Georgia Bill Would Restrict Insurance Executives’ Political Giving

A Republican state lawmaker who is running for governor in Georgia has introduced legislation to ban executives of insurance companies from contributing to a political campaign for the office of state insurance commissioner or to any campaign conducted by an incumbent commissioner.

The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Austin Scott, who is running for the Republican nomination for governor.

The proposal targets one of Scott’s Republican opponents, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, who has accepted donations from employees and executives of insurance companies in his campaign for governor.

State law already prevents regulatory officials including the insurance commissioner from accepting donations from companies they regulate. Scott’s bill would also ban executives of those companies from donating.

Oxendine called Scott’s bill “a political stunt by a desperate candidate,” according to The Associated Press.

The text of the Scott bill (HB1166) says that “any person acting on behalf of an insurance corporation, partnership, or business regulated by the Commissioner of Insurance shall not make any contribution to a political campaign for such office or to any campaign conducted by an incumbent commissioner.” The measure would also prohibit certain gifts to a commissioner and his or her family.

Topics Legislation Georgia