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Senate committee adopts five amendments and passes HB 24-59 to strengthen consumer billing protections
Summary
A Senate committee voted to adopt five amendments to House Bill 24-59 HD1 and then passed the bill as amended; the panel said the changes tighten back-billing rules, limit certain exemptions, add hardship protections and require annual public reporting. Legal counsel will draft the committee report.
A Senate committee voted to adopt five amendments to House Bill 24-59 HD1 and then passed the bill as amended, a measure committee members said strengthens consumer billing protections.
The chair said the committee had reviewed the full bill and called a short recess so members could examine draft amendments prepared by legal counsel and the legislative analyst. After reconvening, Senator Paul moved to pass the bill and the committee heard a presentation on the proposed changes from Senator Cavill.
Senator Cavill outlined the changes in Senate Draft 1, saying the revisions aim to "preserv[e] its consumer protection intent." The package included limiting CHC exemptions and increasing accountability; tightening requirements for extended back-billing; protecting consumers from automatic legal fees; imposing annual public reporting requirements; and adding consumer hardship protections.
The committee formally offered SD1 (the five amendments), and, after a voice vote in which members responded "aye," the chair declared the amendments adopted. The committee then returned to the main motion and, following a second voice vote, the chair announced that House Bill 24-59 HD1, SD1 had been adopted by the committee.
The chair asked legal counsel and the legislative analyst to prepare the committee report for review and approval and thanked LB staff, legal counsel, the LA, committee members and Representative Oudan for their work. The chair said the report will prepare the measure for presentation to the full Senate body.
The meeting adjourned at 4:38 p.m.
What the committee did - Adopted SD1, a five-part amendment package to HB 24-59 HD1 addressing exemptions, back-billing, automatic legal fees, public reporting and consumer hardship protections. - Passed HB 24-59 HD1 as amended; a committee report will be drafted by legal counsel and the legislative analyst.
Vote details: The transcript records voice votes; the chair declared the motions carried. Exact roll-call tallies were not specified in the record.
