H-554                _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 234

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Lux, Prince, Nutley, Dellwo, Meyers, Locke, Cole, Crane, Leonard, Unsoeld, Jacobsen, Belcher, Sayan, Heavey, Allen, Braddock, Rayburn, Fisch, Nelson, Pruitt, Sprenkle, Bristow, Ebersole, K. Wilson, Basich, Holm, Taylor, Wang and Rasmussen

Read first time 1/22/87 and referred to Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance.

AN ACT Relating to the insurance commission; and amending RCW 48.18.120.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section .18.12, chapter 79, Laws of 1947 as amended by section 10, chapter 193, Laws of 1957 and RCW 48.18.120 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) The commissioner shall, after hearing, from time to time promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to define and effect reasonable uniformity in all basic contracts of fire insurance which are commonly known as the standard form fire policies and may be so referred to in this code, and the usual supplemental coverages, riders, or endorsements thereon or thereto, to the end that such definitions shall be applied in the construction of the various sections of this code wherein such terms are used and that there be a reasonable concurrency of contract where two or more insurers insure the same subject and risk.  All such forms heretofore approved by the commissioner and for use as of immediately prior to the effective date of this code, may continue to be so used until the further order of the commissioner made pursuant to this subsection or pursuant to any other provision of this code.

          (2) The commissioner may from time to time, after hearing, promulgate such rules and regulations as he deems necessary to establish reasonable minimum standard conditions and terminology for basic benefits to be provided by disability insurance contracts which are subject to chapters 48.20 and 48.21 RCW, for the purpose of expediting his approval of such contracts pursuant to this code.  No such promulgation shall be inconsistent with standard provisions as required pursuant to RCW 48.18.130, nor contain requirements inconsistent with requirements relative to the same benefit provision as formulated or approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

(3) The commissioner may adopt rules to establish reasonable minimum standard conditions, benefits, and terminology to be used and provided in dwelling fire, homeowners, and vehicle insurance policies.  The rules may be in addition to but shall not contravene other provisions of Title 48 RCW applicable to such insurance policies.