HBA-LCA H.B. 3207 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3207 By: Ramsay Judicial Affairs 4/12/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, a district clerk must obtain errors and omissions insurance or similar coverage from a governmental pool operating under Chapter 119, Local Government Code (County Government Liability Insurance Pool). This language does not recognize the use of self-insurance funds, also known as governmental and intergovernmental pools, or risk retention groups authorized under Article 715c, V.T.C.S. Additionally, current law requires a district or deputy clerk to obtain a separate policy to cover losses due to burglary and other enumerated occurences. H.B. 3207 amends Section 51.302, Government Code (Bond; Oath; Insurance) to establish that a clerk may obtain coverage issued by a governmental unit under Article 715c, V.T.C.S. Additionally, this bill provides that both types of required coverage are addressed in Section 51.302, and increases the minimum amount of coverage a clerk must purchase. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.302(c), Government Code, to authorize a district clerk to obtain an insurance policy from a governmental unit under Article 715c, V.T.C.S., in addition to a policy or coverage from a governmental pool operated under Chapter 119, Local Government Code. Provides that such insurance will cover a district or deputy clerk against liabilitites incurred by losses from burglary, theft, robbery, counterfeit currency, or destruction, in addition to errors or ommissions in the performance of official duties. Increases from $10,000 to $20,000 as the minimum amount for such liability coverage. SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 51.302(e), Government Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.