The

INSURANCE

RECORD THE VOICE OF TEXAS INSURANCE Published Since 1934 • Dallas, Texas June 18, 2009 • Vol. 75 No. 13

AIA Chapped by Solons’
Inaction on TDI Sunset Bill

AUSTIN—The Texas Legislature failed to pass legislation, commonly referred to as the “TDI Sunset Bill,” to extend the operations of the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) prior to adjourning sine die on June 1.

According to Texas law, the Legislature is required to review and reauthorize state agencies, including TDI, on a regular basis.

“AIA worked on TDI Sunset legislation for nearly two years. We are very disappointed that this legislation has fallen victim to partisan politics,” said Fred C. Bosse, AIA regional vice president. “The TDI Sunset bill deserved full consideration and a final vote,” added Bosse.

High Casualty Rate The bill was among the many legislative casualties suffered as a result of the highly partisan debate over voter ID legislation which held up hundreds of bills from consideration by the House. Rather than suspending the rules in order to fully consider sunset legislation, the House crafted a concurrent resolution which was appended to a state financing bill that in turn would have extended TDI’s sunset date to 2011. The Senate chose not to vote upon the House measure during the final hours of the Legislature’s session.

“It’s critically important for insurers to operate in a seamless regulatory system,” stated Bosse. “Consumers and insurers continued on page 4

Big “I” Urges Obama to
Oppose “Reform” efforts

WASHINGTON—Robert Rusbuldt, president & CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”), sent a letter to the Obama administration urging them to oppose any financial services regulatory reform efforts that could imperil the strength and stability of the state system of insurance regulation.

In This Issue

TLR happy About What DIDN’T Get Done in 81st Session 3

LEGAL DIMENSIONS:
After the Proposal for
Decision in Agent Cases 5

Institutes Sign with AAMGA to Promote Online Learning 10

Coalition Backs Improvements to Medicare-W/C Administration 12

“Insurance regulation is not perfect and improvements certainly should be implemented,” says Rusbuldt. “However, state regulators have done and continue to do a solid job of ensuring that insurers are solvent and insurance consumers are protected and receive the insurance coverage they need. Given today’s tough economic en- continued on page 17

Plastic Plans to Stretch Insurance Provisions Snap in Bankruptcy Court

SELLING STRATEGIES: everything Old Is New Again

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