Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:27.000> care contingent basis and the insurance care contingent basis and the insurance
• <00:09:06.120> carrier is pending from the insurance carrier is pending from the insurance
• Labor with me is Deputy Commissioner Labor with me is Deputy Commissioner Danielle<00:38:22.920>
• that requires that the commissioner that requires that the commissioner shall<00:41:27.960> hold
• whether it's because of your insurance whether it's because of your insurance is<01:34:48.440>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Commissioner. Chris Richards. Good afternoon.
• Thank you, Commissioner.
• Good afternoon, Chair Murphy, Chair Feeney, and commissioners.
• , for example, payment protection insurance.
• You heard about travel insurance; it is a very important component to this as well.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• I verbally discussed this with the bank commissioner several months ago, explaining the narrow focus
• <00:39:46.119> several this with the bank commissioner several this with the bank commissioner
• <01:46:13.920> on aren't big enough to self-insure on aren't big enough to self-insure on
• The self-insured group has 30 days to pay the reasonable value of that bill.
• I'm the Deputy Commissioner at the New Hampshire Department of Labor.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:08.720> company it doesn't mean like insurance company it doesn't mean like insurance
• Uh insurance program is supposed to do.
• >> Unemployment insurance coming today. >> Unemployment insurance coming today.
• Neighbors, Commissioner, again, Mr.
• Commissioner.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1809 by Hernandez relating to the prohibited insurance discrimination against insured who are widowed
• Refer to the Committee on Insurance.
• commissioner of Insurance regarding compliance with certain utilization review and pre-authorization
• Refer to the Committee on Insurance.
• Association for the Committee on Insurance.

Transcript Highlights:

• , the state's insurance commissioner regulates us now, right?
• So what is the Insurance Commissioner going to address this? You're saying he's not? I mean, I'm...
• , we provided all of this information to the Insurance Commissioner and his... ...and that, you know,
• we provided all of this information to the Insurance Commissioner and his staff, and so that they, if
• Go ahead, Commissioner. All right.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For individuals, it was disability insurance, homeowners insurance, and health insurance.
• I'm hoping the marketplace will put those bad actors out of business, and that the commissioner of insurance
• And I'm hoping through regulation by the insurance commissioner and the fact that you might go out of
• And while we did some great work passing the insurer accountability bill, which gives our commissioner
• And while we did some great work passing the insurer accountability bill, which gives our commissioner

Summary: The committee met to hear five banking and insurance-related bills. HB 1549, an Office of Financial Regulation agency bill to help more efficiently regulate financial institutions, was amended to match Senate companion language and then passed unanimously. HB 1231 would extend physician payment and prior-authorization protections similar to a prior dental law, including limits on virtual credit card payments as the sole payment method; physicians and medical groups supported it as a way to reduce fees and retroactive denials, while insurers were not heard in opposition, and the bill passed unanimously. The committee then heard HB 999, which would make gold and silver legal tender and allow transactions in bullion through electronic debit mechanisms. The sponsor and several proponents framed it as an inflation hedge and economic freedom measure, while questions focused on definitions, transaction costs, and vendor participation. The bill passed on a mostly party-line vote, with one member voting no. The committee also approved HM 4363, a memorial urging Congress to establish a sovereign wealth fund; the sponsor described it as a way to steward national wealth, and the memorial passed with one dissenting vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 1551, which would create a prevailing-party attorney fee framework in insurance contract disputes. The sponsor argued it would restore balance, deter meritless litigation, and help consumers with valid claims recover fees, while insurers, business groups, and defense attorneys warned it would revive one-way fee shifting, increase litigation, and raise premiums. Consumer advocates and some members supported it as necessary to give policyholders meaningful recourse. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with one member voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Scott Jewett.
• Quick question for Commissioner O'Keefe. Thanks.
• Commissioner O'Keefe, I actually own a home in Tallahassee.
• If insurance doesn't cover it, then it ends up self-pay.
• Number two, property insurance. Thank you.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• McCary, it does not matter who the next FDA Commissioner is.
• FDA Commissioner, will you maintain current access to mefapristone, yes or no?
• And I think it's helpful for a new commissioner to do an assessment.
• services, an insurance company that primarily sells Medicare Advantage plans.
• . in health insurance industry transparency of the secret negotiated rates.

Keywords: nominations, labor, health, veterans, Social Security, Elon Musk, transparency, government accountability

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on various executive nominations and their implications on labor and health affairs. Significant discussions surrounded the nomination of Mr. Sonderling as the Deputy Secretary of Labor, with members expressing concerns about workforce cuts affecting veterans and Social Security employees. There was also a debate led by a member regarding the authority and influence of private individuals, specifically citing Elon Musk's involvement in government decisions. Such discussions raised questions about transparency and accountability within governmental agencies, leading to a proposal for Mr. Musk to provide testimony before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• A pre-suit notice and an insurance claim is a formal notice sent to the insurer.
• The insured has hired an attorney.
• final payment to the insured.
• The National Association of Insurance Commissioners puts those numbers together.
• of insurance products.

Transcript Highlights:

• thing uh are insurance discussions. thing uh are insurance discussions. uh<00:01:22.640> insurance
• insurance rates. Next slide, please. insurance rates. Next slide, please.
• Next, a suggestion that your recommendations include the insurance department and commissioner, and you
• , the difficulty of getting insurance in some areas or the cost of insurance.
• um include the insurance department and commissioner<00:25:02.400> and<00:25:02.640> you

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The interim task force on disaster prevention and resiliency met for its fourth meeting and focused heavily on insurance markets, affordability, and mitigation. Cochairs noted they are working toward recommendations for a later fall meeting. The main presentation came from David Snyder of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, who said the insurance industry sees itself as part of the problem and part of the solution because it ultimately pays for losses created by natural conditions, development choices, and construction practices. Snyder described rising losses from natural catastrophes, inflation-driven increases in rebuilding and repair costs, more development in disaster-prone areas, wildfire exposure, severe convective storms, hail, and roof damage. He argued that Kentucky should avoid the mistakes he attributed to California, where regulatory responses contributed to a strained insurance market and greater reliance on the FAIR Plan. He said Kentucky’s private market appears to be functioning better, with relatively few FAIR Plan policies, and urged lawmakers to preserve that market through risk-based rates and policies that do not worsen availability. He recommended a broad mitigation strategy involving stronger building codes, land-use decisions, stormwater infrastructure, public access to risk data, and incentives for resilient construction. He highlighted programs such as the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, fortified-home standards, wildfire-prepared community practices, and examples from Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida showing that mitigation can produce quick returns and insurance discounts. He also suggested catastrophe savings accounts, flexible coverage options, and a whole-of-government approach that includes the insurance department, building-code agencies, first responders, FEMA, NFIP, and NOAA. In questions, a legislator asked about the prognosis if carriers continue exiting markets and if nothing is done to address affordability and accessibility. Snyder said he could not predict market exits but stressed that regulators should monitor the market closely, use available data, and focus on loss prevention and mitigation. He said insurers want to do business in Kentucky and that the long-term solution is coordinated action among public and private stakeholders to reduce risk and keep coverage available.

Transcript Highlights:

• undocumented immigrants in the insurance undocumented immigrants in the insurance pool<00:50:43.960
• <00:51:02.240> that consequences outside of insurance that consequences outside of insurance
• to seek Emergency Care without insurance to seek Emergency Care without insurance then<00:51:15.160
• 93% so this bill will increase insurance 93% so this bill will increase insurance premiums<00:52
• commissioner commissioner Barnett<00:54:08.760> chair<00:54:09.720> uh<00:54:10.200>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 16, and the chair moved the bill with a recommendation that it be re-referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations. Representative Rymer said the bill would require reporting to ICE when an illegal immigrant is arrested on suspicion of a violent crime, even if the county attorney does not prosecute, and would bar state and local entities from blocking federal immigration enforcement. He described the bill as narrowly focused on serious offenses such as murder, assault, robbery, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct, and said it was intended to improve communication with federal authorities about dangerous offenders. Supporters argued the bill would improve public safety and cooperation with federal law enforcement. David Zimmer, a former local law enforcement official, said cooperation with ICE is consistent with law enforcement practice and helps with information-sharing, warrants, consulate notifications, and locating individuals. Several other supporters, including a crime victim family member and a security officer, said the bill would help identify dangerous criminals and protect communities. Opponents said the bill would reduce trust in local law enforcement and discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes. Testifiers from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, The Advocates for Human Rights, Violence Free Minnesota, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Northstar Alliance, the City of Minneapolis, and others said mandatory ICE notification could deter domestic violence and trafficking victims from seeking help, harm due process, and undermine community safety. Some also warned it would interfere with local separation policies, burden local agencies, and have negative economic and civil rights impacts. The committee also heard emotional testimony from individuals describing domestic abuse and immigration-related fears, and from family members of a murder victim who supported the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lastly, the transfer is not appropriated in the House bill to the commissioner of human services, so
• <00:09:53.120> of<00:09:53.200> human house bill to the commissioner of human house
• of human services to have commissioner of human services to have the<00:09:57.360> authority<
• That helps reduce the cost for health insurance, especially in the poor rural areas.
• This section makes changes to the private health insurance statutes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee reviewed a side-by-side comparison and fiscal analysis of Senate File 3472, a reinsurance-related bill affecting the premium security plan account, MinnesotaCare, and related health care funding. Staff explained the Senate and House versions of the bill, including how the Senate proposal extends reinsurance for five years and uses a projected $1.087 billion general fund transfer to fully fund claims and administrative costs through fiscal year 2028, while the House version conditions continuation of the program on federal approval of the state innovation waiver. The fiscal presentation also covered appropriations for MNsure, a mental health parity and substance abuse office, and House provisions for delivery reform and a public option study, along with a House transfer of $110.674 million to the health care access fund. Members debated the budget horizon and whether costs should be forecast beyond fiscal year 2025. Representative Schultz argued that the spreadsheet understated the broader fiscal impact of reinsurance and warned about future funding cliffs for MinnesotaCare and other health programs, while other members and staff noted that the state’s standard forecast ends in fiscal year 2025 and that the fiscal note only estimated reinsurance costs through the five-year extension. Supporters said reinsurance was the best available option to reduce premium increases, especially in rural areas, and some pointed to a public option as a longer-term alternative. Opponents argued reinsurance does not address underlying health care costs or deductibles and urged consideration of other reforms. House Research then walked through the policy differences. House-only provisions would change Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association board membership, require platinum plans in certain markets, expand postnatal coverage, require a prescription drug benefit in some plans, set a minimum actuarial value for MinnesotaCare, create an Office of Mental Health Parity and Substance Abuse Accountability, and direct reports on delivery reform and a public option. The shared provisions would extend the premium security program to 2027 and delay the transfer of remaining premium security plan funds to the health care access fund until 2029, with the House language again contingent on federal waiver approval. No formal vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair closed discussion after hearing no further questions and indicated members would be contacted about next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you own a boat in Arizona, you do not have to have insurance. This does not change that at all.
• Law enforcement then steps in and they cannot do anything because they have no insurance.
• I believe that how it works for automobiles is that you may purchase insurance.
• So you can purchase insurance. Of course, most people do, but you can also post a bond.
• But you don't have to have insurance in the state of Arizona. All right, anything else?

Summary: The committee heard concurrence and Senate-amendment explanations on a series of House measures. HCR 2001 would place a constitutional question before voters on election-related changes, including limiting voting to U.S. citizens, banning foreign national election contributions, requiring government-issued ID, and allowing ballot tabulation at the voting location; supporters described it as an election-security and faster-counting measure, while members noted possible county costs and the need for future appropriations if approved. HB 2305 on private towing was described as a statewide response to predatory towing, with Senate changes delaying local rate updates and creating a study/reporting framework for towing enforcement. HB 2321 would require DCS to place security freezes on children’s credit records, but the Senate removed the appropriation. HB 2397 revised HOA/condominium sale-notice procedures, and HB 2398 required insurance coverage for peer-to-peer or charter watercraft rentals while clarifying that ordinary boat ownership would not be mandated to carry insurance. The committee also reviewed HB 2406, which the Senate struck and replaced with confidentiality protections for records involving deceased minors and minor victims of child abuse; HB 2408, which revised nursing board complaint and expungement procedures, added complainant confidentiality protections, and required public posting of policy statements; and HB 2755, which was substantially rewritten to facilitate the sale of underperforming state trust lands by allowing certain lessees to apply to purchase parcels through an appraisal-and-auction process. Members discussed a specific Dairy Queen/state land parcel example as the practical impetus for HB 2755. HB 2957 would bar governments from requiring digital/mobile driver licenses for services and limit ADOT’s retention and use of identity documents and biometric data, with the sponsor emphasizing privacy and federal-law carveouts. Finally, HB 4005 would require AI instruction in schools, with the Senate expanding it from district-level instruction to grade-specific student requirements and directing ADE on curriculum development. Supporters framed AI literacy as essential for students’ future competitiveness and ethical use, while opponents objected to the mandate and questioned its fit for charter schools and core academics. The meeting ended after the committee moved through the bills and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would invite Commissioner Arnold and Deputy Commissioner Woff to come forward, please.
• I'm the Deputy Commissioner.
• Woff and Commissioner.
• Commissioner, or do you want the assistant commissioner to try that?
• Commissioner, or Dr. Whiteoff, or Assistant Commissioner, so ...

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I expect the commissioner might know that.
• Thank you, Commissioner.
• Thank you, Commissioner.
• Insurance and fuel.
• Additionally, we appreciate Commissioner Morath and frankly, Commissioner... seemed frustrated by this

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent farm workers before the Labor Commissioner against FLCs.
• So that case that my colleague mentioned was a... ...at the Labor Commissioner.
• The example I gave: our clients participated in a Labor Commissioner process.
• Here to testify with me is Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara from the California Department of Insurance
• The Chair and the Insurance Commissioner touched on many points about why utilizing a skilled and trained

Summary: The Assembly Labor and Employment Committee heard and advanced a series of bills, mostly on worker safety, wages, workforce training, and retirement savings. AB 2137 (Chen) would strengthen safety rules and certification for artificial stone fabrication shops to reduce silica exposure; AB 2499 (Gibson) would require Cal/OSHA to develop heat-illness protections for incarcerated workers and staff in correctional facilities; AB 2300 (Arambula) would streamline the disbursement of state and federal workforce funds; AB 2646 (Krell) would establish a minimum wage floor for certain agricultural workers; AB 2227 (Connolly) would tighten licensing and bond requirements for farm labor contractors and add default-judgment procedures for wage claims; AB 1869 (Haney) would create a reporting process for alleged REIT interference in hotel operations; AB 2650 (Pellerin) would expand CalSavers with emergency savings accounts and other updates; AB 2634 (Zbur) would prioritize labor-management partnerships in High Road Training Partnership grants; and AB 1888 would require skilled-and-trained workforce and prevailing wage standards for work under the Safe Home Grant Program. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create California’s approval process for short-term Pell-eligible workforce programs. The committee also took up several consent items, including AB 1904, AB 1980, AB 2550, AB 2078, and AB 2682. Most bills were described as aligning state programs with federal law or improving worker protections and program quality, while opponents generally raised concerns about costs, administrative burden, regulatory uncertainty, or reduced oversight. Testimony was largely split along labor and industry lines. Supporters included labor unions, legal aid groups, workforce boards, and affected workers or family members, who emphasized heat illness, wage theft, silica exposure, poor prison conditions, and the need for higher-quality training and retirement access. Opponents on several bills, especially those affecting agriculture, REITs, and workforce administration, argued the measures would increase costs, create uncertainty, or duplicate existing law. On AB 2227, committee members engaged in extended discussion about Labor Commissioner delays and whether the bill’s default-judgment and bond provisions would meaningfully help workers. On AB 1869, members and witnesses debated whether the bill created new standards or simply improved enforcement of existing REIT rules. The committee voted to pass all of the measures heard, generally with motions to do pass and re-refer to the Committee on Appropriations. Several bills were held open for absent members during the meeting, and later add-on roll calls recorded additional ayes, moving the bills out of committee. The meeting concluded after the consent calendar was approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioner,<00:46:02.160> Chair<00:46:02.400> Robbins, Commissioner, Chair Robbins, Commissioner
• Commissioner,<00:46:50.400> Chair<00:46:50.720> Robbins, Commissioner, Chair Robbins, Commissioner
• Commissioner<00:47:30.560> Chair<00:47:30.880> Robbins, Commissioner Chair Robbins, Commissioner
• Thank you, Commissioner. space? Two new. Thank you, Commissioner.
• Commissioner. Uh, thank you, or no? Commissioner.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• increased product service and insurance increased product service and insurance costs<00:12:19.600
• Benton-Court, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department.
• Commissioners.
• National Association of insurance National Association of insurance Commissioners<00:28:45.559><
• “Then we circle who's here on insurance. So who's here on insurance?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later. Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not. Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• > constrained And the commissioner remains constrained And the commissioner remains constrained
• <00:16:28.920> can all agree before the commissioner can all agree before the commissioner
• ,<01:04:32.920> workers' examinations for insurance, workers' examinations for insurance,
• , and so they're not subject to insurance, and so they're not subject to health<01:44:25.360> insurance
• health insurance health insurance requirements. requirements. requirements.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all