AUSTIN, TX — Today, the Texas Senate passed CSSB 900, authored by Senator Larry Taylor from Friendswood and co-authored by Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa that relates to the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). The bill creates an increased level of transparency and accountability, greater representation within the organization, and a restructured funding mechanism.

Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"I am pleased with the legislation that my Senate colleague, Senator Larry Taylor, and I carefully crafted to ensure that our Coastal Bend communities have access to affordable and available windstorm insurance coverage. CSSB 900 stabilizes TWIA's financial structure by meeting a 1 in 100 year Probable Maximum Loss, which is the industry standard in the voluntary market. Our goal with this legislation is to create windstorm coverage at an accessible and affordable rate for our Texas families."

Other Significant CSSB 900 highlights include:

• Changes TWIA's name to the Texas Coastal Insurance Association
• Restructures TWIA's board of directors
• Authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to contract with a licensed TPA or MGA and adopt rules to administer and manage the Association, if necessary
• Requires TWIA to study private market incentives to provide wind and hail coverage along the coast

CSSB 900 will now be referred to the Texas House of Representatives for consideration. For over 30 years, the 14 Texas counties that are on the Gulf of Mexico have had to rely on TWIA for insurance protection against hurricane and wind damage. Because the shared risk and shared premium is only in the 14 counties, TWIA has had a serious financial struggle particularly after losses incurred from Hurricane Ike. As a result, TWIA continually considers large rate increases to coastal residents.

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