By: Carona S.B. No. 431
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to a specialty insurance agent license for certain persons
1-3 who rent real property for residential use.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Subsection (a), Section 1, Article 21.09,
1-6 Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:
1-7 (a) The commissioner may issue a specialty license to an
1-8 applicant who has complied with the requirements of this article.
1-9 A specialty license authorizes the license holder to act as an
1-10 agent for the types of insurance specified in this article for any
1-11 insurer authorized to write these types of insurance in this state.
1-12 A person who holds a license under this article is known as a
1-13 "specialty license holder." The commissioner may adopt rules
1-14 necessary to implement this article and to meet the minimum
1-15 requirements of federal law and regulations.
1-16 SECTION 2. Section 6, Article 21.09, Insurance Code, is
1-17 amended to read as follows:
1-18 Sec. 6. RESIDENTIAL RENTER LICENSE. (a) In this section:
1-19 (1) "Residential landlord" means a person engaged in
1-20 the business of leasing residential rental property. The term
1-21 includes an affiliate of that person.
1-22 (2) "Residential rental agreement" means a written
1-23 agreement that sets forth the terms and conditions governing the
1-24 use and habitation of residential rental property.
1-25 (3) "Residential rental property" means a unit of real
2-1 property that is rented on a periodic basis to a residential renter
2-2 for use as a habitation. The term includes any common areas used
2-3 by the person.
2-4 (4) "Residential renter" means a person who obtains
2-5 the right under a residential rental agreement to use and inhabit
2-6 residential rental property.
2-7 (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article or
2-8 this code, the commissioner may issue a specialty license under
2-9 Section 1 of this article to a residential landlord, or to the
2-10 property manager of a residential landlord, who complies with this
2-11 section only for the limited purposes set forth in this section.
2-12 (c) A residential landlord or property manager licensed
2-13 under Section 1 of this article may act as an agent for any
2-14 authorized insurer only in connection with the rental of
2-15 residential rental property that the landlord or property manager
2-16 leases and only with respect to:
2-17 (1) insurance that provides hazard insurance coverage
2-18 to residential renters for loss of, or damage to, tangible personal
2-19 property during the term of the residential rental agreement;
2-20 (2) insurance that provides liability insurance
2-21 coverage to residential renters for bodily injury or property
2-22 damage during the term of the residential rental agreement; or
2-23 (3) any other coverage the commissioner may approve as
2-24 meaningful and appropriate in connection with the lease of the
2-25 residential rental property.
2-26 (d) Insurance may not be issued under this section unless
3-1 the brochures or other written materials containing the disclosures
3-2 required by Section 1(g) of this article are prominently displayed
3-3 and readily available to the prospective residential renter.
3-4 (e) A license holder under this section must include in each
3-5 lease agreement under which the license holder offers insurance
3-6 under this section a conspicuous disclaimer, in the format
3-7 prescribed by the commissioner, that states substantially the
3-8 following:
3-9 (1) purchase of insurance from the license holder is
3-10 not required as a condition of entering into the lease agreement;
3-11 (2) the insurance coverage is available from other
3-12 insurers and agents;
3-13 (3) the insurance coverage offered by the license
3-14 holder may be offered at rates that are not filed with, or approved
3-15 by, the commissioner;
3-16 (4) the consumer is advised to seek and obtain the
3-17 best rates and coverage;
3-18 (5) the insurance coverage may be canceled at the
3-19 option of the consumer, with the consumer receiving any refund to
3-20 which the consumer is entitled; and
3-21 (6) the cost of any insurance coverage offered by the
3-22 license holder under this section will be added to the rent due
3-23 under the lease agreement.
3-24 (f) The disclaimer required under Subsection (e) of this
3-25 section must be printed in bold-faced type. [RULES. The
3-26 commissioner may adopt rules necessary to implement this article
4-1 and to meet the minimum requirements of federal law and
4-2 regulations.]
4-3 SECTION 3. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
4-4 (b) A residential landlord or property manager for a
4-5 residential landlord is not required to be licensed as provided by
4-6 Section 6, Article 21.09, Insurance Code, as amended by this Act,
4-7 before January 1, 2002.