A summary of employee benefits news, reports and controversy from around the web.

As the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big "I") hosts its legislative conference this week, nonpartisan consumer advocacy group Consumer Watchdog notes thousands of dollars in election campaign contributions have come from the same lobby associations pushing for a bipartisan bill to protect brokers' sales commissions.

The House, in a bipartisan vote, has passed a yearlong government funding measure cutting $38 billion from the budget and closing out sometimes quarrelsome negotiations between the Obama administration and Republicans dominating the House.

Individuals and employers in Arizona would be able to buy health insurance policies across state lines under legislation that would excuse out-of-state insurers — and possibly in-state providers — from the state's coverage mandates.