Insurance Fund working group finalizes edits, sets quick deadline to publish report; recommends legislative approval process and keeping current assessment mix

The Insurance Fund Working Group convened Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, reviewed a draft report on the state’s insurance fund assessments and agreed on revisions and a tight schedule to publish a final document by the end of the following week.

The group agreed to add a glossary and an index of supporting materials, include the Office of Legislative Research report in full, and expand the report’s numerical detail (insured lives and recent budget figures). Sen. Aslett pushed for a rapid turnaround, saying, “I would like to get this done, no later than the middle of next week.”

Why it matters: the report will be used by the Appropriations Committee and executive branch staff as lawmakers consider whether to shift or remove fees currently paid into the insurance fund. The working group’s recommendations—particularly to preserve the current assessment and funding structure for the Department of Insurance and to create a formal legislative approval process for any future assessments—are intended to shape upcoming budget and statutory decisions.

The chair opened by thanking members for…