SRC-AAA C.S.S.B. 1142 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1142
By: Ellis
Economic Development
5-2-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, insurers' underwriting guidelines are confidential and the
Texas Department of Insurance and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel
are prohibited from making the guidelines available to the public.
Underwriting guidelines may contribute to the unavailability of insurance
and redlining by insurance companies.  This bill would authorize the Texas
Department of Insurance and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel to
require disclosure of an insurer's underwriting guidelines and making
guidelines available to the public. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1142 would authorize the Texas Department of
Insurance and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel to require disclosure
of an insurer's underwriting guidelines and making guidelines available to
the public. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 1.24D(a), Insurance Code, to authorize the Texas
Department of Insurance (department) or the office of public insurance
counsel (office)  to require disclosure to the department or office of
certain underwriting guidelines. Authorizes the department or the office
to disclose underwriting guidelines of an insurer without directly
identifying the insurer who provided those guidelines.  

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Article 1.24D, Insurance Code, to authorize the Texas Department of
Insurance or the office of public insurance counsel to disclose
underwriting guidelines of an insurer without directly identifying the
insurer who provided those guidelines.