Committee Summary for House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/04/2026)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
HB1673 00:06:58.400 - 9:02:35 AM	Executive Session	allowing certain liquor manufacturers to sell to on-premises licensees.	Beaulier, Calvin(R)[A+]2025
HB1673 00:10:33.920 - 9:06:10 AM	Executive Session	allowing certain liquor manufacturers to sell to on-premises licensees.	Beaulier, Calvin(R)[A+]2025
HB1481 00:11:27.200 - 9:07:04 AM	Executive Session	enabling on-premises licensees to sell drinks made with distilled alcohol for take-out.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025
HB1481 00:12:17.279 - 9:07:54 AM	Executive Session	enabling on-premises licensees to sell drinks made with distilled alcohol for take-out.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025
HB1679 00:12:17.279 - 9:07:54 AM	Executive Session	establishing a beverage container redemption program.	Murray, Alissandra(D)[D-]2025
HB1444 2024-519h 00:37:53.839 - 9:33:30 AM	Executive Session	relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.	Moffett, Michael(R)[B+]2025
HB1444 2024-519h 00:42:13.440 - 9:37:50 AM	Executive Session	relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.	Moffett, Michael(R)[B+]2025
HB1744 01:02:41.680 - 9:58:18 AM	Public Hearing	relative to oversight and reporting requirements for health insurance carriers regarding mental health coverage.	Hartnett, Tim(D)[F]2025
HB1056 01:38:55.600 - 10:34:32 AM	Public Hearing	establishing a commission to study the impacts of reinsurance on the cost and availability of property insurance in New Hampshire.	Spier, Carry(D)[D-]2025
HB11765 02:12:12.079 - 11:07:49 AM	Public Hearing	relative to sales by beverage manufacturers and wine manufacturers	Likely Text to Speech Error on Bill #
HB1080 03:53:18.640 - 12:48:55 PM	Executive Session	prohibiting the sale of condoms and personal lubricant that contain intentionally added per and polyfluoroalkyl substances.	Thomas, Wendy(D)[CT]2025
HB1154 04:02:45.359 - 12:58:22 PM	Executive Session	restricting the texting of unsolicited advertisements, including political campaigns.	Thomas, Wendy(D)[CT]2025
HB1197 0519 04:05:29.120 - 1:01:06 PM	Executive Session	making technical corrections to certain insurance laws.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025
HB1198 04:09:31.199 - 1:05:08 PM	Executive Session	establishing the paint product stewardship program.	Ebel, Karen(D)[F]2025
HB1444 0381 04:12:36.960 - 1:08:13 PM	Executive Session	relative to the purchase or acquisition of certain unmanned aircraft systems.	Moffett, Michael(R)[B+]2025
HB1463 04:14:53.760 - 1:10:30 PM	Executive Session	requiring the insurance department to conduct an analysis and produce a report detailing compliance with the state's managed care and medical utilization review laws.	Tellez, Trinidad(D)[F]2025
HB1481 04:17:06.000 - 1:12:43 PM	Executive Session	enabling on-premises licensees to sell drinks made with distilled alcohol for take-out.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025
HB1558 04:19:18.319 - 1:14:55 PM	Executive Session	requiring proof of insurance or adequate financial responsibility for vehicle registration.	Vandecasteele, Susan(R)[B+]2025
HB1568 04:20:31.279 - 1:16:08 PM	Executive Session	relative to mandatory minimum insurance coverage requirements for motor vehicles.	Barton, Joseph(R)[A-]2025
HB1589 04:22:59.840 - 1:18:36 PM	Executive Session	establishing the digital choice act.	Litchfield, Melissa(R)[B+]2025
HB1606 04:26:10.080 - 1:21:47 PM	Executive Session	regulating real property ownership by Chinese nationals and providing for civil, criminal, and administrative penalties.	Belcher, Mike(R)[B+]2025
HB1673 04:26:55.680 - 1:22:32 PM	Executive Session	allowing certain liquor manufacturers to sell to on-premises licensees.	Beaulier, Calvin(R)[A+]2025
HB1679 04:28:53.199 - 1:24:30 PM	Executive Session	establishing a beverage container redemption program.	Murray, Alissandra(D)[D-]2025
HB1725 04:31:13.840 - 1:26:50 PM	Executive Session	relative to the regulation of artificial intelligence technologies.	Long, Patrick(D)[D]2025
HB1812 04:36:33.840 - 1:32:10 PM	Executive Session	requiring periodic evaluation of mental health access adequacy by an independent third party.	Gregg, Alicia(D)[D-]2025
HB1491 04:45:33.200 - 1:41:10 PM	Public Hearing	relative to pooled risk management programs.	Hunt, John(R)[B+]2025

HB1673: Committee Chair Information Only00:06:58.400 - 9:02:35 AM; The committee discusses that HB1673 is no longer necessary because the direct-to-consumer permit under existing law (RSA 178:27-b) allows liquor manufacturers to sell to on-premise licenses in the same building. The subcommittee confirms with the sponsor and parties involved that they are satisfied with this approach.
HB1673: Committee Member Vote00:10:33.920 - 9:06:10 AM; The subcommittee votes unanimously (6-0) to find the bill inexpedient to legislate, as it is covered by existing law.
HB1481: Committee Member Information Only00:11:27.200 - 9:07:04 AM; The committee notes that HB1481 contains identical language to HB529, which is already in effect, making this bill redundant.
HB1481: Committee Member Vote00:12:17.279 - 9:07:54 AM; The subcommittee votes unanimously (6-0) to find the bill inexpedient to legislate.
HB1679: Committee Member Vote00:12:17.279 - 9:07:54 AM; The subcommittee votes unanimously (6-0) to find the bill inexpedient to legislate.
HB1444 2024-519h: DJ Bettencourt, Commissioner of NH Insurance Department Support00:37:53.839 - 9:33:30 AM; DJ Bettencourt, joined by Josh Hillyard, presents the amendment to HB1444. Key changes include increasing the fine to $5,000 for violations, adding specificity to license denial criteria for felonies or offenses of moral turpitude involving dishonesty or theft, incorporating standalone group dental and vision coverage provisions, and updating homestead rights exemptions to align with recent oversight reforms. He emphasizes due process and offers to answer questions.
HB1444 2024-519h: Committee Member Vote00:42:13.440 - 9:37:50 AM; The subcommittee votes unanimously (7-0) to recommend ought to pass with amendment 2024-519h, followed by the full committee voting unanimously on the motion.
HB1744: Representative Tim Hartnett, Hillsboro 41, Inner City Manchester Support01:02:41.680 - 9:58:18 AM; Representative Hartnett introduced HB1744, highlighting the overcrowding in hospital emergency rooms and challenges with fentanyl and drug abuse. The bill requires health insurance carriers, including Medicaid and commercial, to submit data on utilization management, prior authorization, medical necessity criteria, claims denial rates compared to other conditions, network adequacy, and wait times for in-network treatment. He emphasized that good management ensures necessary care, while poor management impedes it. As someone with experience in behavioral health, he noted difficulties finding child psychiatrists, geriatric psychiatrists, therapists, and social workers in New Hampshire, despite website claims of accessibility within certain distances. He mentioned the closure of the Farnum Center and lack of time frames for access. The bill would authorize the Insurance Commissioner to write rules, providing a snapshot for planning. He shared his background running the state's Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and recommended considering additions from the New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association, such as expanded reporting on benefit coverage, transparency in payments, and standardizing wait time definitions.
HB1744: Michelle Heaton, Director of Life and Health, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only01:12:44.320 - 10:08:21 AM; Michelle Heaton explained that the Insurance Department is already addressing many issues in HB1744 through existing efforts, including utilization review under SB561 (effective 2025), rulemaking for INS 2001-2002 series on prior authorization and denials, new Part 103 on claims processing for major medical, the All-Payer Claims Database (CHIZ) for monitoring, annual hearings on cost drivers, and stringent network adequacy requirements applied market-wide. They monitor networks at form filing, compare to claims data, and plan transparency efforts. For mental health parity, they conduct annual comparative analyses, use a QTL tool during form filing, and plan to revamp rules. She noted the bill's requirements are duplicative of existing reporting and that the department does not regulate Medicaid, which is a technical defect. Transparency helps identify shortages but cannot create providers. Reports are often not helpful due to confidentiality; they prefer data-driven transparency. She explained the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR), where 85% of premiums must go to claims, leaving 15% for administrative costs and profit, and added costs could impact market participation.
HB1744: Sam Hawkins, NAMI New Hampshire Support01:30:08.719 - 10:25:45 AM; Sam Hawkins supported HB1744, noting NAMI's work with individuals and families facing mental health access challenges. Despite claims of sufficient policies, community members still cannot get needed care. The bill provides a holistic tool to understand problems in commercial and Medicaid plans, allowing comparison for disparities. It enables informed approaches to address access and upstream issues collaboratively among stakeholders.
HB1744: Sam Burgess, New Futures Support01:32:36.400 - 10:28:13 AM; Sam Burgess focused on difficulties finding affordable mental health and addiction care despite insurance, with many going out-of-network, causing financial strain. Citing a 2024 RTI study, patients go out-of-network 3.5 times more for behavioral health clinicians and 8.9 times for SUD facilities than medical/surgical. New Hampshire ranks fifth highest in out-of-network utilization for outpatient behavioral health and 17th worst for psychiatrists. Providers are not at fault; issues stem from insurer decisions on networks, reimbursements, and administrative hurdles, not just shortages. The bill addresses gaps between insurer promises and patient experiences by improving transparency on in-network availability. New Futures urges support, or alternatively, hold the bill to review upcoming department rulemaking on network adequacy.
HB1056: Carrie Spear, National Ward 3 Rep Support01:38:55.600 - 10:34:32 AM; Carrie Spear testified in support of HB 1056, which proposes a commission to study the impact of climate change on reinsurance costs and its effects on primary property and casualty insurance premiums. She explained that reinsurance is insurance for insurance companies to protect against large losses from events like hurricanes, wildfires, cyber attacks, and pandemics. She highlighted the global scale of the reinsurance market, with $725 billion paid in 2025, and noted that not all New Hampshire insurers purchase it. Spear discussed how climate change has led reinsurers to shift from historical averages to forward-looking models, identifying climate as the top risk, followed by cyber and litigation costs. She cited rising climate-related losses in New Hampshire, estimated at $800 million annually, affecting property, agriculture, forestry, and tourism. Reinsurance rates in New Hampshire rose from 12% to 19% of primary premiums between 2022 and 2025, contributing to higher homeowner premiums. She emphasized the need for visibility into these costs and understanding climate change's financial impacts.
HB1056: Tom Irwin, Conservation Law Foundation Support01:51:55.440 - 10:47:32 AM; Tom Irwin from the Conservation Law Foundation supported HB 1056 and urged an ought to pass vote. He described reinsurance as essential for spreading risks globally but noted that increasing frequency and severity of weather events are driving up costs, with global prices up 76% since 2017 and reinsurers covering less. This results in higher premiums for New Hampshire residents, with 2023 rate increases averaging 8.25%, exacerbating the housing crisis. Irwin argued the bill allows the legislature to investigate proactively, gather data, and assess the insurance market's resilience, potentially informing future legislation to mitigate rising costs passed to families and businesses.
HB1056: Christian Citadel, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only01:59:22.400 - 10:54:59 AM; Christian Citadel, chief property and casualty actuary at the New Hampshire Insurance Department, provided information on HB 1056. He stated the department met with Representative Spear and is available to assist the committee with research and experts from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners on catastrophe models and market strains. He acknowledged that reinsurance costs rise with catastrophe risks and are passed to premiums but emphasized that dramatic premium increases are not solely due to reinsurance; other factors like construction and labor costs contribute significantly. The department is willing to participate in the commission if enacted and serve as a resource regardless.
HB11765: Unidentified Representative Information Only02:12:12.079 - 11:07:49 AM; The representative asks about a cigar bar owner wanting to sell distilled spirits, clarifying that the bill applies only to beer and wine manufacturers, not distilleries, and references a previous bill on multiple licenses.
HB11765: Unidentified Speaker (likely Christian Citadel) Information Only02:12:12.079 - 11:07:49 AM; Explains that the bill does not affect distilleries and discusses unique aspects of cigar bar licenses, including no charging for food, and suggests similarity to prior legislation on multiple licenses.
HB11765: Unidentified Representative Information Only02:13:35.840 - 11:09:12 AM; Asks about a cider maker selling New Hampshire beer and whether they could sell food items like donuts or hamburgers, noting the need for a food license and referencing brew pub licenses that allow selling distilled drinks and cider.
HB11765: Representative Walsh Information Only02:14:44.239 - 11:10:21 AM; Seeks clarification on current law versus the bill, asking if a winery can sell New Hampshire made beer under the bill, and questions why not include New Hampshire made vodka or bourbon, learning about different regulations for distilled spirits and rectifiers.
HB11765: Representative Sullivan Support02:16:02.320 - 11:11:39 AM; Expresses appreciation for the bill solving a real problem and comments on the convoluted nature of alcohol laws, advocating for a more streamlined regulatory framework in the future rather than continual band-aid fixes, acknowledging protectionist philosophies of license holders.
HB11765: Representative John Hunt, Cheshire - District 14 Information Only02:17:12.080 - 11:12:49 AM; Agrees on the challenges of reforming alcohol laws due to existing licenses and protectionism, compares to zoning laws, and notes the difficulty in overhauling the system.
HB11765: CJ Haynes, Executive Director, New Hampshire Brewers Association Support02:19:25.519 - 11:15:02 AM; Supports the bill's intent to allow beverage manufacturers to offer New Hampshire made products from other producers, improving consumer experience at breweries, wineries, and cideries without requiring food service infrastructure. Explains benefits for producers, collaboration, tax structures, license types, and positive impacts on distributors and wholesalers without affecting restaurants. Addresses concerns about competitors selling each other's products and misrepresentation, noting economic disincentives.
HB11765: Ash Fishbine, New Hampshire Small Business Owner Support02:25:59.280 - 11:21:36 AM; Supports HB11765FN for allowing New Hampshire wine and beverage manufacturers to offer tastings and sell qualifying New Hampshire made products, removing artificial barriers in a regulated environment. Highlights benefits for customer education, local economy, agriculture, jobs, and business flexibility, using examples from his own operations like Hobs Brewing Company and Sap House Meadery. Addresses intent allowing complementary products rather than direct competition.
HB11765: Byron O'Donnell III, Owner, Schillingbeer Co. in Littleton Support02:30:13.600 - 11:25:50 AM; Supports the bill's intent to allow cider producers like his Crucial 10 Craft Cider in Thornton to offer New Hampshire made beer options to non-cider fans and provide gluten-free options to breweries, avoiding cross-contamination issues without producing beer themselves.
HB11765: Matthew Culver, Lieutenant, New Hampshire State Liquor Commission Information Only02:34:20.240 - 11:29:57 AM; Offers to answer questions on the bill's intent, addresses concerns about competitor misrepresentation by noting close industry partnerships, explains direct-to-consumer sales options under existing law (178:27B) for liquor manufacturers to on-premise accounts like cigar bars, and clarifies that wineries and breweries can offer each other's New Hampshire made products under the bill.
HB1080: Unidentified Committee Member Information Only03:53:18.640 - 12:48:55 PM; Moves for interim study on HB1080, noting no state has implemented similar measures yet except limited cases in New York and New Jersey, suggests amending to include lubricants in the cosmetic section rather than broad consumer items to avoid controversy.
HB1080: Unidentified Committee Member Information Only03:54:05.279 - 12:49:42 PM; Seconds the motion for interim study and discusses the need to consult stakeholders for amendments, emphasizing no urgency and desire to avoid controversial headlines, promising to work on refined legislation next year.
HB1080: Unidentified Committee Member Support03:55:14.080 - 12:50:51 PM; Expresses concern over interim study as a potential 'silent death,' stresses the serious health risks of PFAS including cancers and diseases, cites extensive research and epidemiological studies refuting misinformation, urges accountability to advance protective legislation.
HB1080: Representative Burroughs Support03:57:28.880 - 12:53:05 PM; Votes for interim study but criticizes not passing the bill due to publicity concerns, comparing to historical precedents like the Civil Rights Act, and agrees on the need for a comfortable resolution that advances the cause.
HB1154: Representative Ammon Oppose04:02:45.359 - 12:58:22 PM; Representative Ammon expresses annoyance with unsolicited text messages but argues the bill won't fix the problem due to spoofing in text messaging technology, which is foundational and hard to police.
HB1154: Representative Burroughs Oppose04:02:45.359 - 12:58:22 PM; Representative Burroughs agrees with Representative Ammon and mentions using an iPhone feature to filter unsolicited texts into a promotions folder, which has improved his experience by reducing constant notifications.
HB1197 0519: Representative Miles Support04:05:29.120 - 1:01:06 PM; Representative Miles notes this is a department bill he sponsored, and with no further discussion, the committee votes to pass it as amended.
HB1198: Unspecified Representative Information Only04:09:31.199 - 1:05:08 PM; The representative notes the bill is on its way to the governor's desk and addresses concerns that it imposes a tax, clarifying there is no tax in it.
HB1444 0381: Representative Spear Support04:12:36.960 - 1:08:13 PM; Representative Spear, from a military and DoD background, supports the bill as rewritten to require following federal regulations, stating it's a good idea for political subdivisions to catch up.
HB1463: Representative John Hunt, Cheshire - District 14 Oppose04:14:53.760 - 1:10:30 PM; Representative Hunt moves ITL, stating the bill is redundant as the department already conducts such analyses, though well-thought-out.
HB1481: Representative Patusk Oppose04:17:06.000 - 1:12:43 PM; Representative Patusk moves ITL, noting the bill has already been passed, so there's no need to send another one.
HB1558: Representative Miles Oppose04:19:18.319 - 1:14:55 PM; Representative Miles acknowledges the importance of financial responsibility and public safety but moves ITL due to added administrative complexity without clear improvements in outcomes or safety.
HB1568: Unspecified Representative Oppose04:20:31.279 - 1:16:08 PM; The representative moves ITL, describing it as another unnecessary mandatory insurance bill, likening it to deja vu.
HB1589: Representative Ammon Oppose04:22:59.840 - 1:18:36 PM; Representative Ammon moves ITL, expressing concern that the bill forces data sharing among social media companies, increasing hacking risks by broadening the attack surface.
HB1606: Representative Walsh Oppose04:26:10.080 - 1:21:47 PM; Representative Walsh moves ITL, noting an original amendment was incorporated into the budget, making the bill unnecessary.
HB1673: Representative Patusk Oppose04:26:55.680 - 1:22:32 PM; Representative Patusk moves ITL, stating it has already been passed in previous legislation.
HB1679: Representative Spear Oppose04:28:53.199 - 1:24:30 PM; Representative Spear moves ITL, explaining the bottle bill returns 10 cents per can or bottle but creates issues like dirty returns near food areas in stores, which is problematic.
HB1679: Unspecified Representative Oppose04:30:01.279 - 1:25:38 PM; The representative concurs with Representative Spear's concerns.
HB1725: Representative Ammon Oppose04:31:13.840 - 1:26:50 PM; Representative Ammon moves ITL, stating the bill is too heavy-handed and premature given the flux in the AI economy; suggests studying more before prohibiting things to avoid signaling wariness.
HB1812: Representative Miles Oppose04:36:33.840 - 1:32:10 PM; Representative Miles moves ITL, acknowledging access issues and the sponsor's intent for transparency but notes the bill is overcomplicated and possibly duplicative, especially after recent licensing reforms to improve access.
HB1491: Representative John Hunt Support04:45:33.200 - 1:41:10 PM; Representative Hunt, the prime sponsor, explains that HB1491 is the same bill passed unanimously by the committee last year, which died in the Senate due to non-concurrence. The bill aims to accommodate Senate preferences by placing risk pools administered by the Secretary of State's office under that oversight, while regulating health-related entities under the Insurance Department via new statute 420-R. This creates regulatory authority for non-assessable risk pools, exempting them from insurance taxes and full insurance regulations. He clarifies differences between assessable and non-assessable pools, noting that entities like Primex prefer to remain under existing 5-B for property and casualty, while health pools benefit from 420-R oversight to avoid issues like those during COVID, where low reserves led to crises. He emphasizes professional actuarial regulation over statutory thresholds for health insurance stability.
HB1491: Daniel Rosner, SAU48 and Health Trust Board Member Support05:03:30.958 - 1:59:07 PM; Daniel Rosner, business administrator for SAU48 in Plymouth and chairman of Health Trust's board since 2023, testifies in support of HB1491. He highlights the complexity of risk management for public sector entities like school districts and the efficiency of risk pools such as Health Trust and Primex compared to costlier non-pool options. He stresses the critical need for stable risk pools amid recent insolvencies of other pools (NHIT and SchoolCare), attributing their failures to low reserves under current regulations. Rosner urges the committee to recognize Health Trust's adherence to actuarially sound methodologies, which has kept it solvent, and warns that without this bill, public sector health benefits are at risk, increasing taxpayer costs.
HB1491: Scott D. Roach, Executive Director of Health Trust Support05:06:52.638 - 2:02:29 PM; Scott Roach, executive director of Health Trust, strongly supports HB1491, providing detailed background on Health Trust as a non-assessable risk pool serving public entities for 40 years with stable premiums and no surprise assessments. He contrasts this with assessable pools like NHIT and SchoolCare, which followed Secretary of State guidelines, depleted reserves, and issued large assessments ($2.5M and $30M respectively), leading to one pool's closure. Health Trust's higher reserves (around 30% per actuarial standards) allowed it to weather COVID volatility, return $57M in surplus, and rebuild without assessments. Roach advocates for moving non-assessable pools to Insurance Department oversight under 420-R, using the RBC solvency system for stronger regulation, rate approvals, and prudent reserves. He notes partnerships with carriers like Anthem for administration but emphasizes Health Trust holds the risk. Roach addresses concerns on reserves, explaining external actuarial guidance, board decisions, transparency via public filings, and requirements for surplus returns at 600% RBC levels to protect taxpayers while ensuring solvency in volatile markets. Private market alternatives are 20-30% more expensive and lack public-sector focus.
HB1491: Margaret Burns, Executive Director of New Hampshire Municipal Association Support05:28:26.798 - 2:24:03 PM; Margaret Burns testifies in support of HB1491 on behalf of the New Hampshire Municipal Association, emphasizing the bill's allowance for both assessable (under Secretary of State, RSA 5-B) and non-assessable (under Insurance Department, 420-R) risk pool models, providing clarity and choice for local governments. This aligns with national standards from the Association of Governmental Risk Pools. She highlights recent surprises from assessments in NHIT and SchoolCare, underscoring the need for statutory triggers and transparency to avoid budgetary havoc. The bill represents a compromise incorporating Senate-preferred language and enhances regulations. Burns notes it enables new pool creation (RSA 420-R:3), offering local options especially after NHIT's closure reduced health pool choices to two. Alternatives include commercial markets or self-insurance, but risk pools remain vital for affordable coverage.
HB1491: Brennan O'Donnell, Deputy Secretary of State Oppose05:35:36.320 - 2:31:13 PM; Brennan O'Donnell apologizes for Secretary David Scanland's absence due to election litigation. He explains the bill creates two types of pooled risk management programs, one under Secretary of State oversight and one under Department of Insurance. He focuses on timing, noting the bill differs from last year's due to an ongoing enforcement action against Health Trust initiated by the Secretary of State between sessions. He details past violations found in 2011, upheld by the NH Supreme Court in 2014, including issues with reserves, reinsurance, fund transfers, and surplus use. Current allegations from September 2025 include operating as fully insured, improper surplus and spending, inadequate actuarial evaluations, and governance issues. A hearing is scheduled for October 2025, potentially appealable to the Supreme Court. He argues passing the bill would allow Health Trust to evade enforcement and regulator shop, advising the legislature to wait until the action concludes before revisiting regulation. He provides documents and directs to the Secretary of State's website for pleadings.
HB1491: Representative Spear Information Only05:41:05.760 - 2:36:42 PM; Representative Spear questions if the testimony implies two risk pools failed under Secretary of State oversight, and if Health Trust is trying to survive like them, now leaving only one or one and a half pools.
HB1491: Unnamed Representative Information Only05:42:07.520 - 2:37:44 PM; The representative seeks clarification on the Secretary of State's position on capping reserves, drawing from local politics where boards retain surpluses to smooth tax rate fluctuations and avoid political pressure, suggesting this might underlie the cap to return money to taxpayers. He follows up on the history behind the cap, noting the legislature can change the law.
HB1491: Unnamed Representative Information Only05:44:59.040 - 2:40:36 PM; The representative asks about the timeframe for the enforcement action's completion, noting the October 2025 hearing (3-5 days) and potential Supreme Court appeal adding about a year, possibly into 2026. He inquires if the bill's passage would halt the lawsuit, to which O'Donnell responds it might invalidate the action by shifting oversight, based on Health Trust's testimony.
HB1491: Bruce Berkley, Infinity Capital Group representing Health Trust Support05:46:04.400 - 2:41:41 PM; Bruce Berkley briefly addresses the regulator shopping allegation, deferring to another (possibly Scott or D. Ro) who reiterates Health Trust's support for the bill predates the September 2025 enforcement action, as they backed the same bill passed by the committee in spring 2025. They emphasize support for the system to retain adequate reserves for solvency and member service. They note the 2014 Supreme Court ruling struck down the 15% reserve cap, requiring reliance on qualified actuaries, which they do annually with public reports. They contrast this with two other risk pools that depleted reserves under Secretary of State practices, leading to closure, massive assessments, and market exit, while Health Trust's reserves enabled full claim payments without assessments.

Hunt, John(Chairman)(R)[B+]2025	Post, Lisa(Clerk)(R)[A]2025	Potucek, John(V Chairman)(R)[A-]2025
Butler, Billie(D)	Salvi, Santosh(D)[CT]2025	Chourasia, Manoj(D)[F]2025
Ammon, Keith(R)[A]2025	Herbert, Christopher(D)[D-]2025	Osborne, Jason(R)[A+]2025
Thackston, Dick(R)[B+]2025	Walsh, Lilli(R)[B]2025	Porcelli, Susan(R)[B]2025
Spier, Carry(D)[D-]2025	Burroughs, Anita(D)[F]2025	McAleer, Chris(D)[D-]2025
Sullivan, Jared(D)[D]2025	Miles, Julie(R)[A-]2025	Presa, Adam(R)[B]2025