The Lingle administration has named Maui attorney J.P. Schmidt as its next state insurance commissioner. Gov. Linda Lingle announced the appointment yesterday. Maui lawyer named
new insurance chiefStar-Bulletin staff
Schmidt will head up the state Insurance Division, which oversees the insurance industry. It monitors licensing, investigations, rates, policies and insurance-related complaints.
Now a partner with Maui law firm Crockett, Nakamura & Schmidt, he will take up the new position Feb. 1. Lingle's ex-husband, William Crockett, is also a partner in the firm. Schmidt served as deputy corporation counsel and corporation counsel when Lingle was mayor of Maui.
As both an attorney in private practice and a former corporation counsel, Schmidt said he is already familiar with a number of issues related to insurance.
"In private practice I dealt with insurance on most sides of the issues but primarily representing clients who were consumers of insurance on issues involving coverage, obtaining coverage and claims," he said.
As corporation counsel, Schmidt also supervised risk management insurance for Maui County, he said.
But as insurance commissioner, Schmidt's immediate task will be to get up to speed with the various division activities and issues. He will also be reviewing all the different functions of the division.
"I'm going to get familiar with all issues affecting the division. The current staff has done a very good job so I'll certainly be relying on them," he said.
Schmidt also inherits a job not lacking in controversy. His predecessor, Wayne Metcalf, shepherded an administration bill through the Legislature last year allowing the division to regulate health insurance rates. The law, which was bitterly opposed by Hawaii health insurers, took effect Jan. 1. One of Schmidt's first duties will be to approve or disapprove rate filings recently submitted by insurance companies Hawaii Medical Service Association and Kaiser Permanente.
State Insurance Division