Modifying the requirement to report individuals who solicit memberships on behalf of prepaid service plans from semi-annually to annually and upon application for registration and discontinuing payment of annual registration fees for such plans.
Impact
By eliminating the annual fees associated with the certification of prepaid service plans, HB2089 could encourage more providers to enter the market, theoretically increasing competition and offering consumers more choices. The adjustments in reporting frequency represent a shift in administrative requirements that could lead to lower compliance costs for the businesses involved. This might lead to a more sustainable operating environment for companies involved in these sectors, potentially benefiting consumers by enhancing service availability.
Summary
House Bill 2089 proposes modifications related to prepaid service plans in the state of Kansas. This bill aims to discontinue annual registration fees for prepaid service plans and alter the frequency of reporting individuals who solicit memberships for these plans from semi-annually to annually and upon application for registration. The changes are intended to streamline the registration process and reduce the financial burden on entities offering prepaid service plans, making it easier for them to operate within state regulations.
Contention
Discourse surrounding HB2089 may center on the potential impacts of deregulation and reduced oversight in the prepaid services market. While proponents argue that less regulatory burden encourages business growth, critics might voice concerns about consumer protections if the changes lead to insufficient oversight of service providers. There could be debates on whether diminishing registration requirements could inadvertently allow unfit or financially unstable providers to operate without rigorous vetting.
Voting_history
The bill's final vote occurred on March 22, 2023, with significant support as it passed with 35 votes in favor and only 2 against, suggesting a strong consensus among lawmakers regarding the need for these regulatory adjustments.
Authorizing the commissioner of insurance to set the amount of certain fees, specifying permissible uses of information obtained from background checks, fingerprinting and criminal history records checks; discontinuing annual registration fees for prepaid service plans and modifying reporting requirements related to such plans; and decreasing the premium tax rate imposed on surplus lines insurance.
Expanding the use of bond proceeds under the Kansas reinvestment housing incentive district act and the transferability of income, privilege and premium tax credits issued under the Kansas housing investor tax credit act.
Eliminating requirements for filings, registrations and licenses related to labor organizations, educational facility agreements, annual tax reports, river bank easements and bonded warehousemen with the secretary of state.
Authorizing offenders subject to offender registration to register at one location, creating a mechanism for fees to be waived and creating a mechanism to seek relief from registration requirements for violent offenders.
Providing that military spouses of active military servicemembers shall be exempted from all occupational licensing, registration and certification fees.