SF 3859: Coverage without cost-sharing requirement of immunization for routine use without a prescription, Minnesota Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council establishment, and appropriation - Minnesota

2nd Engrossment → 3rd Engrossment · 5 edits · Mar 23, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from the 2nd to the 3rd Engrossment, indicating it has passed through an additional legislative review stage. The most significant substantive change is the removal of the requirement for the Commerce Commissioner to make defrayal payments to health plan companies for vaccine coverage, which was previously included in the bill's text. The bill now focuses solely on establishing the Minnesota Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council and its duties, while the funding mechanism for health plan reimbursements was deleted.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the mandate for the state to reimburse health plan companies for specific vaccine coverage costs.

FISCAL

The requirement for the Commerce Commissioner to reimburse health plan companies for vaccine coverage and the associated reporting obligations were deleted from the bill.

The annual appropriation from the general fund to the Commerce Commissioner to cover the costs of the defrayal payments was removed.

TIMELINE

The bill title and header were updated to reflect the 3rd Engrossment status and a new posting date of March 24, 2026.

TECHNICAL

The bill summary was updated to remove references to mandating coverage without cost-sharing and defrayal payments, focusing only on the establishment of the advisory council.

Sections were renumbered; the original Section 5 regarding the Advisory Council's first meeting is now Section 3, and the original Section 6 regarding the Advisory Council's appropriation is now Section 4.

1st Engrossment → 2nd Engrossment · 7 edits · Mar 17, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from the 1st to the 2nd Engrossment, reflecting recent legislative amendments. The most significant change is the reduction of the Minnesota Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council from 16 to 14 members, with the composition shifted to include a pharmacist and a Tribal Nation health department representative while removing other specific slots. The bill also adds new requirements for member appointments, including conflict of interest disclosures and background studies, and establishes a new reporting deadline for the council.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the advisory council's composition and appointment procedures has been narrowed and modified to reflect new member categories and stricter vetting processes.

REQUIREMENT

The number of advisory council members was reduced from 16 to 14.

New requirements were added for applicants to submit two letters of support, disclose financial conflicts of interest, and complete a background study.

The chair of the advisory council is now selected by the members rather than appointed by the commissioner of health.

ELIGIBILITY

The specific roles were changed to include a pharmacist and a Tribal Nation health department representative, while removing other previously listed roles.

TIMELINE

A new requirement mandates that the council submit a report to legislative committees by July 1 of each even-numbered year.

The council's expiration date was set to July 1, 2036.

The deadline for the first appointments was changed to September 1, 2026, and the first meeting was rescheduled to convene by January 1, 2027.

Introduction → 1st Engrossment · 4 edits · Mar 12, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its introduction to its first engrossment, incorporating significant new requirements for funding and oversight. The most critical change is the addition of a mandate for the commissioner of commerce to reimburse health plan companies for specific vaccine coverage costs, starting in fiscal year 2028. Additionally, the bill now requires a rigorous application process for the Minnesota Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council, including background checks and letters of support from trusted experts.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a specific financial reimbursement mechanism for health plans and stricter vetting procedures for advisory council members.

FISCAL

Added a requirement for the commissioner of commerce to reimburse health plan companies for specific vaccine coverage costs, with funding appropriated starting in fiscal year 2028.

REQUIREMENT

Established a new application process for the Minnesota Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council that requires background checks and letters of support from trusted scientists or clinicians.

TIMELINE

Updated the bill title and version from 'Introduction' to '1st Engrossment' and changed the posting date from March 11 to March 16, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed a specific reference to the 'West Coast Health Alliance' from the list of entities relevant to the advisory council.

Coverage without cost-sharing requirement of immunization for routine use without a prescription, Minnesota Science-Based Vaccine Advisory Council establishment, and appropriation

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