Transcript Highlights:

• of new cases coming in?
• So if that is indeed the case, why can we not, and I understand they're not paying the regular rate,
• So if that is indeed the case, why can we not, and I understand they're not paying the regular rate,
• It helps with rate need.
• I don't think that's the case.

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation CEO Tim Serio, with Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworski also answering questions. Serio reviewed Citizens’ role as Florida’s insurer of last resort, its statutory funding structure, eligibility rules, depopulation program, reinsurance obligations, and the surcharge/emergency assessment mechanisms that can be used if Citizens runs a deficit. He emphasized that recent legislative reforms, combined with lower litigation and improved market conditions, have helped the private market recover and reduced Citizens’ policy count from a peak of about 1.41 million in 2023 to 936,182 at the end of 2024, with a projected drop to about 771,000 by the end of 2025. He also said the reforms reduced Citizens’ rate need and helped avoid an emergency assessment after the 2024 storms. Members asked about Citizens’ rate increases, why Citizens still seeks higher rates despite lower litigation, how the 20% eligibility threshold works, whether Citizens should be wind-only, and whether the state or federal government could help with deficits. Serio explained that Citizens is still charging below actuarially sound rates in most areas, that rate filings reflect reduced litigation and lower reinsurance exposure, and that assessments on all Florida property policyholders are the reason Citizens tries to build surplus and depopulate. He said the depopulation program is working better than in the past, with less than 2% of takeout policies returning to Citizens, and that the Office of Insurance Regulation has been vetting takeout companies more carefully. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on claims handling after Debby, Helene, and Milton, including flood-versus-wind disputes and Citizens’ use of the Division of Administrative Hearings for some claim disputes. Serio said Citizens had received 76,625 claims from the three storms and had paid nearly $823 million in indemnity and expenses as of January 7, 2025. He said many closed-without-payment claims were either below deductible, withdrawn, duplicate, or flood-only, and that Citizens had asked its internal audit function to independently review the claims data and denials. He also described Citizens’ storm outreach, catastrophe response centers, managed-repair program, and claim review process, and said the corporation remains focused on paying valid claims while minimizing the risk of assessments on the broader Florida market.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had a case go all the way to jury.
• What is the rate on mechanics and what is the rate presently for body work?
• , similar to how mechanical warranty labor rates... ...prevailing market rates, similar to how mechanical
• It is important to note insurers regularly pay higher rates for mechanical shops, yet deny the same rates
• do this for me, I'll work for that rate.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Financial Services Committee heard testimony on several insurance, transportation, and labor-related bills. Senator Edwards supported bills addressing app-based delivery workers, arguing that food-delivery drivers should be treated as employees with protections and mileage reimbursement, and that a small surcharge on app-based deliveries could raise revenue for the Commonwealth and localities. Kevin Brousseau of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO also backed the delivery-worker bill, saying it would preserve employee status, add data transparency, and create a process for challenging deactivations. MAPC supported a bill to change transportation network company fees from a flat per-ride charge to a percentage-based assessment, saying the current fee is outdated and that a higher fee could raise more transportation revenue and help address congestion and emissions. A large portion of the hearing focused on auto insurance and collision repair issues. Insurance industry witnesses supported a bill to limit attorney’s fees in PIP cases by giving insurers 30 days after a complaint is served to pay amounts due without fee exposure, arguing that PIP litigation has surged, is clogging courts, and is being driven by out-of-state firms. They also opposed auto body labor-rate bills, saying the market is already adjusting and that a statutory floor is unnecessary. In contrast, auto body shop representatives and the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Massachusetts urged favorable action on bills to raise and regularly update collision repair labor rates, saying current reimbursement levels are far below market, have not kept pace with inflation or vehicle technology, and are making it hard to retain workers and keep small shops open. One witness also supported a bill to limit insurance surcharge points for low-damage accidents or minor moving violations. Committee members asked questions about deactivation rights for delivery workers, the mechanics of the PIP litigation issue, and the gap between body-shop and mechanical labor rates. Testimony emphasized that current auto body reimbursement rates are around the mid-$40s per hour, while mechanical work can be reimbursed at much higher rates, and that advisory-board discussions have produced only limited progress. At the end of the hearing, the chairs asked if anyone else wished to testify, then moved to close the hearing; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I believe it's how we analyze a rate case.
• My hope is through the rate case process, which is maybe what we hear most about.
• Do they represent the public's interest in these rate cases?
• I think every time there is a rate case, there is a modification.
• And throughout the rate case process, there's a request that initially comes in.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and Senator Polsky excused. The committee first heard Senate Bill 1416 by Senator DeSigley, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new election schedule takes effect. Members asked about runoff elections, with the sponsor saying runoffs would likely shift to the August primary and that he was open to further discussion, including possibly eliminating runoffs. The bill drew support from a senator citing potential taxpayer savings, while the Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed. SB 1416 was reported favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 766 by Senator Burgess, as amended by a strike-all that refocused the bill on agents of “countries of concern” and narrowed disclosure requirements. The sponsor said the measure was intended to increase transparency around foreign-backed political activity and align with federal Foreign Agents Registration Act concepts. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. LaRosa described the PSC’s role regulating investor-owned utilities and emphasized transparency, consumer protection, workforce development, and adapting to new energy technologies such as small modular reactors. Senators questioned him closely about recent Florida Supreme Court criticism of PSC orders as insufficiently reasoned and overly reliant on utility assertions. LaRosa acknowledged the criticism, said PSC procedures and orders had become more detailed, and committed to continued improvement. Despite concerns, his nomination was advanced favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of nominations in tabs 4 through 27 without objection and without separate hearings. At the end of the meeting, Senator Grall asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on SB 1416 and SB 766, and the committee rose.

Transcript Highlights:

• rate, is $1,637 a day.
• That study found that 57% of people involved in those ITA cases had a prior ITA case. 24% of the people
• And 7% of the people in those ITA courts had at least 10 prior ITA cases. 28% of the people with cases
• of the community-based case management work.
• And then enhanced case management.

Summary: The committee met for what was described as its final meeting, with members and staff reflecting on the work of the Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care and noting that future work would likely shift to standing health and wellness committees. The meeting began with introductions and then moved into updates on major initiatives that originated from the committee, including Washington Cares, the Dementia Action Collaborative, and Medicaid long-term care programs. Presenters emphasized that these efforts were developed through long-term legislative-executive collaboration and were intended to help Washington prepare for the state’s aging population. On Washington Cares, DSHS described the program’s development from a 2014 research effort to its 2019 enactment, premium collection beginning in 2023, portability improvements in 2024, and 2025 changes including a grandfathered opt-out fix and a framework for supplemental private long-term care insurance. The agency said benefits are expected to go fully live next summer, with a pilot of up to 400 applicants planned for next January. On dementia policy, the Dementia Action Collaborative reported on the state dementia plan, Project ECHO training for providers, and pilot dementia-capable community programs at area agencies on aging, citing preliminary results that about 85% of family caregivers said services helped people remain at home. DSHS also reviewed Medicaid Transformation Project initiatives, including Medicaid Alternative Care, Tailored Supports for Older Adults, presumptive eligibility, and health-related social needs benefits such as rental assistance, nutrition support, and home modifications. The committee then heard an emerging issues panel from ombuds and disability advocates. Patricia Hunter of the long-term care ombuds program raised concerns about staffing shortages, resident rights, surveillance technology, private equity ownership of facilities, and illegal discharges or evictions. Betty Sweeterman of the Developmental Disabilities Ombuds discussed people stuck in hospitals without medical need, gaps in behavioral health services for people with developmental disabilities, and the need for better workforce training. Todd Carlyle of Disability Rights Washington urged expansion and bundling of community supports such as PACT, GOSH, and peer bridgers to reduce repeated institutionalization and support discharge from inpatient psychiatric settings. Provider and labor panels followed, with nursing home, assisted living, supported living, and union representatives all emphasizing workforce shortages, low wages, Medicaid rate inadequacy, case management bottlenecks, behavioral health complexity, and the need for more flexible care models and stronger accountability for rate increases. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with public comment on manufactured housing and closing remarks thanking staff and participants for the committee’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• cases.
• The rates are determined by dividing the total number of cases disposed of by the total number of cases
• The case types most impacted by the surge in March of 2023 show a clearance rate.
• The clearance rate for commercial premises liability cases also dropped to 5% in March of 2023.
• And would you expect that, you know, the pre-event case management closure rate would be higher than

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are burdened by a 6% interest rate on arrears.
• or... the rate at which arrears are growing slows.
• ...high interest rate encouraged.
• Research shows lowering interest rates work.
• We handle more than 72% of all mental health cases, guardianship cases, and probate cases throughout

Bills: SB629, SB1015, SB2501, SB2933

Keywords: child support, interest accrual, family law, delinquency, financial judgment, statutory probate courts, probate court fees, judicial fund, county reimbursement, comptroller, Texas Government Code, Local Government Code, court fees, fee allocation, excess contributions, judicial education and support fund, presiding judge salary, county finance, court administration, Texas judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• BUT I BELIEVE IT IS HOW WE ANALYZE A RATE CASE.
• >> Mike LaRosa: I THINK EVERY TIME THERE IS A RATE CASE THERE IS A MODIFICATION.
• WE MADE MULTIPLE MODIFICATIONS TO BOTH CASES WE SAW LAST FALL AND THROUGHOUT THE RATE CASE PROCESS THERE
• THE YEAR LETTER WOULD SAY WE ARE GOING TO FILE A RATE CASE.
• RATE CASES THAT CAUSED HIM TO LEVEL THIS CRITICISM WHICH HE SAID APPLIED TO VIRTUALLY ALL CASES. >>

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I believe it's how we analyze a rate case.
• My hope is, through the rate case process, which is maybe what we hear most about...
• They do, and they're typically at the forefront as an intervener in most rate cases.
• I think every time there is a rate case, there is a modification.
• Throughout the rate case process, there's a request that initially comes in.

Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum present and first considered SB 1416, which would move municipal elections to coincide with the general election and extend incumbent terms until the new schedule takes effect. Senators discussed whether the bill would affect runoff elections, with the sponsor explaining that runoff timing would shift to the August primary/general election framework. The Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties were noted as opposed, while members cited potential taxpayer savings and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 766, as amended by strike-all, which would require agents of certain “countries of concern” to register with the Division of Elections when engaging in political activity. The amendment narrowed the bill’s focus and aligned terminology with existing state law. After no opposition or debate on the amendment, the committee adopted it and then reported the bill favorably. Members next heard the reappointment of Mike LaRosa to the Public Service Commission. Questioning focused heavily on PSC transparency, the sufficiency of commission orders, Supreme Court criticism of PSC decisions, storm protection plans, utility rate cases, and how the commission evaluates evidence and consumer impacts. LaRosa said the commission had changed its procedures to produce more detailed orders and more robust discussion, and he described ongoing work on rate cases, public engagement, and emerging energy issues such as small modular reactors. Despite concerns raised, the nomination was reported favorably to the full Senate. The committee then approved a block of additional appointments in tabs 4 through 27, also reporting them favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• is, or in some cases the OMB rate.
• assistance rate.
• and other rates.
• the Medicare payment rate.
• bit higher than the Medicare rate, in some cases, two to three times as high.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's use Kylie's case as an example. Kylie's case.
• Some cases we do, some cases we don't, and it depends on the judge and the case.
• In cases that settle quickly, some cases don't.
• Because they told me not to use my insurance; it would hurt my case. Case after case after case.
• cases.

Bills: HB4806

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So CFI is far below the other case management rates.
• :19.920> rate management rate the case management rate management rate the case management rate
• management rate and it was higher than some of the other case management rates.
• management rate and it was higher than some of the other case management rates.
• a rate for case management um there is a a rate for case management that<01:44:47.840> is<01:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe they're clearing their cases at a rate that is, they're clearing more cases than what are being
• I believe they're clearing their cases at a rate that is, they're clearing more cases than what are being
• I believe they're clearing their cases at a rate that is, they're clearing more cases than what are being
• I believe they're clearing their cases at a rate that is, they're clearing more cases than what are being
• We have performance measures based on clearance rate in the sense of the number of case filings that

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so those SNAP cases.
• error rate level.
• Those cases have been administered, and those cases from fed we're in federal fiscal year 26.
• To mitigate their error rates.
• rate is not the same as a fraud rate; it is benefits being awarded in an incorrect amount.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a 62% turnover rate.
• I'll paraphrase this one, but in some cases, rate components have not been updated with the most recent
• Percent in staff vacancy rates.
• I pay $12 an hour and can't hire at that rate. We have a... 62% turnover rate.
• But in some cases, rate components have not been updated.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Benjamin Farkley: ...a per-consumer cap on rate case expenses.
• In some cases, we found that rate case expenses can actually exceed whatever the increase would have
• **Woody Rickerson:** These are typically base rate cases and other cases of the same kind, where there
• In some cases, we found that rate case expenses can actually exceed whatever the increase would have
• So these are typically base rate cases. ...and other cases of the same kind where there is either a dispute

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is really not the case.
• Her organization was our plaintiff in that case.
• and reduce the rejection rate.
• and reduce the rejection rate.
• and pockets that might have lower turnout rates.

Summary: The committee held a work session on voting rights in the United States and Washington, beginning with testimony from Marissa Wright of Campaign Legal Center and David Montes of the ACLU of Washington. They described the federal Voting Rights Act’s main protections—preclearance, vote suppression, and vote dilution—and argued that Supreme Court decisions such as Shelby County v. Holder and Brnovich have weakened those tools. They said Washington should consider stronger state-level protections, including a preclearance program and broader safeguards against discriminatory voting practices. Members asked about Washington’s history of discrimination, voter roll purges, noncitizen registration, and remedies under the Washington Voting Rights Act, including ranked-choice voting and district-based systems. The committee then heard from the Office of Equity and several commissions, which described their roles in advising state government and working with communities. They focused on the immigration sub-cabinet created under Executive Order 2509, saying it is intended to improve coordination across agencies, the legislature, the courts, and community organizations on issues such as data privacy, language access, health care, education, and accountability under the Keep Washington Working Act. Members asked about the use of NGOs, accountability for KWW violations, and the sub-cabinet’s goals, and the panel said the effort is meant to help government respond more quickly and collaboratively while centering immigrant, disability, LGBTQ, and other communities. The final panel was from the University of Washington Elections Database Project, which presented data on vote-by-mail ballot challenges, cures, and rejections from 2020 to 2024. They reported that about 1.5% of ballots are signature-challenged in most elections, roughly 60% of challenged ballots are cured, and overall rejection rates are about 1% in general elections and 1.5% in primaries. The researchers said voters of color, younger voters, and some tribal-area voters experience higher rejection rates, and that differences appear tied to signature mismatch, language access, ballot timing, and familiarity with the system. In the last panel, Maria Fernandez and Vicki Frausto of EIA described voter education and civic engagement work in Yakima County and Sunnyside, including concerns about intimidation, language barriers, signature mismatch, and at-large election systems; they said stronger Washington Voting Rights Act protections would help communities elect candidates of choice. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• In an electric base rate case, it is not unusual to hire more than, uh, more than 4 experts a revenue
• and a rate case expert.
• just in case TDI has any questions or concerns with that rate filing.
• Uh, we get involved in fairly large cases. We just finished up the, uh, Texas title rate case.
• We work on everything, uh, for instance, the undying groundwater rate case that you were talking about

Transcript Highlights:

• Water and wastewater rate cases.
• so much in every rate case.
• We have fully litigated four of our last five rate cases.
• Now, in the rate cases, it's a bit more competitive.
• Joe, which had gone like 13 years without a rate case.

Summary: The joint committee met with a quorum present and first received an overview of its jurisdiction and duties related to appointing the Florida Public Counsel. Staff explained the committee’s authority under joint rules and state law, noted that the current Public Counsel’s term expires February 28, 2025, and that applications for the next four-year term were open with a February 6, 2025 deadline. The committee then heard an extensive update from Public Counsel Walt Truerweiler on the Office of Public Counsel’s work representing utility ratepayers before the Public Service Commission and in appeals. Truerweiler described the office’s caseload and priorities, including electric, gas, water, and wastewater rate cases; storm recovery dockets; cost-recovery clauses; rulemakings; and customer service hearings. He emphasized that the office seeks to challenge unsupported or imprudent costs, find value for customers, and use expert analysis and customer testimony to shape outcomes. He highlighted recent and ongoing matters, including major Duke, TECO, Sunshine water/wastewater, and hurricane recovery proceedings, and said the office had fully litigated four of its last five rate cases, while also achieving a major settlement in Duke that reduced a requested increase and imposed cost controls on solar projects. Members praised the office’s work and asked about the benefits of settlements, staffing and compensation, and how the office decides when to fully intervene versus provide guidance or monitor a case. Truerweiler said settlements can create predictability, reduce uncertainty and expense, and produce tangible value for both customers and utilities. He also acknowledged recruitment challenges, including lower pay than comparable agencies and difficulty attracting attorneys who do not want in-person litigation work. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentations, and adjourned after a motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we've documented numerous cases where cooperatives have imposed excessive attachment rates and
• In some cases, rates have jumped tenfold without transparency or justification.
• There may be valid justifications in some cases, but those rates must be supported by evidence and subject
• Third, there's rates determined by the PUC in a contested case, which I'm an alum.
• I have nothing but respect, but a contested rate case is not necessarily expedient.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we've documented numerous cases where cooperatives have imposed excessive attachment rates and
• In some cases, rates have jumped tenfold without notice. Transparency or justification.
• There may be valid justifications in some cases, but those rates must be supported by evidence and subject
• OK, that they had rates in place that were decades old in some cases.
• Third, there are rates determined by the PUC in a contested case, which I respect, but a contested rate

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all