The mission statement of the Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island (IIARI) requires active engagement in the legislative and regulatory process given its' impact on member agents and their customers. In 1984, IIARI's Government Affairs Committee began to work in conjunction with National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors - Rhode Island (NAIFA-RI) on legislative and regulatory issues.
The Government Affairs Committee meets regularly to review legislation introduced in the State House that impacts our interests. These regular meetings, comprised of volunteer members of both organizations, meet to review each piece of legislation that potentially touches our business. IIARI and NAIFA-RI employ a contract lobbyist to represent our interests who is supported and supplemented by volunteers and staff that are also registered, legislative lobbyists.
In 1984 IIARI established the Independent Insurance Agents of Rhode Island Political Action Committee (IIARI PAC). IIARI PAC supports candidates for the State Legislature who express or demonstrate a willingness to generally support small business interests, the American Agency System, and insurance consumers. Every member is encouraged to support candidates in their own districts. Supporting IIARI PAC in addition to personal advocacy helps us to be recognized as a political force. PAC's can't buy votes but helps open doors so our pro-business and pro-consumer message can be heard.
IIARI membership also means representation in Washington, D.C. The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, Inc. (IIABA) maintains a lobbying office on Capitol Hill to protect member agents' interests. IIABA is recognized as an influential industry-leading lobbying group.
To learn more about getting involved, contact IIARI at 732-2400 or email Mark Male at mark.male@iiari.com.