Video & Transcript : 'prevailing wages' :
Page 9 of 394
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Motion prevails. >> I opposed. Motion prevails. >> All<00:01:12.880><c> right.
- </c><00:02:22.959><c> Representative</c> prevails. All right. Representative prevails. All right.
- Motion prevails. You're on your way.
- Motion prevails.
- Motion prevails. All right. opposed. Motion prevails. All right.
Keywords:
homeowner's insurance, peace officer, property damage, just compensation, exclusion policy, corporate powers, entity law, business corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLC, limited liability company, cooperative, partnership, trust, foreign entity, campaign finance, election spending, political spending, ballot measure, ballot initiative
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/9/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> At the current state of minimum wage At the current state of minimum wage right<00:29:24.880><c>
- paid a beautiful wage, and it getting paid a beautiful wage, and it makes<00:42:24.400><c> a</c><00:42
- </c><00:47:32.160><c> is</c> saying in Minnesota a minimum wage is saying in Minnesota a minimum wage
- </c> pay the workers at least minimum wage. pay the workers at least minimum wage.
- The motion prevails. The motion prevails and the House stands adjourned until 11:00 a.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- annually due to unpaid wages.
- Our wage claim process is broken.
- annually due to unpaid wages.
- Our wage claim process is broken.
- During this time, I experienced wage theft. During this time, I experienced wage theft.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1521, the Judiciary Committee’s civil law omnibus measure. The bill makes a number of minor, mostly clarifying changes, including repealing obsolete Government Code provisions, allowing juvenile courts to hear petitions to establish records of birth, death, or marriage, requiring notice of probate petitions to the Department of Child Support Services, and correcting typos in existing law. It had no opposition and was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, though it was later placed on call pending additional votes.
Members then heard AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. The author and supporters framed it as a reparative, race-neutral-by-lineage effort to address historic housing discrimination and the racial wealth gap, while opponents argued it was an unconstitutional racial proxy and should instead be based on individual injury. The bill drew strong support and opposition testimony, was amended, and was approved on a do-pass as amended vote to Appropriations, then placed on call.
AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, was heard next. The bill would expand and standardize caregiving and guardianship tools for families facing immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a new short-term guardianship process that preserves parental rights. Supporters said it would reduce trauma and help children remain with trusted caregivers; there was no opposition testimony. The committee approved it on a do-pass to Human Services vote and placed it on call.
The committee also heard AB 392, which would address non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media by requiring uploader consent certifications, faster takedown procedures, and civil remedies against uploaders and hosting sites. A survivor testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments; the bill was moved on a do-pass as amended basis to Appropriations and placed on call. AB 692, which would prohibit employer “stay-or-pay” debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave or are terminated, also advanced despite opposition from business and industry groups concerned about impacts on signing bonuses and voluntary training programs. It was sent to Appropriations on a do-pass as amended vote and placed on call, along with AB 1234, a wage-claim enforcement bill aimed at reducing Labor Commissioner delays and adding consequences for employers who fail to participate in the process. The committee also heard AB 394, which expands protections for transit workers and allows transit agencies to seek restraining orders against violent riders; it received broad support, some concern about system-wide bans, and was discussed with amendments that preserved judicial discretion.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/3/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- Motion prevails. The amendment >> Opposed. Motion prevails.
- </c><01:19:39.600><c> wages</c><01:19:40.000><c> for</c> not love subminimum wage wages for not love
- </c><01:20:18.719><c> wage</c><01:20:19.120><c> fair</c> things around fair prevailing wage fair things
- around fair prevailing wage fair wage<01:20:20.640><c> um</c><01:20:20.880><c> discrimination</c><01
- :20:21.679><c> around</c><01:20:22.000><c> wage</c> wage um discrimination around wage wage um discrimination
Keywords:
facial recognition, privacy, government surveillance, public safety, data protection, civil liberties, disability rights, discrimination, accommodations, employment, housing, public services, education, civil action, failure to render aid, damages, Minnesota Statutes, legal liability, trespass, civil immigration enforcement
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (01/28/2025)
Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:16:03.759><c> reduced</c> share this leads to lower wages reduced share this leads to lower wages
- </c><01:12:40.239><c> was</c> because his average weekly wage was because his average weekly wage was
- That's essentially the monetary weekly payment for lost wages.
- </c> for lost wages for lost wages um<01:28:56.360><c> I'm</c><01:28:56.560><c> happy</c><01:28:56.760
- The claimant comes in and prevails, and there's a retroactive award.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2026-03-25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:14:28.000><c> theft</c> things including wage theft things including wage theft investigations
- ><c> is</c> Motion prevails and amendment is Motion prevails and amendment is adopted.<00:30:38.799><
- Motion<00:36:32.240><c> prevails.</c> Motion prevails. Motion prevails.
- The<00:41:00.160><c> motion</c><00:41:01.280><c> prevails.</c> The motion prevails.
- The motion prevails.
Keywords:
firearm restrictions, domestic violence, public safety, court orders, criminal convictions, identity theft, subpoena authority, fraud, statute of limitations, financial crime, victim notification, expungement, criminal justice, plea agreements, minor victims, identification protection, stalking, crime data, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, law enforcement grants
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Feb 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- or working conditions, then the collective bargaining agreement prevails.
- But if there's a conflict between an agreement and statute, RCW, then the statute prevails.
- In this case, the statute would prevail in a conflict with the collective bargaining agreement.
- wage rate set by L&I.
- wage.
Summary:
The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 2689 on Working Connections Child Care. Staff explained that the proposed substitute would keep eligibility at 60% of state median income, eliminate scheduled expansions to 75% and 85%, reduce future subsidy rates from the 85th to the 75th percentile of market, end enhanced regional rates, and change reimbursement rules from prospective enrollment-based payments back to attendance-based payments with a reduced monthly payment after 11 absent days. Child care advocates thanked the committee for removing the proposed cap on the program but opposed the cuts to provider rates and eligibility expansions, warning of harm to families and providers. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5124 on Medicaid network adequacy for post-acute care, with staff noting administrative costs and indeterminate fiscal effects; hospitals supported the bill as a way to reduce discharge delays and reliance on single-case agreements. Senate Bill 5832, which would raise the new motor vehicle arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to support the Lemon Law arbitration program, drew support from the Attorney General’s Office and auto dealers, who said the fee had not been updated since 1995 and the program was underfunded. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5862, providing a one-time 3% COLA for certain PERS 1 and TRS 1 retirees, with retirees testifying in favor and local government representatives warning about added employer costs.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 5922, allowing school districts to transfer money from the Transportation Vehicle Fund to other funds if they reduce their fleet and receive OSPI approval; staff said the bill would mainly add administrative work for OSPI, and no one testified. Substitute Senate Bill 5923 would allow a hospital on an island in Skagit County to qualify as a critical access hospital if federally certified; Island Health testified that the designation would help sustain rural services, and a committee member asked about bed count and Medicaid/charity-care pressures. Senate Bill 5944 would require language access providers to bargain over compensation for missed or canceled appointments and clarify that statutes prevail over conflicting contract terms; WFSE supported the bill, saying it would equalize bargaining rights across agencies. Substitute Senate Bill 5972 would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of population size; labor supported the bill as a retention tool, while cities and counties opposed it, arguing it would raise costs and should include ability-to-pay protections. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5988, authorizing the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge accreditation fees, which DOH said was needed to avoid winding down the program.
Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6151, which would move Ecology fee revenues for landfill methane emissions and laboratory accreditation into dedicated accounts; Ecology supported the bill as improving transparency and reinvesting fees into the programs, and staff said the lab fee shift would be offset by a related budget action. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6194 would pay a rural hospital on a federally recognized Indian reservation, specifically Astria Toppenish, at 150% of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate beginning in 2027; hospital leaders and community members testified that the hospital serves a high-Medicaid, rural, and tribal population and faces persistent losses. Finally, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302 would direct L&I to investigate possible misclassification of independent contractors on public works projects involving multiple workers doing the same finishing work; labor and business representatives both described it as a negotiated compromise to address underground economy abuses. The committee took no final votes during the hearing and ended by reiterating amendment deadlines for bills scheduled for executive session.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/5/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Economic Development Feb 17th, 2026
Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, in that regard, then, does this bill have any implication or any connection to prevailing wage
- I did not see anything in there that would disqualify or require prevailing wage.
- So prevailing wage could be in these contracts or negotiated, I guess, into the contracts.
- The bill does not mention prevailing wage. It's separate from all that. Okay. All right.
- The Davis-Bacon Act deals with prevailing wage.
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and voted several bills do pass. House Bill 2409 was approved 14-0, House Bill 2654 was approved 15-0, and House Bill 2747 was approved after adoption of a House committee amendment and substitute, also by a 14-0 vote. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1915, which would regulate payment practices in private construction contracts. Representative David Castile, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to ensure timely payment to contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, limit abusive contract clauses, and require written notice before withholding payment. He emphasized that it was aimed at larger private projects and not owner-occupied residential work.
Testimony on HB 1915 was mixed. Supporters, including electrical, mechanical, and subcontractor associations, said delayed payment is common, especially for smaller firms, and argued the bill would improve cash flow and reduce the need for liens. Opponents, including general contractors and home builders, said the bill as filed was too restrictive, especially the seven-day downstream payment deadline and the limits on withholding and termination rights, and warned it could increase costs and burden small builders. Several witnesses said they were working with the sponsor on a committee substitute to more closely mirror Missouri’s public prompt pay law and to clarify the residential exemption.
The committee then heard House Bill 2151, which would raise income eligibility limits for the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant from $40,000 to $50,000 for single filers and from $80,000 to $100,000 for joint filers. Representative Travis Wilson said the change was meant to reflect inflation and expand access for adults changing careers, apprentices, and other eligible students. Supporters from community colleges, chambers of commerce, and workforce groups said the program is working well, is budgeted, and helps fill workforce needs; one witness cited strong completion and retention rates among recipients. No opposition was presented, and the hearing concluded with adjournment of the committee.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Motion prevails. >> All those opposed? Motion prevails.
- Motion prevails. And opposed say nay. Motion prevails.
- wage language on it at one time.
- </c> motion prevails and the A9 is adopted. motion prevails and the A9 is adopted.
- /c><00:14:13.920><c> at</c><00:14:14.000><c> one</c> prevailing wage language on it at one prevailing
MN
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 2nd, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- The motion prevails. The chair lays out HB431SB as pending business.
- So there have been eight ayes and two nays; the motion prevails.
- There being eight ayes and two nays, the motion prevails.
- The motion prevails. The chair lays out HB82791 as pending business.
- The motion prevails. The motion prevails.
Keywords:
science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration, infrastructure development, Texas Economic Development Office, workforce development, unemployment benefits, state average unemployment rate, benefit year, economic support, Texas Workforce Commission, property owners' association, free speech, assembly rights, government officials, political candidates, floodplain, landlord, tenant
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The motion prevails, and House File 2052 is on its way to the general register.
- The motion prevails, and the amendment to the amendment is adopted.
- The motion prevailed, and the amendment to the amendment was adopted.
- The motion prevailed, and the amendment to the amendment was adopted.
- The motion prevailed, and the amendment to the amendment was adopted.
Keywords:
Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 May 12th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The motion prevails; the amendment is adopted.
- The motion prevails; the amendment is adopted.
- The motion prevails.
- The motion prevails.
- The motion prevails. The House stands in recess.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jan 29th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- wage law.
- Right now, prevailing wage rates are locked in at the time a public works project is first advertised
- Workers are then forced to take the prevailing wage from when the project was first announced, even if
- AB 1198 will ensure that workers receive the current prevailing wages on projects, regardless of when
- However, that policy lacks clear requirements to ensure prevailing wages are paid, workers are properly
Summary:
The Assembly convened, established a quorum, offered a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up a long third-reading file with several guest introductions and ceremonial resolutions. Early floor action included AB 713, allowing undocumented students equal access to campus jobs at UC, CSU, and community colleges, and AB 1049, streamlining California Food Assistance Program applications for low-income immigrant families; both passed. The body also defeated an amendment to AB 1421, a bill to begin studying a statewide mileage-based road user charge, before passing the measure. AB 1171, modernizing part-time community college faculty health insurance access, also passed with strong support.
The Assembly then approved a series of policy bills on animals, domestic violence, telehealth for autism services, forestry, false lien filings, tianeptine restrictions, housing, common interest development fee transparency, prison sexual abuse accountability, PBM reporting, foster youth benefits protections, illegal dumping and abandoned RV removal, condo financing/liquidated damages, public contracting, pension-related study language, climate resiliency research funding, and a disposable vape reduction measure. Most passed with broad margins; AB 762 on vapor inhalation devices drew the most debate, with supporters emphasizing landfill fires and public health and opponents warning about revenue losses and illicit-market growth, but it still passed. AB 1406 on condo development financing drew extensive discussion about housing affordability and consumer protections before passing.
The chamber also adopted three resolutions: ACR 120 declaring January 2026 Positive Parenting Awareness Month, ACR 121 designating January 2026 National Mentoring Month, and ACR 122 designating Anesthesiologist Week. Later, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments on AB 1485, extending welfare-tax exemption treatment to federally recognized tribes holding land for conservation, and adopted the consent calendar, which included several additional bills and SCR 6. The session ended with adjournment until February 2, 2016, after which several members recorded vote changes from the floor.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2432 5/12/25 - Part 2
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> to wage theft investigations. to wage theft investigations.
- </c> subject of a wage theft investigation. subject of a wage theft investigation.
- </c> working on wage theft on a daily basis. working on wage theft on a daily basis.
- Uh wage theft is horrible. Um it agree. Uh wage theft is horrible.
- The motion prevails.
Summary:
The conference committee took testimony on Senate File 3051, which would allow law enforcement to release unredacted collision crash investigation video and related data to certain requesters, rather than requiring redaction first. Joel Carlson, speaking for the Minnesota Association for Justice, said the bill is intended to save local governments time and money because redacted video is often later released unredacted through court motions anyway. He emphasized that the proposal is limited to people already entitled to crash reports, requires a written request and accident report, does not create an affirmative duty to release data, and preserves law enforcement’s ability to withhold data for active investigations or other protected information. He also cited the Burks decision as support for the view that a subject of data is entitled to the full data even if it includes other subjects.
Colonel Christina Bogavich of the Minnesota State Patrol raised concerns that the bill would still require staff to review videos for exceptions, including private data involving bystanders, juveniles, undercover officers, CAD information, and other protected material, so it would not create the claimed time savings. She also said the bill expands the number of potential requesters and lacks a liability provision if released data is improperly disseminated. Committee members and staff discussed the current Data Practices Act, including that private data can still be discoverable in litigation through a court balancing test and that protective orders may apply. A preliminary fiscal note estimated a Department of Public Safety cost of $4,026,334 annually, and members requested copies of the note.
Members questioned whether the bill would actually reduce work or simply shift when the work occurs, and whether a litigation-specific exception to redaction should be added. Carlson said he was open to changes, including making release permissive rather than mandatory and strengthening the use restrictions, while members noted the proposal had not yet been heard in the House and would need more vetting. No vote or final action was taken on the provision during this discussion.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 02:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Now, under common law right now, the prevailing party is defined as the party that prevails on the significant
- would be the prevailing party.
- And I'd submit that would be the prevailing party.
- The law in Florida, the Florida common law, defines prevailing party as the person who prevails on a
- We do not believe a prevailing party system is novel, all right?
Summary:
The committee met to hear five banking and insurance-related bills. HB 1549, an Office of Financial Regulation agency bill to help more efficiently regulate financial institutions, was amended to match Senate companion language and then passed unanimously. HB 1231 would extend physician payment and prior-authorization protections similar to a prior dental law, including limits on virtual credit card payments as the sole payment method; physicians and medical groups supported it as a way to reduce fees and retroactive denials, while insurers were not heard in opposition, and the bill passed unanimously.
The committee then heard HB 999, which would make gold and silver legal tender and allow transactions in bullion through electronic debit mechanisms. The sponsor and several proponents framed it as an inflation hedge and economic freedom measure, while questions focused on definitions, transaction costs, and vendor participation. The bill passed on a mostly party-line vote, with one member voting no. The committee also approved HM 4363, a memorial urging Congress to establish a sovereign wealth fund; the sponsor described it as a way to steward national wealth, and the memorial passed with one dissenting vote.
Finally, the committee took up HB 1551, which would create a prevailing-party attorney fee framework in insurance contract disputes. The sponsor argued it would restore balance, deter meritless litigation, and help consumers with valid claims recover fees, while insurers, business groups, and defense attorneys warned it would revive one-way fee shifting, increase litigation, and raise premiums. Consumer advocates and some members supported it as necessary to give policyholders meaningful recourse. After debate, the bill passed favorably, with one member voting no.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Civil Rights & Judiciary Jan 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We've been engaged in litigation and have prevailed in litigation against him.
- This bill also provides worker protection because it can be used to make sure that prevailing wages are
- paid and to fight against wage theft.
- You talked about wage theft. Could this bring... You talked about wage theft.
- We have such a morass of regulations around wages and things in the state.
Summary:
The Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. House Bill 2445, requested by the Attorney General, would curb “probate for profit” schemes by extending the waiting period before a “suitable person” can be appointed, limiting non-intervention powers and repeat appointments, tightening venue rules, and restricting self-dealing by estate administrators. The sponsor and Attorney General’s Office described cases in which strangers used probate loopholes to control estates, sell property, and profit from heirs; the Northwest Justice Project and other witnesses strongly supported the bill. Members raised questions about whether the bill would complicate probate for laypeople and about the timeline changes, and the sponsor said she was open to amendments. No vote was taken.
The committee also heard House Bill 2386, which would replace a statutory garnishment answer form with a form developed by the Washington Pattern Forms Committee or a substantially similar form. The sponsor and a district court judge said the current form causes calculation errors, especially for fluctuating wages, and that the change would make garnishments more accurate and transparent. A collectors’ association supported updating the form but asked for a longer implementation period and flexibility for employers to use their own forms; the judge said a rollout period would not be a problem. The bill was heard but not voted on.
House Bill 2585 would create a Washington State False Claims Act modeled on the federal act, allowing the Attorney General and private relators to pursue fraud against state programs, with treble damages, civil penalties, and whistleblower protections. Supporters said it would recover stolen public dollars and deter fraud in areas such as wages, housing, education, and environmental programs. Contractors warned that the bill could sweep in good-faith construction change orders, and a wireless industry group asked for a tax exemption; the Attorney General’s Office said it supported the concept but would provide technical and substantive feedback. The bill was heard without action.
Finally, House Bill 2590 would exempt limited equity cooperatives from the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act unless they elect coverage, while keeping the tax exemption framework for those cooperatives. The sponsor and housing advocates said WUCIOA imposes requirements that do not fit cooperative ownership and can hinder permanently affordable housing, while lenders already impose appropriate reserve and governance standards. Witnesses from cooperative development organizations and community land trusts supported the bill, and committee members asked about resale limits, reserve obligations, and who benefits from appreciation. The hearing concluded without a vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2453, which would allow board-certified psychiatric pharmacists to participate in certain involuntary treatment proceedings and provide concurring medical opinions for involuntary medication under less restrictive alternative orders. Supporters said it would improve workforce capacity and continuity of care; opponents argued it could weaken civil-liberty protections and that pharmacists lack authority for diagnosis and treatment. The hearing ended with no final action on the bill.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Mar 24th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing 7 ayes, 0 nays, the motion prevails.
- There being six ayes, two nays, the motion prevails.
- Now we're seeing earned wage access.
- considered an earned wage access company.
- Frequently, these workers are in low-wage industries that offer earned wage advances to their employees
Keywords:
local governments, anticipation notes, certificates of obligation, public works, flood control, financial management, local government, municipal financing, private activity bonds, closing definition, real estate finance, bond issuance, government regulation, bond election, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, political subdivision, city bonds, county bonds, school district bonds
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Insurance Committee Apr 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- wages.
- wage standards.
- The prevailing wage requirement ensures workers performing mitigation work are well trained and appropriately
- We appreciate the inclusion of it and the prevailing wage, and we urge an aye vote. Thank you.
- We appreciate the inclusion of it and the prevailing wage and we urge an eye vote. Thank you.
Summary:
The committee heard a lengthy insurance-focused agenda, including special-order bills on wildfire mitigation, Fair Plan accountability, aerial imagery, genetic testing, and wildfire moratoriums. AB 1888 would require California Safe Homes Grant Program work to be performed by a skilled and trained workforce at prevailing wage; it drew support from the author, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, and labor representatives, with no opposition heard. AB 1680, the “Make-It-Fair Act,” would impose accountability and consumer-protection reforms on the California FAIR Plan in response to Department of Insurance examination findings; it passed out on a do-pass motion to Appropriations, though the FAIR Plan Association remained opposed unless amended. AB 1559 would require notice and access rights when insurers use aerial images of homes and allow in-person inspection requests; it passed on a do-pass motion to Privacy and Consumer Protection, with broad support and one “concern” witness.
The committee also took up AB 1798, which would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information, including direct-to-consumer genetic testing, for underwriting below a $1.5 million coverage threshold. Supporters, including the author, the Insurance Commissioner, the ALS Association, and several consumer and biotech groups, argued the bill would reduce fear of genetic discrimination and encourage testing and research. Opponents from life insurance and financial advisor groups argued the bill could impair risk-based underwriting and raise premiums, especially in the middle market. After extensive back-and-forth on the distinction between predictive genetic data and doctor-assessed medical risk, the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection on a do-pass vote, with several members voting no.
AB 2038 would extend wildfire-related nonrenewal moratoriums from two to three years for total-loss homes and from one to two years for homes in and around fire zones. Supporters said the change better matches the real rebuilding timeline after major fires and protects displaced homeowners from losing coverage while rebuilding. Insurers and trade groups opposed the measure, warning that longer moratoriums could force carriers to reduce exposure elsewhere and worsen the broader availability crisis. The bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote. The committee also approved AB 1800, which adds eyewear to portable electronics insurance coverage, and moved a consent calendar of additional bills, including AB 1554, AB 1683, AB 1781, and AB 2471. Later, AB 2198 was introduced to clarify title-rate filing responsibilities between title insurers and underwritten title companies and to require rate schedules to be posted publicly.