By Eiland                                             H.B. No. 2252
         76R7629 DB-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to commercial 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 15 percent
 1-8     (higher or lower) of the rate for commercial windstorm and hail
 1-9     insurance in each rate classification in effect on September 1,
1-10     1995.  The [This subdivision expires January 1, 2001, provided
1-11     however, that the] commissioner may, after notice and hearing,
1-12     suspend this subdivision upon a finding that a catastrophe loss or
1-13     series of occurrences resulting in losses in the catastrophe area
1-14     justify a need to assure rate adequacy in the catastrophe area and
1-15     also justify a need to assure availability of insurance outside the
1-16     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.