MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS & COMMERCE

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

1:00 PM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.016

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce was held on Wednesday, October 5, 2016, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair	Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Brandon Creighton, Vice Chair
Senator Don Huffines
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Kel Seliger
Senator Larry Taylor
Senator Kirk Watson
Senator John Whitmire

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The chair called the meeting to order at 1:02 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chair made opening comments, and moved to limit testimony to five minutes. Without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out the first interim charge of the hearing: Review all occupations licensed under Texas law to determine the extent to which continued state regulation and licensure is required to protect public health and safety. Examine methods to ensure greater legislative oversight of new regulations, scope, and necessity of certain licenses and make recommendations for state licenses that should be repealed or transitioned to private-sector enforcement.

Chairman Hancock opened up invited testimony on the first charge of the hearing. The invited witnesses are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the invited testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out the second interim charge of the hearing: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce during the 84th Legislature, Regular Session and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:

· Changes made to the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association

Chairman Hancock opened up invited testimony on the second charge of the hearing. The invited witness is shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the invited testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out the third interim charge of the hearing: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce during the 84th Legislature, Regular Session and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically, monitor the following:

· The regulation of public insurance adjusters

Chairman Hancock opened up invited testimony on the third charge of the hearing. The invited witness is shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the invited testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

The chair laid out the forth interim charge of the hearing: Monitor the number of lawsuits related to property claims filed as a result of multiple hail storms and weather related events across Texas. Examine negative consumer trends that may result in market disruption such as higher premiums and deductibles, less coverage, non-renewals, and inability to secure coverage due to insurance carrier withdrawal from the state and make recommendations on legislative action needed.

Chairman Hancock opened up invited testimony on the forth charge of the hearing. The invited witnesses are shown on the attached list. The chair moved that the invited testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 4:05 PM Senator Hancock moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Kelly Hancock, Chair

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Tatum Reagan, Clerk