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For Immediate Release

July 30, 2024

Contact: Pat Gilbert

(732)-201-4133

NCOIL CONCLUDES SUCCESSFUL SUMMER MEETING IN COSTA MESA

Strong Attendance Continues; Development Started and Continued on Several Model Laws;

 Timely Policy Discussions Held; Considine Announces Retirement

Belmar, NJ – The National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) concluded a highly successful 2024 SummerNational Meeting (Meeting) from July 17^th – 20^th in Costa Mesa, CA.  In what was the second of the organization’s three National Meetings in 2024, there were 344 participants consisting of 66 legislators from 30 states, 22 first-time legislators from 10 states, 9 Insurance Commissioners (or equivalent), and 13 total insurance departments represented.

“This Meeting went a long way towards further strengthening NCOIL’s reputation as a highly respected, national, bipartisan organization. The strong attendance from legislators, regulators, and interested parties shows a lot of enthusiasm about the work NCOIL is doing and we could not be more pleased,” said Rep. Tom Oliverson, M.D. (TX), NCOIL President. “I was particularly happy with the strong turnout of first-time legislators as bringing fresh faces into the organization really is important in its continued growth.”

The packed agenda featured discussions on topics such as: how insurers’ use of aerial images is impacting coverage; regulation of the third party litigation financing industry; the importance of preventive medicine; regulation of earned wage access providers; value-based purchasing agreements between States and drug manufacturers; site-neutral payment reforms; methods to incentivize homeowners to protect their homes from natural disasters; and more.

NCOIL CEO, Commissioner Tom Considine stated, “NCOIL’s growth over the past several years has led to high-quality discussions meeting after meeting and Costa Mesa was no exception. As a national organization, it is essential to have a wide range of viewpoints participating at our meetings, and this is now the second Meeting in a row where we have seen legislator participation from 30 states which is a great indication of the organization’s reach and influence.”

At the traditional Welcome Breakfast on Thursday morning, attendees were greeted by California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara who spoke about his experience leading one of the country’s largest state consumer protection agencies as well as his service in the California State Legislature.

Also during the Breakfast, Commissioner Considine announced his retirement effective December 31^st, 2024. Considine, who has served since 2016 as NCOIL’s first ever CEO, oversaw a period of growth and financial stability for the over 50-year-old organization which in 2015 was struggling with an uncertain future.  He announced NCOIL General Counsel, Will Melofchik as his successor. (See separate Press Release here).

Following the Breakfast, the policy committee meetings then kicked off with the Joint State-Federal Relations and International Insurance Issues Committee, chaired by Rep. Rachel Roberts (KY). The Committee heard an update on the NCOIL Mental Health Parity Model Act, sponsored by Rep. Roberts, and discussed a Resolution in Support of Establishing Catastrophe Savings Accounts, sponsored by Rep. Matt Lehman (IN), Past NCOIL President, Sen. Walter Michel (MS), Chair of the NCOIL Articles of Organization & Bylaws Revision Committee, Rep. Ellyn Hefner (OK), and Rep. Carl Anderson (SC), Chair of the NCOIL Life Insurance & Financial Planning Committee. The Committee also engaged in discussions on recent federal rules encroaching on the state-based system of insurance regulation.

“Federal encroachment onto the state-based system of insurance regulation is reaching arguably unprecedented heights so this was a perfect time to bring the Committee together to discuss those developments and consider what we as state insurance legislators can do in response,” said Rep. Roberts. “It was also great to continue work on the NCOIL Mental Health Parity Model Act that I’m sponsoring, as well as begin discussions on the Resolution in Support of Establishing Catastrophe Savings Accounts.”

Rep. Lehman then moderated a General Session titled, “Eye in the Sky: How Insurers’ Use of Aerial Images is Impacting Coverage.” Rep. Lehman stated, “This is a topic that has recently garnered significant, national media coverage and it is a growing concern for consumers. As new technologies continue to have a larger and larger impact on insurance rates and coverages it is imperative that we find the balance between technology and consumer protections. I’m glad we were able to dedicate a session to understanding the issue and discussing potential solutions.  I am looking forward to developing a Model Law on this issue so that NCOIL can offer guidance to states that are grappling with this.”

The Health Insurance and Long Term Care Issues Committee, chaired by Rep. Jim Dunnigan (UT), then met to continue discussions on site-neutral payment reforms, and the NCOIL Value Based Purchasing Model Act sponsored by Sen. Mary Felzkowski (WI), Chair of the NCOIL Financial Services & Multi-Lines Issues Committee. The Committee also heard presentations on policies to support maternal health, and billing practices in the ground ambulance service industry.

“It was great for the Committee to meet in Costa Mesa to continue its important work on an interesting range of issues. The health insurance marketplace is undoubtedly one of the most complex markets out there so gathering experts with different perspectives in an effort to keep legislators informed on issues is critically important in protecting consumers,” said Rep. Dunnigan.

Sen. Felzkowski then presided over the meeting of the Financial Services & Multi-Lines Issues Committee. The agenda included continued discussion on the NCOIL Transparency in Third Party Litigation Financing Model Act sponsored by Rep. Lehman and co-sponsored by Del. Steve Westfall (WV), as well as the NCOIL Earned Wage Access Model Act, sponsored by Asw. Pam Hunter (NY), NCOIL Vice President.  The Committee also heard a presentation on regulation of the bail bonds industry.

“The Committee really is extremely busy this year and I was glad to see us continue to make advances on the earned wage access and third party litigation financing Model Laws.  Those are two important and emerging issues and I look forward to us getting these Models over the finish line so we can provide effective frameworks for the States,” said Sen. Felzkowski.

Friday kicked off with a meeting of the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Committee, chaired by Sen. Lana Theis (MI).The Committee: heard a “State of the Line” presentation focused on the on the status of and trends in the overall workers’ compensation insurance marketplace; heard presentations on workers’ compensation premium fraud in the construction industry; and discussed developments in the California workers’ compensation insurance marketplace. The Committee also re-adopted the NCOIL Workers’ Compensation Drug Formulary Model Law.

“I was glad to see the re-adoption of the drug formulary model, and it was encouraging that we were able to provide legislators with timely information on workers’ compensation legislative and regulatory trends that they can take back to their states. I look forward to the Committee continuing its work in November,” said Sen. Theis.

A very productive NCOIL-NAIC Dialogue was then held which included a strong lineup of NAIC representatives: Colorado Commissioner Michael Conway; Georgia Commissioner John King; Idaho Director and NAIC Past President Dean Cameron; Indiana Commissioner Amy Beard; Kansas Commissioner Vicki Schmidt; Oklahoma Commissioner Glen Mulready; and Pennsylvania Commissioner Mike Humphreys.

Rep. Oliverson stated, “It’s important that legislators and regulators continue to have an open dialogue on issues of mutual interest so we can make the best decisions to protect consumers and promote solvency in the market. I was very pleased with the substantive discussions we held as well as with the strong turnout of Commissioners and Directors which really underscores the continued positive working relationship between NCOIL and the NAIC.  It’s vital that we continue that relationship to protect consumers and preserve the state-based system of insurance regulation.”

During the Keynote Luncheon, Nicholas Whyte, Senior Director of Global Solutions for APCO Worldwide, delivered a fascinating presentation discussing the developments in recent European elections.

Sen. Justin Boyd (AR) then moderated Part 1 of the NCOIL Special Series on Preventive Medicine titled “Early Expenses Prevent Significant Later Costs.” Sen. Boyd said “I was proud to facilitate this dialogue as it really is important for everyone to take action and invest in their health now.  As the saying goes, “prevention is the first rule of good health.”  I look forward to seeing this conversation develop during Part 2 of the series in November which will focus on the role of proper nutrition in disease prevention and how food really is medicine.”

The Life Insurance & Financial Planning Committee then met with Sen. Jerry Klein (ND), NCOIL Chairman-at-Large, presiding. The Committee heard presentations on a Retirement Security Bill of Rights, Transamerica’s Center for Retirement Studies Annual Retirement Survey, and received an update on litigation surrounding the U.S. Department of Labor’s Fiduciary Rule. Discussions also continued on proposed amendments to the NCOIL Life Settlements Model Act, sponsored by Rep. Forrest Bennett (OK), Chair of the NCOIL Property & Casualty Insurance Committee.

“The Committee certainly had robust conversations on a range of issues, and I look forward to the Committee continuing to discuss the amendments to the Life Settlements Model Act. It’s likely we’ll have an interim meeting on that issue in an effort to try and have the amendments finalized by November,” said Sen. Klein.

Saturday began with Rep. Ellyn Hefner (OK) moderating a General Session titled “Financial Literacy: Providing Students With More Life Skills But At What Cost?” “It’s important that we as legislators are doing all we can to provide students with access to financial literacy education and to ensure that it is provided in the most effective manner possible. I’m glad we were able to dedicate time to this issue and have a constructive dialogue,” said Rep. Hefner.

The Property & Casualty Insurance Committee, chaired by Rep. Forrest Bennett (OK) then met and continued discussion on the NCOIL Strengthen Homes Program Model Act, sponsored by Rep. Dunnigan, and the NCOIL Online Marketplace Guarantees Model Act, sponsored by Rep. Brian Lampton (OH).  Rep. Michael “Sarge” Pollock, Vice Chair of the Committee, also introduced the NCOIL Motor Vehicle Glass Model Act, and the Committee heard updates on the NAIC’s Property & Casualty Market Intelligence Data Call and Federal initiatives impacting the title insurance marketplace.  Lastly, the Committee re-adopted three existing model laws: Model Act Regarding Use of Claims History Information; Model Act Concerning State Interpretation of State Insurance Laws; and State Flood Disaster Mitigation and Relief Model Act.

“This summer’s meeting was another productive one for the Property & Casualty Insurance Committee. I was glad to see us build on the work done earlier this year, especially during a time when consumers are increasingly worried about the affordability and availability of coverage,” said Rep. Bennett. “The Model Laws we are advancing, and the issues we continue to discuss, will hopefully lead to some meaningful solutions to those concerns in our respective states. At the end of the day, consumer protection remains the central focus of all we do.”

The Summer Meeting concluded on Saturday afternoon with a meeting of the Executive Committee.  Several new members were elected to the Executive Committee. They are: Sen. Larry Walker (GA), Rep. Gabe Firment (LA), Sen. Kirk Talbot (LA), Rep. Bob Titus (MO), Rep. Hefner, and Rep. Mark Tedford (OK).

“From developing new Model Laws on a wide range of issues to growing our membership nationwide, we have made great strides in recent years to advance NCOIL and that is the result of a lot of hard work and collaboration.  The work we have done so far this year has set the stage for our Annual Meeting to truly be a can’t-miss event given the number of Models and Resolutions scheduled to be considered.  I look forward to working with everyone to make that Meeting a success,” concluded Oliverson.

Committee minutes will be posted soon at www.ncoil.org.

The 2024 NCOIL Annual Meeting will take place in San Antonio, TX at the Westin Riverwalk from November 21^st – 24^th. Registration will open in September.

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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 seventy 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.

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For Immediate Release

July 18, 2024

Contact: Pat Gilbert

(732) 201-4133

NCOIL CEO ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Considine’s Tenure Marked by Significant Growth & Financial Stability

Belmar, NJ – July 18, 2024 – NCOIL CEO Commissioner Tom Considine today announced his retirement effective December 31, 2024.  The announcement came during the Welcome Breakfast of the organization’s 2024 National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) Summer National Meeting in Costa Mesa, CA.  Considine has served as NCOIL’s first ever CEO since January 2016. The organization previously had an Executive Director Model.

“I think I can speak for everyone at NCOIL when I say Tom has made immeasurable contributions in terms of advancing the organization both substantively on the issues and expanding our legislative membership,” said Rep. Tom Oliverson, M.D. (TX), NCOIL President. “The growth we have seen over the past decade has been tremendous and I know we are well positioned for that continue.”

NCOIL has grown markedly under Considine from an average National Meeting attendance of 226 participants in 2015 prior to his arrival to over 350 attendees during the most recent year. Legislator participation also increased 42% in that time frame.

“Tom’s strategic vision and engaging personality was just what NCOIL needed from a leader when he came on as the first ever CEO in 2016. The organization is now not just in a position of stability but truly a position of strength with a strong and growing membership. We all owe him a great debt of gratitude for his service,” said Rep. Matt Lehman (IN), Past NCOIL President.

Considine’s tenure ushered in fresh perspective and ideas to the now over 50-year-old organization that in 2015 was struggling financially with an uncertain future. NCOIL now has a fortress balance sheet, ensuring it can continue to serve as an educational forum for legislators on insurance public policy issues for many more years to come.

“Tom’s exceptional leadership and extensive experience coupled with his outgoing personality has significantly contributed to NCOIL’s success and growth over the past decade,” said Rep. Deborah Ferguson, DDS, (AR) NCOIL Immediate Past President. “On a personal note, I am immensely grateful for his help in navigating my presidency from our first meeting in New Jersey to my last meeting as President in Ohio. His guidance and camaraderie have been invaluable, and I have truly enjoyed our friendship and the times we’ve shared.”

Idaho Insurance Director and Past NAIC President Dean Cameron said, “Tom is a dynamic, energetic and experienced leader. His leadership restored NCOIL to its appropriate influential position. Tom’s energy and passion tackled complicated and critical insurance challenges and drove towards responsible solutions. His experience recognized the critical role of state-based regulation and he advanced legislators and regulators collaborating to protect consumers. I am honored to have worked with Tom and I am grateful for his leadership and friendship.”

During the Welcome Breakfast, Considine announced NCOIL General Counsel Will Melofchik as his successor.

“When I came to NCOIL as CEO in 2016, my goals were to stabilize & secure NCOIL financially; to grow the organization in overall attendance and legislator participation through higher quality meetings; and to re-establish first the relevance then the importance of NCOIL in insurance public policy.  I’m proud of the work we’ve done together with the great legislative leadership we’ve had here to meet and exceed all of these goals,” stated Considine.

“It’s time for NCOIL to do another strategic assessment for the next 5-7 years, and so I decided it’s time for me to pass the torch, to retire as NCOIL’s CEO, fully confident in the organization’s strength for the whatever lies ahead. I cannot thank everyone enough who has contributed to the organization’s success over the years. I will be forever grateful to the Officers for the opportunity to meet the challenge NCOIL presented.” he concluded.

Considine will continue to serve NCOIL in a part-time consulting capacity following his retirement as CEO.

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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 seventy 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.

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For Immediate Release
June 28, 2024
Contact: Pat Gilbert
(732) 201-4133

NCOIL HOLDS NINTH CONSECUTIVE DC FLY-IN TO EDUCATE CONGRESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF STATE-BASED INUSRANCE REGULATION
National Cross Section of State Legislators Met with Members of Congress and Staff to Further
Education Process

Belmar, NJ- A bipartisan group of NCOIL leaders from State Legislatures around the country met in Washington, D.C. to educate Members of Congress and their staffs about the vital importance of the state-based regulation of insurance and its success for over 70 years.

Participating legislators included: TX Rep. Tom Oliverson, M.D., NCOIL President; NY Asw. Pamela Hunter, NCOIL Vice President; MN Sen. Paul Utke, NCOIL Treasurer; LA Rep. Edmond Jordan, NCOIL Secretary; AR Rep. Deborah Ferguson, DDS, NCOIL Immediate Past President; KY Rep. Rachel Roberts, Chair of the NCOIL Joint State-Federal Relations & International Insurance Issues Committee; OK Rep. Forrest Bennett, Chair of the NCOIL Property & Casualty Insurance Committee; and IN Rep. Matt Lehman, former NCOIL President.

They, together with NCOIL CEO, Commissioner Tom Considine, General Counsel Will Melofchik and staff, participated in dozens of meetings with Members of Congress and congressional staff, including significant numbers of both the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking Committee, to highlight the importance of preserving the state-based system of insurance regulation, along with other NCOIL policy priorities.

“Preserving the state-based system of insurance regulation is vital in ensuring that states are able to act as ‘laboratories of democracy’ and create solutions that are well-tailored and benefit the consumer and industry alike,” said Rep. Oliverson. “As federal encroachment into the state-based system of insurance regulation is reaching arguably unprecedented heights, this was a particularly important time for NCOIL legislators to come to The Hill and have a constructive dialogue with Members of Congress and their staffs.”

The day began with U.S. Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX) speaking to NCOIL legislators about current congressional priorities including his interest in amending the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to add a statutory waiver provision so that States could seek ways to apply their particular reforms to all health insurance plans whose members all reside in that State – including self-insured plans of a certain number of members. Rep. Sessions, who has served in Congress for over two decades, currently is a Member of the House Financial Services Committee and Chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce.

Throughout their meetings, NCOIL legislators discussed several topics including: the preservation of the McCarran Ferguson Act; amending ERISA to add a statutory waiver provision; the need for a long-term reauthorization and modernization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP); the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA); the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act; the Secure and Fair Enforcement Regulation Banking (SAFER) Act; and the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s proposed “Title Acceptance Pilot.”

“It’s important that we as state legislators are regularly engaging with our federal counterparts to ensure that our goals are aligned in promoting a strong and fair insurance market for our constituencies,” said Asw. Hunter. “The state-based system has protected consumers and promoted solvency in the market for over 70 years and it’s important that Congress knows the States are more than well suited to continue to do so for many more years to come.”

NCOIL CEO Commissioner Tom Considine said, “With so many proposals relating to insurance regulation circulating at the federal level right now, this was a crucial time for NCOIL legislators to visit The Hill and educate Congress about the established and proven state-based system of insurance legislation and regulation. It was a shame most of Congress didn’t make it back to Washington on a Tuesday, which is listed on the official House Calendar as a working session day; nonetheless, we had very productive meetings that made progress on a range of issues.”

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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 seventy 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.

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