Transcript Highlights:

• got medical insurance, you have auto insurance, you have underinsured motorist coverage, um, your insurance
• got medical insurance, you have auto insurance, you have underinsured motorist coverage, um, your insurance
• got medical insurance, you have auto insurance, you have underinsured motorist coverage, um, your insurance
• got medical insurance, you have auto insurance, you have underinsured motorist coverage, um, your insurance
• The health insurance has liens. The car insurance has liens.

Bills: HB0068 , HB0062 , HB0127 , HB0109

Committee: House Revenue

Keywords: veterans, property tax exemption, disabled, service-connected disability, Wyoming, governmental claims, liability limits, inflation adjustment, public safety, local government insurance, HB0127, recreation mill levy, recreational facilities, public recreation, mill levy, property tax, local tax, county commissioners, school district levy, voter approval

Transcript Highlights:

• From the insurance market perspective in the state of California, the report describes an insurance market
• It's not covered by your insurance.
• Another insurance bureau—what is it called?
• Another Insurance Bureau, what is it called?
• Insurance Bureau, what is it called, National Crime Insurance Bureau said there was an 84% drop in these

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I had health insurance.
• them to be able to take that insurance.
• can afford to take the insurance.
• It's a part-time job just to make sure you stay on the insurance list if you are actually taking insurance
• So I don't just blame, you know, the private insurance.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not meant for the regulation of insurance companies or insurance licensees.
• It's not meant for the regulation of insurance companies or insurance licensees.
• And then the Hawaiʻi Property Insurance Association and then other private insurers.
• code, since the insurance code is meant to regulate insurers and insurance business.
• code, since the insurance code is meant to regulate insurers and insurance business.

Bills: HCR93 , HCR14 , HR85

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• So this bill basically says that any insurance company cannot do that.
• I've talked to the insurance industry.
• Hampton Williams of the Missouri insurance industry. I'm concerned with Mr.
• The concerns that were raised by the insurance representative. No, those have...
• You might be the first bill sponsor that satisfies the insurance company.

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first heard public testimony on House Bill 2570, which would prohibit health insurers from limiting payment for anesthesia services based on the length of a surgical procedure. The bill sponsor said the measure was prompted by a prior Anthem policy that would not cover all anesthesia time if a surgery ran long, and argued that insurers should not create pressure to stop or rush procedures. Supporters from physician and nurse anesthetist groups said the bill would protect patients and providers from unfair time-based payment limits. An insurance industry witness raised concerns about unclear definitions, possible internal contradictions in the bill’s language, the use of time-based billing formulas, and whether dental anesthesia should be excluded; the sponsor responded that the bill was aimed at medical, not dental, anesthesia and that any wording issues could be worked out later. After the hearing, the committee moved into executive session on a combined committee substitute for House Bills 1945 and 2570. Members discussed an amendment rolling HB 2570 into the larger substitute and noted minor changes to the anesthesia language, including adding modifiers and clarifying billing terms, while also adjusting unrelated pathology language to make it workable with the department and possible Medicaid waiver requirements. Questions from members focused on whether the insurance industry’s concerns were addressed and whether dental anesthesia should be exempted; the sponsor said some concerns could be handled later and that dental situations involving separate anesthesia providers might still need careful drafting. The committee adopted the amendment and substitute and then voted the combined committee substitute do pass by roll call, with the motion approved unanimously by those present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, during the open enrollment period for Medicaid Advantage plans, there were many insurance
• Those documents and those plans were approved by the Department of Insurance, but then those insurance
• The Department of Insurance issued a bulletin telling them that they were acting in bad faith.
• Our Department of Insurance has been very proactive in this to protect our insurance market.
• This joint memorial was created in partnership with the Department of Insurance.

Summary: The House Health and Welfare Committee convened with a quorum, welcomed a new page, Allie Silver of Twin Falls, and heard that she hopes to pursue nursing. The committee then took up House Bill 591, a county-requested cleanup bill repealing the last remaining code section for the defunct county medical indigent program, which was repealed in 2022. Representative Redman presented the bill, Representative Healy moved a due pass recommendation, and the committee approved sending HB 591 to the floor. The committee next introduced RS 33469, which would add physical therapists to the direct primary care section of state code. Representative Furman said the measure would allow physical therapists to participate in direct primary care arrangements without expanding their scope of practice, though members asked for more detail about the diagnosis and assessment language. The committee voted to introduce the RS. It also introduced RS 33466, a joint memorial supporting the Department of Insurance’s actions against Medicare Advantage plan practices that allegedly made enrollment difficult and reduced broker commissions; Furman said the memorial would urge CMS to clarify roles and support Idaho’s efforts to protect seniors and stabilize the insurance market. The most extensive discussion centered on RS 33407, which would place the assertive community treatment (ACT) behavioral health program into statute after budget cuts disrupted its funding structure. Furman argued the program serves people with severe mental illness, reduces hospital and jail use, and saves the state money, while committee members raised concerns about the fiscal note, future general-fund costs, enrollment limits, and whether the bill would expand the program. Furman said the program remains constrained by provider ratios and clinical need, and that alternate funding options were being explored. Despite reservations from some members and the chair, the committee voted 15-1 with one “maybe” to introduce RS 33407, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we're asking for is just an extension of unemployment insurance.
• So this is an insurance policy.
• Of course we want to extend unemployment insurance for our miners, our steel workers up in the range.
• It in the context of teenagers who weren't able to access unemployment insurance.
• About unemployment insurance.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> public sources of health insurance. public sources of health insurance.
• </c><00:45:28.240><c> That's</c> have commercial insurance. That's have commercial insurance.
• </c> insurer can contract with. insurer can contract with.
• </c> myself I don't have insurance right now. myself I don't have insurance right now.
• </c> Um I cannot afford um the insurance Um I cannot afford um the insurance through<01:44:09.040><c>

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Select Subcommittee first took up adoption of three previously prepared nonpartisan committee summary reports dated October 15, November 13, and November 21. Senator Rasmusson objected to the lack of advance notice about the day’s testifiers and criticized the practice of having nonpartisan staff summarize what he described as a partisan agenda. The chair responded that the committee’s purpose is to gather information, not hear bills, and that the summaries were intended as neutral resources for the Senate. Senator Coopek moved adoption, the motion was opposed by Rasmusson and another member, and the motion passed. The committee then turned to the day’s hearing on federal impacts on Minnesota, with the chair focusing on federal funding threats and the effect of congressional budget actions on health care, especially in greater Minnesota. The first presentation came from the Minnesota Department of Health on the state’s rural health transformation work. Assistant Commissioner Carol Broom introduced the team and described the rural hospital transformation program as a major opportunity to invest in rural health, while acknowledging longstanding challenges such as demographics, transportation barriers, and the financing of care. Nitha Moibi outlined the state’s rural health chart book and data showing an aging population, workforce shortages, and many health professional shortage areas, and described proposed strategies including workforce pipelines, bridge payments for low-volume birth hospitals, telehealth access points, mental health urgent care, and chronic disease prevention. Acting Assistant Commissioner Anna Ashby of the Minnesota Management and Budget office explained the state’s application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created in federal law and awarded Minnesota just over $193 million for federal fiscal year 2026. She said the application was shaped by public comments, stakeholder meetings, and legislative outreach, and included initiatives on preventive care, workforce, care access, behavioral health, and provider financial stability. She also reviewed implementation constraints, including a January 30 revised budget deadline, limits on administrative spending, restrictions on using funds to offset Medicaid losses, and the need to show measurable progress to remain eligible for future funding. The presentation noted that most year-one funding would go to rural hospitals, with additional support for federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, tribal partners, and technical assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance companies do not.
• It is Insurance companies do not.
• </c> providers and insurance companies. providers and insurance companies.
• </c> insurance contract barriers. insurance contract barriers.
• </c> difficult to access insurance contracts. difficult to access insurance contracts.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• your insurance covers.
• Depending on what they have in stock, depending on what your insurance, which brand, your insurance covers
• , generic brand or whatever your insurance covers. and at that brand your insurance coverage, generic
• brand or whatever your insurance covers.
• Okay, and that includes everyone that's covered by insurance, the contract insurance?

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124, which would require the California Department of Public Health to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to raise awareness of a screening that many eligible Californians do not know exists; retailers raised concerns about signage size, distribution, and notice to stores. The bill was presented while the committee lacked quorum, so no vote was taken at that time. Members then heard SB 1150, which would require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author and committee chair emphasized patient awareness and privacy, while registry and university stakeholders said they appreciated the amendments and would continue working on the language. SB 1400 followed, proposing changes to Alameda Health System governance to give Alameda County more flexibility and direct oversight; county and labor supporters said the current structure is too rigid for today’s health care environment, and no opposition was heard. The committee also heard SB 1094, which would expand substitution of biosimilars and generics to lower prescription drug costs. Supporters, including health plans and Sharp Health Care, said the bill would reduce premiums and out-of-pocket costs, while opponents from biotechnology and rheumatology groups raised concerns about pharmacist substitution, patient switching, and therapeutic equivalence. After quorum was established, SB 1094 passed 6-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1314, which would create a statewide definition for smoke shops, impose a 600-foot buffer from sensitive sites, and restrict nitrous oxide sales; it drew broad support from local government, pediatric, and law enforcement groups and passed 6-0 on call. SB 1309, which would eliminate cost-sharing for medically appropriate lung cancer screening follow-up care, also passed 7-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations after testimony from clinicians, advocates, and insurers. Finally, SB 1199 was introduced to ban copay accumulators, with the sponsor and author arguing it would ensure patient assistance counts toward out-of-pocket maximums and improve medication access.

Transcript Highlights:

• The insurance code provides many time specifications for the relationship between insurers and their
• insureds and claimants.
• They have no real relationship with the insurance company except claiming against their insured.
• I'm a lawyer that handles insurance claims and works with insurance companies.
• I'm a lawyer that handles insurance claims and works with insurance companies.

Bills: SB1090 , SB1293 , SB1414 , SB1429 , SB1503 , SB1536 , SB1633 , SB1724 , SB1764

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: savings and loan, technical correction, Arizona Revised Statutes, financial institutions, prohibitions, GPLET, abatement, tax incentives, local government, property improvement, central business district, insurance, settlement demands, time limits, third-party claims, regulatory compliance, initiative, referendum, ballot measures, petition circulators

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's on the insurance piece.
• It's a travel insurance bill.
• If I'm insured in New Mexico and I purchase travel insurance, would I purchase this travel insurance
• And who, like, what oversight does the state have over the cost of that insurance? That insurance?
• That's not insurance.

Committee: House House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> travel insurance. travel insurance.
• </c> covered by the health insurer. covered by the health insurer.
• Travel<02:03:41.600><c> insurance</c><02:03:42.120><c> also</c> Travel insurance also Travel insurance
• Insurers do not expect this bill to increase the cost of travel insurance.
• insurance insurance industry. industry. industry.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think I stated again, I pay too much insurance.
• And the insurance situation, when you think about insurance, so let me explain how this works.
• And in July, we will have real-time insurance, so we'll know if somebody's insured or not.
• This insurance stuff, I pay too much. I know.
• And the insurance on that vehicle, I think you literally don't have to transfer with your insurance company

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:26:39.280><c> Insurance</c> Insurance companies appear to be dragging out the process.
• ,</c> it takes to collect from the insurers, it takes to collect from the insurers, the<01:27:07.920>
• I'm the insurance commissioner.
• I'm the insurance commissioner.
• </c><01:31:31.280><c> uh</c> internal review to the insurance uh internal review to the insurance uh

Bills: HB0117 , HB0126

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Keywords: informed consent, abortion, civil liability, coercion, healthcare rights, fetal heartbeat, termination of pregnancy, medical emergency, Wyoming legislation, rights of minors, healthcare regulations, parental consent, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the Deputy Insurance Commissioner and the Department of Insurance.
• the leadership of Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.
• Despite representations that this bill is not about insurance or does not impact insurance, this bill
• has significant insurance impacts.
• American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on AB 2218, which would declare state policy to recognize and address water-related inequities affecting California Native American tribes and require several state agencies to incorporate that policy into water-related decisions. The author and tribal witnesses said the bill would codify a seat at the table for tribes and build on existing consultation and equity commitments, while supporters from environmental and tribal organizations backed the measure. Opponents from municipal utilities, water agencies, cities, counties, agriculture, and business groups argued the bill was too vague, could create uncertainty for water supply and project approvals, and might invite litigation. The chair signaled support, and the author said the bill was intended as a consultation measure rather than one that would usurp agency authority. The committee then took up AB 1795, a wildfire smoke-damage bill that would establish statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating smoke-damaged homes and create clearer insurance claim handling rules. The Department of Insurance supported the bill, saying it would bring consistency and accountability after major urban-interface fires, while wildfire survivors and advocates said current insurer practices leave families unable to safely return home. Insurance and local government groups opposed unless amended, warning about cost, implementation uncertainty, and the bill’s scope. Members discussed unresolved issues, including how the bill would interact with a separate wildfire health-and-safety bill, whether it would apply to existing policies, and how presumptions and testing standards should work. The committee voted AB 1795 out on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 1642, another wildfire-related bill, was also heard and focused on setting science-based testing and clearance standards for homes, schools, and businesses after urban and wildland-urban interface fires. The author and a Caltech scientist described contamination from lead and other heavy metals in fire-affected homes and argued for a presumption that certain contaminants found after a fire came from the wildfire, to reduce costly disputes. Survivors and many advocacy groups supported the bill, while insurers and other industry groups opposed, saying the testing regime was too broad, the geographic scope was unclear, and the presumptions could function like strict liability and raise insurance costs. Senators pressed both sides on how AB 1642 would overlap with the CDI smoke-claims task force and with AB 1795, and the author said the two bills were intended to be complementary and would continue to be reconciled. The committee also briefly heard AB 1976, which would create a CEQA exemption for pedestrian malls and limit certain local procedural delays for pedestrian and traffic-calming projects. Supporters said it would make it easier to create safer, more walkable, and more livable streets, and there was no opposition testimony. The chair described it as a narrow CEQA exemption for active transportation-related projects and indicated support. The committee then moved on to AB 2026, a groundwater recharge permitting bill, with the author explaining that it would streamline permitting so more recharge projects can capture floodwater and store it for drought years; testimony on that bill began as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have had discussions with the OIC, with insurers.
• HBE has had discussions with the OIC and insurers and hospitals as well.
• Jane Byer, for the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, testifying pro on ESSB 6210.
• Thousands have lost their insurance already.
• This patient is fortunately insured.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several health-related bills. SB 5904 would restrict nursing titles such as RN, NP/ARNP, and LPN to licensed human people and prohibit non-human entities, including AI chatbots, from using those titles. The sponsor and nursing advocates said the bill is meant to prevent confusion and protect public trust, while preserving the use of AI as a support tool. SB 5877 would add a $70 surcharge for certified anesthesiologist assistants so they can participate in the Washington Physicians Health Program and access HealWA resources; supporters said it closes a technical gap and aligns CAAs with other medical professions. SB 5185 would create a pilot pathway for certain international medical graduates with clinical experience licenses to obtain full primary care licensure; supporters from the medical commission, physicians, and IMG advocates said the program has worked well, has shown no patient safety issues, and could help address workforce shortages. The committee also heard extensive testimony on ESSB 6210, which would let the Health Benefit Exchange adopt additional market-factor certification criteria for exchange plans, including standards aimed at preserving access and affordability in underserved counties. Supporters, including the exchange, OIC, consumer advocates, tribal representatives, and patient groups, said the bill is needed to respond to federal policy changes, rising premiums, and disappearing coverage in places like San Juan County. Opponents from carriers and employer groups argued the timeline is too fast, the criteria are too discretionary, and the bill could reduce competition and raise costs. The committee then heard SB 5981, which would strengthen protections and reporting requirements for the federal 340B drug pricing program and limit manufacturer restrictions on contract pharmacies and data requests. Hospitals, clinics, and patient advocates said the bill protects safety-net care and rural access, while manufacturers, employers, and business groups argued it would expand a program that already raises costs and lacks transparency. In executive session, the committee took action on SB 5917, related to Department of Corrections distribution of abortion medications, rejecting five proposed amendments and then advancing the bill on a 10-6 vote with three excused. The committee also advanced SB 5988, which concerns Department of Health opioid treatment program accrediting activities, on a do-pass recommendation after brief discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• They could certainly outbid some of the larger insurance providers. That's true.
• That brings the insurance providers that are the subject matter experts into the room.
• insurance company.
• We'll provide you health care insurance cheaper than XYZ. Oh, okay. I think I get that.
• I'll just, you can join Sam's Club, and you can buy Sam's Club's health care insurance plan.

Bills: HB2775 , HB2874 , HB2940 , HB4014 , HB4067 , HB4115 , HCM2010 , HCR2051

Committee: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Keywords: international organizations, government resources, public institutions, Arizona Board of Regents, foreign adversaries, campaign finance, contributions, termination statements, reporting, penalties, electoral processes, healthcare, public benefits, eligibility verification, fraud prevention, Medicaid, SNAP, transparency, accountability, state land

Transcript Highlights:

• We were going back and forth with just insurance for schools.
• But the prospect of taking two years off or having to self-insure or self-pay for his insurance... ..
• About 60% of our substitute employees don't take the insurance.
• We've made major progress in the share of Washingtonians with insurance coverage.
• Please pass this bill so we can have health insurance and all the benefits. Thank you.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on January 20, 2026, hearing several bills related to retirement systems, school employee health coverage, port district pensions, environmental fee accounts, developmental disability services, legislative budget transparency, and a new Apple Health employer assessment. Early in the meeting, the committee heard SB 5834, which would make permanent a temporary expansion allowing certain retirement trust fund earnings to pay broader administrative expenses, and SB 5835, which would raise the lump-sum retirement allowance threshold for Plan 2 members from $50 to $250. Both bills were presented by Department of Retirement Systems staff and supported by the department, with questions focused on the scope of the administrative-expense language in SB 5834 and the technical nature of SB 5835. The committee then entered executive session and moved three bills without recommendation to the Rules Committee: Substitute SB 5249, allowing kit homes as emergency housing; Substitute SB 5053, allowing certain counties to include school district boundaries when forming a public facilities district; and Substitute SB 5203, directing state agencies to develop a wildlife habitat connectivity strategy and creating related accounts. After returning to public hearing, members heard SB 5883 on SEBB eligibility for school employees in their second school year of employment. Supporters, including labor representatives and individual school workers, said the bill would reduce coverage gaps and improve recruitment and retention, while school district officials and administrators argued it would create an unfunded mandate, increase costs, and add administrative burden. No action was taken on the bill. The committee also heard SB 5905, which would exclude certain port district employees from PERS if they are covered by the federal Railroad Retirement Plan or a collectively bargained defined benefit pension plan. Port representatives, labor stakeholders, and the Department of Retirement Systems described it as a narrow technical fix to avoid duplicate pension coverage and retroactive liabilities, and the bill drew support. SB 6151 would create dedicated accounts for Ecology fee revenue tied to laboratory accreditation and landfill methane work; Ecology and county representatives supported the measure as a way to reinvest fees in the programs that generate them. SB 6163 would require the Individual and Family Services waiver for developmental disability services to be budgeted at maintenance level; advocates said it would stabilize services and prevent waitlists, and no opposition was heard. The final two bills were SB 6177, which would require LEAP’s budget website to display additional budget detail such as carry-forward data, program and subprogram expenditures, and balance sheets for all public accounts, and SB 6173, which would create an Apple Health employer assessment on larger private employers with workers enrolled in Medicaid expansion coverage. SB 6177 was framed as a transparency measure, while SB 6173 drew extensive testimony both in support and opposition: supporters said it would help offset expected Medicaid losses after federal work requirements take effect and stabilize the health safety net, while opponents argued it would be an unfunded tax, create administrative and legal complications, and could discourage hiring or reduce hours. The committee heard no final votes on the public hearing bills, and staff reminded members that signature sheets would be held for 24 hours under Senate rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance policies that cover towing.
• They have to carry like a million dollars worth of insurance.
• Well, they're just trying to make the insurance affordable.
• A little insurance education here: there's three types of insurance that we have.
• Two of them will get whatever their insurance minimums are.

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 959, house, all