SRC-JEC H.B. 3393 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3393
77R13195 PB-DBy: Oliveira (Van de Putte)
Business & Commerce
5/9/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

A considerable portion of the Texas population speaks only Spanish and may
be unfamiliar with terms used in car insurance policies.  H.B. 3393
requires an informational sheet to be made available to the public that
explains in Spanish the terms most commonly used in personal automobile
insurance policies.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 1, Insurance Code, by adding Article 1.35E, as
follows: 

Art. 1.35E.  CONSUMER INFORMATION IN SPANISH REQUIRED.  (a) Requires the
Commissioner of Insurance of Texas (commissioner) to develop or adopt an
informational sheet in the Spanish language to provide a general
explanation of the terms most commonly used in the Texas personal
automobile insurance policy.  Requires the Texas Department of Insurance
(department) to make the informational sheet required by this article
available to the public. 

(b) Provides that the informational sheet is intended to provide only a
general explanation of insurance terms used in the Texas personal
automobile insurance policy and is not intended to alter any rights,
obligations, or responsibilities of the contracting parties.  Provides that
all other applicable laws, including provisions of this code, apply
regardless of whether an informational sheet is used. 

(c) Sets forth requirements regarding the informational sheet developed by
the commissioner. 

SECTION 2.  (a) Provides that, except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2001. 

(b) Requires an informational sheet required by Article 1.35E, Insurance
Code, as added by this Act, to be available to the public as required by
that article not later than January 1, 2002.