Transcript Highlights:

• What is the definition of insurance?
• I mean, when I think of what an insurance card does, it seems... The definition of insurance.
• And we don't call those cards insurance.
• And the insurance reimburses the dentist $1,000.
• going to have any increased cost to our insurers?

Bills: HB1411, HB3143, HB3144, HB3901, HCR1019, HB3981, HB4248, HB3194, HB3849, HB4095, HB4302, HB3342, HB3344, HB3287, HB3645, HB3647, HB3930, HB3931, HB1818, HB4454, HB4336

Keywords: True Grit Trail, Oklahoma, tourism, signage, Department of Transportation, state parks, historical sites, economic development, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, psychological autopsy, mental health, suicide prevention, state health department

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance health insurance mandates and Insurance health insurance mandates and we've<00:01:04.000><c
• </c><00:05:11.960><c> um</c> 670,000 enrolled in the fully insured um 670,000 enrolled in the fully insured
• <00:33:23.919><c> um</c><00:33:24.679><c> uh</c> self-insured um uh self-insured um uh um<00:33:26.799
• bears the health insurance risk.
• </c> inflation the cost of health insurance inflation the cost of health insurance for<01:20:25.920><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• not going to insure you.'
• we're not going to insure you.
• And in the riskiest places, it is going to be hard to insure people with private insurance.
• And our regular insurance, which is 99.9% of what we need for insurance...
• Our regular insurance, which is 99.9% of what we need for insurance, is held hostage by this.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and when I guess what I would say is when we talk about insurance and insurance problems, we're talking
• When we talk about insurance, we’re talking about the insurance industry, not our local partners.
• , ...diminished has to do with insurance, malpractice insurance.
• That health insurance, you know, we like to compare it to automobile insurance, and I guess every time
• can be compared to car health insurance can be compared to car insurance when you have this contract

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Executive Director of the Mass Insurance Federation.
• There's no impact on the consumer or on the insured.
• They're powerless to compete against the insurance companies.
• They're powerless to compete against the insurance companies.
• Yes, there's a high of maybe $55 to just shy of $60 by some insurers.

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:

• It respects insurance carriers.
• I've worked with the state insurance department, spoken with a number of insurance providers, the Idaho
• not to insure in this area?
• companies decided to not insure in this area.
• I carry insurance.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> increased product service and insurance increased product service and insurance costs<00:12:19.600
• talking about a potentially insurance product, and insurance is technically exempt from the Consumer
• </c> issues I'll focus on the insurance issues I'll focus on the insurance pieces pieces pieces first
• </c> more efficient and stable Insurance more efficient and stable Insurance Market<00:28:31.559><c>
• Then we circle who's here on insurance. So who's here on insurance?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 733-FN, a bill on third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors financing lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, and contributes to litigation abuse, higher insurance costs, and what he called a “tort tax.” He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with specific references to foreign-entity restrictions, consumer-protection guardrails, and reporting requirements. He also noted a few technical fixes to the draft, including adding the word “knowingly” and restoring a section that had been omitted. Committee members questioned how the bill’s foreign-entity language would work, including whether a governor or the Department of Safety would designate countries of concern, and whether the bill would bar foreign parties from using litigation funding. Cole and others clarified that the bill was intended as a reporting measure, not a ban on litigation funding itself, and that the goal was to disclose who is funding lawsuits and to what extent. Representative Sal asked whether the bill would prevent a litigant from getting outside financing; Cole answered no, emphasizing disclosure rather than prohibition. Brandon Grat of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau testified that the bill’s enforcement provisions were too limited. He said the draft appears to give the Attorney General only a civil-penalty remedy, likely too small to deter violations, and not the broader Consumer Protection Act tools such as injunctions, restitution, or investigation authority. He also raised concerns about whether the Attorney General or Insurance Department would have proper jurisdiction, given that the product may be financial or insurance-related. Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the department sees possible benefits from transparency because disclosure of litigation funding could help insurers assess risk, improve underwriting, and potentially ease hard-market pressures, especially for nonprofits and child care providers. He also said the bill’s language likely needs further work to clarify agency authority and suggested involving the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and banking regulators. Opposition testimony came from the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Marissa Chase and Samantha Hering argued the bill is one-sided because it requires disclosure only on the plaintiff side and not from defendants or insurers. They said New Hampshire already has court rules and discovery procedures that cover relevant disclosures, making the bill unnecessary, and questioned whether the existence of a funding contract is even relevant in litigation. The hearing ended with the committee continuing to discuss possible revisions and enforcement options, but no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you imagine a $5 health insurance premium? Five-dollar health insurance premium back then.
• We bid that both under a modified fully insured arrangement, which we have today, and a self-insured
• Group Insurance Program.
• Group Insurance Program.
• Group Insurance Program.

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave policies, labor market conditions, and prevailing wage issues, then later took up committee rules and bill-draft jurisdiction. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the state has paid the full family premium since 1979, described cost-control and benefit-enhancement changes over time, and explained current plan options, wellness incentives, employer wellness discounts, and the upcoming bid process for the 2027-29 contract. HRMS then presented compensation comparisons showing state classified pay generally trails private and regional markets, with larger gaps at higher-level jobs, and reviewed benefits and leave policies, including the new enhanced annual leave and new-hire leave, the state’s unpaid family leave structure, and varying tuition reimbursement practices. Job Service reported on labor force trends, low unemployment, high labor force participation, job openings, and wage growth, and OMB said there are no state prevailing-wage requirements beyond federal Davis-Bacon rules for federally funded projects. The committee then considered a proposed amendment to Joint Rule 211 to better align the health insurance mandate review process with recent statutory changes. Members discussed how the rule should reference both the committee’s required actuarial reports and the Legislative Council cost-benefit analysis, and the amendment was adopted on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed how its jurisdiction decisions affect whether a bill draft receives actuarial analysis, with staff explaining that a decision not to take jurisdiction means the bill is not treated as impacting the relevant retirement or health plans for purposes of that analysis. After that, the committee began reviewing bill drafts for jurisdiction. The first draft, bill draft 33, would automatically renew pre-tax elections for dental and vision coverage during open enrollment instead of requiring annual re-election. Members debated whether it had any actuarial impact, noting the state does not pay those premiums directly, and the discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> something other than health insurance. something other than health insurance.
• c> that's</c> reimburseable insurance, that's that's reimburseable insurance, that's that's an<00:19:
• </c> ago, Na County did not offer insurance ago, Na County did not offer insurance to<00:53:20.640><c
• </c> the Association of Wyoming Insurance the Association of Wyoming Insurance Agents.<00:54:31.359><
• </c> moving to the state insurance program. moving to the state insurance program.

Bills: SF0059, SF0053

Keywords: language proficiency, literacy education, reading interventions, dyslexia support, Montessori methods, individualized reading plans, amateur status, high school athletics, student eligibility, sports regulation, monetary compensation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Trent Nate to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board.
• Because when the price of emergency care goes up, the next year when Idaho insurers set their insurance
• impacting the cost of health insurance.
• And together, we insure hundreds of thousands of insured consumers in Idaho.
• So they bill the insurance company first.

Summary: The Senate Commerce Committee first approved the minutes from February 12, 2026, and then voted to send the gubernatorial reappointment of Trent Nate to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to the full Senate with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then heard several code-cleanup bills from Senator Todd Lakey. Senate Bill 1274 would remove obsolete references in state law related to the transfer of county public defender employees, comp time, and an employee problem-solving procedure; Senate Bill 1275 would delete outdated provisions concerning veterans’ assets and the North Idaho Veterans Home; and Senate Bill 1273 would repeal several obsolete PERSI-related provisions tied to old retirement and contribution arrangements. Each of those bills drew no testimony or opposition and was sent to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee spent most of the meeting on Senate Bill 1319, the Emergency Care Affordability Act, sponsored by Senator Burt. The bill would create a new chapter in Title 41 governing billing and reimbursement for out-of-network freestanding emergency rooms, requiring them to accept the local in-network allowed amount for emergency services from state-regulated health plans, disclose that they do not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE, and allow self-funded plans to opt in. Supporters, including Blue Cross of Idaho and the Association of Health Plans, argued that freestanding ERs are exploiting the federal No Surprises Act and its independent dispute resolution process by sending nearly all claims to arbitration at inflated rates, which they said raises premiums for Idaho consumers and state employee health plans. They said the bill is intended to address a loophole and does not affect hospital ERs or other emergency billing disputes. Committee members raised questions about EMTALA, federal preemption, whether the bill targets one business model, and whether patients are actually being balance-billed. Supporters said EMTALA still requires treatment, but the bill is aimed at billing practices and transparency, not access to emergency care. Some senators expressed concern about singling out one provider type and possible legal issues, while others said the bill was justified because insurers are required to cover emergency care and the current federal dispute process is driving up costs. After discussion, the committee approved Senate Bill 1319 on a 6-3 roll call vote and sent it to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill does not micromanage or dictate what insurers do.
• People pay their health insurance premiums so that their insurer will pay for their medical bills when
• People pay their health insurance premiums so that their insurer will pay for their medical bills when
• The choice is up to the insurers.
• We know a tighter medical loss ratio can lower health insurance premiums.

Bills: HB2261, HB2283, HB2425, HB2110, HB2113, HB2122, HB2152

Keywords: healthcare, transparency, patient communication, credentials, professional standards, medical loss ratio, insurance, health plans, cost management, nursing delegation, registered nurse, RN, home care aide, nursing assistant, certified nursing assistant, CNA, medical assistant, home health, hospice, community-based care

Transcript Highlights:

• You may not know, but my family's business was in insurance. In fact, it was in trucking insurance.
• What happens is they've got no insurance—when I say no insurance, no towing and recovery insurance.
• the insurance is going to be.
• Self-insured, under-insured, no insurance.
• Insurance is already killing us.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the New Hampshire Insurance Department. the New Hampshire Insurance Department.
• There are certain PSAOs that will bundle<01:38:30.080><c> insurance</c> bundle insurance bundle insurance
• </c> self-insure for either health insurance self-insure for either health insurance or<04:10:19.359>
• company, reciprocal insurer, or insurer under the laws of the state.
• insurer, or insurer company, reciprocal insurer, or insurer under<04:12:13.920><c> the</c><04:12:14.080

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Sen. Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would codify the department’s interpretation that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary coverage for a newborn, unless the mother has no insurance or coverage under an employer-sponsored plan. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure is a clarification of existing practice and intended to protect vulnerable newborns; a question from Rep. Miles clarified that if a young woman is on her parents’ policy, the newborn would generally be covered under that family coverage. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Sen. Kevin Avard, which would require insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, Medicare Advantage plans. Commissioner Benton Court said the bill arose from disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers, brokers, and the department were confused by carriers changing or ending offerings; he said the department wanted a simple notification requirement so it could better advise consumers. Members discussed network adequacy, county-based service areas, and the fact that the bill would make notice a condition of licensure, with possible fines or license action for noncompliance. Witness Paula Rogers of AHIP said her group supported the bill if amended, and the department indicated it would support a change from a 120-day notice period to 90 days to align with state rules; the committee planned to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Rep. Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion of pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole argued the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell drugs at a loss, describing PBMs as middlemen and saying the measure is a compromise that protects local pharmacies. Members questioned whether consumers would pay more and whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts; Cole responded that the bill would let pharmacies refuse unprofitable fills while consumers could still obtain the drug through mail order or other channels. He also said the issue has changed over time because the practice now affects a much larger share of generics and is concentrated among a few PBMs. The hearing remained open as questions continued, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not insured. I've definitely been uninsured more of my life than I've been insured.
• So, if you're being insured by your employer, you're not eligible if you walk away from that insurance
• That is one reason why it is so important for us to shore up insurance and to shore up private insurance
• on commercial insurance.
• Insurance, the job creators of the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• Referred to Insurance.
• to referrals for sale and information on insurance products.
• to referrals for sale and information on insurance products.
• claims, and to require insurance to verify contractor licensing.
• This bill prohibits property and casualty insurers from increasing a policyholder's auto insurance rate

Bills: SB525, SR112, SR109, SCR61, SCR62, SCR12, HB175, HB276, HB437, HB456, HB457, HB459, HB488, HB579, HB656, HB804, HB818, HB841, HB981, HB1052, HB1089, HB1101, HB1154, HB1166, HB1193, HB1194, HB1203, HB1209, HB1244, HB1249, HB221, HCR69, HCR58, SB57, SB405, SB414, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB205, HB210, HB220, HB222, HB228, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB750, HB799, HB813, HB815, HB826, HB870, HB949, HB953, HB1045, HB1092, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1177, HB1196, HB1214, HB1236, HB1241, SB106, SB206, SB248, SB441, SR86, SCR30, SB83, SB135, SB143, SB155, SB157, SB202, SB237, SB276, SB295, SB388, SB450, SB465, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB484, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB501, SB513, HCR31, HB301, HB358, HB359, HB384, HB413, HB428, HB450, HB462, HB547, HB613, HB631, HB657, HB669, HB675, HB680, HB691, HB712, HB716, HB720, HB723, HB727, HB728, HB735, HB747, HB759, HB825, HB845, HB846, HB903, HB904, HB907, HB923, HB929, HB941, HB962, HB965, HB1036, HB287, HB370, HB515, HB521, HB570, HB1200, HB29, HB39, HB58, HB67, HB73, HB76, HB77, HB82, HB112, HB121, HB125, HB132, HB134, HB151, HB154, HB155, HB161, HB166, HB187, HB191, HB207, HB211, HB224, HB238, HB241, HB242, HB250, HB260, HB265, HB275, HB300, HB320, HB338, HB339, HB349, HB379, HB399, HB427, HB463, HB464, HB468, HB545, HB550, HB551, HB565, HB588, HB639, HB725, HB782, HB805, HB808, HB834, HB847, HB853, HB858, HB861, HB883, HB916, HB937, HB977, HB1012, HB1027, HB1044, HB1054, HB1091, HB1117, HB90, HB127, HB138, HB150, HB201, HB268, HB273, HB285, HB315, HB354, HB355, HB360, HB376, HB445, HB506, HB606, HB649, HB665, HB681, HB721, HB746, HB757, HB781, HB835, HB844, HB857, HB872, HB886, HB889, HB892, HB972, HB982, HB987, HB1037, HB1068, HB1072, HB1078, HB1085, HB1132, HB1137, HB1167, HB1174, HB1232, HB1238, HB23, HB136, HB36, HB119, HB126, HB129, HB245, HB271, HB280, HB337, HB351, HB677, HB726, HB789, HB850, HB956, HB966, SB149, SB382

Keywords: unclaimed property, abandoned property, escheat, state treasurer, administrator, claimant, purchase agreement, assignment, property recovery, owner verification, documentation requirements, fraud prevention, bankruptcy, bankruptcy court, court order, Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, Louisiana Revised Statutes, R.S. 9:167.1, Chennault International Airport, 40th anniversary

Summary: The Senate convened with 27 members present, heard a guest minister’s prayer for the National Day of Prayer, and adopted the pledge. The chamber then dispensed with the journal and received a legislative bureau report on numerous House bills. It also received House messages on several Senate bills and joint resolutions, including concurrence on multiple Senate measures with amendments, and introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 63, which would request an audit of the fiscal note process. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 86, which would prohibit eyeglasses with video or audio recording capability on the Senate floor without approval from the President. Several Senate bills were advanced, including measures on human trafficking training in schools (SB 83), bulletproof vests for peace officers (SB 143), dental care for cancer patients (SB 155), parental leave for educators (SB 157), election board compensation days (SB 202), child welfare and the state child ombudsman (SB 237), brain injury treatment coverage (SB 295), foreign-adversary contract review and homeland security (SB 388), school safety reporting (SB 450), and prompt-pay standards for health care claims (SB 465). Most of these bills passed the Senate unanimously or near-unanimously and were moved to reconsider, while SB 513 on public works average-bid contracting was amended and returned to the calendar. The Senate also took up many House bills, passing measures on voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors (HB 301), memorial highway and terminal designations (HB 358, HB 384, HB 428, HB 657, HB 675, HB 716, HB 972), insurance and health-related changes (HB 413, HB 450, HB 631, HB 680), workforce development (HB 680), and a seafood research authorization near Grand Isle (HB 669). Several bills were amended before passage, including HB 359 on election qualifying rules and HB 675 with an added memorial corridor for crossing guard Katie Wells. Other House bills were received but not acted on or were returned to the calendar. The session ended with committee announcements, a brief recognition of mothers in the chamber, and adjournment until Monday, May 11 at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance rates could stay low.
• “My health insurer says there's something called subrogation, where my health insurer has every right
• “But someone who has insurance is treated differently than someone who doesn't have insurance.
• But someone who has insurance is treated differently than someone who doesn't have insurance.
• The American Insurance Association stated that the insurance industry never promised that tort reform

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 61, which would raise aggravated battery on a peace officer from a third-degree to a second-degree felony in cases involving great bodily harm or a deadly weapon. The sponsor and supporters said the bill fixes an inconsistency in current law, where aggravated assault on an officer can be punished more severely than aggravated battery causing serious injury. Law enforcement representatives, the Chiefs Association, CBRC, and chamber representatives testified in support, and the New Mexico Sentencing Commission was noted as having endorsed the bill by a 6-3-4 vote. After questions about proportionality and plea bargaining, the committee voted due pass on HB 61 without objection. The committee then returned to House Bill 99, a medical malpractice reform bill, and several members made conflict-of-interest disclosures before debating amendments. The discussion focused heavily on the patient compensation fund, surcharge setting, and whether an advisory board or the superintendent should control rates. Amendments to segregate future fund money, require surcharges no lower than the advisory board’s recommendation, and create a commission with more actuarial and financial expertise were debated at length; the committee rejected the first two amendments. Members and witnesses argued over whether past undercharging of hospitals and doctors led to insolvency and taxpayer bailouts, and whether the bill should require more transparency and oversight. The committee also debated amendments on punitive damages. One proposal would have delayed punitive damage claims until after substantial discovery; opponents said it would conflict with civil procedure, prolong litigation, and likely be struck down. Another would have tied punitive damages to a multiple of compensatory damages or a percentage of net worth; supporters said that would better deter harmful conduct, while opponents said it would create uncertainty and more discovery. That amendment also failed. A final punitive-damages amendment would have removed caps in cases involving sexual assault or intoxication by a health care provider and protected the first $5 million of an independent provider’s personal assets; it too was rejected after members said it would shield egregious misconduct and go beyond the bill’s purpose.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is not an insurance law.
• Cuz in other words, if an insurance company's paying for it, then the insurance company would add it
• Cuz in other words, if an insurance company's paying for it, then the insurance company would add it
• </c> insurance companies normally would do. insurance companies normally would do.
• </c> set up, um, was that the insurance set up, um, was that the insurance companies<00:28:36.160><c>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Trent Nate to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board.
• Because when the price of emergency care goes up, the next year when Idaho insurers set their insurance
• impacting the cost of health insurance.
• And together, we insure hundreds of thousands of insured consumers in Idaho.
• So they bill the insurance company first.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance coverage for fertility.
• And my insurance did not cover anything.
• So when we went to the State Insurance Department of Insurance to get the general cost, the actual cost
• But, yeah, I guess my other question would be with the health insurance plans, if health insurance providers
• And to me, it just goes to show how imperfect our insurance... ...to show how imperfect our insurance

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee first briefly took up RS 33-691, a proposal related to the SNAP soda and candy restrictions passed the prior year. Sponsor Rep. Jordan Redman said the measure would refine the earlier law so more nutritious foods remain eligible while still excluding traditional soda and candy. The committee moved to introduce the RS and the motion carried. The committee then heard House Bill 818, sponsored by Rep. Brooke Green, which would require insurance coverage for fertility preservation for cancer patients facing treatment-related infertility. Green, Dr. Rihanna Menon, and Dr. Kristen Slater testified that cancer treatment can quickly threaten fertility, that decisions must often be made within days, and that the procedures can cost thousands of dollars up front. They described the bill as medically necessary, time-sensitive, and especially important for younger patients, including those with breast cancer, leukemia, and testicular cancer. Several patients and survivors also testified about their own experiences, emphasizing the emotional strain, the short decision window, and the financial burden when insurance did not cover the treatment. An insurance representative, Norm Varian of PacificSource, explained that the bill would create a new mandated benefit for non-self-funded plans and could trigger state reimbursement under federal benefit-deferral rules, with a fiscal note attached. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill should be limited to cancer patients when other conditions also cause infertility, while others supported the measure as a pro-family, pro-life policy. Rep. Green said she would refine the bill and return it next year, and the committee voted to hold House Bill 818 in committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• This specifies that the requirement for an insurer to provide the insured with certain information about
• changing the insurance.
• This is the bill modifying the insurance fraud program administered by the Insurance Commissioner.
• With this bill, we are setting up a Washington Travel Insurance Act, and with this new line of insurance
• With this bill we are setting up a Washington Travel Insurance Act and with this new line of insurance

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee met on February 25, 2026, received a staff briefing on eight bills, and discussed several proposed amendments before taking action on four measures after caucus. The briefing covered bills on insurance disclosure and wildfire risk modeling (SB 5928), travel insurance regulation (SB 6248), wildfire preparedness grants and insurance eligibility (SB 6079), insurance fraud enforcement (SB 6031), assignment of post-loss insurance benefits (SB 6178), mortgage modification safe harbors (SB 5831), real estate marketing restrictions (SB 6091), and virtual currency kiosk consumer protections (SB 5280). Members also asked about the “Beckett’s Law” title amendment and whether amendments to the virtual currency kiosk bill conflicted; staff said the amendments generally could be reconciled, though some policy differences remained. After recess, the committee deferred action on SB 5928, SB 6079, SB 6031, SB 6178, and SB 5280, and then voted to report Substitute Senate Bill 6248, the Washington Travel Insurance Act, out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Members spoke in support of the bill as a consumer protection measure and a benefit to the travel insurance industry. The committee then reported Senate Bill 5831, the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, out with a do pass recommendation after members said it would preserve mortgage priority in certain modifications and noted the bill’s title-company-supported change. The committee next considered Substitute Senate Bill 6091, which would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to exclusive groups of buyers or brokers except for health and safety reasons. Representative Corey withdrew the amendment naming the act “Beckett’s Law,” and the committee approved the bill on a 13-1 vote with one excused member. The chair and ranking member closed by thanking committee staff for their work, and the meeting adjourned.