As the non-admitted industry and the interest of its members in federal regulatory and legislative issues continues to grow, so does the federal Political Action Committee (PAC) of its trade group, the National Association of Surplus Lines Offices Ltd. (NAPSLO).

“This year we have received about 90 contributions and over $50,000 and are about halfway to our [contribution] goal for this year,” says Michael D. Miller, chairman of the NAPSLO PAC and president of Scottsdale Insurance Co. in Arizona. “The PAC is important because federal financial services regulatory issues now include potential rules and laws that would impact the surplus lines industry,” says Miller.

“The interest of NAPSLO members in federal issues is growing, and the PAC is growing,” he continues. “Every year we try to raise additional funds, and in each of the last three years we have succeeded in gaining additional support for the PAC from our members.”

Even though the non-admitted industry is state-regulated, interest in federal regulatory issues began to grow as NAPSLO members worked toward the enactment of what became the Nonadmitted & Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA). The bill became law as part of the Dodd-Frank Act in 2010.

While certain issues dealing with the NRRA remain, “It is clear that it has worked to improve the efficiency of the industry,” he adds. “It helped to modernize an industry that formerly was required to pay taxes to 50 different states.”

The NRRA “was the first real big non-admitted industry issue that got federal attention,” Miller says, but there are now a number of additional federal issues on which NAPSLO is focusing.

He cited proposals to privatize the National Flood Insurance Program, the need to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which expires next year, and legislation that would establish the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers (NARAB), a national agent/broker licensing entity that supporters say would provide a one-stop licensing system for agents operating outside of their home state. Legislation creating NARAB recently passed the House and is pending in the Senate.

Another legislative issue of concern to NAPSLO members is the Insurance Data Protection Act. The bill, introduced in the last Congress by Rep. Steven Stivers, R-Ohio, addresses concerns by NAPSLO members of broad subpoena authority enjoyed under the Dodd-Frank Act by the Federal Insurance Office. NAPSLO officials say Stivers plans to reintroduce the bill.

“NAPSLO is committed to this legislation and will continue to update our membership on its progress,” says Keri Kish, NAPSLO director of government relations.

Miller says NAPSLO members also are eagerly awaiting the forthcoming report by the Federal Insurance Office dealing with proposals for modernizing the insurance industry.

“Members of the NAPSLO PAC believe having our voice heard and electing supportive candidates is a long-term investment for our industry,” Miller says.

This is especially important, he adds, because even though revenues declined somewhat during the recent severe recession, the non-admitted industry is growing at a faster rate than the overall commercial insurance market—a trend that is expected to continue. He notes that non-admitted revenues were $11.7 billion in 2000 and jumped to $34.8 billion at the end of 2012.

Miller says this is especially important because there are many new members of Congress elected over the past two election cycles: “We have many new faces in Congress in general, but we also have many members with new, important committee assignments we are working with during the Session.

“The surplus lines industry is unique, and it is important to work with informed members who understand our industry,” adds Miller.

“That's why the work of our PAC is imperative,” he says. “The continued education of returning members, new members and candidates is critical. A strong, healthy PAC is our best path to providing this education.”

Special Reports /

Washington Press: NAPSLO PAC Efforts Continue

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