The 87th Legislative Session

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 t