Members of NAIFA-Alabama recently participated in the annual visit with our legislators. Before our visit at the State House, we spent the morning at the office of the Alabama Securities Commission. We heard from Securities Commission Director Amanda Senn and Alabama Department of Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler. Director Senn talked about cryptocurrency fraud and both speakers discussed AI. Commissioner Fowler said that AI is top-of-mind of insurance commissioners around the country. He also spent some time discussing the duties of members of his staff. We were interested to hear there are 11 full-time investigators of insurance fraud, all of whom have arrest authority.
During lunch, we were briefed on several bills in the legislature, which are of concern to our members and their clients. Preston Roberts who works in External Affairs with ALFA, told us about SB84 and HB477, which will allow Alabama Farmers to offer health benefits to members and their families. NAIFA members in attendance agreed to support this effort. We expressed our appreciation for ALFA's sponsorship of our event.
Sallie Bryant discussed a bill that NAIFA opposes. It is SB173 which would create a state-facilitated retirement savings plan for employees in the private sector who do not have employer-offered retirement plans. Several states, such as California and Illinois, have adopted state-run plans, which NAIFA opposes. We encourage states to take advantage of the robust private marketplace.
After lunch, we were treated to a private tour of the state Capitol led by Auditor Andrew Sorrell. We visited the State House and first met with Senator Shay Shelnutt, Chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, and Rep. Corley Ellis, Chairman of the House Insurance Committee. We shared our support of SB84 and HB477, which is called the ALFA bill, and our opposition to SB173. We watched proceedings in both the House and Senate and met with several of our lawmakers, including Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Senate President and Presiding Officer.
Sallie Bryant is NAIFA-Alabama's Government Relations Chair.
Also, See photos from recent
NAIFA-California and NAIFA-Florida Legislative Days
