Transcript Highlights:

• businesses applies only to the insurer paying the premium tax and is limited to the revenue in which
• Also, the tax impact resulting from the exemption changes to the ACS for insurers is negative.
• 50% or more of the worldwide gross revenue of the affiliated group is from insurance premiums.
• And then it also provides a broad list of activities constituting insurance business activity.
• The first item on the list was House Bill 2487, concerning taxes imposed on insurers.

Bills: HB2487

Keywords: insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, 904, all

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met in executive session on March 10, 2026, and first considered engrossed House Bill 2487 on insurer taxes. Staff summarized the bill’s changes to the B&O exemption, premium tax limits, and advanced computing surcharge provisions, along with a preliminary fiscal note showing a net revenue increase over four years. Amendment 1 had been withdrawn before the session; Amendments 2, 4, and 5 were each moved and failed after brief debate over surcharge caps, retroactivity, and whether the bill should conform to a court decision. The committee then approved HB 2487 and sent it to the Rules Committee with a due pass recommendation, subject to signatures. The committee next took up Substitute House Bill 2689 on the Working Connections Child Care program, which would change attendance-based reimbursement, cap future rate increases, require a minimum market survey response rate, and eliminate certain rate and eligibility expansions, with an estimated four-year savings of $565 million. Amendment 6, offered by Senator Wilson, was adopted; it delayed the survey-response threshold, added an alternative validity standard for regions with lower but improving response rates, and clarified that one region’s failure would not invalidate the entire survey. Amendment 7, offered by Senator Robinson, was also adopted; it replaced the bill’s two-tier attendance reimbursement approach with a three-tier structure that preserves full reimbursement for higher attendance and sets different paid-day thresholds for lower attendance. The amended bill was then approved and sent to Rules. Finally, engrossed House Bill 2681, which increases annual issuance and renewal fees for cannabis producer, processor, and retail licenses by $400, was presented with a fiscal note estimating $866,000 in additional annual collections, or $2.6 million over four years. There were no amendments, and the committee voted to give HB 2681 a due pass recommendation to the Rules Committee, subject to signatures. The meeting concluded with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• in which the insurance premiums tax is paid.
• So, as businesses do business with an insurer and earn income from the insurer, they pay tax on that
• , the actual business of insurance activities.
• industry, where insurers are no longer just insurers.
• industry where insurers are no longer just insurers.

Bills: HB2487

Keywords: insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, 904, all

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its last scheduled public hearing of the year on March 9, 2026, and heard testimony on three bills. For House Bill 2487, staff and the Department of Revenue explained that the bill would narrow a B&O tax exemption for insurance-related businesses after a 2024 Washington Supreme Court decision, make the change retroactive to 2019, add exemptions for annuities and assigned risk plans, adjust the advanced computing surcharge for certain affiliated groups, and create a penalty-and-interest waiver with a repayment schedule. DOR said the bill is intended to prevent double taxation and estimated the underlying measure would increase revenues, while opponents from health plans and insurers argued it would create new taxes, raise premiums, and apply retroactively in a way that is difficult to administer. Supporters, including the Economic Opportunity Institute and the Patient Coalition of Washington, said it restores the original intent of the law and closes a loophole; the American Council of Life Insurers signed in other after the annuity exclusion was clarified, and the Association of Washington Business opposed the bill over added costs and the advanced computing surcharge. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 2689 on the Working Connections Child Care program. Staff said the bill would keep income eligibility at 60% of state median income, reduce future subsidy rates from the 85th to the 75th percentile of market, block enhanced rates in certain counties, cancel the planned shift to enrollment-based payment, change attendance-based reimbursement to a full month for up to 10 absences and a half-month for more than 10 absences, and require a 65% response rate for market rate surveys to be valid. The fiscal note projected significant savings, offset by implementation costs. Testimony was mixed: SEIU 925 opposed the survey-response requirement and said the attendance changes could increase audit problems, while Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP supported the simpler House approach and backed a lower response-rate threshold amendment; committee members asked about how a full month is defined. Finally, the committee heard Engrossed House Bill 2681, which would raise annual issuance and renewal fees for cannabis producer, processor, and retail licenses by $400, from $1,381 to $1,781. Staff said the bill would increase dedicated cannabis account revenue by about $866,000 per year, with minimal administrative costs, and that the revenue had been assumed in the House-passed budget. No one signed in to testify on the cannabis fee bill. At the close of the hearing, the chair thanked committee staff for their work and reminded members that amendment requests for the bills heard were due by noon that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• because the Department of Insurance does warranties, service agreements, and insurance.
• because the Department of Insurance does warranties, service agreements, and insurance.
• because the Department of Insurance does warranties, service agreements, and insurance.
• carriers ultimately the the insurance carriers ultimately the insure<00:24:49.760> insurance<
• 00:24:49.919> insurance<00:24:50.240> policy insure insurance insurance policy insure insurance

Bills: SB294, HB296, HB300, SB269

Keywords: public officers, bonding, risk management, notification, delinquency, consumer protection, rental home, marketplace guarantees, insurance, commissioner of insurance, healthcare, breast cancer screening, insurance coverage, deductible, copayment, emergency medical services, ambulance reimbursement, health care insurers, balance billing, provider networks

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance agents and brokers are engaging in the business of insurance and should be subject to the insurance
• Basically, there are domestic bail bond insurers, foreign bail bond insurers, and alien bail bond insurers
• 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:

• commercial vehicle and you're an unauthorized alien here in the United States, you probably don't have insurance
• We're going to go to tab 2, SB 642, foreign and alien bail bond insurers.
• The bill would align certain recordkeeping and disclosure requirements for foreign and alien insurers
• so that they operate under the same rules as domestic ones in the bail bond surety world, the insurance

Bills: S0086, S0642, S0712, S0758, S0896, S1224, S1300, S1370, S1712

Keywords: unauthorized aliens, commercial motor vehicles, safety regulations, civil penalties, law enforcement, bail bond, insurance regulation, foreign insurers, financial disclosure, premium reporting, pyramid schemes, consumer protection, fraud prevention, legal affairs, penalties, justice, administrative commission, membership, state attorneys, public defenders

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 1300 on education and workforce development for current and former inmates. Senator Claudio explained that the bill is intended to expand collaboration between the Department of Transportation and the Department of Corrections to provide training opportunities tied to Florida’s need for CDL drivers. The bill was reported favorably without debate. Members then considered SB 896 on campus safety, as amended by strike-all and late-filed amendment. The bill would require postsecondary institutions to adopt active assailant response plans, conduct security risk assessments, improve threat reporting and information sharing, and allow voluntary participation in the guardian program; the late-filed amendment removed a prohibition on guardians wearing uniforms. After questions about the firearm-discharge provision near campuses and testimony both for and against, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 86 on commercial motor vehicles operated by unauthorized aliens, SB 642 on foreign and alien bail bond insurers, and confirmed appointees listed on tabs 10 through 19. The committee next heard SB 712 on pyramid promotional schemes, which would create a new prohibition and increase penalties while preserving legitimate direct sales plans. Members raised concerns about whether participants in such schemes might themselves be victims, and the sponsor said prosecutorial discretion would distinguish victims from primary wrongdoers; the bill was reported favorably. SB 1224 on rental housing application fraud was also amended and reported favorably after testimony from apartment and realtor groups in support. In the latter part of the meeting, Chair Martin presented SB 1370 to expand habitual traffic offender status to repeated unlicensed driving, and SB 1712 to create a statewide FDLE counterintelligence and counterterrorism unit. SB 1370 was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1712 drew extensive questioning and public opposition over concerns about broad language, surveillance, and possible impacts on speech and protest, but the sponsor said the unit would focus on protecting the state from adversary intelligence threats and operate within constitutional limits; it was reported favorably. Finally, SB 758 on the Justice Administrative Commission was amended to adjust commission membership and reported favorably unanimously. The committee then recorded additional votes for members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• If the insurer is unable to contact the insured, the insurer denies the third party's claim.
• Insured, there is the insured under the policy, so the insurer needs to work with the actual driver of
• It shifts the duties of both the insurer and the insured.
• An insurance company has a duty when their insured causes an accident and their insured gets sued.
• The insurance company has a duty to defend that insured.

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:

• there is no shortage of those insurers.
• Who I want to insure my business with, and there is no shortage of those insurers to choose from, and
• Insurers such as LWCC are returning billions in Insurers such as LWCC are returning billions in premiums
• ; Gary Padereau, Louisiana Association of Self-Insured.
• In the real world, the client is the insurance company.

Bills: HB282, HB293, HB390, HB456, HB460, HB561, HB819, HB1023, HB1047, HB1101

Keywords: employment discrimination, criminal history, rehabilitation, hiring process, human rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, workplace equality, labor rights, domestic abuse, unpaid leave, employee rights, workplace protection, mental health, survivor support, workers' compensation, employment benefits, claims process, fraud prevention, legal petition

Transcript Highlights:

• What I would say is, as insurance is generally a pass-through, meaning that the insurers are generally
• By the insurance representatives that I spoke with today.
• House Bill 4488 says that when a body shop and the insurance adjuster or the insurance company don't
• Attorneys that do a lot of insurance litigation.
• 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:

• Going to call this meeting of Business and Insurance to order today, folks.
• Having said that, this will conclude the meeting for Business and Insurance today.

Bills: HB2933, HB3041, HB3048, HB3081, HB3297, HB3338, HB3673, HB3790, HB3983, HB4105, HB4139, HB4203, HJR1023

Keywords: insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, Oklahoma, fire extinguisher, licensing, public safety, age qualification, State Fire Marshal, towing services

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to call this meeting of Business and Insurance to order today.
• carriers, which are usually insurance carriers that are domiciled outside of the United States.
• This follows a model NAIC bill, which is the National Association of Insurance Commissioners legislation
• Having said that, this will conclude the meeting for Business and Insurance today.
• This will conclude the meeting for Business and Insurance today.

Bills: HB2933, HB3041, HB3048, HB3081, HB3297, HB3338, HB3673, HB3790, HB3983, HB4105, HB4139, HB4203, HJR1023

Keywords: insurance regulation, homeowner claims, premium discounts, catastrophe mitigation, civil penalties, credit card transactions, payment methods, service charge, consumer rights, financial regulation, insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, Oklahoma, fire extinguisher, licensing, public safety, age qualification, State Fire Marshal, towing services

Summary: The Business and Insurance Committee considered a long agenda of bills and executive nominations. Among the bills, it advanced measures to update fire extinguisher industry age restrictions and application rules (HB 381), create a five-day cancellation right for homeowners after severe storm-related contracts (HB 3790), require a biennial workers’ compensation medical fee schedule update (HJR 1023), create the Oklahoma Home Services Act to standardize home service contract disclosures (HB 4139, amended to correct a wording error), cap surcharge fees and add a career tech exemption (HB 3041), create the Oklahoma Tolling and Recovery Board (HB 3297), allow expired electrical contractor licenses to be reinstated without re-examination (HB 3673), clarify who is not a security guard for licensing purposes (HB 4105), create a licensing framework for in-ground pool contractors effective November 1, 2027 (HB 3338), and streamline surplus lines insurance procedures and premium tax enforcement (HB 3048). One bill on smokeless tobacco taxation (HB 3983) drew extended debate over whether a weight-based tax would be fairer and revenue-neutral; after questions about health impacts, reporting, fraud concerns, and inflation, the bill failed to receive a second and was left in committee. HB 3041 also drew significant debate over whether it would effectively allow higher credit card surcharges, but it ultimately passed 5-4. The committee also heard numerous executive nominations, all of which were approved and sent to the full Senate. Those included Michael Stop and Michael Bauer to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission, Michael Cantrell and Burrell Sears to the Oklahoma Abstractors Board, Richard Willoughby to the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, E. Keith Mitchell and Andrew Revelis to the ABLE Commission, Jackie Ward to the alarm, locksmith, and fire sprinkler industry board, Terence Shreve to the Used Motor Vehicle Dismantler and Manufacturer Board, and Adra Berry as Cabinet Secretary of Licensing and Regulation. Nominees generally described their professional backgrounds and commitment to public safety, regulation, or industry expertise, and several senators spoke in support of their service. Most nominations passed unanimously or near-unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to do, in order, House Bill 2308, the dental insurers.
• Delta Dental is a nonprofit dental insurer.
• And these are the major investors in some of the insurance companies.
• And these are the major investors in some of the insurance companies.
• Lastly, Delta Dental is a relatively small insurer.

Bills: HB2118, HB2181, HB2308, HB2309, HB2402, HB2476, HB2682, HB2698, HB2875, HB2877, HB2903, HB2910

Keywords: mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, HB2181, death certificate, death certificates, vital records, funeral establishment, funeral home, human remains, medical certification of death, death registration, state registrar, local registrar, county medical examiner, alternate medical examiner

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, welcome to the Senate Committee on Insurance.
• And number four, the health insurance insurers shall include in the notification how the insurer is utilizing
• And number four, the health insurance insurers shall include in the notification how the insurer is utilizing
• regarding insurance.
• For health insurers and for life insurers, it really keeps that the same, the rest of it the same.

Bills: HB591, HB765, HB826, HB870, HB938, HB1151, HB1162, HB1176, HB1196, HB1236, HB1241

Keywords: family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, liability insurance, coverage defenses, direct action, judgment enforcement, legal procedures, insurance referrals, compensation, non-licensed agents, consumer protection, insurance products, HB 870, Act 907, Louisiana insurance, health insurance, prescription drugs

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Members, House Bill 2308 prohibits a dental insurer or holding company of a dental insurer
• Delta Dental is a nonprofit dental insurer.
• Why would a dental insurer, if you can create your own network of cost-effective dental...
• We want to exclude them from the dental insurance companies. And as Mr.
• of liability insurance, and toxicology reports for the products.

Bills: HB2072, HB2251, HB2279, HB2308, HB2323, HB2342, HB2400, HB2408, HB2456, HB2660, HB2697, HB2868, HB2873, HB2877, HB2910, HB2946, HB2955, HB2991, HB4001, HB4010

Keywords: Cesar Chavez, public holiday, state law, holiday repeal, Arizona Revised Statutes, midwifery, medication administration, healthcare, patient safety, advisory committee, licensed midwives, river trips, liability, outfitter, Grand Canyon, negligence, risk management, contractual waiver, dental practice, business registration

Transcript Highlights:

• is, defines a business doing insurance.
• I don't think it truly defines who should qualify as an insurer or an insurance business.
• , and property and casualty insurance.
• So if you're paying insurance premium, you don't pay B&O.
• The person who paid insurance premium tax can claim this exemption.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House took up and passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292, which modifies the paid family and medical leave program. Supporters said the bill uses an actuarial model to set rates and maintains a four-month reserve to improve program stability. It passed final passage 95-1. The House then considered Substitute Senate Bill 5841, dealing with completion of course and financial aid-related requirements. An amendment was adopted to add a financial aid calculator and require outreach to students who indicate they have completed a financial aid form, with supporters saying it would help students understand aid eligibility and access college opportunities. The bill then passed as amended, 92-4. The most extensive debate was on Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5981, concerning the 340B drug pricing program and contract pharmacy relationships. Members offered many amendments seeking to limit the bill’s scope, add transparency, or direct 340B savings toward patient care, low-income patients, rural areas, or charity care; most were rejected. Supporters argued the bill would help safety-net providers, hospitals, and FQHCs, while opponents warned it would mainly benefit large hospital systems, create administrative burdens, and likely face litigation. After the House adopted the committee amendment and rejected the floor amendments, the bill passed 67-30. The transcript then moved on to other business, including Senate messages and the start of debate on House Bill 2487 on taxes, with one technical amendment to clarify taxpayer definitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 3058 is an omnibus Cleanup bill, um, concerning the section of law regulating surplus lines insurance

Bills: HB2445, HB2123, HB3048, HB3176, HB3239, HB3263, HB3794, HB3796, HB4265, HB4266, HB4317, HB4321, HB4322, HB3673

Keywords: HB2445, Route 66, Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Forward Commission, centennial, historic highway, preservation, tourism, historical society, scenic byway, National Historic Trail, Route 66 Alliance, Route 66 Association, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, historic preservation, heritage tourism, public-private partnership, sunset extension, commission extension

Bills: SB6061, SB6234, SB6176, SB6335, SB6047, HB2235, HB2464, HB2619, HB1376, SB5808, SB5949, HB1347, HB1759, HB1983, HB2120, HB2264, HB2338, HB2385, HB2495, HB2521, HB2604, HB2610, HB2675, HB2426

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, sewage, grinder pumps, residential buildings, regulation, construction, vehicle registration, enforcement, renewal, transportation, state law, state commission, infrastructure, traffic safety, responsibilities, state capital projects

Summary: The Senate considered Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2034, a measure to terminate and restate the LEOFF 1 pension plan and use surplus funds for other state purposes if federal approval is obtained. During debate, senators discussed whether the plan should remain funded at 110% or 120% of actuarial value, whether surplus dollars should instead go to transportation or the budget stabilization account, whether members should receive an additional distribution, and whether local governments should be reimbursed for retiree health care costs. Several amendments were offered: a Gildon amendment to raise the funding target to 120% failed; a technical Robinson amendment adding a date passed; Holy, King, Harris, Schessler, and Conway amendments addressing member distributions, transportation, budget stabilization, local government health care costs, and a reconstituted board distribution all failed; and Robinson’s amendment removing Climate Commitment Act repayment language passed. The Ways and Means striking amendment, as amended, was then adopted. On final passage, supporters argued the bill was actuarially sound, had been reviewed by attorneys, actuaries, the State Investment Board, and the Department of Retirement Systems, and would allow use of excess funding for other state needs. Opponents warned it left too little in the pension fund, should dedicate surplus dollars only to one-time uses, and did not adequately reimburse cities and counties for retiree medical obligations. After debate, the Senate passed E2SHB 2034 by a vote of 25 yeas, 22 nays, with one absent and one excused. Afterward, the Senate returned to Substitute House Bill 2178, which was also passed on final passage by a vote of 39 yeas and 9 nays, with one excused. The chamber then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House took up Second Substitute Senate Bill 5974, a bill modernizing and strengthening laws concerning sheriffs, police chiefs, volunteers, youth cadets, and related law enforcement roles. Members first considered a striking amendment and then a series of floor amendments, with debate repeatedly focusing on sheriffs as elected constitutional officers, the scope of state authority over local law enforcement, and whether the bill would create unfunded mandates or practical problems for counties. Supporters of the bill and many amendments argued for clarifying language, local flexibility, and state payment for new requirements; opponents generally warned the bill would weaken elected sheriffs, impose costs on counties, or overreach into local control. Amendment 2343, which would have added intent language emphasizing that sheriffs are directly accountable to the electorate, was debated at length and defeated on a roll call vote, 41 yeas to 56 nays. Amendment 2373, shifting background-check costs to the state through the Washington State Patrol, was also defeated, 44 yeas to 53 nays. Amendment 2374, narrowing provisions affecting private security and specially commissioned officers, failed 41 to 56. Amendment 2369, clarifying rules for volunteers and youth cadets, failed 41 to 56. Amendment 2371, limiting surveillance-related provisions to situations requiring a warrant, failed 42 to 55. Amendment 2372, clarifying that only non-public information would be restricted from disclosure, also failed 41 to 56. Later, Amendment 2370, which would have aligned the bill’s definition of volunteer law enforcement officers with existing statute, was defeated 42 to 55. Finally, Amendment 2352, which would have exempted current sheriffs from the bill’s new decertification rules, was debated as a protection against changing the rules midstream but was opposed on the grounds that the bill already grandfathered in the one sheriff who did not meet the new experience requirement; the amendment’s vote was not completed in the excerpt provided. The transcript also begins with the Speaker signing several bills, including Substitute House Bill 1570 and Substitute Senate Bill 6248.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is an increase in insurance rates in this state.
• Representative Orcutt: ...defines what an insurer is, defines a business doing insurance.
• I don't think it truly defines who should qualify as an insurer or an insurance business.
• But second, it would protect insurers that we don't.
• a supplemental plan and what's our health insurance situation going to look like.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House took up and passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292, which modifies the paid family and medical leave program. Supporters said the bill uses an actuarial model to set rates and establishes a four-month reserve to improve program stability. The bill advanced to third reading without amendments and passed 95-1. The House then considered Substitute Senate Bill 5841, related to completion of course and financial aid information. The House adopted Amendment 2140, which adds a financial aid calculator and requires follow-up when students indicate they have completed a financial aid form in their high school and beyond plan. After that amendment and the Education Committee amendment were adopted, the bill passed 92-4. Members supporting it said it would help students understand and access financial aid, while one opponent argued schools should not be inserted into family FAFSA decisions. The most extensive debate was on Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5981, concerning the 340B drug pricing program and contract pharmacies. Numerous amendments were offered to limit the program’s expansion, direct more revenue to patient care or low-income patients, restrict contract pharmacies, add reporting, delay implementation pending court cases, or narrow participation by hospitals and PBMs; most were rejected, and one amendment was ruled beyond the scope of the bill. Supporters of the bill argued it would help safety-net providers, rural hospitals, and FQHCs, while opponents warned it would mainly benefit large hospital systems, create administrative burdens, and likely face litigation. The House adopted the Health Care and Wellness Committee amendment and then passed the bill 67-30. After those actions, the House received messages from the Senate, including passage of Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1210 and the Governor’s signing of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 252. The chamber then moved to House Bill 2487, a tax bill, where several amendments were withdrawn and additional amendments were debated, including one clarifying the definition of taxpayers and another creating a three-year repayment schedule and changes to the advanced computing surcharge.

Transcript Highlights:

• this amendment and basically provide some clarification and rules for employers that have a self-insurance
• This amendment was requested by some self-insureds who feel like this would adequately address their
• Giving the self-insured employers more authority could potentially lead to abuses and workers are not
• this amendment and basically provide some clarification of rules for employers that have a self-insurance
• Giving the self-insured employers, more authority could potentially leave to abuses and workers are not

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House received messages that the Senate had passed House Bills 2104 and 19883, and that the President had signed Substitute House Bill 1570. It also referred committee reports without objection. A motion to relieve the Rules Committee of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6346 and Engrossed Senate Bill 6347 failed on a 48-38 vote after debate over the bills’ fiscal impact and constitutionality. The House then took up Engrossed Senate Bill 6246, dealing with emissions-intensive trade-exposed industries and the Climate Commitment Act. Several amendments were offered, including proposals to permanently exempt these industries or to limit Ecology’s authority over closed facilities, but those amendments were rejected. A striking amendment that reflected stakeholder negotiations and added reporting and other changes was adopted 56-31, and the bill then passed 57-38. The House also passed Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, narrowing the bill to certain corrections officers and deputy prosecutors and aligning state hiring rules with federal work authorization; it passed 62-33. Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5847, concerning access to medical care and workers’ compensation, drew extensive amendment debate. The House adopted amendments creating a 25-mile provider-access standard, adding quarterly reporting to the Workers’ Comp Advisory Committee, and other changes, while rejecting a pilot-project amendment and a self-insurance amendment; a point of order was sustained against an amendment on legislative privilege as outside the bill’s scope. The bill then passed 67-28. The House also passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6194, which allows higher reimbursement for Astria Toppenish Hospital, and Senate Bill 6132, which supports rail funding for the Port of Moses Lake; both passed unanimously. Later, the House passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6113, a technical tax-law correction bill, by 92-4; Substitute Senate Bill 5520, creating a compensation process for the wrongly convicted, by 72-23 after rejecting a stricter “actual innocence” amendment; Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6162, reforming property tax exemptions for seniors, disabled persons, veterans, and some small businesses, by 93-2; and Senate Bill 6137, allowing in-state collegiate sports wagering with added athlete-protection provisions, by the required three-fifths margin of 70-26. The House then began consideration of additional bills, including Second Substitute Senate Bill 5880 on toxicology testing, with debate starting on an amendment to address discovery and subpoena requests.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258, HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB5420, SB5868, SB6044, SB6132, SJM8002

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House was called to order, the roll was taken, and a quorum was announced present. The chamber then escorted the flags, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard an opening prayer focused on righteousness, revival, and guidance for the legislative body. The minutes of the previous day were approved without objection. After routine announcements, Representative Cortes stated that the Democrats would caucus immediately, and Representative Barto said the Republicans would caucus in five minutes. The House then went at ease for caucus. No bills, motions, or votes on legislation were taken in this segment.