Phil Ammann
An amended version of a bill reforming several laws and policies at the Department of Financial Services passed the Senate unanimously. LobbyTools reports that HB 651 is now headed back to the House.
The bill, in part, creates a new grant program for volunteer fire departments and specifies that employees of state universities, special districts and water management districts can participate in the state’s deferred compensation program.
Amendments added by Sen. Alan Hays and Sen. Jeff Brandes are the reason the bill will be returned to the House. LobbyTools notes that Hays’ amendment seeks to push back to 2019 a repeal of the statute exempting medical malpractice insurance premiums from emergency assessments. That exemption was set to expire at the end of May. Brandes’ amendments made some minor tweaks to surplus lines and travel insurance regulation.
