Transcript Highlights:

• the violation to ADOT, and an insurer from adjusting policy fees or renewal because of the violation
• The Department of Forensics Study gets public safety forensics fund gets money from this.
• For the record, Emily Raymond with Govig & Schwartz Public Affairs, here on behalf of CSAA Insurance,
• I sent you all a letter this morning signed by a number of insurance...
• I sent you all a letter this morning signed by a number of insurance providers who provide insurance

Summary: The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard several transportation-related measures, with SB 1010 and SB 1552 held at the outset. SB 1024, dealing with licensing and registration rules for roadable aircraft, was discussed briefly; members raised questions about vehicle license tax revenue and the sponsor was absent, but the bill was still advanced on a do pass recommendation by a 3-2 vote. SB 1205, which creates statewide rules for motor vehicle booting on private property, received testimony from industry and Sen. Kavanagh in support and was approved 5-0. SB 1366, creating a study committee on public property towing and impound practices, also passed 5-0 after supporters described it as a bipartisan, data-gathering measure. The committee then took up SB 1624 on photo enforcement violations. The bill would cap civil penalties at $75 and limit the use of photo enforcement violations for license, insurance, and court-record purposes, while an amendment added a class three misdemeanor for excessive speed and directed $15 of the penalty to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. The measure drew extensive debate, with supporters arguing it would simplify enforcement and keep penalties manageable, and opponents including insurers and local governments warning it would mask risk, reduce revenue for state and local funds, and interfere with school-zone safety. After adopting the amendment, the committee advanced the bill 4-2. SB 1232, a technical bill concerning billboard placement near military airport and facility districts, was amended to clarify local approval and public hearing requirements and then passed unanimously. SCR 1004, the companion measure to a House resolution, would send to voters a proposal limiting photo enforcement unless a local government had a contract in place by December 31, 2026; after testimony describing it as a negotiated compromise that preserves local control, it passed 4-2. The committee also approved two memorials, SCM 1002 renaming a portion of SR 77 as the L.F. Quinn Memorial Highway and SCM 1006 renaming a portion of US 70 as the PFC Michael A. Nolene Memorial Highway, both by unanimous votes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we were the Department of Labor long before we became the Department of Labor and Licensing
• Arkansas Department of Health.
• Insurance Department.
• of insurance remedies.
• Arkansas Department of Transportation.

Committee: All ALC-CLAIMS REVIEW/LITIGATION REPORTS OVERSIGHT

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• c> on</c><00:37:04.320><c> request</c> of their insurance policy on request of their insurance policy
• </c><00:41:50.000><c> of</c> this does not include the Department of this does not include the Department
• department of commerce to do the department of commerce to do analysis<00:49:08.480><c> on</c><00:49
• The out-of-pocket costs are, uh, higher than ever in terms of deductibles and co-insurance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the Department of Budget and Finance. Good morning, Chair.
• And essentially what has happened is over the course of the years, when insurance premiums go up, the
• And essentially what has happened is over the course of the years, when insurance premiums go up, the
• The course of the years when insurance premiums go up, the percentages remain the same.
• Insurance plans and the distribution of it gets distributed amongst all of the different plans and how

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Vermont Department of Health Access enrollment tells the story.
• of Vermont Health Access, in consultation... with the Department of Financial Regulation to look at what's
• One of the biggest cost drivers for school districts is health insurance.
• Section 12 provides that the Agency of Human Services, in consultation with DOC, the Department of Health
• Section 12 provides that the Agency of Human Services, in consultation with DOC, the Department of Health

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:50:12.240><c> speak</c> the insurance department probably speak the insurance department probably
• We are not one of the insurance company.
• multisector... chief medical officer for the Department chief medical officer for the Department of<
• I don't read that as Department of Health and Human Services.
• The majority, 82%, of folks have health insurance.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we have the Department of Administration, the Department of Revenue, and Minnesota IT, and we are
• /c> of administration the Department of of administration the Department of Revenue<00:01:54.799><c>
• </c><00:09:38.800><c> of</c> whether that's our Department of whether that's our Department of Transportation
• </c><00:43:08.359><c> of</c> we have the Department of we have the Department of Revenue<00:43:10.760
• </c><01:08:32.440><c> of</c> Commissioner at the Department of Commissioner at the Department of Revenue

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of State Hospitals has identified as being at higher risk of reoffense when released
• Many of the deep discounts plans and insurers can achieve are possible when health plans and insurers
• Insurance Companies, members Stephanie Watkins on behalf of the Association of California Life and Health
• Many of the deep discount plans and insurers can achieve are possible when health plans and insurers
• care because of the policy impacts. ...insurance and health care because of the policy impacts and health

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:25:02.000><c> health</c> will increase the cost of health will increase the cost of health insurance
• </c><01:27:12.679><c> of</c> shared with the Minnesota Department of shared with the Minnesota Department
• Thank you. department the only way we get out of department the only way we get out of this<01:48:07.719
• Department of Human Services in many cases, and maybe it's a combination of some of these and local
• Of Department of Human Services in many cases, and maybe it's a combination of some of these and local

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the state Medicaid administrator, also a deputy director at the Department of Health and Welfare.
• And I think the Department of Insurance has done quite a bit of work on this.
• We posted it on our department website, social media accounts, and we also shared it out with all of
• So over the last several months, there's been a lot of research done by the department with the support
• of a consultant to look at other state contracts. ...by the department with the support of a consultant

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the changes were really trying to make sure that we were addressing self-insured.
• A lot of the changes were really trying to make sure that we were addressing self-insured.
• With the adoption of the Industrial Insurance Act over 100 years ago, workers were promised sure and
• Tammy Fellin, on behalf of the Department of Labor and Industries. And we signed in other.
• Tammy Fellin with the Department of Labor and Industries, and we signed in other.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several labor-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5874, staff and Senator McEwen described a proposal to let the Employment Security Department waive penalties for minor quarterly reporting errors by employers, especially inadvertent electronic filing issues involving occupational codes and job titles. No one testified in opposition, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard extensive testimony on Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5847, which would expand injured workers’ access to medical providers, allow medically appropriate departures from L&I treatment rules, prohibit employers from requiring treatment from a specific provider, and set timelines for utilization review. Supporters, including workers’ advocates and union representatives, said the bill would improve access to care and reduce delays, while business groups opposed it as weakening the provider network and raised concerns about costs and claim duration. L&I said it could implement the bill with a technical fix and noted that the fiscal note was still being updated. A previously adopted claims-manager staffing amendment was discussed but not included in the version heard. On Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5061, the committee heard testimony on requiring public works contracts to update prevailing wage rates annually rather than freezing them at bid time. Labor groups supported the bill as protecting workers from wage erosion on long projects, while contractor groups opposed it unless amended to allow change orders for wage increases above 5 percent, citing unpredictable jumps in prevailing wage rates and added risk for small contractors. L&I requested a delayed effective date to July 1, 2028 because of IT changes. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 5944, which would make missed or canceled appointment payments bargained economic compensation for language access providers, and on Substitute Senate Bill 5972, which would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of county population. Labor groups supported both bills; counties and a city representative opposed 5972 over cost concerns and asked for fiscal safeguards. Finally, the committee heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302, which would require L&I to investigate possible misclassification when three or more independent contractors are used for the same type of finishing work on a public works project. Labor and contractor groups both supported the amended version, saying it targets misclassification without banning legitimate independent contractors. The hearing ended after testimony, with no votes or final committee actions taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• with open enrollment or even with the cost of some of these ACA plans.
• of Health and Welfare to discipline hospitals for misuse of the program.
• , and it does create a lot of backlog for the department.
• , and it does create a lot of backlog for the department.
• That kind of makes sense to me.

Summary: The Health and Welfare committee met with a quorum present and no minutes to approve. Representative Jordan Redmond introduced RS 33-454, a proposal to restore and expand short-term medical insurance plans to prior standards, including allowing coverage up to 36 months. He said the plans are a lower-cost alternative to ACA coverage and noted he holds an insurance license, prompting Rule 80 declarations from him and Representative Furman. Members asked about federal versus state regulation, how the bill would affect current coverage, and what these plans typically cover and cost. After discussion, the committee voted to introduce the bill. The committee then heard RS 33-456 on Medicaid presumptive eligibility for hospitals. Redmond explained that the bill would add guardrails and a three-strike quality assurance system for hospitals that repeatedly misuse presumptive eligibility, citing concerns that some patients later found ineligible are still billed to taxpayers. Members asked how penalties would work and how the process would function in emergency situations. Redmond and Representative Furman said patients would still be treated first, with eligibility checked afterward, and Furman supported the bill as a way to reduce unnecessary Medicaid backlog. The committee voted to introduce the measure. No other substantive business was taken up, and the meeting adjourned after the two introduction votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
• buyers of insurance.
• of Revenue, State of Washington Department of Revenue, and from county property tax records.
• to work with the Department of Insurance on to see if there are particular avenues for addressing that
• to work with Department of Insurance on to see if there are particular avenues for addressing that.

Summary: The committee heard a work session on earthquake insurance, beginning with background from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. OIC staff explained that earthquake and earth movement are generally excluded from standard property policies, that earthquake coverage is usually purchased through endorsements or standalone policies with high deductibles and relatively high premiums, and that surplus lines are a limited backstop market not covered by the state guarantee fund. They also described parametric insurance and captive insurance as more specialized products generally suited to commercial or governmental buyers rather than ordinary consumers. A second panel of insurance and banking experts focused on commercial earthquake exposure, especially for older buildings, collateralized loans, and potential knock-on effects to banks and consumers if a major quake caused widespread damage. Members asked about consumer impacts, mitigation incentives, inventories of vulnerable buildings, and whether legislation such as prior work on unreinforced masonry could help reduce risk. The Washington Bankers Association said earthquake insurance is expensive and that affordability is a major concern, while also noting banks participate in disaster-recovery planning and would be affected by major regional losses. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy on its cannabis and Initiative 502 research. WSIPP staff described the agency as a nonpartisan research institute that conducts legislative-directed studies and explained that its long-term I-502 assignment includes periodic reports leading to a final benefit-cost evaluation in 2032. Staff summarized findings from a 2023 report showing that cannabis possession convictions fell sharply after legalization, though some racial disproportionalities persisted, and that closer retail access was associated with higher reported adult cannabis use, more fatal traffic crashes involving drivers from nearby areas, and higher rates of cannabis use disorder diagnoses among Medicaid enrollees. A 2023 youth-focused report found that students attending schools near retailers were more likely to report cannabis use, had more unexcused absences, and were less likely to graduate on time. In the newest 2025 Medicaid study, staff said retail access was associated with higher probabilities of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, related hospitalizations, inpatient treatment, and co-occurring mental health diagnoses, with event-study analysis suggesting the increases appeared after retailers opened rather than before. Members asked about racial disproportionality, the meaning of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, THC and impairment, whether the findings reflected medical versus recreational use, and how the results should be interpreted in light of broader trends and data limitations. No formal committee action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Department of Health. the Department of Health.
• We'll have the Wyoming Department of Insurance. Are you guys prepared for, like...
• I think that we have, like, the Department of Insurance and insurance providers kind of to respond to
• Part of the insurance code. that? Part of the insurance code.
• Wyoming Department of Insurance, do you have any comments on this? Welcome.

Committee: Joint Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Contract number 13, also Department of the Department of Military.
• Department of Health.
• Number nine, Department of Health, Board of Nursing with the Department of Health.
• Number 17, DHS Division of Medical Services with Department of Health.
• Department of Agriculture.

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I move for fiscal year 2027 additional FTP for the Department of Health and Welfare, Division of Licensing
• The deadline was originally set for the department to get those into CMS by July 1 of this year, 2026
• And this was kind of worked out between Health and Welfare and the department to come out, so it wasn't
• But my understanding is, as of right now, the department feels comfortable working with this extended
• The State Department of Education took a 3% ongoing cut. And health care has taken a cut.

Summary: The committee first approved a technical correction to the Health and Welfare Division of Licensing and Certification budget, restoring 2 FTP that had been cut in error while leaving funding unchanged. It then adopted language extending the deadline for Medicaid comprehensive managed care-related state plan amendments and waivers from July 1, 2026 to 2027, and passed that language after brief discussion about MMIS delays and legal issues. The committee recessed briefly before moving to public school support items. For the Division of Student Support, the committee approved a FY 2026 supplemental adding $7.8 million in federal spending authority, then considered several FY 2027 budget motions and related language. After debate over special education high-needs funding, ELL funding shifts, health insurance, classified staff, and virtual-school funding, the committee ultimately adopted a motion reducing the division’s general fund by $16,222,300, adding $4,141,200 in dedicated funds and $7.8 million in federal funds, and passed several pieces of accompanying language. Those language items included a $3 million reduction to virtual-school discretionary funding, a $7.5 million transportation funding reduction tied to prior statutory changes, reporting requirements for virtual programs, a one-time ELL distribution shift to LEAs, a change to technology curriculum contract requirements, and a special education expenditure report to JFAC. The committee then turned to the Idaho Digital Learning Academy. After extensive debate over alleged “double dipping,” rural access, and the need for policy changes, it rejected a proposed $15 million cut, then approved a smaller $13,500 reduction tied to a pending policy bill. It also adopted language restricting PCIF access and directing IDLA to reduce offerings as needed, plus reporting language on DEI compliance and a usage/enrollment report with more detailed data on synchronous versus asynchronous courses and LEA-level enrollment. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again Monday to take up the Secretary of State budget and trailer bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1286 also establishes a grant review panel within the Department of Financial Services, Division of
• with the Department of Financial Services.
• The insurance workforce in Florida, along with the depth of knowledge in their field, is aging out of
• The insurance workforce in Florida, along with the depth of knowledge in their field, is aging out of
• This amendment changes the composition of the task force, so the Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1286, which expands Florida’s first responder recruitment bonus program to include newly employed firefighters, creates a DFS grant review panel, and establishes a PTSD institute within DFS. Supporters from the fire service and local government spoke in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 198 on virtual currency kiosks. After adopting a substitute amendment, members heard testimony from consumer advocates, industry representatives, and credit unions about scam prevention, elder financial exploitation, and the need for regulatory certainty. The bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Members also approved SB 772, which allows limited licenses for portable electronics and eyewear insurance, and SB 1504, which creates a pathway for high school students to qualify for insurance customer representative licensure through insurance and personal finance coursework. Later, the committee approved SB 1038 and SB 1040, which together create a Florida Strategic Cryptocurrency Reserve and the related trust fund, both with technical amendments. SB 1440, dealing with public records exemptions tied to cybersecurity events and financial regulation, was also reported favorably after amendment. The committee then heard SB 1668 on the NICA program, with testimony both supporting solvency reforms and raising concerns about benefits and retroactivity; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, SB 570 created a task force on payment scams under DFS, was amended to reduce FDLE staffing requirements, and was reported favorably. The meeting ended after senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on certain bills and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The insurance department was ahead of the curve when it comes to trying to get the state of New Hampshire
• I have the pleasure of serving as the commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department.
• So over the past several years, the department has undertaken a thorough review of all of the insurance-related
• The department has undertaken a thorough review of all of the insurance-related statutes.
• Are there any other questions for the Secretary of State or for the insurance department, rather?

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Outside of these circumstances, plans and insurers often have no visibility into out-of-network services
• Matt Aiken, on behalf of the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies, in opposition
• ...triage patients in the emergency department instead of RNs.
• Department of Veterans Affairs reports that veterans already experience higher rates of PTSD, depression
• With implementation of these types of systems, insurers are effectively rewriting medical coding rules

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services to seek to establish certain rates of reimbursement
• The Director of the Department of Health and Human Services is to seek to establish certain rates of
• Assembly Bill 284, introduced by Assemblymember Brown-May, requires the Director of the Department of
• the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
• requests to the Division of Insurance.

Keywords: 909, all