Transcript Highlights:

• Data rate filing is made and its approval, and then the time that the company implements it and the time
• I think last time, not the same bill, but the bill was filed, I think that we thought, you know, our
• We thank you, too, for your time.
• We thank you, too, for your time. here today. We appreciate your time.
• We thank you too for your time.

Summary: The Insurance and Banking Subcommittee received a lengthy presentation from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation CEO Tim Serio, with Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworski also answering questions. Serio reviewed Citizens’ role as Florida’s insurer of last resort, its statutory funding structure, eligibility rules, depopulation program, reinsurance obligations, and the surcharge/emergency assessment mechanisms that can be used if Citizens runs a deficit. He emphasized that recent legislative reforms, combined with lower litigation and improved market conditions, have helped the private market recover and reduced Citizens’ policy count from a peak of about 1.41 million in 2023 to 936,182 at the end of 2024, with a projected drop to about 771,000 by the end of 2025. He also said the reforms reduced Citizens’ rate need and helped avoid an emergency assessment after the 2024 storms. Members asked about Citizens’ rate increases, why Citizens still seeks higher rates despite lower litigation, how the 20% eligibility threshold works, whether Citizens should be wind-only, and whether the state or federal government could help with deficits. Serio explained that Citizens is still charging below actuarially sound rates in most areas, that rate filings reflect reduced litigation and lower reinsurance exposure, and that assessments on all Florida property policyholders are the reason Citizens tries to build surplus and depopulate. He said the depopulation program is working better than in the past, with less than 2% of takeout policies returning to Citizens, and that the Office of Insurance Regulation has been vetting takeout companies more carefully. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on claims handling after Debby, Helene, and Milton, including flood-versus-wind disputes and Citizens’ use of the Division of Administrative Hearings for some claim disputes. Serio said Citizens had received 76,625 claims from the three storms and had paid nearly $823 million in indemnity and expenses as of January 7, 2025. He said many closed-without-payment claims were either below deductible, withdrawn, duplicate, or flood-only, and that Citizens had asked its internal audit function to independently review the claims data and denials. He also described Citizens’ storm outreach, catastrophe response centers, managed-repair program, and claim review process, and said the corporation remains focused on paying valid claims while minimizing the risk of assessments on the broader Florida market.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you so much for your time today, and thank you to the author.
• Thank you so much for your time today, and thank you to the author.
• Thank you so much for your time today, and thank you to the author.
• During my tenure, I've seen us go through some rough times.
• <00:25:37.559> about so we were worried a lot of times about so we were worried a lot of times

Bills: HF1419, HF500

Keywords: nursing facilities, reimbursement rates, elderly care, minimum wage, healthcare funding, nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 500, which would require the legislature to fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s standards before they could take effect. An author’s DE2 amendment was adopted first; the amendment was described as pausing the board’s standards unless the legislature estimates and fully pays the cost for each nursing home. The bill author argued that mandates without money create serious consequences for seniors and providers, and said the measure would keep budget authority with the legislature rather than an appointed board. Supporters, including nursing home operators and the Long-Term Care Imperative, said the board’s holiday pay and minimum wage standards would create large unfunded costs, citing estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for individual facilities and more than $200 million statewide. They argued that some facilities could face debt, reserve depletion, or reduced access to care if the standards are not funded. Opponents, including SEIU workers and union leaders, said the board has improved staffing, recruitment, morale, and worker safety, and that caregivers deserve higher wages and holiday pay. They argued the bill would weaken the board’s ability to address chronic understaffing and would shift focus away from worker protections. Members also debated whether nursing home reimbursement rates have already risen enough to cover wages and whether the problem lies with how funds are used by providers. After public testimony closed, several members spoke in opposition and support. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted 9-7 to re-refer House File 500, as amended, to the Committee on Labor and Workforce and Economic Development Finance and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second reading of House files. Second reading House File number 6.
• adopted second reading of house files adopted second reading of house files second<00:07:27.479>
• :28.560> six second reading house file number six second reading house file number six second<
• I think we’re on House File 20.
• <01:11:05.159> a General's office won't do uh file a General's office won't do uh file a lawsuit

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Muhammad, Senate File 3655. Muhammad, Senate File 3655.
• At this time then, the next bill up is also authored by me, Senate File 3836.
• c><01:44:03.920> of<01:44:04.239> emergency, times uh at times of emergency, times uh at
• within the other statutory time frame. within the other statutory time frame.
• this time? this time?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• them to file? them to file?
• have to file if you want to be a rep. have to file if you want to be a rep. >> Yeah.
• reading war articles for the first time. reading war articles for the first time.
• this time? this time?
• more time for me. more time for me. >> 8<01:34:29.440> to<01:34:29.600> 7.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• their their um disposal a lot of times their their um disposal a lot of times like<00:31:34.000>
• Senator file 946. Senator Hopman, thank you for saving the time. Senator D, welcome.
• <00:36:15.480> 25 the Senate file 25 the Senate file 25 2735<00:36:17.880> uh<00:36
• I have a Senate File 1569.
• Thank you for your time here.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:00:57.719> what<00:00:58.719> we time what we time what we need<00:01:02.039> is
• Second reading of House Files: House File 11, House File 1214, and House File 1496.
• Second reading of Senate Files: Senate File 1552.
• Second reading of House Files: House File 11, House File 1214, and House File 1496.
• Second reading of Senate File 1552.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the bill third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.
• Please read the bill a third time.

Summary: The Senate convened in special session for budget conference work, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and moments of silence honoring Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer and former Senator Bill Posey. The Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the special session, which was limited to the budget, implementing bill, collective bargaining/state employee issues, retirement, DMS, law enforcement radio system, health, higher education, K-12 education, government administration, correctional facilities financing, judges, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, fuel taxes, and taxation. Chair Hooper outlined the process for moving Senate and House budget conforming bills into conference posture, noting that conference meetings would be on one-hour notice. The Senate then took up and passed a series of Senate conforming bills and House companion bills, generally by unanimous 32-0 votes, with delete-all amendments used to place Senate language onto House bills or to clear bills for conference. Measures addressed fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, judges, pre-K through 12 education, retirement, higher education, health care, government administration, correctional facilities financing and capital improvements, documentary stamp tax distributions, petroleum cleanup programs, state employees/collective bargaining, and the implementing bill for the 2026-27 budget. Senators repeatedly moved that, when the House version was not passed as received, the Senate request conference or accede to the House’s request for conference. The General Appropriations Bill was handled by substituting House Bill 5001E for Senate Bill 2500E, amending it with Senate substance, and passing it 32-0 before requesting conference. House Bill 7031E on taxation was also amended and debated; Senator Berman used the debate to urge consideration of suspending the motor fuel tax for summer relief, but the bill ultimately passed and the Senate requested conference after failing to pass the House version as received. The session ended with a motion to waive rules for publishing the Special Order Calendar for the remainder of the special session, followed by adjournment upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other Senate business.

Transcript Highlights:

• I made it in the nick of time.
• Anyway, to get to House File 550—House File 550 is a constitutional amendment to establish a redistricting
• Thank you for your time.
• Thank you for your time.
• I met with them three times.

Bills: HF550, HF412, HF796, HF140

Keywords: redistricting, Bipartisan Commission, Minnesota Constitution, census, legislative districts, HF412, Minnesota legislature, education committee, K-12 education, school observation, teacher observation, administrator observation, legislative transparency, legislator accountability, House rules, Senate rules, Legislative Reference Library, public reporting, education finance, education policy

Transcript Highlights:

• File item number 12. Whenever you're ready. Thank you, Madam Chair. I really appreciate your time.
• You will be timed.
• and time again.
• File item number one was pulled. File item number two, call absent members, please.
• We've already done file item six, so we're going to move on to file item seven.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can we do it one more time? OK, let's do it one more time.
• Under our current file-and-use system, which began in 2003, insurers submit rate filings to the TDI and
• Under our current file and use system, which began in 2003, insurers submit rate filings to the TDI and
• I appreciate the time. I'll keep it quick.
• I know we got limited time. This is Senate Bill 2530.

Summary: The committee first took up several bills and voted them out favorably without amendment: SB 2857, relating to prescription drug purchasing proof for certain health benefit plan issuers and employers; SB 1307, relating to the biennial health coverage reference guide; and SB 527, relating to health benefit coverage for general anesthesia for certain pediatric dental services. Each of those motions passed on a 7-0 roll call. The main discussion centered on SB 1643, which would require prior approval from the Texas Department of Insurance for property and casualty rate changes above 10% from a previously filed rate. The chair framed it as a response to rate volatility and rising homeowners and auto premiums, while several members questioned whether it would slow a market that is already stabilizing and could encourage insurers to file repeated increases just under the threshold. Witnesses from consumer groups supported tighter oversight and argued for a lower threshold, while insurance industry representatives opposed the bill, saying Texas’s file-and-use system and competitive market work better and that the proposal could increase costs or create uncertainty. After testimony, SB 1643 was left pending. The committee then heard SB 1642, which would replace the single Texas Department of Insurance commissioner with a three-commissioner structure and an executive director. Supporters said it could improve accountability and transparency, while opponents argued the current single-commissioner model is more efficient and avoids confusion and added cost. Witnesses also raised concerns about open meetings issues, administrative expense, and the lack of a clear model from other states. SB 1642 was also left pending. Finally, the committee heard SB 2530, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association omnibus bill. The bill would make a number of changes to TWIA’s governance and finances, including exempting TWIA from certain taxes, moving its headquarters to a coastal county, changing board composition and voting rules, and lowering the probable maximum loss standard from 1-in-100 to 1-in-50. Supporters said the bill would strengthen TWIA’s reserve funding and improve local relevance, while opponents warned it could increase assessments, reduce reinsurance protection, and create operational risks by relocating the headquarters to the coast. The bill was left pending, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate file numbers Senate file numbers.
• The secretary will read the House file numbers. House file number 3379.
• old at the time. old at the time.
• time today talking about this. time today talking about this.
• to get with the times.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, established a quorum, and received routine executive communications and House messages, including the House’s passage of Senate File 3623 on school bus stopping requirements and transmittal of House Files 3241, 3731, 3741, and 3802. The chamber also adopted committee reports and gave second readings to several Senate files and House File 3379, while referring Senate File 4854 to the Capital Investments Committee and Senate Resolution 68 to Rules and Administration. The main floor action involved a series of motions to re-refer bills to different committees. The Senate adopted motions to move Senate File 1671 from Judiciary and Public Safety to Housing and Homelessness Prevention, Senate File 2373 from Finance to Labor, Senate File 4452 from Capital Investment to Human Services, Senate File 4580 from Human Services to State and Local Government, Senate File 4589 from Judiciary and Public Safety to Higher Education, Senate File 4630 from Education Policy to Education Finance, and Senate File 4662 from Capital Investment to State and Local Government. The chamber also adopted a motion to give House File 3378 a second reading and place it on general orders after a roll call vote of 46-21. The Senate then took up Senate Resolution 69, which would amend the temporary rules to allow certain accommodations for members who are new parents. Senators Murphy and Coleman spoke in support, arguing the rules should better reflect modern family life and make the chamber more welcoming to parents, especially mothers. Senator Nelson offered the A4 amendment to allow caucus leaders to permit a member’s child under age one on the floor, with the member responsible for supervision and the child exempt from Rule 17.6. Opponents, including Senator Boldon, argued the age limit was too restrictive and that parents should have more flexibility. After roll call, the Nelson A4 amendment failed 32-35, and the resolution remained pending with additional amendments possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• that risk like I said in in a timely that risk like I said in in a timely fashion<01:05:18.400><
• a request to extend the amount of file a request to extend the amount of time<01:16:40.239> with<
• many as 20 fires annually and at times many as 20 fires annually and at times one<01:36:30.159><
• Senate File 1690 is overly broad.
• Senate File 1690 is overly broad.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• File items 21 through 28, we are going to pass and retain on file items.
• File items 21 through 25, that is going to bring us to file item number 26 that's AB 1416 by Assemblymember
• File. We're going to pass and retain on file items 29 and 30.
• We're going to pass and retain on file items 34 all the way through file item 15.
• That brings us to file item number 60.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm in my 11th term, so over long time.
• because people thought there wasn't time because people thought there wasn't time to<00:15:28.320
• Now, I know that the excuse is, "Oh, well, there wasn't time. There wasn't time."
• So, thank you very much for the time, Mr.
• files. Second reading house number 2435. files. Second reading house number 2435.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the time to present House File 2581.
• time to present House File you for the time to present House File 2581.<00:01:28.720> Uh<00:01
• Thank you for<00:58:58.400> your<00:58:58.640> time. for your time. for your time.
• So basically, by the time somebody filed that, there was an illegitimate complaint and that somebody
• somebody<01:06:47.039> filed basically by the time somebody filed basically by the time

Bills: HF3707, HF3732, HF2581, HF3731

Keywords: unemployment insurance, judicial officials, paid leave, economic development, worker protections, workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, grants, job creation, grant funding, revolving loan, underserved communities, disadvantaged groups, electrical licensing, installation, Class A installer, regulations, labor and industry, 1183

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Transcript Highlights:

• First reading of Senate files.
• We saw it time and time again. And we can go back and play the tape, and you know I'm right.
• How many times have we heard that?
• This is a good bill, and we've heard time and time again in committee and on the floor.
• Folks have heard me time and time again say accountability has its place.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then if you go to page 16, you'll see file number 2540.
• <00:07:31.160> number you'll see Cate file number you'll see Cate file number 2471<00:07:33.360
• Members, we will now go to Senator Nelson for a motion. file 993 be withdrawn from the committee file
• Senator Champion moves at Senate file Senator Champion moves at Senate file number<00:08:49.040>
• that Senate file that Senate file 2175<00:09:10.839> be<00:09:11.079> withdrawn<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Aling at this time? time? time?
• the same time. the same time.
• At this time, Senate File 1120 was laid on the table.
• , uh, we're going to lay lay at this time, uh, we're going to lay lay Senate<00:56:05.440> File
• c> to develop over time, improve over time to develop over time, improve over time to uh<01:45:14.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note that we will not be hearing file item number six, SB 1087, Cabaldon, or file item number
• Please note that we will not be hearing file item number six, SB 1087, Cabaldon, or file item number
• I'd like to note that we have three bills on our proposed consent calendar: file item 1, SB 607; file
• Please note that we will not be hearing file item number six, SB 1087 Cabaldon, or file item number 14
• We have file item 10, SB 1246, file item 11, SB 1250, and file item 12, SB 1425.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee met first as a subcommittee due to the lack of a quorum, then later obtained a quorum and took up several bills. The committee heard SB 1064, which would reduce the frequency of Clean Truck Check testing for low-use heavy-duty vehicles; supporters said it would ease burdens on rural agricultural businesses, while clean air advocates opposed it as weakening an important emissions program. The bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The committee also heard SB 1174, which would give Caltrans bid preferences to construction firms with employee stock ownership plans; supporters argued it would build worker wealth and improve project quality, while contractor groups opposed it as likely to raise costs and reduce competition. That bill was approved and sent to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The consent calendar items SB 607, SB 962, and SB 990 were also approved. The committee then heard SB 1279, which would allow Long Beach to place additional speed safety cameras on Pacific Coast Highway. Long Beach officials and several safety and advocacy groups supported the bill, citing high fatality rates and repeated pedestrian crashes on that corridor, while some members raised concerns about fines, affordability, and whether cameras would address pedestrian-related collisions. The bill passed as amended to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1213, the Clean Truck Transportation Act, would require more price transparency for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission truck incentives and direct agencies to explore alternative financing tools; supporters said it would improve affordability and competition, while one manufacturer and the trucking association raised implementation concerns. It passed to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader use by limiting retention to 30 days, requiring audits and training, and restricting access and hot list use. Privacy advocates supported the bill as overdue accountability, while law enforcement groups argued the retention limit would hinder investigations and that some technical definitions needed work. The bill passed to the Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee. SB 1315, dealing with advanced driver assistance systems, would prevent automakers from disabling a consumer’s ability to drive their own vehicle through software updates and would encourage DMV testing questions about ADAS responsibilities; after amendments, industry opposition softened and the bill passed to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Finally, SB 1246, on autonomous vehicle emergency response, would require U.S.-based remote drivers, quicker on-scene response, and better coordination with local agencies; first responders and labor groups supported it, while AV industry groups remained opposed unless amended. The bill passed to the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee. The transcript ended as the committee began hearing SB 1250, a planning bill to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation asset management, with the sponsor and supporters explaining it would improve safety and habitat planning without mandating specific projects.