H.B. 16 78(2) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 16 By: Swinford Government Reform Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Texas law requires that an individual serving as the insurance commissioner serve for a term of two years and meet certain requirements in order to qualify for the position. House Bill 16 amends the Insurance Code to require that the commissioner serve for a term of two years but changes the qualification requirements for the position. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS HB 16 removes the provision requiring that the Commissioner of Insurance most possess at least 5 years of experience in the field of insurance or insurance regulation. The Commissioner will continue to serve a two year term and must have 10 years of experience as an executive in the administration of business or government or as a practicing attorney or certified public accountant. EFFECTIVE DATE December 1, 2003.