The House Insurance Committee advances a bill to give the insurance commissioner the power to reject auto insurance rates regardless of market conditions. House Bill 576 by Amite Democrat Robby Carter advanced on a vote of 13 to 4. It’s supported by Governor Landry but opposed by Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple. Landry says since auto insurance is a mandated purchase, free market principles should not apply; and giving the insurance commissioner the ability to reject rates regardless of market conditions should provide relief to policyholders.
Temple says insurance commissioners having too much power over insurance carriers will drive them out of the state.
Another bill headed to the full house is one that would make it a crime to intentionally release balloons in the air. Sean Richardson reports it advanced out of the House National Resources Committee.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
Lawmakers will reconsider a bill by New Orleans Representative Delisha Boyd which would allow abortion exceptions for minors under 17 who become pregnant due to certain sex crimes. Current state law only allows exceptions for fatal fetal abnormalities or serious health risks to the pregnant woman.