Fla. Delegation to Discuss Key Issues, Attend Washington, D.C. Summit

The Professional Insurance Agents of Florida has announced that a seven-member delegation including Mark O’Connell, president, will participate in PIA’s 2006 Federal Legislative Summit and voice their opinions about key issues to members of the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. PIA of Florida said its top concerns are:

Supporting state-based regulation of insurance by opposing calls for optional federal charters for insurers, which PIA says would enable insurance companies to bypass state-specific consumer protections by seeking a federal charter.

Advocating for the creation of a national natural catastrophe plan that PIA says would improve the availability, affordability and stability of property insurance in catastrophe prone areas, as well as the economic viability of America’s local communities.

Other issues PIA members will focus on during the 2006 PIA Federal Legislative Summit include long-term solutions to ensure the availability of terrorism insurance, reform of the National Flood Insurance Program and crop insurance.

In addition to agent visits on Capitol Hill, PIA has scheduled meetings with officials of the federal agency that oversees the federal aspects of crop insurance.

The Florida delegation will include: O’Connell; Lori Williams, J Meyers Insurance Group, Orlando; Brian Marino, Family Insurance Services, Pembroke Pines; Bob Fowinkle, Moore Fowinkle & Schroer Agency, Bradenton; Donnie McMahon, McMahon-Hadder Insurance Inc., Pensacola; Sergio Gonzalez, SG & Assoc. Insurance Brokers Inc., Miami; and Larry Willis, Annette Willis Insurance Agency, Miami.

PIA members will visit Florida Senators Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson, Representatives Jeff Miller, Jim Davis and Debbie Wasserman Schultz in their Capitol Hill offices to discuss issues important to professional, independent insurance agents and small businesses.

Prior to these meetings, the delegation will attend special presentations by Congressional leaders and briefings on PIA’s current legislative initiatives conducted by National PIA’s government affairs staff.

Topics Florida Washington