Rep. John Smithee introduced HB 2841, a bill on Insurance, to the Texas House on Friday, Feb. 14 during the 89(R) legislative session, according to the Texas Legislature website.
More specifically, the official text was summarized by the state legislature as ’’relating to Texas Windstorm Insurance Association underwriting standards for structures that meet certain construction standards’’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
This bill amends Section 2210.152 of the Texas Insurance Code, requiring the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) to revise its underwriting standards for new structures. Specifically, any new structures constructed in accordance with certified fortified home, multifamily, or commercial construction standards, as published by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety or its successor, will automatically meet the TWIA’s underwriting requirements. The amended standards apply only to structures built on or after the bill’s effective date. The TWIA must propose the necessary amendments to its operational plan to the insurance commissioner to comply with these changes. The Act takes effect on Sept. 1, 2025.
John Smithee, the chair of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, proposed another four bills during the 89(R) legislative session. He is also a member of the House Committee on State Affairs.
Smithee graduated from West Texas A&M with a BBA and again from Texas Tech University Law School with a JD.
John Smithee is currently serving in the Texas State House, representing the state’s 86th House district. He replaced previous state representative Bob Simpson in 1985.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Legislative Session | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89(R) | HB 2248 | 01/30/2025 | Relating to the public information law |
| 89(R) | HB 1957 | 01/17/2025 | Relating to an exemption from jury service for a person who is over the age of 65 |
| 89(R) | HB 1945 | 01/17/2025 | Relating to the confidentiality of a public or private school employee’s home address information in property tax appraisal records |
| 89(R) | HB 1942 | 01/17/2025 | Relating to the participation of an advanced practice registered nurse as a participating or preferred provider for health maintenance organizations and preferred provider benefit plans |
| 88(R) | HB 5107 | 03/10/2023 | Relating to local school health advisory councils and health education provided by public schools |
| 88(R) | HB 4270 | 03/09/2023 | Relating to the classification of and regulation of the taking of aoudad sheep as game animals |
| 88(R) | HB 4510 | 03/09/2023 | Relating to reporting of certain information by state agencies and counties, including information related to appropriated money, activities of certain consultants, and tax revenue |
| 88(R) | HB 4204 | 03/08/2023 | Relating to wind energy rights and wind energy development agreements |
| 88(R) | HB 3562 | 03/06/2023 | Relating to durable powers of attorney and the construction of certain powers conferred in those durable powers of attorney |
| 88(R) | HB 3116 | 03/01/2023 | Relating to the conduct of efficiency audits of state agencies |
| 88(R) | HB 3119 | 03/01/2023 | Relating to requirements applicable to certain third-party health insurers in relation to Medicaid |
| 88(R) | HB 2963 | 02/28/2023 | Relating to the authority of a court to grant a motion for a new trial in certain criminal cases |
| 88(R) | HB 2874 | 02/27/2023 | Relating to the assessment of litigation costs and attorney fees in certain lawsuits under the public information law |
| 88(R) | HB 2821 | 02/24/2023 | Relating to decedents’ estates and the delivery of certain notices or other communications in connection with those estates or multiple-party accounts |
| 88(R) | HB 2839 | 02/24/2023 | Relating to a liquidity stress test for certain insurance companies |
| 88(R) | HB 2711 | 02/23/2023 | Relating to the authority of certain counties to impose a hotel occupancy tax and the applicability and rates of that tax in certain counties |
| 88(R) | HB 2753 | 02/23/2023 | Relating to certain agreements with collective bargaining organizations related to certain publicly funded public work contracts |
| 88(R) | HB 2771 | 02/23/2023 | Relating to disbursements from the universal service fund for certain small and rural companies |
| 88(R) | HB 2474 | 02/17/2023 | Relating to wind energy rights and wind energy development agreements |
| 88(R) | HB 2196 | 02/13/2023 | Relating to trusts |
| 88(R) | HB 2246 | 02/13/2023 | Relating to suits affecting the parent-child relationship, including the payment and enforcement of support ordered in a suit affecting the parent-child relationship |
| 88(R) | HB 2247 | 02/13/2023 | Relating to certain Title IV-D cases and other cases with respect to child support or Title IV-D agency services and to practices and procedures for the operation of the Title IV-D agency |
| 88(R) | HB 1900 | 02/03/2023 | Relating to notice of cancellation or nonrenewal of a property and casualty insurance policy |
| 88(R) | HB 1901 | 02/03/2023 | Relating to the filing of an annual audit report by a title insurance company, title insurance agent, or direct operation |
| 88(R) | HB 1902 | 02/03/2023 | Relating to disclosure requirements for health care provider directories maintained by certain health benefit plan issuers |
| 88(R) | HB 1903 | 02/03/2023 | Relating to capital stock requirements for certain insurance companies |
| 88(R) | HB 1754 | 01/26/2023 | Relating to the disclosure of certain prescription drug information by a health benefit plan |
| 88(R) | HB 1561 | 01/24/2023 | Relating to the decision of a court of appeals not to accept certain interlocutory appeals |
| 88(R) | HB 1255 | 01/10/2023 | Relating to limitations periods in arbitration proceedings |
