FROM THE PRESIDENT

IN RECENT YEARS, THE PIA PARTNERSHIP HAS produced a series of tools for agents under the moniker “Winning@” such as Winning @ Cybersecurity Defense, Winning@ Virtual and Winning@ Talent – with more Winning programs being developed. In fact, everything that PIA does is designed to help professional independent insurance agents win.

The winning will continue!

All of our efforts are designed to advance the business interests of all PIA members. PIA is fully engaged to aggressively promote, protect and defend the diverse interests of professional independent insurance agents in the legislative, regulatory and public arenas. We advocate aggressively on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in state legislatures, before the NAIC and other regulatory bodies, and in the court of public opinion.

The PIA Partnership, our agency-carrier council, is a crown jewel, providing PIA members with a steady stream of business tools and serving as a key forum with our carrier partners.

From The Ceo

PIA’S FOUR PILLARS — INFORM, EDUCATE, Advocate, Protect — provide a foundation for the association’s leadership and staff to stand upon and support you — our members — every day.

PIA’s advocacy initiatives are wide-ranging and include representing members before legislative and regulatory authorities, both at the federal and state level. Congress passes laws and often it falls to federal agencies to promulgate rules and regulations to implement them. Recently, news of several proposals before regulatory agencies are cause for concern by professional independent agents and all small businesspeople (see page 8).

In early January 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would ban employers from entering into noncompete agreements with their employees. The proposed rule is extremely broad; it would apply to employees and independent contractors, whether paid or unpaid.

One of the great freedoms in this country is in the First Amendment – to petition elected representatives for the redress of grievances. Recently, in-person access to many Capitol offices had been restricted due to the pandemic and security concerns. PIA dealt with this by scheduling individual virtual sessions for our members with members of Congress and conducting fly-ins on key issues like crop insurance.

With the start of the 118th Congress on January 3, 2023, many previous restrictions were lifted. PIA looks forward to welcoming independent insurance agents to a fully “open” Capitol Hill throughout the year, particularly during the 2023 PIA Advocacy Day on May 9 and 10

Gerald F. Hemphill President

In October 2022, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on a revised method by which to determine whether workers are independent contractors or employees. And in May of last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), made changes requiring agents and brokers who market Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans to record all enrollment conversations for the first time.

PIA will continue to monitor, report and advocate on these and other regulatory developments, filing formal comments when necessary.

Mike Becker CEO

Pia Applauds Reopening Of Capitol Hill

PIA has issued a statement praising the full re-opening of Capitol office buildings in Washington, DC to the public. Access to many Capitol offices has been limited for years due to the pandemic and security concerns.

With the start of the 118th Congress on January 3, 2023, many previous restrictions were lifted.

“One of the great freedoms in this country is in the First Amendment – to petition elected representatives for the redress of grievances,” said PIA National President Gerald F. Hemphill. “That ability had been hampered for years due to the pandemic and security concerns. PIA supports taking safety and security measures seriously, but the careful reopening of the Capitol complex so constituents can meet with their representatives has been long overdue. We are overjoyed that this vital aspect of our democracy has been restored.”

PIA looks forward to welcoming independent insurance agents to a fully “open” Capitol Hill throughout the year, particularly during the 2023 PIA Advocacy Day on May 9 and 10.

Nfip Extended To September 2023

Authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was extended to the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30, 2023, after its renewal was included in the omnibus appropriations bill passed by Congress and signed by President Biden in December 2022.

“Throughout 2022, PIA met with members of Congress to urge them to reauthorize the NFIP. During our discussions, policymakers consistently recognized the critical role that the program plays in protecting property and giving people the financial support they need to strengthen their homes and businesses and recover after natural disasters,” said Lauren G. Pachman, Esq., counsel and director of regulatory affairs for PIA. “It’s gratifying to see that our members have been heard.”

PIA urges lawmakers to pass a long-term reauthorization of the program during 2023, along with meaningful improvements.

ARCTIC WEATHER EVENT CAUSED $5.4 BILLION IN INSURED LOSSES

The arctic weather event that unfolded in the United States Dec. 21-26, 2022, has come to be known as Winter Storm Elliott. The “once-in-a-generation” storm was characterized by an extratropical cyclone that created record cold temperatures, blizzard conditions and high winds that impacted most of the country.

Using its high-resolution Winter Storm Reference Model, Karen Clark & Co. estimated the storm will result in $5.4 billion in insured losses across 42 states. This figure represents damage to privately insured vehicles along with residential, commercial and industrial properties but may not reflect the