House Labor and Commerce committee advances dozens of bills; energy, health and insurance measures move forward

The Virginia House Committee on Labor and Commerce met Jan. 21 and voted on a large slate of bills covering health insurance requirements, utility regulation, renewable energy programs and consumer protections. Most measures were reported to the full House or referred to the Appropriations Committee; a handful failed or were stricken from the docket.

Why it matters: The committee’s actions send multiple policy changes into further consideration by the full House or, in several cases, to the Appropriations Committee for fiscal review. Items that advanced affect insurance coverage for diagnostic exams and midwifery services, emergency provisions for prior authorization, wildfire funding, renewable energy procurement and local electric-vehicle charging incentives.

Votes at a glance (bill — short description — committee action/outcome — vote): - HB 1828 — Prohibits cost sharing for diagnostic breast examinations, as amended and incorporating HB 2133 — Reported to Appropriations with substitute; reported out of full committee (measure passed) — final recorded passage in committee: passed (22 yes, roll closed). - HB 1923 — Requires parity in coverage for licensed certified midwives and licensed midwives; substitute clarifies reimbursement parity — Reported and referred to Appropriations; final committee vote: passed 21–0. - HB 1956 — At the patron's request the bill was stricken from the docket — Stricken from docket; recorded vote 20–0 to strike. - HB 269 — (listed as 02/69 in committee) Increases certain insurance company assessment from 1% to 1.5% and establishes the Virginia at-risk fire grant program funded by part of the assessment — Reported with substitute…