MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Wednesday, May 4, 2016, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair	Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Brandon Creighton, Vice Chair	Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Don Huffines	Senator John Whitmire
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator Kirk Watson

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:01 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chair made opening comments, and moved to limit testimony to three minutes. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out the first interim charge of the hearing: Study the impact of the penalty calculations under the current prompt payment of health care claim laws and regulations, including comparing penalties in other states and late payment penalties in Texas for other lines of insurance. Evaluate whether unregulated billed charges is the appropriate basis for determining penalty amounts and make recommendations for statutory changes, if needed.

Chairman Hancock opened up invited testimony on the first charge of the hearing. The invited witnesses are shown on the attached list.

The chair laid out the second interim charge of the hearing: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce during the 84th Legislature, Regular Session and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following: Implementation of legislation intended to further protect consumers from the balance billing process.

Chairman Hancock opened up invited testimony on the second charge of the hearing. The invited witnesses are shown on the attached list.

Chairman Hancock moved to close invited testimony on both charges.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 11:46 AM Senator Hancock moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair

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Tatum Reagan, Clerk