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Insurers, lawmakers spar over points reporting; committee issues no recommendation on HB 1250
Summary
The Senate Transportation Committee recorded no recommendation on House Bill 1250 after a contentious hearing over point-reporting language that insurers say should be removed and some lawmakers say cannot be undone.
Senators debated House Bill 1250 and related points-reporting issues at length, with insurance industry representatives urging the committee to remove a points-related section from another bill and lawmakers pushing back that reversing the earlier change would not return records already released.
John Ward, speaking for the Association of North Dakota Insurers, said his members opposed the bill’s Section 2 (a points provision) and argued there is no clear correlation between the driver-record release and recent premium increases. Dennis Pathroff, representing the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, echoed insurers’ objections and asked the committee to amend the contested language out.
Several senators said the driver's-record release happened two years ago and that insurers obtained much of the data then; reversing the policy would not undo what insurers already have. Senator Ramon pointed out that commercial drivers’ full records remain fully available because federal law requires it for CDLs. Other senators raised concerns about software and administrative costs if the state reverted record releases.
Senator Klein and others expressed deep misgivings about Section 2 and its effects, while senators who opposed removing the provision said similar language could still pass in a different bill and noted the House had used the provision strategically.
After debate the committee first considered a motion for a “do pass” or “do not pass” and then took a motion for “no committee recommendation.” The committee ultimately recorded a motion for “without recommendation,” which passed by roll call. The committee thus did not take a positive or negative recommendation on HB 1250 at this time.
Why it matters: The dispute concerns what driving-history data insurers may legally access and whether that access affects premiums. Insurers warned the points language is unrelated to broader premium dynamics such as vehicle replacement costs and national market changes; some senators said the point system needs broader reform rather than a rollback.
Next steps: HB 1250 leaves the committee without a recommendation; sponsors and stakeholders may pursue the issue in other bills or conference, and senators noted additional legislation addressing points and system reform is pending.
