House Insurance Committee, February 24, 2026 Video: https://vimeo.com/1167500920 (a timestamp t plays at https://vimeo.com/1167500920#t=s) Page: https://georgiacommons.org/meetings/2026-02-24/house-insurance This is a machine transcript of the General Assembly's video, made by a speech-recognition model. It is not an official record and can mishear words, names, and numbers. Speakers are not identified. The video is the record: every timestamp links to the moment it plays. [0:13:53] Oh yeah. [0:13:54] Good morning. It's 8:00 on the dot. [0:14:24] We do have a quorum here. This is the full House Insurance Committee. We have three bills before us today. Uh, before we get started, I would ask, uh, Representative Gamble if he would, uh, uh, offer a word of prayer. [0:14:36] Thank you. Would you join me in a word of prayer? Dear Lord, we thank you for today. We thank you for the opportunity to gather this morning and to, uh, review the things we'll be discussing today. God, I pray that you would be with all of us, give us wisdom and, uh, knowledge. Give us the ability to, uh, do the right thing and be with our families. Uh, continue to lead us and direct us. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. [0:14:58] Amen. [0:14:59] Thank you. [0:15:01] All right. We have three bills before us today. Um, I know Representative Powell is gonna be a little late because he's, uh, presenting in another committee. Um, but, uh, let's start with, uh, HB, uh, 1058. Uh, Representative Buckner, if you want to come and make a presentation for us on that bill, I'd... Whichever one you prefer. Podium mic, okay. Try that. Make sure you have- [0:15:25] Good morning. [0:15:26] All right, very good. [0:15:27] I really appreciate you, um, hearing this bill. This is what's brought to me by the Methodist Children's Home. Um, their executive director's a dear friend, a hard worker, and cares about the children. And they had a situation back in May of 2024 where an employee of theirs passed away unexpectedly, and, um, it was sudden. It was a shock to everybody. And then they found out as things unfolded that she had left the Methodist Home, because she had no immediate family, her, them, left the Methodist Children Home as the beneficiary of her life insurance policy that was provided by the Methodist Children Home to the employees, and she was an employee there for over 10 years. [0:16:13] So as they tried to go through the process of receiving the benefit, they were told that Georgia state law, which is in chapter 27, title 33 of the code, reads that the employer-provided employee group life insurance policies cannot benefit the employer, which makes sense for the for-profit arena, but not necessarily for the charitable nonprofits. So, um, they, they appealed the hearing, uh, or the ruling, and cited a Virginia case where, with the identical language, where the courts concluded that the employer may serve as a beneficiary when the employer is a charitable 501[c][3] organization, which the Methodist Children Home is. [0:17:03] So they appealed again and were denied again, and so she came to me and said, "Can we change the law? It won't help us, but it might help other charitable organizations in the state who are strapped for cash, and who, because of the love of their employee, of the work that they do, they want to let that, um, organization be the beneficiary." So that's what LC 44-34-39 S is, and basically the change is on line 13, 14, and 15, where it says, and it qualifies that beneficiaries can be 501[c][3] tax exempt, and, um, if the beneficiary has the, um, designated in writing that that's who they want to receive the benefits. [0:17:53] So I would welcome any questions and appreciate your favorable consideration. [0:18:16] Thank you. Thank you for the bill. Uh, just a little background. My grandmother was raised in that Methodist orphanage in Macon, and every year she'd go back for a reunion with her sister. [0:18:25] Oh. [0:18:25] Um, it was a big, a big part of her life and a big part of my life, going with her, uh, until she passed. Um- [0:18:32] Thank you [0:18:33] ... I think it's a good bill. I'm glad, I'm glad that they, um, thought this important enough to, to help other organizations who might, who might have this problem, and I appreciate you bringing the bill. [0:18:43] Thank you. [0:18:43] Isn't that not true? Isn't that not true? Yeah. [0:18:46] I will take it as the truth. Thank you. [0:18:48] Thank you. [0:18:49] All right. Representative Reeves. [0:18:54] The, uh, I think in the North Georgia conference, they've rebranded a Wellroot, right, the Methodist Children's Home. They- [0:18:59] I see [0:19:00] ... they had one in Decatur, and I think they're, they're called Wellroot now, and they do great work in my area. [0:19:05] Thank you. [0:19:05] And really, you know, we got a lot of kids in need with foster care and adoption, and they are part of the solution on that, do great work. And if this is something that benefits their charitable mission, I think it's different than private sector with, like, Publix hiring life insurance for, you know, temporary employees and stuff like that. I think, uh, this has a good nonprofit purpose. [0:19:24] Thank- [0:19:24] Thanks for bringing it. [0:19:25] Thank you. Uh, we tried to make it very tight and cover all the, um, industry's concerns. [0:19:41] Can you hear me now? Thank you for bringing the bill. And, and, uh, without, just to make sure, uh, this, this would cover any 501[c][3] that was- W- are, are there any 501[c][3]s that maybe have homes for the elderly or anything like that? No, I'm, I'm serious. As far as signing over their life insurance, maybe them not cognizant enough to, to take, to do that. I'm, I'm just asking- [0:20:09] Yeah [0:20:09] ... could they be headed for a problem there? [0:20:14] This is true. This, this is... Yeah, these are all residential treatment type facilities that I'm thinking of. Um, uh, but I'm- [0:20:24] My, my, my question is still, are there any 501[c][3]s that have- [0:20:27] Right [0:20:27] ... residential for the elderly that would be h- be at a point in their life that they might sign their insurance over? W- I'm sure there's legal ways to stop that from happening, but just- [0:20:39] Mm-hmm [0:20:39] ... just thinking, I'm just thinking out loud. [0:20:41] I, I think that's a good thought. Um, um, um, these are employees of a tr- facility that are working there and voluntarily signed the paperwork u- upfront. So, um, unless they're working there in a diminished capacity - [0:21:04] Okay [0:21:04] ... of, of their mental faculties, uh- [0:21:06] It's just a, it's just a, uh... Well, I'm talking about the person signing it over. I mean- [0:21:10] Yeah, I am too. If they're- [0:21:12] Okay [0:21:12] ... they would have to be working for the organization- [0:21:14] Right [0:21:14] ... and sign it over- [0:21:15] Okay [0:21:15] ... as an employee. [0:21:17] Okay. It's not- [0:21:17] The problem comes with re- with this h- happening because the employer and the employee are both- [0:21:24] So that, it, it, it affects no- [0:21:25] ... participating in the life insurance plan [0:21:26] ... it affects no one that's in the home, just the employees of the home. [0:21:29] No. No, no, no, no, no. [0:21:29] Thank you for clearing my mind. Thank you. [0:21:31] Sorry. I didn't follow that. [0:21:35] Uh, Representative- [0:21:36] Good question, though [0:21:36] ... Hugley. [0:21:39] Uh, Mr. Chairman, at the appropriate time, I'd like to make the motion. [0:21:41] Right. We have, have a couple more, uh, lights flashing. Um, Representative Gamble. [0:21:49] Yeah, just a point of clarification. These are guaranteed issue life policies for employees, and generally these are smaller policy amounts because you don't have to go through underwriting. So generally, and I know Chair Lady can confirm that, these are most likely $50,000 or under. Anything above that would require underwriting and would not qualify for what you're describing. [0:22:11] Right. [0:22:11] So that is the difference about these life insurance policies versus what you would traditionally find with a standard issue life policy. [0:22:18] Mm-hmm. Thank you. [0:22:19] Correct. No other lights flashing. Representative Hugley. [0:22:25] Uh, Mr. Chair, I'd like to move do pass. [0:22:27] We, we have a do pass and a second. Any discussion? All in favor say aye. [0:22:33] Aye. [0:22:33] All opposed like sign. The ayes have it. Thank you. [0:22:36] Thank you very much. [0:22:39] All right. [0:22:45] And next up, um, Representative Gullett, you wanna... Okay. Gonna go to the table. That's fine. House Bill 1198. [0:23:02] And LC number. [0:23:04] Sure. Thank you, members. It's, um, House Bill 1198, LC 520996. Um, this is really just a consumer convenience measure, um, updates Georgia law to, um, reflect how products are sold today. Uh, people buy eyeglasses, smart watches, handbags. Uh, and oftentimes when you go, um, when you go to checkout, there's an, an optional protection plan that's offered to you at checkout, um, protect your purchase for so and so many dollars. [0:23:36] Um, what this does is it, um... Current law already allows that insurance to be sold on portable electronics. Uh, this bill just modi- modifies and modernizes that definition, um, and allows a similar protection plan to be offered on consumer goods, things like purses, things like designer eyeglasses, um, as well as updated technology, your smartphone, uh, your smartwatch, maybe meta glasses. Um, it doesn't require anyone to buy the coverage. [0:24:07] It just allows the retailer to offer it at the point of sale if the customer wants to add that protection. It's a limited license. Um, I think this is just a practical update, uh, for consumers to give them a choice. Um, again, it's completely optional for the retailer to offer it as well as the consumer to buy it. Happy to answer any questions for that. [0:24:26] All right. We have one. Representative Hugley. [0:24:31] Just wanted to make sure I'm clear. Are you talking about, let's say you buy a vacuum cleaner and before we, you, you check out, they ask if you want to buy a warranty on it. Is that what we're talking about? [0:24:41] That, that's right, yes. [0:24:42] Okay. [0:24:45] All right. Any other questions? Representative Davis. [0:24:52] Sorry. Thank you, Chairman. Uh, my question is this. One time I bought a, one of those, um, insurance, right, after you buy a product. [0:25:02] Mm-hmm. [0:25:03] And the company had a policy that you had to have the original receipt. And the problem now is with a lot of the receipts nowadays, they fade after, like, two or three days or, uh, within a month. Uh, when it comes to a company having the policy of having the original receipt, I take it here you can have a digital? [0:25:32] Um, I don't think we specify exactly what the, what the requirements of that insurance policy to, to claim it. Um, this just gives the ability for them just to offer that. So we're not, we're not into the, the nuts and bolts of exactly how, you know, you must have an original receipt or digital receipt or, or whatever. [0:25:51] Oh, okay then. But that was- [0:25:53] This is just the ability to, to offer that product. [0:25:55] Okay. Thank you. [0:25:56] Mm-hmm. [0:25:58] All right. Are there any other questions? I see none. Uh, 23. And Representative Mathiak? [0:26:10] Yes, sir. Thank you, Chair. At the appropriate time, I'd like to say due pass. [0:26:16] Well, seeing no other questions and, uh, hearing no other discussion, I guess this is the appropriate time, so we have a due pass. Do I hear a second? [0:26:24] Second. [0:26:27] I have a second. All in favor say aye. [0:26:30] Aye. [0:26:31] All opposed. The ayes have it. [0:26:33] Thank you. [0:26:34] Thank you. And we have one more bill, and I know, um, Representative, um, Powell is, um, in- had to present in another committee. Uh, so if we will be at ease for a few minutes if, uh, you'll just hang with us. [0:32:15] All right, we'll come back to order. We have one more bill to present, and I see the author has just joined us. So, uh, if you would please come and present to us House Bill 961. Uh, Representative Powell. [0:32:41] Well, good morning, Mr. Chairman, and ladies and gentlemen. [0:32:44] Good morning. [0:32:46] A lot of this bill, I want to defer, uh, a lot of this to our good friend, Ms. Ty- uh, Representative Taylor. But I want to give you the genesis of this. Uh, had a young man constituent that had called 911 back, uh, sometime last fall. And, uh, it was an emergency, and he called them and they had sent a private ambulance to pick him up to transport him 10 miles to the ER. And- [0:33:13] Now, you were working from, elf, what your elf is, uh, House Bill 961 [0:33:18] Well, I'm going to have to defer again to- [0:33:20] LC 461466S. Okay? [0:33:24] That looks correct. [0:33:26] Right. Okay. Go ahead. [0:33:26] And, uh, [0:33:29] once they picked him up, and, uh, he was billed, uh, for $4,500. [0:33:36] Ooh. [0:33:36] And the, uh... And it took some work. I had, uh, reached out to the, uh, the company, and they agreed to do certain things. They lowered that amount on him, $20-some odd hundred. But still, they wouldn't deal with his insurance as in-network. And we kind of looked at this like, "You know, something needs to be done with this." Well, obviously I wasn't the only one, because there was a Senate bill that did the same thing. Then it got into the, um, got into the finances at our public ambulance, our EMTs and those, uh, organizations are using. [0:34:10] And at that point, I mean, I had originally said that the lower price between in-network fees or contract fees, uh, and the Medicaid rate. Now, quite frankly, I know my limitations. There's a reason I try not to do insurance bills. I leave this up to the specialists, quite honestly, and that would be you folks. Uh, Ms. Taylor has been more than an enormous help on this. Uh, and I think the, at the end of the day, the, the sticking point was how much of the Medicaid rate. [0:34:45] Uh, you know, I think my original bill I had put in at 400%. Uh, I think that, uh, s- some of the, uh, the Medicaid folks were wanting 200, and I think there was a compromise made in the subcommittee. And ladies and gentlemen, that is the best I can tell you. Uh, I will tell you that our EMS services are, you know, probably the most important next to law enforcement of, uh, government services. [0:35:16] You know, something happens to you, you want somebody there to get you to medical attention. And, uh, they're suffering, quite frankly. Uh, you know, the reimbursement rates is an issue to them, uh, 'cause most of those, they work for county governments or government entities. And, you know, there's a strain on county governments to pay the difference in what comes in and what's not. And I cannot say enough good things about doing thin- doing some things that will be of benefit to them. [0:35:46] But most of this is about the surprise billing, that gotcha stuff. Because when you make a call, when any one of you or your children or anybody makes a call to 911, you don't have time to negotiate or to ask them, "What kind of billing cycle is there gonna be on this?" So that's the reason we call it surprise billing for ambulance service. I'll be glad to answer any questions, but I don't think I can. I think you're gonna have to defer those to Rep- to Chair Lady Taylor, 'cause she seems to be the expert in this. [0:36:25] All right, so we have a few questions, uh, and we will see if somebody can provide the answer. Uh, let's see. 25. Representative Reeves, you were first. [0:36:38] Chairman Powell, thanks for bringing this after Chairman Lumsden, Speaker, Commissioner King, and I explained those insurance bills last week. One of the few questions, uh, from the media left was about surprise medical billing, so appreciate you doing that. And then 1262 that Chairman Lumsden's carrying, we're increasing surprise medical billing fines fivefold under that bill, and so this fits right in with that. Appreciate you bringing it, and I see this article from New York, Texas, other states are addressing this. Appreciate you bringing it in, Jordan. [0:37:09] And I would certainly be amenable if you want to fold this one into Chairman Lumsden's bill. It would not hurt my feelings at all. [0:37:18] I think not. Okay. [0:37:23] All right. Um, Representative Mathiak. [0:37:26] Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, I, I don't know if you're gonna be able to answer this, but I'm gonna ask it anyways. On 19, line 19, it says, "Shall not include air ambulance." I had a, a, some issue in my county over air ambulance. Is there a reason that you excluded that? [0:37:47] It's federally controlled, not state. They're a federal law. [0:37:53] Federal law. Thank you for clarifying that. [0:37:55] Okay. [0:37:55] Appreciate it. [0:37:56] All right. Uh, Representative Scott. [0:38:03] Good morning, and thank you for bringing this bill because as I stated in, um, the subcommittee, um, it is definitely a surprise when you get your bill and see it $2,000, uh, and you didn't go, probably didn't go 10 miles. So, um, I appreciate you bringing this bill. [0:38:24] Thank you, ma'am. [0:38:25] Representative Hawkins. [0:38:29] Yeah, I, I also want to say I appreciate you and, and, uh, Representative or Chair Lady Taylor for bringing this. Um, years ago when we did the, uh, balance bill, we had ambulance service in there. They requested at that time to be taken out because of the problem with in-network, out-of-network low pay to them. I mean, some, some of the insurance companies were paying less than it cost to crank the ambulance up. Also, they had problems with waiting on the wall. That's still sort of an issue, but during COVID, it was a large, large issue taking them out of service so long. [0:39:03] Uh, you're right, there is a Senate bill coming, and it's a little bit thicker. But, uh, appreciate what you're doing. This is good, good piece of legislation. [0:39:11] Well, I thank you very much. Uh, you know, I still function the old-fashioned way. When I run into real life, when I run into issues, that's where a lot of the legislation that I bring forth, and I have no pride of authorship. I can assure you that y'all know that. Uh, I know what my area of expertise is, and it's certainly not insurance. But that's the reason you are the professionals in this- [0:39:36] All right [0:39:37] ... and I bow to your will. [0:39:38] All right. Representative Taylor. Chair Lady Taylor. [0:39:42] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to take this opportunity to thank the author of the bill and the parties involved. I would say nobody's 100% happy with it, and that means we did something right, and it truly does, um, bring it into a, an area where we're having a set price. Um, ambulance service is very different. It's not like one code that will work every time you use it. And, um, we'll look at it, and it is a 300% of the Medicare, um, allowances on it. It varies so much between rural and urban and the services that are provided in each trip. [0:40:15] So this will be a fair across the board. I have no, um, illusion that we won't look at this again. But this will get us where we need to have this stopping and ending of those surprise bills. So thank you to the author and those that were involved to help come to this. Thank you. [0:40:29] And my, and my sincerest thanks to the lady chairman for her help on this. [0:40:33] At the appropriate time, I'd like to make a motion. [0:40:36] All right, we have a couple other lights flashing. I'll get back to that in a moment. Uh, Representative Davis. No, no light flashing. Okay. Uh, Representative Williamson. [0:40:49] Uh, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, and, and this might be better directed to Chair Lady, uh, Taylor, but, uh, line, uh, 46, 47, "The minimum allowable reimbursement rate under any healthcare plan other than a state health, other than a state healthcare plan for covered service." So does this in fact exclude the state health benefit plan? [0:41:20] Chair Lady Taylor. [0:41:22] Uh, we probably need to refer to our legal counsel. I think that, um, it may be that it's in-network. I'm not sure if the state health plans is in-network. [0:41:31] The state health plan is not covered in the CAP. [0:41:35] Okay. It's in a different code section. [0:41:38] Okay. Thank [0:41:41] you. [0:41:42] All right. Any further questions? [0:41:47] Seeing none, uh, Chair Lady Taylor? [0:41:51] Make a move to pass. [0:41:53] Second. [0:41:53] I have a motion to pass and second. Any further discussions? Hearing none. All in favor say aye. [0:41:59] Aye. [0:42:00] All opposed like same. All right. Thank you. That is the last- [0:42:03] Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, thank you so much [0:42:06] ... bill does pass. That's the last item on the agenda. We are through. [0:42:58] Thank you