Date: 05/01/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HCR06-1011

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 06-1011PASS



04:24 PM -- House Concurrent Resolution 06-1011

Representative Butcher, prime sponsor, presented House Concurrent Resolution 06-1011 that would call for the Commissioner of Insurance to be an elected statewide office rather than appointed by the Governor. Several members commented on the Resolution. There was committee discussion about how many states have elected versus appointed Insurance Commissioners. Representative Butcher responded to questions from the committee.

04:32 PM -- Julie Hoerner, representing the Department of Regulatory Agencies, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment B). She responded to questions about the accountability of an appointed commissioner versus an elected commissioner.

04:36 PM -- Virginia Love, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill. She stated that the Council is concerned about the money that would be spent on an election.

04:37 PM -- Bill Imig, representing the Property and Casualty Insurers Association, testified in opposition of the bill. He talked about the history of the Colorado Insurance Commissioner and how it was an elected office prior to 1985 when Colorado switched to an appointed system. He stated that there have not been any problems with the appointees and that there is no need for a change. Mr. Imig talked about Washington's elected commissioner and how the state wants to go back to an appointed Insurance Commissioner. Mr. Imig responded to a question about how an appointed commissioner is held accountable to the public.

04:46 PM -- Robert Ferm, representing the American Insurance Association, testified in opposition to the bill. He talked about some current states that have an elected Insurance Commissioner and the problems they have faced. Mr. Firm responded to questions from the committee. Representative Butcher talked about other states with elected and appointed Insurance Commissioners.

04:55 PM -- Jerry McElroy, representing Kaiser Permanente and the Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in opposition to the bill. He stated he agrees with the previous testimony but wanted to add one point to the discussion on accountability. He stated that consumers are stuck with an elected official, good or bad, for 4 years, but with an appointed official the official is one embarrassment away from being replaced.
BILL:HCR06-1011
TIME: 04:56:29 PM
MOVED:Butcher
MOTION:Moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 06-1011 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed 7-6.
SECONDED:Coleman
VOTE
Balmer
No
Borodkin
Yes
Butcher
Yes
Carroll M.
Yes
Coleman
Yes
Knoedler
No
Liston
No
McCluskey
No
Paccione
Yes
Penry
No
Welker
No
Cerbo
Yes
Marshall
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 6 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




05:04 PM

The committee adjourned.