Agents' Advocate Bulletin

PIA Agents’ Advocate bulletin  

May 16, 2017

Commercial Lines Rate and Filing Exemption

The insurance company trade associations introduced SB 985 to exempt certain commercial lines from rate and form filing.  The bill has been amended once in the Senate, and a second amendment is being proposed in the House.  The bill has passed the Senate and was heard in the House on 5/15/17.

The A-engrossed bill can be found at:

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB985/A-Engrossed

The proposed amendment can be found at:

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Downloads/ProposedAmendment/11405

The staff summary of the proposed amendment says in part:

“-A2  Narrows list of insurance exempt from rate and form filing.  Specifies Director of Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) may adopt rule to exempt or amend the rate and form filing requirements for commercial lines of insurance if a requirement is not desirable or necessary to protect the public and if the exemption or amendment would enhance competition.  Deletes permission granted to surplus lines broker to purchase insurance from eligible nonadmitted insurer without making diligent search of admitted insurers.”

DCBS has been involved in the discussion on the proposed amendment.  They believe they have enough rulemaking authority to protect the public.

Here is the testimony from insurance trades supporting SB 985:

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/126615

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/128269

Here is testimony from Red Shield opposing it:

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/116012

Here is testimony from Surplus Lines Association:

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2017R1/Downloads/CommitteeMeetingDocument/116644

Business Tax Discussion

On Thursday of this week I have been invited to meet with Revenue staff to discuss concerns I have been raising about concerns regarding both insurance agent and insurance companies under a proposed new tax structure.

Thanks, Lana

Lana Butterfield
PIAO/I Oregon Lobbyist
P.O. Box 1517
Wilsonville, OR  97070
lanab@teleport.com
503/682-3839 office
503/819-5800 cell