Advocacy in action blog

The following statement and press release was published today on ACLI's site. NAIFA is proud to be part of the coalition of trade associations and works within the coalition to as the association representing agents and advisors.

A coalition of trade associations told Congressional leaders today that the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act “would cause significant disruption” that would affect consumers’ access to insurance, investment and retirement security solutions. Collectively, the coalition represent more than 100,000 individual small business owners, broker-dealers and insurance companies providing financial services to more than 112 million American families.

NAIFA is an active participant in interstate advocacy efforts, including working with groups like the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) to create policies and model regulations that protect the interests of consumers and preserve the ability of producers to provide products, services, and advice that help Main Street Americans achieve financial security. 

NAIFA has suggested ways for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the association’s ideas have gained notice.

In an article this week, the influential industry publication ThinkAdvisor has highlighted suggestions made by NAIFA Senior Vice President for Government Relations Diane Boyle and Policy Director Maeghan Gale. Among the NAIFA ideas called out by ThinkAdvisor are:

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) issued a request for comments as part of its efforts to support dialogue for greater diversity and inclusion within the financial industry. NAIFA submitted comments to Regulatory Notice 21-17 that highlighted our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) as part of the NAIFA 2025 strategic plan, the mission of our DEI Council, and the importance of cooperation among the industry to drive change.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards recently signed a NAIFA-supported misclassification of workers bill into law. The bill, SB 244, outlines a 12-point definition for “independent contractor” developed by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry which classifies an independent contractor as anyone who can meet seven of the 12 points. According to the new law, independent contractors could include workers who can’t set their hours, are not allowed to work for other businesses, and are directly managed or supervised by the contracting party.

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). 

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.

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.

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.

NAIFA-Texas has been hard at work ensuring that the Texas legislature adopts the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model for a “Best Interest” standard for annuity products this legislative session. Partnering with Texas Association of Life and Health Insurers (TAHLI), we have met with multiple offices and other stakeholders to ensure clarity and support from those within the Texas Capitol. State Rep. Tom Oliverson, M.D. (R-Cypress), chair of the Texas House Insurance Committee is the bill's author.

On March 23, 2021, Jason Talley, NAIFA-Texas Past President, represented NAIFA-Texas by testifying in support of HB 1777 before the Texas House Insurance Committee. This bill passed unanimously out of committee and passed in the Texas House 144-1. Once it reached the Texas Senate, it was referred to the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce. Due to a time constraint before the first bill filing deadline of the session in early March, there was no Senate companion bill nor a Senate author. NAIFA-Texas and TALHI were able to get Chairman Kelly Hancock (R-Fort Worth) to carry this bill in his own committee. On May 13, 2021, this bill was heard in a formal hearing where NAIFA-Texas submitted written testimony in support. There was no opposition.