Professional Insurance Agents Announce 2014 PIA Federal Legislative Summit

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Members of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) will reconnect Main Street with Capitol Hill when they convene March 26-27 in Washington, D.C., for the 2014 PIA Federal Legislative Summit (FLS).

The annual PIA Federal Legislative Summit is a gathering of PIA members from around the country who come together in Washington, D.C., to meet with their Members of Congress.

"Laws passed by Congress have a direct impact on the ability of our members to serve the insurance needs of their customers," said PIA National President John G. Lee. "Health insurance, flood insurance and the continuing threat of federal encroachment into our industry are all among the issues that concern us. It is essential that we continue our campaign of advocacy on behalf of Professional Insurance Agents, our clients and the American free enterprise system."

During the 2014 PIA Federal Legislative Summit, PIA members will advocate on a host of issues. Members will attend a legislative briefing on the afternoon of March 26, in advance of the next day's Capitol Hill visits. The briefing will cover several issues that Congress is currently focused on: flood insurance, healthcare and insurance regulation. The briefing will also include overviews of Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) renewal, crop insurance and other priority issues for many Members of Congress from various districts.

"The past year has seen a renewed push to revive previous failed efforts aimed at bringing about federal regulation of insurance," said PIA National Director of Federal Affairs Jon Gentile. "The recent report by the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) attempts to obscure the fact that there is a clear choice between state insurance regulation and federal intrusion. Our members will be telling lawmakers in no uncertain terms that PIA supports our state-based system of insurance regulation and opposes attempts to advance federal regulation of insurance."  

The 2014 PIA Federal Legislative Summit begins on the evening of Wednesday, March 26, at the Crystal City Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, PIA's headquarters hotel, with an in-depth issue briefing session and Q&A to prepare attendees for their congressional visits. At the end of the day, participants will attend a reception sponsored by The PIA Partnership as well as the annual Professional Insurance Agents Political Action Committee (PIAPAC) awards dinner.

The following morning, PIA members will gather for a kickoff breakfast before making their way to Capitol Hill for a day of visits with their Members of Congress, discussing issues that are important to professional insurance agents.

"PIA's annual legislative summit is an important part of our year-round program of legislative advocacy," said Tim Russell, chairman of the PIA National Government Affairs Committee. "There is no better way to forge and maintain relationships with lawmakers than to do it up close and personal. It gives lawmakers the opportunity to meet with Main Street insurance agents from their districts who do business with real people, in the real world."

Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA members are Local Agents Serving Main Street America^SM. PIA's web address is www.pianet.com.

This press release online at:
http://pianet.com/news/press-releases/2014/piaannounce2014piafls021214

SOURCE National Association of Professional Insurance Agents