HB 1491 (2026): relative to pooled risk management programs.

HB 1491 (2026)

relative to pooled risk management programs.

• Status: Vetoed, override failed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Commerce and Consumer Affairs
• Senate committee: Finance
• Subject: Insurance

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Commerce and Consumer Affairs committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 4, 2026, with 32 people signed in online: 27 in support and 5 in opposition. The committee held work sessions on February 10, 2026 and February 18, 2026. The committee met in executive session on March 3, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 14–0, to recommend that the House pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. On March 11, 2026 the House voted to pass it on a voice vote. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Finance committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2026. The committee voted unanimously, 7–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1924s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1924s) was adopted on a voice vote on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. On May 21, 2026 the House adopted “House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-131s and 2026-1924s” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. John Hunt. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor vetoed it on June 19, 2026. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On August 19, 2026 the House voted 160–148 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold. On August 19, 2026 the House failed “Reconsider HB1491” on a voice vote, on a motion by Rep. Nicholas Germana.

Sponsors

• Rep. John Hunt (R - Ches 14) (prime sponsor)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka (D - SD21)
• Rep. Susan Porcelli (R - Rock 19)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 4, 2026, 1:45 PM: public hearing, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• February 10, 2026, 1:00 PM: subcommittee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• February 18, 2026, 2:00 PM: full committee work session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• March 3, 2026, 1:00 PM: executive session, House Commerce and Consumer Affairs, GP 229
• March 11, 2026: consent calendar, House
• April 7, 2026, 1:30 PM: hearing, Senate Finance, SH 103
• May 14, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, House
• August 19, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• March 11, 2026, House: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1924s — voice vote, passed
• May 21, 2026, House: House Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-131s and 2026-1924s — voice vote, passed
• August 19, 2026, House: Veto Override — yeas 160, nays 148, failed
• August 19, 2026, House: Reconsider HB1491 — voice vote, failed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 22
• HC 10, page 8
• HJ 7, page 12
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 18A
• SJ 12
• HJ 14, page 2
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, page 45
• HJ 16, pages 44 and 48
• This page’s data as JSON