H. B. 4671
(By Delegates Michael, Warner, Beane, Ashley,
Proudfoot, G. White and Hall)
(Originating in the Committee on Finance)
[February 27, 2002]
A BILL to amend and reenact sections one and two, article two,
chapter thirty-three of the code of West Virginia, one
thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, all relating to
the office of the insurance commissioner compensation,
expenses, employees and office location.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That sections one and two, article two, chapter thirty-three
of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one,
as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2. INSURANCE COMMISSIONER.
§33-2-1. Office continued; appointment, qualifications and term.
There is hereby continued in effect the state agency
heretofore created and known as the "Insurance Commissioner of West
Virginia" which agency shall consist of an insurance commissioner
and such employees as may be authorized by law. The term of the present commissioner shall continue until July first, one thousand
nine hundred fifty-nine. All appointments to said office made
thereafter shall be for a period of six years, except that in case
of a vacancy the appointment shall be made to fill the unexpired
term. The commissioner shall be a citizen and resident of this
state and shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate. Before taking the oath of office
the commissioner shall sever all connections either direct or
indirect with any and all insurers subject to his supervision and
with any person representing any such insurer, except as a
policyholder or claimant.
§33-2-2. Compensation and expenses of commissioner and employees;
location of office.
The commissioner shall receive an annual salary of forty-seven
seventy-five thousand eight hundred dollars and actual expenses
incurred in the performance of official business, which
compensation shall be in full for all services. The office of the
commissioner shall be maintained in the capitol or other suitable
place in Charleston. The commissioner may employ such persons and
incur such expenses as may be necessary in the discharge of his or
her duties and shall fix the compensation of such employees, but
such compensation shall not exceed the legislative appropriation
therefor. The commissioner may reimburse employees for reasonable expenses incurred for job-related training and educational seminars
and courses. All compensation for salaries and expenses of the
commissioner and his employees shall be paid twice monthly out of
the state treasury by requisition upon the auditor, properly
certified by the commissioner.
Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from
the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would
be added.