Last week, NAIFA-New Mexico testified before the Senate Economic Development and Policy Committee in support of having financial literacy be a graduation requirement for New Mexico public high schools. NAIFA-New Mexico President, Chad Cooper, who also serves as the Vice Chairman of the African American Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and serves his clients as a financial advisor for Gateway Financial Advisors, Inc. and Mike McCaffrey, Vice President of Advocacy for NAIFA-New Mexico and agent with New York Life, provided oral comments to the committee.
Bianca Alonso Weiss
Recent posts by Bianca Alonso Weiss
1 min read
NAIFA New Mexico Advocates for Access to Financial Literacy
By Bianca Alonso Weiss on 12/5/22 4:33 PM
Topics: State Advocacy Financial Literacy New Mexico
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Advocacy Rewind: Spotlight on NAIFA-Nebraska
By Bianca Alonso Weiss on 7/25/22 5:41 PM
On March 1, 2022, NAIFA-Nebraska hosted their successful Legislative Day event in Lincoln. NAIFA-NE members in attendance received briefings from:
Topics: State Advocacy Grassroots Nebraska
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Tennessee Modifies Qualifications for Potential Agents
By Bianca Alonso Weiss on 4/28/22 4:41 PM
NAIFA-TN is celebrating the recent signing of HB 2225 into law. Sponsored by Representative Dennis Powers and NAIFA-Tennessee member Senator Mark Pody, this bill limits the lookback of misdemeanors or Class E felonies to 10 years for insurance agent applicants. Class E felonies are often associated with low-quantity marijuana possession charges. In recent years, as many states have taken steps toward legalization, there are efforts to expunge or reconsider these types of crimes, which were disproportionately charged against minorities and people of color. HB 2225 is a step towards removing this barrier of entry into the insurance industry.
Topics: State Advocacy Insurance & Financial Advisor Regulation Producer Licensing & CE Tennessee
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Illinois Passes Association CE Credit Legislation
By Bianca Alonso Weiss on 4/6/22 3:17 PM
The Illinois General Assembly on March 30 passed HB 4324 by Representative Bob Morgan and Senator Julie Morrison, which will make Illinois the 13th state to offer licensed insurance producers the opportunity to gain continuing education (CE) credits based on their active participation in a state or national professional insurance association. Producers may receive up to four hours of CE on a biennial basis by providing detailed records of attendance and involvement to the Department of Insurance. The bill is now on its way to Governor J.B. Priztker’s desk for signature.
Topics: State Advocacy CE Credit for Membership Illinois Insurance & Financial Advisor Regulation Producer Licensing & CE
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NAIFA-Kentucky Celebrates Legislative Win
By Bianca Alonso Weiss on 3/31/22 3:45 PM
The Kentucky Legislature has passed a comprehensive tax reform package, and thanks to advocacy work by NAIFA's Kentucky chapter financial planners and investment advisors narrowly avoided a 6% sales tax on their services.
Topics: Retirement Planning State Advocacy Grassroots Kentucky Tax Reform
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NAIFA-Alabama Hosts Successful Legislative Day
By Bianca Alonso Weiss on 3/14/22 4:15 PM
NAIFA’s Alabama chapter (NAIFA-AL) held a recent state Legislative Day in Montgomery. The event featured a welcome from NAIFA-AL President Booker Joseph and NAIFA-AL Grassroots Chair Matthew Wilson, followed by afternoon meetings with state legislators at the Capitol. Senator J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner recognized NAIFA-Alabama in the gallery during the Senate proceedings that day.
Topics: State Advocacy Grassroots Alabama Legislative Day
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Wisconsin Legislature Strengthens Protections for Annuity Products
By Bianca Alonso Weiss on 3/2/22 11:41 AM
NAIFA-WI is celebrating their most recent legislative win – both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature passed the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Model Regulation for Annuities.
The Wisconsin Assembly concurred on Senate Bill 644, the annuity best interest model bill, on February 23, 2022, during what is likely its final week of session in the house for the year. The state Senate passed it on January 25.
Topics: State Advocacy Standard of Care & Consumer Protection Wisconsin Annuity Best Interest Insurance & Financial Advisor Regulation
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NAIFA-NJ Celebrates Legislative Victories
By Bianca Alonso Weiss on 1/27/22 9:19 AM
NAIFA's New Jersey chapter (NAIFA-NJ) has been hard at work on the advocacy front and has recent wins to show for its efforts.