Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, if I may, I want to make sure, with the delay in this, there's no premiums that would be paid
• something of this magnitude, a Cadillac version, without having reasonable conversations about what collective
• reasonable conversations about<00:33:00.320> what<00:33:00.480> about<00:33:00.799> collective
• <00:33:01.200> bargaining about what about collective bargaining about what about collective

Bills: HF11

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement

Transcript Highlights:

• Row, I heard that some states apparently they can collect UI and also paid family medical leave, and
• Yes, so I think the paid leave law is very clear that you may not both collect unemployment insurance
• <00:04:39.720> UI states apparently they can collect UI states apparently they can collect
• both collect unemployment insurance benefits<00:04:56.639> and<00:04:56.800> paid<00:04
• <00:26:43.279> bargaining earlier the collective bargaining earlier the collective bargaining

Bills: HF11

Keywords: Minnesota Paid Leave, paid family and medical leave, family leave, medical leave, implementation delay, premium collection, employer premiums, state payroll tax, workforce, labor, benefits administration, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer notice, seasonal employees, private plans, actuarial study, outreach and education, employee rights, reinstatement

Transcript Highlights:

• shifted directly onto premium payers. shifted directly onto premium payers.
• And doing so means insurers will need to collect more premium to pay for those new services, increase
• stream when they collect more in premiums<00:27:11.440> than<00:27:11.679> they<00:27:
• I don't, again, I don't know who to ask that to. collecting the premiums that give them collecting the
• their rates and lower premiums. their rates and lower premiums.

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

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the prior day and then heard House File 400, a bill described as a defrayal measure for health insurance mandates. Representative Perryman said the bill would not block future mandates, but would require the state to pay the added costs of any new mandated benefits so those costs would not be shifted to premium payers. She and supporters framed the bill as a way to protect affordability for Minnesota employers, workers, and families, especially in the fully insured market. Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. They argued that Minnesota has a high number of mandated benefits, that each new mandate adds cost to premiums, and that businesses—especially small and midsize employers—are already struggling with rising health insurance costs. The health plans representative said the bill would use the existing Commerce defrayal process to reimburse plans for eligible mandate-related claims, allowing those costs to be removed from premium rates. Several members echoed support, saying the bill would improve transparency by showing the fiscal impact of proposed mandates and help prevent people from being priced out of coverage. Members also explored how mandates apply in the market and how premiums are set. Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer explained that, unless otherwise specified, mandates generally apply to the individual, small group, and fully insured large group markets, while self-insured ERISA plans and other markets are generally outside that scope. Representative Elkins noted that the affected market is relatively small and said small businesses are increasingly moving to self-insured plans because of cost. He and others raised concerns about affordability, while Representative Smith argued that mandates often ensure needed care and that the bill shifts costs to taxpayers rather than insurers. Representative Bacham added a personal example from tribal self-insurance, saying preventive physicals had saved lives and asking whether other factors besides mandates are driving insurer costs. No amendments were offered, and the bill was laid over for possible future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• that they collect.
• premiums that they collect this premiums that they collect this particular<00:10:57.880> assessment
• proposing a premium subsidy or a premium proposing a premium subsidy or a premium write<00:13:47.800
• <00:19:16.919> by the highest at reducing premiums by the highest at reducing premiums by
• doesn't act and Congress does premiums doesn't act and Congress does premiums would<00:25:26.279

Bills: HF837

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

Transcript Highlights:

• > market<00:15:36.520> would Premiums in the individual market would Premiums in the individual
• <00:21:21.200> Chair as premium goes? Mr. Cotter. Mr. Chair as premium goes? Mr. Cotter.
• onto premium payers. onto premium payers.
• insurance in their premiums. insurance in their premiums.
• advertisements at a higher premium. advertisements at a higher premium.

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:

• this would do is allow the county commission to grant an exemption to the mandatory solid waste collection
• They're under a new contract with how they do the trash collection over the last few years.

Bills: SB293

Keywords: SB293, Lee County, solid waste, waste collection fees, garbage fees, trash collection, county commission, fee exemption, low-income households, poverty level, federal poverty level, public sanitation, local act, municipal services, waste management, 1136, house, all

Bills: SB293, SB293

Keywords: SB293, Lee County, solid waste, waste collection fees, garbage fees, trash collection, county commission, fee exemption, low-income households, poverty level, federal poverty level, public sanitation, local act, municipal services, waste management, first responder, interference, criminal law, public safety, law enforcement

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

Keywords: captive insurance, protected cell, sponsored captive, captive insurer, insurance commissioner, premium tax, dormant captive, risk retention group, pure captive, association captive, industrial insured captive, series captive, branch captive, special purpose captive, reciprocal insurer, capital and surplus, letter of credit, change in control, merger, conversion

Bills: HB1590

Keywords: vacation rentals, transient accommodations, tax collection, hosting platforms, destination management, County Transient Accommodations Tax, 910, house, all

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.
• rate regulation is not really moving the needle, but other states also have had increases in their premiums
• Thank you for that question. ...have had increases in their premiums as well.
• Collection of various tweaks and fixes here and there that I think hopefully could yield some better

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:

• researchers and academics, assist with educational campaigns on gun safety and suicide prevention, and collect
• place, we want that to come back and be reported to the state so that all of us know, here's what collectively
• And to be fair, I've researched a bunch of different kinds of data collection hubs, et cetera, et cetera
• I'll send you the link just as a side note, because I don't really think it does anyone any good to collect
• permanent leadership role to coordinate gun violence prevention strategies across statewide agencies, collect

Bills: SB156

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hold on a second, I've got it made myself a little zero premiums here.
• Yes, everybody in Medicare pays a $185 premium this year.
• Yes, everybody in Medicare pays a $185 premium this year.
• better you can get than a zero premium better you can get than a zero premium and<00:16:11.360><
• <00:24:28.880> for the Medicare supplement premiums for the Medicare supplement premiums for

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:

• We have met extensively with the tax collection officials, and they are neutral on it because they do
• All those changes were made by the tax collection officials and then at the request of Mr.
• will be administered by ADM and allows them to... ...administered by ADM and allows them to keep and collect

Bills: HB248, HB311

Keywords: weather modification, atmospheric pollution, chemical dispersion, environmental law, public health, improvement districts, assessment collection, property taxes, local governance, foreclosure procedures, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 485 by Senator Edmonds provides for the levy of premium tax in the city of St. George.
• This transfers authority over insurance premium tax within the city of St.
• This is a normal collection that would, in its normalcy, it was from East Baton Rouge Parish and the
• George will exclusively exercise the authority to levy the insurance premium taxes, collect the insurance
• premium taxes, and administer those taxes.

Bills: SB348, SB444, SB485

Keywords: motor vehicles, enforcement, administrative support, law enforcement, private service provider, regulatory compliance, expropriation, public purpose, property rights, compensation, city governance, St. George, insurance premium tax, city of St. George, municipal authority, local taxation, East Baton Rouge Parish, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• system means any computer equipment, computer software, procedures, or technology used to communicate, collect
• On... ...or technology used to communicate, collect, process, distribute, or store information.

Bills: SB156, SB467

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, cybersecurity, information security, state agency, data protection, confidentiality, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rising insurance premiums are not Arizona-specific, but are due to inflation and increased incidence
• It takes money from the insurance premium tax collection.
• So on each insurance premium written in the state, there is a small percentage that goes to a tax.
• Collection.
• So on each insurance premium written in the state, there is a small percentage that goes to a tax.

Bills: HB2013, HB2292, HB2334, HB2349, HB2350, HB2845, HCM2011

Keywords: air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, forest fire, brush removal, defensible space, community hardening, vegetation management, fire-resistant construction, wildland urban interface, WUI, insurance premium tax, property insurance, homeowners insurance, commercial property insurance

Summary: The committee heard three measures. HB 2013 would require the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to submit an exceptional event demonstration to the EPA when wildfires on federally managed land affect Arizona air quality. Sponsor Rep. Lisa Fink said the bill is intended to prevent Arizona from being penalized for wildfire-driven air quality problems and could help reduce regulatory burdens. Sierra Club opposed the bill, arguing the existing exceptional-event process already requires case-by-case analysis, that automatic filings could be unnecessary or ineffective, and that the bill lacked an appropriation. ADEQ testified neutral. The committee approved HB 2013 on a 5-1 vote. HB 2292 would create the Wildfire Prevention Authority and Fund under the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management; a committee amendment renamed it the Wildfire Mitigation and Risk Reduction Authority and Fund, capped administrative expenses at 8%, and prioritized funding for single-family and multi-family dwellings. Supporters, including Coconino County Vice Chair Geronimo Vasquez and the County Supervisors Association, said the bill would provide a coordinated, data-driven wildfire mitigation program funded by a $20 million annual diversion from insurance premium tax revenues, helping reduce wildfire damage and stabilize insurance costs. Members discussed the funding source as an existing tax diversion rather than a new tax. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed HB 2292 as amended on an 8-0 vote. HCM 2011 urges Congress to pass federal legislation to delist the Mexican wolf, defund the reintroduction program, and transfer management to local authorities. The sponsor said the memorial responds to ranching impacts from wolf predation and supports federal action already moving in Congress. Sierra Club opposed the memorial, saying the species remains insufficiently recovered and that delisting would be premature. After debate, including comments both supporting and opposing delisting, the committee approved HCM 2011 on a 5-2 vote and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That just doesn't matter what collection of entities you've got on this side.
• That just doesn't matter what collection<00:18:54.320> of<00:18:54.559> entities<00:18:
• got on collection of entities you've got on this<00:18:55.440> side.
• exits, and potentially raising premiums exits, and potentially raising premiums for<00:36:58.400
• <00:38:04.480> Refund increased premium rates. Refund increased premium rates.

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: SF0079, SF0080, SF0039

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, economic development, impact assistance, industrial facilities, tax exemptions, local control, electronic notice, compliance, tax collection, administration, tax exemption, long-term homeowners, property tax, seniors, residential property, 916, all

Bills: SF0039, SF0079, SF0080

Keywords: tax exemption, long-term homeowners, property tax, seniors, residential property, sales tax, use tax, economic development, impact assistance, industrial facilities, tax exemptions, local control, electronic notice, compliance, tax collection, administration, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So in a time of rising insurance premiums and decreased accessibility of health care, these low-cost
• instead of the standard 80 cents per dollar that standard emergency insurance companies apply to premiums
• And given what I read in the paper today about trying, DeSantis trying to reduce the premiums, that's
• But we believe the heart of this of saying, hey, where's your premium dollar going?
• When you have ...of saying, hey, where's your premium dollar going? Makes perfect sense.

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.