By: Janek, et al. S.B. No. 463
(In the Senate - Filed February 12, 2003; February 17, 2003,
read first time and referred to Committee on State Affairs;
April 14, 2003, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; April 14, 2003,
sent to printer.)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 463 By: Staples
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to structures that constitute insurable property under the
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. 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.
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.
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 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 Senate Bill 463, 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 2. Article 21.49, Insurance Code, as amended by
this Act, 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 for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.
* * * * *