ST. PAUL — State Senate lawmakers have taken the first step to abolish MNsure’s governing board but said more change is needed to improve the state’s health insurance exchange. 

A Senate committee passed a bill on Wednesday to make MNsure a state agency and give the Legislature the final say on its budget. The exchange is currently governed by an independent seven-member board.

Sen. Tony Lourey, a Kerrick Democrat who authored the bill, said it would make the exchange more accountable. Critics say the change won’t give a much-needed voice to insurance industry representatives with concerns about MNsure’s operations.

The bill passed on a party-line vote, with all Republican members voting against it. It will have to go through several other committees and pass in the Republican-controlled House before becoming law.