Transcript Highlights:

• some significant challenges for us in this business of health care insurance in our marketplace.
• Insurance Commissioner and that they are held confidential until 10 days in... ...of the Insurance Commissioner
• For the record, Chris Bandley here on behalf of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors
• of Benefit and Insurance Professionals.
• The Department of Health and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner would have to submit any available

Summary: The House Health Care & Wellness Committee held public hearings on HB 2564 and HB 2599, then moved into executive session on several bills. HB 2599, which would restrict the use of AI in therapy and psychotherapy services, drew strong support from the prime sponsor, mental health professional groups, a privacy advocate, and an AI ethics researcher, all of whom warned that chatbots can mislead users, encourage delusions or self-harm, and lack licensure, accountability, and confidentiality protections. Several witnesses from health systems and telehealth organizations supported the bill’s intent but asked for narrower definitions and amendments to avoid unintended impacts on clinician-supervised tools, screening questionnaires, scribes, and other legitimate uses of AI. No vote was taken on HB 2599 during the hearing. HB 2564, which would give the Health Benefit Exchange authority to adopt market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, was presented as a way to address affordability, bare counties, and plan duplication. Supporters included the Exchange, consumer advocates, rural and tribal representatives, navigators, and some individual consumers, who said the bill could improve access, preserve bronze plan availability, and help stabilize the market in counties with too few carriers. Opponents from health plans, Regence, Premier, and insurance producer groups argued the bill would expand exchange authority without clear standards, could reduce competition and carrier participation, and might conflict with existing OIC filing and confidentiality processes; the OIC supported the bill but requested an amendment on rate disclosure timing. The committee then moved to executive session and later reported out HB 1784, HB 2242, HB 2384, and HB 2505 with due pass recommendations, while deferring action on HB 1809 and HB 2261. In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for HB 1784 on certified medical assistants by an 18-0 vote, adopted one amendment and passed a substitute for HB 2242 on preventive services and immunization recommendations by an 11-7 vote, and passed a substitute for HB 2384 on actuarial reviews for continuing care retirement communities by a 16-2 vote. It also adopted an amendment and passed a substitute for HB 2505 on limited adult family home licensure exemptions for certain foster family situations by an 18-0 vote. The meeting adjourned after those actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• of an enrollee's health insurance costs by a health care professional, health care institution, or drug
• None of that.
• So it would put both of those at risk and potentially lower the people who are insured and add to uncompensated
• Department of Health Services.
• And the ifs and the could-ofs, we literally are hearing from the department the same talking points that

Committee: Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR

Summary: The committee heard and voted on several health and human services bills. SB 1192 would exempt good-faith basic first aid given without compensation from Arizona Medical Board licensure requirements, with added consent and law enforcement notification rules for injured minors; an amendment clarifying that the bill does not limit existing liability protections was adopted, and the bill passed 5-2. SB 1398 would require AHCCCS to redetermine eligibility for members over 21 every six months and report eligibility data annually; AHCCCS testified it would create significant administrative costs and that the bill lacked federal-population exemptions and an appropriation, while supporters argued it was needed for transparency and fraud detection. The committee adopted a technical amendment and passed the bill 4-3. SB 1399 would require prepaid capitated AHCCCS contractors to report spending on direct patient care versus administrative costs; supporters framed it as taxpayer accountability, and it passed 6-1. The committee also considered SB 1494, a strike-everything amendment making it a felony for providers, institutions, or drug manufacturers to pay premiums or otherwise steer enrollees to change health plans for financial gain, while exempting licensed insurance producers. Blue Cross Blue Shield and brokers supported the anti-patient-brokering goal, but ARMA warned the language was too broad and could chill ordinary provider-patient conversations and navigator/social worker assistance. The committee adopted the striker and passed the bill 4-3, with several members saying they wanted to refine the language on the floor. SB 1813 would remove the Maricopa County 55-bed cap at the Arizona State Hospital and require admission based on clinical need; supporters said the cap is outdated and leaves beds unused, while ADHS and others warned about rural access, fiscal costs, and possible litigation under Arnold v. Sarn. The committee adopted an amendment removing a citizenship requirement and passed the bill 5-2. Later, SB 1821 passed 6-1. It would let JLBC audit teams review DCS’s case-management system, allow unannounced inspections of licensed group foster homes, prioritize placement with relatives or other significant adults, and require newly hired child safety workers to train for a year under experienced staff. Finally, SB 1557 would require signed informed consent before medical interventions except in emergencies; supporters said it simply codifies standard practice, while the ACLU argued the bill lacked clear standards and could create burdens for ongoing or controversial care. The committee passed SB 1557 4-3 and then adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• insurers to cover a portion or up to full coverage of fertility preservation for women who are facing
• Section 2 of the bill authorizes the Commissioner of Insurance to require a policy of individual health
• . ...insurance to require a policy of individual health insurance issued by a domestic insurer to a person
• explicit that both the Department of Taxation and whatever local government provides relevant licensing
• The Nevada Department of Agriculture recognizes this and has been a major proponent to promote craft

Committee: Senate Commerce and Labor

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So essentially, this is just cleaning it up so that way the cost of doing business is reflective of the
• 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
• So it would cause me to actually take possession of the phone and try to see some of the finer detail
• of paper and I could clearly see a date on the piece of paper.

Committee: House Transportation and Defense

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the workers and agency, workers' compensation insurance in case of an injury, consumer rights and
• Yeah, so some of our clients have long-term care insurance, and one of the requirements of most of the
• insurers is that the home care agency providing services is licensed. ...of the insurers is that the
• steps of that person, they have no liability insurance, you know what happens, right?
• steps of that person, they have no liability insurance, you know what happens, right?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging and Independence held a hearing on several bills, led by Chair Tom Stanley and Senate Chair Patricia Jehlen. The committee first heard testimony on H. 765/S. 487, an act relative to councils on aging, which would update outdated statutory language and allow directors of councils on aging to make staffing decisions when a council is structured as an advisory body. Representative Donahue and Betsy Connell of the Massachusetts Association of Councils on Aging said the change reflects how most councils now operate and would resolve conflicts like the one that arose in Sherborn. Members asked about whether the bill would affect town managers, volunteer roles, and whether the language should more clearly exempt informal volunteer help; supporters said the bill is aimed at municipal staffing structures, not unpaid volunteer assistance. The committee then took extensive testimony on H. 789/S. 470, an act to improve Massachusetts home care, which would create a statewide licensure system for non-medical home care agencies and entities. Julie Watt, Jay Krillovich, Betsy Krimmins, Lisa Gargoni, Tim Foley, and several providers and advocates supported the bill, arguing that licensure would establish baseline standards for background checks, training, service plans, insurance, complaint procedures, and labor-law compliance, while helping consumers identify legitimate providers and reducing fraud and abuse. Several witnesses described problems with unlicensed or poorly supervised providers, and family members and dementia advocates emphasized the need for dementia-specific training and better oversight for vulnerable clients. Tim Foley also raised concerns about private equity’s growing role in home care and said stronger regulation is needed to protect consumers and workers. Committee members focused on practical questions about the bill’s scope, including whether it would reach informal paid helpers, volunteers, or people doing occasional household tasks, and what agency would enforce the rules. Supporters said the bill is intended to cover entities advertising home care services, not unpaid volunteer help, though they acknowledged regulators would need to work out details. John Sneeth of Tribute Home Care offered a more cautious view, saying licensure should not unduly burden smaller providers or reduce competition, and that enforcement would be key. The hearing also included testimony from the Alzheimer’s Association and family caregivers, who strongly supported the bill’s dementia-training provisions and described how trained caregivers improved safety and quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. At the end of the hearing, the committee also heard support for H. 778/S. 473, regarding the Commission on LGBTQ Aging, with Lisa Krinsky urging funding for a full-time director and continued support for the commission’s strategic plan. After public testimony concluded, the committee adjourned the hearing by motion and voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's insurance in case of fraud or misdeeds by any of those members that protects the members of the
• And, you know, in all of my contracts, I have that the association must have fidelity insurance and,
• I forgot the entirety of it, but we both have that fidelity insurance.
• But we're very willing to dust that off, incorporate some of Representative Koslow's insurance and record-keeping
• You know, I, of course, I want to fund the fire department, but maybe we should stop lighting fires.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Committee on Local Government heard testimony on House Bill 3176, which would create a statutory framework for homeowners associations. Sponsor Rep. Koslow said the bill addresses quorum problems, allows defunct associations to revive, sets deadlines for election and covenant challenges, requires fidelity insurance, and expands recordkeeping and disclosure to members. Supporters said Missouri HOAs currently operate under a patchwork of outdated documents and laws, while opponents from the home builders and bankers groups warned the bill could interfere with development interests, create burdens, and increase risk or fees. Committee members raised concerns about fairness, homeowner rights, and whether the bill would override stricter local subdivision standards; no action was taken on the bill during the hearing. The committee also heard House Bill 3277, a local public safety tax measure for Northwoods. Rep. Fountain Henderson said the city needs the tax to upgrade police equipment and support public safety, and members noted the city’s retail center and voter approval requirement. The hearing then moved to House Bill 3143, which would allow counties to place a quarter-cent sales tax on the ballot for senior services. Rep. Parker and supporters from senior services organizations said the measure would help fund Meals on Wheels, transportation, nutrition centers, in-home care, and other aging services, especially in rural areas with limited funding and transportation. Some members questioned the breadth of spending authority, oversight, and whether a sales tax would shift costs onto seniors, but the bill drew supportive testimony overall. In executive session, the committee voted House Bill 2732 do pass by 13-1 and House Bill 3028 do pass unanimously. It then took up House Bill 2431, a package of local tax authorization measures, adopted a substitute and amendment adding several city and county proposals, and voted the House Committee Substitute do pass by 13-1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They could certainly outbid some of the larger insurance providers. That's true.
• Currently, we do not have a data match agreement with the Department of Revenue.
• The Department of Revenue, we can strike that out.
• If that contract is renewed to LexisNexis, they pull from the Department of Revenue.
• It cost a fireman with cancer two years and hundreds of thousands of dollars fighting the insurance company

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee met with all members present, temporarily replacing Vice Chair Keshel with Representative Taylor, and held HB 4014 at the sponsor’s request. It then heard HB 415, which would extend existing state rules on paid petition circulators and initiative/referendum disclosures to municipal and county measures, require paid circulators to display identifying information, and require local measures to disclose expenditures and revenue sources. The sponsor and supporters, including the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, argued the bill would improve transparency and keep initiatives driven by Arizona residents; the bill passed 5-2. The committee also heard the mirror resolution, HCR 2051, which passed 4-3. The committee next considered HCM 2010, urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment repealing the Seventeenth Amendment and returning selection of U.S. senators to state legislatures. The sponsor argued it would restore state sovereignty and accountability, while opponents raised concerns about direct democracy and the practical problems that led to the Seventeenth Amendment. The motion initially appeared to pass 4-3, but after a vote correction and a present vote, the measure ultimately failed. The committee then took up HB 2940, a complex AHCCCS/DES bill aimed at tightening eligibility verification, expanding competition in managed care contracting, and creating a unified eligibility rules engine. The sponsor said it would improve fiscal discipline and competition; AHCCCS and health plan representatives said many verification steps already exist, some provisions would add cost or duplicate federal/state processes, and the bill would significantly alter the managed care model. Despite those concerns, HB 2940 passed 4-3. Later, HB 2874 passed unanimously 7-0. That bill would ease termination requirements and penalties for candidate committees, PACs, or parties that never received contributions and later file termination statements. The committee then heard HB 467, which would require county recorders to display certain voter status information in precinct registers, signature rosters, or electronic poll books; after testimony from county officials and the Association of Counties, the committee adopted a verbal amendment changing “shall” to “may” and passed the bill 5-2. Finally, HB 2775, as amended, passed 4-3. The bill would bar state and local governments from using state resources to implement or enforce rules or policies of international organizations, and the amendment added restrictions on Arizona public universities’ dealings with certain foreign entities, with ABOR given review authority. Supporters framed it as a sovereignty and anti-foreign-influence measure, while the amendment’s removal of rulemaking authority was cited as important to the vote in favor.

Transcript Highlights:

• that state chambers of commerce could set up their own pools of insurance purchasing for small businesses
• , this feasibility study, be weaponized to then completely get rid of the state health insurance plan
• It requires the Department of Environmental Quality to submit an exceptional event demonstration to the
• of Veteran Services.
• It removes the ability for the Department of Education to modify the testing window with approval from

Summary: The House Democratic Caucus reviewed several Senate-amended bills on the Minority Caucus Calendar. HB 2003, which lowers the learner’s permit age and increases supervised driving time, had a Senate delayed effective date added; members were told the sponsor had previously concurred but now intends to refuse. HB 2693, allowing chamber-of-commerce insurance purchasing pools and adding a third-party-paid feasibility study on state health insurance entering the marketplace, drew questions about possible impacts on the state employee health plan and whether the study could be used to undermine the current self-insured system. HB 2133, dealing with sexual material consent and synthetic depictions, generated the most discussion. The Senate removed the synthetic-depiction language from the revenge porn statute, added parody/comedy/artistic-expression exceptions, narrowed and expanded various verification provisions for commercial entities, removed limits on retaining identifying information, and eliminated AG inspection authority; members were told the sponsor intends to refuse the changes and that stakeholder concerns were outlined in emailed comments from the ASEO of Arizona and the Motion Picture Association. HB 2013, requiring ADEQ to submit exceptional-event demonstrations to EPA for certain wildfire impacts, had a Senate amendment limiting it to wildfires over 25,000 acres and tied to smoke or land damage; the sponsor was expected to concur, though stakeholders’ concerns remained unresolved. HB 2226, which requires courts to ask about veteran status at initial appearance and provide information about veterans’ services, was amended by the Senate to have the court rather than the prosecutor provide the information; members said the sponsor likely would concur. HB 2032, adjusting statewide assessment testing windows and related deadlines, was amended to extend the testing window to six consecutive school weeks and move the start of testing for grades 3-8 to the second week of April; the sponsor concurred, and members noted that organizations previously opposed had shifted to support. The caucus then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Wade Hodge, Chief of Staff, Department of Corrections.
• Act 426 of 2025 provided the Insurance Department with the authority to promulgate rules for a registration
• Department of Education.
• Department of Education.
• pointed to each other between the Department of Education and Department of Commerce.

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a series of agency rules and related requests. The Department of Corrections and Post-Prison Transfer Board reported quarterly updates and had no questions, so both were filed. The Department of Commerce sought repeal of rules tied to the minority and women-owned business enterprise programs and the Consolidated Incentives Act, explaining the rules were repealed by implication or duplicative of statute; all were reviewed and approved. The Insurance Department presented a new rule implementing Act 426 of 2025 for online marketplace guarantee providers, using Airbnb-style host damage protection as an example, and it was approved. The Department of Education updated the Arkansas Adult Diploma Program rule to reflect statutory payment amounts for milestones and diplomas, and it was approved. DFA presented a rule creating a reporting method for the Arkansas rice beer and sake excise tax credit; members asked about verification of Arkansas rice use, and the rule was approved. DHS presented a SNAP rule implementing federal changes to work requirements and energy assistance counting, including raising the able-bodied adult without dependents age limit to 64 and removing some exemptions; it was approved after questions about terminology and waiver-related issues. The committee also approved DHS Medicaid rules allowing rehab hospitals to bill for psychiatric units and exempting Arkansas from the federal recovery audit contractor requirement, citing other program integrity measures already in place. The State Board of Public Accountancy, under Labor and Licensing, presented rules implementing Act 428 of 2025, including a new CPA licensure pathway with a bachelor’s degree plus two years’ experience, substantial equivalency for out-of-state CPAs, and removal of the government not-for-profit accounting requirement; despite some negative comments, both rules were approved. The committee then granted the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from certain reporting requirements, and approved its request to retain all 18 Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation rules under Act 781 review. Remaining outstanding 2023-session rulemaking and monthly updates were noted in packets with no questions, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• when he was shot in the line department when he was shot in the line of<00:05:22.479><c> duty</c><00
• :15:51.199><c> paid</c><00:15:51.519><c> out</c><00:15:51.680><c> of</c><00:15:51.759><c> the</c> insurance
• for benefits paid out of the insurance for benefits paid out of the pension<00:15:52.399><c> system<
• Now, those are bigger sheriff's departments that you would think would be capable of funding, but like
• require the help of these benefits while not putting a squeeze on our departments in order to do that

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty on a bill to expand minimum hazardous-duty retirement and health benefits for certain public safety workers injured in the line of duty. She used a video and examples from Floyd County to describe officers and an emergency management director who were catastrophically injured but did not qualify for existing hazardous-duty coverage because their employers had enrolled them in non-hazardous retirement plans. The bill would provide a minimum benefit of 25% of pay, plus 10% for dependent children and limited health coverage, for eligible workers who cannot return to hazardous work. Laferty said the proposal would apply retroactively through a five-year window, estimated to affect a limited number of workers statewide, and would be funded by small increases in employer contribution rates. Committee members questioned how many former employees might qualify, how the bill interacts with the pension system, and who would pay the added cost. Discussion also noted that local governments choose whether to place employees in hazardous or non-hazardous coverage, largely based on cost. The sheriff’s association was present online in support, and no vote was taken. The committee then heard Rep. Daniel Gber present a revised bill allowing teachers and school district employees to use accumulated sick leave to observe religious holidays not already on the school calendar, if they provide a personal statement and sufficient advance notice. He said the measure is intended to address the rigid school calendar and the difficulty teachers face in observing non-school holidays without losing service credit toward retirement. He noted that the earlier version of the bill had allowed make-up work time, but the current draft is shorter and focused on sick leave use. He also referenced a supporting letter from a constituent who could not attend because of weather. The bill was presented for discussion only, with no committee action reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance on every single one of your boats.
• to have some kind of liability insurance because you are now acting like a business.
• So you can purchase insurance; of course, most people do, but you can also post a bond.
• But you don't have to have insurance in the state of Arizona. All right, anything else?
• Chair and members, as passed the House, House Bill 2406 requires the Arizona Department of Veterans'

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Insurance.
• I am the Chief Deputy Legislative Director for the California Department of Insurance.
• I am the Chief Deputy Legislative Director for the California Department of Insurance, here under the
• I am here on behalf of the American Council of Life Insurers.
• weed people out of insurance.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on privacy, accessibility, labor, and public safety. AB 1798 by Assemblymember Wilson would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information, including direct-to-consumer test results, in underwriting. Supporters argued the bill would protect privacy and encourage genetic testing, while insurers opposed it as unnecessary and said genetic data should be treated like other predictive health information. The bill passed the committee on a 7-0 vote and was held open for absent members. AB 2190 by Assemblymember Wallace would create website accessibility standards based on WCAG guidelines and add affirmative defenses intended to reduce serial litigation while improving access for people with disabilities. Disability advocates supported the measure as a needed civil-rights update, while business groups warned it could increase liability and create unclear compliance obligations. The bill passed 9-0 and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2721 by Assemblymember Carrillo would require hotels to post notice when they know or should know that U.S. Customs and Border Protection or ICE are using the premises, with supporters saying workers and guests deserve transparency and safety. Hotel and business groups opposed it, citing privacy, liability, and concerns about interfering with federal operations. The committee voted 6-2 to pass the bill to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2027 by Assemblymember Ward would restrict employers from using worker data to train AI systems that replace workers and limit sharing of worker data for automation; labor groups supported it and business and public-sector groups opposed it as too broad. The bill passed 7-2 to Appropriations, with the roll left open. The committee also heard AB 1837 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez, which would extend and tighten privacy rules for transit agencies’ use of forward-facing cameras to enforce bus-lane violations; supporters said the cameras improve transit flow and safety, and the bill was presented with amendments, though no final vote is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and the big one here is, uh, from the Department of Insurance, $350 million that have built up year
• health insurance trust fund that we— >> No, no, that is the Department of Insurance. >> So it's actually
• </c><00:10:04.080><c> of</c> here is uh from the department of here is uh from the department of insurance
• </c><00:10:25.200><c> of</c> &gt;&gt; No, no, that is the department of &gt;&gt; No, no, that is the
• department of insurance. insurance. insurance.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:11 Executive Budget 00:00:50, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations. Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities. He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:01:32.320><c> Insurance</c> of Insurance of Insurance Commissioners<02:01:34.120><c> model</c><02
• of travel insurance to unique aspects of travel insurance to better<02:01:41.800><c> protect</c><02:
• of Insurance Association of Insurance Committee<02:06:45.720><c> Commerce</c><02:06:46.800><c> Travel
• The Department of Commerce, I insurance.
• </c><02:30:03.400><c> So,</c> the Department of Commerce. So, the Department of Commerce.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But there's a whole bunch of states.
• . ...same, I guess in my head, it's kind of under the same umbrella-ish sort of.
• We have reviewed Senate Bill 1262 with Director Cameron at the insurance department.
• The insurance department had no concerns or issues with this update and simplification to Idaho Code.
• committee should there be specific questions for the Department of Insurance.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• monies to the Department of Administration for the Division of Public Works. for the Division of Public
• the appropriation to the State Department of Education.
• the appropriation to the Department of Administration.
• They do take care of our insurance, manage the insurance services for all of us.
• They do take care of our insurance, manage the insurance services for all of us.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :02:49.640><c> of</c> 2017 by requiring the Department of 2017 by requiring the Department of Health,
• agents to annually file with the Department of Labor proof of professional liability insurance.
• ><c> of</c> insurance.
• The Maryland Department of insurance.
• </c> Department of Planning. Department of Planning.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• LOWER THE COST OF INSURANCE FOR EVERYBODY ELSE ON THE ROAD JUST FOLLOWING THE LAW.
• THIS BILL AUTHORIZES THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES DHS MV TO CREATE A NEW SPECIALTY
• SENATE BILL 1662 IS THAT 2025 DEPARTMENT BILL FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
• MUST NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT OF CYBER SECURITY BREACHES OPERATIONAL IMPACTS OR INCIDENTS ON AIRPORT PROPERTY
• PUBLICLY DEDICATED RIGHTS-OF-WAY, MAINTAINS STATUTORY FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SMALL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The insurance companies make millions and billions of dollars.
• I have a good friend of mine that owns an insurance company for workers' comp.
• There are plenty of insurance companies that pay taxes to the state and do things that don't get the
• Police, Ryan Haney from Gray Insurance, and Tim Chittam from the Chiropractic Association of Louisiana
• That's really more of a Department of Insurance question.

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a major workers’ compensation overhaul centered on creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and modernizing fee schedule and claims data collection. Myers said the bill was designed to improve transparency, reduce disputes, address outliers and abuse, and help injured workers return to work faster. The committee adopted technical amendments, then considered a large amendment set combining portions of House bills 780 and 1101, which added preliminary determination procedures, fraud language, temporary total disability and supplemental earnings benefit changes, and a fallback deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached by 2029. Several members and witnesses objected that the amendments were dropped late and would turn SB 408 into an omnibus bill; supporters argued the package was the best chance for comprehensive reform. After debate, the committee adopted the amendments and reported SB 408 favorably as amended. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply divided. Supporters, including some providers and injured-worker advocates, said the bill’s core value was transparency through the database and that the system needed modernization and a better fee schedule. Opponents argued the added amendments would burden pro se claimants, expand litigation, and weaken injured workers’ rights, especially through fraud and preliminary hearing provisions. Committee members also questioned whether the combined package was germane and whether it should be allowed to move as a single reform measure. Louisiana Workforce Commission staff explained the timeline for data collection, electronic billing, dispute rules, and eventual fee schedule rulemaking, and said the department could execute the law as amended. The committee then turned to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, concerning workplace violence and safety plans for small-box discount retailers. The bill was revised through a substitute that required covered retailers to develop and submit a written workforce safety plan, or submit an existing plan if one already existed. Representative Glorioso raised concerns that requiring a written safety plan could create new civil liability under Louisiana’s assumption-of-duty doctrine and increase litigation and insurance costs. Chasson responded that the intent was simply to encourage safety planning and that businesses already had such plans. The committee discussed possible narrowing language, but the transcript ends before a final disposition on HB 585 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or any officer of the Department of Criminal Justice.
• I'm a captain with the Texas Department of Insurance Fraud Unit. So we are in favor. Mr.
• The Department of Insurance Fraud Unit, where the law enforcement component of TDI, is charged with protection
• crimes committed during the course of the business of insurance.
• trafficking in the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard and laid out a series of criminal justice bills, with public and invited testimony on restitution, juvenile justice, child abuse reporting, public-safety protections, organ trafficking, property fraud, disaster-response worker protections, fentanyl exposure, emergency data disclosure, insurance-fraud investigations, blood warrant execution, human smuggling, and TJJD advocacy access. Several measures drew support from prosecutors, clerks, law enforcement, utility companies, and victims who described real-world harms and delays in current law; opposition or caution came from civil-rights and advocacy groups on bills involving expanded criminal liability, data disclosure, and juvenile-facility access. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with the committee later voting out SB 127 favorably and placing it on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1666 would streamline restitution payments for parole or mandatory supervision cases by requiring TDCJ to include victim information when forwarding payments, shortening the period before unclaimed funds go to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, and clarifying confidentiality and contact procedures; county clerks supported it as an efficiency measure. SB 2776 would let TJJD disclose certain information, with written consent, to support the Credible Messengers Program, and SB 127 would extend limitations periods for failure-to-report child abuse and concealment offenses, with testimony emphasizing delayed discovery of abuse and the need for accountability. SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting or interfering with peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers, and SB 456 would raise penalties for organ purchasing/trafficking and create a more specific criminal framework for the offense; both drew strong support from law enforcement and victims. The committee also heard SB 2611 on real property theft and deed fraud, which would create separate offenses for real property theft and fraud, add a ten-year limitations period, require criminal judgments to be filed in county property records, and expand restitution and title-clearing remedies. Witnesses described forged deeds, stolen church and family properties, and long, costly efforts to restore title; county clerks and prosecutors said the bill would help victims and streamline civil remedies. SB 482 would increase penalties for offenses against utility workers during declared disasters or evacuation orders, prompted by reports of threats and assaults during Hurricane Beryl; utility representatives said the bill is needed to keep mutual-aid crews coming to Texas. SB 1234 would add fentanyl to the endangerment statute for vulnerable people, while SB 816 would allow providers to disclose electronic data in immediate life-threatening situations; both drew support from prosecutors and criticism from civil-rights advocates concerned about overbreadth and liability protections.