News Release: Rep. Damron takes reins as NCOIL President
Dec 11, 2009
This news release was published by the National Conference of Insurance Legislators on December 11, 2009
2010 NCOIL officers, committee chairs, and priorities announced
Troy, New York, December 11, 2009 – Kentucky State Representative Robert Damron took over as President of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) during the organization’s recent Annual Meeting. The election slate also included the following officers for 2010: Rep. George Keiser (ND) as President-Elect; Sen. Carroll Leavell (NM) as Vice President; Sen. Vi Simpson (IN) as Secretary; and Rep. Charles Curtiss (TN) as Treasurer.
In one of his first duties as NCOIL President, Rep. Damron announced 2010 Committee Chair appointments:
Financial Services & Investment Products: Assem. Joseph Morelle (NY)
Health, Long-Term Care & Health Retirement Issues: Sen. Ann Cummings (VT)
Rep. Chuck Kleckley (LA)
International Insurance Issues: Rep. Susan Westrom (KY)
Life Insurance & Financial Planning: Sen. Ralph Hudgens (GA)
Natural Disaster Insurance Legislation
(Subcommittee): Sen. Dean Kirby (MS)
NCOIL-NAIC Liaison: Sen. Keith Faber (OH)
Property-Casualty Insurance: Sen. Ruth Teichman (KS)
State-Federal Relations: Rep. Greg Wren (AL)
Workers’ Compensation Insurance: Rep. William E. Sandifer, III (SC)
Rep. Damron said, “The nation’s financial crisis and its impact on insurance regulation will headline our activity in 2010. NCOIL will strongly and clearly lay out the successes of state regulation for our federal colleagues while continuing to build on state-based modernization initiatives.”
The new president declared, “The states have reason to be proud. While federally chartered banks and securities firms caused unprecedented damage to our financial system, the state-regulated insurance sector has remained strong. It is incumbent on NCOIL to ensure that financial services overhaul legislation does not peel away important state regulation and consumer protection.”
Rep. Damron said that, while NCOIL works on the federal level to preserve state oversight, legislators will work in the states to enhance day-to-day insurance regulation. He said NCOIL will continue efforts to expand an Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact and to promote uniformity and reciprocity in producer licensing and in market conduct regulation.
The new president also said he looks forward to NCOIL consideration of an aftermarket crash parts model act; the use of independent contractors in the trucking and transportation industries, and proposals to advance health insurance transparency and disclosure, among other things.
Rep. Damron also thanked Sen. James Seward (NY) for his service during a tumultuous 2009. Sen. Seward, he said, “successfully led NCOIL through the development of model laws regarding credit default insurance, construction employee workers’ compensation coverage, and airbag fraud-while dialoguing with Congress and other federal entities about systemic risk legislation, a proposed federal insurance office, healthcare reform initiatives, and other key items.”
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 National Office at 518-687-0178, or by e-mail at info@ncoil.org.