Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health and Human Services.
• The first one is J1, Department of Health.
• of Public Safety from the Department of Health.
• This is Department of Health with UAMS.
• This is Department of Health with UAMS.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.

Transcript Highlights:

• The actual fine and the complaints you were talking about, that's actually the Department of Insurance
• The actual, the fine and the complaints you were talking about, that's actually the Department of Insurance
• This simply, again, standardizes it and gives it a clearinghouse with the Department of Insurance so
• department wanted that addition of reducing the amount by any surplus notes that an insurance company
• It's like taking the Idaho State Veterinary out of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.

Committee: House Business

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 20 sort of proposed mandates on our insurance plans in the state of Minnesota.
• </c><00:02:22.560><c> of</c> uh RIT large by the Department of uh RIT large by the Department of Commerce
• </c> Department of Commerce with taxpayer Department of Commerce with taxpayer money<00:03:55.239><c>
• in cost of health insurance.
• </c><00:21:23.600><c> insurance</c> it comes to the number of insurance it comes to the number of insurance

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Department of Insurance, will you come on up? Good morning, Mr.
• I have the pleasure of serving as the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department.
• the insurance department.
• </c><00:59:31.240><c> of</c> statistics from the Department of statistics from the Department of Revenue
• of Insurance a little bit of time.

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the bill that requires insurers to send written notice of termination of coverage and the existing
• The bill also requires insurers to obtain and demonstrate proof of delivery for each of the notices required
• It modifies the conflict of law provision to provide that all other applicable provisions of the insurance
• to travel insurance, except in the event of a conflict between the bill and the insurance code, the
• of Mandatory license suspension provisions when a person is certified by the Department of Social and

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee met on February 4, 2026, and removed House Bill 2629 from consideration. The committee received briefings on House Bill 2428, which would require insurers to give 30 days’ written notice before an individual life insurance policy lapses for nonpayment and to notify policyholders of the right to designate a third party for lapse notices; an amendment clarified the notice requirements and proof-of-delivery language. The committee also reviewed House Bill 2399, which would prohibit assignment of post-loss property insurance benefits, and House Bill 2087, which would enact the Washington Travel Insurance Act and regulate travel insurance products, producers, retailers, and administrators. Members also noted they had already been briefed on House Bills 2483 and 2477 before taking executive action after caucus. House Bill 2428 was amended and passed out of committee unanimously with a due pass recommendation. Supporters said it would help prevent unintentional life insurance lapses and protect consumers, especially older policyholders and families relying on coverage later in life. House Bill 2399 also advanced, but only after a divided vote of 8-7; supporters described post-loss assignments as predatory and harmful to insured homeowners, while opponents argued the bill was too broad and could hinder homeowners who use contractors to repair damaged property and resolve insurance disputes. House Bill 2087, as a proposed substitute, was reported out with a due pass recommendation by a 12-3 vote. Members said the substitute reflected stakeholder and Office of the Insurance Commissioner work to resolve conflicts in the underlying travel insurance framework and add guardrails for consumers. House Bill 2483, dealing with data broker registration, was amended several times to narrow exemptions, add Department of Licensing implementation details, and make the registry public; it then passed 8-7 after debate over privacy, public safety, and whether the bill was too limited or too broad. House Bill 2477, which concerned appraisal-related liability and reports, was amended to clarify appraiser liability and intended users, then passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Insurance to adopt rules to implement that are based on certain environmental, social,
• HB 3937 by Mazo relating to the treatment of certain inmates in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• in front of the Committee on Insurance.
• On insurance, HB 4000 by low relating to providing the statewide election of the Speaker of the House
• HB 4050 by Lopez of Cameron relates to the study of the Texas Department of Transportation incorporating

Transcript Highlights:

• drives up the cost of services and insuring.
• College of Physicians, or the Department of Health.
• recommended by the Department of Health.
• I had a meeting with the actuary for the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance.
• Insurance, the job creators of the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Department of Law Enforcement. Department of Law Enforcement.
• </c><00:51:09.240><c> of</c> Next, uh Hawaii State Department of Next, uh Hawaii State Department of
• ><c> Homeland</c> authority of Department of Homeland authority of Department of Homeland Security<00
• First up, we have the insurance division, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
• 17.640><c> of</c> insurance division, Department of insurance division, Department of Commerce<01:25:

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 83, which would require hotel keepers to give adequate notice of service disruptions to guests and third-party vendors. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but asked for amendments to restore remedies and add a nonwaiver provision, arguing that without penalties the measure would lack consequences and that consumers should not be able to waive the notice rights. Supporters, including Unite Here Local 5 and individual testifiers, said guests deserve transparency and meaningful recourse when disruptions occur, especially for labor disputes, construction, or other service interruptions that affect the experience they paid for. Hotel industry representatives, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the Hawaii Hotel Alliance, and hotel workers/testifiers, opposed the bill in its current form while offering amendments. They said the measure was too broad, difficult to implement, and could interfere with collective bargaining, third-party booking systems, and existing contracts. They also argued that some disruptions are not easily known in advance and that the bill unfairly singles out hotels compared with other industries. One testifier emphasized that notice should be required only for actual, known disruptions rather than potential events, and another raised concerns about applying the bill to properties not directly involved in a labor dispute. After the SB 83 testimony, the committee moved on to SB 2798, which would make permanent and expand statewide the agricultural enforcement pilot program created in 2025 and rename it the agricultural enforcement program. The chair introduced the measure and called on the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity as the first testifier, but the transcript excerpt ends before testimony or any vote on SB 2798.

Transcript Highlights:

• The gubernatorial appointment of Nora Carpenter of Boise to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board
• Department of Finance.
• year of service with the department.
• you, and I appreciate your support and your support of the department.
• our mandate, part of the mission of the department.

Summary: The committee first approved the January 20, 2026 minutes. It then considered several gubernatorial appointments and reappointments related to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board and the Department of Finance. Hyatt Erstad, Cynthia Fairfax, and Janice Folkerson were each moved to the Senate floor with recommendations for confirmation, with motions carrying on voice votes. Nora Carpenter and Gregory Danaka appeared before the committee, introduced themselves, and answered no or limited questions; their appointments were held for a later vote, likely at the next meeting. The committee also heard a detailed presentation from Salvador Cruz, the gubernatorial appointee to serve as Director of the Department of Finance. Cruz described his background in banking supervision and state financial regulation, his current role as interim director, and the department’s responsibilities overseeing banks, credit unions, mortgage and securities industries, among others. He emphasized consumer education, combating scams such as romance and pig-butchering fraud, maintaining strong relationships with regulated industries, and keeping the department lean and effective. Senators asked about his move to Idaho, his career path, and his goals for the department; he said he wants the agency to be dynamic, more visible, and the best-run executive branch agency. No substantive legislation was debated. The only formal actions taken were approval of the minutes and the committee’s favorable recommendations to the Senate on the three Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board appointments/reappointments. The meeting ended with the chair praising the quality and willingness of Idaho’s public appointees and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> self-insure and of course disability self-insure and of course disability insurance<01:17:32.679
• I am the commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department.
• I am the commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department.
• I am the commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department.
• I am the commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 437, which would change New Hampshire law on undischarged mortgages by creating a shorter period after which certain old mortgages would be treated as unenforceable. Prime sponsor Representative Bill Boyd said the bill was developed with input from bankers, lawyers, realtors, the Attorney General’s office, and the Banking Department, and he noted a drafting correction needed on line 18. He explained that the proposal would replace current law with a new framework modeled partly on Massachusetts, including a five-year expiration after a stated maturity date and a 35-year period for mortgages without an expiration date. Supporters said the bill would help clear obsolete title defects, reduce costly quiet-title litigation, and make real estate transactions easier for consumers, attorneys, and conveyancers. Representative Mary Hakken-Phillips, Susan Cole of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, and Michelle Coffin all testified in support, describing the bill as a consumer protection measure. They said undischarged or improperly discharged mortgages often surface during title searches, causing delays, legal expenses, and failed or delayed closings. Coffin and Hakken-Phillips emphasized that many of these cases involve old, effectively obsolete mortgages and that the current process often requires expensive court action even when no one contests the title. Cole described a recent transaction in which a title defect caused a buyer to walk away and later restart the financing process, creating costs for both buyer and seller. A committee member asked about notice to mortgage holders; the response was that the lender bears responsibility for recording and extending the mortgage, and that due process rights would remain if a lender later contested the discharge. Ryan Hill of the New Hampshire Bankers Association said the banking industry had reviewed the bill and was generally comfortable with it, while requesting a delayed effective date so members would have time to adjust their recording practices. He said the bill’s January 1, 2028 effective date reflected that request. After closing the hearing on HB 437, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 721, the Gold and Silver Legal Tender Act. Representative Juliet Harvey-Bolia introduced it as a bipartisan economic justice bill intended to recognize gold and silver as legal tender, protect against inflation, and address concerns about trust, taxes, and government taking. She argued that gold is a stable store of value and discussed tax treatment in neighboring states, federal history, and digital gold platforms. The hearing on HB 721 was still in progress when the transcript ended, with the chair limiting questions because of time.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> beginning of a insurance period. beginning of a insurance period. uh<00:04:25.040><c> closed</c>
• <00:08:08.960><c> of</c><00:08:09.120><c> taxation</c> department of taxation department of taxation
• </c><00:10:51.760><c> Insurance</c> members of the committee. Insurance members of the committee.
• </c><00:22:39.200><c> of</c> We also note that the Department of We also note that the Department of
• </c><00:37:35.599><c> of</c> remove hemp from Department of remove hemp from Department of Agriculture

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• “For full health insurance for each one of those rates.
• Department of Education for consideration of some changes here in our own state.
• Department of Education for consideration of some changes here in our own state.
• out and portions of it are being put with the Department of Interior, the Department of Labor, the Department
• The Department of Education has appropriations from a number of dedicated funds.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation on the K-12 public school support budget, including how support units, career ladder funding, health insurance, discretionary funding, transportation, facilities, and the Public Education Stabilization Fund (PSIF) work. Legislative Services explained that FY 2026 support units were revised downward, creating a $22.3 million ongoing general fund reduction, and walked through the FY 2027 agency request and governor’s recommendation. The governor recommended no increase for population forecast adjustments, but did recommend some statutory and policy changes, including shifting certain interest earnings to the general fund and reducing funding for some virtual school and IDLA-related items. The agency request also included one-time proposals for a high-needs special education fund and a regional service model for related services. Members asked extensive questions about how career ladder dollars are distributed, how health insurance and discretionary funds interact, why the health insurance increase in the budget differed from current plan estimates, and how facilities money under House Bill 292 is used. There were also questions about the size and use of the Idaho Career Ready Students fund, the maintenance-of-effort implications of special education funding, and whether some special education costs are being used for student housing or other noninstructional expenses. The superintendent and budget staff emphasized that many of the budget lines are formula-driven or statutorily required, that local districts determine actual staffing and spending within those formulas, and that special education costs continue to outpace available funding. Superintendent Debbie Critchfield then framed the budget request around enrollment trends, shifting demographics, and the need for more flexibility in how districts use existing dollars. She highlighted proposed categorical flexibility for some funds, changes to digital content and curriculum distribution, continued literacy gains, growth in career technical education programs funded through Idaho Career Ready Students, and the importance of endowment and Millennium Fund support. She also described the special education proposals as a temporary bridge while the state considers larger formula changes and noted a near $100 million gap between special education spending and funding. She further outlined planned federal waiver requests on assessments and flexibility, and said the department is seeking more state control over testing and reporting requirements. The committee did not take final action on the budget during this portion of the meeting. Members raised concerns about interest transfers from dedicated funds, the complexity of the funding formula, special education accountability, and whether the state should revisit the overall school funding model. Several follow-up data requests were made, including information on health insurance participation, regional special education service needs, and school contingency fund balances.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, the most complicated part of having a medically complex child would be asking insurance companies
• </c> insurance companies. insurance companies.
• And the lack of regulatory enforcement by the Commerce Department at this time will put costs back onto
• And the lack of regulatory enforcement by the Commerce Department at this time will put costs back onto
• </c> plans and by the Department of Commerce. plans and by the Department of Commerce.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senators and House members held a press event in support of HF 4188, a bill addressing commercial insurance coverage for home care nursing for medically complex children who also receive medical assistance. Speakers said the issue arose after Medica and HealthPartners began imposing caps on coverage that had been provided for years under Minnesota law, and argued that the change would shift costs to Medicaid and taxpayers, create budget pressure, and force families to reduce other needed services. They emphasized that home care nursing is distinct from short-term home health visits and said the bill would prohibit quantity limits and clarify that insurers must continue covering authorized nursing care. Parents and family members described the impact on children who depend on continuous skilled nursing to remain safely at home, including one family whose child Nash has spent extensive time hospitalized and another speaker who said her niece Isabel’s care showed how many nurses, aides, and hospice workers are involved in these cases. Testimony stressed that the coverage caps could lead to more hospitalizations, ICU stays, and trauma for children and families, while costing more overall than home care. Several lawmakers, including Sen. Matt Klein and Rep. Robert Bierman, said the statute’s original intent was clear in 2010 and that the plans’ reinterpretation and the Commerce Department’s response should be corrected. Lawmakers said the Commerce and Consumer Protection Conference Committee has completed its work but is being kept open for the remaining days of session in hopes of resolving the issue this year. In response to questions, supporters said the bill is intended as a clarification rather than a new mandate, that it would simply bar caps on already-authorized home care nursing, and that they believe there is support to move it through the House and Senate before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance Department.
• the Department of Public Instruction.
• the Department of Public Instruction.
• Senate Bill 2024 is a budget of the Department of Environmental Quality.
• property insurers, notice of property insurance claims, and surplus lines of insurance policies, and

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements. The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or people That are working within the realm of the department, or if you could help me understand how
• So did you talk with any of the social work departments or the schools, or what the training actually
• We are also turning over a little more authority to the Department of Insurance, which I know might make
• We're just telling the Department of Insurance that they can receive a complaint from a provider or an
• Up next on the agenda is Senate Bill 1314, Department of Health and Welfare.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Existing oversight by the Attorney General, the Department of Financial Services, and the Office of Insurance
• The Attorney General, the Department of Financial Services, and the Office of Insurance Regulation remain
• to any department of insurance or any other regulatory agency in any state or any consumer advocacy
• to any department of insurance or any other regulatory agency in any state or any consumer advocacy
• state trade of insurers.

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > uh</c><00:01:44.400><c> in</c> Department of Commerce increased uh in Department of Commerce increased
• <00:02:50.959><c> commerce</c> department of commer on the commerce department of commer on the commerce
• On line 34 the department of two.
• Starting on line 130, this is, we're out of the Department of Commerce now.
• </c><00:05:45.680><c> Insurance</c> National Council of Insurance National Council of Insurance Legislatures

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Corrections.
• and four to the Department of Corrections.
• I'm one of the deputy executive directors with the Utah Department of Corrections.
• The next component of the bill requires the department, in consultation with the Utah Department of Corrections
• Two-thirds of our population are insured.

Committee: Joint Health and Human Services Interim Committee

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Karen Cabal of Post Falls to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board.
• And the Department of Insurance recently approved a 2.5% decrease in workers' compensation rates, effective
• This was approved by the Department of Insurance, which reduced the premium for employers there by 12.5%
• And at each annual filing, we provide a table to the Department of Insurance for their review recommending
• insurance companies will then follow those rates as approved by the Department of Insurance.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Insurance Division of Workers' Compensation successfully
• of Insurance, the Department of Information Resources, and other entities.
• Senator Nichols, you recognize Jamie Walker from the Texas Department of Insurance as a resource witness
• of Insurance that if somebody wants to put a bunch of organizations together and form their own insurance
• This bill reflects the Department of Defense's stated goals of supporting military families.

Bills: HB111

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard a long series of House bills, with most measures laid out by Senate sponsors and then left pending after brief public testimony. Early bills focused on construction and licensing issues, including HB 305 on prompt payment for public construction audits, HB 5093 on restoring public access to notary contact information, HB 2037 on updating landlord-tenant repair and security deposit rules, HB 4214 on a centralized public information request contact database, and HB 5435 exempting higher education institutions from a 90-day notice requirement for certain public-private partnership projects. Testimony was generally supportive on these bills, and no votes were taken; each was left pending. The committee also considered several transparency and regulatory bills. HB 111 would expand the Public Information Act to certain nonprofit state associations and narrow some attorney-client and working-paper exceptions, with supporters arguing it would improve oversight of public funds and critics questioning the scope and thresholds. HB 5129 would protect occupational license holders’ personal identifying information from disclosure without consent, HB 4350 would allow peace officers to redact personal information from online real property records, HB 4748 would authorize multiple-award state purchasing contracts, and HB 4765 would clean up code enforcement officer licensing rules. HB 4134 would allow motor vehicle creditors to charge limited fees for electronic payment options while requiring a free alternative, and HB 1043 would direct a study of blockchain-based property title records; both drew testimony, with some concern about the practical effects and vendor implications of the blockchain study. Several bills addressed insurance, workforce, and digital-asset regulation. HB 3520 would reduce the insurance coverage required for transportation network companies during the period when a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, drawing support from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and opposition from trial lawyers who argued the higher coverage better protects the public. HB 3320 would create a self-insurance pool for religious institutions, with TDI explaining it would still be regulated but operate under a special statutory framework. HB 4233 would modernize rules for digital asset service providers by removing certain auditor-access requirements and updating reporting and licensing provisions. HB 3923 would reduce bachelor’s-degree requirements for some state jobs, though Every Texan argued low pay, not degree requirements, is the main driver of turnover. HB 4518 would create a legal structure for decentralized unincorporated nonprofit associations tied to blockchain governance; business law experts opposed it as unnecessary and potentially risky, while crypto advocates supported it. Finally, HB 1803 would join an interstate compact for dentists and dental hygienists, with supporters citing workforce shortages and opponents saying Texas already licenses quickly and that the compact could weaken state oversight. Throughout the hearing, the committee repeatedly closed testimony and left bills pending, and a quorum was eventually established before later items were heard.