On July 20, the State-Federal Relations Committee considered a proposed Resolution Opposing Certain Executive Sessions of Public Policy Officials, sponsored by NCOIL Officers, including President Sen. Alan Sanborn (MI), Vice President Rep. Brian Kennedy (RI), Secretary Sen. James Seward (NY), Treasurer Rep. Robert Damron (KY), Executive Committee Chair Rep. George Keiser (ND), as well as Past Presidents Rep. Frank Wald (ND), Rep. Craig Eiland (TX), and Sen. Steven Geller (FL).  The resolution recognizes the importance of Open Meetings Laws and acknowledges certain appropriate exceptions including, discussion of pending litigation, personnel, and budget matters.  

The resolution expresses concern regarding the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) consistent practice of closing meetings for reasons beyond those accepted by Open Meetings Laws, including development of model legislation and legislative strategy.  In addition, the resolution urges the NAIC and all other associations of state officials to conduct all meetings in open session as appropriate. It encourages state legislatures to amend their Open Meetings Laws to address state officials attending out-of-state meetings.

What It Means to Agents:  PIA National supports this resolution and we voiced this support to the legislators at the meeting.  PIA has been expressing our concerns regarding the lack of transparency at the NAIC for quite some time.  We have recently become extremely concerned with secret meetings by their Broker Activities Task Force.

July 31, 2007