Bill Text: TX SB647 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Relating to the continuation and operation of the office of public insurance counsel.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)

Status: (Passed) 2011-06-17 - Effective on 9/1/11 [SB647 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SB647-Enrolled.html

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S.B. No. 647

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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 647 passed the Senate on
March 21, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0;
May 18, 2011, Senate refused to concur in House amendment and
requested appointment of Conference Committee; May 20, 2011, House
granted request of the Senate; May 28, 2011, Senate adopted
Conference Committee Report by the following vote: Yeas 31,
Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 647 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 12, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 142,
Nays 5, two present not voting; May 20, 2011, House granted request
of the Senate for appointment of Conference Committee;
May 28, 2011, House adopted Conference Committee Report by the
following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 2, one present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor