Texas Commissioner of Insurance

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The Texas Director of Insurance is a state executive position in the Texas state government. On March 2011, State Sen. Wendy Davis introduced a bill which would make the insurance commissioner an elected position. 11 states currently hold elections for the position, while it is appointed in 37 states.

Current officeholder

The current officeholder is Eleanor Kitzman. She was first appointed to the position by Gov. Rick Perry on July 20, 2011 and assumed office on August 15, 2011.

Authority

The Commissioner's powers, term of office, etc. are derived from Section 31 of the Texas Insurance Code.

Chapter 31 Section 21:

The commissioner is the department’s chief executive and administrative officer. The commissioner shall administer and enforce this code, other insurance laws of this state, and other laws granting jurisdiction or applicable to the department or the commissioner.

Qualifications

Section 31 of the Texas Insurance Code establishes the requirements for office:

Section 31, Chapter 23:

The commissioner must: be a competent and experienced administrator; be well informed and qualified in the field of insurance and insurance regulation; and have at least five years of experience in the administration of business or government or as a practicing attorney or certified public accountant.

Appointments

The Commissioner of Insurance is appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. Appointment is done in accordance with Chapter 31 Section 22 of the Texas Insurance Code.

Vacancies

Under Article 4, Section 12 of the state constitution, "all vacancies in State or district offices, except members of the Legislature, shall be filled unless otherwise provided by law by appointment of the Governor."

Divisions

The Insurance Commissioner's Office consists of three divisions:

• Insurance and HMOs
• State Fire Marshall
• Division of Workers' Compensation

Duties

The duties of the Texas Department of Insurance are outlined in Sec. 31.002 of the state code.

1. regulate the business of insurance in this state;
2. administer the workers' compensation system of this state as provided by Title 5, Labor Code; and
3. ensure that this code and other laws regarding insurance and insurance companies are executed.

Former officeholders

Since 1957, Texas has had 15 Insurance Commissioners.

Click "show" for former officeholders.

#	Name	Took office	Left office
1	William A. Harrison	1957	1962
2	J.N. Nutt	1963	1965
3	Clay Cotten	1966	1975
4	Joseph D. Hawkins	1975	1976
5	E.J. Voorhis	1977	1981
6	Tom Bond	1982	1985
7	Doyce R. Lee	1986	1987
8	A.W. Pogue	1988	1990
9	Phil Barnes	1991	1991
10	Georgia D. Flint	1992	1992
11	J. Robert Hunter	1993	1994
12	Elton Bomer	1995	1998
13	Jose Montemayor	1999	2004
14	Mike Geeslin	2005	2010
15	Eleanor Kitzman	2011	present

Compensation

In 2010, the Texas Insurance Commissioner was paid an estimated $163,800 according to the Council of State Governments.

Contact information

Physical address: Texas Department of Insurance
333 Guadalupe
Austin, TX 78701
Mailing address: Texas Department of Insurance
P.O. Box 149104
Austin, TX 78714-9104

Phone: 512/463-6169

See also

• Insurance Commissioner

External links

Suggest a link

• National Association of Insurance Commissioners
• Texas Department of Insurance