Senate panel (again) OKs state insurance exchange

BOISE (AP) - A Senate committee approved the House-passed state-based insurance exchange, setting the stage for a final Senate vote before the measure goes to Gov. Butch Otter.

The Senate Commerce and Human Resources Committee voted 8-1 Tuesday for the measure, which Otter favors.

The bill differs from a previous, Senate-passed version.

House additions include competitive-bidding requirements, gun-rights protections and the naming of three lawmakers to the exchange's now 19-member board, two from the majority party, one from the minority.

Adopting an exchange has been among the 2013 Legislature's most-disputed issues.

The House debated seven hours on the bill last week.

At Tuesday's hearing, insurers and the Catholic church urged passage.

Meanwhile, tea-party-leaning foes urged panelists to "stand in the gap" between Idaho and an ever-more-tyrannical federal government by rejecting the bill.