The Board of Insurance regulates the state's insurance and fire prevention industries primarily under the provisions of the Texas Insurance Code, the basic objectives of which are to ensure the financial soundness of the insurance industry and to protect the insurance consumer. The board determines agency policy, sets rules, promulgates and approves rates in certain property/casualty lines of insurance, hears appeals of administrative rulings, and enforces statutory mandates. The board appoints, with the consent of the senate, the commissioner of insurance, who acts as the executive and administrative officer of the agency. The commissioner of insurance oversees four specialized units and four broad programs. Three of the specialized units are (1) Hearings, which conducts formal administrative hearings; (2) Conservation, which attempts to rehabilitate and conserve insurance entities with impaired financial conditions; and (3) Liquidation, which operates under court order to liquidate insolvent companies. The agency's four broad programs are the Regulated Lines and Licensing Program, the Financial Program, the Compliance Program and the Administrative Services Program. Regulated Lines and Licensing, with its property, casualty, life, and licensing sections, has jurisdiction for most of the statutory filings processed by the board. The Financial Program is responsible for monitoring the solvency and business affairs of insurance companies licensed in Texas. The Compliance Program enforces state law regarding unfair trade practices and unfair competition by an insurer or its representatives. The Administrative Services Program includes all of the agency's administrative and support activities.