HB 1721

AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS THE "ADDITIONAL LIVING EXPENSE (ALE) FAIRNESS AND EXPEDITED CLOSURE ADJUDICATION ACT"; TO DECLARE THAT THE LEGISLATIVE PURPOSE OF THE ACT IS TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE TO ENSURE TIMELY AND SUFFICIENT ADDITIONAL LIVING EXPENSE BENEFITS ARE PAID TO INSURED PARTIES UNDER RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL COMMERCIAL POLICIES; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS, INCLUDING "ALE"; TO GRANT THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO ADJUDICATE DISPUTES REGARDING ALE MATTERS; TO AUTHORIZE INSURERS AND INSURED PARTIES TO INSTITUTE A PETITION; TO REQUIRE THE EXPEDITED TIME FOR ADDRESSING PETITIONS; TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER TO ISSUE AN INTERIM ALE ORDER TO PREVENT HARDSHIP; TO PRESCRIBED STANDARDS FOR ADJUDICATING DISPUTES; TO GRANT THE COMMISSIONER CERTAIN POWERS IN ISSUING ORDERS; TO PROVIDE THAT ORDERS SETTLING ALE DISPUTES ARE BINDING UNLESS A REHEARING IS GRANTED OR THE ORDER IS APPEALED TO A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION; TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER TO PROMULGATE RULES NECESSARY FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.