Representative Hakim’s insurance-transparency bill advances from subcommittee

Representative Hakim presented House Bill 1477, telling the Insurance Subcommittee the measure is grounded in “one simple principle, transparency where the public is harmed without it.” The bill would require the Department to publicly disclose final substantiated findings of insurer misconduct — including failure to timely investigate or pay claims, misrepresentations of coverage and patterns of unfair settlement practices — with specific protections to exclude personal medical records, trade secrets and ongoing investigations.

Hakim said the disclosures would begin on 10/01/2026 in an online, searchable format, with quarterly updates and an annual report detailing claims involving seniors and enforcement actions. “Beginning 10/01/2026, the department would publish this information online in a search searchable format and update a quarterly and updated quarterly beginning January 2027,” she told members, emphasizing the measure’s focus on harms to Tennesseans over age 65.

Members expressed support. Chairman Kumar called the proposal “a good and a bold effort to allow the information to be made available to public so public can shop and know what to expect from their insurance companies,” while also noting that the bill lists categories of information that should remain confidential. After brief discussion the subcommittee voted; the clerk recorded 6 ayes and 0 nays, and the chair announced the bill will go to the full insurance committee.

The bill’s next procedural stop is the full insurance committee. The subcommittee record does not identify who moved or seconded the motions on the amendment or final passage by name; the clerk recorded the roll and the voice vote on the amendment and provided the 6–0 tally on final passage.