1666                         Resolutions                         Ch. 198

WHEREAS, It is the goal of the state of Kansas to foster economic
development within the state and to pursue those policies and actions
that will diversify and strengthen the economic base of the state; and

WHEREAS, The insurance industry is a vital component of the Kansas
economy, and is critical to the conduct of commerce and industry, and
the preservation and protection of the security and well-being of Kansas
residents; and

Ch. 198                         Resolutions                         1667

WHEREAS, The insurance industry in Kansas is a major employer
with approximately 21,000 employees within the state paying wages of
over $650 million annually, and contributing more than $1.2 billion to the
economy; and

WHEREAS, Kansans pay annually over $6 billion for insurance pro-
tection; and

WHEREAS, The financial scale of the insurance industry is substantial
within the state and the public is a significant purchaser of products sold
by out-of-state companies and any increase of purchases by Kansans of
in-state company products can generate increased income and wealth for
Kansas residents; and

WHEREAS, The legislative and executive branches of state govern-
ment should work together with the Insurance Department and the in-
surance industry in the state of Kansas in order to enhance and improve
this valuable economic asset; and

WHEREAS, It is a desirable public policy goal to identify through
research, analysis and planning specific policies, programs and actions that
can be undertaken by the public and private sectors that will promote the
growth of the existing Kansas insurance industry, enhance its financial
viability and encourage the attraction and location of out-of-state insur-
ance companies into Kansas: Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas, the House of Rep-
resentatives concurring therein: That a task force be established to ex-
amine the current climate of the Kansas insurance industry, as well as
other states which have a successful insurance industry, to determine
whether actions can be taken to strengthen and improve the insurance
industry in Kansas; and

Be it further resolved: That a task force be formed consisting of 13
members to include the Chair of the Senate Committee on Financial
Institutions and Insurance; the Chair of the House Committee on Insur-
ance; the ranking minority member of the Senate Committee on Financial
Institutions and Insurance; the ranking minority member of the House
Committee on Insurance; the Insurance Commissioner or her designee;
the Secretary of Housing and Commerce or his designee; two persons,
one representing a domestic life or health insurance company and one
representing a foreign life or health insurance company appointed by the
Insurance Commissioner from a list submitted by the Kansas Life Insur-
ance Association; two persons, one representing an other-than-life do-
mestic insurance company and one representing an other-than-life for-
eign insurance company appointed by the Insurance Commissioner from
a list submitted by the Kansas Association of Property and Casualty In-
surance Companies; one member representing the licensed Kansas in-
surance agents appointed by the Insurance Commissioner from a list sub-
mitted by the Kansas Association of Insurance Agents; and two members

1668                         Resolutions                         Ch. 198

appointed by the Governor representing the economic development in-
terests of the state and the public at large. The Governor shall appoint
the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from the membership of the com-
mittee. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall not be of the same
political party. Legislative members and representatives of the public
serving on the task force shall receive pay and allowances as provided for
legislative service; and

Be it further resolved: The Legislative Research Department and the
Revisor of Statutes Office are hereby directed to provide such staff as are
necessary to assist the task force; and

Be it further resolved: That the task force be appointed by July 1,
1997, and that it prepare and submit its report and recommendations to
the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
of Representatives by January 12, 1998.

Adopted by the House April 1, 1997

Adopted by the Senate April 2, 1997