Amend CSSB 14 by adding the following appropriately numbered
new ARTICLE to read as follows, and renumbering the existing
ARTICLES of the bill accordingly:
ARTICLE _____. TEXAS WINDSTORM ASSOCIATION
SECTION _____. Subsection (f), Section 3, Article 21.49,
Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:
(f) "Insurable Property" means immovable property at fixed
locations in a catastrophe area or corporeal movable property
located therein (as may be designated in the plan of operation)
which property is determined by the Association, pursuant to the
criteria specified in the plan of operation to be in an insurable
condition against windstorm, hail and/or fire and explosion as
appropriate, as determined by normal underwriting standards;
provided, however, that insofar as windstorm and hail insurance is
concerned, any structure located within a catastrophe area,
commenced on or after the 30th day following the publication of the
plan of operation, not built or continuing in compliance with
building specifications set forth in the plan of operation shall
not be an insurable risk under this Act except as otherwise provided
under this Act. A structure, or an addition thereto, which is
constructed in conformity with plans and specifications that comply
with the specifications set forth in the plan of operation at the
time construction commences shall not be declared ineligible for
windstorm and hail insurance as a result of subsequent changes in
the building specifications set forth in the plan of operation.
Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, if [When] repair
of damage to a structure involves replacement of items covered in
the building specifications as set forth in the plan of operation,
such repairs must be completed in a manner to comply with such
specifications for the structure to continue within the definition
of Insurable Property for windstorm and hail insurance. If repair
of damage to a structure is based on a direct loss and claim, the
amount of which is equal to less than five percent of the amount of
total property coverage on the structure, the repairs may be
completed in a manner that returns the structure to its condition
immediately before the loss without affecting the eligibility of
the structure to qualify as insurable property. Nothing in this
Act shall preclude special rating of individual risks as may be
provided in the plan of operation. For purposes of this Act, all
residential structures, other than a condominium, apartment,
duplex, or other multifamily residence, or a hotel or resort
facility, which are located within those areas designated as units
under the federal Coastal Barrier Resources Act (Public Law 97-348)
and for which a building permit or plat has been filed with the
municipality, county, or the United States Army Corps of Engineers
before the effective date of SB 14, Acts of the 78th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2003, are [construction has commenced on or after
July 1, 1991 shall not be considered] insurable property.
SECTION _____. Subdivision (9), Subsection (h), Section 8,
Article 21.49, Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows:
(9) A rate established and authorized by the
commissioner under this subsection may not reflect an average rate
change that is more than 10 percent higher or lower than the rate
for commercial or 10 percent higher or lower than the rate for
noncommercial windstorm and hail insurance in effect on the date
the filing is made. The rate may not reflect a rate change for an
individual rating class that is 15 percent higher or lower than the
rate for that individual class in effect on the date the filing is
made. The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, suspend this
subdivision upon a finding that a catastrophe loss or series of
occurrences resulting in losses in the catastrophe area justify a
need to assure rate adequacy in the catastrophe area and also
justify a need to assure availability of insurance outside the
catastrophe area. [This subdivision expires December 31, 2005.]
SECTION _____. Subsection (f), Section 3, Article 21.49,
Insurance Code, as amended by this article, applies only to an
insurance policy delivered or issued for delivery by the Texas
Windstorm Insurance Association on or after the effective date of
this Act. A policy delivered or issued for delivery before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed
immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is
continued in effect of that purpose.