HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                         NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING


COMMITTEE: Insurance

TIME & DATE:  1:30PM, Tuesday, September 8, 1998

PLACE: E2.010

CHAIR: Rep. John T. Smithee

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To consider the follwing interim charges of the House Insurance
Committee and to hear invited testimony:

1. Study the incremental costs of health insurance benefits mandated by
   the legislature.  Explore ways for the legislature to obtain
   accurate information on the costs of mandates proposed by legisla-
   tion.  Evaluate the effects, if any, of currently mandated benefits
   on premium costs, the market, and access to coverage.
2. Review issues related to insurance company claims handling and the
   laws relating to failure to handle claims in good faith.
3. Conduct a review of the various lines of insurance and the extent to
   which the lines are regulated as to (1)premium rates, (2)policy
   forms, (3)financial integrity, (4)market conduct, (5)other factors
   determined by the committee.
4. Monitor federal banking reform initiatives to see that state
   interests in the regulation of financial institutions and insurance
   companies are protected. (Joint with the House Committee on Finan-
   cial Institutions)
5. Conduct active oversight of the agencies under the committee's
   jurisdiction.

THE COMMITTEE WILL HEAR INVITED TESTIMONY ONLY, BUT THE PUBLIC IS
WELCOME TO ATTEND.

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