P&CCaliforniaeasy
How is the California Insurance Commissioner selected and what is the term of office under Ins. Code § 12900?
Elected by the voters of California for a four-year term, limited to a maximum of two terms in office
BAppointed by the Governor for a six-year term and subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the State Senate
CAppointed by the legislative Insurance Code Committee for an indefinite term that continues at the committee's pleasure
DElected by a joint session of the State Legislature for a two-year term concurrent with the Assembly cycle
Why this is the answer
Before Proposition 103 (1988), the California Insurance Commissioner was appointed by the Governor. Prop 103 amended Ins. Code § 12900 to make the office popularly elected, aligning it with other constitutional officers like the Attorney General and Treasurer. The Commissioner serves a four-year term concurrent with the gubernatorial cycle, subject to a two-term lifetime limit under Cal. Const. art. V, § 11. Direct election was a deliberate design choice intended to insulate the office from gubernatorial pressure and make the regulator directly accountable to consumers. See Ins. Code § 12900.
Studying for the California Property & Casualty exam?
This question comes from our P&C bank. Take a free practice test — no signup.