Transcript Highlights:

• Chair calls up Nicole Elliott from TDI or anyone from TDI that can help us out. Thank you.
• And the TDI sort of holds the score.
• You can find it at TDI.
• We can commend TDI for their study that confirmed what we found.
• I don't know if TDI really charged you that. We'll get... we'll get...

Bills: SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706

Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have TDI and HHSC here as resource witnesses.
• TDI made a comment to local news; they said we're not aware.
• SB 1307 instructs the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to create a health insurance reference guide
• TDI has to tell resources for the public to reference when making health insurance decisions.
• We also have a resource witness from the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to answer any questions.

Bills: HB813, HB1680, HB3569, HB4074, HB4635, HB5178, SB527, SB1307, SB1822

Keywords: autism, health insurance, coverage, medical treatment, health benefit plan, HIV prevention, prescription drug, prior authorization, health benefits, insurance coverage, insurance, contract termination, property and casualty, insurance agents, discrimination, appraiser, umpire, licensing requirements, continuing education, admin penalties

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires TDI to engage in rulemaking and gives the agency authority to act as an umpire for the appraisal
• The bill also clarifies that insurance companies not currently filing their forms with TDI are not required
• Yes, in the bill, it states that the TDI commissioner shall adopt... ...to act as an umpire and appraiser

Bills: HB345, HB721, HB2580, SB815, HB3057, HB4603, HB3233, SB495, HB3863, HB3914, HB4570, HB5099, HB5173, SB458

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• Alan Craddock, TDI Division of Workers' Compensation.
• It creates the contours for TDI to stand up what that would look like.
• This bill makes sure that TDI can't say, oh yeah, we have to follow that standard.
• Let's make sure that TDI can do it.
• TDI, I mean TLTA, as I understand, requested the hearing in November.

Bills: HB345, HB721, HB2580, SB815, HB3057, HB4603, HB3233, SB495, HB3863, HB3914, HB4570, HB5099, HB5173, SB458

Keywords: insurance, appraisal process, disputed losses, residential property, policyholder rights, insurer obligations, natural disasters, appraisal expenses, umpire selection, policyholder, insurer, umpire, claims management, health care, cost disclosure, benefit plan, administrators, traumatic brain injury, health benefit plans, insurance coverage

Transcript Highlights:

• TDI regulates fully insured health insurance plans, including healthcare.gov plans, TDI regulated plans
• . have a TDI or DOI on the insurance card.
• TDI has key responsibilities related to TWA, which submits any policy form changes to TDI.
• We draft it with TDI, but it's our document.
• We get, and TDI does too.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• TDI regulated plans have a TDI or DOI on the insurance card.
• However, TDI does license and regulate the surplus lines agents.
• TDI has key responsibilities related to TWIA, which submits any policy form changes to TDI for approval
• We like TDI produce a list of legislative recommendations.
• TDI makes a decision to not oppose those. Or oppose them.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd have to look back at old TDI reports.
• But if you think your cost should be more than what TDI expects or less than what TDI expects, then you
• But if you think your cost should be more than what TDI expects or less than what TDI expects, then you
• But if you think your cost should be more than what TDI expects or less than what TDI expects, then you
• But if you think your, your cost should be more than what TDI expects or less than what TDI expects,

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:

• I wanted you all to have the most recent information from TDI.
• But if you think your cost should be more than what TDI expects or less than what TDI expects, then you
• Has TDI gone through the sunset?
• And I know with TDI, they've been very forthcoming.
• There is already a whole new agency to ensure TDI is doing their job.

Bills: SB1642, SB1643, SB2530

Keywords: Texas Department of Insurance, commission appointments, insurance regulation, oversight, consumer advocacy, insurance rates, property insurance, commercial automobile insurance, rate approval, consumer protection, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, administrative penalties, coastal counties, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost of TDI examinations would be paid for by the insurer or plan which TDI... ...estimates would
• Does TDI do this already? I would defer that to TDI. That's fine, Chairman. That's okay.
• And I'm hesitant to speak for TDI, but I will say having been in this room and heard from TDI that the
• TDI virtually always does it.
• TDI will come back and say, "Well, what about this?"

Bills: HB139, HB1818, HB1942, HB1959, HB2221, HB2254, HB2563, HB2067, HB2275, HB3211, HB139

Keywords: HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301

Transcript Highlights:

• The cost of TDI examination would be paid for by the insurer of plan which TDI estimates would cost roughly
• And, um, does TDI do this already?
• And I'm, I'm hesitant to speak for TDI, but I will say, having been in this room and heard from TDI.
• TDI virtually always does it, but we said.
• TDI will come back and say, Well, what about this?

Bills: HB139

Keywords: ad valorem tax, tax rates, voter-approval, taxing unit, property tax, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• This is obviously one of the TDI interim recommendations from their interim report.
• Also, one reporting coming to TDI and having TDI provide a comprehensive map of data that can be available
• And TDI spells it out themselves in their report. So let me give you an example.
• I'm going to call TDI real quick. Mark Warman, Warman with TDI, right?
• What is your position at TDI? I'm a deputy commissioner for property and casualty.

Bills: SB388, SB455, SB917, SB925, SB1006

Keywords: dispatchable generation, electricity, natural gas, ERCOT, energy credits, utilities regulation, renewable energy, arbitration, insurance contracts, surplus lines, Texas law, insurance policy, boiler inspection, boiler safety, inspection report deadline, certificate inspection, authorized inspector, inspection agency, Health and Safety Code, board of boiler rules

Transcript Highlights:

• The information is required to be reported to TDI by ZIP code on a quarterly basis, and these changes
• The information is required to be reported to TDI by zip code on a quarterly basis, and these changes
• TDI has proposed a rule on this.
• Muckerhyde is from TDI, correct? Yes, David Muckerhey, a resource witness from TDI.
• Muckerhide is from TDI, correct? Yes, David Muckerhey, uh, resource witness from TDI.

Bills: SB213, SB378, SB610, SB681, SB918, SB1172, SB1252, SB1343, SCR8

Keywords: SB 213, Texas insurance, Insurance Code, Chapter 551, Chapter 541, bundling, tying arrangement, cross-selling, homeowners insurance, residential property insurance, auto insurance, personal automobile insurance, consumer protection, unfair trade practice, deceptive insurance practice, property and casualty insurer, Lloyd's plan, county mutual, reciprocal exchange, farm mutual

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up several pending bills, first reporting SB 1006 favorably after adopting a committee substitute that adds quarterly ZIP-code-level reporting to TDI on insurer declinations, cancellations, and nonrenewals. The committee also adopted substitutes and favorably reported SB 388, which adds nuclear to a credit program and excludes batteries from the dispatchable definition; SB 917; SB 504, which narrows reporting requirements for certain local entities, raises a salary threshold, and authorizes AG injunctive relief; SB 925, which clarifies that federal match dollars are included in a PLA-related prohibition; and SB 815, which removes downcoding references and focuses on AI use in prior authorization. SB 815 advanced on an 8-2 vote, while SB 388 advanced 6-3 and the others were reported 9-0 or 6-0 as noted. The committee then heard testimony on SB 378, which would prohibit aestheticians and cosmetologists from administering injections or using prescriptive medical devices unless legally authorized and would clarify TDLR disciplinary authority. The author and a retired neurosurgeon testified that unsafe, unauthorized injections pose real patient risks, and a TDLR witness said the bill addresses a long-standing regulatory gap. SB 378 was left pending after testimony. The committee also heard SB 1252, aimed at reducing municipal permitting barriers for residential backup power systems; the author and industry witnesses said city permitting is costly and inconsistent, while municipal utility representatives and advocates said the substitute preserved safety and utility oversight. That bill was also left pending. Additional bills heard but left pending included SB 1172, which would let LPs and LLCs sell their own property without a real estate license; SB 681, which would extend engineer license renewal periods and apply similar flexibility to engineering firms; SB 918, a TDLR cleanup bill for orthotics and prosthetics exemptions; SB 1343, which would require data brokers to post a clear link explaining Texans’ privacy rights and how to exercise them; SB 213, which would prohibit forced bundling of residential property and auto insurance while preserving voluntary discounts; SB 610, which would codify TDLR’s anti-trafficking unit; and SCR 8, expressing opposition to a central bank digital currency over privacy, security, and financial-stability concerns. Public testimony on SB 1343 and SB 213 was generally supportive, with consumer and advocacy groups emphasizing privacy, competition, and survivor safety, and the committee closed the day with those measures and others left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Silva, but if TDI could come forward, just a couple of questions. We'll start with TDI.
• So TDI actually said a statute could change or modify or direct TDI to define them in terms of particular
• We're happy with saying you just notify TDI.
• We're happy with saying you just notify TDI.
• Just go notify TDI. "Is working or not working.

Bills: SB227, SB269, SB407, SB463, SB527, SB547, SB1283, SB1380, SB1383, SB1511, SB1640, SB1784, SB2069

Keywords: school funding, education reform, state budget, property taxes, equity in education, healthcare policy, vaccines, exemptions, religious beliefs, public health, workplace violence, healthcare facilities, definition expansion, safety regulations, health and safety code, health insurance, anesthesia, pediatric dental services, coverage, medical necessity

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with several members initially absent, then later established a quorum. The committee heard multiple bills, with most testimony focusing on access to care, insurance practices, senior safety, and health care worker protections. Several bills were laid out with committee substitutes, and public testimony was limited to two minutes per witness. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with no final votes taken in the portion provided. Senate Bill 2069 would create a work group to study the feasibility of a statewide acute psychiatric bed registry; the substitute shifts appointment authority to the Health and Human Services Commissioner and extends reporting and sunset dates. Senate Bill 463 would expand workplace violence protections to additional hospice, home and community support, intermediate care, and state-supported living center settings. Senate Bill 1283 would require background checks and transparency measures for senior retirement communities after testimony about the Dallas-area serial killings of elderly residents. Senate Bill 1784 would require 60 days’ written notice before medical debt is sent to collections. Senate Bill 527 would require medical insurance coverage for general anesthesia for medically necessary pediatric dental procedures for children under 13 with qualifying conditions; pediatric dentists testified that denials delay needed care. A major portion of the meeting centered on prior authorization. Senate Bill 1380 would eliminate prior authorization for a broad list of services, including emergency, primary, mental health, substance use, chemotherapy, preventive, pediatric hospice, and certain chronic-condition care. Physicians and hospice advocates supported the bill, describing delays, administrative burden, and patient harm, while health plans opposed blanket exemptions and argued prior authorization helps prevent unnecessary care and control costs. Relatedly, Senate Bill 547 would require insurers to report gold-card prior authorization exemptions to TDI and create a centralized database and annual report; TMA supported better tracking, while health plans warned of duplicative reporting and administrative cost. Senate Bill 407 would require health care facilities to honor conscience- and religion-based vaccine exemptions for employees, with testimony from a physician and vaccine-choice advocate supporting the bill. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1383, which would regulate senior living referral agencies, allow more flexible compensation structures, and add disclosure and consumer protections; an out-of-state referral company and A Place for Mom supported it. Senate Bill 1511 would allow freestanding emergency centers to provide outpatient services in addition to emergency care, with consumer protections such as estimates, limits on facility fees, and restrictions on balance billing. The chair repeatedly announced that bills were being left pending after testimony, and no final committee action or recorded votes were taken in the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Checklists of PAs in advance to TDI.
• If TDI finds that in those pieces, to us, that's a different matter, right?
• Is it just changing the function from TDI to the Texas Medical Board?
• Okay, so under current law, would someone make the complaint to TDI?
• Yeah, I don't think TDI is... pretty clearly TDI doesn't have, you know, Routinely or as a core competency

Bills: HB712, HB722, HB946, HB1687, HB1809, HB1899, HB2528, HB2583, HB2741, HB2750, HB3021, HB3150, HB3265, HB3658, HB3812, HB3960, HB4392, HB4432

Keywords: prostate cancer, health benefit plans, insurance coverage, cost sharing, preventive health care, auto insurance, total loss evaluation, disclosure, insurance materials, vehicle appraisal, HB 946, Texas Insurance Code, automobile insurance claims, oral release, written release, settlement agreement, claim release, property damage, bodily injury, psychological injury

Transcript Highlights:

• In most budget cycles, TDI requests few or no exceptional items.
• So a company cannot use that form until TDI approves the form.
• It's a foundation of everything that we do at TDI.
• We also have a contract with TDI to do the health insure program.
• Sometimes struggle with TDI over who gets which people.

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank TDI for the rulemaking process.
• We've submitted comments, but industry has taken the position that TDI doesn't have that authority.
• I think TDI is very John Ben, we appreciate your testimony. Questions.
• The way it works right now, Representative Spiller, is TDI negotiates all of these rate filings.
• TDI knows how to do that. They did it very successfully. This is really a middle course.

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank TDI for the rulemaking process. We've submitted comments.
• But the industry has taken the position that TDI doesn't have that authority.
• I think TDI is very much on top of the scale. Testimony questions?
• We have not seen TDI really challenge in a meeting...
• TDI knows how to do that. They did it very successfully. This is really a middle course.

Bills: HB854, HB 1052, HB1642, HB2076, HB3042, HB3695, HB3787, HB4062, HB4092, SB213, SB493, SB896, HB5519, HB4635

Keywords: insurance, replacement cost, homeowner's policy, renter's policy, condominium insurance, property damage, claims process, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health benefit plan, insurance coverage, out-of-state services, anxiety, pain management, contraceptive devices, women's health, medical procedures, healthcare, laboratory

Transcript Highlights:

• Only 22% of Texans are covered by plans over which TDI has authority.
• Health plans file their forms with both TDI and CMS.
• TDI mentioned that we are in a lawsuit with the state about that.
• TDI has added to your burden and therefore...
• The federal law says one thing; TDI doubled it. So that's one.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Insurance met for an interim hearing focused primarily on Texas health insurance affordability, market structure, and federal and state regulatory roles. Chair Dean and members heard invited testimony first from Texas Department of Insurance Commissioner Amanda Crawford and TDI staff, who outlined the size of the Texas insurance market, TDI’s consumer complaint and enforcement work, and the limits of state authority over many Texans’ coverage. TDI testified that only about 22% of Texans are in plans directly regulated by the department, while many others are in ERISA self-funded plans or public programs. TDI also reviewed ACA market trends, including growth in the individual market, the effects of enhanced premium tax credits and silver loading, the decline of the small group market, and the role of alternatives such as short-term, fixed indemnity, and non-network plans. Members asked extensive questions about uninsured Texans, the accuracy of census data, non-citizen coverage, rate increases, and whether state rules or mandates are driving costs. TDI said it would provide additional data and noted that HB 3359’s network adequacy implementation is being challenged in court. The committee then heard from Blaise Duran of the Employees Retirement System and Katrina Daniel of the Teacher Retirement System, both testifying neutrally about the cost pressures in their self-funded health plans. ERS described its large risk pool, stable administrative efficiency, and major cost drivers such as provider reimbursement, chronic conditions, and especially high-cost drugs like GLP-1s. TRS similarly described its active and retiree plans, regional premium variation, and efforts to control costs through contracting, steerage to lower-cost facilities, pharmacy management, and tiered provider pilots. Both systems emphasized that their scale helps them keep more than 97% of dollars going to claims, but that rising medical and pharmacy trend is still forcing higher contributions and use of reserve funds. The final invited presentation came from Lee Spangler of UT Health Houston’s All-Payers Claims Database, who presented statewide claims data showing spending patterns by age, sex, geography, and service line. He reported that women and older Texans spend more on health care, pharmacy spending has risen sharply, and there is substantial regional variation in allowed amounts for services such as C-sections, appendectomies, and knee replacements. In discussion, members connected the data to questions about local market conditions, provider consolidation, and why costs vary so much across Texas. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee mainly used the session to gather information and identify possible policy areas for the next legislative session.

Transcript Highlights:

• TDI was established by the legislature 150 years ago.
• TDI was established by the legislature 150 years ago.
• We're going to try to work with TDI on that.
• We’re not privy to the interior workings, nor I think is TDI.
• TDI does look at the investment profit.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• revising terminology and definitions, which will help reduce confusion for consumers, providers, and TDI
• The bill also clarifies TDI oversight by addressing expansions of existing communities, recognizing modern
• service models, and allowing TDI to deny a license if a CCRC does not own its property.
• Senate Bill 1522 brings clarity to CCRC, TDI, and Texas seniors by ensuring communities can deliver on
• clarity to ensure entities promising seniors access to progressive levels of care will be regulated by TDI

Bills: SB500, SB1522, SB1137, SB1266

Keywords: SB 500, Texas adoption law, Family Code, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child-placing agency, prospective adoptive parents, adoption records, confidential information, nondisclosure agreement, child history report, health history, social history, educational history, genetic history, termination of parental rights, permanency plan, single source continuum contractor, privacy, redaction

Summary: The Committee on Human Services met with a quorum and first voted out Senate Bill 1589, relating to contract requirements between a single-source continuum contractor and DFPS. The motion to report the bill favorably to the full House with a recommendation that it do pass and be printed prevailed on a 7-0 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 500, which would set deadlines for providing foster care adoption records, including health, social, educational, and genetic history reports, to speed adoptions. The bill’s author and witnesses from Addie’s Hope Social Services supported it, saying delays in redacted files can take months, slow permanency for children, and increase costs to the state. Members asked about redactions and sibling/family information, and witnesses explained the bill would mainly speed the preliminary file used to decide whether to proceed with placement. SB 500 was left pending. Members also heard Senate Bill 1266, which would require regular reevaluation of the Medicaid provider support team and add written notice of provider disenrollment at least 30 days in advance. There were no witnesses, no questions, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1522, concerning continuing care retirement communities, was then laid out and supported by LeadingAge Texas and counsel, who said it updates outdated definitions, clarifies licensing and disclosure rules, and strengthens consumer protections for seniors. It was also left pending. After a brief recess, the committee heard Senate Bill 1137, which would prohibit group home consultants from referring people to unlicensed or unpermitted group homes except in limited circumstances, require disclosure of complaints, and create a Class B misdemeanor for violations. Members discussed whether consultants are regulated and noted concerns about unlicensed referral practices. The bill was left pending, and the committee adjourned after completing its agenda.