Video & Transcript : 'captive insurers' :
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Tue Mar 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:24:45.600><c> This</c> relating to insurance fraud. This relating to insurance fraud.
- </c> insurance claims. insurance claims.
- disaster-related insurance establishes disaster-related insurance fraud<01:24:58.080><c> offenses.
- </c> had they committed the insurance fraud. had they committed the insurance fraud.
- </c> Insurance Crime Bureau. Insurance Crime Bureau.
Committee:
House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 83, which would require hotel keepers to give adequate notice of service disruptions to guests and third-party vendors. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection supported the bill but asked for amendments to restore remedies and add a nonwaiver provision, arguing that without penalties the measure would lack consequences and that consumers should not be able to waive the notice rights. Supporters, including Unite Here Local 5 and individual testifiers, said guests deserve transparency and meaningful recourse when disruptions occur, especially for labor disputes, construction, or other service interruptions that affect the experience they paid for.
Hotel industry representatives, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the Hawaii Hotel Alliance, and hotel workers/testifiers, opposed the bill in its current form while offering amendments. They said the measure was too broad, difficult to implement, and could interfere with collective bargaining, third-party booking systems, and existing contracts. They also argued that some disruptions are not easily known in advance and that the bill unfairly singles out hotels compared with other industries. One testifier emphasized that notice should be required only for actual, known disruptions rather than potential events, and another raised concerns about applying the bill to properties not directly involved in a labor dispute.
After the SB 83 testimony, the committee moved on to SB 2798, which would make permanent and expand statewide the agricultural enforcement pilot program created in 2025 and rename it the agricultural enforcement program. The chair introduced the measure and called on the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity as the first testifier, but the transcript excerpt ends before testimony or any vote on SB 2798.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation May 28th, 2026
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- On insurance, it's not clear to me why a 25-mile-per-hour gas-powered moped would require insurance when
- GEICO doesn't allow you to insure anything under 100 cc's.
- GEICO doesn't allow you to insure anything under 100 cc's.
- I'm with the Mass Association of Insurance Agents.
- is typically only on property, renters, auto insurance, or new insurance products.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Transportation
Keywords:
Boston, easement, highway improvement, Woburn, Burlington, public safety, transportation, land transfer, vessel transportation, Marston Mills, Osterville, Barnstable, state highway, traffic safety, maritime regulation, local legislation, Hyannis Transportation Center, Thomas S. Cahir, Cape Cod, commemorative designation
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Transportation Infrastructure Revenue Subcommitee Aug 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- But if it is for you, that is only because you've not kept your car insured, and insurers suspect you
- I guess sell them insurance or offer insurance. How do you, how do you, what is the process?
- The more people we get insured, insurance is basically a pool of money.
- But those of us who are insured would see a 40, it was like a 49 increase in our insurance rate to cover
- Well, my question to the presenters from the Superintendents of Insurance Office was: if insurance is
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HLT/HSH Joint Public Hearing - Wed Feb 4, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Um first up we have um insurance Um first up we have um insurance concern.
- Um the insurance the insurance division.
- >> Insurance Commission. >> Insurance Commission. Thanks.
- >> Insurance<00:45:43.680><c> Commission.</c> >> Insurance Commission.
- >> Insurance Commission. >> Insurance<00:45:44.480><c> Commission.
Summary:
The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1969, which would provide state funding for colorectal cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured residents. The Department of Human Services said it supports the goal of early screening but would need new administrative capacity, including a program manager and claim pre-screening, to run the program. The Department of Health supported the measure and cited low screening rates in Hawaii, noting an educational campaign to encourage screening. The Insurance Division raised concerns about reliance on federal FAQs, warning that guidance can change and may create state cost exposure. Supporters including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the Hawaii Medical Association argued the bill would close a preventive-care gap, reduce late-stage diagnoses, and save long-term costs; the committee also discussed implementation costs, estimated by DHS at roughly $1.4 million to $2 million annually plus administrative expenses, and a 6-month to 1-year timeline to establish the program.
The committee then took up House Bill 1965, which would require health carriers to spend at least 6% of total medical expenditures on primary care providers. The Insurance Division said several provisions raise technical and legal concerns, including the premium freeze, the medical loss ratio language, the lack of an existing external review process for downcoding claims, and a new mandate for medically necessary inter-island transportation that could trigger an ACA defrayal. The Department of Human Services supported the intent but suggested broader language to include primary care supports and services, and noted that QUEST integration plans already invested at least 9% of total medical expenditures in primary care in 2024, with additional spending on supports and low-value care reductions. State health planning officials strongly supported the bill as an investment in primary care, saying it could improve outcomes and lower long-term costs, though they acknowledged a possible temporary premium increase during the transition.
Testimony in support emphasized Hawaii’s physician shortage, especially on Maui, the Big Island, and other neighbor islands, and warned that clinics are under financial strain and may close without higher primary care reimbursement. The Hawaii Healthcare Task Force, AARP Hawaii, and other supporters said the bill would help retain providers, improve access for Medicare and Medicaid patients, and prevent downstream costs from emergency room use and avoidable hospitalizations. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions, May 22, 2026 - PM
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the insurance issue in. Is that Ms. the insurance issue in. Is that Ms.
- It's the Insurance Model Act. >> Oh, wait. It's the Insurance Model Act.
- Yeah, Insurance Model Act I'm sorry. Yeah, Insurance Model Act then<01:55:33.520><c> CPAs.
- </c> Jeff Freed, the insurance commissioner. Jeff Freed, the insurance commissioner.
- </c> Association of Wyoming Insurance Agents. Association of Wyoming Insurance Agents.
ID
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.
Committee:
House Health and Welfare
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- Um Unemployment Insurance Insurance.
- . insurance. insurance.
- , Insurance, Insurance, um<00:46:33.600><c> agency</c><00:46:34.160><c> 44.
- </c> from my insurer. from my insurer.
- There are insurers out there.
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/08/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #15 & #16
Transcript Highlights:
- program to purchase disability or health benefit plans insurance, pool the retention risks of losses
- , outlines requirements for predictive modeling organizations and their insurance models.
- But it's the insurance company that can have a say on what dog you have.
- because forget those insurance agencies.
- because forget those insurance agencies.
Summary:
The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate and House bills, many of them on consent or with strike-everything amendments. Early items included SB 1457 on advanced air mobility for border security, SB 1519 raising the off-highway vehicle weight limit to 3,500 pounds, and HB 2383, which now cites the 2014 trampoline court safety law known as Ties Law. Members also discussed SB 1041 on electronic monitoring in health care facilities, with supporters emphasizing resident safety and accountability and opponents from assisted living facilities arguing it could function as a mandate. SB 1168 on dental school complaint jurisdiction, SB 1713 on pharmacist testing authority and HIV prevention, SB 1497 on school district self-insurance procurement, HB 2203 on reducing redundant education reporting, and several other measures were briefly described, with some members requesting bills be pulled from consent or noting support or opposition.
The caucus also covered a series of strike-everything bills on housing, labor, licensing, and insurance. These included SB 1118 on historic neighborhood middle housing design standards, SB 1189 on late-payment protections in revitalization district construction contracts, SB 1274 creating a separate timeshare salesperson license, SB 1428 on workers’ compensation notice and recordkeeping, HB 2120 on property tax disability exemptions and widow eligibility, HB 2174 on insurance predictive modeling oversight, SB 1582 on HOA rules for pets and backyard chickens, SB 1503 expanding first responder death benefits to certain law enforcement pilots, and SB 1286 changing prescription lengths for virtual veterinary visits. Members raised questions about the scope and practical effects of several bills, and in some cases noted changes in support, such as unions backing SB 1189 and some members supporting SB 1582’s limits on HOA restrictions.
On the second calendar, members reviewed HB 2176 on health facility complaint investigations, HB 2050 on radiologic technologist and assistant supervision rules, HB 2010 on digital goods seller refund requirements, HB 2875 on local regulation of unmanned aircraft and drone delivery near airports, HB 2428 on county emission reduction credit permits, and HB 2877, which was amended in the Senate to create a supervised work route for veterinary technician certification rather than the original timeshare licensing language. Several sponsors were said to intend to concur with Senate amendments, while HB 2010 was headed to conference because the sponsor intended to refuse the Senate’s five-year refund window amendment. The meeting ended after the chair announced the caucus was adjourned, with no formal votes taken in the transcript beyond references to prior floor and committee votes.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- automobile or residential property insurance policies.
- or under to purchase Medicare. or supplement benefits referred to the Committee of Insurance.
- Taxes to Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, Texas Fair Plan Association with the Committee on Insurance
- Association policies referred the committee on insurance.
- Refer to the committee on insurance.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (01/21/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So, for insurance costs long term.
- </c> are enrolled in a fully insured are enrolled in a fully insured commercial<00:11:09.120><c> plan
- I have a health insurance carriers.
- 01:00:41.520><c> insurance</c> insurance rates in health insurance insurance rates in health insurance
- </c> coverage or more likely get insurance coverage or more likely get insurance plans<01:01:26.559><
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> to protect consumers when insurers fail. to protect consumers when insurers fail.
- in the insurance maintaining trust in the insurance market. market. market.
- </c> member insurers. member insurers.
- </c> their insurance premium tax liability. their insurance premium tax liability.
- </c><00:40:54.640><c> by</c><00:40:54.800><c> a</c> insured, um, who are insured by a insured, um, who
Committee:
House Ways and Means
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/21/2025)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- The background is insurance work as comp.
- </c> any uh uh private unemployment insurance any uh uh private unemployment insurance options<01:58:
- It doesn't matter if it's car insurance, life insurance, or health insurance; you can decide to have
- health insurance and says unemployment is the only insurance like this.]
- 46:54.680><c> the</c> to tell some insurance company what the to tell some insurance company what the
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- That was, there was one of these providers said it's not insurance. So is this insurance?
- It is not considered an insurance product the way that we regulate insurance typically under Florida
- insurance agents to sell something that's not insurance?
- non-insurance insurance policies?
- We are debating whether or not licensed insurance agents should be able to sell these non-insurance insurance
Summary:
The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, visiting groups, and special honorees in the galleries. The chamber then took up committee and executive appointment business, adopting a report confirming 42 gubernatorial appointments by a vote of 36-0.
The Senate next considered a long special-order calendar of bills, most of them passing with little or no opposition. Measures included public-records sunset reviews and trade secret/cybersecurity exemptions; a child-abuse reporting statute of limitations bill; commercial driving school oversight; human trafficking training for nurses; a new injunction for protection against serious violence and its related public-records exemption; nature-based coastal resiliency and mangrove protection; a chiropractic trust-funds cap repeal; specialty license plates; a waiver of late financial disclosure fines; public school personnel compensation; the Florida Farm Bill with multiple agriculture, biosolids, and enforcement provisions; homestead exemption clarification for long-term leases; disability presumption clarifications for first responders; reinsurance intermediary manager conformity; patriotic displays in public schools; ADS-B aviation fee restrictions; autism-related law enforcement training and the Blue Envelope program; campus safety reporting procedures for public postsecondary institutions; and veterinary prescription disclosure. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including local vessel restrictions, temporary critical-need practice certificates, and domestic animals.
The floor debate featured the most discussion on the farm bill, the HCSM/nonprofit religious organizations bill, the autism law-enforcement bill, and the school athletics bill. The HCSM bill drew extended debate over whether licensed insurance agents should be allowed to market faith-based health care sharing ministries, with supporters emphasizing consumer choice, free speech, and religious liberty, and opponents warning about unregulated products and commissions; it passed 32-5. The athletics bill, prompted by the Teddy Bridgewater/Miami Northwestern situation, would let coaches provide good-faith support to student-athletes while requiring reporting and FHSAA oversight; it passed 38-0. Most other measures passed overwhelmingly, including the autism bill 38-0, the campus safety bill 37-0, the public school patriotic displays bill 36-2, and the farm bill 38-0 after amendments addressing Everglades lands and biosolids timing were adopted.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPN-LBT, CPN DEFER, CPN DEFER, CPN, CPN-EIG Public Hearings 02-10-2026
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- SB 2777 relates to insurance.
- </c> SP 3000 relating to insurance. SP 3000 relating to insurance.
- </c> First up, we have the insurance First up, we have the insurance division,<00:15:19.920><c> DCCA,
- </c> for lack of a better term the insurance for lack of a better term the insurance structure<00:16:
- </c> this that there is a posity of insurance this that there is a posity of insurance companies<00:27
Committee:
Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection
Keywords:
renewable energy, energy storage, cost reduction, public utilities commission, Hawaii energy policies, intoxicating liquor, direct shipment, breweries, distilleries, Hawaii, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The committees heard SB 3001 on artificial intelligence in a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Labor and Technology hearing. Testimony included support from the Department of Education and Google, comments from the Office of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General’s office, and late opposition from Agentic LLC. The Attorney General raised constitutional and vagueness concerns and suggested clarifying amendments, while Google said the bill’s risk-based approach and proposed amendments could help establish industry-wide safety standards for minors. The committees recessed and then voted to pass SB 3001 with amendments, adopting DCCA/OCP recommendations on data minimization for minors and UDAP clarity, the Attorney General’s proposed clarifications and deletions, and Google’s nonconflicting amendments; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050. The vote passed unanimously among members present, with some members excused.
The Commerce and Consumer Protection committee then took up several previously heard measures in decision-making. SB 2045 on combat sports passed with amendments reflecting DCCA and boxing commission recommendations, including clarifying the on-site medical professional requirement, reporting duties, promoter payment, removal of the combat sports registry and ambulance requirement, and other technical changes; the effective date was deferred to July 1, 2050. SP 2347 on the residential landlord-tenant code passed with amendments striking landlord requirements so OCP could work on a multilingual tenant-rights notice, and SP 2495 on consumer protection passed with amendments requiring OCP to publish an annual report on potential code violations. SB 2777 on insurance was deferred to February 17, 2026 for further decision-making.
At a later CPN decision-making agenda, SB 2471 and SB 2829, both relating to the powers of artificial persons, passed with amendments clarifying the preamble, removing language about foreign artificial persons, and making other consistency and non-substantive changes; both effective dates were moved to January 1, 2027. SP 2033 on renewable energy also passed with amendments clarifying the definition of grid-ready homes, cost-sharing provisions, applicability to interconnecting customers, and safety/certification compliance, with the effective date deferred to July 1, 2050. In each case, the committee voted to adopt the recommendations without objections from members present.
The committees also heard SB 3000 on insurance, which would authorize the Attorney General to bring civil actions to recover costs and losses tied to climate-attributable harm and future climate risk, including costs incurred by state insurance-related entities. The Insurance Division and Attorney General’s office offered comments seeking clarification and warning about redundancy, implementation issues, possible representation of private insurers, and concurrent litigation concerns. Supporters, including the Center for Climate Integrity, a resident testifier, Sierra Club, and Green America, argued the bill would help shift insurance costs to fossil fuel companies responsible for climate harms and address rising premiums and nonrenewals in Hawaii. Opponents, including the American Petroleum Institute, argued the bill singled out one industry, raised constitutional concerns, and should be deferred because related climate litigation is already pending. The transcript ends with the committee continuing testimony and discussion on SB 3000 and then moving into SB 3326 on energy, where the consumer advocate and Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill’s proposed separation of generation from transmission and distribution, while the PUC stood on written testimony, Retail Merchants of Hawaii supported it, and Life of the Land raised concerns about assumptions and the need for more substance.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Mar 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Short-term plans are a good alternative for affordable insurance when somebody is running into issues
- I would ask for an introduction to RS 33454, and I would also declare a Rule 80 as I do hold an insurance
- And short-term plans are a good alternative for affordable insurance when somebody is running into issues
- To declare Rule 80, I also hold an insurance license and ask a question.
- Do you have an insurance plan or are we looking at Medicaid? I believe that's how it would ask it.
Summary:
The Health and Welfare committee met with a quorum present and no minutes to approve. Representative Jordan Redmond introduced RS 33-454, a proposal to restore and expand short-term medical insurance plans to prior standards, including allowing coverage up to 36 months. He said the plans are a lower-cost alternative to ACA coverage and noted he holds an insurance license, prompting Rule 80 declarations from him and Representative Furman. Members asked about federal versus state regulation, how the bill would affect current coverage, and what these plans typically cover and cost. After discussion, the committee voted to introduce the bill.
The committee then heard RS 33-456 on Medicaid presumptive eligibility for hospitals. Redmond explained that the bill would add guardrails and a three-strike quality assurance system for hospitals that repeatedly misuse presumptive eligibility, citing concerns that some patients later found ineligible are still billed to taxpayers. Members asked how penalties would work and how the process would function in emergency situations. Redmond and Representative Furman said patients would still be treated first, with eligibility checked afterward, and Furman supported the bill as a way to reduce unnecessary Medicaid backlog. The committee voted to introduce the measure.
No other substantive business was taken up, and the meeting adjourned after the two introduction votes.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, part of this bill has a task force to look at property insurance.
- </c><00:03:53.040><c> rising</c> um are affecting insurance rising um are affecting insurance rising
- insurance<00:03:53.920><c> costs</c> insurance costs insurance costs um<00:03:56.560><c> based</c><00
- Will that be part of insurance costs?
- There's 200,000 one time in insurance.
Committee:
Senate Finance
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> everybody because medical insurance everybody because medical insurance costs<00:17:32.400><c> are
- And essentially what has happened is over the course of the years, when insurance premiums go up, the
- The course of the years when insurance premiums go up, the percentages remain the same.
- </c><00:53:49.040><c> benefits</c> Medical Leave insurance benefits Medical Leave insurance benefits
- </c><00:53:57.599><c> benefits</c> and Medical Leave insurance benefits and Medical Leave insurance benefits
Committee:
House Labor
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The way the health insurance allocation works is we give out the funding.
- premiums in the health insurance survey administered by SDE and directed by House Bill 251.
- Are there any questions here before I move past health insurance? Mr. Chairman.
- funding full health insurance for each one of those rates.
- “For full health insurance for each one of those rates.
Summary:
The committee heard a lengthy presentation on the K-12 public school support budget, including how support units, career ladder funding, health insurance, discretionary funding, transportation, facilities, and the Public Education Stabilization Fund (PSIF) work. Legislative Services explained that FY 2026 support units were revised downward, creating a $22.3 million ongoing general fund reduction, and walked through the FY 2027 agency request and governor’s recommendation. The governor recommended no increase for population forecast adjustments, but did recommend some statutory and policy changes, including shifting certain interest earnings to the general fund and reducing funding for some virtual school and IDLA-related items. The agency request also included one-time proposals for a high-needs special education fund and a regional service model for related services.
Members asked extensive questions about how career ladder dollars are distributed, how health insurance and discretionary funds interact, why the health insurance increase in the budget differed from current plan estimates, and how facilities money under House Bill 292 is used. There were also questions about the size and use of the Idaho Career Ready Students fund, the maintenance-of-effort implications of special education funding, and whether some special education costs are being used for student housing or other noninstructional expenses. The superintendent and budget staff emphasized that many of the budget lines are formula-driven or statutorily required, that local districts determine actual staffing and spending within those formulas, and that special education costs continue to outpace available funding.
Superintendent Debbie Critchfield then framed the budget request around enrollment trends, shifting demographics, and the need for more flexibility in how districts use existing dollars. She highlighted proposed categorical flexibility for some funds, changes to digital content and curriculum distribution, continued literacy gains, growth in career technical education programs funded through Idaho Career Ready Students, and the importance of endowment and Millennium Fund support. She also described the special education proposals as a temporary bridge while the state considers larger formula changes and noted a near $100 million gap between special education spending and funding. She further outlined planned federal waiver requests on assessments and flexibility, and said the department is seeking more state control over testing and reporting requirements.
The committee did not take final action on the budget during this portion of the meeting. Members raised concerns about interest transfers from dedicated funds, the complexity of the funding formula, special education accountability, and whether the state should revisit the overall school funding model. Several follow-up data requests were made, including information on health insurance participation, regional special education service needs, and school contingency fund balances.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I think a study on the impact of insurance costs is wise.
- I think a study on the impact of insurance costs is wise.
- going up, and property insurance, and then, of course, costs associated with health insurance and everything
- going up, and property insurance, and then, of course, costs associated with health insurance and everything
- And property insurance, and then, of course, costs associated with health insurance and everything else
Bills:
HB2
Committee:
Senate Education K-16
Keywords:
disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace, medical examiner, county judge, sheriff, mayor, emergency coordinator, emergency manager license, volunteer management system, volunteer registration, criminal history check, background check, Texas Division of Emergency Management
Summary:
The committee continued public testimony on House Bill 2, which would make major changes to public school funding, teacher pay, special education, early learning, school safety, and related programs. Many superintendents and education advocates supported the bill’s overall direction but urged changes, especially a larger basic allotment and more flexible funding for rural and small districts. Witnesses from Paint Creek, West Hardin, Cushing, Blooming Grove, Mildred, Buffalo, Plano, and rural school groups said the bill’s targeted raises and new requirements would not fully cover inflation, TRS/Medicare costs, transportation, insurance, or support staff salaries, and several asked the committee to restore the House version’s higher basic allotment and small-school allotment. Charter school representatives supported the facilities funding changes and said charter schools need state help because they cannot levy taxes, while also noting the funding gap with ISDs. Fine arts advocates asked the committee to restore the fine arts allotment, arguing arts improve engagement, attendance, and academic outcomes, especially in rural and at-risk communities. Early learning and special education witnesses supported parts of the bill but raised concerns about pre-K restrictions, disability-related pre-K access, and the need to preserve or clarify special education provisions and mental health oversight language.
Several witnesses praised the teacher pay raise, teacher incentive allotment expansion, and teacher preparation investments, saying they would help recruit and retain educators and improve student outcomes. Others, including counselors and support staff advocates, argued the bill should also include raises for counselors, nurses, librarians, bus drivers, custodians, aides, and other non-teaching employees who keep schools running. One witness from the Texas Counseling Association opposed the substitute because it removed a counselor pay provision, warning of counselor shortages and inequities. A parent and special education advocate said the bill’s structure creates too many strings attached and asked for a larger basic allotment instead of more targeted funding. Another witness from Mental Health America urged keeping the collaborative task force on public school mental health services through 2031, and a disability rights advocate said the committee substitute appears to omit some special education items that were in the House version.
The committee also briefly took up House Bill 6, a school discipline bill. After questions about automatic mandatory expulsion for vape possession and concerns about younger students, the committee adopted the substitute and voted to report HB 6 favorably to the full Senate by a 9-1 vote, with Senator Menendez voting no and Senators West and Menendez expressing reservations but supporting further discussion. After that vote, testimony on HB 2 resumed. Senators used the hearing to ask about the bill’s cost, the difference between the basic allotment and the bill’s targeted funding buckets, and whether the permanent teacher pay increase shifts pressure off districts. The bill’s supporters emphasized that it represents an historic, roughly $8 billion investment and that many of the new funding streams are intended to be permanent or to address specific district needs.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-04 (4:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Raising the question: Are Florida property insurance premiums going toward keeping insurance companies
- Specifically, the bill requires property insurers to submit documentation to the Office of Insurance
- Property insurers will have the responsibility to notify the Office of Insurance Regulation a minimum
- The funds will be paid from Miami-Dade County's self-insurance fund. Mr.
- The funds will be paid from Miami-Dade County's self-insurance fund.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Washington County administrator Alan Massey, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery recognitions. The chamber adopted the special order report and then took up a series of bills on the special order calendar. Early measures included CS/HB 967 on electronic payments to local governments, which passed 110-0, and HB 127 requiring cursive writing instruction in grades 2-5, which passed 111-0 after members spoke about literacy, signatures, and heritage. CS/HB 453 on high school diploma requirements passed 111-0 and would allow certain students to use Special Olympics participation for PE credit and marching band for PE and arts credit. The House also passed CS/HB 237 on use of professional nursing titles, which requires APRNs using the title doctor to clarify they are APRNs, by 111-0.
The chamber then debated HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment on religious expression in public schools. Supporters said it would codify existing statutory protections for student and school personnel religious expression and let voters decide; opponents argued it was unnecessary, could create confusion, and risked constitutional problems involving school-sponsored prayer and the separation of church and state. After structured debate, the resolution passed 93-17. The House next passed CS/HB 363 on dental therapy, which creates a licensed mid-level dental provider and drew sharp debate over access to care versus patient safety; it passed 80-29. HB 375 on autonomous practice by certified registered nurse anesthetists passed 78-28, and HB 301 on psychiatric mental health APRN autonomous practice passed 88-18.
Later, the House passed HB 863 on arbitration for Citizens Property Insurance disputes, giving policyholders a choice between arbitration and court, by 105-3, and HB 1399 on property insurance affiliates, which increases oversight of insurer-affiliate transactions, by 160-3. Members also heard and advanced a local claims bill, HB 6517, for relief of Eribeito and Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg, describing severe injuries allegedly caused during an arrest and transport; the bill was rolled over for third reading at the end of the transcript. Throughout the day, members also paused for multiple recognitions of visiting students, local officials, professional groups, and community organizations.