Video & Transcript Research : 'January 12'

Page 38 of 500
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Commerce and Small Business Committee Mar 18th, 2026

Commerce and Small Business

Transcript Highlights:
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  • <00:12:47.279> or<00:12:47.440> other<00:12:47.600> things,<00:12:47.760>
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  • :12:58.320> say,<00:12:58.399> "Hey,<00:12:58.959> if<00:12:59.120> you're
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government (3-4-26)

State & Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
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  • I<00:12:45.720> think<00:12:45.960> you<00:12:46.080> described<00:12:46.520
  • We just<00:12:47.400> want<00:12:47.520> to<00:12:47.600> be<00:12:47.680> able
  • <00:12:47.800> to<00:12:47.880> clean<00:12:48.160> out<00:12:48.280> our
  • Pretty simple.<00:12:50.680> So,<00:12:50.800> we<00:12:50.920> have<00:12:51.040
Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first considered Senate Bill 133, which would raise audit and reporting thresholds for certain special purpose governmental entities and allow entities with two consecutive clean audits to move to a less frequent audit cycle. Sponsor Matt Nunn said the bill was intended to reduce audit burdens and costs without reducing transparency, and the committee substitute was adopted. The bill passed the committee 8-0 with favorable expression. The committee then took up Senate Bill 226, sponsored by Senator Greg Elkins, which would allow funeral directors to take up to a 15% administrative fee once a pre-need funeral contract is fully funded. Elkins and a representative of the Funeral Directors Association explained that the bill applies to trust-funded pre-need burial contracts and does not affect insurance-funded arrangements. The bill passed 8-0 with favorable expression. Senate Joint Resolution 62 was next, a resolution by Senator Mayden asking the Division of Water to provide clearer guidance to local governments on cleaning out creeks and waterways, especially in light of flooding and debris concerns in Eastern Kentucky. The resolution passed with favorable expression, 8-0. The committee also approved Senate Bill 261, sponsored by President Stivers, which addresses ownership, responsibility, and maintenance authority for swinging bridges in Eastern Kentucky and would allow cities and counties to spend money on their upkeep; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed 9-0. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 262, also sponsored by President Stivers, which would allow constitutional amendments to be presented on the ballot by question rather than full text. Stivers argued this would make amendments more understandable and noted prior Kentucky constitutional changes had been made by ballot question. One senator explained a no vote, saying the bill did not clearly define who would determine a fair and accurate summary. The bill passed 7-1 with favorable expression and the committee adjourned.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance. (2-18-26)

Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
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  • > the<00:12:02.400> hospitals<00:12:02.920> and<00:12:03.000> the<00:12:03.080
  • :06.240> same<00:12:06.960> and<00:12:07.120> are<00:12:07.280> and<00:12
  • :07.920> to<00:12:07.960> the<00:12:08.040> fee<00:12:08.240> schedule.
  • Um uh<00:12:10.080> we<00:12:10.240> also<00:12:10.560> established<00:12:11.440
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 527, a cleanup bill related to insurance matters and the Strengthen Kentucky Homes program. The committee substitute removed language that would have repealed the workers’ compensation deductible range, added a one-time grant/reimbursement provision for contractor fortified-roofing certifications, and added an emergency clause. The Department of Insurance said the bill also updates licensing language, addresses issues with unlicensed pharmacy benefit managers, and supports contractor training tied to the roof grant program. The commissioner noted the program is set to go live March 1 and asked members to inform constituents about possible roof grants of up to $10,000. House Bill 527 received a favorable report after the committee adopted the substitute and title amendment by voice vote and then approved the bill on a roll call vote. The committee then heard House Bill 627, a PIP reform bill. The sponsor and State Farm’s legislative agent said the substitute clarified language so the Attorney General can prosecute insurance fraud and reflected negotiations with hospitals, the Kentucky Hospital Association, the Kentucky Justice Association, chiropractors, and physical therapists. The bill would apply the workers’ comp fee schedule to most PIP claims, require bills within 180 days, prohibit balance billing and credit impairment, raise funeral benefits to $5,000 and weekly wage benefits to $500, require an annual fraud report, and give the Attorney General concurrent jurisdiction over insurance fraud cases. A physician testifying in opposition argued the bill would cut reimbursement for non-hospital providers, shift costs to hospitals and other payers, reduce access to care, and create an uneven playing field that favors hospitals. Committee members asked about the lack of a PIP fee schedule and the effect of the workers’ comp schedule relative to Medicare and commercial insurance. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and then passed House Bill 627 with favorable expression on a roll call vote, with one member voting no. The committee also considered House Bill 355 on real estate appraisers. The sponsor said the bill would restore an independent board, allow evaluations under federal guidelines, and move Kentucky from a voluntary to a mandatory appraisal state. Testimony from insurance and appraisal representatives said the bill would require licensure for real property damage appraisers, exempt insurance agents and claims adjusters licensed under the insurance code, and create clearer standards and oversight. Members asked about the cost of an executive director and whether the board could sustain itself through fees; the sponsor said the board had historically been self-sustaining. The committee adopted the substitute and then gave House Bill 355 a favorable report by roll call vote. Finally, the committee began House Bill 568, which would prohibit new public adjuster licenses while allowing current licensees to renew. The sponsor said the bill responds to ongoing complaints and investigations in the industry and noted that most licensed public adjusters in Kentucky are not residents of the state. The transcript cuts off as the bill’s presentation was beginning.