Report Title:

Insurance Commissioner

Description:

Proposes a constitutional amendment to make the insurance commissioner an elected official.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

478

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE V OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO make the INSURANCE COMMISSIONER an elected official.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to propose an amendment to article V of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to provide that the insurance commissioner be elected by the qualified voters of the State at a general election, rather than be appointed by the director of commerce and consumer affairs.

SECTION 2. Article V, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended by adding a new section to read as follows:

"INSURANCE COMMISSIONER

Section . There shall be an insurance commissioner who shall be elected at the same time, for the same term and in the same manner as the governor. The insurance commissioner shall perform those duties relating to the administration of the insurance laws as may be provided by law.

No person shall be eligible to serve as the insurance commissioner unless the person has been a resident of the State for not less than three years, has attained the age of majority and is a qualified voter.

Any vacancy in the position of the insurance commissioner shall be filled for the unexpired term in such manner as may be provided by law, or if no provision is made by law, by appointment by the governor for the unexpired term.

The compensation of the insurance commissioner shall be as provided by law. That compensation shall not be increased or decreased for the commissioner's term, unless by general law applying to all salaried officers of the State."

SECTION 3. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:

"Shall the insurance commissioner be elected by the qualified voters of the State of Hawaii?"

SECTION 4. New constitutional material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This amendment shall take effect upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________