The House passed House Bill 4015 Thursday, relating to broadband expansion and economic development.
House Bill 4015 seeks to address economic development by permitting the existing insurance fund to insure additional broadband internet service. The bill also enacts the Vertical Real Estate Management and Availability Act, which defines the term and establishes how vertical real estate is to be managed. The bill also makes structural changes to the Broadband Enhancement Council and defines its responsibilities.
The House also passed House Bill 4422, called the Patient Brokering Act. House Bill 4422 prohibits anyone from attempting to derive a profit or personal gain from referring patients to a healthcare provider or facility. The bill establishes criminal penalties for any individual or business that engages in unlawful patient brokering. This bill attempts to close any “loopholes” that are in other federal or state legislation relating to patient brokering.
The House passed thirteen other bills.
The House completed action on House Bill 4026 and Senate Bill 209. The House passed Senate Bill 339 with amendment and will go back to the Senate for consideration.
Sixteen bills were advanced to third reading. Eleven bills were advanced to second reading.
Action for two bills, House Bills 4001 and 4155, was postponed for one day.
Four resolutions were introduced.
The House is adjourned until 11 a.m. Friday.
