Transcript Highlights:

• That will worsen the insurance risk pool, as you know, creating a vicious cycle of rising premiums.
• , and we need the insurers to be a part of this.
• We need the insurers to be a part of this. Please support HB 2283. Thank you.
• operations of corporate insurers, which typically have a rate of administrative waste that is 15% higher
• This was comments from the Department of Health clarifying duties and stipulations to kind of make my

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2261, which would require health care providers to wear badges showing name, credential, and relevant degrees, require similar disclosure in advertising, and restrict use of the title “physician surgeon” to certain physicians and osteopathic physicians. Supporters, including the Washington State Medical Association and patient advocates, said the bill would improve transparency and informed consent. Opponents from nurse, naturopathic, and adult family home groups argued it was overly broad, burdensome, confusing, and could harm access to care or residential home settings; several also said existing disciplinary laws already address misrepresentation. No vote was taken on HB 2261 during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 2283, which would raise the medical loss ratio for fully insured individual, small group, and large group health plans to 90 percent. Supporters, including small business, patient, and physician groups, said the bill would push more premium dollars toward patient care and lower costs or increase rebates. Insurers and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner warned it could destabilize the market, reduce flexibility for administrative services, and lead to carrier exits, though OIC said it was working on amendments. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. House Bill 2425, an agency-request bill on nurse delegation, would broaden what tasks registered nurses may delegate, remove some setting and training restrictions, expand emergency medication authority, and adjust liability and retaliation protections. The Board of Nursing, long-term care providers, and skilled nursing/assisted living representatives supported the bill as a modernization that could ease workforce shortages and improve care access, while the Washington State Association for Justice opposed the immunity provisions and raised patient safety concerns. The hearing ended without a vote on HB 2425. In executive session, the committee advanced several bills. HB 2110, with an amendment clarifying ambulance staffing and RN scope, passed 18-0 with one excused. HB 2113 passed 18-0 with one excused. HB 2122, as amended to require hospitals to offer flu vaccines with several flexibility and critical-access-hospital exemptions, passed 15-3 with one excused. HB 2152, as amended to require certain facilities to allow medical cannabis use for qualifying terminal patients and to add related exemptions and protections, passed 17-1 with one excused. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the CEO of the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund.
• And since then, during session, there was a piece of the budget bill for the insurance department that
• Department to the Office of Management and Budget.
• A lot of it is moving to the Department of Labor.
• A lot of it is moving to Department of Labor.

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will begin with the Department of Health Care Services leadership with Dr.
• Michelle Boss, Director of the Department of Health Care Services.
• Department of Health Services, and the California Medical Association.
• entire health care system that all your constituents rely on, regardless of their insurance provider
• Our Department of Health Services also runs 27 health centers across the county.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• gotten increased risk as a result of malpractice insurance claims and policies across.
• So two years ago, we had $34 million worth of Insurance per incident.
• So in that case of the $68 million, my understanding is that the insurance company may have paid the
• My understanding is that it's cheaper to get malpractice insurance outside of the patient compensation
• One of the things that I keep hearing about is medical malpractice and the insurance going up, and we

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:13.960><c> of</c> across the country US Department of across the country US Department of
• of insurance.
• Thank you. the actual cost of the insurance has the actual cost of the insurance has been<01:13:21.440
• </c><01:30:38.040><c> department</c> provided to the insurance department provided to the insurance department
• </c><01:37:15.440><c> insurances</c><01:37:16.440><c> the</c> of these other types of insurances the

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Law in relation to requiring certain health insurance policies to include coverage for the cost of certain
• to insurance coverage of comprehensive annual medical examinations for firefighters.
• What we heard from agents and brokers is that the Department of Financial Services is using this current
• What we heard from agents and brokers is that the Department of Financial Services is using this current
• to notifying an insured of a rate filing increase for long-term care.

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Insurance met and considered a long agenda of bills focused on health coverage, insurance regulation, and related consumer protections. Measures discussed included coverage for infant formula, restrictions on step therapy for serious mental health conditions, physical and occupational therapy services, outpatient substance use disorder treatment without pre-authorization, mortgage guarantee insurance, patient navigation services, specialized dental benefit plan information, firefighter medical exams, the Strength and Homes Program, accident prevention course instruction, early egg and peanut allergy coverage, speech therapy for stuttering, dog-breed-related insurance restrictions, insurer advertising requirements, prescription drug substitution during shortages, and notice of long-term care rate increases. Members also discussed the rationale for some bills, including concerns about outdated advertising rules and the importance of allergy-related coverage for children. Most bills were moved favorably, with several reported to the floor and others referred onward to the Finance Committee, Substance Use Disorder Committee, or Transportation Committee. Notable referrals included the infant formula, patient navigation, allergy coverage, stuttering therapy, and drug shortage substitution bills to Finance; the substance use disorder bill to the Substance Use Disorder Committee; and the accident prevention course bill to Transportation. Bills on mental health step therapy, mortgage guarantee insurance, specialized dental plan information, firefighter exams, dog breed restrictions, and insurer advertising requirements were reported to the floor. The committee also took recorded votes, with some members noted as without recommendation or without recusal on certain bills, and Senator Helming recorded in the negative on the long-term care rate increase notice bill. Overall, the meeting concluded with all agenda items acted on and no bill defeated outright.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, but off of what you just said, do you not currently use or allow people to show their insurance on
• The other piece is that on a registration return, most insurance companies report back to the Idaho Department
• The other piece is that on a registration return, most insurance companies report back to the Idaho Department
• of paper and I could clearly see a date on the piece of paper.
• of anything else?

Summary: The committee first approved the February 4 and February 10 minutes. It then introduced RS 33209, a transportation cleanup measure that would update the highway distribution account statute to reflect current practice and adjust funding for local bridge inspections from a fixed $175 amount to $300,000 for fiscal year 2027. The motion to introduce passed without opposition. Next, the committee introduced RS 33409, which would impose a $75 one-time late fee for failing to timely register a vehicle in Idaho. Sponsors said the bill is intended to encourage timely registration and align with the state’s existing late fee for driver’s licenses. Members asked whether back registration fees could still be collected; the sponsor said the $75 fee would apply only once, though back time could still be collected. The motion to introduce passed. The committee then heard House Bill 532, which would create uniform identity-verification standards across driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, and titling so DMV records use the same information and create a one-person, one-record system. The bill was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation without opposition. Finally, House Bill 629 was heard, allowing vehicle registration to be provided in either electronic or printed form instead of requiring a mailed copy. Law enforcement testified to safety and verification concerns about relying on phones during traffic stops, while the sponsor argued the change would save mailing costs and mirror existing digital practices for insurance and hunting/fishing licenses. Despite several members expressing reservations, the committee voted to send HB 629 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with one member recorded as opposed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are you working with our tourism department to get any kind of funding? Not necessarily for money.
• The state is paying 80 percent of health insurance coverage for employees.
• Again, we weren't part of the discussion on what the distribution was of the group health insurance.
• The Department of Transportation does have their.
• And so the insurance pays Are most of the complaints paid?

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Superintendent of Insurance, and it does show significant differences between insurance costs.
• Well, a lot of people are equating high insurance rates to punitive damages, but insurance doesn't even
• For medical malpractice insurance companies, and they provided a lot of inaccurate information.
• I'm familiar with the NAIC, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
• of Insurance have oversight ability and the ability to add conditions to the approval of a transaction

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• What the law allows is for the insurance company to advance some of their legal costs, and currently
• I am now the Risk Management Director of the New Mexico County Insurance Authority, which is a self-insurance
• So the insurance companies keep record of all payments they make in a case, whether it's for medical
• The other half of the attorney fee, the other 10%, is paid directly by the employer insurer.
• be something that would have to be determined by the Department of Workforce.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health, and the Health Care Authority.
• I know the Department of Corrections is not part of this group. Okay. Thank you so much.
• We'll now go to the office of the Superintendent of Insurance.
• by type of service for each insurer.
• Superintendent of Insurance (OSI).

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I've worked for the Arizona Department of Education and...
• Department of Labor in 2024.
• of Labor and ERISA and by our Department of Insurance.
• fire department, a member of a fire district fire department, or fire authority.
• fire department, a member of a fire district fire department, or fire authority.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the February 16, 2026 minutes and then heard House Bill 2173, which would let tax officers and taxpayers communicate electronically about proposed property tax corrections or claims unless certified mail is required. County and assessor representatives supported the bill as a modernization measure, and the committee voted 6-0 to give it a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered several Arizona State Retirement System-related measures and nominations. It recommended confirmation of Thomas J. Connolly as a public member of the ASRS Board and Charles Essex as a retired member, both by 6-0 votes. The committee also passed House Bills 2089, 2090, and 2092, which clarified ASRS health subsidy eligibility, changed the disability determination timing for long-term disability benefits, and adjusted the waiver window for new eligible members age 65 or older. Each of those bills received unanimous or near-unanimous support. Members next approved House Bill 2693, as amended, which revises Arizona’s association health plan and multiple employer welfare arrangement rules to align with current federal law and adds a study by the Department of Administration on state and school employee health insurance options. Supporters said it could expand affordable coverage for small businesses, while Senator Epstein raised concerns about consumer protections, preexisting conditions, and prior fraud issues; the bill passed 5-1. The committee also passed House Bill 2120, allowing Social Security disability determination letters to help certify eligibility for the property tax exemption for disabled persons, and House Bill 2138, clarifying workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters traveling directly to or from duty, both with some discussion but no opposition. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2273, which creates a one-time $300 income tax rebate for certain Pinal County residents using remaining escrow funds from the county transportation tax litigation, though members debated whether the money should instead go to roads. The bill passed 3-2 after comments from the sponsor, a Pinal County mayor, and senators who said they wanted the funds directed to transportation projects. The committee then passed House Bill 2786, exempting income from renting required college textbooks from transaction privilege tax, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hearing **Erika Lee** at the Department of Finance will present the bills.
• All right, we are moving along at a brisk pace here, so we will now open up to the Department of Finance
• . ...and members of the Budget Committee, **Erika Lee** with the Department of Finance to present on
• And the main reason why I ask that is because when I look at the Department of Finance's 2024 budget
• And then we have heard other anecdotes from the Department of Health Care Services of other states that

Committee: House Budget

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any verification of insurance during the five-year period?
• There's 15% of the drivers in Missouri right now riding around with no insurance at the peril of our
• I think take care of your insurance concerns, Representative.
• You've got to have proof of insurance. It's easy. I call it my name.
• You've got to have proof of insurance. That's easy. I call it my insurance company. Boom. It's on.

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:15:17.480><c> of</c> felt was supported by the Department of felt was supported by the Department
• This amendment is the reflection of conversations with the Department of Commerce and the mortgage loan
• on</c> Department of Commerce language on Department of Commerce language on residential<00:28:28.840
• <00:30:22.200><c> of</c><00:30:22.280><c> Commerce,</c> Department of Commerce, Department of Commerce
• I would defer to the Department of Human Services on that one.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Option 3.1.3 seeks to address the availability of insurance in high-risk areas by allowing insurers to
• Department of Water and Power, is an integrated part of the city.
• But when you focus on the creation of an insurance fund, you've got inflows.
• I'm here on behalf of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and we're a member of the California
• As chair of insurance, seven years of committee hearings, listening to everything in a very comprehensive

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And Frank Opeka, Deputy Commissioner of Health and Life and Annuity, Department of Insurance.
• Franco Pelka, Louisiana Department of Insurance. Okay. Introduce yourself, please. Good afternoon.
• Franco Pelka, Louisiana Department of Insurance.
• “It’s a white card from Franco Pizke, the Department of Insurance; Nick Walsh, in support; Myram Travis
• That's mainly the time of the Department of Corrections.

Committee: Senate Finance

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 135, which would redirect a portion of wagering dedications from the sports fund to the Louisiana Early Childhood Education Fund and remove a cap affecting that funding stream. The author and staff explained the amendment was designed to avoid any impact on the State General Fund while increasing support for early childhood education. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. Senate Bill 202, from the Secretary of State’s office, would increase the number of compensated days for parish board of election supervisors to cover additional election-related duties. Secretary Landry and election officials testified that the change was needed because supervisors now perform more work, including ballot tabulation, machine sealing, and verification tasks. The committee adopted technical and appropriation-related amendments and reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee then took up several health and human services bills. Senate Bill 155 would require insurance coverage for medically necessary dental procedures needed before cancer treatment; testimony from medical and dental professionals emphasized that untreated dental problems can delay chemotherapy or radiation and worsen outcomes. After adopting amendments to narrow the fiscal impact, the bill was reported favorably as amended, with discussion of a possible subject-to-appropriation amendment to be worked out later. Senate Bill 237, a major DCFS reform bill, drew extensive testimony and debate over child welfare oversight, mandatory reporter training, law enforcement coordination, and the bill’s large fiscal note. The committee adopted amendments, including a subject-to-appropriation provision, and reported the bill favorably as amended after emotional testimony from supporters and former DCFS employees. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 465 on prompt-pay insurance reform after an amendment reduced the fiscal note to zero; Senate Bill 261 on unclaimed property after a substitute bill was adopted; Senate Bill 295 on expanded coverage for traumatic brain injury rehabilitation after amendments narrowed the mandate and added subject-to-appropriation language; Senate Bill 157 providing six weeks of paid parental leave for K-12 educators and staff, also subject to appropriation; Senate Bill 276 requiring bail bond producers to certify outstanding obligations before new appointments; Senate Bill 83 on human trafficking services after removing the age-expansion cost; Senate Bill 143 on bulletproof vests after shifting funding away from a direct state appropriation; and Senate Bill 450 on school safety assessments after an amendment limited implementation to available funds and resources. In each case, the committee’s actions focused on reducing or eliminating fiscal notes while keeping the bills moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• California has continued enforcing these regulations through the Department of Insurance and the Department
• Here with me today is Miguel Bastidas with the California Department of Insurance. Thank you.
• I'm with the California Department of Insurance here in the leadership of insurance.
• I'm with the California Department of Insurance, here in the leadership of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo
• Stephanie Watkins, on behalf of the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies, in

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on April 8, 2026, with a quorum established and 59 bills listed for consideration. The committee first approved two consent calendars: several bills were sent to the Assembly floor on a due-pass basis, and a smaller set was approved due-pass but not eligible for the floor consent calendar. The proposed suspense calendar was then deemed approved without individual debate on those measures. The committee heard several bills in regular order. AB 1977, sponsored by the Secretary of State, would clean up and clarify the Online Notarization Act to support implementation by 2030; it drew no opposition and was approved. AB 2011 would codify existing federal mental health parity standards into state law; supporters said it would preserve enforcement authority, while health plans opposed it as premature given federal uncertainty and possible premium impacts; the bill was placed on the B roll call. AB 1673 would give county fish and game commissions more flexibility to use certain revenues for wildlife conflict prevention, and it advanced on an A roll call. AB 2233 would allow unused authorized ABA therapy hours for children with autism to be made up within the authorization period; supporters emphasized access and continuity of care, while insurers warned of higher costs and reduced utilization safeguards; it advanced on an A roll call. AB 1660, as amended, would give courts more flexibility in cases involving financial institutions and public guardians/conservators, with supporters saying it could save counties time and money; it was approved due-pass as amended. During general public comment, speakers voiced support for AB 2081 and AB 1667, and opposition to AB 1777. After public comment and final vote recording for absent members, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt Sujimura, on behalf of the Insurance Division.
• </c> part of the insurance division. part of the insurance division.
• of how captive just frameworks of of how captive insurance<00:13:45.839><c> operates.
• </c><00:36:28.480><c> function</c><00:36:28.800><c> of</c> of under insurance is a function of of under
• of the insurance industry's mistrust of the insurance industry's desire<00:38:13.119><c> to</c><00:38

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up a short-form administrative licensing measure requested by the administration to correct and clarify renewal provisions in a prior bill. Members raised no questions, and the committee voted to adopt the proposed Senate draft and recommit the bill back to the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee for a further public hearing. The committee then heard SB 2876 on natural hair braiding, which would exempt natural hair braiders from licensing under certain conditions. The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology said it views hair braiding as within the broader scope of cosmetology, but agreed that people who only braid hair should not need a license because the training and exam requirements are minimal. The board warned, however, that exempting braiders could create consumer protection gaps involving sanitation, training, and enforcement, and noted that related services such as waxing, cutting, coloring, shampooing, and relaxing would still require licensure. Supporters included the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and the Institute for Justice. The committee also heard SB 2950 on captive insurance and SB 2951 on insurance proceeds. On SB 2950, the Insurance Division opposed the bill, saying captive insurance is designed for formal self-insurance for companies and that allowing captives to insure the public would not fit the existing regulatory framework; a fire survivor advocate supported the measure as a way to expand disaster-related insurance options. On SB 2951, which would require mortgage servicers to follow certain rules for disbursing insurance proceeds after residential damage or destruction, United Policy Holders strongly supported the bill, citing delays in releasing funds and the need to help survivors rebuild, while banking and financial industry groups submitted opposition or comments. Finally, the committee heard SB 2952, SB 2960, and SB 2964, all related to property insurance and disaster recovery. SB 2952 and SB 2960 would extend the time policyholders have after a declared disaster to submit documentation and recover replacement cost value, with supporters arguing that rebuilding after major disasters takes far longer than standard policy deadlines allow and that the bills would improve consumer protection and transparency; the Insurance Division, the Insurance Council, and national insurance groups opposed the measures. SB 2964 would require annual disclosures of replacement cost value and coverage sufficiency; the Insurance Council opposed it as costly and unnecessary because policies already include inflation-related adjustments, while United Policy Holders and fire survivors supported it, saying many homeowners are underinsured and do not understand their coverage.

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, the Department of Licensing can issue confidential driver's licenses and identity
• Representative Reed, why did the Department of Licensing stop this?
• Representative Reed, why did the Department of Licensing stop this procedure, this process?
• in support of House Bill 2096, allowing the Department of Licensing to issue investigators confidential
• The Department of Transportation has listed no fiscal impact.

Summary: The committee opened by noting it would hear three bills and adjourn before 5 p.m. House Bill 2323, the Blue Envelope Program bill, was briefed as a Department of Licensing program to help neurodivergent drivers communicate with law enforcement during traffic stops by providing a blue envelope with instructions and documents such as registration and insurance. Representative Carolyn Eslick described the bill as a voluntary, free tool modeled on programs in other states, and several supporters testified that it could reduce stress, improve communication, and prevent misunderstandings during stops. A committee member asked whether the program could be broadened to other people with disabilities, and Eslick said anyone could request a blue envelope. No vote was taken. House Bill 2096 would allow the Department of Licensing to issue confidential driver’s licenses and identicards to investigators in the Attorney General’s Office for undercover civil and criminal investigations. Staff said the bill would have no fiscal impact and that current practice already requires credentials to be returned when assignments end. Representative Julia Reed said the measure would protect investigators working on consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental enforcement, while the Attorney General’s Office testified that investigators sometimes need to use real IDs in covert work and could be exposed or doxed. The sheriffs and police chiefs association raised concerns that the AGO investigators are civilian staff, not commissioned officers, and questioned whether existing law enforcement agencies should handle such work instead. A tobacco-control advocate supported the bill as a tool to strengthen enforcement against illegal tobacco sales and youth access. No action was taken. House Bill 2134 would require certain regional transportation planning organizations to include greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reduction goals in regional transportation plans for specified counties. Staff said the Department of Transportation had no fiscal impact, while local governments reported an indeterminate impact. Representative Davina Duerr said the bill would align regional plans with existing local climate planning requirements and state emissions targets. Supporters from Futurewise, Transportation Choices Coalition, and Spokane Reimagined said the bill would improve consistency in planning, support transit and active transportation, and help address transportation-related climate pollution. An industry representative opposed the bill, warning it could bias funding away from road preservation at a time of underinvestment and weather-related stress on the system. The public hearing on HB 2134 then closed, and the meeting ended with a reminder about caucus timing.