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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the continuation and operation of the office of public |
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insurance counsel. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 501.003, Insurance Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 501.003. SUNSET PROVISION. The office is subject to |
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Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued |
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in existence as provided by that chapter, the office is abolished |
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September 1, 2023 [2011]. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 501, Insurance Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 501.160 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 501.160. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES. |
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(a) The office shall develop and implement a policy to encourage |
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the use of appropriate alternative dispute resolution procedures |
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under Chapter 2009, Government Code, to assist in the resolution of |
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internal and external disputes under the office's jurisdiction. |
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(b) The office's procedures relating to alternative dispute |
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resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to model |
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guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative Hearings |
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for the use of alternative dispute resolution procedures by state |
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agencies. |
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(c) The office shall: |
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(1) coordinate the implementation of the policy |
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adopted under Subsection (a); |
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(2) provide training as needed to implement the |
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procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative dispute |
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resolution; and |
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(3) collect data concerning the effectiveness of those |
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procedures. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |