CELEBRATE YESTERDAY, BUILD FOR
TOMORROW
By: Commissioner Vicki Schmidt
Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a
wonderful holiday season. The start of a new year is a
time to reset and refocus on what is ahead. I’d like to take
a moment to reflect on a few changes this past year and
what I look forward to in 2020.
The Big Move
When I came into office, I wanted to make sure the Kansas
Insurance Department continued to grow in service to
our fellow Kansans. I believe we accomplished this goal
in many ways, many of which I highlighted in previous
columns. 2019 finished with one of the most significant
changes to the department in the last 40 years: moving
locations.
Securities Commission
In 2017, the Legislature moved the Securities
Commission under the Insurance Department, wanting
more efficiencies. We found several efficiencies through
administrative services but establishing everyone under
one roof was key to maximizing those efforts. I cannot
thank the staff of the department enough for their hard
work and dedication. There were circumstances outside
our control that put a tight timeline on the move, and the
team handled them exceptionally well.
I also cannot thank you, the agents of Kansas, enough
for your patience during the transition. We had to reduce
operations for two days, and the only angry producer
call I had to take was from an agent in Oklahoma. Your
understanding during the move was much appreciated.
Now that we settled into the new location, I invite you to
stop by the next time you are in Topeka.
20
Moving Forward
For 2020, we have a robust legislative agenda with many
of the issues focusing on cleaning up the statutes and
assisting in the general operations of the department.
The most significant change proposed deals directly with
producer licensing and the nationwide effort to make it
easier for agents to do business in multiple states through
uniform licensing. We have valued and will continue to
value the feedback of folks like you and your association
as we move forward in that process.
My hope is at the time of my next column, I will be able to
share the legislative changes and the benefits I believe all
of us will see from them. In the meantime, please do not
hesitate to reach out directly if I can be of any assistance.
Kansas Insurance
Commissioner Vicki Schmidt
is both a lifelong Kansan and
Republican. She worked for more
than 40 years serving Kansas
families and seniors as a local
pharmacist. It was her pharmacy
experience and commitment
to bettering Kansas that drew
hear to run for the Legislature.
Vicki became the voice for reform. She represented Shawnee
and Wanaunsee counties for 14 years, including six as the Chair
of teh Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. On Nov. 6,
2018, Vicki was elected as Kansas Insurance Commissioner.
She became the first pharmacist to serve as Kansas Insurance
Commissioner and is the only pharmacist in American to hold a
statewide office.