HBA-DMH H.B. 2932 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2932
By: Lewis, Glenn
Insurance
4/8/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, an insurance company may charge a surcharge on premiums
for vehicle insurance if the insured has been convicted of driving while
intoxicated, intoxication assault, or intoxication manslaughter. House Bill
2932 requires the commissioner of insurance by rule to reduce by 50 percent
the premium surcharge for an insured convicted of such an offense whose
insured motor vehicle is equipped with a motor vehicle ignition interlock
device. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated  to the commissioner of insurance in
SECTION 1 (Section 3, Article 5.03-1, Insurance Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2932 amends the Insurance Code to require the commissioner of
insurance by rule to reduce by 50 percent the premium surcharge for an
insured whose insured motor vehicle is equipped with a motor vehicle
ignition interlock device as required by a court order following the
insured's conviction of driving while intoxicated, intoxication assault, or
intoxication manslaughter.  The insured is entitled to the discount only
for the period that the vehicle is equipped with the device.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.