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Bill

HB 3320

Relating to a property and casualty self-insurance pool for certain religious institutions; authorizing fees; providing administrative penalties.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Charles Cunningham and 7 co-sponsors

Allows Texas religious institutions to form self-insured property and casualty pools with regulatory fees and penalties, potentially reducing costs but creating separate oversight standards.

Placed on intent calendar
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Bill Summary · HB 3320

Legislative bill overview

HB 3320 authorizes the creation of a property and casualty self-insurance pool exclusively for religious institutions in Texas. The bill permits these organizations to pool resources for insurance coverage rather than purchasing traditional insurance, and establishes a fee structure and administrative penalty framework to govern the pool's operations.

Why is this important

Religious institutions often operate with limited budgets and face higher insurance costs for buildings, equipment, and liability coverage. This bill could reduce insurance expenses for participating organizations, but it also creates a separate regulatory system that exempts religious entities from standard insurance requirements, raising questions about consumer protections and financial accountability.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory oversight gap: Self-insurance pools typically face less stringent oversight than traditional insurers, potentially leaving members vulnerable if the pool becomes insolvent or mismanaged
  • Tax and liability implications: Unclear whether the self-insurance arrangement affects tax-exempt status or how liability claims would be handled if the pool cannot meet obligations
  • Equity concerns: Creating a carve-out specifically for religious institutions may raise separation-of-church-and-state questions and questions about whether secular nonprofits receive equivalent treatment

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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