summary
Introduced
01/03/2025
01/03/2025
In Committee
02/17/2025
02/17/2025
Crossed Over
01/21/2025
01/21/2025
Passed
03/07/2025
03/07/2025
Dead
Vetoed
04/02/2025
04/02/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Health insurance; tobacco surcharge; sunset. Removes the January 1, 2026, sunset on provisions of current law that eliminate the authority of a health carrier to vary its premium rates based on tobacco use and directs the State Corporation Commission to make its final report regarding the elimination of such tobacco surcharge by January 1, 2026.
AI Summary
This bill removes the sunset provision (expiration date) for existing laws that prohibit health insurance carriers from varying premium rates based on tobacco use. Specifically, the bill directs the State Corporation Commission (SCC), a regulatory body that oversees insurance and utility services in Virginia, to continue preparing annual reports about premium reductions related to the elimination of tobacco surcharges, with a requirement to submit a final report by January 1, 2026. By repealing the previous sunset provisions in Chapters 682 and 683 of the 2023 Acts of Assembly, the bill effectively makes the prohibition on tobacco-related premium variations permanent. This means that health insurance companies in Virginia will no longer be allowed to charge higher premiums for individuals who use tobacco, a policy change aimed at reducing financial penalties on tobacco users and potentially encouraging healthier behaviors.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
House sustained Governor's veto (on 04/02/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1639 |
| Governor's Veto Explanation HB1639 | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1639/text/HB1639VG |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1639) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1070793.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1639/text/HB1639ER |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB1639) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1038100.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1639/text/HB1639H1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/HB1639/text/HB1639 |
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