Insurance department previews noncontroversial omnibus cleanup bill at committee organizational meeting

Members of the Arkansas House Insurance & Commerce Committee met for an organizational session during which officials from the Arkansas Insurance Department previewed a "general omnibus" bill of cleanup items and said their staff will be available to assist committee members during the legislative session.

The discussion matters because the omnibus package could contain multiple technical changes to state insurance law and regulations that affect insurers, agents and health-care payers across the state. Committee leaders also reviewed meeting procedures and scheduling for the session.

Clay McClain, identified in the meeting as representing the insurance commissioner, told the committee, "We will have a small package from the insurance department. We call it general omnibus bill. Classic, nothing to see here, just clean up stuff," and said the department expects to present that package and to talk with committee members about sponsorship.…