81R1767 AJA-D
By: Hinojosa S.B. No. 264
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prior approval of residential property insurance rates
of certain insurers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 2251, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 2251.1511 to read as follows:
Sec. 2251.1511. PRIOR APPROVAL FOR CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTY INSURANCE RATES. (a) An insurer may not use a rate for
residential property insurance until the rate and all other
information required by Section 2251.101 have been filed with the
department and the rate has been approved by the commissioner if the
insurer, together with any of the insurer's affiliates and
subsidiaries, as those terms are defined by Section 823.003, issued
property and casualty insurance policies in this state that
accounted for at least five percent of the total amount of premiums
collected by insurers for property and casualty insurance in this
state in the calendar year preceding the date the filing is
required or the rate is otherwise proposed to be used.
(b) Sections 2251.151(b) and (d) apply to rates filed under
this section.
(c) Section 2251.152 does not apply to rates for which prior
approval is required by this section.
SECTION 2. Section 2251.156(a), Insurance Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) If the commissioner disapproves a rate filing under
Section 2251.153(a)(2) or Section 2251.1511, the commissioner
shall issue an order disapproving the filing in accordance with
Section 2251.103(b).
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to rates for residential property insurance that is delivered,
issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2010. Rates
for residential property insurance delivered, issued for delivery,
or renewed before January 1, 2010, are governed by the law as it
existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.