Transcript Highlights:

• premiums and making the cost of overall insurance less affordable for more Minnesotans.
• making</c><00:01:43.040><c> the</c> up insurance premiums and um making the up insurance premiums and
• In the speaker's experience, those premiums are the most expensive premiums for health insurance and
• In the speaker's experience, those premiums are the most expensive premiums for health insurance and
• </c><01:08:27.040><c> premiums</c><01:08:27.520><c> to</c> a year more, just insurance premiums to a

Bills: HF3388, HF400

Keywords: HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an anticipation of being able to help keep insurance premiums affordable for individuals when
• This is an anticipation of being able to help keep insurance premiums affordable for individuals when
• are paid by those who buy the insurance in their premiums.
• </c> onto premium payers. onto premium payers.
• </c> insurance in their premiums. insurance in their premiums.

Bills: HF4502, HF3388, HF4106, HF400, HF4138, HF4118, HF4203

Keywords: trusted contact, financial exploitation, elder abuse, elder financial abuse, fraud prevention, financial institution, banking, credit union, broker-dealer, account security, dormant account, consumer protection, scam, suspicious activity, protective services, law enforcement reporting, Minnesota Statutes chapter 45A, HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance

Transcript Highlights:

• Oklahoma homeowners pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the nation, and this is protections
• Oklahomans pay some of the highest insurance premiums in the nation.
• premiums is certainly concerning.
• What I would say is, as insurance is generally a pass-through, meaning that the insurers are generally
• involved in insurance rates?

Bills: HB3048, HB3259, HB3646, HB3696, HB3780, HB3781, HB3802, HB3818, HB4294, HB4488, HB2929

Keywords: insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, insurance regulation, Oklahoma, health insurance, contracting entities, medical providers, enrollment, beneficiary rights, property and casualty, rates, filing, Insurance Commissioner, regulation, property, regulations, actuary, rate filing, independent review

Transcript Highlights:

• An insurance death spiral is when, as a result of rising premiums, people who are relatively healthy,
• and paying premiums having insurance and paying premiums that<00:31:22.799><c> they're</c><00:31:22.960
• </c><00:34:39.000><c> is</c> premiums for our insurance Minnesota is premiums for our insurance Minnesota
• </c> inflate everyone else's insurance inflate everyone else's insurance insurance<01:07:39.680><c> premium
• premium so I don't know if insurance premium so I don't know if this<01:07:41.799><c> report</c><01:

Bills: HF837

Keywords: health insurance, premium security plan, federal funding, state innovation waiver, Minnesota, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 6136 pertains to L&I rate setting for workers' compensation premiums.
• In recent years, L&I has used this reserve to keep premium rate increases lower than the actual expected
• indicated rate for each workers' compensation risk classification as part of its annual proposed premium
• If L&I limits the maximum premium rate increase for any class below that actuarially indicated rate,
• Committee members, Chris Teft from the self-insurers.

Bills: SB6136, SB6188, SB5944

Keywords: workers' compensation, industrial insurance, premium rates, rate transparency, actuarial rates, contingency reserves, Department of Labor and Industries, L&I, risk classifications, employer premiums, insurance regulation, rate setting, premium increase limits, workers' compensation advisory committee, retrospective rating, state insurance fund, accident and medical aid funds, SB 6188, asbestos, asbestos training

Summary: The Labor and Workplace Standards Committee held public hearings on several Labor and Industries-related bills. SB 6039 would allow L&I to send notices electronically, with an opt-out option for recipients; the sponsor and L&I described it as a simple modernization and transparency measure. SB 6136 would require L&I to publish actuarially indicated workers’ compensation rates and explain when rate increases are capped below those levels; the sponsor said it would show when reserve funds are used to hold rates down and improve transparency. SB 6188 would expand L&I’s authority to set asbestos certification rules beyond only those specifically required to match federal law; the sponsor and L&I said it was needed to strengthen worker safety and training standards, while a business group raised concern about diverging from federal rules. SB 6014 would make technical fixes to pregnancy and postpartum workplace accommodation law, including a public records exemption for complainants and participants in investigations and a correction to a cross-reference so basic accommodations remain protected without a doctor’s note requirement; a supportive witness said it restored the intended standard and protected privacy. SB 6058 would give L&I discretion to investigate wage complaints under the Wage Payment Act and allow penalties for willful violations when the department initiates an investigation; L&I supported the bill and requested an amendment already adopted in the House companion to reduce costs and avoid conflict with another wage recovery bill. The committee then took executive action on five bills. E2SSB 5061, requiring annual prevailing wage adjustments in public works contracts, was amended to allow a change order only when the wage increase exceeds 5% and to delay the effective date to July 1, 2028; the committee adopted the effective-date amendment but rejected the change-order amendment, then passed the bill 7-2. SSB 5874, allowing ESD to waive penalties for minor unemployment insurance reporting errors, passed 9-0. SB 5944, making missed-appointment payments part of bargained compensation for language access providers, also passed 9-0. SSB 5972, expanding binding interest arbitration for correctional officers in city and county jails regardless of county size, had two proposed amendments to limit the binding effect and require consideration of employer finances; both were rejected, and the bill passed 8-1. ESSB 6302, requiring L&I to investigate possible misclassification when three or more independent contractors perform finishing work on a public works project, passed 9-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• For those employers using out-of-state insurers that are coming into Texas, would those premiums potentially
• Credit scores are commonly used when setting personal automobile or residential property insurance premiums
• or rating of insurance that adversely affects a consumer's premium to update credit scores and ratings
• If the insurer is unable to contact the insured, the insurer denies the third party's claim.
• An insurance company has a duty when their insured causes an accident and their insured gets sued.

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:

• Shortly after, her homeowner's insurance premium jumped from $185 to $283, which doesn't sound like a
• premiums in Harris County for basic liability insurance and for good drivers.
• SB 51 obligates employers to pay health insurance premiums of their employees through the end of the
• proof of... ...the other insurance, the company will not waive the premium to the company.
• policy values, unnecessarily drawing a lot of insurance premiums.

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:

• assign to single insureds.
• These various factors can significantly influence the overall insurance premiums, and it's essential
• It underscores the importance of evaluating all relevant factors affecting insurance premiums rather
• Shortly after, her homeowner's insurance premium jumped from $185.60 to $283.75.
• HB2518 by Barry, relating to the use of installment premium payment plans on Texas Windstorm Insurance

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:

• But unfortunately, the federal law does not cover life insurers, long-term care, or disability insurers
• She said, secure life insurance now before you get tested.
• She said, secure life insurance now before you get tested.
• I have pretty good insurance.
• markets or premium instability.

Bills: H5112, S2921, H4914

Keywords: genetic discrimination, genetic testing, genetic information, DNA, hereditary risk, insurance underwriting, life insurance, health insurance, long-term care insurance, disability insurance, medical privacy, consumer protection, anti-discrimination, insurer regulation, Commissioner of Insurance, chapter 176D, underwriting, hereditary disease, genomics, travel insurance

Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a fully virtual public hearing because the State House was closed due to a state of emergency and the prior day’s blizzard. Chairs Senator Paul Feeney and Representative James Murphy explained the decision to proceed virtually so the committee could meet bill-reporting deadlines, and they thanked first responders, DPW crews, plow operators, health care workers, and legislative staff for their efforts during the storm. Most of the testimony focused on H.5112, an act prohibiting genetic discrimination. Representative Dave Rogers and his constituent Robin Biggs testified in support, describing how federal law protects against genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment but not in life, long-term care, or disability insurance. Biggs shared her personal experience as a BRCA2 mutation carrier who was advised to secure life insurance before genetic testing, and she said the bill would let people seek testing and preventive care without fear of financial punishment. Lindsay Jack of the ALS Association and Lisa Schlager of FORCE also supported the bill, arguing that genetic testing helps people make informed medical decisions, participate in research, and pursue early intervention, while current insurance practices can discourage testing and lead to unfair underwriting based on genetic risk rather than actual illness. Committee members asked questions about whether insurers routinely ask about genetic testing and whether such information is already used in underwriting. The witness from the ALS Association said insurers commonly request this information and that the bill would bar its use in underwriting decisions. Representative Kerans asked Biggs about the cost of her screenings, and Biggs said some expensive tests still generate significant out-of-pocket bills. No votes were taken. In addition to H.5112, the chairs noted two other bills on the docket: H.4914, an act relative to the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code, and S.2921, an act relative to travel insurance. After testimony concluded and no additional witnesses came forward, the chairs thanked staff for making the hearing possible on short notice and adjourned the meeting by unanimous voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:00.960><c> premiums</c> with homeowners insurance premiums with homeowners insurance premiums
• And the same thing with insurance premiums.
• And the same thing with insurance premiums.
• And the same thing with insurance premiums.
• c> for</c> auto insurance plan premium rates for auto insurance plan premium rates for the<01:29:34.800

Bills: HF2228, HF46, HF856, HF2149, HF2215

Keywords: homeowners insurance, property insurance, commercial property insurance, insurance affordability, insurance market stabilization, reinsurance, catastrophic reinsurance fund, self-insured pool, premium costs, coverage notice, liability reform, climate risk, climate change, housing affordability, multifamily housing, rental housing, common interest communities, cooperatives, small business insurance, Minnesota Commerce Department

Transcript Highlights:

• premiums rising.
• premiums rising.
• premiums rising.
• premiums rising.
• know</c><01:18:44.440><c> fraud</c> insurance premiums Rising you know fraud insurance premiums Rising

Bills: HF2335, HF2400, HF2401, HF2522

Keywords: Medicare, health insurance, supplement policies, preexisting conditions, medical assistance, premium classification, real estate, appraisers, disciplinary actions, sanction matrix, Minnesota Statutes, continuing education, out-of-state, licensing, commerce, fraud prevention, automobile theft, law enforcement, insurance crimes, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• So, are there any like independent appraisers that wouldn't be underneath an envelope of an insurance
• House Bill 2955 updates and modernizes the Oklahoma captive insurance company act.
• Insurance Association to improve the state's captive insurance framework.
• It's a bill that I've been working on with the insurance department since last summer.
• insurance.

Bills: HB3783, HB2955, HB3802, HB4488, HB2471, HB3781, HB3127

Keywords: HB3783, plumbing apprentice, endorsed apprentice, endorsed plumbing apprentice, journeyman plumber, plumbing license, Construction Industries Board, Committee of Plumbing Examiners, apprenticeship, trade license, vocational education, occupational licensing, professional licensing, Title 59, Plumbing License Law of 1955, licensure exam, journeyman examination, apprentice registration, plumbing industry regulations, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance agents and brokers are engaging in the business of insurance and should be subject to the insurance
• So in a time of rising insurance premiums and decreased accessibility of health care, these low-cost
• Domestic bail bond insurers, foreign bail bond insurers, and alien bail bond insurers.
• They handle insurance operations among insurance carriers.
• They handle insurance operations among insurance carriers.

Bills: S0266, S0394, S0540, S0632, S0642, S0832, S0834, S1028

Keywords: public adjuster, contract cancellation, state of emergency, vulnerable adults, disciplinary actions, financial regulation, information security, financial exploitation, licensing, transportation, insurance, TNC, ride-sharing, automobile liability, bail bond, insurance regulation, foreign insurers, financial disclosure, premium reporting, residential property insurance

Summary: The Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with SB 834 on insurance requirements for nonprofit religious organizations and health care sharing ministries. The bill repeals a recent restriction on licensed insurance agents marketing or selling faith-based health care sharing programs. Supporters argued the change restores free speech and consumer education while preserving existing fraud and disclosure protections; opponents said allowing agents and brokers could create consumer confusion and has been associated with bad actors. A title amendment was adopted, and after debate the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard and passed SB 642, which extends reporting and duty requirements to foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and SB 394, a technical bill updating reinsurance intermediary manager law to match current DFS practice. SB 266, which lets vulnerable adults rescind public adjuster contracts without penalty, was reported favorably after testimony from supporters in the insurance and elder law communities and a public adjuster who said the intent was good but the bill may need refinement. SB 832, a residential property insurance transparency bill requiring rate breakdown reports and a consumer resource center, also passed after discussion about consumer clarity and whether the required cost categories can be compiled as written. Later, the committee approved SB 540, which creates cybersecurity requirements for mortgage and money service businesses, closes a regulatory gap for certain investment advisers, adjusts OFR examination-payment deadlines, changes de novo charter requirements, allows virtual credit union meetings, and makes other financial regulation updates. Several amendments were adopted, including a substitute amendment removing fintech sandbox provisions. Finally, SB 1028 on Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was reported favorably after debate over a commercial lines clearinghouse intended to reduce Citizens’ exposure and shift more business to the private market; members discussed taxpayer risk, market competition, and consumer protections. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• For 2024-2025, the next year, the insurance premiums increased to $118,000, and that was dropping their
• Currently, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policyholders can pay their premiums using premiums
• The Texas Fair Plan Association pays premium and maintenance taxes to the Texas Department of Insurance
• along these costs to their consumers, which will drive up health care insurance premiums for everybody
• This bill doesn't create any new types of insurance or eliminate insurance.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions. Insurance solutions.
• Any insurer may provide personalized property and casualty insurance that creates economies of scale
• We're an insurance distribution firm delivering tailored insurance solutions as individuals together.
• The insured is our client, and the insurance carrier is our trading partner.
• discounts on premiums.

Bills: HB778, HB 1266, HB1576, HB2213, HB2517, HB2518, HB2841, HB3306, HB3320, HB3388, HB3508, HB3520, HB3689

Keywords: credentialing, healthcare, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, managed care, hurricane, windstorm, loss mitigation, grants, insurance discounts, property retrofitting, insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, board composition, coastal counties, property insurance, taxation, Texas FAIR Plan Association, premium taxes, maintenance taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• and insurance premiums as well as insurance coverage mandates, that's an important conversation for
• and insurance premiums as well as insurance coverage mandates, that's an important conversation for
• </c><00:24:08.080><c> to</c><00:24:08.240><c> maybe</c> insurance premiums are you able to maybe insurance
• </c><01:06:53.279><c> premiums</c><01:06:53.720><c> have</c> at which health insurance premiums have
• this</c> insurance premiums by putting this insurance premiums by putting this defrayal<01:07:42.960>

Bills: HF747, HF1014, HF320, HF400

Keywords: corporate governance, shareholder rights, beneficial ownership, defective corporate acts, Minnesota Business Corporation Act, Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association, MIGA, insurance guaranty fund, insurer insolvency, covered claim, net worth threshold, high-net-worth insured, financial information request, insurance claims, self-insured retention, deductible, commercial insurance, insurance regulation, Minnesota Statutes 60C.09, guaranty association

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Insurance Council in support. Insurance Council in support.
• ><c> with</c> First up, insurance division with First up, insurance division with comments.
• </c><00:38:04.480><c> Refund</c> increased premium rates. Refund increased premium rates.
• </c> relating to insurance. relating to insurance.
• </c> the DCCA insurance division's testimony. the DCCA insurance division's testimony.

Bills: SB2004, SB2039, SB2042, SB2043, SB2044, SB2132

Keywords: outdoor advertising, billboards, public safety, penalties, community pollution, elections, campaign finance, business entities, political activity, regulation, liability, non-natural persons, insurance, captives, examination, regulations, policyholders, dormant captive, tax exemption, Hawaii revised statutes

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee opened its first hearing of the year with remarks from Chair Jared Kohole outlining hearing procedures, a two-minute testimony limit, rules for remote testimony and decorum, and a revised testimony-publication pilot that keeps 96-hour notice but returns to a standard 24-hour testimony deadline. He then moved through the agenda, beginning with SB 2004 on outdoor advertising, which would increase penalties for violations of billboard and outdoor advertising laws. Testimony on that measure was limited; Henry Curtis of Life of the Land was first up, and written support was noted from Hawaiian Electric and the Outdoor Circle. The committee then heard SB 2039 on election campaign finance, which would prohibit certain business entities from engaging in campaign finance activities. The Attorney General’s office offered comments and did not take a formal position at the hearing. Several proponents testified in support, including Josh Frost, Tom Moore of the Center for American Progress, Hapa/Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and Common Cause Hawaiʻi, all arguing the bill would curb corporate and dark-money influence and return elections to the people. Moore distinguished between regulating corporate “rights” and limiting corporate “powers,” and said the state can redefine the powers it grants corporations. In questions, Senator McKelvey asked whether the bill could be expanded to include unions; the Attorney General said he would need to get back with legal analysis, while Moore said his preferred approach would include all entities and that leaving out nonprofits or unions would create problems. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect PACs, and Moore explained that the proposal would prohibit corporate and dark-money flows into PACs while leaving individual political giving and existing political committees in place. The committee then moved on to the next measure. SB 2042, relating to insurance, was heard next. The bill would reduce the unimpaired minimum capital and surplus required of class 4 sponsored captive insurance companies under certain circumstances. The DCCA Insurance Division said it stood on its written testimony, and the Hawaii Captive Insurance Council testified in support, describing the change as a narrow, risk-based adjustment that would not affect the commissioner’s authority where actual risk resides and would help keep Hawaii competitive. The committee noted additional written support and proceeded without a vote or final action in the portion of the hearing provided.

Bills: SB 1468, SB 1612, SB 1789, SB 2530, SB 2571, SB 2717, SB 2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Bills: SB 1468, SB 1612, SB 1789, SB 2530, SB 2571, SB 2717, SB 2967

Keywords: utility systems, Texas A&M, regents authority, construction, improvement, construction contracts, trust funds, property rights, mechanics lien, contractors, trustee liability, mechanic's lien, liability, attorney's fees, windstorm insurance, Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, insurance regulation, administrative penalties, coastal counties, catastrophe year

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2681

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, cannabis, license fees, regulatory framework, revenue generation, legalization

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer recognizing Black History Month, reflecting on sacrifice, justice, and the responsibility of legislators to serve with humility, courage, and dignity. The body then approved the previous day’s minutes and adopted House Resolution 4701 honoring Black History Month without objection. After the resolution, both Democratic and Republican caucuses were called, and the House briefly went at ease. The chamber then handled routine business: first-reading referral of bills, memorials, and resolutions from the introduction sheet, referral of bills from committee reports, and placement of Engrossed Senate Bill 5272 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 8406 onto the second reading calendar after the Rules Committee was relieved of them. No floor debate or recorded votes on substantive legislation occurred in this segment. The House announced that floor action had concluded for the day and adjourned until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 26th.