Around the PIA Western Alliance States – Week of March 23, 2026

Idaho — March is Flood Awareness Month: March is Flood Awareness Month, and the Idaho Department of Insurance (DOI) is reminding Idahoans that flooding is one of the most common and costly natural disasters in the country. Floods can occur anywhere—from overflowing rivers to heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt—and even a few inches of water can cause significant damage to homes and businesses.

The DOI encourages Idaho homeowners and business owners to assess their flood risk using FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center (https://bit.ly/4uNXcIL) and to consider purchasing a flood insurance policy. Standard homeowners’ policies do not cover flood damage, meaning a separate policy is required for protection.

Residents in low or moderate risk areas are still five times more likely to experience flood damage than a house fire over a 30-year period. Despite this, NFIP data shows that Idaho has just over 5,600 flood insurance policies in effect statewide.

“Just one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage,” said Director Dean L. Cameron. “Flooding can be emotionally and financially devastating. Flood insurance is one of the best ways to protect your home, your property, and your peace of mind.”

Flood insurance can be purchased through insurance companies or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by FEMA. Because flood policies typically come with a 30‑day waiting period, Idahoans are encouraged to review their coverage well before spring runoff or severe weather. For many households, NFIP coverage can cost less than $400 per year. The Idaho DOI does not regulate NFIP or its rates.

More information about flood insurance is available from your insurance agent or at www.floodsmart.gov. Additional resources on flood preparedness can be found at doi.idaho.gov. Consumers who have questions or need assistance can also contact the Idaho Department of Insurance Consumer Services team at 208-334-4319 for support.

Oregon — Oregon Legislature Wrap Up: This report comes from PIA Oregon Lobbyist, United Strategies and Consulting.

The Professional Insurance Agents of Oregon is a state-wide professional membership trade association. Our services are focused on the independent property and casualty agency that includes legislative advocacy and government affairs.

You are receiving this communication to update you on legislative activity in the state of Oregon. 

Your participation — whether through testimony, outreach, or financial support — plays a critical role in protecting and advancing the interests of independent agents across the state. We’re committed to advocating on your behalf, but we can’t do it alone.

We want to hear from you. Your experiences, concerns, and insights help shape our strategy and strengthen our impact.

 The 2026 Legislative Session, defined by an ambitious policy agenda, a compressed timeline, and heightened political tensions, officially adjourned sine die at 4:18 pm on March 6, 2026. Most bills passed this session take effect on June 5, 2026. Of the 304 bills introduced, 153 passed— a reflection of both the productivity and the limits of Oregon's short session format.

Throughout the 32-day session, key discussions centered around transportation referral processes, responses to federal immigration and customs enforcement actions, federal tax code disconnect, and broader conversations about agency budget reductions as the state grappled with significant fiscal pressures. These issues required extensive negotiation and, at times, contributed to procedural slowdowns as leadership and caucuses worked through policy differences.

Operating under the constraints of Oregon's short legislative session, lawmakers moved quickly to advance bills through committee hearings, work sessions, and floor votes.Deadlines arrived rapidly, resulting in long floor sessions and a fast-paced environment as legislators worked to move priorities forward before adjournment. As is often the case in a campaign year, the session also featured a notable increase in remonstrances and extended floor speeches, with members using floor time to articulate policy positions and speak directly to issues likely to resonate with constituents back home.

Coming into the session, lawmakers faced a dual budget challenge: a roughly $750 million shortfall in the general fund driven primarily by the federal "One Big Beautiful Bill," which reduced Oregon revenues by nearly $900 million and created new administrative costs, and a separate $300 million gap at the Oregon Department of Transportation left unresolved after Republicans referred 2025 transportation fee increases to the ballot.Democrats retained three-fifths supermajorities in both chambers — a critical advantage in Oregon, where that threshold is required to pass new or increased taxes. The final report: https://bit.ly/4d8uLz6

Washington — Clarifying and updating the minimum standards for claims handling proposed rule posted: We have released the proposed rule language on R2025-05. The purposed rules will allow the insurance industry and Washington state consumers to have a more fair and transparent claim process. The proposed rules clarify and add definitions and specific unfair claim practices concerning claims handling, particularly when the insurer is considering coverage determinations, and if coverage is available, the loss and damage valuation that is owed under the policy. The proposed rules add additional requirements for the insurer to provide detailed information to the claimant at certain points in the claim process. 

We scheduled a public hearing on the rule:

When: April 22th, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. 

Where: This is a virtual meeting. Registration can be found here: https://bit.ly/4uNXcIL

Comments on the proposed rule language are due by April 24, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Please send them to rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov.

For more information, including the proposed rule language (CR-102), please visit the rule's webpage.