S.B. No. 978
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to public information regarding workers' compensation
  insurance rate filings.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 2053.004, Insurance Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 2053.004.  PUBLIC [INSPECTION OF] INFORMATION.
  (a)  Each filing made, including any supporting information filed,
  under this subchapter is [open to] public information subject to
  Chapter 552, Government Code, including any applicable exception
  from required disclosure under that chapter [inspection as of the
  date the filing is made].
         (b)  Each year the department shall make available to the
  public information concerning the department's general process and
  methodology for rate review under this chapter, including factors
  that contribute to the disapproval of a rate.  Information provided
  under this subsection must be general in nature and may not reveal
  proprietary or trade secret information of any insurer.
         SECTION 2.  Section 2053.004, Insurance Code, as amended by
  this Act, applies only to a request to inspect information or to
  obtain public information made to the Texas Department of Insurance
  on or after the effective date of this Act.  A request made before
  the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed
  immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former
  law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 978 passed the Senate on
  April 14, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 978 passed the House on
  May 19, 2015, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0,
  two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor