EXECUTIVE ORDER

19-02

WHEREAS, the Missouri Department of Economic Development is created pursuant to Article IV, Section 12 of the Missouri Constitution and Chapter 620, RSMo, and is charged with promoting the economy of the State, the economic development of the State, trade and business, and other activities and programs impacting the economy of the State; and

WHEREAS, the Missouri Department of Insurance is created pursuant to Article IV, Section 12 of the Missouri Constitution, which was redesignated as the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration pursuant to Executive Order 06-04, and is charged with regulation of insurance companies, financial institutions, and professional registration of many industries and occupations, including consumer affairs; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Public Counsel, located within the Department of Economic Development, is charged with representing and protecting the interests of the public in any proceeding before or appeal from the Missouri Public Service Commission pursuant to Section 386.710, RSMo; and

WHEREAS, the Public Service Commission, located within the Department of Economic Development, is created pursuant to Chapter 386, RSMo, and is charged with regulating investor-owned electric, natural gas, steam, water, and sewer utilities; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration has extensive expertise in the regulation of complex industries and is well positioned to enhance State functions relating to utility regulation; and

WHEREAS, the transfer of the Office of Public Counsel and the Public Service Commission from the Department of Economic Development to the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration will benefit the State of Missouri by consolidating regulatory functions and programs to increase efficiencies and provide a more cohesive and coordinated approach to the regulation of complex industries, including protecting the interests of the public in regard to such industries; and

WHEREAS, top-performing state economic development agencies focus primarily on business development and community development, as well as close coordination with workforce development.

NOW THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL L. PARSON, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri, do hereby order the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration to cooperate to:

  1. Transfer all authority, powers, duties, functions, records, personnel, property, contracts, budgets, matters pending, and other pertinent vestiges of the Office of Public Counsel and the Public Service Commission from the Department of Economic Development to the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration by Type III transfer, as defined under the Reorganization Act of 1974;
  2. Develop the mechanisms and processes necessary to effectively transfer the Office of Public Counsel and the Public Service Commission to the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration; and
  3. Take the steps necessary to maintain compliance with federal requirements so as not to jeopardize federal financial participation with this transfer.

The Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration shall henceforth be known as the Department of Commerce and Insurance.  Executive Order 06-04’s designation of the Department of Insurance as the Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration is hereby superseded and replaced by the designation as the Department of Commerce and Insurance set forth herein.

This order shall become effective no sooner than August 28, 2019, unless disapproved within sixty days of its submission to the First Regular Session of the 100th General Assembly.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, on this 17th day of January, 2019.

[Michael L. Parson's signature]
Michael L. Parson
Governor

ATTEST:

[Jay Ashcroft's signature]
John R. Ashcroft
Secretary of State

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