National Conference of Insurance Legislators president Applies for Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance Post
Jun 23, 2011
The following news release was issued by the National Conference of Insurance Legislators on June 23, 2011:
NCOIL PRESIDENT AIMS FOR FACI ROLE
Washington, DC, June 23, 2011-NCOIL President Rep. George Keiser (ND) last month applied to be one of fifteen national insurance experts selected to serve on a new Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance (FACI). The NCOIL leader-with a strong background in economics and extensive insurance experience-would help advise the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) on insurance public policy.
In an application letter to Conrad Ledoux at the FIO, Rep. Keiser wrote that:
My 12 years of active participation in NCOIL and my 18 years of experience in the North Dakota House of Representatives-many as chair of its insurance committee-will add vital knowledge and regulatory experience as FACI coordinates with the Federal Insurance Office (FIO)…My experience and ongoing coordination with a variety of public and private-sector stakeholders-including Members of Congress, governors, attorneys general, state and international insurance regulators and parliamentarians, as well as consumer and industry representatives-would complement the Committee’s expertise and enhance its balance.
Rep. Keiser added that his experience “…will help inform FACI and the FIO of important insurance matters as they emerge, as well as provide a critical perspective when considering covered agreements between the U.S. and foreign governments.”
NCOIL Immediate Past President Rep. Robert Damron (KY) highlighted the unique role that a state lawmaker would bring to FACI and applauded Rep. Keiser’s application. He said, “As front-line partners with state insurance regulators in implementing two major federal insurance laws that Congress enacted in just the past 15 months-in particular the Dodd-Frank Act-state legislators provide both experience and perspective that will be important to the FIO’s mission. As an advocate for his constituents in North Dakota and his colleagues at NCOIL, Rep. Keiser will add an important and necessary balance to the views and expertise of state insurance regulators and other insurance interests that will make up FACI.”
NCOIL Past President Sen. James Seward (NY) also expressed confidence in the current NCOIL President, saying “Rep. Keiser is a thoughtful legislator who has been at the forefront of insurance policy debates nationally and back home in North Dakota for years. He not only would benefit the new FIO Director by providing valuable expertise and leadership as a FACI member, but he would also serve as an important direct link to the larger legislative community. Rep. Keiser is uniquely positioned to share emerging legislator concerns with FIO while bringing important policy considerations back to legislative colleagues for input.
FIO and Treasury Department officials will select FACI members-who shall serve two-year terms-and will appoint a chair from among Committee membership. FACI members will provide advice, information, and recommendations to the FIO.
NCOIL is an organization of state legislators whose main area of public policy interest is insurance legislation and regulation. Most legislators active in NCOIL either chair or are members of the committees responsible for insurance legislation in their respective state houses across the country. More information is available at www.ncoil.org.
For further details, please contact the NCOIL Washington, DC Office at 202-220-3014, or by email at mhumphreys@ncoil.org.