APPOINTED COMMISSIONER FOR OKLA.’:

A Tulsa, Okla.-area legislator plans to take up the mission he began nearly a year ago to change the office of insurance commissioner to one that is appointed rather than elected. State Rep. John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow, plans to re-file legislation that would let voters decide whether to amend the state constitution to allow the now-vacant position to be appointed. Trebilcock filed a similar measure last year, House Joint Resolution 1038, but it never received a committee hearing. The lawmaker said there has been growing support for his proposal, especially after the impeachment of former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher. Trebilcock was the author of the resolution that created the special committee to investigate Fisher, which ultimately led to his impeachment and resignation. Rep. John Carey, D-Durant, will co-sponsor Trebilcock’s legislation. Oklahoma is one of 11 states that elect an insurance commissioner. The top insurance officials in several neighboring states–Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arkansas and Missouri–are appointed by the governor. Trebilcock said that during the course of the past year many state officials have reconsidered whether the position should be appointed.

Topics Legislation