Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, D-Irondequoit, was named chairman of the Insurance Committee by Speaker Sheldon Silver.
The Rochester-area lawmaker succeeds Assemblyman Alexander 'Pete' Grannis, D-Manhattan, recently appointed head of the Department of Environment and Conservation by Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
Mr. Morelle has served the Assembly for 16 years, and before that was on the Monroe County Legislature.
Michael Moran, American Insurance Association public service director, said Mr. Morelle for the most part has taken stands in favor of the insurance industry, sometimes against the wishes of his fellow Democrats and the trial attorney lobby.
For example, he has been a regular sponsor of the repeal of the so-called scaffold law, which allows any worker falling off an elevated surface to sue not only for workers' compensation remedies but also the property owner and employer for general liability claims.
Mr. Moran said New York is the only state in the nation that has such a law, making it challenging for contractors to obtain liability coverage.
The bill has languished in committee due to the opposition of his fellow Democrats and the trial attorneys.
In addition, Mr. Morelle originally supported a workers' comp reform package similar to one backed by the AIA and in contrast to a competing measure backed by labor interests, Mr. Moran noted.
Mr. Morelle's appointment could also help pave the way for National Association of Insurance Commissioners' accreditation, since Mr. Grannis was one of the opponents of some of the measures needed to pass before the state can attain that status.
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