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Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: February 11, 2010
Sen. David Myers
Committee Approves Legislation to Make Insurance Department a Non-Appropriated
Agency
A measure to make the State Insurance Department a
non-appropriated agency passed the Senate Appropriations Committee
Wednesday evening. Sen. David
Myers, author of Senate Bill 1658, says his legislation will
save the state money.
“It’s important that we’re as efficient with state
dollars as possible especially during hard economic times. Taking
away appropriations from certain agencies that are self-sufficient,
like the Insurance Department, makes good financial sense,”
said Myers, vice chair of the committee. “The state stands
to save over $2.5 million in funding that could be used for other
essential state services like transportation, education and public
safety.”
Myers pointed out that both the State Banking Department and the
State Securities Commission were made into non-appropriated agencies
several years ago, and he’s filed legislation this year to
do the same with the Commission on Consumer Credit.
“Since 2005, the Oklahoma Insurance Department has been aggressive
in improving our efficiency through the implementation of new technology
and operational streamlining. Granting the Department non-appropriation
status is the next logical step in our process of becoming self-sufficient,”
said Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland. “Oklahoma, like the
rest of the country, is facing serious economic challenges.
We're determined to do our part to reduce the cost of government
while serving the public well.”
The bill, which was requested by the Insurance Department, will
next be considered by the full Senate.
For more information contact:
Sen. Myers: 405-521-5628
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