The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls), met on Tuesday for its inaugural meeting. The Committee’s first order of business included hearing Senate File 1, a key piece of legislation known collectively as the Health Care Emergency Aid and Access Act, of which Sen. Dahms is a co-author.

“I am pleased that the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection is underway this session. Yesterday, we began the Committee’s work with a substantive discussion centered around legislation aimed at providing relief to the thousands of Minnesotans negatively affected by the outrageous premium increases as a result of Obamacare and its unreasonable mandates. I am especially proud to co-author this bill, as I join the many people of Senate District 16 who simply want affordable health coverage for themselves and their families,” said Sen. Dahms.

The legislation, which passed out of the Committee, provides relief to thousands of Minnesotans who purchase their insurance on the individual market and have experienced premium increases nearing, in some cases, 70% over the past year. More importantly, the legislation is the first step toward a larger series of health insurance reforms that will be discussed in the months to come. The bill was heard in two other Senate committees, and is likely to be voted on by the full Senate later this week.

Sen. Dahms, who also serves as Assistant Senate Majority Leader, is serving his third term in the Minnesota Senate.