HB 2221 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to certain trade practices related to life insurance, annuity contracts, and accident and health coverage.

HB 2221 creates Chapter 1702 in Texas' Insurance Code to establish uniform standards for prohibited trade practices in life insurance, annuity contracts, and accident/health coverage. It defines key terms like "agent," "consumer," and "loss-control or value-added product/service" to clarify what practices are restricted and what value-added services (like free wellness programs) may be offered at no cost. The law aims to standardize rules for insurers and agents while allowing recognized value-added services under existing model laws. This bill directly affects insurance companies, agents, and consumers purchasing these coverage types, effective September 1, 2025.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Mar 14, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025
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What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 10 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MAJOR
This bill expands the Texas Insurance Code to regulate trade practices related to life insurance, annuities, accident and health coverage, and health care plans. It adds new definitions for 'Agent' and 'Insurer,' clarifies rules around loss-control products and value-added services, and establishes prohibitions on certain inducements and discriminatory practices. The bill also updates existing sections to align with new regulations and repeals outdated provisions.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of regulation to include third-party administrators acting on behalf of insurers and adds new applicability provisions for multiple employer welfare arrangements and other types of insurers in accident and health coverage.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Agent' to include third-party administrators authorized to act as administrators for an insurer under Chapter 4151.

ELIGIBILITY

Expanded applicability to include third-party administrators acting on behalf of life insurers and accident and health insurers.

Added multiple employer welfare arrangements holding certificates of coverage under Chapter 846 to the list of entities covered under accident and health coverage regulations.

REQUIREMENT

Modified Section 1702.005 to add new provisions prohibiting the use of tracking devices without disclosure and consent, and clarifying that the chapter does not prohibit offering loss-control or value-added products at discounted prices.

Added new sections requiring insurers to provide contact information to consumers for questions about loss-control or value-added products and services.

Modified Section 1702.104 to add exemptions for loss-control or value-added services and products allowed under Subchapter B.

Modified Section 1702.154 to add exemptions for loss-control or value-added products and services allowed under Subchapter B.

Added new Section 1702.155 allowing premium discounts, rebates, or reductions for participation in disease prevention, wellness, and health programs.

TIMELINE

Added effective date of September 1, 2025, and applicability date of January 1, 2026, for policies, annuities, or health care plan contracts.

TECHNICAL

Repealed Sections 541.056, 541.057, 541.058, 543.003, and 1201.013 of the Insurance Code.

Floor votes · House May 1, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
57
Key actions
19
Committee
12
Amendments
9
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
upper
May 28, 2025
Introduced
Text of Senate Amendment(s)
lower
May 28, 2025
Introduced
House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
lower
May 27, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
lower
May 27, 2025
Introduced
Senate Amendments distributed
lower
May 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate passage as amended reported
lower
May 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
May 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
upper
May 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
May 26, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
May 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business & Commerce
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 5, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
Apr 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Insurance
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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