New York Senator, Kentucky Representative Named NAMIC's 2024 State Legislators of the Year
DENVER (Sept. 24, 2024) – The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies announced today that Democratic New York state Sen. Neil Breslin and Republican Kentucky state Rep. Sarge Pollock have been named the association’s State Legislators of the Year.
Breslin was tapped as one of the top state legislators for 2024 for his 27 years of leadership in sponsoring and supporting legislation to improve insurance public policy in New York, as well as promoting such public policy with the National Council of Insurance Legislators, where he holds membership. As in previous years, Breslin was the only member of his party to oppose a sweeping expansion of wrongful death litigation promoted by the plaintiff’s bar – a bill that has twice been vetoed by the governor. He has also opposed several underwriting prohibition bills, a bad faith measure, and a bill to remove the lead paint exclusion from insurance policies, recognizing the negative effects these measures would have on the New York insurance marketplace and its ability to serve consumers.
“Senator Breslin is a beacon of rationality, fairness, and common sense even when others in the Senate or in his party advance anti-business legislation and bills that benefit plaintiffs’ attorneys,” said Neil Alldredge, president and CEO of NAMIC. “He has sponsored practically every positive bill of importance to the insurance industry and the policyholders it serves in New York.
“Beyond New York, Breslin has been leader nationally through his work at NCOIL,” Alldredge continued. “He’s also a friend and the kind of leader we need more of in the country. He’ll be missed as he moves into retirement at the end of his term.”
Pollock was also recognized as a top state legislator for sponsoring five property/casualty insurance bills during the 2024 session in Kentucky, four of which were successfully signed into law. These were the NCOIL Delivery Network Company model, Strengthen Kentucky Homes Act, a workers’ compensation bill, and the NAIC model on group capital calculation.
“Thanks to Representative Pollock, these bills were the backbone of a banner year for the insurance industry in Kentucky,” Alldredge said. “The DNC bill passed without opposition in any committee or chamber and had full support from all legislators, which further highlights Representative Pollock’s importance to the insurance industry’s continued success in the state.”
Each year, NAMIC awards the State Legislator of the Year to one or more deserving state lawmakers for their support of free-market principles and strong advocacy to improve the insurance market in their states.
-30-
NAMIC membership reflects many of the country’s largest national insurers as well as regional and local mutual insurance companies on main streets across America. NAMIC members write $391 billion in annual premiums and account for 68 percent of homeowners, 56 percent of the automobile, and 31 percent of the business insurance markets.
Article Posted: 09.24.24
Last Updated: 09.23.24
