Legislative Achievements From The 84th Texas Legislative Session: SB 900
Since the 84th Texas Legislative Session has come to a close, I want to take this opportunity to take a look at some of the bills that I had a privilege to work on for our area. Each legislative session, there are a number of priorities facing the state and it is important that we examine some of these pieces of legislation that will be impacting the Coastal Bend. Senate Bill 900 is an important bill that we passed this session dealing with making important reforms to the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA).
I want to feature some of the themes of the windstorm insurance reform bill. Here is a summary of some of the important things to know about SB 900.
• The bill would allow the Commissioner of Insurance to contract with an administrator to manage TWIA and administer the plan of operation. The bill would grant the commissioner rulemaking authority to implement this contract.
• The bill would modify the manner in which insured losses in excess of reserves and amounts available in the Catastrophe Reserve Trust Fund (CRTF) would be paid.
• The bill would require the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) to conduct a biennial study of market incentives to promote private insurance participation in the voluntary windstorm and hail insurance market in the seacoast territory and include the results of the study in the report submitted by TDI.
Additionally, it is important to also to distinguish the notable changes that were made as a result of SB 900 as it relates to the board makeup of TWIA. This is important because this is the governing body that votes on premium rate increases. Here are some details about what the new board composition requirements will be.
• Establishes three TWIA board members required to be insurance industry representatives and adds a condition that such board members actively write and renew windstorm and hail insurance in the first tier coastal counties.
• Establishes three board members who must reside in the first tier coastal counties. The bill establishes three coastal regions, consisting of specific first tier coastal counties, that must each be represented by a board member residing in that region.
• Establishes three board members to reside in an area of Texas that is located more than 100 miles from the Texas coastline.
• The bill requires the Texas Department of Insurance commissioner to appoint three individuals to serve as nonvoting ex officio members of the board to advise the board.
I invite you to follow the governor’s latest actions by going to Office of the Governor Gregg Abbot or to see the bills that have already been signed, please visit Office of the Governor bills . If you would like to see more about the legislature, please visit the Texas Legislature Online .
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
