FUTURE COMMISSIONER MAY BE APPOINTED

Oklahoma’s insurance commissioner would be appointed by the governor instead of elected by the people under legislation that was sent to the Oklahoma House by a legislative committee, the Associated Press reported.

The measure, by Rep. John Trebilcock, R-Broken Arrow, responds to the legislature’s attempt last year to impeach former Insurance Commissioner Carroll Fisher. Fisher resigned in September before a scheduled impeachment trial began. He is charged with embezzlement, operating a charity illegally, perjury, bribery and filing a false income tax return.

Trebilcock said Oklahoma is one of just 11 states where insurance commissioners are elected. The legislation requires voter approval to amend the Constitution to permit the governor to appoint future insurance commissioners, beginning in 2007.