AN ACT 1-1 relating to residential fire suppression devices and to an 1-2 insurance premium discount for the installation of such a device. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 5, Insurance Code, is 1-5 amended by adding Article 5.33C to read as follows: 1-6 Art. 5.33C. REDUCTION IN HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE AND FIRE 1-7 INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR APPROVED FIRE SUPPRESSION DEVICES 1-8 Sec. 1. DEFINITIONS. In this article: 1-9 (1) "Stovetop fire suppression device" means a device 1-10 or assembly of devices that is mounted to the vent hood over a 1-11 residential stovetop cooking surface and that protects against one 1-12 or more hazards through suppressing or extinguishing fires. 1-13 (2) "Homeowners insurance" has the meaning assigned by 1-14 Section 1, Article 5.33B of this code, as added by Chapter 337, 1-15 Acts of the 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995. 1-16 Sec. 2. ELIGIBILITY FOR PREMIUM REDUCTION. A policyholder 1-17 of a single-family or multifamily dwelling, apartment owner, or 1-18 condominium owner is eligible for a premium reduction for 1-19 homeowners insurance coverage or fire or commercial fire insurance 1-20 coverage if the policyholder has correctly installed on the covered 1-21 property a stovetop fire suppression device that has been approved 1-22 by the State Fire Marshal through the commissioner. 1-23 Sec. 3. PREMIUM DISCOUNT. (a) An insurer who delivers or 1-24 issues for delivery a homeowners, fire, or commercial fire 2-1 insurance policy may grant a discount in the premiums charged for a 2-2 dwelling, apartment, or condominium that has a correctly installed 2-3 and functioning stovetop fire suppressive device in each dwelling, 2-4 apartment, or condominium. 2-5 (b) The commissioner shall establish by rule the amount of 2-6 discount applicable under this article. The commissioner may adopt 2-7 rules necessary for the implementation of this article. 2-8 SECTION 2. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 2-9 (b) Article 5.33C, Insurance Code, as added by this Act, 2-10 applies only to an insurance policy that is delivered, issued for 2-11 delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2000. A policy that is 2-12 delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2000, 2-13 is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the 2-14 effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for 2-15 that purpose. 2-16 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-17 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-18 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-19 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-20 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 139 passed the Senate on April 9, 1999, by a viva-voce vote; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 25, 1999, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 139 passed the House, with amendment, on May 22, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: _______________________________ Date _______________________________ Governor