Senate passes Commerce omnibus; lawmakers debate copper‑recycling license and other measures

The Senate approved House File 4, a Commerce omnibus bill that includes insurance market provisions, protections for consumer products such as lead keys and cadmium paint limits, water access at large events and a newly created ombudsperson for homeowner associations.

Senator Klein described bipartisan agreements to extend a reinsurance program for the individual insurance market and to preserve access to Medigap/Medicare supplemental options while mitigating premium volatility. The bill also includes lead key and cadmium paint rules designed to protect consumers without broadly disrupting existing key use and professional painting.

A contested amendment (A1) proposed by Senator Lisky would have rolled back a 2023 requirement to license recyclers who buy copper wire and similar materials — a change several senators said has sharply reduced the amount of copper that returns to recycling channels and pushed rural sellers to cross state lines. Senators arguing for the amendment said licensing costs (a $250 fee cited by supporters) make small-scale recycling uneconomic and are driving a 30% drop in recycled copper volumes; opponents and committee authors said the licensing was aimed at reducing theft and organized criminal activity. The A1 amendment failed on a narrow vote.

Other floor debate touched on reinsurance funding, lead key timing, consumer protections, and a rejected proposal to remove a unified fee for certain providers. The bill passed 48‑18 on final passage.

Next steps: agencies named in the package will implement regulatory changes and the insurance and consumer provisions will require coordination across Commerce and other state agencies.