S.B. No. 647
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the continuation and operation of the office of public
  insurance counsel.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 501.003, Insurance Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 501.003.  SUNSET PROVISION.  The office is subject to
  Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act).  Unless continued
  in existence as provided by that chapter, the office is abolished
  September 1, 2023 [2011].
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 501, Insurance Code, is
  amended by adding Section 501.160 to read as follows:
         Sec. 501.160.  ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES.
  (a)  The office shall develop and implement a policy to encourage
  the use of appropriate alternative dispute resolution procedures
  under Chapter 2009, Government Code, to assist in the resolution of
  internal and external disputes under the office's jurisdiction.
         (b)  The office's procedures relating to alternative dispute
  resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to model
  guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative Hearings
  for the use of alternative dispute resolution procedures by state
  agencies.
         (c)  The office shall:
               (1)  coordinate the implementation of the policy
  adopted under Subsection (a);
               (2)  provide training as needed to implement the
  procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative dispute
  resolution; and
               (3)  collect data concerning the effectiveness of those
  procedures.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 647 passed the Senate on
  March 21, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0;
  May 18, 2011, Senate refused to concur in House amendment and
  requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 20, 2011, House
  granted request of the Senate; May 28, 2011, Senate adopted
  Conference Committee Report by the following vote:  Yeas 31,
  Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 647 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 12, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 142,
  Nays 5, two present not voting; May 20, 2011, House granted request
  of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
  May 28, 2011, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
  following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 2, one present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
             Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor