25 LC 52 0839
House Resolution 659
By: Representatives Lumsden of the 12
th
and Burns of the 159
th
A RESOLUTION
Creating the House Study Committee on Insurance Market Reform; and for other purposes.
1
WHEREAS, the insurance market plays a crucial role in providing individuals and2
businesses with financial protection against unforeseen risks and losses; and3
WHEREAS, premiums across multiple lines of insurance have been steadily increasing,4
placing an excessive and unsustainable burden on policyholders and businesses across this5
state; and6
WHEREAS, these increasing costs have resulted in financial hardship for consumers,7
reducing access to essential coverage and undermining the affordability of necessary8
protections; and9
WHEREAS, insurance companies continue to report record profits, raising concerns about10
the fairness and transparency of pricing models and the industry's accountability to11
policyholders; and12
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WHEREAS, excessive premium increases coupled with reduced coverage options create a
13
destabilized market that disproportionately harms low-income and middle-income families,14
small businesses, and seniors on fixed incomes; and15
WHEREAS, the lack of competition in the insurance industry allows dominant providers to16
impose unreasonable cost increases with little recourse for consumers, making regulatory17
scrutiny a necessity; and18
WHEREAS, it is imperative to conduct a thorough examination of the insurance industry's19
rate-setting practices, profit margins, claims processing, and regulatory compliance to ensure20
that consumers are not being subjected to unjustified rate hikes; and21
WHEREAS, understanding the impact of national and state insurance regulations, as well as22
examining successful models from other states, will enable the General Assembly to enact23
meaningful reforms to protect consumers from predatory pricing and ensure that the24
insurance market operates fairly and transparently.25
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:26
(1) Creation of House study committee. There is created the House Study Committee27
on Insurance Market Reform.28
(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of seven members of the29
House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of30
Representatives. The Speaker shall also appoint four additional nonlegislative members31
with expertise or qualifications as determined by the Speaker. The Speaker shall32
designate two legislative members to serve as chairperson and vice chairperson of the33
committee.34
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(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs,
35
issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or36
legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.37
(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee38
may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or39
convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and40
accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.41
(5) Allowances and funding. The legislative members of the committee shall receive42
the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia43
Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any44
member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized.45
Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds46
appropriated to the House of Representatives.47
(6) Report.48
(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that49
include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the50
same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to51
subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.52
(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for53
proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C)54
of this paragraph.55
(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of56
abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee.57
A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with58
the Clerk of the House of Representatives.59
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(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Clerk of the
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House of Representatives a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu61
thereof.62
(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2025.63
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