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Panel approves bill allowing community banks to access multiple‑employer welfare arrangements for health coverage
Summary
House Bill 329 would permit community banks to participate in MEWAs (multiple‑employer welfare arrangements) to pool insurance and reduce premiums; committee advanced the bill 14–0.
House Bill 329, which adds language to allow Tennessee banks to access cost‑effective health insurance options through a multiple‑employer welfare arrangement (MEWA), passed the House Government Operations Committee with a recorded vote of 14 ayes on March 10.
Sponsor Representative Martin explained the change simply inserts the words “including through a multiple employer welfare arrangement” into existing rules that permit insurance pooling, enabling community banks to pool together for insurance to lower premiums. Members discussed whether the change was narrowly tailored to a single applicant; the sponsor said it was aimed at community banks generally and that a cap is used to get the program started.
The committee had no further questions and advanced HB 329 to Finance, Ways and Means with a positive recommendation.
Votes and next steps: HB 329 passed the committee 14–0 and will be referred to Finance, Ways and Means.
