SENATE DOCKET, NO. 859        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 980

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Daniel A. Wolf

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act creating the Cape and Islands Property Insurance Commission.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 859        FILED ON: 1/17/2013

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 980

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen

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An Act creating the Cape and Islands Property Insurance Commission.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. There shall be a special commission to review the feasibility of creating a county managed property insurance entity to serve the counties of Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket.  The commission shall consist of: the Commissioner of the Division of Insurance or a designee;  a representative of the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association or a designee; a representative of the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association or a designee; a representative of the mutual insurance industry of Massachusetts or a designee; the executive director of the Cape Cod Commission or his designee;  a Barnstable County Commissioner or a designee; a Dukes County Commissioner  or a designee; a Nantucket County Commissioner or a designee; a representative of Citizens for Homeowners Insurance Reform, a consumer group with experience advocating for equitable property insurance rates in Massachusetts; the Massachusetts Attorney General or a designee; a member appointed by the Senate President; and a member appointed by the Speaker of the House.

SECTION 2. The Commission’s review shall include but not be limited to the following:

(a) A cost-benefit analysis of a county-managed property insurance office providing service to property owners in Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties;

(b) An examination and report on the legal and regulatory changes needed to create a county property insurance entity, including review of best practices from other governmental entities;

(c) An examination and report on past property insurance pricing;

(d) An examination and report on expected future property insurance pricing;

SECTION 3. The Commission shall file a report of its findings including any legislative or regulatory recommendations, with the clerks of the House of Representatives and the Senate on or before May 1, 2014.