PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Washington D.C. - 2022 Big I Legislative Conference

WASHINGTON D.C. - 2022 BIG I LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE

By: Lyndsay Kooistra

Big I Oregon President

LaPorte Insurance

Blacksher, Dallas Ross, Deborah Mohr, Pat Davis & Ed Davis. This is Ed’s last trip to DC as National Director. He’s passed along his wisdom and resilience to the rest of us. Our group was a great mix of experience and tenacity. We each took on different topics to share time and influence among the team.

We communicated seven talking points to our federal politicians. All of them were bipartisan and, in my opinion, easy to get on board with. Not only do they benefit the insurance industry but our policyholders as well. We found that if we told stories, had real life examples, and kept things fun, we got through to people. We mostly met with staffers due to COVID but did have a sit-down meeting with Representative Kurt Schrader.

1. Maintain Small Business Tax Fairness

– We support H.R. 1381/S. 480, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act which would make the 20% small business deduction permanent. Otherwise, it is scheduled to expire in 2025. This deduction is relied upon by many independent agents and our clients, giving us all the ability to expand, hire more employees and better serve our communities.

Washington, D.C. is one of my favorite places to be. Since I was young, I’ve loved politics and even got to meet one of my Senators on my first trip to D.C. when I was 10. I spoke to him more than my parents did, not that they didn’t try. In college I interned in D.C. for a summer, working as an unpaid intern in news radio, then at a PR firm. I spent a lot of time “on the hill,” frequenting museums, discovering the city and figuring out which establishments didn’t check IDs.

In 2018 I headed back to lobby on behalf of Big I and felt right at home. I was a little intimidated to speak to our Congressional Senators and Representatives. Over the COVID years of lobbying via Zoom, I broke free of my shaky voice and gained a stronger, confident speech to let our elected officials and their staff know what we need to protect our industry and policyholders.

On this trip, that mission didn’t change and my determination was unwavering. The Big I Team from Oregon made progress in our quest to work on behalf of all of you, the Independent Agents & Brokers of Oregon. Our team consisted of Tyra Dressel, LeeAnn Smelley, Steve Smelley, Kaity Blacksher, Todd

2. Extend & Reform the National Flood

Insurance Program – NFIP expires September 30th, 2022. We support a longterm reauthorization, specifically H.R. 4699/S. 2915.

Both would allow for private insurance to satisfy continuous coverage requirements, as well as keeping it as an option with NFIP. The more choices we can provide our clients the better!

3. Advocate for Legal Protections for

Independent Insurance Agents – We support H.R. 1996/S. 910 the SAFE Banking Act which creates a safe harbor for agents and brokers who choose to do business with the cannabis industry.

7. Defend State Regulation of Data

Security for Insurance Consumers – We want to make sure that states still can regulate, respond, fine, and penalize when there is a cyber breach or attack, rather than at the federal level. If Congress considers a national data security standard, it is important that it is scalable and reasonable.

For more details on these talking points please reach out to the Big I Oregon office – support@bigioregon.com.

In summary, our days at the Big I Legislative Conference were great! I’m a bit partial but our Oregon contingent was the best! We made our meetings fun, engaging and left our elected officials offices with a smile. You’ll be hearing from me about donating to InsurPac and why it is so important. Please make a note that the 2nd Tuesday of every month is our Virtual Legislative Update, noon – 1pm. We’ll have a call with Roger Beyer our Oregon Lobbyist discussing local political topics, as well as meeting those running for State and Federal Office. Hope you can join us virtually for those!

4. Protect the Federal Crop Insurance

Program – The current Farm Bill expires in 2023 and it is imperative to support policies strengthening the stability and effectiveness of the FCIP. President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget proposal fully funds the FCIP and strengthens crop insurance.

5. Safeguard Against Future Pandemics – Even though there are still lawsuits pending, there are not any bills in front of the House or Senate to force insurance companies to pay the loss of income that was experienced by businesses during the pandemic. We are advocating for a solution for future pandemics, if we can’t outlaw them all together (great idea from Steve Smelley), similar to TRIA or PPP.

6. Preserve Employer Sponsored Health Insurance

– We oppose H.B. 1976 and S. 386 the Medicare for All bills, as it would end Group Health Insurance which 180 million Americans are actively using. We drew on the fact that employers are struggling to find employees and one of the ways to attract and retain the best talent is from their benefits offerings.

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(503) 396-2225 dmoore@iroquoisgroup.com iroquoisgroup.com

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2022 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

LYNDSAY KOOISTRA President LaPorte Insurance Portland, OR 20 Years

MARK ATKINSON Immediate Past President Atkinson Insurance Group Portland, OR 39 Years

JENNIE WEILAND Vice President PayneWest Insurance Beaverton, OR 21 Years

RUSS SCHWEIKERT President-Elect Ashland Insurance, Inc. Ashland, OR 28 Years

TYRA DRESSEL Executive Director Big I Oregon Portland, OR 29 Years

TIM CUNDARI Finance Chair Cundari Insurance Portland, OR 27 Years ED DAVIS National Director Maps Insurance Services Salem, OR 57 Years

bigioregon.com

2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TJ SULLIVAN Legislative Chair BH Insurance Salem, OR 25 Years

KAITY BLACKSHER NextGen Chair Atkinson Insurance Group Portland, OR 17 Years MICHELLE GALLARDO NextGen Immediate Past Chair The Partner’s Group Portland, OR 18 Years

DALLAS ROSS Timmco Insurance Beaverton, OR 9 Years

TRISH FULWILER J.D. Fulwiler Insurance & Co. Portland, OR 25 Years DEBORAH MOHR Assured Partners Forest Grove, OR 26 Years MARTY KANTOLA Chet Hill Insurance Ashland, OR 38 Years

STEVE LACESA Oak Tree Insurance Lake Oswego, OR 38 Years

MATT PIDCOCK Valley Insurance LaGrande, OR 18 Years

KRISTON CORRELL JUUL Insurance Agency North Bend, OR 24 Years

BOB ROSSON Timmco Insurance Portland, OR 28 Years STEPHEN SMELLEY Goldfinch Consulting Beaverton, OR 35 Years