Senate Joint Resolution 2

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 50th Legislature (2005)

SENATE JOINT

RESOLUTION 2 By: Easley (Mary)

AS INTRODUCED

A Joint Resolution directing the Secretary of State to refer to the people for their approval or rejection a proposed amendment to Section 23 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution; making the office of the Insurance Commissioner appointive; providing for term of office; providing ballot title; directing filing; and ordering a special election.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 50TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

SECTION 4. The Secretary of State shall refer to the people for their approval or rejection, as and in the manner provided by law, the following proposed amendment to Section 23 of Article VI of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma to read as follows:

Section 23. There shall be elected by the qualified electors of the State, at the first general election, The Governor, by and with the consent of the Senate, shall appoint a chief officer of said department the Insurance Department, who shall be styled the "The Insurance Commissioner,", whose term of office shall be four (4) years: Provided, That the first term of the Insurance Commissioner so elected, shall expire at the time of the expiration of the term of office of the first Governor elected to run concurrently with the term of the Governor. The first appointment of the Insurance Commissioner pursuant to this section shall be made by the Governor whose term begins on the second Monday of January, 2007. Said The Insurance Commissioner shall be at least twenty five (25) years of age and well versed in insurance matters.

SECTION 4. The Ballot Title for the proposed Constitutional amendment as set forth in SECTION 1 of this resolution shall be in the following form:

BALLOT TITLE

Legislative Referendum No. ____ State Question No. ____

THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:

This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution. It amends Section 23 of Article 6. At present, the office of the Insurance Commissioner is an elected office. This measure would allow the Governor to appoint the Insurance Commissioner. The appointment would be made by and with the consent of the Senate.

SHALL THIS AMENDMENT BE APPROVED BY THE PEOPLE?

YES, FOR THE AMENDMENT

NO, AGAINST THE AMENDMENT

SECTION 4. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall, immediately after the passage of this resolution, prepare and file one copy thereof, including the Ballot Title set forth in SECTION 2 hereof, with the Secretary of State and one copy with the Attorney General.

SECTION 4. A special election is hereby ordered to be held throughout the State of Oklahoma on or before November 8, 2005, at which time the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma, as set forth in SECTION 1 of this resolution, shall be submitted to the people of Oklahoma for their approval or rejection as and in the manner provided by law.

50-1-3 LKS 02/05/200538388.61