[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6109154,"mediaKeyId","2763727-168efeb706a55cda61fddd0101b993ad","parentId",2763727,"title","Committee reports bill expanding coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screening","audioSeconds",193,"startMs",1162000,"endMs",1355000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2763727-168efeb706a55cda61fddd0101b993ad&start=1162&end=1355","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2763727-168efeb706a55cda61fddd0101b993ad/thumbnail_1162000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6109154/Florida/Committee-reports-bill-expanding-coverage-for-mammograms-and-supplemental-breast-cancer-screening","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109154-64f83919085a3dbf12cdc08bd6950730/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447913&Signature=UJJYS~4VTzvt3CU3f6NIcrQ5MZccqB3ybMjWU5qKVSRZMXMoOBAM~P45wdLujGi3InABuhl7mnxzW5PLM9dRa1Y-3iI5Rr-tkugKO-w1wndK8rq52gYytqfJhUP-jvWRw54ZLsvfhyB8zZIlrikT4yqXpKPcadgzgZdSS6SvX3MOGnoLG719z6V9X2-piORZ2iEcnyM2nk8oTeRF6I2ZpjH2cPjZ~E5eYUYE5sQFJuA8sgdK6VrxB5pMypZfpQpYkFwoEc43D2EyvbSZTqaOmOZgI86~tt9JAe3i8GfLZCELBgHmCffYw47FtytMqXTmuuYApWeRJpJP0MWOJ6u~ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida Legislature","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Banking and Insurance Committee — Senators voted to report Senate Bill 1578 favorably following sponsor remarks that the bill expands coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings.

Sponsor (identified in the transcript as Rep Davis and later referenced as Senator Davis during the hearing) said SB 1578 \"defines mammogram\" and \"defines supplemental breast cancer screening,\" requires coverage for women 25 and older (or as otherwise adjusted), and modifies private insurance policies, group policies and HMO contracts to provide mammogram and supplemental screening coverage. The sponsor said the bill would change frequency requirements so that women between ages 40 and 50 would be eligible for one mammogram per year rather than one every two years, and would permit supplemental screening per physician recommendation.

The sponsor said the Florida Medicaid program already provides these services and that the Agency for Health Care Administration (ACA) and Florida Medicaid would mitigate operational costs; the sponsor described the bill's fiscal impact on ACA as minimal. Sasha Carter, Florida's Insurance Consumer Advocate, was recorded as waiving in support.

The committee recorded a roll call and reported SB 1578 favorably.

The hearing did not show additional amendments or regulatory text changes; the sponsor asked for favorable support and indicated follow-up as the bill moves through the process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Banking and Insurance 3/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Banking and Insurance Committee — Senators voted to report Senate Bill 1578 favorably after sponsor comments that the bill would expand coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screenings.","taxTitle","Banking and Insurance, Standing Committees, Senate, Legislative, Florida","taxId",26941,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109149,"Panel examines making gold and silver legal tender and transactional in Florida",1821,1359000,3180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2763727-168efeb706a55cda61fddd0101b993ad&start=1359&end=3180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2763727-168efeb706a55cda61fddd0101b993ad/thumbnail_1359000.jpg","/articles/6109149/Florida/Panel-examines-making-gold-and-silver-legal-tender-and-transactional-in-Florida","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109149-dc4efa9f946768126029b577d4edda02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447913&Signature=ZRf3A74C91GtAAOpqFm9s4sZdrhjRFslbL4DXNSvYp4-iSy1V7lDnhKiddkL4k4yYjPM-eGLlo184Mof9H9YQPq2KSdtAKYpvVjsCqhhacE4MhiUA4d7QSak3ICRb8I3LQS2iIKgLEgHbwjkKoc9c4Fg7BeL79yg4YO2igm9adNh~8YFB8LueswIAMTxzyYunAvR6nXDDSdBy~SYU66YI9E-JddyptIMUdnnJiYRiCZA9edCHlhtQARUJ8t8ryUIhRWhla~v0xDK4FkzXitufQ3jpqW8RB5hvo0sq3yB6dhzzb7GCh0nldMd6K42bE~rDnd9qujpv6MAg~953roigg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tallahassee — The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee convened a panel discussion on whether Florida should recognize gold and silver as legal tender and adopt transactional systems that let vendors and citizens use precious metals in commerce.

Chair Angolia introduced four panelists: Marlo Oakes, State Treasurer of Utah (remote); Kevin Freeman, chartered financial analyst and author; Russell Weigel, Commissioner of the Office of Financial Regulation (OFR); and Tanner Collins, Director, Division of Treasury, Florida Department of Financial Services. Akila Mirza, deputy chief executive and general counsel of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), joined in person and described LBMA standards and refinery accreditation.

Treasurer Marlo Oakes described Utah’s path: a 2011 legal-tender act and a 2024 law authorizing the treasurer to invest up to 10% of the state rainy-day fund in physical gold and to pursue a procurement process for a precious-metals–backed electronic transactional platform. Oakes said the platform would let vendors opt to receive payment in gold without the state directly holding or disbursing gold for payments: \"The state would still pay in dollars, it would pay it onto the platform, the platform would then convert those monies to gold that the vendor could then use and basically use it like a debit card,\" Oakes said.

Kevin Freeman advocated for allowing transactional precious-metal use and argued gold and silver have historically preserved purchasing power better than fiat currency. He described available technology for fractional, electronic gold transactions and said states have constitutional authority to enable gold and silver use under Article I, Section 10. Freeman and other panelists noted federal tax treatment of precious metals (collected as collectibles at a higher capital-gains rate under IRS rules) can hinder transactional use and that coordinated state action could press for tax changes.

Commissioner Weigel (OFR) said his office is not a tax authority but that OFR has reviewed the bills and prefers a legislative framework that lays foundations rather than embedding a single transactional system in statute. \"We support the building of a framework where transactions can be conducted,\" he said, and recommended regulated custodians and a clear regulatory scope if the legislature moves forward.

Tanner Collins (DFS Treasury) stressed logistics: transactional platforms and custody models should minimize state operational complexity. He recommended third-party audits of physical holdings and financials for any depository and emphasized regulatory compliance (including anti-money-laundering and KYC). Akila Mirza (LBMA) described international standards for refinery accreditation and \"incident management\" (a process for investigating and reporting issues with refiners and removing them from the LBMA good-delivery list when appropriate) to preserve market trust.

Panelists and later public commenters (including industry representatives Kinesis Monetary, United Precious Metals Association, and Citizens for Sound Money) urged legislation that promotes choice, uses established rails (trust companies, money-transmitter frameworks), protects consumers through audits and custodial standards, and avoids creating a monopoly. Utah’s experience was presented as an operational model that uses a platform to convert state-dollar payments into precious-metal account balances for vendors that opt in; the state does not itself take physical bullion in lieu of dollars in its normal operations.

Committee members asked logistical questions—where bullion would be stored (panelists recommended in-state depositories), how transactional cards would fluctuate with metal prices (panelists said debit-like cards would reflect bullion valuation and that price volatility is a feature, not necessarily a defect), and how the model compares to cryptocurrencies (panelists said the systems are distinct: gold-backed transactional platforms differ from blockchain-native cryptocurrencies in custody and legal‑tender treatment).

Several industry witnesses urged use of U.S.-minted coin or internationally accepted bullion standards to avoid federal legal pitfalls and to simplify taxation and valuation. No committee vote on policy changes occurred at the panel; senators asked staff to continue examining the issues.","Tallahassee — The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee convened a panel discussion on whether Florida should recognize gold and silver as legal tender and adopt transactional systems that let vendors and citizens use precious metals in commerce.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109159,"Committee approves bill requiring consumer guide and premium comparisons on OIR website",454,706000,1160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2763727-168efeb706a55cda61fddd0101b993ad&start=706&end=1160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2763727-168efeb706a55cda61fddd0101b993ad/thumbnail_706000.jpg","/articles/6109159/Florida/Committee-approves-bill-requiring-consumer-guide-and-premium-comparisons-on-OIR-website","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109159-ffb1994a6a7096fa690a27dab12e3392/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447913&Signature=ZQwhSeqwa00O3cOWAxtUa9ryS5Y1M7AUOcDcGfVm7Y7hb6iesKb-oDefIRDPy4fTymkjjo9R17qRcMsSfGhOR4yIZ-GyQZZEwfbnM6rcF671dcGsV3uueRwWMgn9qvzeVV~cBLnrd3OzRftYj04d2kaIQ08uNDXhE7IL42y6WKY7~b55JfnoTeMdruxffv87tSwxosw0OEtBp9VbTkamSzfwLWhjcxEKTLQWEf76HJAZ7DgQ8iUBGzOTUf4lGLLI8fRk4WlKQByNXbezDuoCdQI0NvLjp5EOPiex1AL5WJUlhXBYxep4melkcVbg8TlsV-V5yNL9LUf0~ihSjCt~NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Banking and Insurance Committee — The committee adopted a strike-all amendment to Senate Bill 888 and then reported the bill favorably with committee substitute. Sponsor Senator Avila said the amendment requires the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to create a publicly accessible consumer guide and a comparison tool for annual homeowners insurance premiums.

The amendment directs OIR to provide on a consumer-friendly website: rate-filing information, comparisons of annual homeowners insurance premiums by insurer, reinsurance costs, claims costs, defense and containment costs, fees and commissions, insurer profit and contingency, adverse findings, consumer services contact information, and educational resources. \"This will help increase consumer trust in the insurance market by providing clearer, more accessible information on OIR's website,\" Avila said.

Senator Burton asked whether the site would provide quotes for particular properties; Avila replied the tool is meant to give consumers general comparative premium information rather than specific quotes. AARP's Karen Murillo was recorded as waiving in support.

Senator Boyd praised the concept and noted market stabilization and increasing choices for consumers. The committee recorded a roll call and reported SB 888 favorably with committee substitutes.

The amendment and sponsor statements place responsibility on OIR to design the consumer guide and comparison resources; the committee did not adopt prescriptive statutory technical specifications beyond items listed in the amendment. Sponsor Avila said OIR and committee staff worked together on the amendment language.","Senate Bill 888, as amended, would require the Office of Insurance Regulation to publish a consumer-friendly guide and a comparison tool for annual homeowners insurance premiums; the committee reported the bill favorably with a strike-all amendment adopted on the floor.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109163,"Committee backs bill to remove $500 cap on sales-tax exemption for bullion",206,461000,667000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2763727-168efeb706a55cda61fddd0101b993ad&start=461&end=667","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2763727-168efeb706a55cda61fddd0101b993ad/thumbnail_461000.jpg","/articles/6109163/Florida/Committee-backs-bill-to-remove-500-cap-on-sales-tax-exemption-for-bullion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109163-56aa69d7291e536b14388fddf1541ddf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447913&Signature=Qqm7VHsQwzoa8Q4kF17D7ETbxTnTMamGmKW5uHnzv8Z6eGWMnFb3~eYEksI~4w~TdWnMgpqmrFhbU0A9NmwixtOMYKykm0ZtiGikUsD5LSQfwIL6Nle3NXfsJwXnNHG~5t-VBaDXRNc7rNsSN4Jxsr-d3Y0OuhYcryZaTgVc77nVrvXe31Ff-DvO2SDpCgCrWXsumRgroCiMJo4cagFCDjQzCK-~~w28dWaBhwPF4irPffNWvhUda47J0BpHqD8p4Nh0R6uvUPIZgDZp0a6W4kBICwaACzmoy4MHT4GMZjnavgCPdlRbXuDLntm3BmsBHgcgi4F2cpuOHIVEt50l0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Banking and Insurance Committee — Senators voted to report Senate Bill 134 favorably after sponsor Senator Rodriguez said the bill removes the $500 limit for the sales tax exemption on sales of gold, silver or platinum bullion.

\"The effect of the bill is that all sales of such metals will be exempt from sales tax,\" Rodriguez said. The sponsor also said the bill \"removes the dealer's requirement to maintain proper documentation relating to the exempt sales of such metals.\" During closing, Rodriguez cited the Revenue Estimating Conference and said the total fiscal impact to the state would be about $300,000.

Public testimony in support included John Labriola with the Christian Family Coalition (waived), Josh Burkett of the Florida Association of Secondhand Dealers (waived), Lawrence Hilton (waived), Anthony Verdugo (waived) and Daniel Diaz, who spoke in support and framed the change as economic justice for lower-income savers.

Senator Hooper asked for clarification on whether the first $500 would remain exempt on purchases above $500; the sponsor confirmed during closing that the legislation, if enacted, would make the first $500 not taxable on purchases that exceed $500. The committee recorded a roll call and reported SB 134 favorably.

Votes at a glance: SB 134 reported favorably (roll call recorded as \"Yes\" by members present).","The committee reported Senate Bill 134 favorably; the bill would remove the $500 threshold and exempt all sales of gold, silver, or platinum bullion from sales tax and eliminate dealers' documentation requirements for such exempt sales.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109168,"Senate committee backs bill requiring human review of insurer claim denials",377,83000,460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2763727-168efeb706a55cda61fddd0101b993ad&start=83&end=460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2763727-168efeb706a55cda61fddd0101b993ad/thumbnail_83000.jpg","/articles/6109168/Florida/Senate-committee-backs-bill-requiring-human-review-of-insurer-claim-denials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109168-3f48b0cb96cd4a867fd4f3c106732044/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447913&Signature=cuuGNYNBKqJstKaqkD0UNweq6VddoVfkNdZItmanqhXjW5xv653HDJn8DOzhvXFgq9BIFw8tTy1T5Bvw7AmlNwnBC3mAxC6Q33AryuC1XYczUt2VeD62S8HIwPbgOCnxrPMPasiTFjV1buXnc-Oc4E8Jq7TtH9PuMf~ZFnGzr5qfuWBeZlgLPOAAsUvb2ldMwNG3g1vZiNeUyoTn0jT59CSas2hzAsMKt6hQE~8kjb5W-xfwsZVDRIFioJ9xbben-63rr1As6Wz~txFHMWlxNQuZvQeqnvOONnWzEcFehsbRukmoc5dLSNhW1hVXr16HsWobyV8gYVUTEukdFBE7kQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Banking and Insurance Committee — Senators voted to report Senate Bill 7.94 favorably with a committee substitute after sponsor Senator Bradley described the bill as a requirement that a human must make decisions to deny insurance claims.

The bill would prohibit an artificial intelligence system from serving as the sole basis for denying any portion of a claim and would require denials under the insurance code to be reviewed and decided by a qualified human professional. \"The bill emphasizes the need for human oversight in the decision making process by providing that insurers decision to deny a claim or any portion of a claim must be made by a human being,\" Senator Bradley said during the hearing.

A late-filed \"strike-all\" amendment (barcode 861,188) was adopted without objection and the bill was considered as amended. Sponsor Bradley said the measure seeks to \"strike the right balance between allowing innovation but also protecting consumers from unaccountable algorithms.\" He added he would continue to work with insurers on implementation.

Public commenters included Tasha Carter, listed as Florida's Insurance Consumer Advocate, and Jared Fowler of the Florida Medical Association, both recorded as waiving in support. Gary Rosen provided public testimony urging the bill also address fraudulent or illegal contractor claims in post-hurricane situations; Rosen supplied handouts and recommended language to have AI parsing identify claims for illegal work and ensure such claims are denied.

During debate there were no recorded amendments to alter the committee recommendation. A roll call recorded individual senators voting \"Yes.\" The committee report shows the bill \"reported favorably with committee substitute.\"

The committee did not adopt additional statutory references on the floor. The hearing transcript shows discussion focused on consumer protection from unaccountable algorithms and the interplay between AI tools and an insured's right to human review; no final implementation rules or regulatory assignments were adopted in committee. The sponsor indicated follow-up work with insurers on operational details.

Votes at a glance: The committee reported SB 7.94 favorably with committee substitute (roll-call recorded as \"Yes\" votes by senators present).","The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee voted to report Senate Bill 7.94 favorably after sponsor Senator Bradley and supporters argued the measure would prohibit artificial intelligence from being the sole basis for insurance claim denials and require qualified human review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reports bill expanding coverage for mammograms and supplemental breast cancer screening

Panel examines making gold and silver legal tender and transactional in Florida

Committee approves bill requiring consumer guide and premium comparisons on OIR website

Committee backs bill to remove $500 cap on sales-tax exemption for bullion

Senate committee backs bill requiring human review of insurer claim denials