HBA-LJP S.B. 1690 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1690 By: Ellis, Rodney Ways & Means 5/8/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The comptroller of public accounts has encountered legal challenges concerning the construction of certain insurance tax statutes. Modifying these statutes might prevent such legal challenges. Senate Bill 1690 exempts certain insurance organizations, title insurance companies, and title insurance agents from certain taxes. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 1690 amends the Insurance Code to exempt an insurance organization, other than a surplus lines insurer, that is authorized to do insurance business in this state from paying a tax levied in proportion to the gross premium receipts levied by this state or any county or municipality. The bill exempts title insurance companies and title insurance agents from paying any additional premium tax in proportion to their gross premium receipts levied by this state or any county or municipality. The bill prohibits this exemption from being construed to limit the applicability of other taxes, fees, and assessments or to prohibit the levy and collection of certain taxes. The bill deletes certain provisions relating to the levy of an occupational tax on insurance organizations, title insurance companies, title insurance agents, and insurance carriers or related companies. The bill deletes the prohibition on requiring domestic insurance companies from paying any occupation or gross receipts taxes. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.