Office of the Special Counsel

The Office of the Special Counsel (OSC) provides independent legal advice directly to the Insurance Commissioner, handles various special projects and Commissioner initiatives, advises the Commissioner concerning administrative litigation matters presented to him for a decision, oversees the Department’s rulemaking projects, and manages the Department’s participation and interaction with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). 

Rulemaking Proceedings (Regulations)

The OSC oversees the process for promulgating regulations at the California Department of Insurance. This process requires project management, economic analysis, legal research, collaborating with different program areas and subject matter experts, engaging with the insurance industry, consumer advocates and other stakeholders, and, for many rulemakings, navigating the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) in conjunction with the Office of Administrative Law (OAL).

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

The OSC coordinates the Department’s interaction with the NAIC and the Department’s participation on NAIC committees, task forces, and working groups. As the largest insurance market in the nation, California plays a significant role in helping shape model laws and regulatory policy. The Department’s work with the NAIC involves active participation in national meetings and conference calls with regulators from other states. In 2022, California served as Chair, Vice Chair and/or Member on 80 out of the 120 NAIC Committees, Task Forces and Working Groups and monitored approximately 40 others. California served in a leadership capacity as Chair or Vice Chair on 9 Committees, Task Forces, and Working Groups. The OSC also directly supported the Deputy Commissioner for Climate and Sustainability along with the Commissioner in his roles as Co-Chair of the Climate and Resiliency (EX) Task Force and Chair of the Cannabis Insurance (C) Working Group.