Texas Gov. To Call Legislature Back To Extend Insurance Dept.

NU Online News Service, June 10, 1:24 p.m. EDT

Texas Gov. Rick Perry said he plans to call the legislature back into session to finish some unfinished business that included the reauthorization of the state's Department of Insurance.

The governor announced his intentions to reconvene the legislature in response to reporters' questions during a roundtable discussion with state and industry leaders yesterday to discuss the impact of proposed federal environmental regulations on the state economy.

A spokeswoman for the governor's office confirmed Gov. Perry's comments, adding that no date has been set for convening the special session nor an agenda proposed for the legislature to consider.

The Texas legislature adjourned last week without completing a number of legislative items including continued funding the Texas Department of Insurance and extension of the operating statute for TDI and several other major state agencies.

Under Texas law, all agencies are subject to review and must be reauthorized every 12 years.

A spokesman for TDI has said the department continues to work and expects the governor and legislature to resolve the issue.

Under Texas' Sunset Law, if the legislature failed to fund the department, it would continue to operate until Sept. 1. From that date on, the department would have a year to wind down its operations, but the department official said the situation is expected to be resolved long before then.

More than 150 departments in Texas are reviewed by the Sunset Advisory Commission every 12 years. In its report, the commission said "the agency works well" and made a number of recommendations to improve services and transparency for TDI.

The state's House passed a resolution to continue the departments, but without properly funding some departments. The move upset some state Senators who decided to adjourn the legislative session without passing measures to keep the departments in operation until the legislature meets in two years.

Special sessions can be called for a 30 day period and as often as the governor deems necessary.

Late yesterday, the governor's office said Gov. Perry was treated at a hospital after he suffered a broken collar bone and minor abrasions in a mountain bike accident.