Commissioner of Insurance State of Georgia [1995]

COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE STATE OF GEORGIA
Because of its many and varied functions, the Office of Commissioner of Insurance affects the lives of almost all Georgians nearly every day.
The present Commissioner of Insurance, John Oxendine, was elected in November of 1994 and began his term in January of 1995.
The Commissioner of Insurance serves a four-year term and is elected by a statewide vote at the same general election at which the Governor and other constitutional officers are elected. The minimum qualifications for the office are U.S. citizenship for ten years, residence in Georgia for four years, and being at least 25 years old.
-Formerly known as the Comptroller General's Office, the title was changed to Commissioner of Insurance under the 1983 Georgia Constitution. In addition to insurance regulation, the office also retains the other responsibilities and titles it had under its old name: Industrial Loan Commissioner, Safety Fire Commissioner, and Comptroller General.

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Under the previous designation of Comptroller General, the office has functioned continuously since 1799. That year the General Assembly provided for a Comptroller General and defined his duties and powers. Not desigp.ated as a public officer in the first three state constitutions, the office of Comptroller General was permanently created in the constitution of 1861, and specifically provided for in the constitution of 1945.
The three major functions and responsibilities of the Commissioner of Insurance are:
The Insurance Division Supervises insurance companies authorized to do business in the state of Georgia. This includes examining financial conditions, licensing of companies and agents, collection of premium taxes, examining policy forms changes, investigating claim complaints and other related activities.
Tbe Safety Fire Division Is responsible for inspection of various public buildings which come under the jurisdiction of state fire safety laws. Inspectors check for compliance with the requirements set forth in those laws; enforce state fire laws; aid local officials in arson investigations and promote fire safety education.
The Industrial Loan Division
Regulates and supervises small loan companies which make consumer loans of $3000 or less that must be repaid within 36 months, 15 days.
As previously noted, the constitutional office of Corrmissioner of Insurance was, until 1983, known as the Comptroller General's Office. The Commissioner of Insurance

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continues to have responsibilities and duties that are specifically addressed to the state Comptroller General: He must determine whether appropriate state funds are properly deposited in the State's General Fund, and that expenditures by the various state agencies do not exceed the amounts authorized by the state legislature.
The Office of Comrrdssioner of Insurance (including the Industrial Loan Division and the-Safety Fire Division) has approximately 320 employees.