Regulators - Time in Office

As Steve mentioned, I've had the privilege of serving as Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance for just less than two years and given the history of tenure of commissioners.....

I may be becoming an endangered species.

--  Stephen Selcke, Director of the Illinois Department of Insurance

1993-2, NAIC Proceedings

  • Senator NELSON. Now, let me ask a couple of questions here. First of all, I’m concerned, Mr. Csiszar, that the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which had performed a magnificent service in the past, I’m concerned that it has lessened, because of the duration of an insurance commissioner’s term, its ability to represent the best interest of consumers. Let me ask you, what is the average time that an insurance commissioner in a state is in office?
  • Mr. CSISZAR. I think you need to talk to George Dale, Mr. Nelson, I think George is the longest-serving commissioner——
  • Senator NELSON. That’s not the question. The question is, what is the average time?
  • Mr. CSISZAR. Probably one Governor’s term.
  • Senator NELSON. To the contrary. It’s less than one year, the average time. And where does that insurance commissioner usually come from, Mr. Csiszar?
  • Mr. CSISZAR. Not always from the industry or with the experience from the industry. Oftentimes from a political or a legal environment.
  • Senator NELSON. Usually that insurance commissioner is appointed because that insurance commissioner has knowledge of insurance and he comes from the insurance industry, and at the end of his term, in less than an average of 1 year, where does that insurance commissioner, when he or she leaves public service, where do they go?
  • Mr. CSISZAR. I think the record there is that they do tend to go back to the industry or, in some shape or form, go to the industry.
  • Senator NELSON. And that’s my concern. (p97)

--  Ernst Csiszar, Vice President, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), - South Carolina

2003 1022 - GOV - Federal Involvement in the Regulation of the Insurance Industry, aka Insurance Industry Regulation