Public Announcements

With the Texas Legislature adjourned until the 90th Session in January 2027, the focus for corporate risk managers and insurance professionals has shifted to the "interim" period—the critical window where the groundwork for future regulation is laid.

🔎Legislative Outlook: 2026 Interim Charges

In early 2026, state leadership began releasing interim charges, which direct committees to study specific issues before the next session. While the full list is expected by March 2026, early priorities include:

• P&C Cost Study (SB 2462): The State Office of Risk Management is conducting a formal study on rising Property & Casualty insurance costs. Their report, due September 1, 2026, will likely serve as the blueprint for 2027 insurance legislation.
• Infrastructure & Supply Chain: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee is evaluating risks to the Texas electric grid and critical infrastructure. This signals potential shifts in liability and resiliency standards for Texas operations.
• Property Tax Relief: Ongoing discussions regarding Business Personal Property (BPP) taxes and homestead exemptions remain a priority. For risk managers, these changes directly impact the Total Cost of Risk (TCOR) and multi-year facility budgeting.

⚖️Judicial Trends & Key Themes

The Texas Supreme Court is currently managing a heavy docket of Multi-District Litigation (MDL) that will define corporate liability for years to come:

• Weather-Related Litigation: "In Re" proceedings regarding Hurricane Beryl and Winter Storm Uri are currently testing "Act of God" defenses and defining the limits of the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act (TPPCA) during catastrophes.
• Rate Transparency: Building on the In re North Cypress Medical Center precedent, the Court is leaning toward greater transparency in discoverable insurance rates, which may significantly alter personal injury settlement strategies.

💥 Nuclear Verdicts Tracker

Because tort reform is still being discussed in the Texas legislature, we want to point out recent cases that affect the risk management and insurance sectors.

James Shelton McClure and Madeline McClure v. Hotel Crescent Court, et al., – Dallas County jury awarded a man $9.45M in a personal injury claim related to a fall on the property. The jury found the hotel failed to secure or warn guests about a dangerous condition in its courtyard that led to a guest’s fall.  

Christopher Ray Vardy v. New Prime Inc. – Dallas County jury awarded $44.1M to the family of a driver involved in a fatal accident on I-35 during the 2021 ice storm. The defendant, a Missouri-based trucking company, was accused of not properly training drivers for icy road conditions, failure to exercise caution, and driving too fast for the road conditions.

We will continue to monitor these committee hearings, rulings, and nuclear verdicts as they evolve.

Cory Mangum
DFW RIMS External Affairs Committee Chair
[email protected]