Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review Of Portions Of Chapter 850: Health Plan Accountability, A Major Substantive Rule Of The Department Of Professional And Financial Regulation, Bureau Of Insurance

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kristi Mathieson

LD 270 directs the Legislature to review parts of Chapter 850 Health Plan Accountability, potentially prompting amendments or new rulemaking, with emergency effect.

Signed by Governor

#healthplanaccountability #insurancebureau #rules

Summary — LD 270 (132nd Maine Legislature)

Title: Resolve, Regarding Legislative Review of Portions of Chapter 850: Health Plan Accountability, a Major Substantive Rule of the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance
Bill Number: LD 270
Status: Signed by Governor (Emergency measure)
Introduced: January 23, 2025
Sponsor / Referral: Reported by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation; referred to the Committee on Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services

Purpose and intent

LD 270 is a legislative resolve that initiates and documents the Legislature’s review of portions of Chapter 850: “Health Plan Accountability,” a major substantive rule promulgated by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance. The stated intent is to carry out the statutory legislative review process for a major rule addressing health plan accountability standards and related regulatory provisions.

Key provisions

Directs legislative review of specified portions of Chapter 850 (Health Plan Accountability). The Resolve itself pertains to review process steps rather than substantive policy changes to the rule text contained in Chapter 850.

Passed with Committee Amendment “A” (H-123). (The summary of that amendment’s substantive text is not included in the provided materials.)

Enacted as an emergency measure, making it effective immediately upon final passage and signature by the Governor.

(Note: The actual rule language of Chapter 850 and the specific portions under review are not included in the provided bill materials; LD 270 functions as the formal legislative review vehicle.)

Who is affected

Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Bureau of Insurance — primary agency subject to the review and any follow-up actions.

Health insurers and health plans regulated under Chapter 850 may be indirectly affected depending on outcomes of the rule review (for example, if the review results in amendments, suspension, or further agency rulemaking).

Legislative committees and members involved in administrative rule review.

Legislative timeline and procedural notes

Received by Clerk: January 23, 2025.

Committee work sessions and votes: Voted OTP‑AM by the committee; Committee Amendment “A” was adopted.

House action: Passed to be engrossed and finally passed (Roll Call No. 131: Yeas 136, Nays 0, Absent 14).

Emergency designation: Required a two‑thirds vote; passed as an emergency measure on May 20–21, 2025.

Signed by Governor: May 23, 2025 — effective immediately as an emergency resolve.

Implications

LD 270 formalizes legislative scrutiny of parts of the major substantive Health Plan Accountability rule. While the Resolve itself does not directly change insurer obligations, it is a procedural step that may lead to further action (agency modification, additional rulemaking, or legislative responses) depending on findings from the review.

Bill