For Immediate Release
January 12, 2026
Contact: Pat Gilbert
(732) 201-4133
NCOIL PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES 2026 COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
Strong Group of Leaders from Diverse States to Head Committees
Belmar, NJ – NCOIL President Paul Utke, State Senator from Minnesota, announced the lineup of NCOIL Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs for 2026.
“It’s an honor to announce this outstanding and bipartisan group of legislative leaders from across the country who will help guide NCOIL in the year ahead as we continue to advance the organization and lead on timely and important insurance public policy issues,” said Sen. Utke. “These chairs and vice-chairs have each demonstrated a strong dedication to the organization over the years, and I’m grateful for their willingness to step forward and serve in these leadership positions.”
The NCOIL Chairs and Vice Chairs are:
Articles of Incorporation/Bylaws: Joint State-Federal Relations &
Chair: Rep. Ellyn Hefner, OK International Insurance Issues:
Vice Chair: Rep. Bill Sutton, KS Chair: Asm. Erik Dilan, NY
Vice Chair: Rep. Michael Meredith, KY
Audit Committee: Life Insurance & Financial
Chair: Rep. Edmond Jordan, LA Planning:
Vice Chair: Rep. Matt Lehman, IN Chair: Rep. David LeBoeuf, MA
Vice Chair: Sen. Justin Boyd, AR
Budget Committee:
Chair: Rep. Jim Dunnigan, UT NCOIL-NAIC Dialogue:
Vice Chair: Rep. Barbara Dittrich, WI Co-Chairs: Rep. Edmond Jordan, LA
Sen. Walter Michel, MS
Financial Services & Multi-Lines Issues: Property & Casualty Insurance:
Chair: Asm. Jarett Gandolfo, NY Chair: Sen. Lana Theis, MI
Vice Chair: Asm. Tim Grayson, CA Vice Chair: Del. Walter Hall, WV
Health Insurance & Long-Term Care Issues: Workers’ Compensation Insurance:
Chair: Rep. Michael Sarge Pollock, KY Chair: Rep. Brian Lampton, OH
Vice Chair: Sen. Mary Felzkowski, WI Vice Chair: Rep. Mark Tedford, OK
Nominating Committee: Chairman at Large:
Chair: Asw. Pamela Hunter, NY Rep. Carl Anderson, SC
NCOIL CEO Will Melofchik said, “The bipartisan committee leadership appointed by Senator Utke reflects the strength and direction of NCOIL in 2026. NCOIL benefits greatly from the depth of experienced and committed legislators who have helped drive the organization’s progress in recent years, and I’m confident this leadership team, working alongside our full membership, will continue advancing model legislation that protects consumers and reinforces the proven state-based system of insurance regulation.”
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NCOIL is a national legislative organization with the nation’s 50 states as members, represented principally by legislators serving on their states’ insurance and financial institutions committees. NCOIL writes Model Laws in insurance and financial services, works to preserve the State jurisdiction over insurance as established by the McCarran-Ferguson Act over eighty years ago, and to serve as an educational forum for public policymakers and interested parties. Founded in 1969, NCOIL works to assert the prerogative of legislators in making State policy when it comes to insurance and educate State legislators on current and longstanding insurance issues.