Transcript Highlights:

• backfilling of health insurance costs.
• Mario Smeglia of the Department of Finance Administration.
• Mario Smeglia of the Department of Finance Administration.
• Office of Superintendent of Insurance sends people.
• vote toward the end of next week, you know, Department of Health and other...

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard an Aging and Long-Term Services Department budget presentation comparing the LFC and executive recommendations. The main differences were in the Aging Network, Adult Protective Services, Program Support, and Long-Term Care Division, especially the executive’s proposed $10 million infusion into the Kiki Savadra Senior Dignity Fund and $6.2 million for expanding New Mexico Care. LFC staff explained that the committee recommendation was lower in general fund and fund-balance use, while the executive emphasized rising senior population needs, meal and transportation costs, and the cost savings of keeping older adults at home. The secretary also reviewed the department’s special requests, including the conference on aging, outreach, emergency preparedness, and the Kiki fund, and described New Mexico Care’s growth, its evaluation results, and the department’s plan to separate Kiki into its own accounting fund. Members largely focused on senior services, rural meal delivery, transportation, caregiver support, and the Kiki fund. Several members urged stronger support for non-metro aging providers and for New Mexico Care, citing its role in keeping seniors out of nursing homes and the program’s reported savings and outcomes. Questions also covered eligibility, background checks for caregivers, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer’s screening, and whether Kiki funds can support home modifications such as ramps. The committee then voted to adopt the LFC recommendation with one executive language change: adding the executive’s page 14 language allowing an additional 12.5% distribution for initial payments to aging network providers at the start of FY27. Representative Dow opposed the motion. The committee then moved to the Attorney General’s budget. LFC staff explained that the office’s budget relies heavily on the Consumer Settlement Fund, with both recommendations reducing general fund revenue while increasing settlement-fund use, and that performance measures were in consensus. The Attorney General said the office was not seeking more general fund, but wanted greater ability to use funds it recovers. He highlighted major consumer and public safety work, including litigation against major social media and AI platforms, a case involving Snapchat and child exploitation/extortion, the statewide crime gun intelligence center, efforts to address oilfield theft, work on missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and efforts to protect federal funds coming into New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Treasury.
• House Bill 4703, a bill to amend the Insurance Code of 1956. First reading of the bill.
• House Bill 4703, a bill to amend the Insurance Code of 1956. First reading of the bill.
• House Bill 5807, a bill to amend the Insurance Code of 1956. First reading of the bill.
• House Bill 5807, a bill to amend the Insurance Code of 1956. First reading of the bill.

Keywords: 983, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And since then, during session, there was a piece of the budget bill for the Insurance Department that
• North Dakota Insurance 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 the Department of Labor.
• A lot of it is moving to the Department of Labor.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• just a bit about our new secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services.
• Just overall kind of the stark picture of access to health insurance, I am not wanting to lose.
• I'll talk about just sort of the fully insured side of things.
• I'll talk about just sort of the fully insured side of things.
• Some of them are self-insured providers—maybe Boeing, maybe Amazon, maybe PEB or SEB self-insured with

Committee: Joint Joint Select Committee on Health Care and Behavioral Health Oversight

Summary: The committee first welcomed new DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who introduced herself and described her background in public service, federal and state legislative work, and health and human services leadership. Members emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with her and noted her focus on protecting services, using strategic approaches in a tight budget environment, and improving partnerships with the Legislature. Ramirez said she wanted to keep communication open and that her priorities would be shaped by what she learns from lawmakers and agency partners. The next work session focused on the West Coast Health Alliance and the broader Governor’s Public Health Alliance. Department of Health and governor’s office staff said the West Coast alliance, involving Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, was formed to coordinate science-based public health guidance, especially around vaccines, return-to-work guidance, and responses to federal changes. They said the alliance is intended to reduce confusion, counter misinformation, and preserve access to evidence-based recommendations, with early actions including vaccine guidance for COVID-19, flu, and RSV, a statement rejecting any vaccine-autism link, and preparation for possible ACIP changes. Members asked about workload and coordination with other regional alliances, and staff said there is informal coordination but no formal regular meetings. The committee then heard from the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange about open enrollment and the effects of federal policy changes. Exchange leaders said the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, HR1 provisions, and immigration-related eligibility changes are affecting affordability and enrollment, with some customers facing large premium increases and some counties becoming harder to serve. They reported early open-enrollment traffic increases, nearly 10,000 new sign-ups, and nearly 12,000 active coverage drops so far, while noting that many more people may disenroll later if subsidies are not extended. They also described mitigation efforts such as silver loading, Cascade Care Savings, outreach through navigators and community partners, and planning for future HR1 requirements like ending auto-renewal and adding verification steps. In the final work session, staff from the Health Care Authority and Insurance Commissioner’s office reviewed Washington’s health reform history and the state’s current affordability and access efforts. They highlighted past ACA-related coverage gains, continued work on prescription drug affordability, PBM oversight, primary care and behavioral health access, and a pending legislative proposal to preserve access to preventive services. They also discussed federal changes affecting Medicaid and the exchange, including work requirements, six-month redeterminations, and the need to coordinate across agencies to implement new rules. Members raised concerns about network adequacy, provider access, and the complexity of the health care system, while staff said they are trying to mitigate harm, simplify administration, and keep coverage and access as stable as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• We established a core team of state leaders across CYFD, the Department of Health, the Health Care Authority
• But also, Health Care Authority, Department of Health, Public Education Department, Supreme Court, legislators
• I don't know if it was the Department of Health (DOH) or the University of New Mexico (UNM), but basically
• The other place where we're very out of step with other states is the cost of the malpractice insurance
• Have any of the insurance companies said to you, have you met with any insurance company that provides

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Mr</c> the purchase of um Insurance followup Mr the purchase of um Insurance followup Mr chair<00
• </c><00:59:26.880><c> like</c> department of culture and stuff like department of culture and stuff like
• I see the Department of Ag is here.
• ><01:08:15.880><c> do</c> bill see the department of AG is here do bill see the department of AG is here
• </c> department but on our farm and most of department but on our farm and most of the<01:47:50.360><

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I submitted this bill on the request of the Insurance Department.
• Insurance Department.
• of the New Hampshire<00:10:57.519><c> Insurance</c><00:10:57.920><c> Department.
• </c><00:10:58.720><c> I'm</c> Hampshire Insurance Department. I'm Hampshire Insurance Department.
• And it out of this insurance company.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, like Representative Viega said, we put a chunk of money to the Department of Housing, and
• this vertical instead of just insurance, but more so this area of practice.
• of Insurance and Financial Institutions.
• of Insurance and Financial Institutions.
• It is supported by the Department of Real Estate.

Committee: House House Commerce Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Commerce Committee heard House Bill 2181, which would extend the deadline for funeral establishments or responsible individuals to complete and submit death certificates. The committee adopted an amendment reducing the maximum extension to 14 days and clarifying that the medical certification deadline for health care providers excludes weekends and holidays. Testimony from a mortuary owner and the sponsor described delays caused by doctors’ schedules, county processing, holidays, and families needing more time; some members argued the bill did not address the underlying accountability problems for doctors and counties, while others supported the added flexibility. HB 2181 was approved 6-4-1 with a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard House Bill 2682, which creates a DES rental assistance program providing up to two months or $5,000 in aid and appropriates $5 million from the general fund for administration. Supporters said the bill would help families facing short-term crises stay housed, reduce evictions, and serve as a preventive measure that could save money downstream; a constituent testified in Spanish about receiving emergency rental help after falling behind. Some members raised concerns about the program’s cost, the limited target population, and whether seniors should be included, while others supported it as a pilot and asked for possible amendments. HB 2682 passed 7-4. House Bill 2698, which creates a rental assistance study committee to evaluate the effectiveness of such programs and repeals the committee in 2028, was heard next and passed on a 7-4 vote. The committee then considered House Bill 2476, revising CPA certification and reciprocity requirements by creating multiple pathways to licensure and updating related rules and fees. Supporters said the bill would help address a CPA workforce shortage and align Arizona with other states; after questions about whether the bill made licensure harder or easier, the committee unanimously approved HB 2476, 11-0. Finally, the committee began House Bill 2308, which would bar dental insurers and certain holding companies from owning dental practices. The sponsor and Arizona Dental Association argued the bill would prevent conflicts of interest and preserve separation between payers and providers, while Delta Dental opposed the measure as overbroad and potentially burdensome for nonprofit insurers and investors. After discussion about private equity, nonprofit charity care, and vertical integration, the bill was approved 8-0 with three members present. The committee then started House Bill 2118 on mobile food vendors, with the sponsor and food truck operators arguing it would streamline duplicate local permitting, while cities and some vendors opposed it as a loss of local oversight and control; testimony continued, but no final action on HB 2118 appears in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is really about taking care of the agriculture department.
• of Insurance.
• Although these insurance products are already filed and approved by the Department of Insurance, there's
• </c><00:43:29.280><c> of</c><00:43:29.520><c> Insurance,</c> approved by the Department of Insurance,
• approved by the Department of Insurance, there's<00:43:30.240><c> currently</c><00:43:30.480><c> no<

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 565 requiring the Commissioner of Insurance to prepare and publish a report regarding the
• of Insurance Department to Commissioner of Insurance Department to prepare<00:29:01.160><c> and</c><
• they take it to if the insurance department is the one that is the regulator?
• they take it to if the insurance department is the one that is the regulator?
• I look to the insurance department. Do I have the right number? Didn't we just vote?

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Agricultural Biosecurity. - Good afternoon. - Dab stands in strong support of the nomination
• Next is Department of Hawaiian Homelands. - Hello, Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee.
• The Department of Hawaiian Homelands stands on its written testimony and strong support of this measure
• I think when we first were thinking of this bill or a version of this bill, working with Department of
• HB 2594 HD1 directs the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first considered three gubernatorial nominations. GM510, Faith Tui Pulotu to the Molokai Irrigation System Water Users Advisory Board, received strong support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, though the nominee was not present online. GM614, Mark Gordon to the Environmental Advisory Council, also drew unanimous support from state and private testifiers; Gordon described his environmental health and safety background and said he could commit the time needed. GM696, James Falconer to the Advisory Board on Pesticides, was supported by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau; Falconer discussed his long experience in coffee and sugar, including work responding to coffee leaf rust and the need for timely pesticide tools. All three nominations were recommended for advise and consent and were adopted by four-member votes. The committee then heard several agriculture bills. HB 1603 HD1 would allow the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to extend agricultural park leases without the current county-population restriction; supporters called it an equity measure and asked that it apply to all ag park leases, while the department gave standard testimony. HB 1707 HD1 would create a local agricultural transportation cost reimbursement program; supporters said transportation is a major production cost and suggested amendments to define “necessary supplies” and explicitly include honey. HB 2155 HD1 would establish an agricultural statistics program, with supporters emphasizing the need for better data to guide planning. HB 2594 HD1 would direct a study on insurance coverage for small producers, which supporters linked to recent storm damage and the lack of tailored insurance products. HB 2595 HD1 would create a regional agricultural feasibility and food systems production working group; supporters said it should consider markets as well as crop suitability and regional conditions. Members asked questions about lease competition, transportation reimbursement amounts and anti-double-dipping safeguards, the usefulness of agricultural data, and whether state or federal insurance models could be used as templates. Testifiers generally said the bills would help reduce costs, improve planning, and support small and neighbor-island producers, while noting that implementation details and funding levels would need further work. The committee then voted to pass all five bills with amendments, generally including a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050, and in the case of HB 1707, the committee adopted the suggested amendments to define necessary supplies and add honey to the covered commodities.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is insurance for farmers in the state of Florida who have a very difficult time getting insurance
• of insurance. >> And last one, thank you.
• One of the key provisions of the Affordable Care Act that is most popular with consumers is insurers
• And that is with having the privilege of private insurance.
• Department of Defense who reached out and sure many of you received a letter from the department and

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I took the importance of this being covered by the health insurance.
• I took the importance of this being covered by the health insurance.
• , copayments, or out-of-pocket limits than other insurance benefits have.
• I have been hammering through with the Department of Health with the Scope of Pain, and the goal is that
• After the age of 18, insurance kept going up and up and up.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a public hearing on a wide range of bills, with testimony first focused on H. 1315/S. 824, which would require insurance coverage for pain management options during IUD insertion. Representative Sabadosa, Planned Parenthood clinicians, and policy advocates said sedation can reduce fear and trauma, improve access to effective contraception, and should be reimbursed so providers can continue offering it. A Tufts OB-GYN resident also testified that pain control should be standard care for intrauterine procedures. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee then heard extensive testimony on firefighter health bills, especially H. 1230/S. 690 requiring insurance coverage for cancer screenings for firefighters. Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts leaders, a Dana-Farber oncologist, and firefighters themselves described occupational exposure to carcinogens and personal stories of late-stage cancer detection, arguing that early screening can save lives and reduce long-term costs. Representative Crichton and Representative Howitt also spoke in support, and Representative Ayers testified for H. 4012, which would require neurological disorder screenings for firefighters. Committee members expressed support and sympathy, but no action was taken. The hearing also covered H. 3946/S. 756 on hearing aid coverage, with testimony from students, adults with hearing loss, disability advocates, and HLAA representatives describing the educational, social, and financial barriers caused by lack of coverage and urging broader insurance mandates. Later, Representative Donahue and Representative Vargas testified for H. 1337 to expand insurance coverage for opioid antagonists and related medications, including naloxone dispensed at discharge. The committee additionally heard testimony on H. 1134 to improve chronic pain care coordination and non-opioid access, and H. 4162 to improve ostomy supply coverage and access to certified ostomy care, with patients and clinicians describing denials, quantity limits, and non-medical switching. The transcript ends while testimony on H. 1315/S. 824 is still ongoing; no votes or formal committee actions are recorded in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health.
• Contracts number nine through—actually number nine, Department of Health Board of Nursing with the Department
• Number 17, DHS Division of Medical Services with Department of Health.
• number nine through actually number nine department of health board of nursing with the department of
• This is for public relations with the Department of Agriculture. 52, Department of Agriculture with Zach

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, and a member disclosure. The Office of State Procurement presented rule changes tied to 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, with updates to sole-source definitions, unrealistic bids, protest requirements, debarment procedures, and recodification references; the committee voted to accept the supplemental agenda and approve the rules. Members also approved eight methods of finance covering university repairs, equipment replacement, property purchase, and capital projects, along with a large slate of discretionary grants for courts, health, DHS, historic preservation, and tobacco prevention programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys, Department of Health costs from an ice-storm-related water leak, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, Veterans Affairs HVAC and medical-service payments, and a UA Little Rock painting contract. The Department of Public Safety ratification drew extended questioning about why the expired Motorola contract had not been renewed sooner and why the issue took months to reach the committee; agency officials said the project was bond-funded, had not been tracked in ASIS, and involved ongoing negotiations and system updates. Despite concerns, the committee approved the ratifications. Members also reviewed a long list of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including numerous university, DHS, health, corrections, and state agency agreements. Several contracts were discussed in more detail, including an SAU custodial contract question about sales tax and transparency reporting, and Department of Corrections aerial application contracts for Tucker and Cummins farms, which officials said served separate facilities in different parts of the state. The committee approved the contract lists, reviewed reports, and accepted a disclosure from Representative Andrew Collins regarding his investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It increases funding for the Department of Transitional Assistance caseworker line item from $41.5 million
• It increases funding for the Department of Transitional Assistance caseworker line item from $41.5 million
• insurance for a great number of public sector employees that they depend on.
• made up of members tasked with designing health insurance products Health insurance products for state
• The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offer grant programs.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt Aiken, on behalf of the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies, respectfully
• Outside of these circumstances, plans and insurers often have no visibility into out-of-network services
• So this is sort of allocating beds. And a lot of those tools are actually built on insurance data.
• With implementation of these types of systems, insurers are effectively rewriting medical coding rules
• With implementation of these types of systems, insurers are effectively rewriting medical coding rules

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a long agenda of health-related bills, beginning with AB 2651 by Bonta, which would require schools to notify parents when school vaccination rates fall below herd immunity thresholds. Supporters, including family physicians, PTA representatives, and medical groups, said the bill would improve transparency and help parents protect children and vulnerable family members. Opponents argued the data could be misleading, could identify medically exempt or conditional students, and might lead to stigma or discrimination. The bill was later moved out of committee on a due-pass-as-amended motion, with one no vote recorded on the roll call. The committee also heard AB 2123 by Aguirre-Curry on medical debt relief, AB 1570 by Wilson to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary breast diagnostic and supplemental imaging, AB 2201 by Berner to restore Medi-Cal eligibility and renewal flexibilities, AB 2448 by Berman to strengthen privacy protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care records, AB 2034 by Addis on food additive safety and transparency, and AB 2598 by Krell to require better notification of next of kin when a patient dies in a hospital. Each bill drew strong support from authors, advocates, and affected individuals, while some drew opposition from insurers, industry groups, or transparency critics who raised concerns about cost, duplication, implementation, or unintended harm. Several bills were moved forward on due-pass-as-amended motions, including AB 2123, AB 2201, AB 2448, AB 2034, and AB 2598. The committee also heard AB 2551 by Elhawary, which would require health plans to collect and publish data on how often enrollees must go out of network for behavioral health care and why. Supporters said the measure would expose access barriers and high out-of-pocket costs, especially for communities of color and people with language access needs; opponents said it would add another reporting mandate and might not solve provider shortage problems. Members generally expressed support for the bill’s goals and several described personal or district-level experiences with behavioral health access problems. The bill was then moved out of committee on a due-pass motion. The committee also took up consent items and other procedural motions, with multiple bills reported out and some placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Abbott: This is for Appropriations Act fiscal year 26-27, Insurance Department of Management Services
• Abbott:&nbsp;&nbsp; 187 THIS IS FOR APPROPRIATIONS ACT FISCAL YEAR 26&nbsp; 27 INSURANCE DEPARTMENT OF
• benefits of the state health insurance, including the prescriptions.
• THE BENEFITS OF THE STATE&nbsp;&nbsp; 387 HEALTH INSURANCE INCLUDING THE PRESCRIPTIONS.
• SO BASICALLY THE RATIONALE OF INSURANCE IS THE&nbsp;&nbsp; 395 purpose is to return you, you know, to

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met to consider four conforming committee bills tied to the proposed 2026-27 House General Appropriations Act. Rep. Maggard presented PCB SAB 26-04, the annual retirement bill, which updates Florida Retirement System contribution rates based on the annual actuarial study and was said to produce a $31.7 million state savings. He also presented PCB SAB 26-02, which addresses collective bargaining impasses for state employees by tying resolution to spending decisions in the appropriations act or implementing legislation. Both bills drew brief questions, mainly from Rep. Gantt, and both passed favorably on roll call. Rep. Miller presented PCB SAB 26-03, which reorganizes state audit functions and creates the Florida Accountability Office, consolidating legislative audit work into four divisions and adding whistleblower protections and reporting requirements. Rep. Gantt asked whether the bill changed the use of outside auditors and whether it had a fiscal impact; Miller said the work would be absorbed within existing resources and that the Legislature would retain responsibility. A taxpayer witness supported the bill and urged stronger local-government audit standards and broader whistleblower coverage. The bill passed favorably. Rep. Abbott presented PCB SAB 26-01, a broader appropriations conforming bill focused on the State Employee Health Insurance Trust Fund, prescription drug formulary changes, a health insurance assessment on agencies and vacant positions, the $3 traffic violation surcharge for the State Law Enforcement Radio System, Capitol complex space management, and changes to the Office of Supplier Diversity. Much of the discussion centered on whether a closed formulary would make medications harder to obtain, with Abbott saying prior authorization would still allow access and that the change was needed to control costs and protect the trust fund. Rep. Gantt and Rep. Robinson raised concerns about employee health benefits and the repeal of supplier diversity provisions, arguing the committee lacked data on the impact to minority- and women-owned businesses; Abbott said the changes would still allow small businesses to compete and that the bill was intended to save money and modernize procurement. PCB SAB 26-01 also passed favorably, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• about a handful of people here, went through mediation through the Department of Ag, which was helpful
• about a handful of people here, went through mediation through the Department of Ag, which was helpful
• He is the deputy director of the Department of Agriculture.
• I would just like to bring the Department of AS amendments.
• /c><00:44:05.839><c> of</c><00:44:06.000><c> AS</c> to bring the Department of AS to bring the Department

Bills: SF0050 , SF0068 , SF0084 , HB0087 , HB0029 , HB0061 , HB0090

Committee: House Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources

Keywords: groundwater, water resource management, state engineer, aquifer study, corrective controls, monitoring wells, public reporting, irrigation, water management, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, water development

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Licensing, but they did review this slide.
• I'm chief of autonomous vehicles here at the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Automated Mobility, also the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and then our Arizona Department of
• So that group is made up of, obviously, Department of Transportation representatives, representatives
• Department of Transportation.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• median wage in the county, and if they also cover a certain level of health insurance for the employees
• And then we found that that was insufficient to cover the cost of insurance.
• We found that that was insufficient to cover the cost of insurance.
• that rate, or will they moderate more toward what you see in the rest of the health insurance market
• Yeah, but somebody at the Department of Education is going to have to do all this.

Keywords: 1182, all