House committee re-refers landslide and sinkhole insurance bill to Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness

The House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee voted to report House Bill 589 — a proposal to establish a landslide and sinkhole insurance program — and recommended that the measure be re‑referred to the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Evan, a committee clerk, summarized the bill as establishing “the landslide and sinkhole insurance program to provide insurance coverage for landslides and sinkholes.” The chair then put the question to the committee and directed a roll call vote.

Committee members discussed the bill’s referral history and sponsorship. Chair Rader noted the bill’s path at the committee: “By way of background, this was referred to our committee last session. At the time, it involved the Department of Environmental Protection, and was truly an environmental related bill. The bill has been amended over time. The Department of Environmental Protection is no longer a part of this.”

Chair Rader said he had spoken with the prime sponsor and that “she suggested that we refer to the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.” Rader also said Representative Solomon indicated he would accept the re‑referral.

The committee then voted to report the bill with the recommendation to re‑refer. The roll call recorded a majority in favor; Representative Schaefer cast the lone recorded no vote during the roll call.

The committee did not take additional policy action on HB 589; the next procedural step will be consideration by the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee if that committee accepts the referral.

Details from the meeting: the bill summary was read into the record by Evan; the committee’s recommendation was to re‑refer HB 589 to the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. The committee’s discussion focused on the bill’s prior referral and the change in agency involvement.