Transcript Highlights:

• First up on the agenda, we have HB 20 relating to lava zone insurance. Take it away, Vice Chair.
• currently writing homeowners' property insurance within lava zones one and two for the simple fact that
• > one</c> property insurance within lava zones one property insurance within lava zones one and<00:12
• </c> insurance, home insurance in that area? insurance, home insurance in that area?
• Uh, first up on the agenda is HB 20 relating to lava zone insurance.

Bills: HB20, HB2612, HB2404, HB2459, HB2194, HB1880, HB2284, HB1969, HB2458, HB1546, HB2161, HB1721, HB1641, HB2137, HB1782, HB2360, HB1965, HB1897, HB1513

Keywords: lava insurance, homeowners, insurance market, subsidy, Hawaii, mortgage, debt, secured transactions, real property, Hawaii Revised Statutes, cooperative associations, electric utility cooperatives, agricultural cooperatives, mutual help, food innovation, agribusiness, food safety, market access, branding, economic diversification

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 20, which would create a lava zone insurance subsidy/fund. The Insurance Division opposed the bill, arguing that lava zones 1 and 2 are the highest-risk areas, that a subsidy would not reduce the underlying risk or loss costs, that it could invite similar subsidy requests for other hazards, and that the bill may conflict with HICV by diverting funds from the CRF. Members discussed the lack of authorized homeowners insurance in those lava zones, the role of HPIA and the surplus market, and the difference between the proposed lava-zone subsidy and the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund. The chair noted 37 submitted testimonies in support and one in opposition, and the committee then moved on without taking a vote on HB 20 in the portion provided. The committee then took up HB 2612, relating to mortgages, which would clarify that a mortgage does not exist independently of the debt it secures and is not independently enforceable from that debt. The Hawaii Credit Union League and Hawaii Financial Services Association opposed the bill, while several individuals testified in support, arguing it would restore Hawaii’s long-standing lien-state rule and prevent so-called “zombie mortgages” after the Hawaii Supreme Court’s White decision. Supporters said the bill would protect borrowers from delayed foreclosures and predatory lending practices, while opponents and the Insurance Division emphasized that foreclosure actions still require proof of standing and possession of the note, and that lenders generally pursue foreclosure without seeking deficiency judgments. Committee members questioned the Insurance Division about how the current market works, whether lenders could wait out the statute of limitations and then foreclose only on the mortgage, and whether equitable tolling or later defaults could allow refiling. The division said it is still trying to attract authorized insurers back into the lava-zone market, but has seen little progress. No vote or final action on HB 2612 was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• options. of companies writing health insurance right now.
• In a 2021 study, it was found that 50% of state insurance commissioners nationwide had joined the insurance
• That way, the insurance cost that we're trying to buy would be less.
• overall availability of insurance in the marketplace.
• It exempts TWIA from insurance premium maintenance taxes under .017.

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:

• Many of the major insurers of churches... insurers like Church Mutual, Brotherhood Mutual, and GuideOne
• They were told their insurance policy wasn't going to be renewed because their insurer wasn't writing
• Insurance costs from 2023 to 2024 for the Cowboy Church have covered. $35,000 to insurance companies.
• Their insurance companies...
• 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:

• When I do polling on windstorm insurance...
• 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.

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:

• If the claimant or the insured...
• Flood Insurance Program policies.
• It also under flood insurance policy would not just be limited to flood insurance program policies, but
• So, in essence, if insurance companies feel the need to raise insurance rates below a 5% threshold, they
• in a variety of insurance products.

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:

• Insurance will come to order. The clerk will call the roll. Dean. That's it.
• Members, healthcare provider insurance credentialing is a process by which insurers validate the qualifications
• The Texas Department of Insurance requires an insurer to determine a provider's eligibility within 90
• The insurer isn't required to include the applicant in its provider directory until approved under the
• The insurer is entitled to payment from the provider and/or their practice to cover the difference from

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:

• 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:

• </c><00:08:00.960><c> premiums</c> with homeowners insurance premiums with homeowners insurance premiums
• <00:09:46.399><c> in</c> insurance in insurance in Minnesota<00:09:48.320><c> many</c><00:09:48.600><
• </c><00:10:15.000><c> companies</c> new roof by their insurance companies new roof by their insurance
• </c> conversations about dental insurance conversations about dental insurance mostly<00:25:05.840><c
• </c><01:36:51.280><c> insurance</c> affordable auto insurance insurance affordable auto insurance insurance

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:

• Section 544.002 of the Insurance Code is intended to protect individuals from having insurance companies
• at two types of auto insurance and two types of homeowners insurance to see whether or not Credit scores
• Credit-based insurance scores have been used in insurance for a few decades.
• credit-based insurance scores (CBIS).
• American National Insurance. Okay.

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:

• I just tell the patient to get on the phone and call the insurance company because what the insurers.
• The first thing is with the other disclosures that are required that an insurer provide to an insured
• So, all this does is just require the insurer to notify the insured that you have a right to request
• assign to single insureds.
• We've just had a good discussion about the loophole in the Texas insurance code that allows 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:

• “What I would say is, as insurance is generally a pass-through, meaning that the insurers are generally
• when a body shop and an insurance adjuster or insurance company could not agree on a loss value, to
• , not health insurance or other types.
• Commissioner to be involved in insurance rates?
• related to homeowners insurance.

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

Summary: The committee heard a series of insurance-related bills, with much of the discussion focused on homeowners insurance rates, transparency, and regulatory oversight. House Bill 3696, a proposed rate-approval style measure for homeowners insurance, drew extensive questioning about whether it would actually lower premiums, its comparison to Texas, the role of the Insurance Department and Attorney General, and possible effects on carriers and agents. The author said the bill was intended to increase transparency and consumer protections, acknowledged it was a work in progress, and agreed to strike the title and keep working with the committee. The bill ultimately passed the committee on a recorded vote. The committee also advanced House Bill 3259, which would prohibit certain health care contract clauses such as all-or-nothing, anti-steering, gag, and most-favored-nation provisions; House Bill 4294, a follow-up to Dylan’s Law dealing with epilepsy-related insurance coverage and neurostimulator devices; and House Bill 4488, which would let the Insurance Commissioner appoint an impartial umpire when a body shop and insurer cannot agree on a loss value. House Bill 3646, a broad and still-developing insurance bill involving rate review, litigation, venue, AI use, and Attorney General involvement, generated substantial concern from members about workability, litigation, and agent exposure. Its author said it was not final, but the committee voted it down. Later, the committee passed House Bill 3048, a cleanup measure for surplus lines licensing laws; House Bill 3780, requiring an independent actuary review as a transparency measure; House Bill 3781, changing the timing from use-and-file to file-and-use with a 60-day review period while the author said he did not want rate approval; House Bill 3802, delaying rate adjustments after a spouse’s death until renewal; House Bill 3818, creating a home and auto savings account framework intended to help policyholders raise deductibles and lower premiums; and House Bill 2929, which limits how far back insurers may look at homeowners and auto claims for underwriting purposes. Most of these bills passed with little or no opposition after brief questioning.

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.
• Third, this bill does not undermine the insurance market.

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

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:

• I am licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance and other state departments of insurance as a public
• insurance adjuster.
• The Texas Department of Insurance, on their website, advises the insured to seek appraisal before filing
• Today's Texas Department of Insurance suggests the insured check their policy to see if it has that right
• I think if she... ...follows those same guidelines, it'll be good for the insured and the insurer.

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:

• Savings they find with the insurance company.
• I have been an insurance-based provider, with 98% of my clientele billed through insurance.
• We're seeing increased rates and reduced coverage from private insurance. ...insurers will exacerbate
• If title insurance rates, which are set by the Texas Department of Insurance, are only updated every
• Unlike traditional health insurance plans that often include complicated deductibles or co-insurance

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:

• This specifies that the requirement for an insurer to provide the insured with certain information about
• This is the bill modifying the insurance fraud program administered by the Insurance Commissioner.
• This is named after kind of a pioneer in the insurance industry.
• Oh, no, the insurance industry—sorry, my bills mixed up.
• With this bill we are setting up a Washington Travel Insurance Act, and with this new line of insurance

Bills: SB6178, SB5831

Keywords: SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling, consumer protection, void and unenforceable, Washington insurance code, chapter 48 RCW, civil penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• A property insurer that uses a wildfire risk score for underwriting or rating must provide the insured
• It does this by turning what is the definition of insurance fraud for purposes of the insurance fraud
• It does this by turning what is the definition of insurance fraud for purposes of the insurance fraud
• impact the insurance industry or insurance consumers or beneficiaries beyond insurance fraud to furnish
• Insurance Commissioners' Travel Insurance Model Act.

Bills: SB6178, SB5831

Keywords: SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling, consumer protection, void and unenforceable, Washington insurance code, chapter 48 RCW, civil penalty

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several insurance and consumer protection bills. On engrossed substitute Senate Bill 5928, staff and supporters described wildfire risk score and model disclosure requirements for homeowners whose policies are nonrenewed, canceled, or adversely affected by wildfire risk, along with insurer website disclosures about mitigation discounts and a process for consumers to request revised scores. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner, AARP, a mayor from Medical Lake, and a fire chief supported the bill as a transparency and consumer protection measure, while industry witnesses said the bill was heavily amended but still too regulatory and potentially costly, and some urged further technical changes. Members asked about how the bill interacts with mitigation efforts, the Fair Plan, and whether it would help consumers understand what actions could improve insurability. The committee also heard engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6031, which would create a standalone Class B felony for insurance fraud, expand the insurance commissioner’s fraud program, require reporting of certain suspected crimes affecting insurance, and address restitution in criminal cases. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner and AARP supported the bill as a response to organized fraud, but a criminal defense representative argued that part of the bill overlaps with existing misdemeanor insurance-claim fraud law and could create conflicting penalties and charging issues. Members asked about the 10-year statute of limitations and how it compares with other crimes. Substitute Senate Bill 6079, a wildfire mitigation grant program, was also heard. The bill would create the Strengthen Washington Homes Program to fund retrofits meeting IBHS wildfire-prepared standards and would bar insurers from using wildfire risk to disqualify properties that meet that standard. The OIC, fire commissioners, the prime sponsor, and AARP supported it as a way to reduce nonrenewals and help homeowners harden their homes, while insurance industry witnesses said they could support the grant program but wanted Section 7 removed because they believed it would interfere with underwriting. The committee also heard substitute Senate Bill 6248 on travel insurance, which would adopt a Washington Travel Insurance Act with licensing, disclosure, tax, and unfair trade practice provisions; the travel insurance industry supported it and said prior amendments had been incorporated. Finally, the committee took testimony on engrossed Senate Bill 5280, which would regulate virtual currency kiosks with daily transaction limits, fee caps, disclosures, receipts, and reporting requirements. The Department of Financial Institutions and the Attorney General’s Office supported the bill as a response to rising crypto-kiosk fraud, especially elder fraud, while some members questioned whether the limits were too restrictive for legitimate users and asked about enforcement, restitution, blockchain analytics, and whether stronger consumer protections should be added. Additional testimony from industry and consumer advocates was invited, but the hearing moved quickly because of the committee’s limited time.

Transcript Highlights:

• benefits are assigned or transferred from the insured to another person.
• However, they're not insurance professionals.
• been pressured to sign documents before contacting their insurance company.
• You won't have to worry about anything with the insurance company.
• litigation against their own insurance companies for over a decade.

Bills: SB5831, SB6178

Keywords: mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, SB6178, property insurance, insurance claims, assignment of benefits, AOB, post-loss assignment, post-loss benefits, homeowners insurance, policyholder, insured, restoration contractor, mitigation contractor, public adjuster, insurance commissioner, claims handling

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held public hearings on three Senate bills. SB 5831, the Uniform Mortgage Modification Act, was explained by staff as creating safe harbors so certain mortgage modifications would not affect lien priority or require re-recording; the prime sponsor said it would reduce uncertainty and legal costs. There was no public testimony or questions, and the hearing was closed. The committee then heard Substitute SB 6091, which would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to an exclusive group of buyers or brokers unless the property is also concurrently marketed to the public. Staff noted changes from the House version, including removal of Washington Law Against Discrimination language and added clarification that public marketing does not require physical access to the property. The sponsor and supporters, including Zillow, Washington Realtors, Habitat for Humanity, and the Fair Housing Center, said the bill promotes transparency, fair housing, and equal access, while the Rental Housing Association raised a concern about the remaining reference to “lease” and asked for an amendment to avoid unintended application to some rental providers. Members asked several questions about how the bill would work for private marketing, rentals, and potential disparate impacts. Finally, the committee heard SB 6178, which would prohibit post-loss assignment of insurance benefits in property insurance contracts. Staff and the sponsor said the bill is intended to stop contractors from taking over homeowners’ insurance claims after disasters like wildfires, while preserving direct payment arrangements to contractors. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner supported the bill and described an increase in complaints, while also saying it was open to discussing the $50,000 penalty level; the National Insurance Crime Bureau and Washington State Association for Justice also supported the measure. Some members questioned whether the penalty should distinguish between good-faith and bad-faith conduct and whether a cooling-off period or existing consumer protection laws might address the issue. The committee closed the public hearing on SB 6178 and then on SB 6091, and ended the meeting with birthday recognition for two members.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a meeting of the Insurance Committee. Today is May 13th, 2026.
• This is a meeting of the Insurance Committee.
• I do have a lot of experience as a lawyer with health insurance in particular and insurance in general
• I do have a lot of experience as a lawyer with health insurance in particular and insurance in general
• I do have a lot of experience as a lawyer with health insurance in particular and insurance in general

Bills: SB511, SB512, HB591, HB909, HB938, HB1154, HB1187

Keywords: automobile repairs, insurance transparency, repair shop liability, non-OEM parts, policyholder rights, automobile insurance, appraisal process, insurance policyholders, dispute resolution, claim valuation, family leave, insurance, paid leave, employment benefits, caregiver support, behavioral health, crisis services, mental health care, insurance coverage, healthcare access

Bills: SB 458, SB 819, SB 1238, SB 1642, SB 1643, SB 1644, SB 1791, SB 1810, SB 1824, SB 1825, SB 758, SB 1455, SB 1706

Keywords: renewable energy, solar power, wind energy, public interest determination, environmental impact, property rights, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, insurance, discrimination, marital status, widowers, spousal death, equitable treatment, Texas Department of Insurance, commission appointments, insurance regulation, oversight, consumer advocacy, insurance rates, property insurance