Committee sends SB 957A on noncompetes to Rules after debate over scope and stakeholder outreach

During a May 20, 2025, work session in Hearing Room C, the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care voted to send Senate Bill 957A to the Rules Committee without recommendation after members debated the bills scope and process for stakeholder engagement.

The chair told the committee that staff had considered a dash-a3 amendment that would have broadened inclusion of certain providers but that the amendment would not be moved. The chair said proponents and other stakeholders had committed to taking up parts of the matter in the interim and that the Rules Committee, chaired in the House by Representative Bowman, would consider retrospective noncompete language raised by Senator Broadman.

Representative Deal raised process concerns, saying there had been "no dialogue with the dental association" and that passing substantive changes without discussion was "not a good way to pass legislation." Deal said that while discussing noncompetes had merit, stakeholders should be consulted before moving major changes.

Vice Chair Jaffney moved to send SB 957A to the Rules Committee without recommendation. The committee adopted the motion by roll call; committee staff recorded a majority yes vote and at least one no vote. Committee members noted the need to harmonize SB 951 and SB 957 and indicated that the Rules Committee would be the forum for ironing out conflicting provisions.

The committee adjourned after the referral. The chair also reminded members that the committee plans additional informational hearings later in the week on pharmaceutical purchasing and other topics.