Around the PIA Western Alliance States – Week of August 10, 2026
Published August 11, 2026 at 11:05 AM · News Releases and Bulletins
Idaho — Rate of Interest on Deferred Payment of Cash Surrendered Benefits, Effective July 1, 2026: Idaho Code §§ 41‑1927(3) and 41‑1927A(3)(b) permit an insurer to defer the payment of any cash surrender value under a life insurance policy or individual deferred annuity when a policyholder requests payment upon surrender of the policy. If the insurer defers payment, these statutes require payment of interest to the policyholder on the deferred amount. Failure to tender payment within 30 days of a surrender request constitutes the insurer’s election to defer. The 30-day period begins on the date the insurer or its authorized agent or representative receives the surrender request.
Effective July 1, 2026, insurers must pay a minimum interest rate of 8.875% on deferred payment of cash surrender values, pursuant to Idaho Code §§ 41‑1927(3) and 41‑1927A(3)(b). The interest rate is calculated annually by the Idaho State Treasurer, in accordance with Idaho Code § 28‑22‑104(2), and is effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The Idaho State Treasurer publishes a new rate on or about July 1 of each succeeding year. Current and historical rates are available for review at the State Treasurer’s website: https://bit.ly/4gpbpXA
This Bulletin is not new law but is an agency interpretation of existing law, except as authorized by law or as incorporated into a contract. Any questions regarding this Bulletin can be directed to Deputy Director Wes Trexler at 208-334-4214 or weston.trexler@doi.idaho.gov.
Oregon - Oregon Division of Financial Regulation offers insurance tips for Oregonians affected by wildfires
Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) has tips for homeowners and renters who have evacuated or been affected by wildfires, smoke, or ash damage.
“We know this is a hard time for many Oregonians as wildfires affect communities across the state,” said Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen. “We want people to have these tips so they know what their insurance covers and what steps to take if they are affected by a wildfire.”
If you were evacuated, save your receipts. Your homeowners policy may pay for expenses such as lodging, food, and even pet boarding due to a mandatory evacuation. Be sure to check with your insurance company or agent to confirm your specific coverage. Coverage is typically available for fire, smoke, and ash damage to your home and personal property.
Additional living expenses (ALE) are typically subject to your deductible, so before you file a claim, be sure it makes sense to do so. It is important to note that a claim can be counted against you for underwriting purposes, even if the insurance company does not make a payment. Most homeowners and renters’ insurance policies help pay for extra expenses such as ALE if you are unable to live in your home. Every company handles these expenses differently. Check with your company or agent for specifics.
If you have not evacuatedand it is safe to do so, make a quick home inventory list by taking photos or video of each room in your home. Pay close attention to what is on the walls and in drawers and closets. Don’t forget storage areas such as the attic and garage. You can also check your insurance company’s website for an app or checklist that will help. Creating that list will help you after a fire or disaster. If your personal belongings are damaged, the insurance company will request a list of items that are damaged or destroyed. Take some time to work on your home inventory list now. Look through your photos and videos to help recall personal items. Be sure to look for smaller items, such as jewelry. To the best of your ability, write down the age, original cost, and replacement cost of each item.
Ask about your auto coverage, too. You need comprehensive coverage on your auto policy to cover fire, smoke, and ash damage, no matter where your vehicle is located at the time of loss.
Following these tips will help save you money, time, and stress during a wildfire and its aftermath. For more information on preparing for a wildfire, visit DFR’s wildfire page.
If you still have questions or concerns, DFR’s consumer advocates are here to help. Call the team at 888-877-4894 (toll-free), email them at dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov, or visit dfr.oregon.gov.
Oregon — The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has issued a revised bulletin regarding affected areas subject to the Wildfire Emergency Order:
Purpose
This revised bulletin lists the Affected Areas subject to the July 31, 2026, Wildfire Emergency Order by ZIP code.
As the wildfire situation changes and as evacuation orders continue to be adjusted, the Division of Financial Regulation will make updates as needed to the listed ZIP codes on a timely basis.
Oregon — The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has issued a revised bulletin regarding affected areas subject to the Wildfire Emergency Order:
Purpose
This revised bulletin lists the Affected Areas subject to the July 31, 2026, Wildfire Emergency Order by ZIP code.
As the wildfire situation changes and as evacuation orders continue to be adjusted, the Division of Financial Regulation will make updates as needed to the listed ZIP codes on a timely basis.
Oregon — The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has issued a revised bulletin regarding affected areas subject to the Wildfire Emergency Order:
Purpose
This revised bulletin lists the Affected Areas subject to the July 31, 2026, Wildfire Emergency Order by ZIP code.
As the wildfire situation changes and as evacuation orders continue to be adjusted, the Division of Financial Regulation will make updates as needed to the listed ZIP codes on a timely basis.
Washington — From Christine Brewer, PIA Washington Lobbyist: Brewer Public Affairs Interim Update: WA State AGO's AI Task Force Final Report
This interim update is to flag for your interest the release of the Attorney General’s Office Artificial Intelligence Task Force final report last month.
Washington's AI Task Force (created by SB 5838 (2024)) released its final report on July 1, wrapping up two years of work. Over that span it advanced 11 policy recommendations to the Legislature: 4 contained either directly or aligned with bills already enacted this session, 4 concepts that had bills introduced but stalled, and 3 still without a legislative vehicle. Two new recommendations (a permanent AI advisory body, and companion chatbot regulation) were adopted at the Task Force's final vote in April.
Big Picture
Attorney General Nick Brown's framing is "innovation vs. protection isn't a binary." The report uses the NIST AI Risk Management Framework (and ISO/IEC 42001) as the baseline governance model, pushes a risk-based approach that scales oversight to high-risk uses (health care, employment, housing, lending, criminal justice), and focuses on algorithmic discrimination, transparency, and training-data disclosure as the core themes.
Task Force recommendations already enacted
Companion AI chatbot rules, disclosure + minor safeguards (ESHB 2225)
Healthcare prior-auth transparency, AI can't be sole basis for care denial (E2SSB 5395)
Law enforcement AI disclosure, enacted in part, limited to license plate readers (ESSB 6002)
AI-generated CSAM liability fix (2ESSB 5105)
Recommendations that had bills, but stalled/died
High-risk AI governance mandate (NIST/ISO framework + public disclosure) (HB 2157 and SB 6284)
AI development/training-data transparency (HB 1168)
AI innovation grant program, HB 1833 (passed House, died in Senate Ways & Means)
Worker-centered AI workplace guidelines, committee amendment to HB 1833, rejected
No bill yet
Permanent AI/emerging-tech advisory body (new)
K-12 STEM/AI literacy investment (budget issue)
Formal adoption of NIST ethical AI principles
Going Forward
Rep. Cindy Ryu's HB 2157 is important to watch for industry as it would require both developers and deployers of "high-risk" AI (hiring, insurance, lending, housing, school admissions, etc.) to use "reasonable care" against algorithmic discrimination, with enforcement via court-ordered relief (no damages) rather than a full private right of action. Sen. Marko Liias introduced a Senate vehicle on the same theme (SB 6284). Neither passed this year, but both align with Task Force recommendations, and will likely return in 2027. Rep. Ryu has left the House to run for the Senate, so leadership on the issue in both chambers may change next session.
Rep. Clyde Shavers remains one of the most active legislators in this space. Beyond HB 1168 above, he also sponsored HB 1170, a separate AI content-detection/deepfake-disclosure bill that was signed into law this session, although it wasn't itself a Task Force recommendation. This summer he is stakeholdering a draft AI liability/sandbox bill for likely introduction in '27. The proposal in its current form would amend Washington's product liability statute (RCW 7.72) to give AI developers and deployers a rebuttable liability shield if they document risk testing, disclose known risks, and, for products likely to reach minors, build in age/content safeguards. The draft would pair that with a new Commerce Department "AI regulatory sandbox" letting companies test systems for up to 18 months with relief from certain regulatory requirements, subject to quarterly reporting. Expect to see some form of this proposal in the pre-filed bills come December.
Washington — Kuderer issues emergency order on prescriptions for fire survivors: Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer issued an emergency order on Thursday, Aug. 6 (PDF 287.61KB), to allow the survivors of the state’s recent wildfires streamlined access to their prescription medications.
The emergency order directs insurers to:
Allow enrollees to obtain a one-time refill of covered prescription pharmaceuticals before the expiration of the waiting period between refills.
Allow a grace period for payment of premiums of at least 60 days for individual and group health plans.
Not cancel health plans for nonpayment of premiums.
“This is an important step to ensuring people who have lost so much already can easily access the healthcare they need,” Kuderer said. “I’m confident our health insurers would agree this is the right thing to do in this stressful situation, and I strongly encourage all health plans in the state to comply with this order as the survivors get back on their feet.”
The emergency order applies to individual and small group fully insured health plans regulated by the OIC in all zip codes and adjacent zip codes in Washington state where wildfires have burned homes or other structures or where official evacuation orders have been issued. It does not apply to Medicaid, Medicare, state and school employee plans, or large group (ERISA) health plans.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has also approved Gov. Bob Ferguson’s request to declare a federal public health emergency for the areas affected by the recent wildfires. The declaration protects people who have Medicaid or Medicare.
In addition, Kuderer opened registration for out-of-state adjusters and issued an emergency order to provide premium relief to people affected by the fires.
Anyone facing disaster recovery can find information about where to start on the OIC’s website.
Kuderer is using powers granted to her following the statewide emergency that Gov. Bob Ferguson declared on Aug. 1 in response to the wildfires.
When the governor issues an emergency proclamation, the commissioner can issue an emergency order related to insurance policies to ensure access to coverage. The order can be extended by the commissioner for 30 days at a time if the governor’s emergency proclamation remains in effect.