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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance |
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Association and the renaming of the Texas Windstorm Insurance |
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Association as the Texas Coastal Insurance Association. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 2210. TEXAS COASTAL [WINDSTORM] INSURANCE ASSOCIATION |
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SECTION 2. Section 2210.001, Insurance Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 2210.001. PURPOSE. The primary purpose of the Texas |
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Coastal [Windstorm] Insurance Association is the provision of an |
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adequate market for windstorm and hail insurance in the seacoast |
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territory of this state. The legislature finds that the provision |
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of adequate windstorm and hail insurance is necessary to the |
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economic welfare of this state, and without that insurance, the |
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orderly growth and development of this state would be severely |
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impeded. This chapter provides a method by which adequate |
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windstorm and hail insurance may be obtained in certain designated |
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portions of the seacoast territory of this state. The association |
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is intended to serve as a residual insurer of last resort for |
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windstorm and hail insurance in the seacoast territory. The |
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association shall: |
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(1) function in such a manner as to not be a direct |
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competitor in the private market; and |
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(2) provide windstorm and hail insurance coverage to |
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those who are unable to obtain that coverage in the private market. |
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SECTION 3. Section 2210.002, Insurance Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to read as |
|
follows: |
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(a) This chapter may be cited as the Texas Coastal |
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[Windstorm] Insurance Association Act. |
|
(a-1) A reference in this chapter or other law to the Texas |
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Windstorm Insurance Association means the Texas Coastal Insurance |
|
Association. |
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SECTION 4. Section 2210.003, Insurance Code, is amended by |
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amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivisions (1-a) and (9-a) to |
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read as follows: |
|
(1) "Administrator" means the entity contractually |
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retained to: |
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(A) manage the association and administer the |
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plan of operation under Section 2210.062; and |
|
(B) manage the contracts with primary insurers |
|
under Section 2210.063. |
|
(1-a) "Association" means the Texas Coastal |
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[Windstorm] Insurance Association. |
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(9-a) "Primary insurer" means a member insurer that: |
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(A) has primary coverage for loss by fire on a |
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property that is or may be insured under this chapter; and |
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(B) acts on behalf of the association under this |
|
chapter. |
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SECTION 5. Section 2210.014, Insurance Code, is amended by |
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amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as |
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follows: |
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(b) Chapter 542 does not apply to [the processing and
|
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settlement of claims by] the association or to an agent or |
|
representative of the association. |
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(c) A primary insurer, adjuster, agent or representative of |
|
the primary insurer, or the administrator contracted under Sections |
|
2210.062 and 2210.063, is an agent of the association for purposes |
|
of administering and issuing association policies and adjusting and |
|
processing association claims under this chapter. |
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SECTION 6. Subchapter A, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2210.015 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2210.015. STUDY OF MARKET INCENTIVES; BIENNIAL |
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REPORTING. (a) Each biennium, the department shall conduct a study |
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of market incentives to promote participation in the voluntary |
|
windstorm and hail insurance market in the seacoast territory of |
|
this state. The study must address as possible incentives the |
|
mandatory or voluntary issuance of windstorm and hail insurance in |
|
conjunction with the issuance of a homeowners policy in the |
|
seacoast territory. |
|
(b) The department shall include the results of the study |
|
conducted under this section in the report submitted under Section |
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32.022. |
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SECTION 7. Subchapter B, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 2210.062, 2210.063, 2210.064, 2210.065, |
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2210.066, and 2210.067 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2210.062. ADMINISTRATION BY CONTRACTED ADMINISTRATOR. |
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(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the commissioner shall contract |
|
with an administrator to manage the association and administer the |
|
plan of operation beginning December 1, 2015. The administrator |
|
may not exercise any power under the contract before December 1, |
|
2015. |
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(b) The administrator must hold either a managing general |
|
agent license issued under Chapter 4053 or a third-party |
|
administrator certificate of authority issued under Chapter 4151. |
|
(c) The term of the administrator's contract may not exceed |
|
five years. The contract may be renewed for additional terms not to |
|
exceed five years for each term. |
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(d) In establishing the compensation paid to the |
|
administrator under the contract, the commissioner shall consider |
|
the cost of operations of the association and make every reasonable |
|
effort to ensure that the cost of operations of the association |
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under the contract does not exceed average historical costs. |
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Sec. 2210.063. CONTRACTS BETWEEN ADMINISTRATOR AND PRIMARY |
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INSURERS. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the administrator |
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shall contract with each primary insurer to administer and issue |
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association policies and adjust and process claims under |
|
association policies beginning January 1, 2016. A primary insurer |
|
may not exercise any power under the contract before January 1, |
|
2016. |
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(b) In establishing the compensation paid to each primary |
|
insurer under the contract, the administrator shall consider the |
|
cost of operations of the association and make every reasonable |
|
effort to ensure that the cost of operations of the association |
|
under the contract does not exceed average historical costs. |
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Sec. 2210.064. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. (a) Any |
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information, analyses, programs, or data acquired or created by the |
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administrator under a contract under this chapter are property of |
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the department. |
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(b) Information, analyses, programs, or data described by |
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Subsection (a) are confidential and exempt from public disclosure |
|
under Chapter 552, Government Code. |
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Sec. 2210.065. OFFICE. (a) The administrator shall |
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maintain an office in Austin, Texas. |
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(b) The commissioner may arrange to lease office space of |
|
the department to the administrator. |
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Sec. 2210.066. AUDIT. (a) The administrator is subject to |
|
audit by the commissioner and shall pay the costs incurred by the |
|
commissioner in performing an audit under this section in an amount |
|
the commissioner finds reasonable. |
|
(b) Work papers, as defined by Section 401.020(a), from an |
|
audit are confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter |
|
552, Government Code. |
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Sec. 2210.067. ANNUAL REPORT OF ADMINISTRATOR. (a) Not |
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later than March 1 of each year, the administrator shall submit a |
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report regarding the administrator's duties under this chapter to: |
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(1) the governor; |
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(2) the lieutenant governor; |
|
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives; |
|
(4) the senate committee on business and commerce or |
|
the successor of that committee with jurisdiction over insurance; |
|
(5) the house committee on insurance or the successor |
|
of that committee with jurisdiction over insurance; and |
|
(6) the legislative oversight board established under |
|
Subchapter N. |
|
(b) The report must be made in accordance with the terms of |
|
the administrator's contract with the department. |
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SECTION 8. Subchapter B-1, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is |
|
amended by amending Section 2210.071 and adding Sections 2210.0715 |
|
and 2210.0716 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2210.071. PAYMENT OF EXCESS LOSSES[; PAYMENT FROM
|
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RESERVES AND TRUST FUND]. [(a)] If, in a catastrophe year, an |
|
occurrence or series of occurrences in a catastrophe area results |
|
in insured losses and operating expenses of the association in |
|
excess of premium and other revenue of the association, the excess |
|
losses and operating expenses shall be paid as provided by this |
|
subchapter. |
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Sec. 2210.0715. PAYMENT FROM RESERVES AND TRUST FUND. [(b)] |
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The association shall pay losses in excess of premium and other |
|
revenue of the association from available reserves of the |
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association and available amounts in the catastrophe reserve trust |
|
fund. |
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Sec. 2210.0716. PAYMENT FROM CLASS 1 ASSESSMENTS. (a) |
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Losses in a catastrophe year not paid under Section 2210.0715 shall |
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be paid as provided by this section from Class 1 member assessments |
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not to exceed $500 million for that catastrophe year. |
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(b) The administrator, with the approval of the |
|
commissioner, shall notify each member of the amount of the |
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member's assessment under this section. The proportion of the |
|
losses allocable to each insurer under this section shall be |
|
determined in the manner used to determine each insurer's |
|
participation in the association for the year under Section |
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2210.052. |
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(c) A member of the association may not recoup an assessment |
|
paid under this section through a premium surcharge or tax credit. |
|
[(c)
Losses not paid under Subsection (b) shall be paid from
|
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the proceeds from public securities issued in accordance with this
|
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subchapter and Subchapter M and, notwithstanding Subsection (a),
|
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may be paid from the proceeds of public securities issued under
|
|
Section 2210.072(a) before an occurrence or series of occurrences
|
|
that results in insured losses.] |
|
SECTION 9. Sections 2210.072(a), (b), (b-1), (c), and (f), |
|
Insurance Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Losses not paid under Sections 2210.0715 and 2210.0716 |
|
[Section 2210.071(b)] shall be paid as provided by this section |
|
from the proceeds from Class 1 public securities authorized to be |
|
issued in accordance with Subchapter M before, on, or after the date |
|
of any occurrence or series of occurrences that results in insured |
|
losses. Public securities issued under this section must be paid |
|
[repaid] within a period not to exceed 10 [14] years[,] and may be |
|
paid [repaid] sooner if the board of directors elects to do so and |
|
the commissioner approves. |
|
(b) Public securities described by Subsection (a) that are |
|
issued before an occurrence or series of occurrences that results |
|
in incurred losses: |
|
(1) may be issued on the request of the board of |
|
directors with the approval of the commissioner; and |
|
(2) may not, in the aggregate, exceed $500 million [$1
|
|
billion] at any one time, regardless of the calendar year or years |
|
in which the outstanding public securities were issued. |
|
(b-1) Public securities described by Subsection (a): |
|
(1) shall be issued as necessary in a principal amount |
|
not to exceed $500 million [$1 billion] per catastrophe year, in the |
|
aggregate, for securities issued during that catastrophe year |
|
before the occurrence or series of occurrences that results in |
|
incurred losses in that year and securities issued on or after the |
|
date of that occurrence or series of occurrences, and regardless of |
|
whether for a single occurrence or a series of occurrences; and |
|
(2) subject to the [$1 billion] maximum described by |
|
Subdivision (1), may be issued, in one or more issuances or |
|
tranches, during the calendar year in which the occurrence or |
|
series of occurrences occurs or, if the public securities cannot |
|
reasonably be issued in that year, during the following calendar |
|
year. |
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(c) If public securities are issued as described by this |
|
section, the public securities shall be paid [repaid] in the manner |
|
prescribed by Subchapter M [from association premium revenue]. |
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(f) If, under Subsection (e), the proceeds of any |
|
outstanding public securities issued during a previous catastrophe |
|
year must be depleted, those proceeds shall count against the $500 |
|
million [$1 billion] limit on public securities described by this |
|
section in the catastrophe year in which the proceeds must be |
|
depleted. |
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SECTION 10. Subchapter B-1, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, |
|
is amended by adding Section 2210.0725 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2210.0725. PAYMENT FROM CLASS 2 ASSESSMENTS. (a) |
|
Losses in a catastrophe year not paid under Sections 2210.0715, |
|
2210.0716, and 2210.072 shall be paid as provided by this section |
|
from Class 2 member assessments not to exceed $500 million for that |
|
catastrophe year. |
|
(b) The administrator, with the approval of the |
|
commissioner, shall notify each member of the amount of the |
|
member's assessment under this section. The proportion of the |
|
losses allocable to each insurer under this section shall be |
|
determined in the manner used to determine each insurer's |
|
participation in the association for the year under Section |
|
2210.052. |
|
(c) A member of the association may not recoup an assessment |
|
paid under this section through a premium surcharge or tax credit. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 2210.073, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2210.073. PAYMENT FROM CLASS 2 PUBLIC SECURITIES. (a) |
|
Losses not paid under Sections 2210.0715, 2210.0716, [2210.071 and] |
|
2210.072, and 2210.0725 shall be paid as provided by this section |
|
from the proceeds from Class 2 public securities authorized to be |
|
issued in accordance with Subchapter M on or after the date of any |
|
occurrence or series of occurrences that results in insured losses |
|
[under this subsection]. Public securities issued under this |
|
section must be paid [repaid] within a period not to exceed 10 |
|
years[,] and may be paid [repaid] sooner if the board of directors |
|
elects to do so and the commissioner approves. |
|
(b) Public securities described by Subsection (a): |
|
(1) shall [may] be issued as necessary in a principal |
|
amount not to exceed $500 million [$1 billion] per catastrophe |
|
year, in the aggregate, whether for a single occurrence or a series |
|
of occurrences; and |
|
(2) subject to the [$1 billion] maximum described by |
|
Subdivision (1), may be issued, in one or more issuances or |
|
tranches, during the calendar year in which the occurrence or |
|
series of occurrences occurs or, if the public securities cannot |
|
reasonably be issued in that year, during the following calendar |
|
year. |
|
(c) If the losses are paid with public securities described |
|
by this section, the public securities shall be paid [repaid] in the |
|
manner prescribed by Subchapter M. |
|
SECTION 12. Section 2210.102, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2210.102. COMPOSITION. (a) The board of directors is |
|
composed of nine members appointed by the governor [commissioner] |
|
in accordance with this section. |
|
(b) Three [Four] members must be representatives of the |
|
insurance industry who actively write and renew windstorm and hail |
|
insurance in the first tier coastal counties. |
|
(c) Three [Four] members must, as of the date of the |
|
appointment, reside in the first tier coastal counties. Each of |
|
the following regions must be represented by a member residing in |
|
the region and [At least one of the members] appointed under this |
|
subsection: |
|
(1) the region consisting of Cameron, Kenedy, Kleberg, |
|
and Willacy Counties; |
|
(2) the region consisting of Aransas, Calhoun, Nueces, |
|
Refugio, and San Patricio Counties; and |
|
(3) the region consisting of Brazoria, Chambers, |
|
Galveston, Jefferson, and Matagorda Counties and any part of Harris |
|
County designated as a catastrophe area under Section 2210.005. |
|
(c-1) One of the members appointed under Subsection (c) must |
|
be a property and casualty agent who is licensed under this code and |
|
is not a captive agent. |
|
(d) One member must be a representative of an area of this |
|
state that is not located in the seacoast territory [with
|
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demonstrated expertise in insurance and actuarial principles]. |
|
(d-1) One member must be an engineer who: |
|
(1) is knowledgeable of, and has professional |
|
expertise in, wind-related design and construction practices in |
|
coastal areas that are subject to high winds and hurricanes; and |
|
(2) resides in a second tier coastal county. |
|
(d-2) One member must be a representative of the financial |
|
industry who resides in a second tier coastal county. |
|
(e) All members must have demonstrated experience in |
|
insurance, general business, or actuarial principles and the |
|
member's area of expertise, if any, sufficient to make the success |
|
of the association probable. |
|
(f) Insurers who are members of the association shall |
|
nominate, from among those members, persons to fill any vacancy in |
|
the three [four] board of director seats reserved for |
|
representatives of the insurance industry. The board of directors |
|
shall solicit nominations from the members and submit the |
|
nominations to the governor [commissioner]. The nominee slate |
|
submitted to the governor [commissioner] under this subsection must |
|
include at least three more names than the number of vacancies. The |
|
governor may [commissioner shall] appoint replacement insurance |
|
industry representatives from the nominee slate. |
|
(g) In addition to the nine members appointed under |
|
Subsection (a), the governor [The commissioner] shall appoint three |
|
individuals [one person] to serve as [a] nonvoting ex officio |
|
members [member] of the board to advise the board [regarding issues
|
|
relating to the inspection process.
The commissioner may give
|
|
preference in an appointment under this subsection to a person who
|
|
is a qualified inspector under Section 2210.254]. Each [The] |
|
nonvoting member appointed under this section must: |
|
(1) hold an elective office of this state or a |
|
political subdivision of this state; and |
|
(2) reside in and represent one of the following |
|
areas: |
|
(A) the northern portion of the seacoast |
|
territory [be an engineer licensed by, and in good standing with,
|
|
the Texas Board of Professional Engineers]; |
|
(B) the southern portion of the seacoast |
|
territory [(2) reside in a first tier coastal county]; or [and] |
|
(C) an area of this state that is not located in |
|
the seacoast territory [(3)
be knowledgeable of, and have
|
|
professional expertise in, wind-related design and construction
|
|
practices in coastal areas that are subject to high winds and
|
|
hurricanes]. |
|
(h) The persons appointed under Subsection (g) [(c)] must |
|
each reside in a [be from] different area described by Subsection |
|
(g)(2) and in different counties. |
|
SECTION 13. Section 2210.103(c), Insurance Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(c) A member of the board of directors may be removed by the |
|
governor [commissioner] with cause stated in writing and posted on |
|
the association's website. The governor [commissioner] shall |
|
appoint a replacement in accordance with [the manner provided by] |
|
Section 2210.102 for a member who leaves or is removed from the |
|
board of directors. |
|
SECTION 14. Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subchapter D-1 to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER D-1. PRIMARY INSURER |
|
Sec. 2210.175. ADMINISTRATION AND ISSUANCE OF ASSOCIATION |
|
POLICIES AND ADJUSTMENT AND PROCESSING OF CLAIMS BY PRIMARY |
|
INSURER. (a) A primary insurer that has primary coverage on |
|
property for loss by fire shall administer and issue an association |
|
policy providing windstorm and hail insurance coverage for the same |
|
property and adjust and process all claims made on the association |
|
policy in accordance with this chapter, the plan of operation, and |
|
the contract entered into under Section 2210.063. |
|
(b) An insurer acting under this chapter is an agent of the |
|
association for purposes of Sections 2210.014 and 2210.572. |
|
(c) An insurer acting in accordance with this section is not |
|
liable for any amount payable under the terms of the association |
|
policy. |
|
SECTION 15. Subchapter E, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, is |
|
amended by adding Sections 2210.2022 and 2210.211 to read as |
|
follows: |
|
Sec. 2210.2022. INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN |
|
APPLICATIONS. An application for association coverage, including |
|
an application for new or renewal coverage on or after January 1, |
|
2016, must include information on any policy covering the property |
|
for perils other than windstorm and hail, including: |
|
(1) the total premium for the policy, including a |
|
policy number for coverage issued by the FAIR Plan Association |
|
under Chapter 2211, if applicable, and: |
|
(A) the amount of insurance on the dwelling and |
|
contents provided by the policy; or |
|
(B) if the policy is a tenants policy or |
|
condominium owners policy, the insured amount for the contents |
|
coverage; and |
|
(2) the deductibles applicable for the policy. |
|
Sec. 2210.211. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. (a) Except as |
|
provided by Subsection (b), all information, data, and databases |
|
collected and used under Section 2210.2022 are confidential |
|
information not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government |
|
Code. |
|
(b) Information described by Subsection (a) may be used for |
|
the purposes and in the manner described by this chapter and Chapter |
|
2211. |
|
SECTION 16. The heading to Subchapter J, Chapter 2210, |
|
Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER J. CATASTROPHE RESERVE TRUST FUND; [AND] REINSURANCE AND |
|
ALTERNATIVE RISK FINANCING [PROGRAM] |
|
SECTION 17. Section 2210.452, Insurance Code, is amended by |
|
amending Subsections (a), (c), and (d) and adding Subsection (f) to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(a) The commissioner shall adopt rules under which the |
|
association makes payments to the catastrophe reserve trust fund. |
|
Except as otherwise specifically provided by this section, the |
|
[The] trust fund may be used only for purposes directly related to |
|
funding the payment of insured losses, including: |
|
(1) funding [to fund] the obligations of the trust |
|
fund under Subchapter B-1; and |
|
(2) purchasing reinsurance or using alternative risk |
|
financing mechanisms under Section 2210.453. |
|
(c) At the end of each calendar year or policy year, the |
|
association shall use the net gain from operations of the |
|
association, including all premium and other revenue of the |
|
association in excess of incurred losses, operating expenses, |
|
public security obligations, and public security administrative |
|
expenses, to make payments to the trust fund, [to] procure |
|
reinsurance, or use alternative risk financing mechanisms, or to |
|
make payments to the trust fund and [to] procure reinsurance or use |
|
alternative risk financing mechanisms. |
|
(d) The commissioner by rule shall establish the procedure |
|
relating to the disbursement of money from the trust fund to |
|
policyholders and for association administrative expenses directly |
|
related to funding the payment of insured losses in the event of an |
|
occurrence or series of occurrences within a catastrophe area that |
|
results in a disbursement under Subchapter B-1. |
|
(f) The commissioner by rule shall establish the procedure |
|
relating to the disbursement of money from the trust fund to pay for |
|
operating expenses, including reinsurance or alternative risk |
|
financing mechanisms under Section 2210.453, if the association |
|
does not have sufficient premium and other revenue. |
|
SECTION 18. Section 2210.453, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2210.453. REINSURANCE AND ALTERNATIVE RISK FINANCING |
|
MECHANISMS. (a) The association shall [may:
|
|
[(1) make payments into the trust fund; and
|
|
[(2)] purchase reinsurance or use alternative risk |
|
financing mechanisms in an amount equal to the probable maximum |
|
loss for the association for a catastrophe year with a probability |
|
of one in 100. |
|
(b) Any [The association may purchase] reinsurance |
|
purchased or alternative risk financing mechanism used under this |
|
section operates [that operates] in addition to [or in concert with
|
|
the trust fund,] public securities, other approved financial |
|
instruments, and assessments authorized by this chapter. |
|
(c) The attachment point for reinsurance purchased under |
|
this section may not be less than the aggregate amount of all |
|
funding available to the association under Subchapter B-1. [If the
|
|
association does not purchase reinsurance as authorized by this
|
|
section, the board, not later than June 1 of each year, shall submit
|
|
to the commissioner, the legislative oversight board established
|
|
under Subchapter N, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the
|
|
speaker of the house of representatives a report containing an
|
|
actuarial plan for paying losses in the event of a catastrophe with
|
|
estimated damages of $2.5 billion or more. The report required by
|
|
this subsection must:
|
|
[(1)
document and denominate the association's
|
|
resources available to pay claims, including cash or other highly
|
|
liquid assets, assessments that the association is projected to
|
|
impose, pre-event and post-event bonding capacity, and
|
|
private-sector recognized risk-transfer mechanisms, including
|
|
catastrophe bonds and reinsurance;
|
|
[(2)
include an independent, third-party appraisal of
|
|
the likelihood of an assessment, the maximum potential size of the
|
|
assessment, and an estimate of the probability that the assessment
|
|
would not be adequate to meet the association's needs; and
|
|
[(3)
include an analysis of financing alternatives to
|
|
assessments that includes the costs of borrowing and the
|
|
consequences that additional purchase of reinsurance, catastrophe
|
|
bonds, or other private-sector recognized risk-transfer
|
|
instruments would have in reducing the size or potential of
|
|
assessments.
|
|
[(d)
A person who prepares a report required by Subsection
|
|
(c) may not contract to provide any other service to the
|
|
association, except for the preparation of similar reports, before
|
|
the third anniversary of the date the last report prepared by the
|
|
person under that subsection is submitted.
|
|
[(e)
The report submitted under this section is for
|
|
informational purposes only and does not bind the association to a
|
|
particular course of action.] |
|
SECTION 19. Section 2210.602, Insurance Code, is amended by |
|
adding Subdivisions (2-a) and (3-a) to read as follows: |
|
(2-a) "Class 1 public security trust fund" means the |
|
dedicated trust fund established by the board and held by the Texas |
|
Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company into which premium surcharges |
|
collected under Section 2210.612 for the purpose of repaying Class |
|
1 public securities are deposited. |
|
(3-a) "Class 2 public security trust fund" means the |
|
dedicated trust fund established by the board and held by the Texas |
|
Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company into which premium surcharges |
|
collected under Section 2210.613 for the purpose of repaying Class |
|
2 public securities are deposited. |
|
SECTION 20. Section 2210.604(a), Insurance Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) At the request of the association and with the approval |
|
of the commissioner, the Texas Public Finance Authority shall issue |
|
Class 1 or [,] Class 2[, or Class 3] public securities. The |
|
association shall submit to the commissioner a cost-benefit |
|
analysis of various financing methods and funding structures when |
|
requesting the issuance of public securities under this subsection. |
|
SECTION 21. Section 2210.609, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2210.609. REPAYMENT OF ASSOCIATION'S PUBLIC SECURITY |
|
OBLIGATIONS. (a) The board and the association shall enter into an |
|
agreement under which the association shall provide for the payment |
|
of all public security obligations from available funds collected |
|
by the association and deposited as required by this subchapter |
|
[into the public security obligation revenue fund]. If the |
|
association determines that it is unable to pay the public security |
|
obligations and public security administrative expenses, if any, |
|
with available funds, the association shall pay those obligations |
|
and expenses in accordance with Sections 2210.612 and [,] 2210.613, |
|
[2210.6135, and 2210.6136] as applicable. Class 1 or [,] Class |
|
2[, or Class 3] public securities may be issued on a parity or |
|
subordinate lien basis with other Class 1 or [,] Class 2[, or Class
|
|
3] public securities, respectively. |
|
(b) If any public securities issued under this chapter are |
|
outstanding, the authority shall notify the association of the |
|
amount of the public security obligations and the estimated amount |
|
of public security administrative expenses, if any, each calendar |
|
year in a period sufficient, as determined by the association, to |
|
permit the association to determine the availability of funds[,
|
|
assess members of the association under Sections 2210.613 and
|
|
2210.6135,] and assess a premium surcharge if necessary. |
|
(c) The association shall deposit all revenue collected |
|
under Section 2210.612 in the Class 1 public security trust fund and |
|
[public security obligation revenue fund,] all revenue collected |
|
under Section 2210.613 [2210.613(b)] in the Class 2 public security |
|
trust fund [premium surcharge trust fund, and all revenue collected
|
|
under Sections 2210.613(a) and 2210.6135 in the member assessment
|
|
trust fund]. Money deposited in a fund may be invested as |
|
permitted by general law. Money in a fund required to be used to |
|
pay public security obligations and public security administrative |
|
expenses, if any, shall be transferred to the appropriate funds in |
|
the manner and at the time specified in the proceedings authorizing |
|
the public securities to ensure timely payment of obligations and |
|
expenses. This may include the board establishing funds and |
|
accounts with the comptroller that the board determines are |
|
necessary to administer and repay the public security |
|
obligations. If the association has not transferred amounts |
|
sufficient to pay the public security obligations to the board's |
|
designated interest and sinking fund in a timely manner, the board |
|
may direct the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company to transfer |
|
from the Class 1 public security trust fund [public security
|
|
obligation revenue fund, the premium surcharge trust fund,] or the |
|
Class 2 public security trust fund [member assessment trust fund] |
|
to the appropriate account the amount necessary to pay the public |
|
security obligation. |
|
(d) The association shall provide for the payment of the |
|
public security obligations and the public security administrative |
|
expenses by irrevocably pledging revenues received from premiums, |
|
[member assessments,] premium surcharges, and amounts on deposit in |
|
the Class 1 public security trust fund [public security obligation
|
|
revenue fund, the premium surcharge trust fund,] and the Class 2 |
|
public security trust fund [member assessment trust fund], together |
|
with any public security reserve fund, as provided in the |
|
proceedings authorizing the public securities and related credit |
|
agreements. |
|
(e) An amount owed by the board under a credit agreement |
|
shall be payable from and secured by a pledge of revenues received |
|
by the association [or amounts from the public security obligation
|
|
trust fund], the Class 1 public security trust fund [premium
|
|
surcharge trust fund], and the Class 2 public security trust fund |
|
[member assessment trust fund] to the extent provided in the |
|
proceedings authorizing the credit agreement. |
|
SECTION 22. Section 2210.610(a), Insurance Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) Revenues received from the premium surcharges under |
|
Sections 2210.612 and [Section] 2210.613 [and member assessments
|
|
under Sections 2210.613 and 2210.6135] may be applied only as |
|
provided by this subchapter. |
|
SECTION 23. Section 2210.611, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2210.611. EXCESS REVENUE COLLECTIONS AND INVESTMENT |
|
EARNINGS. Revenue collected in any calendar year from a premium |
|
surcharge under Sections 2210.612 and [Section] 2210.613 [and
|
|
member assessments under Sections 2210.613 and 2210.6135] that |
|
exceeds the amount of the public security obligations and public |
|
security administrative expenses payable in that calendar year and |
|
interest earned on the funds [public security obligation fund] may, |
|
in the discretion of the association, be: |
|
(1) used to pay public security obligations payable in |
|
the subsequent calendar year, offsetting the amount of the premium |
|
surcharge [and member assessments, as applicable,] that would |
|
otherwise be required to be levied for the year under this |
|
subchapter; |
|
(2) used to redeem or purchase outstanding public |
|
securities; or |
|
(3) deposited in the catastrophe reserve trust fund. |
|
SECTION 24. Section 2210.612, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2210.612. PAYMENT OF CLASS 1 PUBLIC SECURITIES. |
|
(a) The association shall pay Class 1 public securities issued |
|
under Section 2210.072 from: |
|
(1) [its] net premium and other revenue; and |
|
(2) if net premium and other revenue are not |
|
sufficient to pay the securities, a catastrophe area premium |
|
surcharge collected in accordance with this section. |
|
(b) On approval by the commissioner, the association shall |
|
assess, as provided by this section, a premium surcharge to each |
|
policyholder of a policy described by Subsection (c). The premium |
|
surcharge must be set in an amount sufficient to pay, for the |
|
duration of the issued public securities, all debt service not |
|
already covered by available funds and all related expenses on the |
|
public securities. |
|
(c) The premium surcharge under this section shall be |
|
assessed on all policyholders of association policies issued under |
|
this chapter. |
|
(d) A premium surcharge under this section is a separate |
|
charge in addition to the premiums collected and is not subject to |
|
premium tax or commissions. Failure by a policyholder to pay the |
|
surcharge constitutes failure to pay premium for purposes of policy |
|
cancellation. |
|
(e) [(b)] The association may enter financing arrangements |
|
as described by Section 2210.072(d) as necessary to obtain public |
|
securities issued under Section 2210.072. Nothing in this |
|
subsection shall prevent the authorization and creation of one or |
|
more programs for the issuance of commercial paper before the date |
|
of an occurrence or series of occurrences that results in insured |
|
losses under Section 2210.072(a). |
|
SECTION 25. Section 2210.613, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2210.613. PAYMENT OF CLASS 2 PUBLIC SECURITIES. (a) |
|
The association shall pay Class 2 public securities issued under |
|
Section 2210.073 from: |
|
(1) net premium and other revenue; and |
|
(2) if net premium and other revenue are not |
|
sufficient to pay the securities, a catastrophe area premium |
|
surcharge collected in accordance with this section. |
|
(b) On approval by the commissioner, the association and |
|
each insurer that provides insurance in a catastrophe area shall |
|
assess, as provided by this section, a premium surcharge to each |
|
policyholder of a policy described by Subsection (c). The premium |
|
surcharge must be set in an amount sufficient to pay, for the |
|
duration of the issued public securities, all debt service not |
|
already covered by available funds and all related expenses on the |
|
public securities [as provided by this section.
Thirty percent of
|
|
the cost of the public securities shall be paid through member
|
|
assessments as provided by this section.
The association shall
|
|
notify each member of the association of the amount of the member's
|
|
assessment under this section.
The proportion of the losses
|
|
allocable to each insurer under this section shall be determined in
|
|
the manner used to determine each insurer's participation in the
|
|
association for the year under Section 2210.052. A member of the
|
|
association may not recoup an assessment paid under this subsection
|
|
through a premium surcharge or tax credit]. |
|
[(b)
Seventy percent of the cost of the public securities
|
|
shall be paid by a premium surcharge collected under this section in
|
|
an amount set by the commissioner.
On approval by the
|
|
commissioner, each insurer, the association, and the Texas FAIR
|
|
Plan Association shall assess, as provided by this section, a
|
|
premium surcharge to each policyholder of a policy that is in effect
|
|
on or after the 180th day after the date the commissioner issues
|
|
notice of the approval of the public securities.
The premium
|
|
surcharge must be set in an amount sufficient to pay, for the
|
|
duration of the issued public securities, all debt service not
|
|
already covered by available funds or member assessments and all
|
|
related expenses on the public securities.] |
|
(c) The premium surcharge under this section [Subsection
|
|
(b)] shall be assessed on all policyholders of policies that cover |
|
insured property that is located in a catastrophe area, including |
|
automobiles principally garaged in a catastrophe area. The |
|
premium surcharge shall be assessed on each Texas windstorm and |
|
hail insurance policy and each property and casualty insurance |
|
policy, including an automobile insurance policy, issued for |
|
automobiles and other property located in the catastrophe area. |
|
The [A] premium surcharge [under Subsection (b)] applies to: |
|
(1) all policies written under the following lines of |
|
insurance: |
|
(A) fire and allied lines; |
|
(B) farm and ranch owners; |
|
(C) residential property insurance; |
|
(D) private passenger automobile liability and |
|
physical damage insurance; and |
|
(E) commercial automobile liability and physical |
|
damage insurance; and |
|
(2) the property insurance portion of a commercial |
|
multiple peril insurance policy. |
|
(d) A premium surcharge under this section [Subsection (b)] |
|
is a separate charge in addition to the premiums collected and is |
|
not subject to premium tax or commissions. Failure by a |
|
policyholder to pay the surcharge constitutes failure to pay |
|
premium for purposes of policy cancellation. |
|
SECTION 26. Section 2210.614, Insurance Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2210.614. REFINANCING PUBLIC SECURITIES. The |
|
association may request the board to refinance any public |
|
securities issued in accordance with Subchapter B-1, whether Class |
|
1 or [,] Class 2[, or Class 3] public securities, with public |
|
securities payable from the same sources as the original public |
|
securities. |
|
SECTION 27. Section 2210.616(a), Insurance Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(a) The state pledges for the benefit and protection of |
|
financing parties, the board, and the association that the state |
|
will not take or permit any action that would: |
|
(1) impair the collection of [member assessments and] |
|
premium surcharges or the deposit of those funds into the Class 1 |
|
public security [member assessment] trust fund or Class 2 public |
|
security [premium surcharge] trust fund; |
|
(2) reduce, alter, or impair the [member assessments
|
|
or] premium surcharges to be imposed, collected, and remitted to |
|
financing parties until the principal, interest, and premium, and |
|
any other charges incurred and contracts to be performed in |
|
connection with the related public securities, have been paid and |
|
performed in full; or |
|
(3) in any way impair the rights and remedies of the |
|
public security owners until the public securities are fully |
|
discharged. |
|
SECTION 28. Section 2210.6165, Insurance Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 2210.6165. PROPERTY RIGHTS. If public securities |
|
issued under this subchapter are outstanding, the rights and |
|
interests of the association, a successor to the association, any |
|
member of the association, or any member of the Texas FAIR Plan |
|
Association, including the right to impose, collect, and receive a |
|
premium surcharge [or a member assessment] authorized under this |
|
subchapter, are only contract rights until those revenues are first |
|
pledged for the repayment of the association's public security |
|
obligations as provided by Section 2210.609. |
|
SECTION 29. The following provisions of Chapter 2210, |
|
Insurance Code, are repealed: |
|
(1) Section 2210.074; |
|
(2) Sections 2210.602(4), (5-a), (6-b), (6-c), and |
|
(10); |
|
(3) Section 2210.605(c); and |
|
(4) Sections 2210.6135 and 2210.6136. |
|
SECTION 30. (a) The board of directors of the Texas |
|
Windstorm Insurance Association established under Section |
|
2210.102, Insurance Code, as that section existed before amendment |
|
by this Act, is abolished effective October 1, 2015. |
|
(b) The governor shall appoint the members of the board of |
|
directors of the Texas Coastal Insurance Association under Section |
|
2210.102, Insurance Code, as amended by this Act, effective October |
|
1, 2015. The initial directors shall draw lots to achieve staggered |
|
terms, with three of the directors serving one-year terms, three of |
|
the directors serving two-year terms, and three of the directors |
|
serving three-year terms. |
|
(c) The term of a person who is serving as a member of the |
|
board of directors of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association |
|
immediately before the abolition of that board under Subsection (a) |
|
of this section expires on October 1, 2015. Such a person is |
|
eligible for appointment by the governor to the new board of |
|
directors of the Texas Coastal Insurance Association under Section |
|
2210.102, Insurance Code, as amended by this Act. |
|
(d) Section 2210.175, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, |
|
applies only to administering or issuing a policy or adjusting or |
|
processing a claim under a policy issued on or after January 1, |
|
2016. |
|
(e) Subchapter M, Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, as it |
|
existed before the effective date of this Act, is applicable to bond |
|
obligations incurred under Chapter 2210, Insurance Code, before the |
|
effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for |
|
that purpose. |
|
(f) It is the intent of the legislature that each member of |
|
the legislative oversight board appointed under Section 2210.652, |
|
Insurance Code, and serving on the effective date of this Act |
|
continues to serve after the effective date of this Act until a |
|
successor is appointed under that section. |
|
SECTION 31. This Act takes effect immediately if it |
|
receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each |
|
house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. |
|
If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate |
|
effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |