Video & Transcript : 'captive insurers' :
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AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/09/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a bill that's kind of an insurance policy, more or less.
- As I mentioned previously, it's a bill that simply affirms, somewhat as an insurance policy, to where
- Total in captivity and in the wild, we have 500 or 600 right now.
- And Jim, you said 320 in the wild—what, how many are in the captive? ...good.
- And Jim, you said 320 in the wild—what, how many are in the captive?
Summary:
The committee heard and acted on several wildlife-related bills. HB 2197, concerning camping near watering facilities, was amended to change the distance standard and remove language tied to domestic stock access; supporters said it would help protect ranch and wildlife water sources, while one member opposed it over expanded criminal penalties. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation by a 6-1 vote.
HB 2497 would establish a statutory right to lawfully hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife and limit restrictions on those activities. Supporters described it as an affirmation of existing rights and wildlife heritage, while opponents argued it would weaken Game and Fish authority and conflict with the 2010 voter rejection of similar language. After a technical amendment, the committee approved the bill 5-3.
The committee also advanced HB 2147, which requires landowner deer permits under certain conditions to address crop damage and wildlife conflicts; Game and Fish said population management hunts are already being used, while opponents warned against privatizing wildlife. HB 2158, which would classify bears, cougars, mountain lions, and wolves as predatory animals, drew strong opposition from Game and Fish and conservation groups over science-based management and endangered species concerns, but was still recommended do pass 5-3. HB 2159, allowing landowner permits for Mexican gray wolves and a compensated trapping program, was likewise opposed as conflicting with federal law and the Endangered Species Act, but was approved 5-3. The committee then began HB 2162, which would require at least one Game and Fish commissioner to be a cattleman or rancher; Game and Fish opposed it, saying ranchers already have representation through the appointment process, and testimony continued as the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House agriculture panel lays over bill exempting elk from state's Cervidae importation ban Apr 8th, 2026
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And in captive cervids in 19 states and four Canadian provinces.
- The cost of responding to a new CWD detection in captive cervid herds exceeds $500,000 in testing of
- And in captive cervids in 19 states and four Canadian provinces.
- The cost of responding to a new CWD detection in captive cervid herds exceeds $500,000 in testing of
- The cost of responding to a new CWD detection in captive cervid herds exceeds $500,000 in testing of
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate of the 89th Legislature Apr 1st, 2025 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- The fact is Neil Gorsuch said that those kids on that field were not captive and they weren't coerced
- , but because they were out in a field, at a ballgame, his decision was based on those two words, captive
- That's not a captive audience. It is a captive audience, is it?
- captive or not, again, clearly I think what you're correlating it to is what happened.
- Senate Bill 472 eliminates the chief appraiser's right to file counterclaims in Texas. insuring that
Summary:
The recent Senate meeting primarily covered two resolutions, HCR65 and HCR19, both of which were passed unanimously with little to no opposition. HCR65 was introduced in memory of Tracy Lee Vincent of Longview, while HCR19 was presented to honor the late Terrell Lynn Roberts of Angleton. The meeting included brief addresses from several senators, who shared personal reflections on the impacts of the individuals being honored and expressed gratitude for their contributions to the community. This collaborative atmosphere showcased the members' capacity for camaraderie and respect, emphasizing the importance of human connection in legislative proceedings.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/26/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- What about in captivity? How many are in captivity? Mr.
- Is there insurance for cattle, or are cattle insured? There are different insurance programs.
- DeVos, so you've laid out a couple of places where there might be coverage for insurance.
- Are categories able to draw from the insurance and then also from this fund? Mr.
- There are zero insurance programs for Mexican wolf specifically.
Keywords:
Arizona Beef Council, agriculture, market development, beef products, terminating council, livestock, compensation, funding, ranching, game and fish commission, wildlife, appointment, commission membership, Arizona Revised Statutes, food labeling, cultivated cells, cell-cultured products, consumer information, food safety, cell-cultured protein
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- For HB 943, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
- Insurance is created by the Legislature to be an insurer of last resort.
- It ensures that admit insurance carriers are Always giving priority fights.
- Next, we're going to hear Cs for HB 883, by Representative Ratio, protected sell captive insurance company
- Benjamin Stearns with Florida Captive Insurance Association waiving in support.
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 29th, 2025 at 11:30 am
Nevada Assembly Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- introduced by the Committee on Finance, eliminates the account for regulation and supervision of captive
- insurance in the Fund for Insurance Administration and Enforcement.
- 503 introduced by the committee on finance eliminates the account for regulation and supervision of captive
- insurance in the fund for insurance administration and enforcement assembly member how to you thank
- Assembly Bill No. 169, introduced by Assemblymember Yeager, revises provisions relating to health insurance
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 990, a bill to be entitled an act relating to protected cell captive insurance companies.
- Senate Bill 990 authorizes the creation of a specific type of captive insurance company in Florida: protected
- cell captive insurance companies.
- Captive insurance companies are a specialized form of self-insurance allowing a business to create its
- insurance companies.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions and memorial remarks, including a moment of silence for service members killed in the conflict in Iran. The chamber then moved to special orders and took up a series of bills, with many measures passing unanimously after brief explanations and, in several cases, substitution of House companions. Early bills included CS/CS/SB 1062 on speech and debate education, which drew extensive supportive debate about the civic value of debate programs and passed 37-0, and SB 1072 on an anti-Semitism task force, which was amended to clarify that criticism of Israel is not prohibited and then passed 37-0.
The Senate also approved CS/CS/SB 1230/HB 1019 on PFAS chemicals and firefighting foam, with discussion focused on phasing out AFFF, testing requirements, exceptions for federal aviation and military uses, and support for firefighters and water quality; the bill passed 37-0. Other measures passed without opposition included SB 1706 on the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program, SB 186 on student health and safety and seizure response training, SB 598 on funeral and cemetery services, SB 990/HB 883 on protected cell captive insurance companies, SB 554 on nonprofit corporations, SB 560 on child welfare and foster care medication procedures, SB 684/HB 961 on electronic signatures for salvage titles, and SB 778/HB 569 on forensic client services. Two bills, SB 432 on intoxicating substances and SB 928 on dangerous crimes, were temporarily postponed.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to SB 1134 on official actions of local governments and DEI-related activities. The sponsor argued the bill would prevent counties and municipalities from funding or promoting DEI efforts he described as discriminatory or indoctrinating, while opponents offered amendments to narrow the bill to spending only, add an intent requirement for penalties, and preserve local proclamations and observances. Those amendments were debated at length but were not adopted. The sponsor then continued explaining the bill’s exceptions, including references to holidays, heritage sites, and the Pulse Memorial, and the chamber was still in debate on the underlying measure when the transcript ended.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-29 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I would like an answer about whether you are going to require an insurance premium credit, because that
- I wanted to ask my colleague, if I may, does your dog have pet insurance?
- And if we don't say as a legislature, and by the way, you want to know what captive group and captive
- And if we don't say as a legislature, and by the way, you want to know what captive group and captive
- The captive group and captive audience watch Florida Channel more than anybody: the inmates and the staff
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions before taking up the special order calendar. The chamber first postponed CS/SB 80 on state land management, then moved through a series of bills, often substituting House companions when identical or nearly identical. Early actions included unanimous passage of HB 295 on a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan, which directs DEP to develop a recycling and waste-diversion roadmap, and passage of CS/CS/SB 492 on land development and mitigation banking after amendments addressing out-of-service credits and former phosphate mine lands; that bill passed 35-3 after debate over possible constitutional concerns. The Senate also passed HB 255 on aggravated animal cruelty, adding a sentencing multiplier and a searchable FDLE database of convicted animal abusers, and HB 711 establishing the Spectrum Alert for missing children with autism, with $190,000 in nonrecurring implementation funds and a July 1, 2026 implementation date.
The chamber then approved HB 1089 to add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening, and HB 393 revising the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program to expand eligible mitigation projects, lower the approval threshold, and clarify ownership and reimbursement issues. Members discussed funding levels and whether insurance premium credits would be required, but the bill passed unanimously. The Senate also passed HB 1145 on workforce education, HB 827 on a statewide study of automation and workforce impact, and HB 181 on parole guidelines, all without recorded opposition. CS/CS/SB 976 on court-appointed psychologists also passed unanimously, as did HB 1451 on sexual cyber harassment, which broadened protections against non-consensual and digitally forged intimate images.
Later, the Senate approved HB 1156 creating the Home Health Aid for Medically Fragile Children Program, after clarifying training requirements and hearing support that the measure would help families keep medically fragile children at home while compensating trained parents. The chamber also passed HB 1091 on substance abuse and mental health care, with an amendment allowing designated facilities to retain stabilized patients who still meet involuntary examination criteria. Throughout the day, senators used questions and debate to probe charter school governance in CS/CS/SB 822, which was substituted with HB 443 and amended to expand charter autonomy over conduct codes, enrollment, reporting, and facility use while maintaining sponsor oversight; that bill was placed on the calendar for third reading rather than voted on in the excerpt. Several other measures, including SB 716, SB 76, and the final SB 1252 item, were postponed or not reached before the transcript ended.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We're the 17th largest independent insurance agency in the United States.
- The second is the skyrocketing insurance costs.
- , for self-insure model, right?
- , do a captive?
- on their mortgage, the insurance cost, the HOA fee, etc.
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries met for a panel discussion on current issues affecting Florida condominiums. DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin highlighted the department’s expanded condo education, complaint, and ombudsman services under HB 1021, including new online resources, board member certification, increased outreach, and broader complaint jurisdiction. She said the division has filled most of its new positions and that the new condo website is intended to improve transparency and access to records and information.
Other panelists focused on insurance, inspections, and market impacts. Insurance agent Mike Clarkson said the condo insurance market remains difficult, especially for older buildings, and raised concerns about roof replacement demands, Citizens’ depopulation practices, and the mismatch between reserve studies and insurer timelines. Building officials representative Ron Laceca described challenges with phase one and phase two inspections, including incomplete databases, limited contractor capacity, and the need for local flexibility and better recordkeeping. University of Florida researcher Bill Hughes said his data show the condo market has not suffered a major overall decline from the new laws; he argued the rules have made costs more transparent and may strengthen the market over time.
Community association manager Jamie Ballard said the biggest pressures on associations are rising insurance costs and early roof replacement requirements, and she supported board certification while opposing the continuing education exemption for long-tenured CAMs. In committee discussion, members pressed witnesses on whether recent condo laws caused insurance and roof-cost problems, and witnesses generally said those issues are driven more by the market than by the legislation. Senators also discussed possible reforms, including better data collection, clearer reporting duties for managers, and possible changes to insurance and reserve practices. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- have a gubernatorial reappointment vote on the reappointment of Hyatt Erstad to the Idaho Health Insurance
- The gubernatorial appointment of Cynthia Fairfax to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board.
- I move to send the gubernatorial appointment of Cynthia Fairfax to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange
- Health Insurance Exchange Board. Committee will entertain any discussion or debate. Mr. Chair.
- Janice Folkerson to the Idaho Health Insurance Exchange Board to the floor of the Senate so that she
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jul 1st, 2026
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We got groups saying that only birds in captivity destroy their feathers. That's not true.
- When I see a bird raised in captivity, it pains me, for I see a diminished example of a complex being
- We provide an important need for regulated, health-checked, and captive-bred birds for the population
- We provide an important need for regulated, health-checked, and captive-bred birds for. important need
- for regulated, health-checked, and captive-bred birds for the population that seeks them.
Keywords:
Newbury, rodenticides, second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, SGARs, pesticides, pest control, wildlife protection, environmental regulation, local bylaw, municipal authority, private property, rodent control, anticoagulant poison, public health, Massachusetts local option, Wellfleet, fertilizer, nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrient pollution
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jul 1st, 2026
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- We got groups saying that only birds in captivity destroy their feathers. That's not true.
- When I see a bird raised in captivity, it pains me, for I see a diminished example of a complex being
- We provide an important need for regulated, health-checked, and captive-bred birds for the population
- We provide an important need for regulated, health-checked, and captive-bred birds for. important need
- for regulated, health-checked, and captive-bred birds for the population that seeks them.
Keywords:
Newbury, rodenticides, second generation anticoagulant rodenticides, SGARs, pesticides, pest control, wildlife protection, environmental regulation, local bylaw, municipal authority, private property, rodent control, anticoagulant poison, public health, Massachusetts local option, Wellfleet, fertilizer, nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrient pollution
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on late-file bills, with testimony focused first on multiple home rule petitions seeking local authority to restrict anticoagulant rodenticides in towns including Andover, Topsfield, North Andover, Williamstown, Georgetown, Lexington, and others. Municipal officials, residents, wildlife advocates, and conservation groups described documented harm to hawks, owls, foxes, turtles, pets, and other wildlife, and argued that towns should be able to regulate these poisons locally. Several speakers said their towns had already voted to support restrictions and were using integrated pest management and other alternatives. Committee members noted that statewide rodenticide legislation had already advanced out of committee in both chambers and that the environmental bond bill was in conference committee, but no votes were taken during the hearing itself.
The committee then heard testimony on H. 5137, a bill to prohibit the retail sale of parrots. Supporters, including animal welfare groups, veterinarians, rescue operators, and advocates, said parrots are often sourced from large breeding facilities with poor conditions, that many birds are surrendered because they are difficult long-term pets, and that rescues are overwhelmed. They argued the bill would encourage adoption, reduce demand for commercial breeding and trafficking, and improve bird welfare and public health. Opponents, including breeders, pet retailers, aviculture representatives, and rescue operators, said the bill would harm small businesses, reduce consumer access and transparency, and push sales to unregulated markets without improving welfare. Several speakers said the bill should instead focus on stronger standards and enforcement rather than banning sales.
A separate bill, S. 310, designating the Marion Stoddard River Walk, was also briefly discussed in testimony supporting Marion Stoddard’s environmental work. The hearing ended after the committee finished taking testimony and adjourned; no roll-call votes or formal actions were taken in the transcript.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/16/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- were totally absent from the wild for many years, and only through careful efforts, including the captive
- Fish is really using, and they have far exceeded that number both now in the wild and also those in captivity
- So the 319, plus there's 350-some in captivity.
- And southern... ...plus there's 350-some in captivity.
- So the 319 plus there's 350 some in captivity. And southern, plus there's 350 some in captivity.
Summary:
The committee took up two bills. SB 1075 would create a foreign entity review commission and bar the conveyance, sale, lease, or sublease of state land to hostile foreign entities without commission approval, with penalties for violations. Supporters said it was needed to protect land and critical infrastructure from foreign ownership, while opponents argued it duplicated existing safeguards and could burden lawful property transactions. The bill passed on a 5-4 vote, with one member absent.
The committee then heard SB 1280, which would prohibit the Arizona Game and Fish Commission from transporting Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona or using public funds or resources for that purpose. The sponsor and supporters said the state should not spend money importing wolves and argued the population had already reached recovery goals, while opponents from Sierra Club and Humane World for Animals said the bill would undermine science-based recovery efforts and genetic diversity for a highly endangered species. Members debated wolf recovery numbers, population status, and potential impacts on ranchers and public safety.
After public testimony and member discussion, the committee voted SB 1280 out with a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote, with one member absent. The meeting then adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- 883, a bill to be entitled an act relating to protected cell captive insurance companies.
- 883, a bill to be entitled to protect and sell captive insurance companies.
- Right now, we only have one captive insurer in the state of Florida.
- Bill 883, a bill to be entitled to protect and sell captive insurance companies.
- Right now, we only have one captive insurer in the state of Florida.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Chester Clem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and quorum confirmation. Members then adopted the special order report and a rules report amending House Rule 15.3 to allow fundraising under certain circumstances during extended or special sessions. The chamber also heard several recognitions and a farewell speech from Representative Nixon, who reflected on constituent service and her legislative priorities.
On the floor, HB 1405, relating to a statewide project for missing persons with special needs, passed unanimously. The House then took up CS/CS/CS/SB 290, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, which drew questions about the handling of surplus conservation lands and agricultural uses; it passed 94-10. CS/CS/CS/HB 905, the “Fire Act” on foreign influence, was explained as a broad package restricting foreign-country influence in government, procurement, gifts, cultural agreements, and related areas. An amendment adding restrictions on surrogacy and adoption involving citizens or residents of foreign countries of concern was adopted after debate over possible impacts on families and adoption practices, and the bill then passed 80-20.
The House also passed CS/CS/HB 1197, a bill to modernize state information technology procurement and contracting, unanimously after debate about improving oversight of large IT projects. HB 1103, allowing local governments to fast-track action on derelict vessels, also passed unanimously. The chamber then considered CS/CS/CS/HB 399 on land use development and development regulations, including limits on development fees, changes to local voting thresholds for comprehensive plan and boundary actions, manufactured homes in RV parks, and resort-related provisions. Several amendments were debated, including one on local control and rural boundaries that failed and another strike-all amendment ruled out of order; the bill ultimately passed 71-38. The final item reached before the transcript ended was a local bill for the Pace Fire Rescue District in Santa Rosa County, described as adjusting its assessment formula to provide tax relief.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/03/2026 - Senate Natural Resources
Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- All Mexican gray wolves in the wild and in the captive breeding program today come from just seven...
- All Mexican gray wolves in the wild and in the captive breeding program today come from just seven In
- the wild and in the captive breeding program today, they come from just seven founders.
- Cross-fostering of Mexican wolves is accomplished by taking pups from captivity and placing them into
- Forcing them to remain in captivity is not right.
Summary:
The Natural Resources Committee approved the minutes from January 20 and January 27, 2026, and then heard several bills dealing with water policy, environmental regulation, wildlife management, and cosmetics testing. SB 1278 would ban intentional solar radiation management activities in Arizona and bar public entities and recipients of public funds from supporting such technologies; supporters argued it was needed to stop geoengineering, while opponents said it would block research and distract from real pollution problems. The committee voted 5-2 to give SB 1278 a do pass recommendation.
The committee then considered SB 1279, which updates Arizona’s weather modification/cloud seeding permitting process by adding ADWR and ADEQ review, public notice and meetings, and a licensing database. A nine-page amendment shifted complaint enforcement to ADWR, added cease-and-desist and fine authority, and changed rulemaking timelines; the amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 5-2. Testimony was mixed: supporters emphasized transparency and safety, Salt River Project was neutral after stakeholder work, and ADEQ said it was neutral but warned it lacked standards, resources, and time to develop the required chemical limits and rules.
SB 1005, which would prohibit the sale of cosmetics developed with animal testing beginning in 2027, received a do pass recommendation 4-2 after supporters cited cruelty concerns and the availability of non-animal testing methods. SB 1202, requiring ADWR to include outline data in five-year groundwater supply-and-demand assessments, also passed 4-2 despite agency concerns that the bill would require extensive hydrologic modeling, significant resources, and could produce misleading conclusions about available water. SB 1280, barring state transport or use of public resources to move Mexican gray wolf pups into Arizona, passed 4-2 after testimony split between conservation advocates, who said it would hinder recovery, and supporters concerned about livestock impacts; Game and Fish was neutral. Finally, SB 1287, with a conforming amendment, passed 5-1 to extend a groundwater-use provision for irrigation grandfathered rights from initial AMAs to subsequent AMAs, which ADWR said would reduce burden and create parity across management areas.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- premiums. ...by taking it out of the insurance premiums.
- There's a tax on health insurance premiums that the state does.
- The general fund, the insurance refund has, and it's got different years, $8 million, $122 million in
- Fireman's Percy has $4.5 million, high-risk insurance pool has $23 million, for a total of $158 million
- I didn't know I was paying a state tax on my health insurance premiums. I didn't know that.
Summary:
The committee began by recognizing and thanking page Caleb Williams for his service, including brief remarks and a song, before moving to approval of the minutes from March 12, 16, 17, and 18, 2026. All four sets of minutes were approved by voice vote.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1420, which would redirect about 1% of the state health insurance premium tax into a fund for medical education, with the goal of stabilizing funding for undergraduate medical education and supporting future expansion of medical school seats. Senator Lent and Representative Manwaring explained that the bill would create a dedicated pathway for these funds and could also accommodate other medical education-related revenues. After questions about the premium tax and existing uses of the fund, the committee voted to send SB 1420 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; Senator Zito requested to be recorded as opposed.
Next, the committee considered House Joint Memorial 20, which asks the federal government to address the costs Idaho incurs under Plyler v. Doe for educating students regardless of immigration status. Representative Tanner argued the decision created an unfunded mandate and cited rough estimates of annual and long-term costs. After questions about the source of the student estimates, the committee voted to send HJM 20 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, with Senators Burtenshaw and Semmelroth requesting to be recorded as opposed.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 915, which would establish a baseline recess policy for public and charter schools, including a 20-minute daily outdoor recess for grades K-5 when feasible and a prohibition on withholding recess from an entire class as punishment. Senator Taves said the bill was intended to protect children’s health and learning, while opponents argued it was unnecessary and infringed on local control because schools already provide recess. The committee voted to hold HB 915 at the call of the chair, and the meeting adjourned with notice that the IDLA bill was expected the next day.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Jan 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 67, introduced by Representative Garrett, an act relating to unemployment insurance defining
- Relating to prescription drugs, enacting a new section of the New Mexico Insurance Code to prohibit discrimination
- An act relating to insurance, prohibiting the use of credit, education, and occupation information in
- underwriting, rating, and renewing certain insurance policies.
- relates to employment, enacting the Employee Free Speech Act, protecting employee free speech from captive
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE Mar 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- you will not see in this chart: salary enhancement for other employees and all personnel health insurance
- property insurance, and we talk about things like deferred maintenance and other things which can help
- I'd appreciate that because, you know, I'm thinking about insurance and that schools do it.
- You know, I'm thinking about insurance and schools do have that we, I guess, kind of changed or something
- I think it may be instructive for us, again, as we're almost a full year into the state property captive
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- by the Department of Labor and Industries or by qualifying to self-insure.
- by the Department of Labor and Industries or by qualifying to self-insure.
- Costs for treatment on self-insured claims that are ultimately rejected will be paid by the self-insured
- The department and self-insured employers may authorize up to six additional PTSD treatment sessions
- Self-insured employers must produce a report of all workers' compensation claims subject to the pilot
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on several Labor and Workplace Standards bills. HB 2492 would require building and construction apprenticeship programs, beginning in 2027, to include two hours of behavioral health and wellness training covering topics such as suicide prevention, substance use disorder, recognizing distress, peer support, and connecting to resources. The prime sponsor and many labor, apprenticeship, and contractor witnesses supported the bill, describing high suicide and overdose rates in construction and sharing personal stories about losses and struggles in the trades. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee then heard HB 2405, a Department of Labor and Industries request bill creating a pilot to allow earlier treatment for PTSD claims in workers’ compensation, including up to 11 treatment sessions before claim adjudication and limited follow-up treatment after closure. L&I and NFIB supported the measure as a way to speed treatment and reduce barriers, while one legal advocate supported it but raised technical concerns about pre-claim treatment and urged more focus on workplace prevention; another witness cautioned against emphasizing psychiatric drug treatment. The bill was heard only; no action was taken.
HB 2406 would expand L&I’s ability to send notices electronically, with opt-in/opt-out provisions and some changes to timing rules for workers’ compensation and WISHA notices. L&I supported the bill as a modernization measure, while labor and workers’ advocates opposed changes affecting workers’ compensation notices, arguing that email should not become the default for vulnerable workers who may miss deadlines. HB 2478 would give L&I discretion, rather than a mandate, to investigate wage complaints and allow penalties when the department initiates an investigation; L&I supported it as a more efficient enforcement tool, and the committee discussed how complaints would still be handled and communicated. Finally, HB 2471 would create a state collective bargaining framework for private-sector workers if federal labor law or the NLRB no longer covers them. Supporters said it would preserve organizing and dispute-resolution rights if federal protections fail, while agricultural employers and NFIB opposed it, arguing it would inappropriately apply to agriculture and small businesses, could disrupt perishable harvests, and should rely on secret-ballot elections rather than card check. No votes were taken on any of the bills in the hearing.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- The department's already got the ability to regulate captive cervids, so within a farming operation,
- I think the larger issue is the difference between the captive and the wild.
- </c> got the ability to regulate captive got the ability to regulate captive cervids,<00:10:32.960><c
- </c><00:10:45.360><c> So,</c><00:10:45.800><c> this</c> the captive and the wild.
- So, this the captive and the wild.