82R7844 TJS-D
 
  By: Hegar S.B. No. 647
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
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.