Transcript Highlights:

• Members, current law allows the insurance commissioner to conduct examinations of insurers to evaluate
• to avoid writing insurance.
• It's an old saying: the best surety and insurance is a surety in insurance.
• And for, we think it's a fairly simple: insurers want to sell insurance.
• They would sell insurance.

Summary: The committee heard three major insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen would give the Insurance Commissioner new authority to require insurers to implement corrective actions found in market conduct and financial exams, with penalties for failure to comply. Supporters, including Commissioner Ricardo Lara and his deputies, said current law leaves CDI without a direct way to compel remediation of repeated violations or obtain needed financial information, while opponents argued the bill expands CDI authority too far, could duplicate existing penalties, and should be limited to legal violations rather than recommendations. After discussion, members and the author agreed to narrow the bill through amendments, including tying it to legal violations, applying penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarifying accounting language; the committee then passed the bill 5-1 to Appropriations, with one member on call. SB 1301, also by Senator Allen, would reform residential property insurance non-renewals by requiring clearer written explanations, giving homeowners a chance to mitigate correctable issues, and prohibiting certain unfair non-renewal bases such as claims below deductible or claims not paid by the insurer. The author and supporters said Californians face unusually high non-renewal rates and often receive vague notices that make it hard to keep coverage, while opponents warned the bill’s original 180-day notice period and reporting requirements were too burdensome and could worsen availability. Senator Richardson said he would support the bill after the author agreed to reduce the notice period to about three months and continue working on a mitigation-based process; the committee then approved the bill 4-1, with one member on call. The committee also considered SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez, which would strengthen regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing CDI to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, expanding prohibited conduct, and tightening insurance and appointment requirements. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the 2022 licensing law left loopholes that allow misconduct to continue and that the bill would improve public safety and accountability. Opponents from the bail industry and crime victims groups argued the bill requires unavailable or impractical insurance coverage, including coverage for willful acts, and could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. Members raised concerns about the insurance language and availability, and the author said the bill was still being worked on with opposition; the committee passed it 4-1, with one member on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would let the Attorney General seek recovery from fossil fuel companies for climate-related costs affecting the Fair Plan and private policyholders. The author said Californians are paying rising insurance and disaster costs while fossil fuel companies that contributed to climate change are not, and witnesses from flood and wildfire communities and climate policy experts supported the bill as a way to fund recovery and resilience. Opponents, including business and labor representatives, argued the bill would impose broad liability, invite litigation, and harm jobs and energy affordability. The hearing included extensive testimony, but no vote was taken on SB 982 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you to the insurance industry stakeholders and to the Department of Insurance, who...
• insurance with more than one insurance company—independent agents.
• insurance with more than one insurance company—independent agents.
• of insurance.
• So-called insurance interrupters are starting to sell insurance products more and more.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on insurance transparency, claims handling, privacy, and regulatory enforcement. SB 877 and SB 878 by Senator Pérez addressed post-disaster claims practices: SB 877 would require insurers to disclose original and revised loss estimates and related claim materials to policyholders, while SB 878 would add automatic interest penalties for delayed claim decisions or payments and require written identification of disputed items. Fire survivors, consumer groups, AARP, the Department of Insurance, and other advocates supported both bills, while insurer groups moved to neutral after amendments. Both bills were voted out on roll call and reported to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand data sharing and reporting to improve workforce program evaluation and help counties verify work requirements for Medi-Cal and CalFresh using employer-reported hours worked. County officials, workforce advocates, and the Department of Insurance supported the measure, and no opposition was heard. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Committee on Labor and Employment. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, presented with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the commissioner stronger enforcement tools to require insurers to carry out corrective actions identified in market conduct examinations, including fines and hearings for noncompliance. The commissioner and author said the bill would close an enforcement gap and improve accountability; there was no opposition testimony, but the bill was left on call after the roll. The committee also heard SB 354 on insurance privacy, presented by Senator Padilla on behalf of Pro Tem Limón, which would modernize insurance privacy rules by expanding consumer rights over personal data, limiting sale and use of sensitive information, and increasing disclosure requirements. Supporters said the bill updates outdated 1980s-era rules, while insurers, agents, and business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance burdens, and small-business impacts. Members indicated the bill was still being negotiated and would return in a revised form in the Privacy Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Casualty Insurance Association, and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.
• insurance adjuster.
• There are two types of insurance companies that write property insurance across the country.
• , particularly life insurance.
• insurance regulators.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on a wide range of insurance-related bills. Topics included public adjusters (H. 1100/S. 785), electronic cancellation notices (H. 1123/S. 701), insurance rebates and loss-mitigation devices (H. 1233), flood hazard determinations (H. 1087 and related flood bills), organ donor insurance protections (H. 1248/S. 727), mental health parity in disability policies (S. 780), motor vehicle service contracts (H. 1139/S. 812), modernization of business-to-business insurance transactions (H. 1105), and a bill changing the GIC withdrawal notice deadline (H. 1150). Committee chairs set a three-minute testimony limit and heard from legislators, industry representatives, advocates, and affected consumers. Testimony on public adjusters was sharply divided. Insurance agents and property-casualty industry representatives argued that bills barring insurers from prohibiting public adjusters would interfere with policy terms, while public adjusters and several consumers described cases where adjusters helped secure substantially higher settlements and said some surplus lines policies already contain anti-public-adjuster endorsements. On electronic notices, the insurance industry supported consumer opt-in email communications, while agents warned that email-only cancellation notices could cause consumers to miss cancellations. On rebates/loss mitigation, insurers supported allowing risk-mitigation devices outside the policy to encourage innovation, while agents opposed the bill as an improper inducement. Flood-related bills drew opposition from insurers who said flood determinations are complex and federally governed. The committee also heard strong support for organ donor protections from a kidney transplant recipient and the American Kidney Fund, who said the bill would prevent insurance discrimination against living donors and could encourage more donations. On disability parity, a disability insurance specialist opposed S. 780, arguing that mental health limitations are a consumer choice that helps keep coverage affordable, while the bill’s sponsor said it would prevent unequal limits on behavioral health claims. The committee also heard support for H. 1139/S. 812 from the service contract industry, and support for H. 1105 from APCIA as a modernization measure for specialty commercial lines. No votes were taken; after testimony concluded, the chairs closed the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So current law allows the insurance commissioner to conduct examinations of insurers to evaluate their
• It's an old saying: the best surety and insurance is a surety in insurance.
• lot of insurers left.
• And we think it's a fairly simple thing: insurers want to sell insurance.
• They would sell insurance.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several insurance-related bills. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, sponsored by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the Department of Insurance stronger enforcement tools when insurers fail to implement corrective actions identified in market conduct or financial examinations. Supporters said the bill would close gaps that allow repeated violations, improve solvency oversight, and protect policyholders; opponents argued CDI already has broad authority and raised concerns about duplicative penalties, due process, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed amendments to limit the bill to legal violations rather than recommendations, apply penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarify accounting language. The committee voted to send SB 1209 to Appropriations, with the bill placed on call after a roll vote that included one no vote from Senator Niello. The committee also considered SB 1301, which would require more detailed non-renewal notices for residential property insurance, give policyholders time and information to address correctable issues, and restrict certain non-renewal reasons such as claims below deductible or not covered by the policy. Support came from homeowners, fire survivors, and consumer groups who said notices are often vague and leave families unable to keep coverage; insurers opposed the bill, warning that California’s notice period is already among the longest in the country and that the bill could worsen availability and add burdensome reporting requirements. The author said he was willing to reduce the notice period from 180 days to about three months and work on a mitigation-based process. The committee passed the bill to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the item placed on call. SB 1026 by Senator Gonzalez would tighten regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing the Department of Insurance to suspend or revoke licenses without a criminal conviction, adding conduct restrictions, and requiring continuous liability coverage and proper appointment notices. Supporters, including Commissioner Lara, said the bill addresses serious misconduct and loopholes that have led to unsafe conduct and weak oversight. Bail industry representatives and crime victims’ advocates opposed the measure, arguing that the required insurance coverage is unavailable or unlawful as written, that the bill would be hard to comply with, and that it could reduce the number of recovery agents and delay justice. The committee moved SB 1026 to Appropriations, with Senator Niello voting no and the bill placed on call. The committee then heard SB 982 by Senator Wiener, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which would authorize the Attorney General to sue fossil fuel companies to recover costs tied to climate disasters and insurance losses, with supporters framing it as a way to shift some climate-related costs away from policyholders and taxpayers. The author said amendments would remove retroactivity and delay liability until 2032, while supporters from flood and wildfire survivor groups and climate organizations said the bill would help fund recovery and stabilize insurance costs. Opponents from industry and building trades argued the bill was legally vulnerable, would create a de facto tax or liability scheme, and could harm jobs, energy production, and affordability. Testimony on SB 982 was extensive, but the transcript ends before any committee vote or final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance cannot do it alone. And let me say this again: insurance cannot do it alone.
• Insurance cannot do it alone. Insurance cannot solely rebuild entire communities and cities.
• in the homeowners space, Mercury Insurance; the number three insurer, CSAA Insurance Group; the number
• to keep California insured.
• and other commercial insurers such as Zurich Insurance and AF Group.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy (SIS), with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara providing a detailed update on implementation after the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Lara said the strategy has helped stabilize the market, speed claims payments, and keep insurers in California, citing $22.4 billion paid to wildfire survivors, 94% of 4,121 claims paid fully or partially, $210 million returned through department investigations, and a 27% reduction in claim closure time. He said major insurers, including Mercury, CSAA, USAA companies, Pacific Specialty, and California Casualty, have filed under SIS, with several more filings pending, and that approvals have generally been completed within 100 days of public notice. He also discussed modernization of rate review, a new data reconciliation tool, a planned regulation to require rate reviews within 60 days plus a possible 30-day extension, and ongoing work on Fair Plan oversight, wildfire risk modeling, and mitigation standards such as Zone Zero. Committee members focused on wildfire survivor non-renewals, Fair Plan growth, claim handling timelines, and whether new legislative proposals could help or hinder market stability. Lara said visible consumer relief should begin in 12 to 24 months, with broader market stabilization expected over three to five years, and emphasized that mitigation, faster rate review, and insurer participation are key to reducing reliance on the Fair Plan. He also highlighted his 22-bill package, including SB 876 on disaster claims handling, AB 1795 on smoke damage standards, AB 1680 on Fair Plan accountability, and reforms to the intervener process. Members raised concerns about balancing consumer protections with insurer participation, and Lara said the Legislature should weigh those tradeoffs through the committee process. Public commenters were divided but generally acknowledged the importance of the issue. Consumer and survivor advocates argued that insurers still delay or underpay claims and that more protections are needed, while industry representatives praised the department’s work and urged caution so the new system is not undermined. Several speakers stressed the need for mitigation, Zone Zero rules, and adequate rates, while others warned that wildfire and liability insurance problems are affecting foster care providers, commercial coverage, and utility wildfire costs. The hearing concluded with the committee adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sustainable Insurance Strategy.
• stabilize the insurance market and incentivize insurers to write policies in California.
• that the insurance...
• commercial insurance, but we also have to mitigate risk for insurance companies as well, right?
• do I need insurance?

Summary: The committee first heard AB 597, a bill to strengthen consumer protections for disaster survivors who use public adjusters. The author and the Department of Insurance said the measure would cap public adjuster fees at 15% for claims tied to declared disasters, require clearer contracts, prohibit solicitation during emergency conditions, and allow consumers to rescind contracts that were solicited during prohibited periods. Insurance industry groups supported the bill, while public adjuster representatives opposed it as written but said they were willing to work on revisions. The committee approved the bill and re-referred it to Appropriations; the roll call was ultimately recorded as 16-0. The committee then held its fourth oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, with Commissioner Ricardo Lara giving an extensive update on wildfire-related market reforms and consumer protections. He said the recent Southern California wildfires had not derailed the strategy and described actions including advance claim payments, a one-year moratorium on residential non-renewals in affected areas, a new fraud strike team, smoke-damage claim guidance, additional living expense protections, and a consumer claims tracker. He reported more than $12.1 billion in claims paid, over 37,000 claims filed, and more than 7,000 survivors assisted directly. He also discussed related bills and reforms, including AB 597, SB 495, SB 547, SB 429, SB 616, AB 888, and AB 2026. Members questioned the commissioner about the Fair Plan’s growing exposure, the $1 billion assessment, rate increases, non-renewals, underinsurance, and whether the reforms would actually stabilize the market. Lara said the assessment was already approved, that policyholders would not be hit with one large bill because insurers have two years to recover costs, and that the department was pushing insurers to use catastrophe modeling and reinsurance tools in exchange for commitments to write more policies in wildfire-distressed areas. He said the department expects to see market stabilization by 2026, though he emphasized the timeline depends on insurer participation, implementation of the new regulations, and future disaster activity. Members generally expressed support for the goals of the strategy while pressing for clearer expectations for consumers and faster action on mitigation and market reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are several reasons why insurers might not report insurance claims as required.
• Many insurers partner with CSMF, Insurance companies in Washington's behalf.
• with an insurance claim.
• This is an audit conducted by insurance regulators to confirm an insurer is complying with insurance
• against the insurer.

Summary: At the June 4, 2025 JLARC I-900 Subcommittee hearing, the State Auditor’s Office presented a performance audit on Washington’s child support insurance intercept law. The audit reviewed the mandatory reporting system for insurance claims tied to past-due child support, noting that collections increased after the law took effect in 2022, but that some eligible claims still are not being reported. Auditors said DCS learns about roughly 1 in 10 claims through other channels, and that insurers may miss reporting because they are unaware of the law, make administrative errors, or misunderstand the $500 threshold and timing requirements. The audit recommended that the Office of the Insurance Commissioner help educate insurers by adding information to its website and sharing insurer contact contacts with DCS, and also recommended that the Legislature amend the law to create monitoring and enforcement authority. The auditor said neither DCS nor OIC currently has authority to monitor compliance or take action against noncompliant insurers, though other states use insurance regulators or market conduct exams for this purpose. Committee members asked about possible coordinated enforcement between DSHS and OIC, which the auditor said was beyond the scope of the audit but could be considered by the Legislature. An OIC representative said the commissioner is willing to help educate insurers, post information on the OIC website, and share contact information with DSHS, and that the agency is open to further discussion. No public testimony was offered, and no votes or formal committee actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the California Assembly Insurance Committee oversight hearing of the Department of Insurance
• This is the sixth hearing that we've held focused on the Insurance Commissioner's Sustainable Insurance
• Insurance cannot do it alone. And let me say this again: insurance cannot do it alone.
• in the homeowner space, Mercury Insurance; the number three insurer, CSAA Insurance Group; the number
• to keep California insured.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to House Insurance.
• , health insurance, property insurance, et cetera.
• Insurance fraud.
• Presented an insurance card.
• his insurance.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance, property insurance, et cetera.
• Presented an insurance card.
• his insurance.
• Presented an insurance card.
• his insurance.

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on March 18 and first took up House Bill 739, which would clarify the Department of Insurance’s authority to investigate insurance fraud, issue cease-and-desist orders against unlicensed actors, and work with law enforcement. The sponsor and department said the bill was meant to address ambiguity identified in recent administrative rulings. The committee adopted two amendment sets, including language requested by the Division of Administrative Law to route appeals through the Administrative Procedures Act and a clarification that the bill does not apply to lawyers lawfully engaged in the practice of law, while preserving authority over attorneys acting outside that role. HB 739 was reported favorably as amended. The committee then advanced House Bill 413, which prohibits property and casualty insurers from increasing auto rates solely because of a catastrophe claim on a homeowner’s policy, with an exception for multi-line policies. The sponsor and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple said the bill is intended to protect consumers and prevent one line of coverage from being penalized by a claim on another line. After a brief clarification about bundled policies, HB 413 was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on House Bill 234, which continues the Department of Insurance for another five years, and House Bill 850, a cleanup measure updating the standard fire policy’s cancellation notice period from 30 to 60 days to match prior law changes. The longest discussion centered on House Bill 174, as substituted, which would allow law enforcement to impound out-of-state vehicles when the driver cannot provide required bodily injury liability insurance, treating out-of-state drivers more like Louisiana drivers. Members raised concerns about how insurance would be verified, whether all states participate in electronic verification systems, and what safeguards exist when proof of insurance is unavailable or outdated. Testimony from State Police and OMV explained current verification practices, the limits of interstate data sharing, and existing officer discretion and exceptions for safety. Supporters argued the bill would improve fairness, reduce uninsured driving, and help lower costs for Louisiana residents. The committee adopted the substitute and reported HB 174 favorably by substitute. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance with more than one insurance company: independent agents.
• of insurance.
• Yeah, if I may, I agree the insurance should be regulated by the insurance commissioner.
• So-called insurance interrupters are starting to sell insurance products more and more.
• able to access insurance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> out and get their own insurance policy. out and get their own insurance policy.
• The question has come up, well, is this insurance and should it be regulated as insurance?
• The question has come up, well, is this insurance and should it be regulated as insurance?
• You’re not offering this as insurance, and you won’t be regulated as an insurance company.
• </c> the department of insurance signed off. the department of insurance signed off.

Bills: HB300, HB40, SB19, HB283, HB179, HB296, HB300, HB40, SB19, HB283, HB179, HB296

Keywords: HB300, Choctaw County, probate court, probate judge, recording fee, filing fee, deed tax, mortgage tax, deeds, mortgages, property records, recordation, county local act, local legislation, technology upgrades, digitalization of records, recordkeeping, county treasury, special fund, court administration

Transcript Highlights:

• WITH THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSURANCE, MEDICAL, APPEAR WE TALK ABOUT PROPERTY INSURANCE, LIFE INSURANCE
• PROPERTY INSURANCE CURRENTLY USE AI MORE THAN, FOR EXAMPLE, MEDICAL INSURANCE?
• PROPERTY INSURANCE VERSUS A MALPRACTICE INSURANCE. RIGHT?
• INSURER.
• INSURANCE BEFORE.

Transcript Highlights:

• casualty insurance, plus about 20% of the health insurance. insurance market.
• as determined by the insurer. insurer.
• The FAIR plan is Texas's residual insurer for homeowners insurance.
• TDI's Fraud Unit protects Texans from insurance fraud and enforces the Texas insurance laws.
• Those are the total insured value, yes. Insured values, but.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While the Sustainable Insurance Strategy continues to build momentum, continued wildfire risk, insurer
• AB 1559 requires insurers to provide notice before collecting aerial images of a residential insurance
• Life insurance is designed to insure people who are healthy and have modest impairments.
• Insurance consumers.
• insurance commissioner.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got the insurance company, but then you have the insured.
• insurance company based on some involvement with the insured.
• They purchased an insured— the insured. A $25,000 policy.
• I work for our insurance because we're a member-owned insurance organization.
• I work for our insurance because we're a member-owned insurance organization.

Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session and voted do pass on House Bill 2717 by a 7-0 vote. It then adopted a House Committee substitute for House Bill 2465, described as changing a number from two to one, and passed the substitute bill 8-0. The committee also adopted an amendment and House Committee substitute for House Bill 1791, which adds an emergency permit provision allowing a 30-day extension to obtain a full permit, and passed that substitute 8-0. Representative Manser raised a question about whether the bill would align with federal disaster recovery grant requirements, and the chair said he would look into it further. The committee then heard House Bill 2927, which would revise Missouri’s bad faith/time-limited settlement demand statute. Sponsor Representative Parker said the bill is intended to clarify that settlement demands used to support extra-contractual or bad faith claims must be in writing, remain open for at least 90 days, and reference the statute. Supporters, including representatives of the Missouri Insurance Coalition, Shelter Insurance, and health care and business groups, said the bill closes a loophole created when plaintiffs avoid the current “time-limited demand” language and instead use untimed or vaguely timed demands, which they argued increases litigation and insurance costs. Opponents, including attorney Blake Marcus, argued the bill would make it harder for injured people and policyholders to hold insurers accountable, would encourage delay, and would increase the need to hire lawyers earlier. No vote was taken on HB 2927 in the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2057, a technical fix for an entertainment district in Osage Beach. Representative Vernetti said the bill corrects language from last year’s legislation after the Senate used the wrong population figure, and supporters said it would allow patrons to move between venues within the district under controlled alcohol rules similar to other Missouri entertainment zones. The committee then heard House Bill 1707, which would exempt credit card surcharge amounts from sales tax. Sponsor Representative Coleman and supporters from the business community said the Department of Revenue has been taxing these surcharges in audits, creating a burden for small businesses, and that the bill would clarify that fees tied to the extension of credit are not taxable. The committee adjourned after the hearings, and no further votes were taken on those bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• lines insurers.
• In 2024, our insurance rates rose again to $279,000 for just property insurance.
• ... ...insurance product.
• or an insurance model.
• , and insurers themselves.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee and heard several bills focused on insurance transparency, wildfire mitigation, market access, and workforce issues. AB 75 would require insurers to give homeowners 30 days’ notice before collecting aerial images of their property and allow homeowners to review those images; supporters said it would improve privacy and prevent inaccurate non-renewals, while consumer and industry groups both sought amendments. AB 234 would add the Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro Tem, or designees, as non-voting members on the California FAIR Plan governing committee; the Department of Insurance supported it as an oversight measure, while Consumer Federation of California said it was only a small first step toward broader transparency reforms. AB 428 would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance, with supporters citing rising insurance costs for small water systems and no remaining opposition after amendments. AB 943 would streamline producer pre-licensing education by removing the 20-hour per-line requirement while keeping ethics training; industry sponsors said it would reduce barriers to entry, while consumer advocates warned it could lower professional standards. AB 1209 would create a pathway for cannabis employers to secure workers’ compensation coverage and related services through a state-coordinated network; supporters said it would help bring the industry into compliance, while one member raised concerns about creating a special carveout for a federally restricted industry. AB 1 would require periodic review of the state’s Safer from Wildfire regulations every five years, and it drew broad support from the department, insurers, local governments, and industry groups as a way to keep wildfire mitigation incentives current. The committee also took up a consent calendar including AB 69, AB 487, and AB 570, all of which were sent to Appropriations. The committee approved AB 75 to Privacy and Consumer Protection, AB 234 to the Assembly Floor, AB 428 to Local Government, AB 943 to Appropriations, AB 1209 to Business and Professions, and AB 1 to Appropriations. Most measures passed on strong or unanimous votes after members added coauthor requests and expressed support for the bills’ consumer protection, transparency, or wildfire-related goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got the insurance company, but then you have the insured.
• insurance company based on some involvement with the insured.
• They purchased an insured, the insured. $25,000 policy.
• I work for our insurance because we're a member-owned insurance organization.
• insurance industry.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• While the Sustainable Insurance Strategy continues to build momentum, continued wildfire risk, insurer
• AB 1559 requires insurers to provide notice before collecting aerial images of a residential insurance
• Life insurance is designed to insure people who are healthy and have modest impairments.
• of our insurance crisis.
• Insurance Commissioner.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy insurance-focused agenda, including special-order bills on wildfire mitigation, Fair Plan accountability, aerial imagery, genetic testing, and wildfire moratoriums. AB 1888 would require California Safe Homes Grant Program work to be performed by a skilled and trained workforce at prevailing wage; it drew support from the author, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and labor representatives, with no opposition heard. AB 1680, the “Make-It-Fair Act,” would impose accountability and consumer-protection reforms on the California FAIR Plan in response to Department of Insurance examination findings; it passed out on a do-pass motion to Appropriations, though the FAIR Plan Association remained opposed unless amended. AB 1559 would require notice and access rights when insurers use aerial images of homes and allow in-person inspection requests; it passed on a do-pass motion to Privacy and Consumer Protection, with broad support and one “concern” witness. The committee also took up AB 1798, which would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information, including direct-to-consumer genetic testing, for underwriting below a $1.5 million coverage threshold. Supporters, including the author, the Insurance Commissioner, the ALS Association, and several consumer and biotech groups, argued the bill would reduce fear of genetic discrimination and encourage testing and research. Opponents from life insurance and financial advisor groups argued the bill could impair risk-based underwriting and raise premiums, especially in the middle market. After extensive back-and-forth on the distinction between predictive genetic data and doctor-assessed medical risk, the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection on a do-pass vote, with several members voting no. AB 2038 would extend wildfire-related nonrenewal moratoriums from two to three years for total-loss homes and from one to two years for homes in and around fire zones. Supporters said the change better matches the real rebuilding timeline after major fires and protects displaced homeowners from losing coverage while rebuilding. Insurers and trade groups opposed the measure, warning that longer moratoriums could force carriers to reduce exposure elsewhere and worsen the broader availability crisis. The bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote. The committee also approved AB 1800, which adds eyewear to portable electronics insurance coverage, and moved a consent calendar of additional bills, including AB 1554, AB 1683, AB 1781, and AB 2471. Later, AB 2198 was introduced to clarify title-rate filing responsibilities between title insurers and underwritten title companies and to require rate schedules to be posted publicly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance premiums.
• homeowners insurance and now auto insurance as well.
• homeowners insurance and now auto insurance as well.
• and insurance at FSU.
• and to get insurance.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting on homeowners property insurance, with members from both parties introducing themselves and repeatedly noting that insurance affordability, roof condition, claims handling, and storm recovery are top concerns for their districts. Chair Yeager said the meeting was intended as an educational discussion rather than a legislative debate, and introduced a panel that included Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski, consumer Chad Carr, agent Mary Catherine Lawler, insurer executive Melissa Burt DeVries, and policyholder attorney Chip Merlin. The panel and members discussed major cost drivers in Florida homeowners insurance, including inflation, home age, roof age, mitigation features, claims history, litigation costs, reinsurance, and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. Commissioner Yaworski said underwriting has become more sophisticated and that litigation costs, reinsurance, and replacement-cost inflation all affect premiums; he also said litigation is down about 30% and average requested rate increases have fallen from about 22.1% in 2022 to 0.8% today. DeVries said age of home, replacement cost, roof age, and coverage choices can materially change premiums, and explained that reinsurance is a major expense passed through to consumers. Merlin emphasized transparency concerns, argued that insurers are increasingly individualizing risk, and said consumers often struggle with coverage limits, deductibles, and claim denials. Members asked about flood coverage, hurricane deductibles, managed repair programs, mitigation credits, new insurer capitalization, and whether savings from reforms are reaching consumers. Yaworski explained that flood is generally excluded from homeowners policies and covered separately, that hurricane deductibles are mandatory in Florida and usually around 5%, and that the office tracks savings from reforms through rate filings and insurer discussions. He said the state is updating mitigation discounts and monitoring new entrants closely for solvency and market conduct. Several members and panelists said recent reforms have helped reduce some abuses and litigation, but many consumers are still seeing higher premiums because replacement costs and reinsurance remain elevated. No votes or formal actions were taken.