Joint Finance Committee Co-Chairpersons Representative John Nygren (R-Marinette) and Senator Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) introduced and championed Assembly Bill 394 to empower JFC to review and approve changes proposed by the Group Insurance Board to the health plan for state employees. The assembly passed AB 394 by a vote of 90-2 on October 27. Friday, November 6, the senate unanimously concurred in AB 394 but narrowed its scope to allowing JFC to reviewing and considering for approval any contract to provide self-insured group health plans on a regional or statewide based to state employees. The bill now goes back to the assembly for it consider the changes made by the senate.

Governor Walker has said he would veto the broader bill if it reaches his desk but has not publicly revealed his intentions if the narrower bill passes both houses of the legislature.