Richmond - Last week
our first opportunity to present our bill on certificates came before
the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. Previously we had met with
all Senators and still had not heard of any opposition to SB47. Having said
that, Joe Hudgins and I were certain that someone or some company would come out
of the woodwork and oppose our bill.
So, we were prepared for our committee hearing and I had worked extensively on my committee presentation. And Joe was prepared for the questions that were sure to come our way. So our bill was called and Senator Watkins presented the bill using our talking points. Then it was our turn. This is it! This is our time! I started making my comments whereupon Senator Norment stopped me in mid-sentence and asked "Mr. Bradshaw (he's very formal in committee), are you aware of any opposition to your bill?" To which I replied "no", and he responded "then you might want to sit down Mr. Bradshaw." And as a good salesman when the sale is made....you just sit down and our bill passed with unanimous support. Yesterday if passed the final vote in the full Senate. So...HB 47 goes to the House of Delegates.
Next Tuesday afternoon our House companion bill - HB 867 - will be heard in the House Commerce and Labor Committee. Delegate Rob Bell has also introduced a certificate bill - which did not provide for the Bureau of Insurance's regulatory authority - and it will be rolled into HB 867. Again, I don't mean to sound like a worry wart, but we're ready for opposition but just are not aware of any just as yet.
Yesterday the IIAV Legislative Committee decided to support HB 523 and the companion SB 369 which would require notices on insurance policies that earthquake insurance is excluded. This would be similar to the notices indicating that flood coverage is excluded. The legislation would require that the notice suggest that the consumer discuss earthquake coverage with their insurer or agent. It certainly couldn't hurt to get the dialog started and is a reminder following the sale of the policy.
January 31st had been set aside for a subcommittee of the House Commerce and Labor Committee to review and hear all of the insurance exchange bills - of which there are several introduced by both parties. The McDonnell administration has actively presented to legislators that no legislation is needed during this session on a Virginia exchange and that we can wait to receive the results of the Supreme Court hearing in March - with their expected ruling in July. Should be an interesting discussion and members of IIAV's Health Task Force will be in attendance.
Once again, take a look at the Legislative Table and if you have any questions or concerns about any of the proposals listed, please don't hesitate to let me know. Also - PLEASE plan on attending IIAV's Insurance Day on the Hill - co-hosted with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - Virginia Chapter and the Virginia Association of Health Underwriters. It's critically important this year that insurance agents show their presence both from property/casualty industry but also the health insurance industry. Click here for a Day on the Hill registration form.
As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me by e-mail at Rbradshaw@iiav.com or through my cell phone at 804-929-4134
So, we were prepared for our committee hearing and I had worked extensively on my committee presentation. And Joe was prepared for the questions that were sure to come our way. So our bill was called and Senator Watkins presented the bill using our talking points. Then it was our turn. This is it! This is our time! I started making my comments whereupon Senator Norment stopped me in mid-sentence and asked "Mr. Bradshaw (he's very formal in committee), are you aware of any opposition to your bill?" To which I replied "no", and he responded "then you might want to sit down Mr. Bradshaw." And as a good salesman when the sale is made....you just sit down and our bill passed with unanimous support. Yesterday if passed the final vote in the full Senate. So...HB 47 goes to the House of Delegates.
Next Tuesday afternoon our House companion bill - HB 867 - will be heard in the House Commerce and Labor Committee. Delegate Rob Bell has also introduced a certificate bill - which did not provide for the Bureau of Insurance's regulatory authority - and it will be rolled into HB 867. Again, I don't mean to sound like a worry wart, but we're ready for opposition but just are not aware of any just as yet.
Yesterday the IIAV Legislative Committee decided to support HB 523 and the companion SB 369 which would require notices on insurance policies that earthquake insurance is excluded. This would be similar to the notices indicating that flood coverage is excluded. The legislation would require that the notice suggest that the consumer discuss earthquake coverage with their insurer or agent. It certainly couldn't hurt to get the dialog started and is a reminder following the sale of the policy.
January 31st had been set aside for a subcommittee of the House Commerce and Labor Committee to review and hear all of the insurance exchange bills - of which there are several introduced by both parties. The McDonnell administration has actively presented to legislators that no legislation is needed during this session on a Virginia exchange and that we can wait to receive the results of the Supreme Court hearing in March - with their expected ruling in July. Should be an interesting discussion and members of IIAV's Health Task Force will be in attendance.
Once again, take a look at the Legislative Table and if you have any questions or concerns about any of the proposals listed, please don't hesitate to let me know. Also - PLEASE plan on attending IIAV's Insurance Day on the Hill - co-hosted with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - Virginia Chapter and the Virginia Association of Health Underwriters. It's critically important this year that insurance agents show their presence both from property/casualty industry but also the health insurance industry. Click here for a Day on the Hill registration form.
As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me by e-mail at Rbradshaw@iiav.com or through my cell phone at 804-929-4134
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