The House Insurance Committee heard House Bill 265, Automobile Insurance Regulatory Modernization this afternoon.  This bill would have done three important things:
1. Introduce new discount programs for good drivers
2. Take away the hidden fees good drivers pay to subsidize risky drivers
3. Introduce free market competition in car insurance rates at the same time keep safeguards for consumers.
There are more detailed explanations of why introducing competition into the automobile insurance industry is a good idea here and here and here.
Members of the committee, however voted NO on the bill, killing this good idea.  The vote was 18 no and 11 yes.  For those keeping score at home, here’s how the House Insurance Committee members voted today:
11 members voting Yes:
Bryan (R-Mecklenburg)
Bumgardner (R-Gaston)
Burr (R-Stanley)
Collins (R-Nash)
Hamilton ( D- New Hanover)
Malone (R-Wake)
Murry (R-Wake)
Pierce ( D-Scotland)
Shepard (R-Onslow)
Steinburg (R-Chowan)
Warren (R-Rowan)
18 members Voting no:

Dockham  (R-Davidson)
Baskerville (D-Vance)
Cunningham (D-Mecklenberg)
Davis (R-New Hanover)
Dollar (R-Wake)
Earle (D- Mecklenburg)
Floyd (D-Cumberland)
Fulghum (R-Wake)
Glazier (D-Cumberland)
Graham (D-Robeson)
Hastings (R-Gaston)
Holloway (R-Stokes)
Howard (R-Davie)
Insko (D-Orange)
Ramsey (R-Buncombe)
Richardson (D-Franklin)
Tine (D-Dare)
Wray ( D-Northhampton)