S.B. No. 1455 is a legislative bill aimed at modifying the funding mechanism for the regulation of workers' compensation and workers' compensation insurance in Texas by introducing surcharges. The bill amends various sections of the Insurance Code and Labor Code to incorporate the term "surcharges" in place of "maintenance tax" for self-insurers and insurance groups. It establishes that the surcharge rate will be determined annually by the commissioner and will be applied to the gross workers' compensation insurance premiums, excluding those collected for excess insurance. Insurers will be required to pay these surcharges, which will contribute to the Texas Department of Insurance operating account and help cover the costs associated with regulating workers' compensation insurance.

Additionally, the bill outlines the processes for the assessment, collection, and recovery of surcharges, allowing insurers to reflect these costs as expenses in rate filings or charge policyholders directly. The surcharge liability for certified self-insurers will be based on their previous year's liabilities for workers' compensation claims and administrative expenses. The changes introduced by S.B. No. 1455 will take effect on January 1, 2026, and will apply only to gross annual premiums or liabilities incurred after this date, ensuring that any prior obligations remain under the previous law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 201.001, Insurance Code 251.001, Insurance Code 251.002, Insurance Code 251.003, Insurance Code 251.004, Labor Code 402.076, Labor Code 403.001, Labor Code 403.002, Labor Code 403.003, Labor Code 403.004, Labor Code 403.005, Labor Code 403.007, Labor Code 405.003, Labor Code 407.103, Labor Code 407.104, Labor Code 201.051 (Insurance Code 201, Labor Code 403, Labor Code 407, Labor Code 402, Insurance Code 251, Labor Code 201, Labor Code 405)
Senate Committee Report: Insurance Code 201.001, Insurance Code 201.051, Insurance Code 251.001, Insurance Code 251.002, Insurance Code 251.003, Insurance Code 251.004, Insurance Code 281.006, Labor Code 402.076, Labor Code 403.001, Labor Code 403.002, Labor Code 403.003, Labor Code 403.004, Labor Code 403.005, Labor Code 403.007, Labor Code 405.003, Labor Code 407.103, Labor Code 407.104, Labor Code 201.051 (Insurance Code 201, Insurance Code 281, Labor Code 403, Labor Code 407, Labor Code 402, Insurance Code 251, Labor Code 201, Labor Code 405)
Engrossed: Insurance Code 201.001, Insurance Code 201.051, Insurance Code 251.001, Insurance Code 251.002, Insurance Code 251.003, Insurance Code 251.004, Insurance Code 281.006, Labor Code 402.076, Labor Code 403.001, Labor Code 403.002, Labor Code 403.003, Labor Code 403.004, Labor Code 403.005, Labor Code 403.007, Labor Code 405.003, Labor Code 407.103, Labor Code 407.104, Labor Code 201.051 (Insurance Code 201, Insurance Code 281, Labor Code 403, Labor Code 407, Labor Code 402, Insurance Code 251, Labor Code 201, Labor Code 405)
House Committee Report: Insurance Code 201.001, Insurance Code 201.051, Insurance Code 251.001, Insurance Code 251.002, Insurance Code 251.003, Insurance Code 251.004, Insurance Code 281.006, Labor Code 402.076, Labor Code 403.001, Labor Code 403.002, Labor Code 403.003, Labor Code 403.004, Labor Code 403.005, Labor Code 403.007, Labor Code 405.003, Labor Code 407.103, Labor Code 407.104, Labor Code 201.051 (Insurance Code 201, Insurance Code 281, Labor Code 403, Labor Code 407, Labor Code 402, Insurance Code 251, Labor Code 201, Labor Code 405)
Enrolled: Insurance Code 201.001, Insurance Code 201.051, Insurance Code 251.001, Insurance Code 251.002, Insurance Code 251.003, Insurance Code 251.004, Insurance Code 281.006, Labor Code 402.076, Labor Code 403.001, Labor Code 403.002, Labor Code 403.003, Labor Code 403.004, Labor Code 403.005, Labor Code 403.007, Labor Code 405.003, Labor Code 407.103, Labor Code 407.104, Labor Code 201.051 (Insurance Code 201, Insurance Code 281, Labor Code 403, Labor Code 407, Labor Code 402, Insurance Code 251, Labor Code 201, Labor Code 405)