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:

• This is insurance commissioner's office.
• </c><00:49:57.119><c> carrier</c> says that if a health insurance carrier says that if a health insurance
• We stand on our insurance division.
• </c><01:35:17.199><c> coverage</c> not alter existing insurance coverage not alter existing insurance
• </c> uh requests from the office of insurance uh requests from the office of insurance commissioner<01

Bills: HB1853 , HB1591 , HB1961 , HB1854 , HB1965 , HB1962 , HB1959 , HB2505 , HB2576 , HB1801 , HB1804 , HB1864 , HB2319 , HB2314 , HB2115

Committee: House Health

Keywords: HB1853, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, memory care, memory clinic, Hanai Memory Network, Executive Office on Aging, aging services, kupuna, caregiver support, long-term care, elder care, geriatrics, public health, dementia screening, care coordination, referral network, neighbor islands, rural health

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2047, relating to pharmacy benefit managers. The Insurance Division said the bill would require new enforcement resources and estimated an appropriation of about $1.5 million and five positions. Kaiser Permanente asked for an amendment to exclude HMOs from the definition of third-party PBMs, saying the bill should not interfere with integrated care models. PCMA and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association supported narrowing amendments, with pharmacists objecting to section 3 and warning the bill as amended could create major operational burdens and a significant general fund cost. No vote was taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved on to the next measure after questions. The committee then took up SB 2080, which would allow Hawaii to join the psychology interjurisdictional compact. Supporters, including DCR, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, the Grassroot Institute, and others, said the compact would expand access to psychology services, especially for people in rural areas or those needing continuity of care while traveling. Opponents, including the Board of Psychology and a Shamanad University psychology professor, raised concerns about client safety, crisis-response procedures, enforcement costs, FBI background checks, and possible loss of state control over training and specialization standards. The board said Hawaii’s current 1,900-hour internship/postdoc requirement is higher than the compact’s standard and that the state is still implementing a separate provisional licensing law that may address some access issues. The discussion focused on whether the compact would meaningfully reduce shortages and whether Hawaii should instead pursue changes within its existing licensing system. Finally, the committee heard SB 2277 on hospital price transparency. The Office of Consumer Protection initially noted the bill could require significant staffing, but later testimony from SHIP suggested the measure could be handled more simply by working with the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and publicly posting violations. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, arguing hospitals already must comply with federal CMS transparency rules and that adding state requirements would increase costs and legal exposure, especially if violations were treated as unfair or deceptive trade practices. Steve Fenberg testified in support, saying the bill would simply codify existing federal requirements in state law and that he was open to amendments removing state enforcement and the unfair trade practice language. No final action was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is April 1st, and this is a hearing of the House Insurance Committee.
• Third thing is, PBMs and insurance companies tell us what we're being reimbursed.
• That stands for National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals.
• And that number is set by the insurance company or by the PBM.
• And we speak on behalf of them because we’re the largest insurer in the state that offers fully insured

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next, we have the Office of Superintendent of Insurance. Assurance. Schools Insurance Authority.
• My name is Alice Kane, and I am the Superintendent of Insurance.
• Most of it was from traditional insurance company assessments.
• I think the Public School Insurance Authority is still here.
• We have 34.9 million in excess insurance that we have received, and we have 27.1 million in excess insurance

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, administrators of health insurance plans and certain health insurers, including our own PEBP
• The state's insurance commissioner has been steadfast in enforcing these laws, and insurers have complied
• and carry out a campaign to inform health care providers and insureds under health insurance policies
• of certain information relating to the payment of Health care providers and insureds under health insurance
• comply with the timely processing of insurance claims.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Labor

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California is in the midst of a homeowner's insurance affordability and availability crisis.
• Though the insurance commissioner is committed to needed reforms, his plan... ...under the FAIR Plan.
• resolved in the insurance market, not by taxpayers.
• Thank you. cost of home ownership, but particularly those related to insurance premiums. Thank you.
• resolved in the insurance market, not by taxpayers.

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, and The insurance requirement is a, is a shall. Yes, correct, so.
• So naming the city as an additional insured by law, that cannot happen.
• An additional insurance for professional liability policies for engineers.
• You cannot name an additional insured like a like a regulatory authority.
• And not only, uh, flood insurance is prohibitively expensive today, but without it.

Committee: House Land & Resource Management

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> National Council of Insurance National Council of Insurance Legislatures<00:05:47.680><c> um</c>
• </c> administrative costs of the insurance administrative costs of the insurance task<00:09:52.480><c
• </c><00:14:50.240><c> and</c> one deals with homeowners insurance and one deals with homeowners insurance
• insurance policy per year.
• insurance policy per year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who utilize Idaho insurers for their health insurance.
• that utilize Idaho insurers for their health insurance.
• Insurers are required to participate and are required to pay.
• Insurers are required to participate and are required to pay.
• This is something between an insurance company and their competitor.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But dental insurance is not really built on an insurance model. It's a reimbursement-type model.
• We need to figure out how to regulate the insurance market, right?
• It's making it hard for dentists to get insurance under some circumstances.
• And then those are things like utilities, insurance, contract labor.
• It's mainly getting a lot of private, a lot of privately insured people.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a resolution to urge and request the Department of Insurance to study and make recommendations
• regarding issues related to insurance coverage of motor vehicle damage repairs.
• Members, SR 164 is a result of a piece of legislation I had this year, an insurance committee dealing
• and Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
• Yes, this legislation came through insurance.

Bills: SCR12 , HB1259 , HB221 , HB509 , HCR117 , HCR58 , SCR29 , SCR33 , SB295 , SB312 , SB326 , SB348 , SB485 , SCR9 , SCR58 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB514 , HCR32 , HCR5 , HCR95 , HB75 , HB198 , HB244 , HB302 , HB325 , HB623 , HB719 , HB749 , HB755 , HB761 , HB797 , HB823 , HB1028 , HB1049 , HB1194 , HB1199 , HB1201 , HB1222 , HB17 , HB27 , HB36 , HB41 , HB73 , HB140 , HB166 , HB181 , HB211 , HB223 , HB226 , HB271 , HB308 , HB337 , HB399 , HB410 , HB487 , HB690 , HB712 , HB730 , HB750 , HB759 , HB762 , HB775 , HB906 , HB966 , HB968 , HB1006 , HB1009 , HB1018 , HB1036 , HB1062 , HB1081 , HB1086 , HB1098 , HB1107 , HB1112 , HB1203 , HB1215 , HB1220 , HB1242 , HB1252 , HB1256 , SB208 , SB217 , SB274 , SB283 , SB300 , SB341 , SB382 , SB387 , SB389 , SB401 , SB408 , SB449 , SB469 , HB74 , HB119 , HB134 , HB368 , HB414 , HB552 , HB732 , HB776 , HB848 , HB870 , HB953 , HB956 , HB1117 , HB1236 , SB29 , SB42 , SB43 , SB78 , SB149 , SB441 , HB210 , HB258 , HB359 , HB468 , HB784

Keywords: logging, recognition, John Keith, environment, safety, HB1259, mask penalty, masked felony, face covering, conceal identity, evade identification, sentencing enhancement, enhanced penalty, felony sentencing, crime deterrence, public safety, Louisiana criminal law, R.S. 14:313.2, R.S. 14:313, R.S. 14:329.7

Transcript Highlights:

• Below the table is a section on how you all fund public school insurance.
• And 2, increasing the affordability of health insurance for state employees.
• You wanted the insurance programs to be more sustainable.
• And if they got help with insurance, they probably wouldn't.
• It's not affecting insurance rates, do we know? Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it does allow for the purchase of subsidized health insurance for children.
• And it does allow for the purchase of subsidized health insurance for children.
• The Children's Health Insurance Program has been implemented.
• And then at the top, you have employer-sponsored health insurance or private health insurance.
• I need health insurance for my kids.

Summary: The committee received a briefing from AHCA Deputy Secretary Brian Meyer and Florida Healthy Kids CMO Ashley Carr on implementation of HB 121, which was enacted in 2023 to expand Florida’s KidCare/CHIP eligibility from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level and replace the sharp premium “benefits cliff” with a tiered premium glide path. Sponsor Rep. Bartleman described the bill as a bipartisan effort to help working families keep children insured while moving toward economic self-sufficiency. The presenters explained that the program remains a joint federal-state structure, with Medicaid unchanged and the bill affecting only the CHIP-related portions of KidCare. AHCA said implementation has been delayed by federal CMS actions. The agency reported that CMS first rejected a state plan amendment approach, then required revisions to the premium tiers under a new maintenance-of-effort interpretation, and later issued a new interpretation of continuous 12-month eligibility that would prevent disenrollment for nonpayment of premiums. AHCA said it submitted an 1115 waiver, but negotiations over special terms and conditions reached an impasse, and the state has filed litigation challenging CMS’s interpretation. Members asked about the cost of litigation, the effect on future bills, the review process for CMS documents, disenrollment and reenrollment rules, and whether any additional legislative action is needed; AHCA said no further state action is needed at this time and that the key issue is the pending federal litigation. Several members and the sponsor emphasized the need for immediate implementation and asked about possible interim relief. AHCA said current coverage remains in place under the preexisting program, that there is a 30-day grace period for premium payment, and that reenrollment does not require a penalty or back payment, though coverage is not active during lapsed periods. The committee also heard public comment from Nicholas Hessing of the Children’s Services Council of Broward County and the Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils and Trusts, who supported HB 121 and said the expansion could make about 17,600 additional children eligible in Broward County alone. The meeting ended with Rep. Bartleman thanking staff and expressing hope that the new federal administration would allow the program to move forward, and the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Director of the Office of Government Insurance The Director of the Office of Government Insurance
• I, too, work in the insurance marketplace, and I have worked with many counties in their insurance plan
• I, too, work in the insurance marketplace, and I have worked with many counties in their insurance plans
• That's just plain how insurance works.
• You're declared because you sell insurance or what? We've got a lot of insurance agents in here.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and received messages from the Governor and Senate on bills signed, enrolled, and transmitted. Several committee reports were read, including bills and resolutions advanced to second or third reading, and House Resolution 28 and multiple appropriations and policy bills were introduced and referred. The House also recessed and later resumed business, continuing with messages and committee reports before moving into floor action on selected bills. A major floor debate centered on House Bill 725, which would have allowed cities to join the Idaho State Health Insurance Pool. Supporters argued it would give cities access to a larger, more stable risk pool, lower premiums, and reduce property tax pressure, while opponents warned it could create adverse selection, raise costs for state employees, and expand state administrative burdens. After extended debate, the House rejected HB 725 by a vote of 30-40 and held it at the Chief Clerk’s office. The House then passed House Bill 660, a measure requiring local law enforcement to collect and report twice-yearly counts of arrested individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States. Supporters said it was a limited reporting requirement aimed at understanding costs to taxpayers, while opponents raised concerns about unclear procedures, added burdens on law enforcement, and questionable fiscal assumptions. The bill passed 40-30 and was transmitted to the Senate. The House also took up several budget enhancement bills under suspended rules. House Bills 905, 906, 907, 908, and 909 all passed, covering enhancements for the State Board of Education, community colleges, career technical education, the Military Division, and the Secretary of State. Debate on these bills focused on whether the additions were true restorations or budget growth, the use of one-time funds and federal grants, and concerns about higher education priorities and fiscal restraint.

Transcript Highlights:

• effect on the insurance pool rates.
• I, too, work in the insurance marketplace, and I have worked with many counties in their insurance plan
• I, too, work in the insurance marketplace, and I have worked with many counties in their insurance plans
• That's just plain how insurance works.
• You're declared because you sell insurance or what? We've got a lot of insurance agents in here.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• making it to where they're able to carry their health insurance.
• Somebody brought up the cost of state insurance for employees.
• I would much rather We look at taking away our own insurance before we take away insurance for 80,000
• Somebody brought up the cost of state insurance for employees.
• I would much rather we look at taking away our own insurance before we take away insurance for 80,000

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's actually an insurance law amendment addressing uncovered mental health services.
• It's an act to amend the insurance law in relation to prohibiting insurance discrimination on the basis
• of the insured's marital status following the death of an insured spouse.
• An act to amend the insurance law in relation to clarifying that certain prohibitions on insurance companies
• It's an act to amend the insurance law to prohibit insurers from refusing to renew a policy on certain

Committee: Senate Insurance

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance met with a quorum present and briefly recognized a departing legal fellow before taking up a six-bill agenda. The committee reported several insurance measures, including bills addressing uncovered mental health services, discrimination based on marital status after a spouse’s death, clarifying insurance prohibitions in New York City, standards for certain examination services, and limits on insurers refusing to renew policies related to volunteer social service transportation. Members noted that one bill had already passed the Assembly and was described as noncontroversial. One bill, relating to a reimbursement program for eligible local educational patients, was advanced but recorded with Senator Helming voting without recommendation and was referred to the Committee on Education. Another bill concerning insurance discrimination tied to marital status was discussed as having been worked out with industry. Most other bills were moved and reported without opposition, with several motions seconded by committee members and approved by voice vote.

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?

Committee: Senate Health

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills, beginning with SB 1124 on lung cancer screening awareness. The author and supporters said the bill would require CDPH signage about lung cancer screening eligibility at tobacco point-of-sale locations to address low awareness and low screening rates. Support came from medical students, physicians, and the California Academy of Family Physicians, while retailers raised concerns about sign size, retailer notification, and implementation. Committee members generally supported the bill and noted the need to work through those concerns. SB 1150 sought to require clearer patient notice when cancer cases are reported to the California Cancer Registry. The author described the bill as a response to inconsistent notification practices and privacy concerns, and the chair and other members shared personal stories about learning they or family members were in the registry without knowing it. Cancer registry and university stakeholders expressed appreciation for amendments but continued to have concerns or wanted more time to review the language. The bill was discussed as a patient-awareness measure rather than a change to reporting requirements. The committee also heard SB 1400 on Alameda Health System governance, SB 1094 on biosimilar substitution and health plan policies, SB 1314 on smoke shop regulation and nitrous oxide restrictions, and SB 1309 on eliminating cost-sharing for medically necessary follow-up after lung cancer screening. SB 1400 and SB 1314 drew support from local officials, labor, and public health advocates, with members emphasizing youth protection and local oversight. SB 1094 passed after extensive debate over pharmacist substitution authority and notification requirements, with a 6-0 vote and opposition from biotechnology and physician groups. SB 1309 also passed after members discussed the cost of follow-up care and the value of early detection, despite opposition from health plans over premium impacts; it received a 7-0 vote and was placed on call.

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.
• And that includes everyone that's covered by insurance, the contract insurance?

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all