Professional Insurance Agents to Hold 2015 Federal Legislative Summit March 25-26

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Members of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) will bring Main Street to Capitol Hill when they convene March 25-26 in Washington, D.C., for the 2015 PIA Federal Legislative Summit (FLS).

The annual PIA Federal Legislative Summit is a gathering of PIA members from around the country who come together to meet with their members of Congress and advocate their positions on issues important to Professional Insurance Agents. During the summit, Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) will receive the 2015 PIA National Legislator of the Year Award.

"A new Congress always brings with it new opportunities," said PIA National President Richard A. Clements. "Issues that have not been at the forefront in recent years, such as tax reform, have a real shot at movement now."

Clements said early indications are favorable for passage of legislation backed by agents. 

Among the top issues for the insurance agents:

PIA has endorsed the Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2015 (H.R. 815), which clarifies that producer compensation will not be considered as part of medical loss ratio (MLR) calculations under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). PIA supports the critical role that independent agents play in the sale and servicing of health insurance.

Agents will oppose a White House proposal that would reduce crop insurance premium subsidies by $16 billion over the next 10 years. In addition:

PIA will advocate for a clear and simple tax code, reducing individual and corporate income tax rates for small businesses, and will oppose tax provisions or regulations that impede small business growth.

PIA supports a modernized state-based insurance system and opposes any federal regulation or international standards that would destabilize or supplant state-based insurance regulations. PIA is also closely monitoring activities of the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), including actions related to producer licensing and international agreements, to ensure that the FIO does not exceed its limited authority.

The 2015 PIA Federal Legislative Summit begins on the evening of Wednesday, March 25, at the Crystal City Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, PIA's headquarters hotel, with an in-depth issues briefing session and Q&A to prepare attendees for their congressional visits. The day ends with a reception hosted by PIA's agency-company council, The PIA Partnership, as well as a fundraising dinner cruise on the Potomac River for the Professional Insurance Agents Political Action Committee (PIAPAC).

The following morning, March 26, PIA members will gather for a kickoff breakfast before making their way to Capitol Hill for a day of advocacy visits with their members of Congress. During the breakfast, Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, will be presented with the 2015 PIA National Legislator of the Year Award. "PIA is thrilled to recognize the congressman for his outstanding achievements as well as his steadfast support of professional, independent insurance agents," said PIA National Director of Federal Affairs Jon Gentile.

"PIA is an active, aggressive, unabashed advocate for agents at the federal and state level," said PIA National Executive Vice President & CEO Mike Becker. "In the first weeks of 2015, we have already seen early success with the renewal of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act and passage of the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers. PIA will continue to tirelessly fight for independent agents as we bring our Advocacy and Policy Priorities for 2015 to Capitol Hill."

For more information, visit the FLS webpage at www.piafls.com.

PIA thanks our FLS Platinum sponsors, Progressive Insurance, The PIA Partnership and EverQuote; Gold sponsor ADM Crop Risk Services; Silver sponsors Liberty Mutual, Nationwide Insurance, State Auto Insurance and The Hartford; and Bronze sponsors Motorists Insurance Group and Wright Flood.

Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA members are Local Agents Serving Main Street America ^SM. PIA's web address is www.pianet.com.

This press release is online at:
www.pianet.com/news/press-releases/2015/piatohold2015fls032315

2015 PIA Policy Priorities:
http://pianet.com/docs/2015/2015piapolicyplan/

SOURCE National Association of Professional Insurance Agents

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