Transcript Highlights:

• , compensation, unemployment insurance, compensation, unemployment insurance, earn<00:25:34.240><
• Welcome back, Commissioner, to your question, Senator. Thank you, Commissioner.
• <01:12:57.360> Nicole that is Commissioner Nicole that is Commissioner Nicole Blitzenblack
• Uh, just Commissioner. Um Thank you. Uh, just Commissioner.
• Thank you, Commissioner.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance department tells you. Okay? insurance department tells you. Okay?
• Commissioner. I am currently the Commissioner.
• I have the pleasure of serving as the commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department.
• of the New serving as the commissioner of the New Hampshire<00:55:40.319> Insurance<00:55:40.720
• <02:31:52.720> If<02:31:53.200> the If the bill simply said the insurance commissioner

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bobby Mitchell, and Commissioner Kevin Faulkner.
• A couple of other commissioners had to leave earlier.
• We go directly to Commissioner Mitchell. And then Commissioner Faulkner, thank you for all you do.
• The county commissioners have my cell phone number.
• The county commissioners have my cell phone number.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.

Transcript Highlights:

• investigate insurance fraud and related crimes.
• First, we have Commissioner Jacobson and then Commissioner Schnell.
• Again, Bob Jacobson, Commissioner of Public Safety, Paul Schnell, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections
• Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Schnell.
• Thank you, Commissioner.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's all. >> Okay, the insurance commissioner is calling me.
• Okay, the insurance commissioner is all.
• Okay, the insurance commissioner is calling<04:05:09.680> me.
• Maybe with the insurance commissioner. >> It's not insurance. >> Oh, I thought you said it was an insurance
• Maybe with the insurance commissioner. commissioner. commissioner.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• more healthy people in the insurance more healthy people in the insurance pool<01:21:20.719>
• <01:22:04.560> that consequences outside of insurance that consequences outside of insurance
• 93% so this bill will increase insurance 93% so this bill will increase insurance premiums<01:23
• Commissioner Barnett, uh, yes.
• <01:26:22.920> Barnett<01:26:23.880> uh you commissioner Barnett uh you commissioner

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Garza, Mayor Pro Tem, Joel Moreno Jr., Commissioner Oki Salinas, Commissioner Pete Morales, and Commissioner
• And two county commissioners in leadership from Frio County in the gallery to recognize March the 4th
• Yes, we have Claiborne County Commissioner Chuck Schultz, Claiborne County Commissioner Marcus Salinas
• for Harlingen City Commissioner Daniel Lopez.
• Referred to the Committee on Insurance.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that just tells the U commissioner that just tells the U commissioner um<00:11:02.959> to
• commissioners who are present. Sure. commissioners who are present. Sure.
• believe health commissioner Cunningham believe health commissioner Cunningham is<01:21:13.920>
• I'm Commissioner of Health.
• Thank you very much, Commissioner.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why go to the Commissioner of Agriculture?
• And if you look at your car insurance, it's not just one line. It's not car insurance, whatever.
• I'm actually paying the most to not insure myself.
• And if you look at your car insurance, it's not just one line. It's not car insurance, whatever.
• I'm actually paying the most to not insure myself.

Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of an amended joint proclamation expanding the Legislature’s immigration agenda. The proclamation added items calling for financial penalties for government officials, enhanced criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration law. The chamber then took up the special order calendar, beginning with Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill. Most of the meeting was devoted to debate and questions on the strike-all amendment to SB 2B. Sponsor Senator Gruters described the bill as a broad immigration enforcement package aligned with President Trump’s agenda. He said it would require greater cooperation with federal immigration authorities, strengthen participation in the 287(g) program, create a chief immigration officer and council, authorize financial penalties for noncompliance, provide bonuses for officers assisting ICE, and direct information-sharing with federal agencies. He also said the bill would bar DHSMV from issuing licenses or ID cards to unauthorized aliens and would end in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students. Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Berman, Osgood, and others questioned the scope of the bill, whether it would affect schools, churches, cities, nonprofits, and green-card holders, and how the 287(g) provisions would work in practice. Gruters repeatedly said the operational focus was on jails and detention facilities, not street-level enforcement. A major point of controversy was the bill’s proposed mandatory death penalty for unauthorized aliens convicted of certain capital offenses. Senator Fine said the covered crimes were the most serious capital felonies, including murder, child sexual battery, destructive-device offenses causing death, and certain trafficking offenses, and argued the provision was intended to withstand constitutional challenge. Senator Pizzo raised Eighth Amendment concerns and questioned whether the bill could mandate death sentences. The tuition waiver provisions also drew extended debate: Fine said the state would save about $41 million by ending discounted tuition for undocumented students, while Democrats argued the savings would not return to general revenue and that the policy would harm students who are already enrolled. Fine and Gruters said green-card holders would not be affected and that the bill targeted only students in the country illegally. The discussion also covered appropriations and implementation. Senator Smith asked about the bill’s large funding levels, and Fine broke down the spending as including $375 million for the chief immigration officer, $100 million in grants to local law enforcement, $29 million for the new Office of State Immigration Enforcement, and $10 million for an unauthorized-alien transport program. Gruters said the funds would reimburse local governments and help address staffing shortages, while critics questioned the lack of benchmarks and the fiscal impact. No final vote or disposition on the bill appears in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you guys want to jump out, the Choi, Commissioner, you want to come up.
• That reminds me, Commissioner Nybert left a bag in my office.
• Both increases are for employee health benefits and other types of insurance costs.
• And thank you, Commissioner. Also, Mr. Chair, for being here today.
• We talked a little about the health insurance stuff. It's not a lot of money.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’ll get you an insurance card.
• it's just not insurance fraud.
• If I could, so health insurance is from private health insurance is my department.
• That's our insurance department.
• insurance against that, but we can't carry insurance against fraud losses for customers.

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members hearing from bankers, regulators, law enforcement, AARP, and mortgage and insurance industry representatives. Witnesses described a wide range of scams, including spoofed bank calls and texts, fake websites and social media impersonation, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, gift card fraud, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, and crypto kiosk schemes. Several speakers emphasized that fraud is increasingly organized, technology-driven, and amplified by artificial intelligence, and that seniors are disproportionately targeted and often suffer the largest losses. Testimony highlighted both prevention and recovery efforts. Bankers said institutions spend heavily on training, customer education, and fraud detection, but often cannot stop losses once customers have been convinced to authorize transfers. The Attorney General’s office described its Consumer Protection Division, a new Financial Fraud Task Force, and examples of recovering funds quickly from crypto kiosk and wire fraud cases. The State Bank Department and Securities Department said Arkansas’s 2025 crypto ATM legislation and related education requirements have helped, and they urged continued public education. The Insurance Department reported major insurance-fraud trends, including fake insurance cards, forged policies, premium-finance schemes, and staged auto accidents, and said it prosecutes these cases aggressively. Members asked about reporting scams, the security of tap payments, how fraud losses are tracked, the role of crypto kiosks, and whether Arkansas should pursue model legislation or stronger action against telecom and social media companies. Witnesses said tap payments are generally safer than chip or swipe, that crypto transfers are often unrecoverable, and that spoofed caller ID and impersonation ads remain major problems. Paul Benda of the American Bankers Association urged state and federal action against telecom and social media platforms and supported national scam legislation. No new bills were voted on at the meeting, but members approved the November 3, 2025 minutes and several witnesses offered to share model legislation, consumer education materials, and state-by-state fraud data with the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll get you an insurance card.
• They send the bill to the insurance company, and the insurance company sent them the money.
• If I could, so health insurance is— private health insurance is my department.
• That's our insurance department.
• insurance against that.

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members and witnesses describing scams targeting seniors, small businesses, and working families. The committee first approved the November 3, 2025 minutes, then heard from the Arkansas Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, banks, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, the Arkansas Mortgage Bankers Association, the State Bank and Securities Department, the Insurance Department, and AARP. Witnesses described common schemes including spoofed bank calls and texts, government imposter scams, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, fake job postings, gift card scams, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, identity theft, and insurance fraud. Several witnesses emphasized that cryptocurrency kiosks and crypto transfers make recovery difficult or impossible, and that artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing and scalable. Witnesses repeatedly stressed education, verification, and coordination among banks, law enforcement, regulators, and consumers. Bank and mortgage representatives urged consumers to slow down, independently verify wire instructions, avoid clicking unexpected links, use tap-to-pay rather than chip or swipe when possible, and never share account credentials or one-time codes. The Attorney General’s office said it investigates consumer complaints, mediates disputes, works with social media platforms to remove scam ads, and recently created a Financial Fraud Task Force with bankers and other stakeholders. The State Bank and Securities Commissioner highlighted the Safe AR Act, the state’s crypto kiosk framework, and fraud education efforts such as “fraud bingo,” while the Insurance Department described its law-enforcement role and a range of insurance-related fraud schemes it prosecutes. AARP said fraud is widespread and underreported, especially among older adults. Members asked about reporting scams, how losses are handled, whether tap is safer than chip, how crypto fraud works, whether Arkansas has model legislation to address telecom and social media impersonation, and how local law enforcement and state agencies coordinate investigations. Witnesses said banks generally absorb much of the financial loss under federal rules, while consumers bear the inconvenience and account changes. Several witnesses said Arkansas should consider additional legislation to hold telecom companies and social media platforms accountable for spoofed caller IDs and impersonation ads, and one witness said a federal Scam Act is moving in Congress. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes, but witnesses agreed to share consumer education materials and model legislation with committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• It basically says the commissioner may require submission of some data.
• Morning, Franco Pelka, Louisiana Department of Insurance.
• Charges to the insurer or to the health plan.
• And we just heard from Frank with the insurance. I have red cards.
• And the Commissioner of Administration as well. Oh, our friend.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with eight members present and deferred HB 127. It then considered a series of bills, most of which were reported favorably without opposition. HB 22 revised COLA rules for the clerks of court retirement system, allowing more frequent COLAs when the system is better funded; HB 324 made judicial stipends permanent and added future COLAs subject to available funding; HB 233 increased jury mileage reimbursement; HB 47 reorganized assessor retirement COLA statutes; HB 533 allowed St. Tammany Parish to transfer unused witness-fee account balances to the 22nd Judicial District Court; HB 980 adjusted eligibility for the Firemen’s Supplemental Pay Board; HCR 45 urged Congress to clarify ARPA deadlines for water projects; HB 559 increased court costs in the 4th Judicial District; HB 290 recreated the Department of Treasury and related entities in statute; and HB 382 addressed Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget review authority over Group Benefits plans. The committee also reported HB 1157 favorably, creating a financing bank mechanism for infrastructure projects, and HB 575 favorably, giving youth aging out of foster care preferred access to surplus state vehicles through the Louisiana Property Assistance Agency. Several measures drew more discussion. HB 1236, dealing with pharmacy benefit managers and professional dispensing fees, prompted extensive testimony from the sponsor, the Legislative Fiscal Office, the Department of Insurance, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Supporters said it clarifies and strengthens enforcement of existing PBM law and protects independent pharmacies; opponents argued the bill’s requirement that PBMs bear dispensing-fee costs would be difficult to implement and could raise premiums. The sponsor said he would work on amendments, including clarifying language and a delayed effective date, and the bill was nevertheless moved favorably. SB 25, on registrar of voters compensation, was amended to a revised pay structure and then reported favorably. HB 47 and HB 533 were also presented as funding and administrative cleanups for retirement and court-related accounts, with local support noted. The committee also heard HB 233 on jury duty mileage reimbursement, which the sponsor said updates a 1961 rate and would be funded locally at an estimated average increase of about $4,000 per judicial district. HB 324 on judicial salaries was described as self-funded by the judiciary and subject to available funding, with no budget impact. HB 575 on foster youth transportation was presented as a non-appropriation measure aimed at helping youth aging out of foster care by giving them preferred access to surplus vehicles. HB 382, which concerns the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget’s role in approving Group Benefits plans, was reported favorably with little discussion. The meeting ended after a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• the<00:28:45.640> Department Now, the Commissioner of the Department Now, the Commissioner
• <00:28:53.800> to actually allows the Commissioner to actually allows the Commissioner to
• company can seek reimbursement from the insurance trust.
• insurance policies when damage is done by a peace officer.
• ><00:47:23.880> insurance exclusions in homeowner's insurance exclusions in homeowner's insurance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s somewhat complex, but we are very grateful to Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer for issuing an
• commissioner.
• with health care benefit managers with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, we said, and when you
• Do I have any with the Office of Insurance Commissioner? Yes. What is my recourse?
• Do I have any with the Office of Insurance Commissioner? Yes. If I, right?

Summary: The committee first welcomed new DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who introduced herself and described her background in public service, federal and state legislative work, and health and human services leadership. Members emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with her and noted her focus on protecting services, using strategic approaches in a tight budget environment, and improving partnerships with the Legislature. Ramirez said she wanted to keep communication open and that her priorities would be shaped by what she learns from lawmakers and agency partners. The next work session focused on the West Coast Health Alliance and the broader Governor’s Public Health Alliance. Department of Health and governor’s office staff said the West Coast alliance, involving Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii, was formed to coordinate science-based public health guidance, especially around vaccines, return-to-work guidance, and responses to federal changes. They said the alliance is intended to reduce confusion, counter misinformation, and preserve access to evidence-based recommendations, with early actions including vaccine guidance for COVID-19, flu, and RSV, a statement rejecting any vaccine-autism link, and preparation for possible ACIP changes. Members asked about workload and coordination with other regional alliances, and staff said there is informal coordination but no formal regular meetings. The committee then heard from the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange about open enrollment and the effects of federal policy changes. Exchange leaders said the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, HR1 provisions, and immigration-related eligibility changes are affecting affordability and enrollment, with some customers facing large premium increases and some counties becoming harder to serve. They reported early open-enrollment traffic increases, nearly 10,000 new sign-ups, and nearly 12,000 active coverage drops so far, while noting that many more people may disenroll later if subsidies are not extended. They also described mitigation efforts such as silver loading, Cascade Care Savings, outreach through navigators and community partners, and planning for future HR1 requirements like ending auto-renewal and adding verification steps. In the final work session, staff from the Health Care Authority and Insurance Commissioner’s office reviewed Washington’s health reform history and the state’s current affordability and access efforts. They highlighted past ACA-related coverage gains, continued work on prescription drug affordability, PBM oversight, primary care and behavioral health access, and a pending legislative proposal to preserve access to preventive services. They also discussed federal changes affecting Medicaid and the exchange, including work requirements, six-month redeterminations, and the need to coordinate across agencies to implement new rules. Members raised concerns about network adequacy, provider access, and the complexity of the health care system, while staff said they are trying to mitigate harm, simplify administration, and keep coverage and access as stable as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the New serving as the commissioner of the New Hampshire<00:10:57.519> Insurance<00:10:57.920
• Um, one concern I have, Commissioner, you mentioned, uh, taking care of policyholders, the insured, um
• And I think the insurance commissioner is trying to look at the real catastrophic ones and protect the
• Um, and I think the insurance<00:47:57.119> commissioner<00:47:58.079> uh<00:47:58.240>
• is<00:47:58.560> trying<00:47:58.880> to insurance commissioner uh is trying to

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• WE DID INVITE MICHAEL JAWORSKI, UNFORTUNATELY FLORIDA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER, UNFORTUNATELY COMMISSIONERS
• ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS.
• WITH THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF INSURANCE, MEDICAL, APPEAR WE TALK ABOUT PROPERTY INSURANCE, LIFE INSURANCE
• PROPERTY INSURANCE VERSUS A MALPRACTICE INSURANCE. RIGHT?
• INSURER.

Transcript Highlights:

• We usually get them from NAIC, which is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, but they're
• Chairman, committee members, I'm Jeff Freed, the insurance commissioner.
• Jeff Freed, the insurance commissioner. Jeff Freed, the insurance commissioner.
• commissioner or through state insurance commissioner or through our<01:58:52.560> organization
• If they see insurance fraud trends, they can call the commissioner and work with insurers.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the end—wait—yeah, that they do apply to one kind of plan, but that was in keeping with what the insurance
• So it was kind of a bit of a concession, but, yeah, the insurance industry.
• It will result in flood insurance premium reduction.
• Insurance paid for. We don't get any insurance here. Expense account... Insurance paid for.
• We don't get any insurance here. Expense account, a car.

Bills: HB513, HB581, HB596, HB660, HB719, HB766, HB802, HB940, HB950, HB1028, HB1183, HB1201, SB233, SB300, SB303, SB315, SB324, SB411

Keywords: name image likeness, NIL, student-athlete, college athletics, high school athletics, intercollegiate athletics, interscholastic athletics, athlete compensation, athlete endorsements, sports marketing, athlete agent, marketing representative, sports attorney, publicity rights, right of publicity, Louisiana high school sports, NCAA, school policy, athletic association, athletic conference

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 513 by Rep. Young, which would regulate name, image, and likeness issues for intercollegiate and interscholastic athletes, especially high school athletes. Young said the bill reflects recommendations from a statewide NIL task force and sets parental-consent and prohibited-category guardrails while preserving flexibility for colleges. The committee adopted a technical amendment and reported the bill favorably as amended. Members then advanced several procurement and administrative measures. Senate Bill 233 by Sen. Mizell would create a statewide data exchange compact for state agencies; testimony from the Department of Health said it would improve eligibility and program administration by allowing agencies to share data more efficiently, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 300, also by Mizell, would make various changes to the Procurement Code, including auction techniques in negotiated procurement, sole sourcing for consulting services in limited cases, and other technical and legal remedy revisions; it was reported favorably. Senate Bill 303 by Sen. Cloud would let executive branch agencies directly contract with other states for information technology systems and use the federal GSA schedule, and it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 411 by Sen. DePlessis, removing a 20-year lease cap for certain state property in Orleans Parish, was also reported favorably. The committee then took up several bills affecting criminal justice funding. House Bill 660 by Rep. Egan would raise the state warrant amount used to fund assistant district attorney salaries from $50,000 to $60,000; Egan and district attorneys argued the increase is needed to recruit and retain prosecutors, while an opponent said the state should fund prosecutors and public defenders more equitably. The committee adopted an amendment making the bill effective only upon appropriation and reported it favorably as amended. House Bill 719, also by Egan, would increase the number of assistant district attorney warrants statewide, with most of the new warrants directed to Baton Rouge, St. Tammany, and Caddo; supporters cited workload studies and local needs, while an opponent raised concerns about New Orleans court consolidation and broader funding balance. It too was amended to be subject to appropriation and reported favorably as amended. Other measures included House Bill 76 by Rep. Freeman, which addresses coverage for orally administered anti-cancer medications and was reported favorably as amended after changes to cost-sharing and high-deductible plan language; House Bill 802 by Rep. Sawyer, which redirects existing revenue to watershed and flood-control restoration in the Amite River Basin, was reported favorably as amended; House Bill 940 by Rep. Barrow, creating a law-enforcement task force and rules framework for counter-drone operations, was reported favorably as amended; and House Bill 950 by Rep. Boyd, aimed at consumer protection education for seniors, was reported favorably. House Bill 596 by Rep. McCormick, which would have created an inactive-well fee assessment credit tied to plugging wells, drew concerns that it would reduce funds for orphan-well restoration, and the bill was voluntarily deferred after discussion. House Bill 581 and House Bill 1183 were also voluntarily deferred.

Bills: HB1163, HB2113, HB2333, HB2411, HB2583, HB1613, HB1614, HB2590, HB1950, HB1603, HB1707, HB1832, HB2119, HB2155, HB2594, HB2595, HB1929, HB2015, HB2207, HB1619, HB1667, HB1984, HB2140, HB2097, HB1957, HB2503, HB2581, HB1520, SCR55, SR53

Keywords: commercial drivers license, non-domiciled, federal regulations, commercial learner's permit, citizenship, lawful residency, Department of Transportation, Kainahola Stream, flood prevention, vegetation removal, appropriation, natural resources, transportation, airport special districts, penalties, Hawaii, aeronautics law, public safety, workforce development, sector partnerships