Chapter One Federal Government - Minnesota State Legislature

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
State Agencies Chapter Five
Law provides: The department is responsible for the regulation of financial service industries in
Minnesota including insurance, state-chartered banks, credit unions, securities, and real estate. The
department also licenses residential building contractors, collection agencies, and currency
exchanges. The department is also responsible for enforcement of public utilities commission rules
and orders, regulation of natural gas and electric public utilities, energy conservation standards and
information programs, regulation of telephone companies, and the administration of
Telecommunications Access Minnesota (TAM), the petrofund, and unclaimed property programs.
(Minnesota Statutes, Chapters 216A, 216B, 216C; 45–56, 59A, 168.66, 239, 332; 45, 60–79; 45, 80,
237; 306, 332, 501; 82–83; 345; 115C; Minnesota Rules 2600–2899, 7600–02, 7603–7799,
7810–7835)
Commissioner: Glenn Wilson, Jr. Appointed: 2003
Salary: $108,400
85 E. 7th Pl., Suite 500, St. Paul, 55101
(651)296-4026; TTY (651)297-3067
Web site: www.commerce.state.mn.us
Deputy Commissioner, Energy and Telecommunications:
Edward Garvey
Deputy Commissioner, Market Assurance: Patrick Nelson
Deputy Commissioner, Financial Exams: Kevin Murphy
Acting Director, Weights & Measures: Carol Hockert
Assistant Commissioner, Administration: Mike Blacik
Function: The department is responsible for seeing that Minnesota’s laws to protect consumer
interests and ensure uniform, fair rules in business are observed in the industries of banking, energy,
insurance, real estate, securities, and telecommunications. The responsibilities of each division
within the department vary depending on the structure of that division’s industry and its
requirements. Some divisions focus on licensing or analyzing insurance policies, while others
advocate on behalf of the public interest. By closely monitoring these industries, the department is
aware of new developments and issues that may call for reform of existing laws or enactment of
new measures. The department, therefore, often leads in developing policies and proposing
legislative changes to meet new conditions and challenges.
Energy and Telecommunications Division
Energy Division collects and analyzes data on energy and develops policies to ensure
economically and environmentally sound energy supplies for the state. The division represents
the public interest before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and federal regulatory
agencies, reviews utility supply plans and conservation programs, develops standards, and
promotes energy conservation and renewable energy technologies.
Telecommunications Division regulates the state’s telephone industry to ensure quality,
reliable service at fair prices. It represents the public interest before the Minnesota Public
Utilities Commission and enforces the commission’s orders and statutory requirements. It
collects and analyzes data and develops policies to encourage a sound and competitive
telecommunications industry.
Market Assurance Division receives calls and investigates complaints from consumers regarding
residential building contractors, insurance, securities, real estate, mortgage originators, franchises,
collection agencies, and currency exchanges. Each year the staff responds to over 70,000
complaints, and most are resolved informally and within a short time. About 9,000 complaints are
investigated formally. The division also maintains and enforces the state’s Do Not Call list. By
January 2, 2003, over 1 million consumers had registered on the list to reduce telemarketing calls.
In addition to enforcement activities, the division has three other areas of responsibility: Policy
Analysis, Licensing, and Registration.
Policy Analysis Unit reviews insurance company policy forms and rates and licenses
companies.
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Chapter
Five
State Agencies