DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 529 Reengrossed 2022 Regular Session Brown
Abstract: Provides for the organization of the Department of Insurance.
Present law provides that the Dept. of Insurance shall be comprised of certain enumerated offices.
Present law provides for the power and duties of the division of insurance fraud within the Dept. of
Insurance.
Present law requires certain persons and entities to report suspected acts of insurance fraud to the
division of insurance fraud, and provides that the division shall report alleged violations of law to
certain criminal justice entities.
Present law provides that persons acting without malice, fraudulent intent, or bad faith shall not be
subject to civil liability for libel, slander, or any other relevant tort for reporting suspected insurance
fraud to the division of insurance fraud if required by law to report such.
Present law provides that criminal background information in the possession of the division of
insurance fraud shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed to others outside of the division
except as necessary for action on the application of the applicant.
Present law provides for the creation and duties of the division of consumer services, the deputy
commissioner of consumer services, the division of legal services, and the deputy commissioner for
legal services within the Dept. of Insurance.
Proposed law retains present law, and changes the name of the division of insurance fraud, the
division of legal services, and the division of consumer services to the office of insurance fraud, the
office of legal services, and the office of consumer services.
Proposed law creates the office of policy, innovation, and research within the Dept. of Insurance.
Present law provides that the board of directors of the La. Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud
Prevention Authority shall select a director and assistant director, who will operate the daily affairs
of the authority and serve at the pleasure of the commissioner.
Proposed law repeals present law and provides that the commissioner shall operate the daily affairs
of the authority. Present law provides that the commissioner may employ persons to carry out the operations of the
La. Health Care Commission, and the commission shall employ a director and an assistant director
subject to approval of the commissioner.
Proposed law repeals present law and provides that the commissioner shall conduct the daily affairs
of the La. Health Care Commission.
Present law provides that the commission shall appoint a director and an assistant director with the
consent of the Senate who shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner to carry out the operations
of the La. Property and Casualty Insurance Commission.
Proposed law repeals present law and provides that commissioner shall conduct the daily affairs of
the La. Property and Casualty Insurance Commission.
Present law provides that the officers of the department shall include the chief deputy commissioner
and other enumerated deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners.
Proposed law provides that the officers of the department shall include the chief deputy
commissioner, if one is appointed, the other deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners
enumerated in present law, and the deputy commissioner for policy, innovation, and research.
Proposed law provides that if a chief deputy commissioner is appointed, he shall be the first assistant
to the commissioner, and if a chief deputy commissioner is not appointed, the commissioner shall
appoint one of the offices of deputy commissioner as his first assistant.
Present law provides that the chief deputy commissioner of the Dept. of Insurance shall be appointed
by the commissioner of insurance and confirmed by the Senate.
Present law provides that the deputy commissioner of the Dept. of Insurance shall serve at the
pleasure of the commissioner of insurance at a fixed salary that shall not exceed the amount
approved for such position by the legislature while in session.
Proposed law retains present law for cases in which the commissioner of insurance appoints a chief
deputy commissioner.
Proposed law creates an office of policy, innovation, and research within the Dept. of Insurance
under the direction of the deputy commissioner for policy, innovation, and research.
Proposed law provides that the duties of the office of policy, innovation, and research and its deputy
commissioner are the following:
(1)To research and develop policy proposals relative to the regulation of insurance, the
prevention and detection of insurance fraud, innovation in insurance products and
technology, the availability and affordability of insurance, healthcare and health insurance,
including long-term care, property and casualty insurance, including issues related to disasters, building codes, highway safety, and the adjustment and payment of claims, life
insurance and annuities, and the development and promotion of the insurance industry in this
state.
(2)To develop and prepare proposals for legislation, rules and regulations, and other
administrative actions.
(3)To participate in and liaison with the National Assoc. of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC),
the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission (IIPRC), and the International
Assoc. of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS).
(4)To monitor the insurance regulation activities of Congress and federal agencies, the National
Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), the National Conference of State Legislatures
(NCSL), and other organizations that affect the regulation of insurance.
(5)Other duties and functions assigned by the commissioner of insurance.
Proposed law provides that the commissioner may employ persons as necessary to carry out the
provisions of proposed law and to provide necessary staff support to the La. Health Care
Commission, the La. Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority, and the La.
Property and Casualty Insurance Commission.
Proposed law makes technical changes.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 22:3, 1921(A), (C), and (D), 1922(A), 1926, 1928(A)(intro. para.), 1929(A),
2132(G)(2), 2161(J), 2171(L), R.S. 36:681(C), 683, 687, 689, and 691.1; Adds R.S. 36:681(D),
686(C)(3) and (4), and 694.1; Repeals R.S. 36:686(D) and (E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Insurance to the original bill:
1. Make technical changes.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Restore the appointment and confirmation process in present law for the chief deputy
commissioner of the Department of Insurance.
2. Restore the salary provision in present law for the chief deputy commissioner of the
Department of Insurance.
3. Make technical changes.