By: Smithee (Senate Sponsor - Averitt) H.B. No. 1590
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 23, 2007;
  April 26, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on State
  Affairs; May 4, 2007, reported favorably by the following vote:  
  Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 4, 2007, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to lapse rates in the computation of reserves for certain
  life insurance contracts.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 425, Insurance Code, is
  amended by adding Section 425.071 to read as follows:
         Sec. 425.071. LAPSE RATES IN MINIMUM STANDARD OF VALUATION.  
  (a)  The minimum standard of valuation under this subchapter may
  include lapse rates in the calculation of reserves for a secondary
  guarantee in universal life contracts issued after December 31,
  2006.
         (b)  For purposes of this section, a secondary guarantee
  refers to specified conditions in a universal life contract that,
  if satisfied, provide for death benefits to remain in effect
  regardless of the accumulation value in the contract.
         (c)  Lapse rates authorized by this section may not exceed
  two percent per year.
         (d)  The commissioner is authorized to adopt rules to
  implement this section.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect June 1, 2007, 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 votes necessary for effect on that
  date, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
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