By Eiland                                             H.B. No. 2251
         76R8331 DB-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the reduction of certain windstorm insurance rates.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 8(h)(10), Article 21.49, Insurance Code,
 1-5     is amended to read as follows:
 1-6                 (10)  A filing made under this subsection may not
 1-7     reflect an annual premium rate change that is more than 10 [15]
 1-8     percent (higher or lower) of the rate for [commercial] windstorm
 1-9     and hail insurance in each rate  classification in effect on
1-10     September 1, 1998 [1995].  This subdivision expires January 1, ___
1-11     [2001], provided however,  that the commissioner may, after notice
1-12     and hearing, suspend this subdivision upon a finding that a
1-13     catastrophe loss or series of occurrences resulting in losses in
1-14     the catastrophe area justify a need to assure rate adequacy in the
1-15     catastrophe area and also justify a need to assure availability of
1-16     insurance outside the catastrophe area.
1-17           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
1-18           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-19     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-20     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-21     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-22     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.