The commissioner shall be a person competent and fully qualified to perform the duties of the office. Neither the commissioner nor any deputy or employee shall during the commissioner’s, deputy’s, or employee’s tenure of office be an officer, agent, or employee of an insurer or directly or indirectly interested in any insurer or licensee under this code, except (a) as a policyholder or (b) by virtue of relationship by blood or marriage to any person interested in any insurer or licensee.

If the commissioner or any deputy or employee holds any license or permit issued under this code, that commissioner, deputy, or employee shall surrender it for cancellation within 10 days after appointment and qualification. Upon termination of the commissioner’s, deputy’s, or employee’s office or employment, that license or permit shall be reissued for the balance of the then current license or permit year without fee or penalty.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 240. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)