Minutes

Present: Senator James P. Metzen - Chair, Senator Vicki Jensen - Vice Chair, Senator David M. Brown, Senator Jim Carlson, Senator Kevin L. Dahle, Senator Gary H. Dahms, Senator Barb Goodwin, Senator Karin Housley, Senator Ron Latz, Senator Sandra L. Pappas, Senator Eric R. Pratt, Senator Roger J. Reinert

Absent: Senator Paul E. Gazelka

Senator James P. Metzen called the meeting to order at 12:09. (All forthcoming comments do not reflect position of commerce committee. They are the comments of testifiers.) Sieben presents 1835. - Bring competition to teacher healthcare process. Author\'s Amendment A1 Brandon Rettke: Director of Public Affairs at Education Minnesota Changing bid request process. Sealed bidding process. Idea is eqal playing field by increasing competition. Protects education premium dollars. Bill does not create a single state wide teacher insurance pool. Doesn\'t force specific plan. Carlson moves A1 amendment. Voice vote. Motion adopted. Peter Eckhoff: President of the Robinsdale Federation of Teachers Supports bid provisions. Decline in rcing when seeking a competitive bids. PIEP adds competition outside self insurance. Jason George: Wants competitive bidding. Questions from Rienert, Pratt, Dahms, Brown. Katheryn Kmit: Director of Policy and Government Affairs, MN Council of Health Plans Questions from Goodwin Grace Schwab Keliher: Director of Government Affairs, Minnesota School Boards Association. - Wants rebate language in statute. Bid vs Proposal language. - Time limit right now 5 years. Worry if 2 years, not enough time to decide contracts. Dahms moves A-4. Voice Vote. Motion adopted. Jensen assumes Sieben\'s Presentation Samuel Walseth: Representing School Service Cooperatives. Reccomends langueage not in Service Coop Statute. May not cover all. Nolanguage problem. Disclosure request. Equalize taxpayer subsidies for all those provide bids. Equalized at $0. Brown offers A3. Voice Vote. Motion not adopted. Questions from Goodwin, Pratt, Dahle, Dahms, Latz, Jensen, Brown. Carole Nielsen: Executive Director, MN Association of School Admiistrators. - 2 year bidding process conflicts with 5 year contracts. Shortening time takes away from negotiation. Confusing language. Opening bid at 90 days causes conflicts. Questions from Rienert. Stang Clarification: 90 days Rienert oral amendment may conflict with timelines. Also may allow for oening bids prior to 120 days. Gary Amaroso: Executive Director, MN Association of School Administrators - Provide subsidies from one carrier to another. Matt Mohns, Prior Lake School District. - Self Insured. Money savings go back into the classroom or reserve fund. Questions from Brown, Jensen, Pratt. Jensen motion to pass S.F.1835 as amended. Voice vote. Motion prevails. Refered to Education Committee.

S.F. 1835: Senator Sieben: Health Insurance Transparency Act.



Senator Jensen moved that S.F. 1835, as amended, be recommended to pass. - MOTION PREVAILED.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:50

Senator James P. Metzen, Chair	Isaac Russell, Legislative Assistant