Established pursuant to Rule 31 of the Missouri Senate.

The committee shall consist of five members, three Republicans and two Democrats, and will be responsible for reviewing Title Insurance. The duties of the committee shall be:

1) to study state laws, regulations, policies, and practices relating to the Title Insurance industry

2) to further examine industry issues that are currently affecting the consumers

3) to explore and clarify the duties and responsibilities of a Title Insurance agent

4) to review the protection and enforcement of consumer and lender funds

5) to examine the process of setting Title Insurance rates

The committee shall be staffed by counsel from Senate Research and may hold public hearings at locations to be determined by the chairman. Reasonable, actual and necessary expenses of the committee shall be reimbursed by the Missouri Senate.

The committee shall issue a report and make recommendations, as deemed appropriate by a majority of the members of the committee, to the general assembly for legislative action no later than January 20, 2006.