Premiums remain a huge issue in the debate over Minnesota's health insurance exchange, MNsure. One fear is that it will potentially raise health insurance costs for all Minnesotans. Others argue the opposite, suggesting health costs will flatten as the exchange creates a wider marketplace.

The two bills enter a fray that has included tussling over executive authority between Republicans and the Dayton administration and a DFL-backed bill that gained the backing of three key House GOP chairmen.

House Taxes Chairman Greg Davids, Health and Human Services Finance Chairman Jim Abeler and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Hoppe have signed onto a health insurance exchange bill

More than $787,000 is being paid to nine state employees, the Senate Health and Human Services chair said, with no clear purpose.

In the past, Dayton has said his administration has the authority to move forward on an exchange, a process that he has delegated to a broad task force charged with making recommendations and studying its implementation.

The two panels, one charged with overseeing health care reform initiatives and another that will work on a health insurance exchange, will include members academic, industry, advocacy interests along with lawmakers.

New state Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman's top appointments indicate a change of attitude toward health insurance exchanges from the previous administration. Also, Deputy Commish Manny Munson-Regala will leave the agency effective Friday.

Alaska is the only other state to not receive a grant -- 48 states and the District of Columbia will each be receiving up to $1 million under the program.