SB 1642 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the administration of the Texas Department of Insurance, including the appointment of the state commission of insurance.

This bill would replace Texas' single Insurance Commissioner position with a three-member Commission. It requires the governor to appoint three members with specific expertise in insurance regulation, administration, and consumer advocacy. The Commission would serve as the department's governing body, with a presiding officer appointed by the governor for a two-year term. These changes would directly affect how the Texas Department of Insurance is administered and regulated.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 25, 2025 Last action May 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 6 edits · Apr 23, 2025
MODERATE
This bill restructures the Texas Department of Insurance by transitioning from a single commissioner model to a three-member commission with staggered six-year terms, while simultaneously establishing a new executive director role to handle daily operations. The changes modernize governance by separating policy-making authority from administrative duties and implementing new requirements for diversity, equity, and inclusion in personnel management.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of governance by creating a multi-member commission structure instead of a single commissioner, and adds new requirements for executive director qualifications and personnel policies.
STRUCTURE

Replaced the single commissioner model with a three-member commission, each serving staggered six-year terms instead of two-year terms.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new executive director position responsible for daily department operations, separate from the commission's policy-making role.

Added new provisions requiring an intra-agency career ladder program and annual performance evaluations for department personnel.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated appointment criteria to require expertise in insurance regulation, administration, and consumer advocacy, with specific qualifications for commission members.

Expanded eligibility restrictions to include new categories such as trade association consultants and their spouses, and increased ownership thresholds for conflicts of interest.

TIMELINE

Established a transition timeline with initial appointments to occur by December 1, 2025, and new terms beginning January 1, 2026.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 23, 2025

How they voted

272
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
Apr 23, 2025
D Democratic10
9 Yea 1
90% Yea
R Republican20
18 Yea 2 Nay
90% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
31
Key actions
8
Committee
9
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Insurance
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Mar 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business & Commerce
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors