S.B. No. 978
AN ACT
relating to public information regarding workers' compensation
insurance rate filings.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2053.004, Insurance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 2053.004. PUBLIC [INSPECTION OF] INFORMATION.
(a) Each filing made, including any supporting information filed,
under this subchapter is [open to] public information subject to
Chapter 552, Government Code, including any applicable exception
from required disclosure under that chapter [inspection as of the
date the filing is made].
(b) Each year the department shall make available to the
public information concerning the department's general process and
methodology for rate review under this chapter, including factors
that contribute to the disapproval of a rate. Information provided
under this subsection must be general in nature and may not reveal
proprietary or trade secret information of any insurer.
SECTION 2. Section 2053.004, Insurance Code, as amended by
this Act, applies only to a request to inspect information or to
obtain public information made to the Texas Department of Insurance
on or after the effective date of this Act. A request made before
the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed
immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former
law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 978 passed the Senate on
April 14, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 978 passed the House on
May 19, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0,
two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor