Within the Department of Commerce, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, is statutorily empowered with the regulation of the insurance industry, pursuant to 4 CMC, Division 7, the Commonwealth Insurance Act of 1984. During 1998, the Insurance Commissioner admitted 49 insurers to transact business. These insurers were authorized to transact property casualty, life and health insurance, as well as surety and offshore surety. The commissioner also licensed respective general agents for aliens and foreign insurers, sub-agents, brokerage, adjustment, and surplus lines.