My thanks to the many agents who assisted in contacting your representatives during Texas' 87th Legislative session in Austin. There were numerous bills with the potential to harm our clients, increase rates substantially, and create an unfair environment for independents.
Here is a summary of the bills you and the Alinsco Lobby worked to thwart over the past few months. These bills are now dead and over the next two years pose no threat to an increase in the cost of auto insurance or damage to your business:
HB 359 by Geren (Uninsured Motorist) - Passed the House Insurance Committee, passed on the floor of the House, not referred to committee in the Senate. This legislation would have caused a substantial increase to UM rates in Texas.
HB 1793 by J. Johnson (Prohibiting Oral Releases) - Passed the House, referred to the Senate Business & Commerce Committee, did not receive a hearing. This legislation would have dramatically slowed the process of closing claims for our clients in a timely manner.
HB 2269 by J. Turner (Dec Page) - Passed the House, referred to the Senate Business & Commerce Committee, did not receive a hearing. This would have added additional and unnecessary information to a Dec Page creating more confusion for our clients.
HB 2738 by Hernandez (Uninsured Motorist) - Passed out of the House Insurance Committee, set too late on the House Calendar to pass, died on the House floor. This legislation would have caused a substantial increase to UM rates in Texas.
HB 3969 by Sanford (Traveler’s Bill) - Passed the House Insurance Committee, died on a Point of Order on the House Floor, amended onto HB 3255 on the House Floor, passed the House, not referred to committee in the Senate. This would have made it possible for less intelligent organizations to copy and paste the hard work and research of other carriers.
HB 552 by E. Thompson (Dimunition of Value Obligation) - Received a hearing in the House Insurance Committee but was never voted. This is another form of legislation which would have had an immediate effect of increased rates in Texas.
HB 2330 by E. Thompson (Lack of Cooperation) - Referred to the House Insurance Committee; never received a hearing. This is another piece of legislation that would have removed an important requirement in the investigation of a loss and a potential impact on higher rates in Texas.