Rep. David Hackney was elected in 2020 to represent Washington’s 11th legislative district. The former assistant U.S. attorney sits down with Washington state Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer on this episode of OIC Answers to talk about insurance, consumer protection, the restitution bill that didn’t make it out of the House Consumer Protection and Business committee (which Hackney co-chairs), and why you shouldn’t lie about what type of feathers are in your company’s pillows.

“It's an incredible resource, but what makes it unique from other reports? Why is it so important and so difficult to easily replace? Why is it so widely viewed as a legitimate, credible, and salient resource?”

This episode of the OIC Answers podcast is a presentation from Dr. Meade Krosby, given as part of Commissioner Patty Kuderer’s Climate Education Series. Dr. Krosby — senior scientist with the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group, the director of the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, and a former author of the Northwest chapter of the National Climate Assessment — discusses what the National Climate Assessment covers, how it was established, and how it’s used by all levels of government, the private sector, and the public.

The Trump administration, however, dismissed all authors of the NCA in late April and the website hosting the report was removed in July, throwing the future of the report into limbo. Dr. Krosby’s presentation covers what could happen next, and why it’s important that the American public has the most up to date information on climate impact and responses.

The Trump administration has announced significant cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency are coming after the 2025 hurricane season. What’s that mean for Washington, and how does FEMA funding impactinsurance? And how does the National Flood Insurance Program factor into the availability of flood coverage?

On this episode of OIC Answers, host Aaron VanTuyl welcomes on OIC Senior Policy Advisor David Forte and OIC Emergency Management Program Specialist Matt Stoutenburg to talk about what role FEMA plays in emergency management response situations, how grants from FEMA mitigate damage from extreme weather incidents, and what the loss of FEMA would mean for the National Flood Insurance Program and the availability of flood coverage in Washington state.

What rights to do you have when you’re in need of gender-affirming care? What’s covered, and where can you learn more and get help? On this Pride Month episode of OIC Answers, Commissioner Kuderer welcomes on Darlin Lozano and Sam Fennell from the Washington State LGBTQ Commission to discuss the LGBTQ Commission’s work, the hurdles involved in receiving care, and where to turn for help when seeking care.

Learn more about the LGBTQ Commission’s work at lgbtq.wa.gov.

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month. What do wildfires mean for your insurance? Recurring guest David Forte, Senior Property and Casualty Policy Advisor, is on hand to talk about how fire threats impact insurance costs and what we’ve learned from the claims data after the Gray and Oregon Road fires.

Guy Gifford, with the Department of Natural Resources’Community Wildfire Resistance Program, also joins the podcast to talk about how to prepare for fire season and what resources DNR can provide.

More info:

• Firewise USA
• IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home
• Wildfire Ready program

On this episode of OIC Answers, Commissioner Patty Kuderer kicks off her 2025 Climate Education Series by chatting with Senior Climate Policy Advisor Jay Bruns about his work on climate change, what role the office plays in climate work on the international stage, and how studying climate data is important for effective regulation of the insurance market.

The 2025 Climate Education Series is a set of video presentations covering different aspects of climate and insurance work and highlighting the effort of different individuals and groups to study or mitigate climate change. Follow along at insurance.wa.gov or on our social media channels for updates.

It’s May, which means it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. But what rights to do you have when it comes to your health insurance covering mental health treatment? This episode of the OIC Answers podcast includes a member of the OIC’s Consumer Advocacy team to discuss how your treatment has to be covered, what the most common questions are about mental health coverage, and what mental health parity entails.

If you’re having issues with your insurance, you can file a complaint online at insurance.wa.gov or chat with someone virtually or via phone at 800-562-6900.

The podcast is back at the Capitol to meet with two lawmakers about their role in two pieces of action from the 2025 legislative session and how each one helps insurance consumers in Washington state.

First, Sen. John Lovick from the 44th district chats with Commissioner Patty Kuderer about SB 5419, which changes how insurance companies report data from fire claims.

Then, Sen. Vandana Slatter (48th district) talks about the budget proviso to help fund the SHIBA program and how important it is to help people with their Medicare issues.

The OIC Answers podcast is back at the Capitol to talk shop with a lawmaker. This week, Senator Bob Hasegawa — Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus from District 11 — joins Commissioner Kuderer to talk about Senate Bill 5589, which the OIC requested and Hasegawa sponsored.

SB 5589 asks the OIC to conduct a study on how insurance companies use credit history, credit-based insurance scores and other rate factors that may have disparate impacts on Washington residents. The study would also explore alternatives to credit scoring that companies could use in determining premiums.

Commissioner Kuderer and Senator Hasegawa cover why the bill matters, what it entails, where funding for the study comes from, how the insurance industry feels about the bill and where it’s at in the legislative process.

OIC Answers has moved to the Capitol for the time being, setting up the mics and mixing board in the Insurance Building for a few legislative session-inspired episodes. In this episode, Senator Adrian Cortes (D-Battle Ground) joins Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer to discuss Senate Bill 5331 (“Strengthening consumer protection through increased insurer accountability for violations of the insurance code.”)

Learn more on our website or on our previous episode introducing the bill.