Transcript Highlights:

• And you know, just to give you a sense of for people who may not otherwise want their coverage or may
• And you know, just to give you a sense of for people who may not otherwise want their coverage or may
• And you know, just to give you a sense of for people who may not otherwise want their coverage or may
• And you know, just to give you a sense of for people who may not otherwise want their coverage or may
• And you know, just to give you a sense of for people who may not otherwise want their coverage or may

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on May 16, 2025, and first adopted a rules-and-procedures change extending online audit approval timelines for American Rescue Plan items through December 2026 and bipartisan infrastructure law items through June 30, 2027. The committee then approved the April 18 minutes and adopted the consent calendar with several items removed for separate discussion, including items from Tabs 4, 6, and 7. On Tab 4 item 2511, members questioned why the state was paying utility costs for the Laconia property while it is being sold. Commissioner Charlie Arlinghaus explained the budget line covered utilities generally, not just heat, that some buildings still require minimal heating, and that the main increase was tied to the Winnipesaukee River Basin Project wastewater charges. He said the charges had risen sharply, the property sale would eventually trigger a utility true-up at closing, and he would provide additional analysis. The committee then adopted the item. On Tab 4 item 25115, the Department of Justice said funding for a temporary fourth pathologist was removed from the 2026-2027 budget because it was no longer needed, and the committee adopted the item. On Tab 6 item 25126, Department of Health and Human Services officials explained the Medicaid managed care “withhold” as a performance incentive: about 2% of capitation payments are held back, then redistributed based on quality and operational metrics, with unearned amounts staying with the state until the end of the program and subject to actuarial requirements. They said the approach has improved performance and helped with Medicaid unwinding outreach, reducing enrollment by about 11,000 people in the past year. The committee adopted the item. On Tab 7 item 25139, the Department of Energy said it no longer needed an additional position because existing staff could handle the work, and the item was adopted. The committee also adopted regular-calendar items 25114 and 25131, noted that one regular-calendar item had been withdrawn, set the next meeting for June 20 at 11:00 a.m. in Room 100 of the State House, and adjourned after a motion and second.

Transcript Highlights:

• You are probably well aware from your work of RSA 999D that deals with indemnification and also coverage
• actors, and they've always been very, very cautious of extending what that immunity or liability coverage
• <00:33:24.799> However,<00:33:25.360> I liability coverage would be.
• However, I liability coverage would be.
• standard that does trigger the coverage standard that does trigger the coverage of<00:34:07.279>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Administration Committee met to consider SB 197, which concerns medical supervision for the licensed registered nurse employed by the Legislative Facilities Committee. The main discussion focused on an amendment, 2025188H, that adds language about the chief medical officer’s authority to issue standing orders and includes immunity language for civil or criminal liability when acting in good faith and with reasonable care. John Williams of Health and Human Services explained that the language was modeled on similar provisions used for standing orders such as Narcan and epinephrine, and that it was vetted with the Attorney General’s office. Members raised questions about whether the immunity could shield mistakes or apply beyond the State House nurse; the chair clarified that the provision applies to the chief medical officer’s issuance of standing orders under this section, while the nurse’s practice remains governed by RSA 326. Representative Wade moved the amendment, which was seconded and adopted on a roll call vote of 10-0. The committee then voted on SB 197 as amended and recommended it ought to pass as amended, again by a 10-0 roll call vote. The bill was placed on consent, and the chair noted that a written committee report would be prepared. After the vote, the chair briefly updated members on other upcoming matters, including a Senate message on the Gold Star flag bill, the status of an enroll bills issue, and a Senate amendment to HB 248 on ethics. The committee also discussed scheduling for a joint historic committee meeting and a proposed Wentworth Cheswell portrait item, and members offered closing thanks to the chair, clerk, and staff for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• credit in order to prevent that coverage credit in order to prevent that coverage from<00:42:03.040
• I asked him if he understood that meant none of us would get insurance coverage.
• other cou cover coverage or faculty had other cou cover coverage or didn't<00:55:48.799> need
• So there's 50% coverage at nine credits, and then they need to reach 12 credits.
• kicks in so there's 50% coverage kicks in so there's 50% coverage<01:04:17.200> at<01:04:17.920

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:25:14.960> uh sharing um under insurance coverage uh sharing um under insurance coverage
• It might very well be that patients who are losing insurance coverage or electing to not maintain coverage
• It might very well be that patients who are losing insurance coverage or electing to not maintain coverage
• or se electing to not insurance coverage or se electing to not maintain<01:29:45.760> coverage
• I'm just going dropped off of coverage.

Transcript Highlights:

• Coverage remains mandatory.
• <00:08:46.480> By plans, and workers comp coverage. By plans, and workers comp coverage.
• bill does not do is make coverage bill does not do is make coverage optional,<00:10:08.720> sort
• <00:48:24.079> The compensation insurance coverage. The compensation insurance coverage.
• So this insurance coverage policy.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened its labor hearing on SB 655 and outlined the day’s schedule, including a later working session on SB 416 and an executive session planned for 2:30 p.m. Senator Dan Innis introduced SB 655, describing it as a technical bill affecting employee leasing companies/professional employer organizations (PEOs), workers’ compensation coverage, and a Senate-added minimum wage exemption for minor league baseball players covered by a collective bargaining agreement. He said the PEO change would let either the PEO or the client business hold workers’ comp coverage, while still requiring coverage, and argued it would align New Hampshire with most other states and reduce barriers for small businesses and multi-state employers. He also said the baseball provision would clarify wage treatment for minor league players and support the Manchester team. Justin Warell of Insperity testified in support of the PEO portion, explaining that PEOs provide HR, payroll, benefits administration, and workers’ compensation administration through a co-employment model. He said the bill would preserve mandatory coverage while allowing flexibility for the client or PEO to maintain the policy, which could help clients who already have preferred coverage or who face cost or administrative issues in multiple states. He noted that most clients would still remain under the PEO’s policy and said Insperity would submit written comments. Committee members asked about how the arrangement would work, whether the client or PEO would pay, and whether the bill would affect liability insurance packaging; Warell said the employer still bears the cost and that the bill mainly gives larger clients an option. One member asked him to remain available for possible follow-up after hearing from the labor department. Stephen Gonzalez of Major League Baseball testified in support of the minor league baseball exemption. He said MLB and the MLB Players Association negotiated a collective bargaining agreement that already provides players with salary, housing, meals, per diems, health and retirement benefits, disability continuation, tuition assistance, and signing bonuses. He argued that treating players as hourly workers creates impractical time-tracking problems because players do work-related activities on their own time, and said the bill would recognize them as salaried workers and avoid litigation over what counts as hours worked. Committee members questioned why the exemption was needed if players are already salaried and whether MLB could simply amend its CBA; Gonzalez said the bill would help prevent wage-and-hour lawsuits and noted that similar exemptions have been enacted in other states. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the chair indicated the bill would be considered for executive action later that afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• If if the young woman is under coverage.
• , or potentially the same coverage.
• members and and have comparable coverage members and and have comparable coverage or<04:54:47.920
• <04:54:49.520> I or potentially the same coverage. I or potentially the same coverage.
• <05:27:23.760> choices this bill would limit coverage choices this bill would limit coverage

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe the parents' coverage.
• , or potentially the same coverage.
• <04:54:49.520> I or potentially the same coverage. I or potentially the same coverage.
• <05:27:23.760> choices this bill would limit coverage choices this bill would limit coverage
• <05:53:23.600> directly chooses to access coverage directly chooses to access coverage directly

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:

• programs and different tiers of coverage programs and different tiers of coverage based<00:50:26.480
• <04:41:19.798> uh about 18,000 people lost coverage uh about 18,000 people lost coverage uh
• pursuing coverage pursuing coverage altogether<04:44:26.878> uh<04:44:27.200> now<
• safeguards intended to protect coverage safeguards intended to protect coverage they<04:44:46.240
• barriers to people retaining coverage barriers to people retaining coverage and<04:44:59.200>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have people who have need, and we do want them to get treatment, but they may not have coverage or
• And also the doula coverage, which we're working on as well.
• for children is also now—kids under 18 and under receive 12 months of continuous coverage.
• for children is also now—kids under 18 and under receive 12 months of continuous coverage.
• -day period to ensure that there's coverage.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do think it probably would be appropriate to add the term 'liability coverage' ahead of there.
• So this would put that minimum amount of insurance coverage into statute.
• That they have at minimum amount of insurance coverage.
• So this is a somewhat Of a lower bar, but making sure that there is coverage available because they are
• This is simply adding clarifying that this would be liability insurance coverage. Urge adoption.

Bills: SB1772, SB1958, SB2010, SB1595, SB1687, SB1684, SB2049, SB1966

Keywords: motor vehicle safety, headlamps, headlights, fog lights, daytime running lights, auxiliary driving lamps, spot lamps, off-road lamps, bicycle lights, bicycle reflectors, vehicle lighting, roadway visibility, low visibility, rain, snow, wipers, night driving, traffic safety, Oklahoma Title 47, vehicle code

Transcript Highlights:

• We employ staff whose sole responsibility is to verify coverage and expected patient responsibility so
• He said municipalities know what they need for coverage and should be responsible for determining what
• Yet when those genetic disorders affect teeth, insurers deny coverage.
• Coverage for this treatment that is medically necessary for me.
• That is what no coverage really means. It means no care.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a lengthy public hearing with more than 70 people signed up to testify, focusing mainly on health insurance and health care access bills. Early testimony centered on H.1257/S.712, which would require insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of genetic craniofacial conditions. Supporters included legislators, dentists, and medical experts who said these conditions are not cosmetic, can severely affect eating, speech, pain, and social functioning, and often create major financial hardship because insurers deny coverage. A related dental bill, H.1262/S.676, drew technical testimony from the Life Insurance Association of Massachusetts about implementation issues with the 2022 dental loss-ratio law, while the Massachusetts Dental Society supported H.1306/S.696 on transparency in dental network leasing and opposed H.1262. Representative Gentile also testified for H.4013, which would ban for-profit acute care hospitals and for-profit health insurers in Massachusetts, arguing that profit incentives undermine patient care. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to H.1261/S.799, a bill to protect patients from surprise ambulance bills. Municipal fire chiefs, Boston EMS, nonprofit ambulance providers, and the bill’s Senate sponsor said the measure would require insurers to pay ambulance providers directly and promptly, cap patient out-of-pocket costs, and reduce confusion caused by out-of-network billing. Witnesses described ambulance services as essential public health infrastructure and said current billing practices can discourage people from calling 911 or leave municipalities and nonprofits unable to recover costs. Committee members asked about unpaid debt, municipal billing burdens, and how the bill would affect rates and reimbursement. No votes were taken during the hearing. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H.1249/S.805, which would require screening for PANS/PANDAS in medical and clinical settings. Legislators, clinicians, parents, a teen with the condition, and educators described PANS/PANDAS as an infection-triggered inflammatory illness that can present as sudden psychiatric symptoms and is often misdiagnosed as a mental health disorder. Supporters said routine screening at well visits, emergency rooms, and other clinical settings would help identify children earlier, reduce unnecessary psychiatric treatment and hospitalizations, and improve outcomes. Testifiers repeatedly urged favorable action, emphasizing the personal and financial toll on families and the potential for early treatment to prevent long-term harm. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on these bills; no committee action or votes were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• It protects plans already providing comprehensive behavioral health coverage.
• And it ensures both providers coverage.
• It adds behavioral health coverage.
• It protects the plans that are already providing adequate coverage.
• are already providing adequate coverage. are already providing adequate coverage.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also adds a lot of opportunities for loss of coverage. People will lose their coverage.
• For many of these coverages, there's no premiums, there's no deductibles, and the coverage is virtually
• For many of these coverages, good.
• generous taxpayer paid coverage generous taxpayer paid coverage to<02:53:12.960> actually
• mandating coverage um in this bill. mandating coverage um in this bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would address the insurance coverage problem for Arizonans.
• This bill would address the insurance coverage problem for Arizonans.
• This bill does not mandate coverage or regulate rates. It requires transparency.
• This bill does not mandate coverage or regulate rates. It requires transparency.
• Madam Chair, members, I'm Gibson McKay here on behalf of Arizona for Affordable Health Coverage.

Bills: SB1014, SB1094, SB1146, SB1177, SB1192, SB1194, SB1214, SB1372, SB1390, SB1398, SB1399, SB1494, SB1557, SB1561, SB1564, SB1602, SB1603, SB1621, SB1628, SB1629, SB1713, SB1752, SB1776, SB1813, SB1814, SB1821

Keywords: gender transition, gender detransition, health insurance, medical procedures, insurance claims, official documents, Arizona law, gender reassignment, civil liability, minors, medical consent, detransition, dependent children, foster care, periodic review, court hearings, child welfare, public funds, prohibition, Arizona legislation

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several health-related bills, with the longest discussion centered on SB 1214, the Arizona Stem Cell Therapy Act. The bill would regulate stem cell and birth tissue therapies, bar use of tissues derived from aborted fetuses or embryos, require informed consent and disclosure for non-FDA-approved therapies, and create civil and criminal penalties for violations. Supporters framed it as a patient-safety and bioscience-innovation measure, while opponents objected to the abortion-related language and felony penalties. The committee approved SB 1214 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also advanced SB 1194, which would prohibit health professionals and institutions from denying care or reducing care quality based on vaccination status, and SB 1814, which creates a study committee on substance use disorder treatment standards and oversight. SB 1602, increasing monthly stipends for kinship foster care parents, and SB 1603, expanding child-only cash assistance eligibility for certain foster and relative placements, were both amended and passed unanimously. SB 1177, barring public funds from being used for gender transition procedures, and SB 1014, requiring insurance coverage for detransition care and related reporting, both drew strong support and opposition and were each approved on 4-3 votes. Later, the committee unanimously passed SB 1628, requiring insurers and health plans to report claims-denial and prior-authorization data to DIFI for public reporting, and SB 1629, requiring AHCCCS managed care organizations to give advance notice and network-adequacy documentation before terminating high-volume providers without cause. Supporters of both bills emphasized transparency and patient access, while opponents argued the measures duplicated existing federal or state oversight. The committee then heard SB 1752, which would criminalize commercial harvesting or sale of mescaline while preserving a religious-use defense; the sponsor said it was intended to address improper sales of peyote-derived substances, but no final action on that bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . coverage. coverage.
• That's $5,000 minimum per coverage. That's $5,000 minimum per person. person. person.
• Is that coverage still in effect today?
• Is that coverage still get them covered.
• So, we might want to pull back a little bit on what we can afford for drug coverage and hospital coverage

Bills: HCR18, HCR32, HCR35, HCR105, HCR173

Keywords: hospice, health care, aging population, regulations, Medicare, working group, fraud prevention, quality of care, mental health, recidivism, civil commitment, Hawaii State Hospital, justice system, shelter, treatment pathways, biomarker testing, health insurance, precision medicine, healthcare access, medical necessity

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SCR 21 SD1, which asks Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s East Hawaii Regional Health Care System to study the feasibility of a rural health clinic or similar access point for the Volcano community. Testimony in strong support came from HHSC representatives, Volcano residents, the Volcano Health Collaborative, the Rotary Club of Volcano, and others, who said the area has a clear need and that local primary and urgent care would align with regional plans. HHSC said it had already looked at the area, found no suitable temporary buildings, and would need a longer-term, capital-intensive solution, but that the study could help accelerate next steps. The committee then took up SCR 50 SD1, proposing a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design a basic affordable health plan for residents. Dr. Jack Lewin of SHIPTA said the state faces a growing uninsured population and argued for a short-term, lower-cost plan focused on preventive and primary care, drawing on the old State Health Insurance Plan as a possible model. Members asked about whether that prior program still exists and whether the working group should include the Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Primary Care Association; Dr. Lewin said the statute still exists but is unfunded, and that the group should be inclusive. The Department of Labor and other organizations also provided comments. For SCR 75 SD1, which urges a coordinated interdepartmental effort to reduce fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Dr. Lewin and others said prevention, prenatal screening, and early intervention are needed because FASD is often hidden until later problems appear. Amanda from Hawaii FASD Action Group said current implementation under Act 192 is still largely a landscape analysis and that Hawaii lacks the infrastructure and specialists for a full system. Darlene Chance Govor urged adding the judiciary as a partner so juvenile justice and probation staff can be trained and referral pathways improved, while the Department of Health said it supports prevention but prefers a broader, systems-based approach focused on child needs and upstream care. The Disability Rights Center supported the resolution and asked for an earlier reporting date. The committee also heard SCR 149 SD1, which seeks an informal working group to address complex patients with multiple diagnoses involving substance use, mental health, or chronic physical illness. The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition and Ke Nui Malo strongly supported the measure, saying current siloed systems leave people bouncing between medical, mental health, and substance use providers without coordinated care, often ending up in crisis, emergency rooms, or the justice system. They said integrated residential care and a coordinated working group could improve outcomes and align with federal funding opportunities. The transcript ended before any final vote or action on the measures was announced, and SCR 109 was noted as withdrawn from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• You may have seen some of the coverage.
• Our goal in our news is to provide unbiased coverage, to provide coverage in a range of views that everyone
• I want to talk a little bit about the loss of news coverage.
• That means they have no local coverage whatsoever. 1,500 counties in the U.S. have limited coverage.
• We don't need all these local news organizations and coverage.

Summary: The hearing focused on the impact of the federal rescission of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding on California public media, with Assemblymember Chris Ward and Senator Akilah Weber Pierson framing public media as essential civic infrastructure for education, local news, arts, emergency alerts, and underserved communities. Local officials from San Diego and La Mesa voiced support, emphasizing public media’s role in trusted information, children’s programming, and community arts access. Panelists from PBS SoCal, KCRW, Rebuild Local News, NPR, KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR described significant budget losses, layoffs, reduced programming, and threats to rural and specialized services. They highlighted impacts on children’s educational content, local journalism, arts coverage, science and documentary production, and emergency alert systems. Several speakers noted that smaller stations in rural or low-broadband areas are especially vulnerable, while larger stations are also cutting staff and delaying projects. They also discussed possible responses such as shared services, cost reductions, philanthropy, and state support, while warning that one-time bridge funding is not a long-term fix. Committee members asked about operational changes, alternative revenue sources, the role of state programs, and whether public pressure could restore federal funding. Witnesses said the loss is already being felt, that restoration appears unlikely in the near term, and that any state support should be structured to protect editorial independence and provide stable, timely funding. The hearing concluded with a shift to labor and production testimony and then to station-specific testimony from KPBS, Radio Bilingüe, and KVPR, followed by public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Contract transparency by requiring adjusters to clearly state the claims and coverages they're handling
• This bill would require insurers to pay 100% of contents coverage without needing a detailed inventory
• This will change and enhance insurance availability for those who currently can only obtain coverage
• But this is why we engaged ag industry because the farmers were losing their coverage.
• Because the farmers were losing their coverage.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 597, a bill to strengthen consumer protections for disaster survivors who use public adjusters. The author and the Department of Insurance said the measure would cap public adjuster fees at 15% for claims tied to declared disasters, require clearer contracts, prohibit solicitation during emergency conditions, and allow consumers to rescind contracts that were solicited during prohibited periods. Insurance industry groups supported the bill, while public adjuster representatives opposed it as written but said they were willing to work on revisions. The committee approved the bill and re-referred it to Appropriations; the roll call was ultimately recorded as 16-0. The committee then held its fourth oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, with Commissioner Ricardo Lara giving an extensive update on wildfire-related market reforms and consumer protections. He said the recent Southern California wildfires had not derailed the strategy and described actions including advance claim payments, a one-year moratorium on residential non-renewals in affected areas, a new fraud strike team, smoke-damage claim guidance, additional living expense protections, and a consumer claims tracker. He reported more than $12.1 billion in claims paid, over 37,000 claims filed, and more than 7,000 survivors assisted directly. He also discussed related bills and reforms, including AB 597, SB 495, SB 547, SB 429, SB 616, AB 888, and AB 2026. Members questioned the commissioner about the Fair Plan’s growing exposure, the $1 billion assessment, rate increases, non-renewals, underinsurance, and whether the reforms would actually stabilize the market. Lara said the assessment was already approved, that policyholders would not be hit with one large bill because insurers have two years to recover costs, and that the department was pushing insurers to use catastrophe modeling and reinsurance tools in exchange for commitments to write more policies in wildfire-distressed areas. He said the department expects to see market stabilization by 2026, though he emphasized the timeline depends on insurer participation, implementation of the new regulations, and future disaster activity. Members generally expressed support for the goals of the strategy while pressing for clearer expectations for consumers and faster action on mitigation and market reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• and really need all the resources and data sources possible. ...individuals maintain their coverage
• And so the significant procedural and paperwork burden itself will cause people to lose coverage even
• And this will protect people from losing their coverage, also allowing counties to focus on those who
• We want people to access technology to cover coverage. That is important.
• We want people to access technology to access coverage. That is important.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee heard several bills, with most of the discussion focused on insurance transparency, claims handling, privacy, and regulatory enforcement. SB 877 and SB 878 by Senator Pérez addressed post-disaster claims practices: SB 877 would require insurers to disclose original and revised loss estimates and related claim materials to policyholders, while SB 878 would add automatic interest penalties for delayed claim decisions or payments and require written identification of disputed items. Fire survivors, consumer groups, AARP, the Department of Insurance, and other advocates supported both bills, while insurer groups moved to neutral after amendments. Both bills were voted out on roll call and reported to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1054 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand data sharing and reporting to improve workforce program evaluation and help counties verify work requirements for Medi-Cal and CalFresh using employer-reported hours worked. County officials, workforce advocates, and the Department of Insurance supported the measure, and no opposition was heard. The bill passed on a due-pass-as-amended motion to the Committee on Labor and Employment. SB 1209 by Senator Allen, presented with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, would give the commissioner stronger enforcement tools to require insurers to carry out corrective actions identified in market conduct examinations, including fines and hearings for noncompliance. The commissioner and author said the bill would close an enforcement gap and improve accountability; there was no opposition testimony, but the bill was left on call after the roll. The committee also heard SB 354 on insurance privacy, presented by Senator Padilla on behalf of Pro Tem Limón, which would modernize insurance privacy rules by expanding consumer rights over personal data, limiting sale and use of sensitive information, and increasing disclosure requirements. Supporters said the bill updates outdated 1980s-era rules, while insurers, agents, and business groups raised concerns about scope, compliance burdens, and small-business impacts. Members indicated the bill was still being negotiated and would return in a revised form in the Privacy Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• This puts providers in skilled nursing settings who are required to meet 24/7 RN coverage...
• It's $25 a month, and you get a lot of coverage. It's not comparable in nursing homes.
• We consider the effect of any new benefit on the affordability of coverage.
• on the individual market being able to afford coverage.
• And it will require hospitals to comply with federal transparency and coverage rules around submission

Summary: The committee began with an extended work session on the long-term care workforce. DSHS Assistant Secretary B. Rector described the new Home and Community Living Administration and outlined major workforce pressures: Washington had about 126,000 long-term care workers in 2022, with demand expected to outpace supply as the 85-plus population and dementia prevalence rise sharply. She emphasized that direct care workers are largely women, people of color, and immigrants, and that family caregivers are also a major part of the system. She highlighted recruitment and retention efforts funded through federal Money Follows the Person dollars, including high school training partnerships, a retention toolkit, transportation support, caregiver newsletters, tribal workforce navigators, and a remote caregiving pilot. Committee members asked about career pathways, technology use, and turnover drivers; Rector said wages, benefits, unstable hours, and workplace support are key issues and promised follow-up data. Aidan Swain of the Washington Health Care Association said skilled nursing and assisted living facilities face acute RN vacancies, wage pressures, and Medicaid reimbursement that does not cover costs, and urged modernization of training, better reimbursement, and continued support for facility-based care. Maddie Fouch of SEIU 775, representing about 55,000 caregivers, said low wages, weak benefits, lack of voice, and certification delays are driving turnover and shortages, and argued for higher compensation, better worker protections, and more transparent reimbursement. Catherine Smith of Behavioral Health Solutions described growing behavioral health needs in nursing homes, the role of expanded behavioral supports programs, and credentialing delays that slow hiring. No votes were taken; the panel was informational only. The second agenda item was an overview of the palliative care benefit work group report required by 2024 legislation. Nico Jansen of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner explained that the work group, convened with the Health Care Authority, studied a potential palliative care benefit for fully insured commercial plans and also Medicaid, PEBB, and SEBB. He said palliative care is a philosophy of care focused on symptom management, coordination, and support for serious illness, and is distinct from hospice because it can be provided alongside curative treatment. The actuarial analysis concluded that creating a new benefit would likely increase costs, estimating about a 28-cent per member per month increase overall and roughly $2.6 million to $4.5 million in annual state Medicaid costs if implemented in 2027. Jansen said the consultants did not find sufficient evidence to assume savings from avoided hospitalizations or long-term care, though several work group members disagreed and submitted response letters. Senators asked about other states, Medicare, health homes, and whether more research could clarify cost savings; OIC said some states, including Hawaii, are moving ahead with Medicaid palliative care benefits, Medicare covers some related services but not in the same way, and further evidence may emerge over time. OIC did not take a position on whether the Legislature should create the benefit. The final presentation covered health care price transparency tools in Washington and federally. Evan Klein and HCA Chief Data Officer Vishal Chaudry reviewed federal hospital and health plan transparency rules, the state all-payer claims database, prescription drug price transparency, the Health Care Cost Transparency Board, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and other reporting systems. They explained that the APCD contains claims from fully insured commercial plans, Medicaid, and public employee programs, but not self-insured employer data except for limited voluntary submissions. They also described how machine-readable files, consumer price tools, and aggregated dashboards are used, and noted that data limitations, delays, and complexity remain significant. Senators asked about voluntary self-insured participation, the role of AI in making data more usable, and whether transparency can really help consumers given access barriers and medical debt. HCA said AI is increasingly used by private entities to mine large transparency datasets, but state agencies still face limits in data access and analytic capacity. The committee did not take action; the session was informational and ended with a discussion of how transparency data might better inform policy and purchasing decisions in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill helps to provide affordable health coverage options for Florida farmers and ranchers who face
• This coverage is part of the rural renaissance of Florida's smaller and less densely populated regions
• Can you also kind of provide, I guess, maybe some examples of like what kind of coverage or what these
• I think it's a noble goal to try to get coverage to people who don't have it.
• We want to make sure that it's good coverage as well.

Summary: The committee heard several bills on commerce, tourism, labor, technology, and public safety. SB 1666, by Senator Graal, would adopt Florida’s version of UCC Article 12 to address commercial transactions involving digital assets such as cryptocurrency, blockchain, smart contracts, and NFTs; after a technical amendment, it was reported favorably. CS/SB 480, by Senator DiCeglie, would create affordable health coverage options for farmers and ranchers through a nonprofit agricultural organization model similar to Tennessee’s; supporters said it would expand access in rural areas, while opponents and some senators raised concerns about ACA protections, preexisting conditions, and state fiscal impacts. The committee also approved CS/SB 1172, which expands business development incentives for veterans and military spouses, including procurement preferences, fee waivers, tax exemptions, and an entrepreneurship program, after an amendment expanding hiring preferences for military spouses was adopted. The committee then took up SB 1400, which creates a process for removing nonconsensual AI-generated sexual deepfakes from covered online platforms within 24 to 48 hours and subjects noncompliant platforms to penalties under Florida’s deceptive trade practices law; an amendment carved out internet service providers, and the bill was reported favorably. SM 1488, a memorial urging Congress to create a sovereign wealth fund, drew opposition from a public school teacher who questioned its necessity and constitutionality, but it still passed. CS/SB 922, dealing with employment agreements, would strengthen enforcement of certain non-compete and garden leave agreements for employees with access to sensitive information; critics argued it would restrict workers and innovation, while supporters said it protects trade secrets and high-paying jobs. After an amendment, it was reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1252, which would create a statewide system for sharing pawn and secondhand dealer data among law enforcement agencies, with an initial feasibility study cost estimated at $250,000 and questions raised about enforcement if agencies do not participate. Finally, CS/SB 1776, under the Whistleblower’s Act, would require advance notice and an opportunity to cure alleged violations, narrow retaliation and disclosure definitions, and limit claims when another statutory remedy exists; members questioned whether the changes could reduce employee protections or allow employers time to destroy evidence, but the bill was still under debate as the transcript ended.