HF3389 would change Minnesota’s insurance producer continuing education rules in two main ways. First, it would require the commissioner to approve educational offerings approved by another state’s regulatory agency, so long as they do not conflict with Minnesota law, and it would continue to recognize courses leading to nationally recognized professional designations used by regulated licensees. Second, it would amend the continuing education requirements for insurance producers by clarifying how credit hours may be earned and by adding a new credit option tied to professional association participation.
Under current law, insurance producers must complete 24 credit hours per licensing period, with limits on how many hours may come from courses sponsored by or affiliated with an insurance company or its agents. The bill preserves the 24-hour requirement and the ethics requirement, but adds a new subdivision allowing up to four hours of continuing education credit for active participation in a state or national professional insurance association. The bill specifies that this participation must be verified by the association, submitted to the commissioner, and provided on an hour-for-hour basis. It also states that these association-based credits cannot be used to satisfy the ethics requirement.
The bill’s impact on state law would be to broaden the types of approved continuing education and create a new pathway for insurance producers to earn credit through professional service. It would affect Minnesota Statutes sections 45.30 and 60K.56 by making approval of certain out-of-state courses mandatory rather than discretionary and by adding a new continuing education credit category for association leadership and committee service. The practical effect would be to give producers more flexibility in meeting licensing requirements while maintaining the overall credit-hour structure and ethics mandate.
The general sentiment around the bill appears favorable or at least noncontroversial based on the available record, though there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes to show debate. The bill’s design suggests support for professional development and industry participation, especially by recognizing service in insurance associations as a legitimate form of continuing education. At the same time, the bill preserves existing guardrails around ethics training and limits on company-affiliated course credits, indicating an effort to balance flexibility with oversight.
The main points of potential contention would likely involve whether association participation should count as continuing education and whether the commissioner should be required to approve out-of-state courses. Critics could view the new credit category as reducing the rigor of continuing education or favoring industry insiders who serve on association boards and committees. Supporters would likely argue that professional association service builds expertise, leadership, and industry knowledge, and that recognizing approved courses from other states reduces duplication and administrative burden.
Impact
The bill amends Minnesota insurance law governing producer continuing education, specifically Minnesota Statutes sections 45.30 and 60K.56. It makes approval of certain out-of-state educational offerings mandatory if they do not conflict with Minnesota law, and it adds a new continuing education credit category for active participation in state or national professional insurance associations. Insurance producers would still need 24 credit hours per licensing period, including three hours of ethics, but could now earn up to four hours through verified association service. Associations submitting credits must be registered education providers, and the new credits cannot be used for ethics requirements.
Sentiment
The available record suggests generally positive or neutral sentiment toward the bill. There are no committee transcripts or roll-call votes indicating opposition, amendment fights, or partisan division. The bill appears aimed at easing compliance and recognizing professional service, which typically draws support from industry stakeholders and licensing professionals. At the same time, the bill retains existing ethics and course-approval safeguards, which may help limit resistance from regulators or consumer-protection advocates.
Contention
The most likely contention points are the new credit for association participation and the shift from discretionary to mandatory approval of certain out-of-state courses. Some may argue that counting board, committee, or task force service as continuing education could dilute the educational purpose of licensing requirements or advantage producers with access to professional associations. Others may question whether mandatory recognition of other states’ approved courses could reduce Minnesota’s control over course quality. Supporters would likely counter that the bill still requires verification, commissioner oversight, and exclusion of ethics credit, preserving accountability while expanding flexibility.
Insurance: producers; continuing education credit carryover system for insurance producers who belong to a professional insurance association; provide for. Amends sec. 1204c of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.1204c).
Insurance: producers; continuing education credit carryover system for insurance producers who belong to a professional insurance association; provide for. Amends sec. 1204c of 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.1204c).
Producer's lines of insurance, service of process for producer proceedings, revocation of nonresident producer licenses, requirements for renewal of business entity public adjuster licenses, public adjuster proof of insurance requirements, and public adjuster continuing education requirements.
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