Information You Need to Stay Stronger, Together. In this edition...
NEWS/UPDATES
Stronger, Together Podcast - Special Video Report Series: 2022 Rerates
First Responder COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Claim Deadline Approaching
Upcoming Loss Prevention Training
Property and Liability Coverage Document Changes
Risk Pool Bylaws Amendment
NOAA Predicts Busy 2022 Hurricane Season
Texas Hazard Communication Act Compliance Guide Released
Latest TMLIRP blogs
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Deer Park, Victoria, and Brownsville
SERVICE IN FOCUS
Safe Streets and Roads for All Program and R.O.A.D. Ready
NEWS/UPDATES
Stronger, Together Podcast - Special Video Report Series: 2022 Rerates In this special five-episode series, you can either watch or listen to explanations of the major rate drivers and their effect on Members’ 2022 rerates. In the first episode (15a), Scott explains the purpose of these special report videos/podcasts and interviews: (1) Randy Criswell (Risk Pool Board of Trustees Chair and Wolfforth City Manager) about the broad rate issues faced by the Pool, and (2) David Goldston (Risk Pool Property Claims Supervisor) about property coverage rate drivers. The episodes are short and informative, with short being the key – no episode is longer than 15 minutes. Check it out!
First Responder COVID-19 Workers’ Compensation Claim Deadline Approaching The deadline is nearing for first responders to request that their COVID-19 claim be reconsidered. If a first responder's claim was initially denied between March 13, 2020, and June 14, 2021, they must send the Pool (or other carrier) a written request to reprocess the claim by June 14, 2022. If a first responder is currently in a dispute and has not requested their claim be reprocessed, the first responder should consult with their attorney or the Office of Injured Employee Counsel about doing so. Learn more on the Division of Workers’ Compensation’s first responder page.
Upcoming Loss Prevention Training Here’s a list of upcoming loss prevention training. The events calendar has registration details.
Property and Liability Coverage Document Changes The Board, acting on behalf of the Members, recently approved several changes to both the Property and Liability Coverage Documents. Please contact your Member Services Manager for additional information.
Risk Pool Bylaws Amendment: Municipal Representation on the Board of Trustees The Pool was founded by cities for cities almost 50 years ago. In recent years, the Pool has expanded its Membership to include other local governments that complement the local services provided by cities. The Pool’s mission statement, which is “to offer and provide Texas municipalities and other units of local government with a stable and economic source of risk financing and loss prevention services,” expressly recognizes those non-city members
Of course, cities still account for more than 77 percent of the Risk Pool’s total contributions and serve as the anchor of local service provision in Texas. Moreover, cities account for 78 percent of the Pool’s reported losses, 83 percent of the Pool’s claim count, and 84 percent of the Pool’s transactions.
Because of that, the Board of Trustees wishes to ensure that cities remain the focus of the Pool’s priorities, but that the non-city Member entities are eligible to serve and provide diversity of thought as well. The Board recognized at its April 29, 2022, meeting that city officials have the greatest financial stake in the Pool and should thus hold the greatest decision-making weight.
To that end, the Board adopted a resolution to amend the Pool’s Bylaws to provide that 75 percent of Places on the Board of Trustees to be occupied by employees or officials of municipalities.
NOAA Predicts Busy 2022 Hurricane Season Forecasters at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, are predicting above-average hurricane activity this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 65 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 25 percent chance of a near-normal season and a 10 percent chance of a below-normal season.
For the 2022 hurricane season, NOAA is forecasting a likely range of 14 to 21 named storms (winds of 39 miles-per-hour or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 miles-per-hour or higher), including three to six major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher). NOAA provides these ranges with a 70 percent confidence.
Texas Hazard Communication Act Compliance Guide Released The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) published a new Texas Hazard Communication Act compliance guide to assist public employers in complying with regulations. The Texas Hazard Communication Act requires public employers to provide information, training, and appropriate personal protective equipment to their employees who may be exposed to hazardous chemical in their workplaces. DSHS may perform random compliance inspections to enforce the Act.
More information on the Texas Hazard Communication Act can be found here. For any questions, contact DSHS Hazard Communication Program at 1-800-293-0753 or at hazcomhelp@dshs.texas.gov.
Deer Park, Victoria, and Brownsville As noted above, NOAA has predicted a busy hurricane season. Recently, the Pool partnered with Synergy NDS, along with three of our Member cities, to host the Pool’s inaugural hurricane preparedness workshops. The Pool would like to extend its appreciation to these three cities: Deer Park, Victoria, and Brownsville, for lending their top-notch facilities, giving Members along the coast the opportunity to learn the best ways to prepare for the unthinkable. Members left equipped with information that will help them before, during, and after a hurricane.
SERVICE IN FOCUS
Safe Streets and Roads for All Program and R.O.A.D. Ready The new federal Safe Street and Roads for All (SS4A) program provides funding for safer streets directly to local governments. Over the next five years, the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide at least $5 billion in discretionary grants to local governments to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways. The National League of Cities has provided detailed information on the SS4A program and how to apply.
The program dovetails nicely with the TML Risk Pool’s R.O.A.D. Ready initiative, which is a program designed to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property by raising Member awareness of dangers on and near roadways.
Contact your Loss Prevention Representative to learn more.
