NCOIL Names New Officers at Annual Meeting

The National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) said it elected a new slate of officers at its Annual National Meeting.

Texas Representative Tom Oliverson will serve as president; New York Assemblywoman Pamela Hunter was elected as vice president; Minnesota Senator Paul Utke will serve as Treasurer; and Louisiana Representative Edmond Jordan will serve as secretary. NCOIL said this new slate of officers features a majority-diverse group for the first time in its history.

Outgoing president, Arkansas Representative Deborah Ferguson, will become immediate past president. She concluded her term as president at the conclusion of the meeting in Columbus, Ohio earlier this month.

“In addition to advancing our policy priorities, we have strived this past year to create an atmosphere that is more welcoming for people of diverse viewpoints to contribute to our discussions which really is key in reaching consensus on the issues,” said Ferguson. “As our membership has changed, so too has our Officer Group evolved naturally so that over the past few years has come to be more reflective of America as a whole.”

“Diverse perspectives are essential to the success of any organization especially one that influences public policy in every state across the country,” Ferguson added. “Having a majority-diverse officer group that encompasses a range of talent, thought, and background will serve NCOIL well in the years to come.”

The meeting’s agenda featured discussions on topics such as the continued growth and prevalence of artificial intelligence; the return of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Fiduciary Rule; insurance issues related to catalytic converter theft; medical loss ratios for dental (DLR) health care services plans; public adjuster professional standards reform; third-party litigation funding, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policy; and more.

A general session titled “Artificial Intelligence: A Major Benefit or Likely Menace for Insurance and Society?” was moderated by Oklahoma Representative Forrest Bennett, chair of the NCOIL Financial Services & Multi-Lines Issues Committee. “This was an important session to hold as the rapid development of AI means legislators will have to work quickly to address the concerns surrounding the technology. AI is sure to impact every industry and insurance is no exception,” said Bennett.

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Committee, chaired by Ohio Senator Bob Hackett, met and heard an update on federal workers’ compensation issues. The committee also discussed medical marijuana’s impact on the workers’ compensation marketplace, and overall work comp trends in light of continued advancements in medical treatment and diagnosis.

The meeting also included a dialogue with representatives of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners: Kentucky Commissioner Sharon Clark, Louisiana Commissioner Jim Donelon, Maryland Commissioner Kathleen Birrane, Oklahoma Commissioner Glen Mulready, and Rhode Island Superintendent Beth Dwyer.

NCOIL CEO Commissioner Tom Considine presented the NCOIL Lifetime Achievement award to Donelon.

“Commissioner Jim Donelon is an insurance public policy legend who has been an excellent public servant for the people of Louisiana and has also greatly benefitted public policy nationally through his leadership at the NAIC,” said Considine.

Topics Louisiana