Texas House Bill HB4483

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/12/25

Caption

Relating to the funding mechanism for the regulation of workers' compensation and workers' compensation insurance; authorizing surcharges.

Impact

If enacted, HB4483 will specifically change how funds are collected for the regulation of workers' compensation insurance. The new surcharges will be based on the reported gross insurance premiums from various carriers, including modified annual premiums. This move is anticipated to ensure that the funding for administrative functions is more consistent and adequate to meet the expenses that arise in regulating the state’s workers' compensation framework. Existing laws will be amended to incorporate these new surcharges, which will ultimately affect how premiums are calculated and reported by insurance companies.

Summary

House Bill 4483 focuses on the funding mechanism for the regulation of workers' compensation and related insurance in Texas. The bill authorizes the imposition of surcharges on insurance carriers, effectively replacing the existing maintenance taxes. These surcharges are designed to cover administrative costs associated with the Texas Department of Insurance as well as costs for prosecuting workers' compensation insurance fraud. By adjusting the funding structure through surcharges rather than taxes, the bill aims to create a more financially sustainable model that aligns more closely with current needs in the regulatory landscape.

Contention

There have been discussions regarding the effectiveness and fairness of the surcharge system compared to traditional maintenance taxes. Industry stakeholders may have differing opinions on how these changes could impact costs for policyholders and the operational viability of smaller insurance carriers. Key points of contention may also include the adequacy of the surge-based funding, particularly whether insurance companies will be able to recover these costs without passing them on to policyholders. Stakeholders must consider the potential for increased surveillance and enforcement to ensure compliance and efficiency in the new funding mechanism.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Labor Code

• Chapter 403. Division Financing
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 407. Self-insurance Regulation
  • Section: 104
  • Section: New Section

Insurance Code

• Chapter 255. Workers' Compensation Insurance
  • Section: New Section

• Chapter 251. General Provisions
  • Section: New Section