Transcript Highlights:

• Uh it talks about withdrawal management services and updates to the claims adjustment process and that
• </c> Uh it talks about withdrawal management Uh it talks about withdrawal management services<00:08:44.039
• </c> services and updates to the claims services and updates to the claims adjustment<00:08:46.400><c
• Withdrawal management programs often operate as an emergency service.
• Withdrawal management programs often operate as an emergency service.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 729, an omnibus policy bill, and walked through a series of amendments before moving the bill forward. Early amendments addressed adult maltreatment accountability, senior nutrition flexibility, MA provider enrollment and fraud prevention, Direct Care and Treatment data and staffing provisions, disability and aging policy changes, technical corrections from DHS, behavioral health language, and MDH policy updates. Most amendments were adopted without public opposition, and several members and testifiers described them as clarifications or technical fixes to existing policy. Testimony focused on the practical effects of the bill’s provisions. Direct Care and Treatment representatives said the changes would help with data sharing, governance, staffing, patient care, and longer return stays for certain patients. Several witnesses from the substance use disorder and health care provider community supported changes to discharge summary deadlines and claims recoupment rules, arguing that business-day timelines and limits on late clawbacks would reduce administrative burden and financial uncertainty. A disability advocate also urged passage of the bill, saying services for people with disabilities were at risk if it did not advance. After public testimony and member discussion, the committee adopted the DE2 amendment as amended and then approved the bill as amended. Chair Noor renewed the motion to re-refer House File 729 to the Committee on Ways and Means, and that motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Medicaid managed care patient Medicaid managed care patient population,<00:09:37.120><c> the</c>
• <00:31:09.520><c> or</c> claims handling, governance, or claims handling, governance, or increases<00
• claims are audited.
• Plans operating in managed care pay medical and drug claims.
• </c> go into a managed care organization. go into a managed care organization.

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• FROM CLAIMS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RISK MANAGEMENT AI HELPS WORK SMARTER, FASTER AND MORE ACCURATELY
• , PAYING CLAIMS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
• COME IN AFTER CLAIMS OCCURRED TO ASSIST WITH HANDLING THOSE CLAIMS.
• Koval: I WOULDN'T SAY THAT WE DON'T WANT TO PAY CLAIMS, WE DO PAY CLAIM PAY CLAIMS.
• IF YOU DON'T PAY CLAIMS, IF YOU DON'T PAY CLAIMS TIMELY WON'T BE IN BUSINESS VERY LONG.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm business manager of IBEW Local 76 in Tacoma, Washington, and Point South.
• to be allowed or to file the claim.
• to be allowed or to file the claim.
• That's compared to about just about one and a half percent for all other claims.
• of claim status and different things that are computer time-stamped.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several Labor and Workplace Standards bills. HB 2492 would require building and construction apprenticeship programs, beginning in 2027, to include two hours of behavioral health and wellness training covering topics such as suicide prevention, substance use disorder, recognizing distress, peer support, and connecting to resources. The prime sponsor and many labor, apprenticeship, and contractor witnesses supported the bill, describing high suicide and overdose rates in construction and sharing personal stories about losses and struggles in the trades. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 2405, a Department of Labor and Industries request bill creating a pilot to allow earlier treatment for PTSD claims in workers’ compensation, including up to 11 treatment sessions before claim adjudication and limited follow-up treatment after closure. L&I and NFIB supported the measure as a way to speed treatment and reduce barriers, while one legal advocate supported it but raised technical concerns about pre-claim treatment and urged more focus on workplace prevention; another witness cautioned against emphasizing psychiatric drug treatment. The bill was heard only; no action was taken. HB 2406 would expand L&I’s ability to send notices electronically, with opt-in/opt-out provisions and some changes to timing rules for workers’ compensation and WISHA notices. L&I supported the bill as a modernization measure, while labor and workers’ advocates opposed changes affecting workers’ compensation notices, arguing that email should not become the default for vulnerable workers who may miss deadlines. HB 2478 would give L&I discretion, rather than a mandate, to investigate wage complaints and allow penalties when the department initiates an investigation; L&I supported it as a more efficient enforcement tool, and the committee discussed how complaints would still be handled and communicated. Finally, HB 2471 would create a state collective bargaining framework for private-sector workers if federal labor law or the NLRB no longer covers them. Supporters said it would preserve organizing and dispute-resolution rights if federal protections fail, while agricultural employers and NFIB opposed it, arguing it would inappropriately apply to agriculture and small businesses, could disrupt perishable harvests, and should rely on secret-ballot elections rather than card check. No votes were taken on any of the bills in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• . management. management.
• We also oversee the managed portions. We also oversee the managed care<00:45:37.000><c> contracts.
• Managed care care contracts.
• </c> fee-for-service claims. fee-for-service claims.
• </c> review of claims. review of claims.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On behalf of the House, myself as Chair and Representatives Chun and Ric as managers.
• It clarifies the statute of limitation or response for construction defect claims.
• Clarifies the statute of limitation or response for construction defect claims.
• Tucci and manager Reyes Oda. Okay. Thank you, Chair.
• So the recommendation of the House and Senate managers is to pass this with amendments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:49.360><c> to</c><00:26:49.600><c> claim</c> services other than those claim to claim services
• </c> manage,00 lakes for invasive species. manage,00 lakes for invasive species.
• </c> management if we have prevention today. management if we have prevention today.
• </c><00:47:07.599><c> partner</c> enrolled agent in the managing partner enrolled agent in the managing
• </c> those numbers from Minnesota Management those numbers from Minnesota Management and<01:32:20.080

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not that there was a lot of claims.
• We have members who, even with no claims, have been dropped from insurance.
• This is something that we cannot risk manage our way out of.
• And the claims that we have are like very minor $10,000, $20,000 claims.
• And the claims that we have are like very minor $10,000, $20,000 claims.

Committee: House Children and Families

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One is a decree that settles the compact claims between the states.
• to resolve the United States' project operations claims.
• Management issues, so dust control, weed control.
• Some people are making claims for senior surface water rights.
• We've resolved some of the claims of Okeawinge. Up north.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there currently aren't any claims.
• claim.
• 10-year window where a claim might be filed.
• the finances and receiving the claims.
• respond to a claim that is filed, you know, from several years ago.

Committee: House Insurance and Banking

Summary: The Insurance Committee met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bill 2874, which was approved 9-0 with one member present. The bill was described as a product worked on the previous year, and no substantive opposition was raised before the vote. The committee then heard House Bill 2071, which would allow the Medical Malpractice Joint Underwriting Association to suspend operations rather than terminate, because the medical malpractice market is now considered robust and the association has not written a policy or received a claim in several years. The sponsor and Missouri Insurance Coalition said the association still costs roughly $300,000 to $350,000 annually to operate, with projected savings if suspended, while preserving the ability to reactivate if claims arise within the remaining liability window. Some members questioned whether a sunset would be more appropriate and raised concerns about the open-ended nature of suspension and the handling of the association’s reserve funds. House Bill 1615 was then heard and would lower the statutory minimum number of directors for insurance companies from nine to five, while leaving maximum board sizes unchanged. The sponsor and supporters argued Missouri’s current requirement is outdated, out of step with other states and other regulated entities, and creates unnecessary barriers for smaller insurers without affecting solvency or consumer protection. Members questioned whether any insurers had avoided Missouri because of the nine-director rule; supporters said they had no specific examples but said the change would provide flexibility and align Missouri with modern governance practices. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2902, which would create a Motor Vehicle Threat Prevention Program and commission within the Department of Public Safety to fund grants and coordinate efforts against auto theft. The sponsor said Missouri ranks among the highest states for vehicle theft and argued the program would help local law enforcement, especially in rural areas, address high-tech theft methods and related crimes. Highway Patrol and NICB witnesses testified in support, citing rising theft rates, the use of stolen vehicles in other crimes, and examples from other states where similar task forces recovered stolen vehicles and made arrests. Several members questioned whether a new commission was necessary, suggesting the Highway Patrol or existing agencies could handle the work; no opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing was closed with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:03.280><c> and</c> commissioner of Minnesota management and commissioner of Minnesota management
• </c> Minnesota management and budget. Got it. Minnesota management and budget. Got it.
• </c> teams of finance financial management. teams of finance financial management.
• </c> in initial in initial pandemic claims. in initial in initial pandemic claims.
• </c> initial unemployment insurance claim. initial unemployment insurance claim.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That guidance applies immediately to any open, pending, or disputed claim.
• smoke claims task force in the summer of 2025.
• I was an advisor to the chair of the old Waste Management Board.
• We had managed to create such a wealth in this state.
• And honestly, they probably managed it better than any of us have ever.

Summary: The committee heard AB 1795, which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, remediation, and insurance handling of wildfire smoke damage in homes. The author and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said the bill is needed because survivors face inconsistent claims practices and no enforceable standards for determining when homes are safe. Supporters included the City of Los Angeles and a wildfire survivor who described health problems and disputed remediation results; opponents from the insurance industry said the bill could create broad new exposure and worsen affordability, though they continued to negotiate amendments. The committee recommended the bill do pass with urgency, and it passed on a 4-0 vote, with the roll held open for additional votes. The committee also heard AB 1612, which would create a centralized process for law enforcement to transfer seized controlled substances such as fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin to the Department of Justice for disposal after the state’s last in-state incineration facility closed. The author said the bill would address unsafe storage and inconsistent disposal pathways. There was no opposition in the room, and the committee sent the bill to the Assembly Public Safety Committee on a do pass vote. AB 2322 would standardize the definition of commercial, industrial, or institutional sites for municipal stormwater permits by tying it to assessor land-use codes and excluding residential parcels. Supporters said the bill would reduce patchwork enforcement and improve consistency, while stormwater and city representatives asked to keep working on regional flexibility concerns. The committee approved the bill 4-1 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 2245, a producer responsibility bill for vehicle lubricant products and their containers, intended to expand collection and recycling using existing household hazardous waste and used oil infrastructure. Supporters said it would reduce landfill disposal and align with existing EPR frameworks, while retailers and industry groups raised concerns about overlapping obligations, unclear definitions, and compliance costs. The author said negotiations would continue, and the committee sent the bill to Natural Resources on a do pass vote. The committee also heard AB 1603, which would phase out PFAS-containing pesticides over time and require disclosure and permitting for their use. Supporters argued PFAS pesticides contaminate food and water and pose health risks; agricultural and chemical industry opponents said the bill could remove many products from the market and lead to harmful substitutions. The chair expressed support for reducing PFAS but raised concerns about replacement chemicals, and the bill was sent to Appropriations on a do pass vote. Finally, AB 2034 was introduced to increase transparency around food additives and GRAS ingredients by creating a state database of chemicals that bypass FDA premarket review; supporters said it would close a federal loophole, while consumer brands opposed a duplicative state system and warned of costs and confusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We always intended for some of the first claims to Some of the first claims get close to or at the cap
• And the sexual assault claims Excuse me.
• It was a year ago that you had to file your claim by.
• A person could make a claim that they're frail.
• Administratively, the program suffered from insufficient management controls, from insufficient management

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee opened by approving the May 15 minutes and then recognized Pam Ellis for her long service with the Legislative Budget Assistant’s office and upcoming retirement. The committee adopted the consent calendar with two items removed for separate consideration, then approved transfers for the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Department of Environmental Services after questions about court benefit costs and dam project funding. The Department of Health and Human Services also received approval for a general fund transfer item. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Youth Development Center settlement fund. New administrator Jared Boyle, joined by the Attorney General, described the fund’s remaining caseload, the payment matrix, and the need for additional funding to begin hearings in August. Members raised concerns about administrative costs, attorneys’ fees, payday loans, structured settlements, and the long-term fiscal impact on the state. Boyle requested $55 million, but the committee ultimately approved a reduced appropriation of $20 million, with members noting the possibility of returning for more funding later depending on revenues and the October revenue review. The Department of Corrections then received approval for a smaller shortfall transfer and a larger overtime-related transfer, with officials citing a 52% corrections officer vacancy rate, ongoing recruitment, academy classes, and efforts to use civilian staff in some non-security roles. A late item from the Veterans Home was also approved to cover overtime, holiday pay, and indirect cost shortfalls within its existing budget. The committee then heard an informational presentation on implementation of Senate Bill 134 and the new federal Medicaid work-requirement rule. DHHS said it plans to submit a state plan amendment, seek approval for hardship exceptions, start with one eligibility check cycle, and use existing federal grant funding to make system changes. Finally, the committee received a performance audit of the Doorway opioid treatment program, which found weak written procedures, incomplete data use, reimbursement delays, and problems with the Governor’s Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention. Members discussed follow-up reporting, and the next Fiscal Committee meeting was scheduled for August 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The VFW continues its fight against unaccredited, predatory claims consultants that we call claim sharks
• Because I think I've learned that it can take up to 40 days for the VA claims management system to simply
• register a new claim submission.
• processing more claims than ever.
• . the R&E claim.

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: veteran services, Secretary Collins, healthcare provisions, contract cancellations, transparency, accountability, committee meeting, legislation

Summary: During this committee meeting, various bills were discussed with a specific focus on veteran services and healthcare provisions. Notably, the cancellation of critical contracts under Secretary Collins sparked significant debate, with representatives emphasizing the adverse impact on veteran care. The meeting featured testimonies from veterans and stakeholders who expressed their concerns regarding the potential fallout of these cancellations, demonstrating the urgency of transparency and accountability in management decisions. Discussions also delved into various legislative proposals aimed at improving services for veterans amidst these challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't manage our exposure.
• new claims coming in.
• new claims coming in.
• We have paid out around $3.5 billion so far in claims. $3.5 billion so far in claims.
• will handle our daily claims.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the California Fair Plan, focusing on its rapid growth, financial stability, rate adequacy, and role in the homeowners insurance market. Committee members described the Fair Plan as increasingly functioning as a “safety net” rather than a true insurer of last resort, while Fair Plan representatives said the plan was created by statute, is privately funded by member insurers, and is now taking on more business because of non-renewals and limited availability in the admitted market. They emphasized that the plan offers residential and commercial coverage, but not a full HO-3 homeowners policy, and said expanding into that product would require major new staffing, vendor, and claims infrastructure. A major topic was pricing and assessments. Fair Plan officials said their rates have historically lagged their projected costs, especially because reinsurance costs were not fully recoverable in rates until recently. They reviewed recent filings, including a 2023 filing that was reduced from an estimated 80% need to a 35.8% request after working with the Department of Insurance. They also discussed the plan’s reinsurance tower, a new catastrophe bond, and the $1 billion assessment triggered by the 2025 Los Angeles fires after losses exceeded available capital. They said AB 226 helped secure a $600 million line of credit to reduce assessment risk, and they thanked lawmakers for supporting that measure. Members raised constituent concerns about coverage limits, underinsurance, and misinformation from agents. Fair Plan officials said they do not deny applicants because their homes exceed the plan’s $3.3 million limit; instead, policyholders can combine Fair Plan coverage with excess insurance. They said broker training and webinars are being expanded to address misunderstandings, and they noted that raising the cap would depend on achieving actuarially sound rates and sufficient financial capacity. Members also asked about smoke claims from the 2025 fires; the Fair Plan said it has paid covered smoke claims under California law, reviewed closed claims, and removed the “sight and smell” language from its policy form after litigation and CDI action. Public commenters from the insurance industry, builders, agriculture, and nonprofit service providers largely urged faster depopulation of the Fair Plan, more adequate rates, and reforms to the clearinghouse process. Some warned that the Fair Plan is now competing with the admitted market because it can be cheaper in some areas, while others said the plan is still essential because the private market is not serving high-risk or specialized properties. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, but committee members and Fair Plan representatives agreed to continue working on rate, transparency, and depopulation issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• smoke claims task force in the summer of 2025.
• I was an advisor to the chair of the old Waste Management Board.
• That's what we have today with the waste management system.
• They will pay into the producer-run organization, who will manage the program.
• And honestly, they probably managed it better than any of us have, ever.

Committee: House Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• about how we manage lands held in the public trust.
• And again, forest management, including forest health management, is allowed in carbon sales.
• They manage the same trusts. They manage the permanent funds for many of these same trusts.
• under the resource management cost account.
• We need to diversify the way that we manage our lands.

Bills: HB2170 , HB2544 , HB2578

Committee: House Agriculture & Natural Resources

Keywords: natural climate solutions, ecosystem services, revenue generation, economic opportunities, environmental policy, water rights, adjudication, Columbia River, environmental impact, natural resources, tribal members, fish and wildlife, commission, indigenous rights, state regulation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The claim count is low and the claims are immature.
• Chair, I was looking at where you were talking about the 22 claims in 2017 and the 22 claims in 2025.
• I would say that the claim frequency and the claim severity, at least for that first layer, is higher
• frequency and claim amounts.
• It's claims-made.

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• asset claims.
• Digital asset claims could increase our annual claims volume by as much as 75,000 in the first 12 to
• claiming by reporting year.
• You have CalPIRS with managing $392 billion.
• The reserve fund is a natural next step, going from passive custody to strategic management.

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> committee's charge from the management committee's charge from the management council.
• </c> not a lot of claims, not a lot of money. not a lot of claims, not a lot of money.
• </c> car wash manager. car wash manager.
• </c> Management Council. Management Council.
• </c> from management council if we wanted to. from management council if we wanted to.

Committee: Joint Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: 916, all