Local lawmaker sees bill to kill windstorm association as move to spark talks between sessions

CORPUS CHRISTI — A last-minute bid to kill the state’s insurer of last resort for property owners along the Texas coast is designed to force discussions on the issue during the interim, a local lawmaker said. Senate Bill 44, introduced late Thursday by Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, would require the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to pay out all fees and obligations and turn over remaining assets to the state, leaving about 270,000 property owners without insurance. Nineteen senators, two from Houston, signed the bill. Rep. Todd Hunter, R- Corpus Christi, said Friday that passage of Fraser’s bill during the special session isn’t likely, but it will add fuel to the debate in between sessions.{read more}