Sec. 2210.578. EXPERT PANEL. (a) The commissioner shall appoint a panel of experts to advise the association concerning the extent to which a loss to insurable property was incurred as a result of wind, waves, tidal surges, or rising waters not caused by waves or surges. The panel shall consist of a number of experts to be decided by the commissioner. The commissioner shall appoint one member of the panel to serve as the presiding officer of the panel.

(b) Members of the panel must have professional expertise in, and be knowledgeable concerning, the geography and meteorology of the Texas seacoast territory, as well as the scientific basis for determining the extent to which damage to property is caused by wind, waves, tidal surges, or rising waters not caused by waves or surges.

(c) The panel shall meet at the request of the commissioner or the call of the presiding officer of the panel.

(d) The panel shall investigate, collect, and evaluate the information necessary to provide recommendations under Subsection (e). The cost and expense incurred by the panel associated with the work of the panel under this section shall be paid or reimbursed by the association.

(e) At the request of the commissioner, the panel shall recommend to the commissioner methods or models for determining the extent to which a loss to insurable property may be or was incurred as a result of wind, waves, tidal surges, or rising waters not caused by waves or surges for geographic areas or regions designated by the commissioner.

(f) After consideration of the recommendations made by the panel under Subsection (e), the commissioner shall publish guidelines that the association will use to settle claims.

(g) A member of the panel is not individually liable for an act or failure to act in the performance of the official duties in connection with the individual's work on the panel.

(h) In any review of a claim under this subchapter, and in any action brought against the association under Section 2210.575, the guidelines published by the commissioner under Subsection (f) govern the claim and are presumed to be accurate and correct, unless clear and convincing evidence supports a deviation from the guidelines.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., 1st C.S., Ch. 2 (H.B. 3), Sec. 41, eff. September 28, 2011.