Idaho — Idaho DOI to Allow for Temporary Resident Insurance Producer Licenses: Director Dean L. Cameron has authorized the Idaho Department of Insurance to allow applicants for resident insurance producer licenses to request a temporary license, pending review of their criminal history reports.
Idaho Code requires applicants for resident insurance producer licenses to submit their fingerprints as part of a criminal background review. However, due to circumstances outside the DOI’s control, electronic fingerprinting is currently unavailable. The Department is working with other state agencies to resolve this issue. Until resolved, new applicants have to utilize and submit physical fingerprints on paper ‘hard cards’.
“The current process takes longer than the electronic review process and may lead to undue delay,” said Director Cameron. “Such delays impact the insurance-buying public by limiting the availability of newly qualified insurance agents. We believe this bulletin is in the public’s best interest.”
Idaho Code authorizes the Department to issue temporary licenses to applicants pending the receipt of the criminal background check report if all other licensing requirements have been met. Temporary licenses are valid for a period not to exceed 180 days and may be revoked without the right to a prior hearing if the interests of insureds or the public are endangered.
License applicants who wish to receive the temporary license while waiting for the background review may complete the Temporary Resident Producer License Request Form online at doi.idaho.gov and submit it via email to agent@doi.idaho.gov.
Bulletin 23-06 “Temporary Producer License Request Pending Fingerprint Hard Card Results” can be viewed in its entirety on the DOI website at https://doi.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/ID/B23-06.pdf.
Idaho — Temporary Producer License Request Pending Fingerprint Hard Card Results: This Bulletin exercises the Director’s authority to allow applicants for resident insurance producer licenses to request a temporary license pending review of their criminal history reports.
Idaho Code § 41-1007(1)(b) requires applicants for resident insurance producer licenses to submit their fingerprints as part of a criminal background review. Due to circumstances outside the Department’s control, electronic fingerprinting is currently unavailable. Applicants therefore must utilize and submit physical fingerprints on paper ‘hard cards’ instead. This process takes longer than the electronic review process and may lead to undue delay. Such delays impact the insurance buying public by compressing the availability of qualified agents that sell and service insurance.
Idaho Code § 41-1015 authorizes the Department to issue temporary licenses to applicants pending the receipt of the criminal background check report if, per Idaho Code § 41-4011, all other licensing requirements have been met. Temporary licenses are valid for a period not to exceed one hundred and eighty (180) days and may be revoked without the right to a prior hearing if the interests of insureds or the public are endangered.
Therefore, due to delays in fingerprinting, it is in the public interest that the Department authorizes applicants for individual resident producer licenses to request temporary licenses pursuant to Idaho Code § 41-1011. Such requests must be made on the attached form which is also available on the Department’s website. The form sets forth clarifying guidance for the temporary license. The option to request a temporary license will be available until this Bulletin is rescinded.
This Bulletin is not new law but exercises authority as authorized by law. Requests for additional information or other inquiries regarding this Bulletin can be directed to Company Activities Bureau Chief/Chief Examiner, Eric Fletcher at 208-334-4230 or Eric.Fletcher@doi.idaho.gov.
View this bulletin online — https://doi.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/ID/B23-06.pdf
Nevada — Friday Health Plans of Nevada in Receivership: Friday Health Plans of Nevada has been ordered into receivership by the 8th Judicial District Court of Nevada. The state’s insurance commissioner, Scott Kipper has been named as the receiver.
The order lets him take over day-to-day operations and to examine the company’s finances to best determine how to protect creditors and policyholders.
Source link: Insurance Journal — https://bit.ly/3NrGXMY
Oregon — Senate Passes Bipartisan Wildfire Prevention and Protection: The Oregon Senate passed a package of legislation that builds on the work that previous legislatures have done to protect our communities from devastating wildfires. With this new legislation, lawmakers are focused on improving our emergency management system and encouraging wildfire preparation and education.
House Bill 2522 directs the State Fire Marshal to conduct a full overview of rural fire protection-related laws to modernize and streamline our processes and programs. It has been more than 65 years since Oregon’s rural fire protection codes have been reviewed for modernization. Rural fire protection is facing many challenges and this bill will act as a step toward remedies.
“Our society and the wildfires we face are much different today than they were in the 1950s,” said Senator Jeff Golden (D-Ashland), chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources. “It is time to modernize these programs and streamline our fire protection response in rural areas. It is a basic matter of public safety.”
House Bill 2484 sets up better coordination of Oregon’s urban search and rescue program to save lives when catastrophic events occur and requires the department to study the needs of the program. This increased coordination will help fill gaps in our search and rescue teams that our current local fire departments are not able to carry out.
“Climate-related disasters in Oregon are on the rise. In the face of extreme heat, wildfires, winter storms and floods, we must act to mitigate the impact of future accidents and disasters for the safety of all Oregonians,” said Senator Deb Patterson (D-Salem).
House Bill 2902 encourages wildfire preparation and recovery to be taught in schools to better prepare Oregon students for fire emergencies. Currently, schools are encouraged to prepare students in case of earthquakes, tsunamis, safety treats, and other regional specific natural disasters.
“Unfortunately, we live in a state where devastating wildfires are all too common,” said Senator James Manning (D-Eugene). “Hopefully, by teaching our students about wildfire safety, they can bring that knowledge home and help all of our families feel a little more prepared for future wildfire seasons.”
House Bill 3485 makes the Oregon State Fire Marshal its own entity to improve wildfire response, collaboration across the state, and customer service.
“The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office plays a critical role in emergency management coordination in Oregon,” Senator Floyd Prozanski (D-Eugene). “By making them more independent, we can improve collaboration, expedite our emergency responses, and save lives.”
House Bill 2294 will dedicate $20 million to establish grants for local communities to develop firefighter apprenticeship programs to address Oregon’s firefighter shortage, reduce barriers to hiring, and improve diversity within our firefighter troops.
“As our communities and families faced devastating wildfires, Oregon has not been able to keep up with enough firefighters on the front lines,” Senator Aaron Woods (D Woodburn). “By investing in our local communities today, we will better prepare our state for potential future disasters.”
