summary
Introduced
09/29/2025
09/29/2025
In Committee
09/29/2025
09/29/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill allows nonprofit agricultural organizations to provide health benefit coverage to its members and its members[ families and exempts the health benefit coverage and the nonprofit agricultural organization offering the health benefit coverage from the application of insurance law. Under the bill, Xnonprofit agricultural organizationY is defined to mean a member-directed agricultural organization whose purpose is to represent, protect, and enhance the business, economic, social, and educational interests of members located throughout the state and to which certain conditions apply including that the organization is exempt from federal tax, that the organization is organized as a cooperative in this state, that the organization was organized prior to January 1, 1922, that the organization collects annual dues from its members, that the organization is governed by a board of directors that is elected by its members, and that the organization has a wholly owned subsidiary through which health benefit coverage may be administered. If a nonprofit agricultural organization offers to provide health benefit coverage, the bill requires the nonprofit agricultural organization to satisfy certain criteria. First, a nonprofit agricultural organization must offer health benefit coverage to its members in every county in the state. A nonprofit agricultural organization must provide written notice to its members prior to enrollment that LRB-4651/1 JPC:amn 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 450 any health benefit coverage provided by the nonprofit agricultural organization is not health insurance and that the health benefit coverage alone may not satisfy individual or employer insurance coverage requirements under federal law. Further, a nonprofit agricultural organization must reinsure its risks under the health benefit coverage it provides with a company authorized to transact reinsurance business in this state and must annually file with the commissioner of insurance a signed opinion of a qualified actuary that the financial reserves of the nonprofit agricultural organization and any affiliated entities of the nonprofit agricultural organization are sufficient and conform to appropriate actuarial standards. Additionally, the bill prohibits nonprofit agricultural organizations from taking certain action with respect to the health benefit coverage that it provides. The bill prohibits nonprofit agricultural organizations from excluding or refusing to provide coverage for services provided by a health care provider if the health benefit coverage provided by the nonprofit agricultural organization covers those services when provided by a physician. Further, the bill prohibits nonprofit agricultural organizations from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion for any condition for a period of more than six months if the health benefit coverage would otherwise include coverage of the condition. Finally, the bill requires a nonprofit agricultural organization to adopt a process for members to file and resolve complaints related to health benefit coverage that is, to the greatest extent practicable, consistent with the process for health insurance consumers to file and resolve complaints related to health insurance coverage with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a legal framework for nonprofit agricultural organizations to provide health benefit coverage to their members, with specific conditions and requirements. Under the bill, a qualifying nonprofit agricultural organization must be a member-directed agricultural cooperative established before 1922, organized under state law, tax-exempt, and governed by an elected board of directors. Such an organization may offer health benefit coverage exclusively to its members and their families, but must do so in every county in the state. Before providing coverage, the organization must file an attestation with the insurance commissioner and have a qualified actuary confirm its financial reserves are sufficient. The bill requires the organization to provide written notice to members that the coverage is not traditional health insurance and may not meet federal insurance requirements. The organization cannot exclude coverage for services provided by healthcare providers, cannot impose preexisting condition exclusions longer than six months, must reinsure its risks with an authorized company, and must establish a complaint resolution process similar to that used for health insurance. The bill also adds a reference to this new type of health benefit coverage in the state's insurance statutes, ensuring regulatory oversight of these nonprofit agricultural organization health benefit plans.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (22)
Dan Feyen (R)*,
Cory Tomczyk (R)*,
Elijah Behnke (R),
Cindi Duchow (R),
Benjamin Franklin (R),
Joy Goeben (R),
Chanz Green (R),
Rick Gundrum (R),
Brent Jacobson (R),
Dan Knodl (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Anthony Kurtz (R),
Dave Maxey (R),
Paul Melotik (R),
Clint Moses (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jeff Mursau (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
William Penterman (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
Shae Sortwell (R),
Chuck Wichgers (R),
Last Action
Representative Tucker added as a cosponsor (on 01/22/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb450 |
| Senate Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/SB450-SA1.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB450.pdf |
Loading...