(Feb. 25, 2025) – Today, the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, chaired by Senator Brenda Dietrich (R-Topeka), held hearings on legislation, including:

• House Bill 2043 requires agents and insurers to respond to inquiries from the commissioner of insurance within 14 calendar days rather than the current 15 business days and authorizes certain rebate pilot programs to exceed one year in duration. Eric Turek, Kansas Insurance Department, testified on the need to increase the current timeframe when it concerns consumer complaints. He highlighted that Kansas was one of the first states in the portal and testified that they believe 14 days is a good balance. He testified that this conflicts with other statutes related to examinations and accreditation standards. Neutral testimony came from Marlee Carpenter, Kansas Association of Property and Casualty Insurance Company, who expressed concerns with language added in the House. Carpenter suggested 15 business days for general inquiries from the insurance commissioner but 14 calendar days for a public inquiry.

• House Bill 2050 authorizes the commissioner of insurance to set the amount of certain fees and requires the publication of certain fees in the Kansas Register. The committee heard proponent testimony from Eric Turek, Kansas Insurance Department.

• House Bill 2048 eliminates the requirement that the commissioner submit certain reports to the governor and removwa certain specific entities from the definition of a person for the purpose of enforcing insurance law. Eric Turek, Kansas Insurance Department testified as a proponent.

The committee will meet again tomorrow.