HOUSTON — A Texas Windstorm Insurance Association committee rejected a proposal Tuesday that would have eliminated residential windstorm coverage for secondary homes in coastal counties after public officials and residents overwhelmingly opposed the measure.
Only four of 295 people who submitted written comments supported the proposal, according to moderator Kristina Contardo. The opposition included officials from Galveston, Port Aransas, South Padre Island and Nueces County, as well as representatives from coastal business and real estate groups.
The Legislative and External Affairs Committee voted 2-1 against the proposal, which committee member John Todd introduced in June. The measure would have become part of TWIA’s recommendations to the Texas Legislature for its 2027 session.
Rep. Terri Leo Wilson, R-Galveston, said eliminating coverage for second homes could hurt Galveston’s economy and complicate recovery after major hurricanes.
“Secondary homes on the coast are the very reason we have TWIA in the first place,” Wilson said during public comments.
Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Aransas, also opposed the proposal and said the discussion had raised concerns among mortgage lenders, banks, chambers of commerce and other organizations.
Sally Bakko, Galveston’s director of policy and governmental relations, said removing second homes from TWIA coverage could slow hurricane recovery, hurt the island’s tourism economy and reduce rental housing available to workers.
The proposal also drew opposition from the mayors of Port Aransas and South Padre Island, Nueces County Judge Connie Scott, the Galveston Short-Term Rental Alliance, Coastal Windstorm Insurance Coalition and South Padre Island Board of Realtors.
Todd said he introduced the proposal to reduce the long-term cost of windstorm coverage while ensuring TWIA could pay claims after major storms.
“I think we need to lower the long-term cost of that coverage as much as reasonably possible and ensure that TWIA is financially prepared to pay claims following major storms,” Todd said.
TWIA provides wind and hail insurance to property owners who cannot obtain coverage through the private market in designated coastal areas.
The committee’s vote ends the proposal’s consideration for inclusion in TWIA’s recommendations for the 2027 legislative session.
