Jeff Root, the state insurance commissioner, briefed the Appropriations Committee on department priorities and market conditions, highlighting wildfire‑linked homeowners insurance disruptions and efforts to educate consumers and insurance agents. "We have the ability to educate," Root told members, describing outreach to agents and local business owners.

Nut graf: The department does not set rates but said it can encourage risk‑reducing practices and study pooling or reinsurance options with other states; it also is ramping up data collection to spot cancellations or coverage deserts at ZIP‑code level and will watch programs such as Colorado's pool for hail and disaster mitigation.

Root described the department as small—"we have 27 people"—but responsible for licensing (over 226,000 agents) and market conduct oversight. Committee members asked whether a state pool or multi‑state pooled approach could be feasible; Root said a true state pool would likely require legislative action and multi‑state coordination to achieve scale. He also described the Wyoming Insured Plan (WIP) as an insurer of last resort with about 640 members and noted it sunsets in 2030, flagging the need for future discussion.

On malpractice and limited‑benefit products, the department said Wyoming's medical malpractice market is competitive compared with some neighbors but costly, and that limited benefit plans can be high‑margin relative to comprehensive coverage; the department will consult with the Department of Health and the Health Department's plan designers as those programs develop.

Ending: Commissioners asked for more ZIP‑code level data and for the department to continue coordination with tourism and other agencies when subsidy or program recommendations have cross‑agency impact. The department said it will provide data calls and further briefings as requested.