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IIAN Members Lobby Congress - IIABA Legislative Conference
On April 18 and 19, 14 IIAN members and staff joined hundreds of agents from all 50 states at the national IIABA Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. Led by IIAN President Greg Zimmer and Legislative Committee Chairman Bob Hoppe, IIAN's representatives held a series of meetings with Nebraska's Congressional delegation to lobby on behalf of agents -- meeting personally with Senator Deb Fischer, and Representatives Adrian Smith and Jeff Fortenberry, and with key aides for Senator Ben Sasse and Representative Don Bacon.
We asked our elected officials to:
Crop Insurance: support the Federal Crop Insurance Program and oppose a rate increase, a reduction in eligibility, or reduction of agent commissions.
Flood Insurance:
reauthorize the NFIP before it expires on July 31, allow private flood insurance to satisfy NFIP's continuous coverage and mandatory purchase requirements, and oppose cuts to agent commission.
Tax Reform: clarify the 20% deduction on income for pass through companies in the new tax cut, to ensure that all insurance agencies can take advantage of the cuts.
Read more
about Big "I" advocacy on tax issues.
Regulatory Reform:
support restricting/eliminating the Federal Insurance Office, and speed up the implementation of NARAB, which will make it easier for agencies to get licensed in multiple states.
Health Care: support the full repeal of the "Cadillac tax", and clarify that agent compensation is not part of the ACA medical loss ratio, which limits agent commissions.
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IIAN InsurPac Chairman Vince Christensen,
center, accepted the InsurPac "Eagle" award in Washington, D.C. for the second year in a row. Nebraska was one of only 11 states to reach "Eagle" status - achieving 4th in the nation in average dollars raised per agency in 2017.
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Pictured above are:
Michael Luna, Omaha; John Deardorff, Omaha; Mark Lisko, Omaha; Zak Morken, Ogallala; Sandra Ryks, LaVista; Bob Hoppe, Columbus; Vince Christensen, St. Paul; Brian Bradley, Lincoln; Greg Zimmer, Lincoln. Also attending: Todd Anderson, York, who represents IIAN on the IIABA Crop Insurance Task Force, Adam Backer, Omaha; Larry Palmer, Omaha; Carol McClelland, and Jeremiah Gudding, Lincoln. Conference attendees were addressed by top Congressional leaders including
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky)
and
U.S. House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Maryland)
, who called for increased bipartisanship and Congressional deadlines loom.
Read more.
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| Click above to see how the Big "I" works for you and your clients in Washington. |
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The Big "I" Is Your Voice On Crop Insurance
Crop insurance issues are always on the radar at the Big "I", and while you are serving your farm clients, we are working to protect and preserve your role in the crop insurance program.
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Todd Anderson, York, is IIAN's secretary-treasurer, and represents members on IIABA's national Crop Insurance Task Force. During the IIABA Legislative Conference last month, Todd joined other Big "I" members in face-to-face meetings with acting RMA administrator Heather Manzano, Senate Agriculture Committee staffers, and key crop company executives to discuss
the new Farm Bill, and lobby for agents.
Todd comments, "One thing that came out of the meeting with Senators Roberts' and Stabenow's staff was the support for the FCIP and the desire to keep the program intact. They know there will be battles, but, they also made it clear that they understand that any changes to the program would have devastating consequences."
As the 2018 Farm Bill moves through the legislative process, the Big "I" expects that Congress will consider amendments that could be harmful to the FCIP.
Read more.
News Update: CropPro cancels about 400 Nebraska hail policies mid-term -
more.
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South Carolina Becomes First State To Pass Cybersecurity Law
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South Carolina has become the first state to implement a cybersecurity law that requires insurers and agents to have programs in place to protect themselves and consumers from data breaches, and the Department of Insurance said
H 4655 creates rules for insurers, agents and licensed entities to follow when covering data security, investigation and breach notifications. Companies must maintain an information security program based on ongoing risk assessment, oversee third-party service providers, investigate data breaches and notify regulators of a cybersecurity event.
The new law is based on a National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) model act that was finalized last year. The Big "I" worked closely with the NAIC and the Nebraska Insurance Department to make the model significantly better for insurance agencies than as originally drafted. No related legislation was introduced in the Nebraska legislature this year - IIAN will continue to communicate with the Nebraska Insurance Department about future developments.
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Nebraska Primary Election Results - IIAN Endorsements
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The votes are in for the May 15 Primary Elections in Nebraska. This year marks the seventh consecutive election cycle
in which Nebraska's term limits on state lawmakers will play a significant role. At least eight of the 49 state senators will not be returning to the Nebraska Legislature next year due to term limits or senators choosing not to seek a second term. Two other senators are seeking other elected positions. In total, 24 of the state's 49 legislative seats will be on the 2018 General Election ballot, although five senators (Friesen, Morfeld, Pansing Brooks, Stinner and Williams) have no opponent.
Click here for Unicameral primary election results.
Two senators appointed by Gov. Pete Ricketts advanced - Rob Clements and Theresa Thibodeau - but the Governor's pick in District 30, Al Riskowski, was bested by incumbent Sen. Laura Ebke. More election coverage.
Over the summer, IIAN's Legislative committee, chaired by Bob Hoppe of Columbus, will be gathering input and district intelligence from Big "I" Legislative Advisory Council members, and determining IIAN candidate endorsements.
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2018 Unicameral Session Wrap Up
IIAN Supported Insurance Producer Education, Claims Assignment Bills
On April 18
th
, the Nebraska Legislature adjourned
Sine Die
(without return). During the 2017-2018 sessions, IIAN took positions on or monitored 45 bills impacting the insurance industry.
Of the six bills IIAN supported, four were passed (LB's 231, 241, 486, and 743), one passed which IIAN opposed (LB 299), and IIAN was instrumental in making substantial improvements to another (LB 1012). Any bills not passed this year automatically died with the end of the session on April 18, 2018.
IIAN supported
, which will
allow up to 6 CEUs (out of 24 every 2 years in Nebraska) for "active participation in a professional insurance association". IIAN will work with the Nebraska Insurance Department as it develops guidelines for implementation of the bill.
IIAN also supported LB743, which was amended to add the Insured Homeowners Protection Act, which includes protections for consumers who assign their insurance rights or benefits to a contractor following a loss. LB 743 also adopts the Public Adjusters Licensing Act, and creates licensing and CE regulations for public adjusters. The bill also eliminates the pre-licensing education requirement for insurance producers. Read more.
Click here
for IIAN Legislative Representative
Jim Cavanaugh's "2018 Session Wrap Up" report.
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What is the GIVE MOVEMENT?
IIAN's Nextgen agents from across Nebraska are banding together to help Catholic Social Services. CSS distributes more than 95,000 diapers per year to more than 7,500 individuals in need. Our goal is to collect 5,000 diapers the first week in June as part of the National Big "I" Young Agent
GIVE Movement
- a week-long campaign to give back to the community.
It's easy to give - click here to register for a diaper pick up from your agency!
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Welcome to our newest Big "I" members!
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Husker Crop Solutions
Mike Hiebner - Henderson
Reilly Ag Services
Kevin Reilly - St. Paul
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Pratt Insurance Agency
Tim Pratt - Riverdale
Albert Workman
Omaha
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Positive Changes to RLI Personal Umbrella Program
The IIAN endorsed RLI Personal Umbrella policy has made some major eligibility and underwriting changes starting June 1, 2018.
- Drivers under the age of 20 will be eligible with one violation OR at-fault accident.
- Drivers under the age of 22 will be eligible with basic underlying automobile limit B (250/500/50 OR 300/300/50 OR 300 CSL).
- Up to $5M limits will be available for certain PUP Special risks.
- Up to nine (9) residential properties rented to others that are not occupied in whole or in part at any time by an insured or member of the household will be eligible.
- Simplification of the farm/timberland and the target political figure questions.
- Increase of the prior liability loss amount for eligibility.
Members are encouraged to use the RLI web portal to instantly check policy status, download dec pages or cancellation notices, and complete applications with e-signatures for a turnaround time of a day or two in most cases.
For information on getting access to the RLI system online, just call Cheryl Novacek at the IIAN office - 402.476.2951 - click here
for program features and guidelines.
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Join young agents from all over the Midwest and your company partners
Make Connections - Get Psyched - Master The Sales Roller Coaster - Overcome Everyday Adversities - Have Fun!
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IIAN PARTNER OF THE MONTH
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Their support enables IIAN to present affordable, high-quality member programs.
Thanks to all of IIAN's Industry Partners, who stepped up their support in 2018!
Don't see your company's name on the list?
Click here
to discover the benefits of being an IIAN Industry Partner.
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