Transcript Highlights:

• . $51.8 million in reported losses. 40% of those payments, so 40% of the $51.8 million, were facilitated
• is one way that the scammers do ask for payment.
• The impact to the consumer is estimated at $40,000 or $700 in increased premium payments.
• They get a commission, and then later on that policy cancels for non-payment.
• Reg E gives us specific guidelines on how we manage disputes and how we pay.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It mandates that owners have to pay prime general contractors within 35 days of a request for payment
• You're talking about on payment after? Yeah, because...
• That is what creates these enforcement disputes and resulting liabilities.
• Emper's proposed amnesty concepts to resolve pending disputes.
• I think what this bill is focusing on is the prompt payment deadline.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> preserving voluntary dispute preserving voluntary dispute resolutions. resolutions. resolutions.
• Nothing in this bill prevents parents from seeking professional help resolving disputes.
• Minnesota already has a statutory rule designed to address parenting disputes.
• </c> designed to address parenting disputes. designed to address parenting disputes.
• </c> as far as um there being similar payment as far as um there being similar payment structures<00:

Bills: HF3560, HF3295, HF2937, HF3540

Keywords: electronic signatures, estate planning, uniform law, legal documents, Minnesota statutes, open meeting law, transparency, public engagement, social media, government accountability, parenting consultant, parenting time, custody, family court, family law, neutral third party, alternative dispute resolution, child custody, visitation, parenting coordinator

Transcript Highlights:

• Dispute resolution methods for condominium-related disputes. First up, we have Cai in support.
• What if we were to just propose binding arbitration for all disputes?
• in condominium disputes, mediations, and litigation for 30 years.
• When we look at disputes between owners, we sometimes get confused that all disputes are the same.
• </c> a concern there's requests for payment a concern there's requests for payment before<01:15:47.760

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining testimony procedures and then heard SB 376 on tax credits, which would create a home fire safety improvement tax credit. Testimony from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi urged that the concept would be better handled as a subsidy program and raised drafting concerns about unclear definitions and eligibility. Later, the committees agreed to pass SB 376 with amendments, including making the credit nonrefundable, clarifying third-party certification, deleting recapture-related language, and making technical changes. Members then heard SB 417, which would make unlicensed contractor work during or within five years after an emergency or disaster a class B felony. The Contractors License Board was listed for comments, and the Subcontractors Association supported the measure. The committees ultimately recommended passage with technical, non-substantive amendments and an adjusted effective date, and the measure was adopted. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 782, which would require free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated people and prohibit state agencies from profiting from those services, while also directing the PUC to set standards and providing funding for the SAVIN victim notification program. Supporters, including the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Worth Rises, and others, argued the bill would reduce costs for families, improve reentry, and align adult corrections with the juvenile system. Opponents, including the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Hawaiʻi Paroling Authority, and SAVIN-related witnesses, warned that changing the funding structure could weaken victim notification and safety services. The committees deferred SB 782. The committee also heard SB 999 on fireworks, which would repeal permissible consumer fireworks uses, impose civil penalties and forfeiture remedies, and create a forfeiture special fund for safety education. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, while fireworks industry representatives and others opposed it, arguing prohibition would be ineffective and urging stronger enforcement and education instead. The committees deferred SB 999 for further consideration, and SB 1136 on insurance was also deferred after insurers and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed it. In the later joint session with the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, SB 744 on condominium loans was heard with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and banking groups, while one testifier raised concerns that the program could function like C-PACE financing and add risky debt to condominium associations; testimony and discussion continued on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• SINGLE NEUTRAL EVALUATIONS AND CONTINUED CARE FOR RETIREMENT COMMUNITY DISPUTES.
• UPON RECEIVING A COMPLAINT OR A DISPUTE FROM POLICYHOLDERS REGARDLESS OF THE INSURANCE USE OF AI OR HUMAN
• NOTED, WHEN WE RECEIVE A CONSUMER COMPLAINT, DIVISION WILL RESPOND IN THE SAME MANNER WHETHER THE DISPUTE
• IT MATTERS NOT TO US HOW THE DECISION WAS MADE THAT CAUSED THE DISPUTE WHEN A CONSUMER CONTACTS US.
• DID WE, IF WE DIDN'T, IF WE MISSED A PAYMENT OR WE WERE LATE ON A PAYMENT, WE NEED TO MAKE GOOD ON THAT

Transcript Highlights:

• Vague statutory language increases administrative burden, disciplinary disputes, and legal exposure.
• Vague statuary language increases administrative burden, disciplinary disputes, and legal exposure.
• Under the current access model, the payment gap is a significant problem.
• It simply ensures uninterrupted payment for care already being provided to vulnerable Arizonans.
• Switched over and actually start making the payments to the new owner.

Bills: SB1021, SB1144, SB1164, SB1178, SB1181, SB1241, SB1247, SB1286, SB1415, SCR1011

Keywords: health profession, regulatory boards, criminal activity, notification, auditor general, investigations, veterinary technicians, certification, education alternative, Arizona Revised Statutes, veterinary education, ALTCS, providers, ownership change, healthcare, Arizona Long Term Care System, naturopathic physician, naturopathic medicine, naturopathic doctor, naturopathic physicians medical board

Transcript Highlights:

• And the payment methods they used to extract money from them. And the state is interesting to me.
• And we run a dispute resolution program.
• , you won't have car insurance, your mortgage payment didn't go through.
• Basically, anything that can slow a consumer down before they make a payment or before that payment goes
• Or UPMIFA and the Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act, or TEDRA.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:21.200><c> Um</c> to facilitate dispute resolution. Um to facilitate dispute resolution.
• </c> the um the umbledman may provide dispute the um the umbledman may provide dispute resolution<00:
• They're not able to solve disputes.
• They're not able to solve disputes.
• They're not able to solve disputes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1058 by Parker, relating to the exclusion of certain securities transaction payments from
• Senate Bill 1066 by Perry, relating to requiring payment and performance bonds for certain public works
• Senate Bill 1129 by Middleton, relating to credit against required recapture payments for school districts
• Senate Bill 1130 by Middleton, relating to an alternative dispute resolution procedure regarding certain
• Senate Bill 1129 by Middleton relating to accredit against required recapture payments for school districts

Summary: The Senate met briefly and referred a large number of first-reading bills and resolutions to standing committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including hemp regulation, dementia research funding, parental rights and public education, municipal library funding, tax and local government issues, criminal justice, health care, education, transportation, natural resources, and election law. Several constitutional resolutions were also referred, including proposals related to the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and a severance tax revenue fund. Most of the transcript consists of the reading of bill captions and committee referrals, with no substantive debate or testimony recorded. The listed measures included proposals on school uniforms, charter schools, Medicaid fraud remedies, insurance practices, occupational licensing for people with criminal convictions, water and sewer utility cybersecurity, agricultural protections, public meeting broadcasting, and various local and state governance matters. No votes were taken on the bills in this segment. The only formal action reflected was referral of the bills and resolutions to the appropriate committees, followed by adjournment of the Senate until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have less claims, you have less payments, and if they have less payments, then they are able to
• The substitute bill provides relative to insurance claim disputes, to provide for the Louisiana Citizens
• To authorize the use of certain policy forms, to provide for claim settlement, to provide for dispute
• And for the last few years, I have primarily helped homeowners in disputed claims through the appraisal
• I'm not necessarily disputing that.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there parenting time disputes? Are there property disputes?
• Is there spousal support disputes?
• Is there parenting time disputes? Are there property disputes?
• Is there spousal support disputes?
• Is there parenting time disputes? Are there property disputes?

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Child Custody Review Task Force met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting minutes, and reviewed a memorandum compiling member suggestions for possible legislation. The memo grouped ideas into topics including creation of a family court, expanded education for parents, attorneys, and judges, expedited hearings for parenting-time violations, limiting law enforcement involvement in custody disputes, creating parenting time expediters, and adopting more uniform court procedures. Members also discussed whether to form subcommittees, but the task force decided to continue working as a full committee rather than create subcommittees at this time. The committee then heard testimony from Dr. John Perez, a mental health professional, who described his personal custody experience and his professional work with families he believes have been affected by parental alienation. He argued for stronger education, faster court response times, and better tools to address intentional interference with parenting time. Members questioned him about his case history, the concept of parental alienation, and whether specialized family courts or judges with family-law training could help. Dr. Perez said a dedicated family court and faster hearings would likely have helped his situation. The task force spent substantial time discussing the possible creation of a family court. Judge Hovey supported the idea of a specialized family court or at least a study of one, saying family cases are distinct from ordinary adversarial litigation and that judges with family-law experience could better handle them. Several members agreed that a family court could improve consistency, expertise, and speed, but others cautioned that the task force’s current directive is focused on enforcement of existing orders rather than broader custody policy, and noted that voters had previously rejected equal shared parenting proposals. The group also discussed expedited procedures for parenting-time disputes, with Judge Hovey suggesting a 30-day hearing timeline may be workable. On education, members generally supported requiring parents to complete a parenting education course and adding educational materials explaining court process, child support, and what judges can and cannot do. Mr. McLean suggested a short instructional video for litigants and more family-law education for judges and attorneys, while Ms. Moldenhauer said education could be incorporated into scheduling orders or mediation orders. Members also discussed the Parents Forever course, including whether it should be mandatory in all counties and whether cost is a barrier; no vote was taken on any of these proposals.

Transcript Highlights:

• the amount of a property insurance claim, policies have provided for an appraisal to resolve the dispute
• There is a trend to substitute arbitration for appraisal to resolve any dispute in the settlement of
• Requiring arbitration to be held in Texas doesn't solve everything in the dispute resolution world, but
• Next, they would allocate... ...credits and/or compliance payments.
• Consumers can dispute any errors or find alternate insurance without rushing.

Bills: SB388, SB455, SB917, SB925, SB1006

Keywords: dispatchable generation, electricity, natural gas, ERCOT, energy credits, utilities regulation, renewable energy, arbitration, insurance contracts, surplus lines, Texas law, insurance policy, boiler inspection, boiler safety, inspection report deadline, certificate inspection, authorized inspector, inspection agency, Health and Safety Code, board of boiler rules

Transcript Highlights:

• to designate a third party to receive notice of lapse or cancellation of the policy based on non-payment
• before the day on which coverage under an individual life insurance policy will lapse based on non-payment
• new 30-day notice required by the bill is only in the context of termination of coverage for non-payment
• Required by the bill is only in the context of termination of coverage for non-payment of premium, not
• of a premium, that it is not canceled right when they are... ...or non-payment of a premium, that it

Bills: HB2428, HB2399, HB2087, HB2629, HB2483, HB2477

Keywords: life insurance, policy lapse, policy cancellation, nonpayment of premium, premium grace period, lapse notice, termination notice, third-party notice, third-party designee, beneficiary protection, consumer protection, insurance regulation, insurer notice requirements, policyholder, beneficiary, Washington RCW, insurance code, unintentional lapse, coverage continuation, premium delinquency

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> directed payments facing out in 2028. directed payments facing out in 2028.
• Payments have started.
• </c><00:39:35.920><c> uh</c><00:39:36.079><c> disputes</c> course if there are dispute uh disputes course
• payment you get.
• And these payments may fall payments.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> condominium of an alternative dispute condominium of an alternative dispute resolution.
• </c><00:58:45.920><c> It's</c> bring a dispute uh to mediation.
• It's bring a dispute uh to mediation.
• </c><00:59:37.119><c> resolution,</c> of an alternate dispute resolution, of an alternate dispute resolution
• </c> respect to the application of payments respect to the application of payments that<01:01:56.720>

Bills: HB1991, HB1776, HB1897, HB1900

Keywords: liquor tax, alcohol, inflation adjustment, small craft breweries, public health, tenant rights, housing stability, landlord-tenant code, eviction prevention, multilingual resources, condominium, dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, attorneys' fees, common expenses, construction defects, building code, statute of repose, statute of limitations

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1991, which would change Hawaii’s liquor excise tax structure to an ABV-based system. The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii took no position and stood on written comments. Supporters, including the Hawaii Public Health Institute and an individual testifier who described surviving a drunk-driving crash, argued that higher alcohol taxes reduce alcohol-related harms, save lives, and generate additional state revenue. The public health witness cited alcohol-related harms as a major preventable cause of death and said the tax increase would have only a small annual cost for most consumers. Most industry testimony was in opposition. Representatives of Lanikai Brewing Company, Maui Brewing Company, the Wine Institute, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association said the bill would sharply raise taxes on beer and wine, squeeze already thin margins, and threaten local jobs and businesses. They argued Hawaii producers already face high costs for labor, energy, shipping, and compliance, and said an ABV-based tax would be difficult to administer, would require additional testing and labeling work, and could reduce consumer choice. Several industry witnesses urged lawmakers to instead adopt a small-producer or class 18 carveout, with one suggesting a cap tied to 60,000 barrels. Committee members questioned the brewers about alcohol content testing, labeling, and whether smaller producers already measure ABV. Witnesses said many local producers do not certify ABV for in-state sales, that yeast and fermentation can vary by batch, and that an ABV-based system could require more testing than current practice. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• life insurance policies include a grace period of one month, but not less than 30 days, within which payment
• The date of a default in the payment of any premium, unless the policy has been surrendered for its cash
• Policies for which payment of the premium is due monthly or more frequently, and term life insurance
• There's a dispute, first-party dispute... ...under IFCA if there's a violation of the practices.
• There's a dispute, first-party dispute. Yeah, all right, that's what I just want to clarify.

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three bills and then moved into a work session on insurance-related topics. House Bill 2428 would require life insurers to send advance written notice of an impending lapse or cancellation, including notice to a designated third party, and to provide proof of delivery; it would also require applicants to be told they may designate such a third party. The prime sponsor and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill as a consumer protection measure for older or vulnerable policyholders, while the life insurance industry supported the concept but requested a delayed implementation date and a small technical amendment. The committee then heard House Bill 2399, which would prohibit post-loss assignments of benefits in property insurance. Staff and the prime sponsor described the practice as allowing contractors to step into the policyholder’s shoes and potentially take control of claims, litigation, and settlement, often to the consumer’s detriment. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Washington State Association for Justice, PEMCO, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau all supported the bill, emphasizing consumer vulnerability after disasters and the risk of fraud or inflated claims. Members asked about steering by adjusters, alternative ways for homeowners to authorize others to help with claims, and the $50,000 per-violation penalty, which would go to the general fund. House Bill 2087 would enact a Washington Travel Insurance Act based on the NAIC model, creating a more detailed statutory framework for travel insurance licensing, travel retailers, travel administrators, disclosures, and prohibited sales practices. The sponsor and industry witnesses said the bill would expand consumer choice and standardize rules, while the Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the compromise language but raised a remaining concern about claims being adjusted by unlicensed adjusters. The Attorney General’s Office testified that the bill should not be read to supersede Washington’s anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws, and the sponsor said amendments were being worked on to address that concern. In the work session, OIC and Department of Natural Resources staff presented the wildfire mitigation and resiliency work group report. They said the group reached consensus on several areas, including the importance of community-level mitigation, better data sharing, improved transparency around wildfire-related nonrenewals and cancellations, and a voluntary grant program to help homeowners retrofit to IBHS wildfire-prepared standards. Members asked about leadership for the recommendations, overlap with existing programs, privacy concerns in data sharing, and how the proposals would fit with broader statewide wildfire planning. The committee also received a briefing on flood insurance markets and claims after the December atmospheric flooding event, with staff noting that private flood policies generally offer broader coverage than the federal NFIP, and that Washington had seen about 700 federal claims and roughly $18 million paid out so far.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'd like to pursue, if I could, the value-based payment arrangements that you're working on.
• If you're successful, and I'm sure you will... ...be in putting value-based payment programs and plans
• That was an incentive payment, as Centene called it, that they were giving to all states to As Centene
• Most of them are employment disputes. They are labor disputes of some type that come before PERC.
• Nevertheless, I recuse myself on their union disputes as well.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not prohibit the property owner from authorizing direct payment of insurance proceeds to the
• The next thing that happens is they can try to negotiate, but there's already a dispute.
• It's very unlikely that their negotiation is going to move or clear up the dispute over the scope or
• And we don't believe this is the best tool where the real issue is a dispute between the insurer and
• We don't believe this is the best tool where the real issue is a dispute between the insurer and the

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three Senate bills. SB 5831, the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, was explained by staff as creating safe harbors so certain mortgage modifications would not alter lien priority or require re-recording; the prime sponsor said it would reduce uncertainty and legal costs. No one testified on the bill. SB 6091, concerning real estate brokers marketing residential properties to exclusive groups, was described as requiring concurrent public marketing when brokers market to limited groups, while allowing private marketing so long as the public also has access; the sponsor and supporters said it would promote fair, open housing markets and reduce pocket listings that can reinforce exclusion. SB 6178, prohibiting post-loss assignment of benefits in property insurance, was presented as protecting homeowners after disasters from signing away policy rights to contractors; the sponsor, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, and the Washington State Association for Justice supported the bill, while discussion focused on whether the $50,000 penalty should distinguish between intentional and unintentional violations. For SB 6178, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner said it has seen more complaints about policyholders being pressured to sign documents before contacting insurers and said the bill would help keep homeowners in control of claims. Testifiers emphasized that contractors play an important role in repairs but should not take over first-party insurance claims, and one witness noted the bill would not prevent direct payment arrangements to contractors. Committee members asked about penalties and whether a cooling-off period or other alternatives might address concerns about good-faith contractors. For SB 6091, supporters including Zillow, Washington Realtors, Habitat for Humanity, Windermere, and the Fair Housing Center of Washington argued that exclusive or pocket listings can reduce transparency, limit competition, and worsen housing inequities. They said the bill still allows private marketing and open houses, but requires public availability as well, and does not force owners to allow access to their property. A rental housing representative asked for an amendment to remove a reference to leases, saying the bill should not unintentionally apply to rental providers who are not brokers. The committee closed public hearings on all three bills and ended the meeting with birthday recognition for two members.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all things that the court is now absorbing in our payment. We are...
• These are all things that the court is now absorbing in our payment.
• The disputes that are being resolved, the people that are being served, the first of...
• The disputes that are being resolved, the people that are being served, the folks who are coming into
• Those are people who have a dispute and need to resolve it. And that's what we are here for.

Summary: The Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee reviewed the Judicial Branch budget, beginning with the Court Operations division. Legislative staff outlined the branch’s structure, recent spending trends, technology upgrades funded with ARPA dollars, and FY26/FY27 budget changes, including judicial compensation increases, added judges in several districts, and a late request for $800,700 from a dedicated fund to cover senior magistrate retirement and purchase-of-service costs. Court officials explained that the retirement request was driven by an unusual number of magistrate retirements announced too late to include in the original budget, and they also described the impact of declining federal support and the need to shift some treatment-court and technology costs to other funding sources. Members asked about the holdback, the court’s cloud and network modernization, the purpose of senior judge purchase-of-service payments, and the effect of treatment courts on public safety and incarceration; no vote was taken. The committee then heard the Second Judicial District CASA/Guardian ad Litem request for $77,900 in general funds. The program said the money would support a trainer/recruiter/data supervisor position, required office and record space, annual financial review, and liability insurance, citing rural service needs, declining VOCA and grant funding, and the need to recruit and support volunteers across a large district. The executive director described the program’s statutory role in child protection cases and said fundraising now covers about 30% of the budget, taking time away from direct services. Members asked about the decline in VOCA funds, the number of children served, and examples of the program’s impact; the director gave a detailed success story about helping a family reunify. The hearing ended with no recorded appropriation action, and the chair adjourned the meeting until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> charge $5 for debit card payments charge $5 for debit card payments correct<00:24:58.960><c> uh<
• If they did a normal payment or send a check in and the check bounces, the consumer would be hit with
• I would imagine a normal loan payment might be 100 bucks.
• plan, and our kupuna and those who are financially not able to come up with those payments are either
• plan and our kapuna and those payment plan and our kapuna and those who<00:35:14.400><c> are</c><00:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several bills, with most measures drawing support from state boards, agencies, and industry groups. SB 102 (restaurants) had one supportive testifier and no questions. SB 1367 SD1 (installment loans) drew support from DCCA and other boards, but the chair raised concerns about a proposed $5 debit-card convenience fee, saying it seemed high and suggesting it might be amended downward; DCCA said it would check with industry on the likely impact. SB 1373 SD2 (administrative licensure action against sex offenders) received broad support from DCCA and multiple professional licensing boards, including psychology, physical therapy, naturopathic medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, massage therapy, nursing, optometry, barbering and cosmetology, the Hawaii Medical Board, and HPD. The committee then heard SB 1142 SD1 (insurance proceeds), which was supported by DCCA, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, AARP, Hawaiʻi Realtors, and the Hawaiʻi Insurers Council, while State Farm offered comments and the Hawaii Bankers Association opposed. Testimony focused on insurance access after the Lahaina wildfires and the need to address underinsured homeowners. The committee also discussed SB 144 SD2 (stabilization of property insurance), with support from the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, AARP, Hawaiʻi Realtors, and the Hawaiʻi Insurers Council, and comments from the Attorney General and DCCA Insurance Division about revising the financing structure and correcting bill language. Opponents and reservationed supporters argued the bill may not help if applicants can still obtain coverage at very high prices, while supporters said it would expand market capacity and provide a safety net as climate-related losses continue. Finally, SB 253 SD2 (condominium reserves) received support from Hawaiʻi Realtors, CI, and several individual testifiers. Supporters said it would enforce existing disclosure requirements under Act 199 and improve reserve funding transparency, while one individual argued stronger enforcement and an ombudsman-style office would be more effective. The chair reminded testifiers to stay on the bill at hand. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.