Chairperson Dietrich opened the hearing on SB 23. Revisor Eileen Ma briefed the Committee on the bill. (Attachment 3)

Eric Turek of the Kansas Department of Insurance spoke as a proponent of the bill. (Attachment 4) He explained that the Department of Insurance grants companies and agents to participate in pilot programs for value-added products or services. These programs have a limitation of one year but to prove the efficacy of a program may require additional time. This bill would give the Department the discretion to grant an extension to those programs.

The bill also requests to change the statute that governs the timeframe that gives insurance companies 15 business days (21 calendar days) to respond to a consumer complaint and change it to 14 calendar days. The original statute dates back to 1981 and with modern electronic communication practices, the Department is not dependent on nor regularly utilizes traditional mail for communication.

Mr. Turek stood for questions from the Committee.

Neutral written testimony was received from Marlee Carpenter on behalf of the Kansas Association of Property and Casualty Insurance Companies. (Attachment 5)

Chairperson Dietrich closed the hearing on SB 23.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29th.

Meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.