NAIFA joined with industry partners in a letter to House sponsors of the SECURE Remote Online Notarization Act urging support for the importance of the legislation. Bipartisan legislation (S. 5355, H.R. 6364) was introduced by Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Mark Warner (D-VA), and Reps. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA).
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NAIFA Signs on to Support Letter for SECURE Remote Online Notarization
Topics: Federal Advocacy Congress Insurance & Financial Advisor Regulation Supported Legislation Remote Notarization Producer Sales & Marketing
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New Missouri Law Allows CE for Agent Association Membership
Legislation signed recently by Governor Mike Parsons "allows an insurance producer to receive up to four hours of continuing education credit per biennial reporting period for participation as an individual member or employee of a business entity producer member of a local, regional, state, or national professional insurance association with approval by the Director of the Department of Commerce and Insurance."
NAIFA-MO worked on securing the adoption of the bill (HB 604) for several years.
“Our State Government Relations Committee found a good sponsor in Rep. Kurtis Gregory, and we are very proud of this accomplishment for NAIFA members,” said Ed Anderson, NAIFA-MO’s National Committeeperson.
Over the past several years, many NAIFA state chapters have been advocating for legislation to allow financial advisors to receive CE credit for their membership and active participation in a professional agent association. Due to NAIFA’s advocacy, at least 11 states allow advisors to be eligible for CE credit for their association membership: Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia. Depending on the state and the approval of the respective state insurance commissioner, advisors may receive from one to six CE credit hours for this purpose.
As NAIFA has argued in state legislatures and before the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, professional insurance associations promote high standards of ethical conduct and provide educational programs and professional development opportunities to association members. NAIFA believes advisors who are active members of an agent association should be eligible for continuing education credit for such membership.
“We believe that permitting advisors to receive CE credit for association membership both encourages advisors to become members of nationally recognized professional insurance associations and benefits consumers by ensuring them access to better qualified advisors,” said Anderson.
Topics: Continuing Education State Advocacy Insurance & Financial Advisor Regulation Missouri Producer Licensing & CE
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Cybersecurity Bill Passes Wisconsin Senate With NAIFA Amendment
New data security standards for the insurance industry passed the Wisconsin State Senate on June 9, 2021, on a voice vote.
Topics: State Advocacy Wisconsin Privacy Data Security
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New Texas Law Enhances Protections for Annuity Consumers
Legislation signed recently by Governor Greg Abbott enhances protections for Texas consumers seeking lifetime income through annuities. Championed by House Insurance Committee Chairman Dr. Tom Oliverson and Senate Business & Commerce Chairman Kelly Hancock, the new law enhances the standards financial professionals must follow while preserving consumers’ ability to access the tools they need for a secure retirement.
Topics: State Advocacy Standard of Care & Consumer Protection Annuity Best Interest Insurance & Financial Advisor Regulation Texas
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NAIFA’s Maeghan Gale Speaks to LTCI Partners on Recent Trends in LTC Legislation
NAIFA’s Policy Director Maeghan Gale joined LTCI Partners Managing Director, Tom Riekse, and Director Steve Cain for a panel discussion about recent Long Term Care Insurance legislation. For many years, Long-Term Care Insurance took a backseat as it relates to legislative action on the state and federal level. However, 2021 has brought a wave of activity as lawmakers consider the best way to support their growing aging populations.
Topics: Long-Term Care State Advocacy
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NAIFA Attends NAIC and NCOIL Spring 2021 Annual Meetings
Understandably, 2020 was a slow year for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) – with the obvious exception of COVID-19 matters. Many Working Groups, Task Forces, and Committees delayed projects and meeting altogether. Although there still are discussions on COVID-19 topics, the recent spring meetings of both groups generally focused on getting regular work streams back up and running.
Topics: Interstate Advocacy NAIC NCOIL
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Members of Congress Praise NAIFA Advocates at Virtual Congressional Conference
NAIFA’s Virtual Congressional Conference, May 25-26, was an overwhelming success, with more than 1,300 registered participants. These insurance and financial advisors received advocacy training, benefited from policy briefings, and heard words of encouragement from Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Reps. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and Darin LaHood (R-IL), as well as NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux and American Council of Life Insurers President and CEO Susan Neely.
Topics: Federal Advocacy Grassroots Congressional Conference
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NAIFA State Advocacy Roundup
NAIFA's state-level advocacy work is second-to-none, with state chapters and members providing expertise and influence to shape legislation and regulations impacting NAIFA members' businesses and clients across the country.
Topics: Long-Term Care Group & Employee Benefits State Advocacy Standard of Care & Consumer Protection Annuity Best Interest Insurance & Financial Advisor Regulation Paid Family Medical Leave
NAIFA President Michel: It's Not Too Late to Register for Congressional Conference
NAIFA President Tom Michel, LACP, is a political advocacy rock star! He's met with more than 100 legislators in his career and had an impact on policy decisions vital to his business, the insurance and financial services industry, and the consumers who depend on financial professionals. He understands the power of the Congressional Conference, his favorite NAIFA event of the year, and extends his personal invitation for all insurance and financial advisors to attend this year's virtual event.
Topics: Federal Advocacy Grassroots Congressional Conference
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NAIFA Supports Cardin, Portman Efforts to Move Retirement Reform Legislation
NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux has thanked Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rob Portman (R-OH) for introducing the Retirement Security and Savings Act of 2021. The Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2021 is working its way through the House and three Senators earlier this week introduced the Improving Access to Retirement Savings Act.
