2026 Senate Bill 973

Insurance: health insurers; state-based insurance exchange; provide for.

A bill to provide for the establishment of a state-based health insurance exchange as a nonprofit corporation; to create the board of exchange and prescribe its powers and duties; to provide for assessments and user fees; and to provide for the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and agencies.

Introduced in the Senate

May 14, 2026

Introduced by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-12) and eight co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Sens. Paul Wojno (D-10), Veronica Klinefelt (D-11), Dayna Polehanki (D-5), Erika Geiss (D-1), Darrin Camilleri (D-4), Sylvia Santana (D-2), Sue Shink (D-14) and Mary Cavanagh (D-6)

Referred to the Committee on Health Policy

June 10, 2026

Reported with substitute S-1

June 11, 2026

Referred to the Committee of the Whole

June 17, 2026

Reported with substitute S-2

Substitute S-2 concurred in by voice vote

June 18, 2026

Amendment offered by Sen. Michael Webber (R-9)

1. Amend page 22, line 24, after “policies” by striking out the balance of the line through “policies.” on line 27 and inserting “at a rate not to exceed the user fee for the federally facilitated marketplace.”.

The amendment failed 16 to 20 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Michael Webber (R-9)

1. Amend page 24, line 24, by striking out all of enacting section 1 and inserting:

“Enacting section 1. This act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 910 of the 103rd Legislature is enacted into law.”.

The amendment failed 16 to 20 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-17)

1. Amend page 24, line 24, by striking out all of enacting section 1 and inserting:

“Enacting section 1. This act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 95 of the 103rd Legislature is enacted into law.”.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Roger Hauck (R-34)

1. Amend page 24, line 24, by striking out all of enacting section 1 and inserting:

“Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 832 of the 103rd Legislature is enacted into law.”.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 20 to 16 (details)

Received in the House

June 18, 2026

Referred to the Committee on Insurance