, including the fuel tax increase and other fee changes, allowed the committee to move from projected structural deficits to a balanced four-year plan, while preserving major programs such as culverts, ferry timing adjustments, highway preservation, and local maintenance funding. They also discussed updated revenue forecasts, including a modest downward revision in fuel consumption and uncertainty around some revenue sources, but said overall revenues remain stronger than previously projected. Committee members asked for more detail on dedicated funds, regional fuel tax patterns, and whether preservation needs could be supported through bonding. The committee then heard a remote presentation from Dr. Jessica Chichino of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on traffic safety trends and countermeasures. She described the group’s “30 by 30” goal to reduce traffic fatalities 30% by 2030, citing increases in deaths for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and comparing U.S. fatality rates unfavorably with other high-income countries. Her presentation emphasized speed management, impaired driving enforcement, safer roadway design, and pedestrian protections such as lower speed limits, speed cameras, traffic calming, roundabouts, better lighting, and pedestrian beacons. She also highlighted research showing that larger vehicles increase pedestrian risk and discussed Bellevue pilot projects using smart signal technology that reduced near misses. No action was taken on the presentation. In the final work session item, Barb Chamberlain of WSDOT and Justin Leighton of the Washington State Transit Association discussed potential transit and active transportation grant programs that had been proposed but not enacted in 2025. Chamberlain explained how new grant programs require runway time, staff capacity, and clear program design, and contrasted “projects first, funding after” with “funding first, projects after” approaches. She addressed the proposed Senior Transportation Emphasis Program and regional trails/cycle highways concepts, noting questions about eligibility, scoring, and how such projects would fit with existing active transportation and preservation work. Leighton reviewed the state’s transit grant portfolio and argued that a transit safety and security grant could help agencies fund operator barriers, lighting, shelters, behavioral health support, and non-uniformed security staff. He also raised concerns about sales tax treatment of security contracts, staffing shortages, federal uncertainty, CDL non-domicile issues, and long procurement timelines for buses. The committee asked questions about definitions, program purpose, and implementation challenges, but did not take any votes or formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those costs will in some way or another be passed on to individuals with private health insurance.
• Those costs will in some way or another be passed on to individuals with private health insurance.
• We are looking at more safety net insurance, $0.50 a week, for OOMG! For more than $0.16 per week.
• But that's a very typical thing in insurance, to avoid people coming back when they're really sick or
• just want to clarify how many of those individuals who will still qualify will actually get that insurance

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• which allows patients to pay an agreed-upon fee directly to a physician without interference from insurance
• It would allow primary care without involving insurance.
• So Ivy Texas charges a person's credit card, usually cash or credit card; insurance does not pay for
• Some facilities do, so insurance doesn't pay for it.
• I believe he's covered under that and his own malpractice insurance, as far as my understanding goes.

Bills: HB 1106 , HB3284 , HB541 , HB713 , HB1403 , HB1586 , HB1942 , HB2070 , HB2844 , HB2851 , HB3151 , HB3749 , HB3940 , HB3963 , HB4454 , HB4466 , HB4795 , HB5154 , HB5394 , SB1357 , HB 1052 , HB4099 , HB4638 , HB5147

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• The HPD is currently receiving prescription drug data from health plans and insurers, including pharmacy
• mandate for all PBMs that contract with either a licensed health plan or a California Department of Insurance
• licensed insurer.
• DMHC health plan or a California Department of Insurance licensed insurer.
• This proposal requires health plans and insurers to ensure the PBMs they contract with are licensed by

Transcript Highlights:

• It also makes sure that the insurance coverage question that was really the main point of what we discussed
• So the Insurance Federation knows about this, hasn't opposed it, because we're not changing that aspect
• So the Insurance Federation knows about this, hasn't opposed it, because we're not changing that aspect
• c><00:25:08.000><c> sure</c><00:25:08.279><c> that</c><00:25:08.440><c> the</c><00:25:08.600><c> insurance
• </c> also makes sure that the insurance also makes sure that the insurance coverage<00:25:09.600><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• rebuild the Troop I CDL facility that was destroyed by a tornado in May of 2024, and it's supported by insurance
• rebuild the Troop I CDL facility that was destroyed by a tornado in May of 2024, and it's supported by insurance
• The Troop I CDL facility that was destroyed by a tornado in May of 2024, and it's supported by insurance

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee considered several appropriation and fund transfer requests. In Section B, it approved temporary appropriations for the Department of Military to match a federal grant for design work at the 39th Brigade Headquarters, for State Police to rebuild the Troop I CDL facility damaged by a tornado, for State Police equipment replacements, and for DF&A to reclassify Rural Health Transformation Program contract costs. In Section C, it approved a $4.2 million Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act appropriation for the Department of Energy and Environment’s statewide energy plans and programs, with members asking for more detail on the grant uses. In Section D, it approved a $40 million transfer within the Department of Education from teacher salary equalization and school funding contingency to minimum teacher salary and raise, and in Section E it approved a $243,000 restricted reserve transfer for the Military Department’s National Guard matching funds. In Section F, the committee reviewed federal grant appropriations including $729,000 for the National Guard headquarters project, $35.6 million for workforce apprenticeship expansion, and $6.7 million in DOJ grants for extreme risk protection order programs, crisis intervention court proceedings, and gun violence reduction initiatives. Senators asked detailed questions about the DOJ grants, and DFA officials said Arkansas would use safeguards in grant agreements to ensure the funds would not be used to infringe Second Amendment rights. The committee then reviewed a small Department of Health pay plan appropriation for a critical staff member. During reports, members discussed the Department of Agriculture’s use of American Rescue Plan Act funds for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. Officials said the program is in its final year, with about 205 projects awarded and roughly 81 still under construction, and that the remaining funds are intended to finish existing projects rather than start new ones. After no further questions on the remaining reports, the meeting adjourned.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Now nearly 5,000 U.S. kids start them between 2017 and 2021 alone, a surge tracked by insurance claims
• 03:13:47.200><c> surge</c><03:13:47.760><c> tracked</c><03:13:48.120><c> by</c><03:13:48.279><c> insurance
• </c> 2021 alone surge tracked by insurance 2021 alone surge tracked by insurance claims<03:13:49.040>
• Among those communications is a discussion that medical necessity is only for insurance companies to
• companies to have the only for insurance companies to have the justification<04:23:36.239><c> to</c>

Committee: House Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs

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:

• Clerk will read: An act relating to travel insurance, effective January 1, 2027.
• This bill establishes the Washington Travel Insurance Act based on a model law published by the National
• Association of Insurance Commissioners.
• Travel insurance options are limited for Washingtonians, and I believe we will benefit from more product
• Please vote for this Washington Travel Insurance Act.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , HB2487 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5995 , SB5831 , SB6134 , SB6136 , SB6137 , HB2689 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5957 , SB5988 , SB5994 , SB6011 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151 , SB6244 , SB5420 , SB5868 , SB6044 , SB6132 , SJM8002

Summary: The House received a Senate message that Substitute House Bill 1570 had passed the Senate, then moved several bills from Rules to the second reading calendar, including Substitute Senate Bill 5242 on anaphylaxis medications in schools and Senate Bill 6132 on Inland Port District debt. The chamber then took up several bills, beginning with Senate Bill 5988 on Department of Health accreditation fee authority for opioid treatment programs. Amendment 2336 to cap the fee at $17,000 was debated at length but rejected, and a separate amendment to add safe-injection-site language was ruled out of scope. Senate Bill 5988 then passed 62-34. Substitute Senate Bill 6309 on enhanced municipal permitting tools for high-capacity transit projects drew multiple amendments focused on Sound Transit’s authority. Amendments to require written consent from abutting property owners, to add flood-zone and seismic/critical-area protections, and to address public-records issues were either rejected or ruled beyond scope, though the local government committee amendment was adopted. The bill passed 56-38. The House also passed Substitute Senate Bill 5886 on digital personality rights and Senate Bill 6136 on transparency in workers’ compensation rate-setting, both with strong bipartisan support. Later, the House passed a series of additional bills: Substitute Senate Bill 6034 codifying the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs; Gross Second Substitute Senate Bill 5395 on prior authorization reform, with remarks emphasizing limits on AI in health care decisions; Substitute Senate Bill 6248 creating the Washington Travel Insurance Act; Substitute Senate Bill 5720 establishing uniform consumer debt default judgment procedures; Senate Bill 5995 on port modernization funding and labor considerations; Senate Bill 6103 affecting rural hospitals; Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6110 creating a work group on e-motorcycles; Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5156 allowing smaller elevators to support accessible, more affordable housing; Substitute Senate Bill 6269 updating motor fuel definitions to include hydrogen; Substitute Senate Bill 6189 giving Thurston County more time to pursue an aquatics public facilities district; and Senate Bill 6134 requiring unemployment applicants to acknowledge repayment obligations if retroactive union pay is received. Most of these bills passed with large margins, and the House adjourned after completing final passage votes.

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

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