April, the month in which independent insurance agents typically flock to Washington to lobby their elected representatives, is just around the corner. Thanks to characters like Jack Abramoff, lobbying lately has fallen under a shadow. That's too bad, because it is an essential part of good, responsive government, and for the most part it's practiced without criminal intent. Certainly, it's unlikely that agents will be offering congressmen any golf trips to Scotland, but they undoubtedly will buttonhole them about issues near and dear to their hearts.

Events kick off with The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents' annual Federal Legislative Summit on April 6. The evening before, agents can attend an optional briefing on major issues affecting them. The session will be held at the Marriott Crystal City in Arlington, Va., where most out-of-town participants will be staying. The following day, PIA members will gather for breakfast on Capitol Hill. As this was written, speakers for the event had not been finalized. However, the association will present its National Distinguished Congressional Service Award to Rep. Michael Oxley (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, at the breakfast.

“Among the many reasons our members cite for honoring Rep. Oxley are his ongoing efforts throughout his tenure to advance modernization of insurance regulation in a manner that preserves the principle of state regulation, which PIA steadfastly supports,” said Ted Besesparis, a PIA spokesman. “PIA members are particularly appreciative of the fact that Rep. Oxley has made it clear that his reform proposals would not call for a federal insurance regulator, or 'czar,' and would also not call for optional federal charters.”

After the breakfast, members will visit their congressmen. Besesparis said in addition to the regulatory issues cited above, they will focus on continued funding for, and reform of, the National Flood Insurance Program; and support for a public-private natural catastrophe program in which state and local governments would participate. The day will conclude with PIA's annual fundraising dinner for its political action committee. For more information about the Federal Legislative Summit, contact Kellie Bray, PIA's assistant vice president of federal affairs, at (703) 518-1364 or at kelliebr@pianet.org; or you can visit PIA's Web site, www.pianet.org.

For the Big “I,” this year's National Legislative Conference will be the first to be combined with IIABA's annual convention. Last fall's convention in New York was the last separate one. The NLC will take place April 26-28 at the Grand Hyatt Washington. The overlapping convention will be held April 27-28 a few blocks away at the Washington Convention Center. Retired Gen. Colin Powell, who was secretary of state during the first term of the Bush Administration, will be the keynote speaker. The attendees also will hear from Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.)

“Senator Pryor is a rising star in the Senate because he is pragmatic and works with his colleagues across the aisle to get things done for his state and the entire country,” Robert A. Rusbuldt, IIABA's CEO, said in a press release last month. “Since Senator Pryor is respected by both Democrats and Republicans, he is in a great position to advance bipartisan, common-sense reforms on issues our members are interested in. Our members are eager to hear his thoughts on issues that affect their businesses and livelihoods, including tax reform (and) insurance regulatory modernization.”

Rusbuldt also will moderate an insurance company CEO panel discussion. Taking part will be Edward M. Liddy, chairman and CEO of Allstate Corp.; Ramani Ayer, chairman and CEO of The Hartford Financial Services Group; Paula Rosput Reynolds, president and CEO of Safeco Corp.; Gary Gregg, president and CEO of Liberty Mutual Agency Markets; and Michael Browne, president and CEO of Harleysville Insurance Co.

The most recognizable event transplanted from the former fall convention will be the large trade show, which in New York drew about 110 exhibitors and ran for two days. The upcoming trade show will be a one-day event, held on April 28. As this was written, some 90 exhibitors had registered.

Like previous IIABA conventions, the upcoming one also will offer a number of educational seminars and workshops, most of which will run concurrently with the trade show. The offerings include presentations on agency technology, selling flood insurance, disaster planning, agency data analysis and team building.

As always, agents will have plenty of issues to discuss with congressmen. Among the topics on the IIABA's agenda are the following:

Insurance regulatory reform: The association supports the State Modernization And Regulatory Transparency (SMART) Act, which can be seen as an attempt to bridge the gap between those who wish to preserve state insurance regulation while giving a major regulatory role to the federal government.

Natural disaster legislation: The association notes there are two general approaches being discussed, one calling for the creation of a federal reinsurance program and another permitting insurers to set aside tax-free reserves for certain risks. The Big “I” said it would work with others in the marketplace to reach a consensus.

Flood insurance reform: The association supports H.R. 43320, the National Flood Insurance Program Commitment to Policyholders and Reform Act, and last fall issued an agenda advocating 22 specific reforms to the program.

For more information about the IIABA's National Legislative Conference and Convention, visit the association's Web site at www.iiaba.net.

Special Reports /

What's Going On: Agents Head to Washington for Annual Lobbying Event

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