Transcript Highlights:

• So even though I think a lot of insurance companies are kind of following it, I just wanted to make it
• So I've got a lot of ideas on what we could do to improve the process, to protect the risk of the insurance
• I've got hundreds of photos of this where the insurance industry denied the carrier.
• And as Hampton referred, the Department of Commerce and Insurance is a great partner and an advocate
• But in an essence of time, and Stephen Marion with the Department of Insurance and Commerce has been

Committee: House Insurance and Banking

Summary: The Insurance Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2250, sponsored by Rep. Jacqueline Zimmerman, which would require insurers to cover full siding replacement when storm damage affects only part of a home and matching siding is not reasonably available. Zimmerman said the bill would codify existing Missouri case law, address homeowner complaints after hailstorms, and make clear that insurers must restore a reasonably uniform appearance. Committee members generally expressed support for the goal, while also discussing possible scope changes, such as limiting coverage to street-facing elevations, and possible disclosure requirements to better explain policy coverage to consumers. The Missouri Insurance Coalition testified in opposition, saying the bill could increase premiums for all homeowners and that consumers should be able to choose more affordable policies with less coverage. Coalition witnesses said matching siding issues are often cosmetic, that carriers already offer different policy options and riders, and that requiring full wrap coverage could create upward pressure on rates. They also noted that severe weather has made these disputes more common and said the Department of Commerce and Insurance and brokers can help consumers understand their policies. Committee members debated whether partial repairs truly make homeowners whole, and several compared the issue to blending paint on cars or matching repairs after hail damage. After the HB 2250 hearing ended, the committee established a quorum and moved into executive session on House Bill 3328. The committee adopted a House committee substitute that renamed the program the Stronger Home program, removed IBHS certification in favor of a non-biased third-party testing lab, and removed an adjuster cap. The committee then voted 9-0 to report the House committee substitute for HB 3328 do pass, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• or the Department of Health.
• ask you for your insurance card, and they will tell you, I'm sorry, we're not part of that insurance
• The Department of Health and the Department of Children and Families do a survey.
• You have no rulemaking authority for the Department of Health to address any of these provisions, and
• You have no rulemaking authority for the Department of Health to address any of these provisions, and

Summary: The committee took up a large health and human services agenda and first approved HB 711, the Spectrum Alert bill, which would create a statewide alert system for missing autistic children and require FDLE to coordinate training with state and local agencies. The measure drew a supportive waiver from the Florida Smart Justice Alliance and passed unanimously, 24-0, reported favorably. Members then considered CS for HB 229 on health facilities, which modernizes the Health Facilities Authority Act to allow additional nonprofit health system structures to use tax-exempt financing. Two amendments were adopted: one requiring advance notice, public hearings, and stakeholder notifications before a nonprofit hospital closure, and another removing a property tax exemption for a nonprofit hospital that closes and fails to maintain emergency services for 120 days, applied retroactively to January 1, 2025. The Florida Hospital Association opposed the amendments, citing workforce and nonprofit-status concerns, but the bill as amended passed 24-0. The committee also approved CS for HB 1405 on juvenile justice status offenders, expanding early truancy intervention, parent involvement, and shelter placement review timelines; it passed 24-0. CS for HB 27, joining the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, and its linked public records bill CS for HB 29 both passed unanimously after supportive testimony from several advocacy and business groups. The committee then debated HB 111 on out-of-network referrals and HB 1083 on patient access to records. HB 111 would require referring practitioners to inform patients in writing when a referral is out of network and to apply out-of-network payments to deductibles; it drew opposition from medical groups over administrative burden and patient-care concerns, but passed 17-8. HB 1083 would shorten the time for producing medical records to 14 working days and standardize access rules, with amendments clarifying portal access and delaying the effective date to January 1, 2026; despite opposition from some health information and provider groups over HIPAA and access concerns, it passed 19-7 as amended. Later, the committee approved HB 883, allowing autonomous practice for psychiatric nurse practitioners with the required credentials, after strong support from nurse practitioner groups and opposition from psychiatric and medical associations; it passed 23-3. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing exceptions with federal law and removes several state exemptions, passed 19-7 despite opposition from hospice, emergency physician, rheumatology, and medical groups concerned about paper prescriptions in emergencies and hard-to-find medications. HB 1353 on home health care services and CS for HB 989 on foster home licensure transfers both passed unanimously after supportive amendments. The committee also heard HB 1505 on parental rights, which would require written parental consent for many health care services, surveys, and biofeedback devices for minors and expand parental access to records; the bill drew extensive support testimony but also questions and concerns about confidentiality, abuse reporting, and existing exceptions, and the transcript ended before a final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurers are leaving the market for a variety of reasons, tail of liability, and just, again, that the
• You should not operate any kind of business without insurance.
• to figure out if we could do a self-insurance policy and got the Department of Insurance.
• to figure out if we could do a self-insurance policy and got the Department of Insurance.
• We could have done that. insurance policy and got the Department of Insurance.

Committee: House Children and Families

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Department of Health, or Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
• It requires the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Health and the Agency for Healthcare
• the equivalent of being self-insured.
• as the insurer of last resort.
• None of those included the elimination of the insurance requirement in the contracts in the statute.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:57.000><c> of</c> governed by the uh the department of governed by the uh the department of
• /c> actually the Department of Labor put it actually the Department of Labor put it in<00:38:59.400><
• </c> militia um the Department of Labor's militia um the Department of Labor's Authority<01:02:15.559
• </c><03:34:18.479><c> of</c> making can I go to the Department of making can I go to the Department of
• </c><04:20:43.760><c> of</c> people from uh the Department of people from uh the Department of Employment

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are an insurance brokerage, and we represent many of the large health care systems in the state of
• I want to speak briefly about the value of insurance.
• I want to speak briefly about the value of insurance.
• The Department of Health has a lot of issues, and I'm happy to say that out loud on the mic.
• The Department of Health has a lot of issues, and I'm happy to say that out loud on the mic.

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee considered one bill, HB 603, which would repeal section 768.21(8), the Florida medical negligence wrongful death exception often referred to by supporters as the “Free Kill” law. The sponsor argued the current statute unfairly bars certain families—especially adult children or parents of unmarried adults without minor children—from recovering non-economic damages when a loved one dies from medical negligence, while such damages are available in other wrongful death cases. Supporters, including family members, AARP, and some legal advocates, testified that the law is discriminatory and denies equal access to justice for grieving families and vulnerable adults. Opponents, including physicians, hospital and insurer representatives, and business groups, argued that repeal would increase malpractice exposure, raise premiums, worsen access to care, and accelerate physician retirements or departures from Florida. Several urged that if the bill moves forward, it should be paired with caps on non-economic damages to balance the impact on the health care system. Supporters countered that negligence must still be proven, that the law creates unequal treatment, and that existing tort reforms have not lowered premiums. The sponsor closed by rejecting claims that the bill is “jackpot justice” and emphasizing that families deserve court access and accountability. After debate, the committee voted on HB 603 and passed it 16-2. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So even though I think a lot of insurance companies are kind of following it, I just wanted to make it
• So I've got a lot of ideas on what we could do to improve the process, to protect the risk of the insurance
• I've got hundreds of photos of this where the insurance industry denied the carrier.
• And as Hampton referred, the Department of Commerce and Insurance is a great partner and an advocate
• But in an essence of time... ...and Stephen Marion with the Department of Insurance and Commerce has

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jane Byer, for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, testifying pro on ESSB 6210.
• I'm not sure if all of you have read the Department of Health maternal mortality reports in the last
• I'm sure if all of you have read the Department of Health maternal mortality reports in the last few
• Current language maintains accuracy of medications used and was negotiated with Department of Health
• Current language maintains accuracy of medications used and was negotiated with the Department of Health

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several health-related bills. SB 5904 would restrict nursing titles such as RN, NP/ARNP, and LPN to licensed human people and prohibit non-human entities, including AI chatbots, from using those titles. The sponsor and nursing advocates said the bill is meant to prevent confusion and protect public trust, while preserving the use of AI as a support tool. SB 5877 would add a $70 surcharge for certified anesthesiologist assistants so they can participate in the Washington Physicians Health Program and access HealWA resources; supporters said it closes a technical gap and aligns CAAs with other medical professions. SB 5185 would create a pilot pathway for certain international medical graduates with clinical experience licenses to obtain full primary care licensure; supporters from the medical commission, physicians, and IMG advocates said the program has worked well, has shown no patient safety issues, and could help address workforce shortages. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 6210, which would let the Health Benefit Exchange adopt additional market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, including standards aimed at preserving access and affordability in underserved counties. Supporters, including the exchange, OIC, consumer advocates, tribal representatives, and patient groups, said the bill is needed to respond to federal policy changes, rising premiums, and disappearing coverage in places like San Juan County. Opponents from carriers and employer groups argued the timeline is too fast, the criteria are too discretionary, and the bill could reduce competition and raise costs. The committee then heard SB 5981, which would strengthen protections and reporting requirements for the federal 340B drug pricing program and limit manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies and data requests. Hospitals, clinics, and patient advocates said the bill protects safety-net care and rural access, while manufacturers, employers, and business groups argued it would expand a program that already raises costs and lacks transparency. In executive session, the committee took action on SB 5917, related to Department of Corrections distribution of abortion medications, rejecting five proposed amendments and then advancing the bill on a 10-6 vote with three excused. The committee also advanced SB 5988, which concerns Department of Health opioid treatment program accrediting activities, on a do-pass recommendation after brief discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Tuesday, April 14th, and this is a hearing of the House Insurance Committee.
• Well, and Representative Minna, if I may, Adam Patrick, with the Department of Insurance, you know, I'm
• I also want to point out that the Department of Insurance and the insurance industry has been very cooperative
• Charles Watkins, Assistant Secretary of Family Support for the Department of Children and Family Services
• Charles Watkins, Assistant Secretary of Family Support for the Department of Children and Family Services

Committee: House Insurance

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on April 14 with a quorum present and first deferred Senate Bill 241 to the following week. The committee then took up House Bill 1117, which would clarify that an insurer’s payment on a first-party claim does not restart the two-year prescriptive period for filing suit. The sponsor said the bill responds to a Louisiana Supreme Court decision and is intended to restore a fixed deadline from the date of loss. Testimony from the Department of Insurance and industry representatives was generally supportive, and members discussed whether policyholders could be confused by partial payments and whether insurers have any duty to warn them about prescription. Representative Glorioso moved the bill favorably, and it was reported favorable without objection. The committee next considered House Bill 943, which creates a process for insurers to check for delinquent child support before issuing certain settlement payments and to withhold and remit arrears to DCFS. The committee adopted a substitute bill and then a committee amendment narrowing the scope by removing annuities and life insurance beneficiaries from the definition of covered recipients. The sponsor described the measure as a tool to help children receive overdue support, and DCFS said Louisiana currently lacks a legal mechanism to capture some settlement payouts owed by noncustodial parents. Members discussed how the bill differs from existing child support liens and whether it would close gaps in current enforcement. The transcript cuts off during that discussion, before any final vote on House Bill 943 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's different from insurance. Insurance is one component of that system.
• the Department of Health.
• This does fund the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Commerce.
• We, as a group, along with the insurance industry and the Department of Commerce, have all committed
• In the Department of Human Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• Glenn Ha I on behalf of the Department of Health.
• </c><00:02:24.400><c> The</c> of the Department of Health. The of the Department of Health.
• or department of department of uh uh DNR or department of egg?
• </c><00:17:36.160><c> of</c> and also accept um Department of and also accept um Department of Health's
• ><c> of</c> weaknesses of the 10person department of weaknesses of the 10person department of defense

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS, Agriculture, Environment, Energy, and Intergovernmental Affairs hearing focused first on SB 2262, a pollution and illegal dumping measure. The Department of Health said it stood on its written testimony, and public testimony included support from CARES with suggested amendments to involve the counties in standardized response planning and to address pollution caused by individuals. Members questioned the bill’s fines, where they would go, and how the department would handle carcasses and illegal dumping enforcement. DOH said administrative fines go to the general fund, criminal fines are collected by the Attorney General, carcasses are generally buried by the landowner under existing rules, and DOH mainly regulates solid waste and coordinates with counties and other agencies when violations arise. After discussion, the chair recommended SB 2262 be passed with substantial amendments. The proposed amendments would add DLNR to the task force, deposit all fines into a special fund to support enforcement, allow fines below $5,000 for littering and higher fines for excessive or chronic illegal dumping, and include a January 30, 2050 effective date. The committee adopted the recommendation, with members voting aye. The hearing then moved to the HHS calendar. On SB 2087, relating to health insurance, agencies including DHS, DCCA, the Attorney General, and Labor stood on written testimony, while several advocacy and medical groups testified in support. One Medicaid recipient opposed the bill, arguing the coverage should be immediate rather than phased in over three years. Angela Melody Young supported the bill but urged amendments to prioritize people with disabilities, kupuna, and mothers. Members questioned whether the rural health transformation program could support the bill’s deductible structure; the Department of Human Services said it was unlikely CMS would allow that level of coverage, though rural funds might help in other ways. The committee then moved on to SB 2089, which would expand services eligible for Medicaid prospective payment system reimbursement, hearing support from OHA, DHS, and others, along with testimony about mental health access and training. The transcript also began SB 2106, relating to health and eating disorder prevention, with a student testifying in support and citing youth eating disorder harms, but the discussion was cut off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:49.759><c> of</c> and approved by the Department of and approved by the Department of Insurance
• of Insurance.
• Currently, these cases are reported to the Department of Insurance to be investigated.
• be</c> the Department of Insurance to be the Department of Insurance to be investigated. investigated
• </c><00:08:24.319><c> turn</c> Department of Insurance will then turn Department of Insurance will then

Committee: Senate Banking & Insurance

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:09 Discussion SB 118 00:58 Vote SB 118 03:25 Discussion SB 153 04:39 Vote SB 153 17:48 Discussion SB 158 19:41 Vote SB 158 24:09, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance, the normal level of insurance.
• ><c> level</c><00:35:19.440><c> of</c> level of insurance the normal level of level of insurance the
• It's sort of a two-word question: if they did come under the agency of the Insurance Department, would
• of State's office doesn't, but it is in at least the swim lane of the insurance department.
• ><c> okay</c> Lane of the insurance department okay Lane of the insurance department okay thank<02:51

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But what my concept was that right now, the insurance department reports annually on a summary of what
• The insurance department reports annually on a summary of what is happening in the insurance market relative
• </c> insurance companies out of the market. insurance companies out of the market.
• All types of insurance depend on the flow of new premium, health insurance, anything.
• </c> or they call the insurance department. or they call the insurance department.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee focused primarily on a bill concerning long-term care insurance rate increases and consumer notice. Members and staff discussed replacing or supplementing a proposed public hearing requirement with annual reporting, website updates, and consumer-facing disclosures about approved rate increases, carriers writing the products, and how the products work. Several participants emphasized that long-term care policies are long-term products, that rate increases can be spread over many years for actuarial reasons, and that consumers need better information about trends and the impact of increases. A major point of disagreement was whether the bill should try to cap premium increases. One member argued the real problem is unexpected increases of 15% to 20% and urged a statutory cap to protect consumers. Insurance department representatives and others responded that hard caps had been struck down in prior case law, that the department’s core responsibility is solvency, and that carriers need sufficient premium to pay future claims. They also said the market is struggling because many carriers stopped selling the product, leaving in-force policies to bear the cost, and that overly restrictive caps could cause insurers to withdraw from the state. The discussion then shifted toward a compromise requiring carriers to notify policyholders before a rate increase is approved and allowing a 60-day comment period. Participants debated whether the notice should come from the carrier, how confidentiality rules would apply before approval, and what the department should do with public comments. The department said it already reviews filings carefully and that submitted rates are often adjusted before approval; lawmakers noted that prior commissioners had pushed back on increases in some cases, including a seven-year moratorium. No final vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair repeatedly tried to move the subcommittee along to other bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the bill it says proof of insurance, but obviously proof of insurance is anytime up to a court date
• proof of insurance but obviously proof proof of insurance but obviously proof of<00:01:30.040><c> insurance
• </c> insurance um but we're seeing a lot of insurance um but we're seeing a lot of people<00:01:42.880
• The Insurance Federation of Minnesota is the voice of the property casualty insurance industry here in
• </c><00:25:51.279><c> insurance</c> go online to any number of insurance go online to any number of insurance

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• gives you the Medicare rate instead of the full insured rate.
• This burden is not an unavoidable byproduct of care. It's the result of opaque insurer practices.
• For the 16% of patients with commercial insurance, he said insurers are increasingly setting arbitrary
• the EMS system as a result of insurance underpayment.
• Division of Insurance, Good.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a lengthy public hearing with more than 70 people signed up to testify, focusing mainly on health insurance and health care access bills. Early testimony centered on H.1257/S.712, which would require insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of genetic craniofacial conditions. Supporters included legislators, dentists, and medical experts who said these conditions are not cosmetic, can severely affect eating, speech, pain, and social functioning, and often create major financial hardship because insurers deny coverage. A related dental bill, H.1262/S.676, drew technical testimony from the Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts about implementation issues with the 2022 dental loss-ratio law, while the Massachusetts Dental Society supported H.1306/S.696 on transparency in dental network leasing and opposed H.1262. Representative Gentile also testified for H.4013, which would ban for-profit acute care hospitals and for-profit health insurers in Massachusetts, arguing that profit incentives undermine patient care. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H.1261/S.799, a bill to protect patients from surprise ambulance bills. Municipal fire chiefs, Boston EMS, nonprofit ambulance providers, and the bill’s Senate sponsor said the measure would require insurers to pay ambulance providers directly and promptly, cap patient out-of-pocket costs, and reduce confusion caused by out-of-network billing. Witnesses described ambulance services as essential public health infrastructure and said current billing practices can discourage people from calling 911 or leave municipalities and nonprofits unable to recover costs. Committee members asked about unpaid debt, municipal billing burdens, and how the bill would affect rates and reimbursement. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H.1249/S.805, which would require screening for PANS/PANDAS in medical and clinical settings. Legislators, clinicians, parents, a teen with the condition, and educators described PANS/PANDAS as an infection-triggered inflammatory illness that can present as sudden psychiatric symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as a mental health disorder. Supporters said routine screening at well visits, emergency rooms, and other clinical settings would help identify children earlier, reduce unnecessary psychiatric treatment and hospitalizations, and improve outcomes. Testifiers repeatedly urged favorable action, emphasizing the personal and financial toll on families and the potential for early treatment to prevent long-term harm. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on these bills; no committee action or votes were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of the U.S.
• I know that it falls, I would say, on CDI, the Department of Insurance, to figure out.
• of Insurance, right?
• of Insurance, right, for an approval.
• factors, and then you have to get approval from the Department of Insurance, right?

Summary: The committee heard SB 1377, which would change California’s medical exemption process for school immunizations. The author and supporters argued the bill would restore physician discretion, reduce fear of audits and discipline, and help families with medically vulnerable children obtain exemptions. Opponents, including pediatric, medical, and public health groups, said the current system created by SB 276 and SB 277 is working, that valid exemptions are still being issued, and that loosening oversight could undermine immunization rates and public health. Members debated the data behind claims of a chilling effect, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the bill’s amendments, which narrowed the measure to current exemptions and added a small additional threshold. Because there was no quorum at the time, action on SB 1377 was delayed until a quorum could be present. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and enforcement framework for large voluntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers. The author and supporters described alleged neglect and abuse in detention facilities, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and inadequate oversight, and argued the state should ensure humane conditions and accountability. The California Hospital Association expressed concern about duplicative oversight and possible overlap with existing regulation, while the author said the bill was being refined to avoid constitutional problems and duplication. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer SB 995 to Judiciary, with the roll call showing five votes and the bill placed on call. SB 1089 was also heard, proposing expanded access to GLP-1 medications for state and local government employees through CalPERS and encouraging broader affordability efforts through CalRx. The author framed the bill as a response to chronic weight disease, diabetes risk, and high costs, and described his own experience obtaining and paying for GLP-1 treatment. Supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups said GLP-1s are effective tools for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes and could reduce long-term health costs. No opposition was heard, and the committee voted do pass and re-refer the bill to Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement, with the vote placed on call. The committee also began SB 1221 on Murphy conservatorships, with supporters and opponents debating whether district attorneys should have a larger role in these proceedings and whether the bill would improve public safety or disrupt the civil mental health process; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• negotiate with the insurer on behalf of the consumer.
• Naomi Padron on behalf of the Pacific Association of Domestic Insurance Companies.
• That's the responsibility of the homeowner's insurance.
• California Department of Justice.
• With private insurers refusing to renew a record number of home insurance plans, With private insurers

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of A&amp;I. We really appreciate Department of A&amp;I.
• We'll hear a lot from both Department of Health and Blue Cross and Blue Shield on the history of insurance
• of how insurance works.
• of how insurance works.
• of how insurance works.

Committee: Joint Health Insurance Affordability Task Force

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we will do Office of Superintendent of Insurance so that we'll get to veterans and the public
• Superintendent of Insurance, so that we'll get to veterans and the public insurance—I mean, school insurance—hopefully
• So I thought maybe it was because of insurance. Mr.
• But by taking that out of the three and 400 categories, we are the Department of Veterans Services...
• But by taking that out of the three and 400 categories, we are the Department of Veterans Services. .

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all