The NAPSLO PAC, formed in 2005, provides support to members ofCongress who offer an influential voice on some of today's mostcomplex insurance issues. The PAC provides support to federalcandidates who understand the interests of the surplus linesindustry and educates members of Congress about the industry andhow congressional decisions affect both NAPSLO members as well astheir constituents.

The PAC is poised to have one of its most impactful years sinceits inception, according to Dave Obenauer, NAPSLO PAC CommitteeChair and CEO, CRC Wholesale Group.  

"Coming off of the PAC's 10th anniversary year, the PACCommittee set an aggressive contributions goal for 2016 and we'rereally pleased with the progress we've made toward reaching it,"Obenauer said. "Since Jan. 1, the PAC has received just over$87,000 in contributions, which is an increase over the same timeperiod last year."

The PAC contributions goal for 2016 was set at $100,000.Obenauer said that in addition to a higher overall goal this year,the PAC Committee has worked to increase the total number ofcontributions and the number of NAPSLO member firm employees whoare participating in helping the PAC reach its objectives. During2016, contributions have been received from 131 individuals.

Continued support

Since it was founded, 512 NAPSLO member individuals havecontributed $703,771 to the NAPSLO PAC. Those contributions havebeen used to support candidates for federal office and to educatemany others. The PAC can contribute up to $5,000 annually to anyone candidate.

"I think it's important to emphasize that the NAPSLO PAC canprovide no more than $5,000 each year to any member of Congress,"Obenauer said. "That support for a candidate can be very valuable,but it is not an extraordinarily large amount – and it's soimpactful when just a few additional people contribute each year.We can put a large number of small contributions together reallyeffectively and every single contribution makes a difference, nomatter the size. It's equally important for us to be able todemonstrate wide-based support from NAPSLO member employees."

Legislative education

In addition to providing financial support to candidates, KeriKish, NAPSLO Director of Government Relations, said that NAPSLO'sannual Legislative Fly-In is an important way for the Associationto conduct outreach, and provide education, in Washington D.C. The2016 Legislative Fly-In was held May 18, and 35 NAPSLO members andstaff representing the Legislative Committee, Executive Committee,PAC Committee and NAPSLO's Next Generation met with 23 Members ofCongress and/or their staff, including senior staff for keycommittees with jurisdiction over insurance issues. Kish notes thatthe members of Congress that were visited serve on either the HouseFinancial Services Committee or the Senate Banking Committee, and anumber of the members serve on the respective subcommittees oninsurance.  

"We provided general surplus lines education and information,but we really focused time with these members on a couple ofimportant issues impacting surplus lines," Kish said. "The firsttopic of emphasis was on revising the definition of private floodinsurance to ensure surplus lines insurers are eligible to provideprivate market solutions to consumers with unique and complex floodrisks. Our second area of focus was to emphasize the many successesof the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010 and ask forCongress' continued support and protection of the NRRA."

Related: Time to act on flood bill

NAPSLO has worked with industry partners for the last year toadvocate for the passage of the Flood Insurance Market Parity andModernization Act. The bill passed the U.S. House ofRepresentatives in late April and is awaiting action in the U.S.Senate. 

Obenauer said that all the members of Congress and the staffwith whom the Fly-In delegation met demonstrated a solidunderstanding of the surplus lines industry and were engaged indiscussion about the legislative issues on the agenda.

"The Fly-In meetings seemed to be productive, and I think it wasclear that we need to continue to have these in-person interactionsto continue to strengthen NAPSLO's reputation and to reinforce ourrole as a resource to these lawmakers influencing insurancelegislation," Obenauer added.  

Kish said that as the NAPSLO PAC continues to grow, theAssociation is increasingly viewed as an important source ofinformation on the surplus lines market in Washington D.C. "Athriving PAC allows us to engage in these important conversationsand fully leverage the resources we have in place in Washington,"she noted. "When we can go to members of Congress with the supportof a large number of NAPSLO members behind our RegulatoryPrinciples, it is really impactful."

Obenauer said that each time he's involved in a Fly-In meetingit reinforces for him the importance of having the industry'scollective voice at the table: "There's no doubt that electingknowledgeable candidates is a long-term investment for ourindustry."

Employees of member firms can contribute to the PAC at NAPSLO'sAnnual Convention at the PAC table, where members can also view ashort video detailing its mission and purpose. Obenauer noted thatcontributions to the NAPSLO PAC must be from individuals, notcorporations, and that supporting the PAC is an individual choice.NAPSLO members also may learn more about the PAC and its work atwww.napslopac.org. 

AmWINS, RSUI to receive special recognition

The NAPSLO PAC Committee bestowed specialrecognition upon two NAPSLO-member firms based on their employees'voluntary contributions to the PAC this year. The NAPSLO-memberfirm with the most contributions to the PAC was AmWINS, and thefirm with the second-highest total contributions was RSUI. Eachfirm will receive its choice of a $2,500 credit toward a NAPSLOmember's master bill at the Annual Convention or a NAPSLO educationprogram.  

"As we continue to partner with other trades to informlegislators about what our members do and how important thisindustry is to the overall U.S. economy, it is more and moreimportant that we have a strong PAC behind that message," Kishadded. "This industry is unique, and the legislative and regulatoryissues that it faces are complex. The need to continue educatingmember of Congress evolves and will be critical as we moveforward."