Professional Insurance Agents Announce 2015 PIA Federal Legislative Summit

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Members of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) will bring Main Street to Capitol Hill when they convene March 25-26 in Washington, D.C., for the 2015 PIA Federal Legislative Summit (FLS).

The annual PIA Federal Legislative Summit is a gathering of PIA members from around the country who come together to meet with their members of Congress and advocate their positions on issues important to Professional Insurance Agents.

"A new Congress always brings with it new opportunities," said PIA National President Richard A. Clements. "Issues that have not been at the forefront in recent years, such as tax reform, have a real shot at movement now."

Clements said early indications are favorable for passage of legislation backed by agents. "Just days into this session, Congress acted decisively to pass a long-term renewal of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) that included creation of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers (NARAB), two of PIA's priorities," Clements said. "Last year, we were successful in advocating for passage of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. All of this gives us hope that our other issues will also advance."

"These victories are in large part because of grassroots advocacy by PIA members," said PIA National Director of Federal Affairs Jon Gentile. "We plan to build on these big wins in 2015. During the Federal Legislative Summit, PIA members will advocate on a host of issues, with a prime focus on healthcare, tax reform, crop insurance, flood insurance and many other issues."

PIA has endorsed the Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2015 (H.R. 815), which clarifies that producer compensation will not be considered as part of medical loss ratio (MLR) calculations under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). PIA supports the critical role that independent agents play in the sale and servicing of health insurance. 

Agents will also oppose a White House proposal that would reduce crop insurance premium subsidies by $16 billion over the next 10 years. In addition:

PIA supports a clear and simple tax code, reducing individual and corporate income tax rates for small businesses, and opposes tax provisions or regulations that impede small business growth.

PIA supports a modernized state-based insurance system and opposes any federal regulation or international standards that would destabilize or supplant state-based regulations. PIA is also closely monitoring activities of the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), including actions related to producer licensing and international agreements, to ensure that the FIO does not exceed its limited authority.

"PIA is an active, aggressive, unabashed advocate for agents at the federal and state level," said PIA National Executive Vice President & CEO Mike Becker. "In the first weeks of 2015, we have already seen early success with the renewal of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act and passage of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers. PIA will continue to tirelessly fight for independent agents as we bring our Advocacy and Policy Priorities for 2015 to Capitol Hill." 

The 2015 PIA Federal Legislative Summit begins on the evening of Wednesday, March 25, at the Crystal City Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, PIA's headquarters hotel, with an in-depth issues briefing session and Q&A to prepare attendees for their congressional visits. The day ends with a reception hosted by PIA's agency-company council, The PIA Partnership, as well as a fundraising dinner cruise on the Potomac River for the Professional Insurance Agents Political Action Committee (PIAPAC).

The following morning, March 26, PIA members will gather for a kickoff breakfast before making their way to Capitol Hill for a day of advocacy visits with their members of Congress.

"Our annual legislative summit is an important part of PIA's year-round program of legislative advocacy," said Scott Liebert, chairman of the PIA National Legislative Affairs Committee. "There is no better way to forge and maintain relationships with lawmakers than to do it in person."

For more information and to register, visit the FLS webpage at www.piafls.com.

PIA thanks our FLS Platinum sponsors, Progressive Insurance and The PIA Partnership; Gold sponsor ADM Crop Risk Services; Silver sponsors Liberty Mutual, Nationwide Insurance, State Auto Insurance and The Hartford; and Bronze sponsors Motorists Insurance Group and Wright Flood.

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 is online at:
http://www.pianet.com/news/press-releases/2015/piaannouncesfls022515

2015 PIA Policy Priorities:
http://pianet.com/docs/2015/2015piapolicyplan/

SOURCE National Association of Professional Insurance Agents

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