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Committee advances bill to let gig workers opt into portable benefits accounts
Summary
House Bill 0494, creating voluntary portable employment benefits accounts for independent contractors, passed the House Insurance Committee 18-0 on March 25. The accounts would allow contributions from customers, contractors, employers or family to fund benefits without changing tax employment status.
The House Insurance Committee on March 25 approved House Bill 0494 by an 18-0 vote, a measure to allow independent contractors to access voluntary portable employment benefits accounts.
Representative Shimon Baum, who explained the measure to the committee, said the bill targets “gig workers, freelancers, consultants” such as ride‑share drivers and food‑delivery workers and would permit flexible accounts that an individual could use for health insurance, income replacement, life insurance, retirement and other benefits without altering the worker’s independent contractor tax status. “This bill would allow independent contractors to receive employment benefits without losing, that employment status,” Baum said.
Under the amended bill explained to members, contributions to a contractor’s portable account could come from customers, the independent contractor, multiple employers or relatives and would be administered by third‑party providers. Committee discussion emphasized that accounts would be voluntary and portable, following the worker across jobs.
With no amendments adopted on the floor, the committee voted to advance the bill to the calendar and rules committee.
Votes at a glance House Bill 0494 — Outcome: advanced to calendar and rules. Vote tally: 18 yes, 0 no.
