By: Creighton S.B. No. 978
(Sheets)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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.