By Eiland H.B. No. 2254 76R6533 PB-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to models used in conjunction with a hearing before the 1-3 Texas Department of Insurance relating to windstorm insurance. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Article 21.49, Insurance Code, is amended by 1-6 adding Section 9B to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 9B. REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF MODELS RELATING TO 1-8 WINDSTORM INSURANCE. (a) In this section, "model" means a 1-9 computer model, statistical model, or other model used to predict: 1-10 (1) when a windstorm may occur; 1-11 (2) how much damage, including financial damage, a 1-12 windstorm may cause based on the intensity of the storm; and 1-13 (3) other analogous factors. 1-14 (b) A model used in a hearing before the department under 1-15 this Act relating to windstorm insurance must meet the requirements 1-16 of this section. 1-17 (c) Each person who proposes to use a model in a hearing 1-18 before the department regarding windstorm insurance issues shall 1-19 present to the department, in the format prescribed by the 1-20 department, the following information: 1-21 (1) a detailed description of the facts and data 1-22 sources used to prepare the model; 1-23 (2) the assumptions made in preparing the model; and 1-24 (3) each methodology, formula, and other scientific 2-1 analysis that is: 2-2 (A) used in the design of the model; and 2-3 (B) necessary to interpret the results predicted 2-4 by the model. 2-5 (d) The department shall make the information provided under 2-6 Subsection (c) of this section available, on request, to any person 2-7 living in a catastrophe area who may be affected by the application 2-8 of the model to the determination of insurance premium rates under 2-9 this Act. 2-10 (e) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to 2-11 implement this section. 2-12 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 2-13 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-14 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-15 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-16 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-17 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.