Bill > HB1576

This bill establishes a grant program administered by the Texas Department of Insurance to help homeowners retrofit single-family residential properties to better withstand hurricanes and windstorms. Eligible property owners can apply for grants to upgrade their primary residence using specific construction standards, such as the Fortified Home Hurricane Standard or other approved mitigation techniques. The program creates a dedicated hurricane and windstorm mitigation account funded through gifts, grants, donations, and legislative appropriations, which can only be used to implement the grant program. Importantly, the bill requires insurance companies (with some exceptions like the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association) to provide an actuarially justified premium discount or rate reduction for properties that have been certified as meeting the program's eligibility standards. The bill specifies that nonprofit organizations can also receive grants to help retrofit properties, and it mandates that all retrofitting projects must comply with local building codes and obtain necessary permits. The program is not an entitlement, meaning the state is not obligated to fund inspections or retrofitting for all properties. The implementation of the grant program and the insurance premium discount requirements are contingent on specific legislative appropriations, with the insurance policy provisions set to take effect on September 1, 2026.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1576