By:  Williams                                                     S.B. No. 265
	(In the Senate - Filed January 25, 2005; February 3, 2005, 
read first time and referred to Committee on Business and Commerce; 
March 31, 2005, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 9, 
Nays 0; March 31, 2005, sent to printer.)


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT


relating to certain continuing education requirements for 
insurance agents.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 4004, Insurance Code, as 
effective April 1, 2005, is amended by adding Section 4004.0535 to 
read as follows:
	Sec. 4004.0535.  CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT FOR 
PARTICIPATION IN CERTAIN ASSOCIATIONS.  (a)  The commissioner by 
rule may authorize the department to grant not more than four hours 
of continuing education credit to an agent who is an active member 
of a state or national insurance association.
	(b)  The commissioner by rule shall:                                    
		(1)  specify the types of associations that constitute 
state or national insurance associations; and
		(2)  establish reasonable requirements for active 
participation in such an association.
	(c)  An agent may not use continuing education credit granted 
under this section to satisfy:
		(1)  continuing education hours required to be 
completed in a classroom setting or classroom equivalent under 
Section 4004.051; or
		(2)  the ethics requirement adopted under Section 
4004.054.          
	SECTION 2.  The commissioner of insurance shall adopt rules 
as required by Section 4004.0535, Insurance Code, as added by this 
Act, not later than December 31, 2005.
	SECTION 3.  Section 4004.0535, Insurance Code, as added by 
this Act, applies only to a license issued or renewed on or after 
January 1, 2006.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.                           



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