Capitol Update

Things are in full swing at the Capitol, with new legislation being circulated and introduced almost every day. Despite some contention at the beginning of the legislative session, there has been room for bipartisanship between the Democratic Governor and Republican-Majority Legislature. At this point, there have been more than twenty bills been signed into law by the Governor, including two PIA priorities. Hopefully more will be on the way very soon!

One such priority is Senate Bill 160/Assembly Bill 147, which imposes certain requirements related to insurance data cybersecurity and grants exemptions for small businesses. This legislation that has been reintroduced from last session, is based on the NAIC model law that has already been passed in fourteen states and more are sure to follow soon. The Wisconsin version:

• Establishes the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance as the regulating entity for cybersecurity, maintaining state control • Sets cybersecurity standards, reporting requirements and best practices • Protects consumer confidence in our industry • Exempts small businesses with fewer than 50 employees

This legislation has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Science, Technology and Broadband, and the Senate Committee on Insurance, Licensing and Forestry.

On April 1st, the senate committee, chaired by former PIA President Senator Mary Felzkowski, held a hearing on the bill. Current PIA President Julie Ulset testified in front of the committee and conveyed the importance of data security for independent insurance agents, their clients, and the insurance industry as a whole. while also strengthening and clarifying reporting requirements. PIA will continue advocating for the bill to come to a vote by the committee and hopefully the full Senate in the near future.

Furthermore, the state is currently set to receive federal dollars from the American Rescue Plan in the near future. PIA is lobbying for federal dollars to be directed to grants for small businesses that continue to struggle with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state is currently in its biennial budget process. PIA is advocating that broadband infrastructure be made a priority with funding in the budget as well as with the disbursement of federal dollars, so that all areas of Wisconsin may be connected and conduct business at a high level. Ensuring that all of Wisconsin has strong broadband infrastructure will not only help small businesses and the insurance industry but will strengthen all of Wisconsin for the future.

Finally, PIA is always monitoring the legislation being introduced in the Capitol and keeping an eye on anything that may impact the insurance industry. Some bills that may be of interest:

Senate Bill 295 – This bill, authored by Senator LaTonya Johnson and Representative Jonathan Brostoff, would eliminate public official immunity as a defense for civil liability claims against law enforcement officers.

Senate Bill 298 – This bill, authored by Senator Roger Roth and Representative Rachael Cabral-Guevara, would prohibit the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection from creating rules that would prevent dogs from being present on the premises of certain retail establishments.

Senate Bill 301 – This bill, authored by Senate André Jacque and Representative Spiros, would line up current laws regarding the use of recreational vehicles while intoxicated to add consistency.

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The bill stipulates penalties and would require a court to consider previous convictions across all types of recreational vehicles over the past five years.

Continue to stay up to date by checking our Capitol Updates included in every Wisconsin Professional Agent and on our blog at piaw.org.

L-R, Representative Kevin Petersen (RWaupaca) and Senator Pat Testin (R-Stevens Point) Natalie White - PIAW Communications Director

OCI Administrative Actions

Mark V. Afable - Commissioner of the Office of Insurance

Madison, WI—OCI has taken the following administrative actions. In many of these cases the respondent denied the allegations but consented to the action taken. Any forfeitures paid in these administrative actions are deposited in the Common School Fund which is administered by the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. The earnings from this fund are distributed to all public K-12 schools in Wisconsin and are used by school libraries to purchase books. Copies of the administrative action orders may be viewed online at https://ociaccess.oci.wi.gov/OrderInfo/OrdInfo.oci.

OCI is responsible for overseeing the operations and marketing of insurance companies and agents in Wisconsin. OCI encourages anyone with a question or a complaint regarding an insurance company or agent to contact the office at this toll-free telephone number: 1-800-236-8517.

ALLEGATIONS AND ACTIONS AGAINST AGENTS

FEBRUARY 2021

Fred Felder, 31149 Edendale Dr., Wesley Chapel, FL 33543, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

Larry D. Goebel, N5138 State Rd., Fond du Lac, WI 54937, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00 and was ordered to respond to an insurance complaint. These actions were taken based on allegations of failing to timely respond to inquiries from OCI.

Jose L. Gomez, 966 Dartmouth Dr., Wheaton, IL 60189, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

Johnaya Gouard, 5543 Mansfield Pl. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

Barry Gumski, 16 Coolidge Ave., Unit 86, Westford, MA 01886, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00 and was ordered to respond to a consumer complaint. These actions were taken based on allegations of failing to timely respond to inquiries from OCI.

Calgene Hankins, 4964 Frankie Ln., Memphis, TN 38109, agreed to surrender her Wisconsin insurance license. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely disclose administrative actions taken by the states of South Dakota, Missouri, Louisiana, and Illinois and having licensing applications submitted without her knowledge or consent.

Phillip E. Ipsan, 1040 Bayview Dr., Ste. 610, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, was ordered to pay a forfeiture of $500.00 and was ordered to respond to a consumer complaint. These actions were taken based on allegations of failing to respond promptly to inquiries from OCI. based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

John Lord, 5730 St. Angela Dr., North Charleston, SC 29418, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

Colleen O'Connell, 2132 Summit Ave, Altadena, CA 91001, had her application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having criminal convictions that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct and failing to disclose an administrative action taken by the State of California on a licensing application.

Latifah L Parker, 4825 Burnt Oak Dr., Apt. 402, North Chesterfield, VA 23234, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

Chris Petros, 860 Kirkwood Way, Hudson, WI 54016, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having administrative actions taken by the Wisconsin Supreme Court/Office of Lawyer Regulation, failing to disclose all administrative actions on a licensing application, and failing to timely respond to OCI and provide a complete application.

Alfred C. Shellman, 260 Jimmy Ann Dr., Daytona Beach, FL 32114, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

Marcina Stewart, 8225 N FM 620 Rd., Apt. 1221, Austin, TX 78726, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

MARCH 2021

Betty F. Augustin, 6121 Hialeah St., Orlando, FL 32808, had her insurance license inactivated and her application for an insurance license denied. These actions were taken based on allegations of having criminal convictions that may be substantially related

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[Continued from page 12 - OCI Administrative Actions...]

to insurance marketing type conduct and failing to disclose criminal convictions on a licensing application.

Jeffrey J. Bergum, 1814 Brynnwood Trce., New London, WI 54961, agreed to pay a forfeiture of $1,000.00 and agreed to certain disclosure and reporting requirements. These actions were taken based on allegations of charging application fees to consumers without providing written disclosures.

Shana Chism, 26 Cottonwood Ln., Ward, AR 72176, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

Christopher Chung, 1078 S Starr Rd., Apache Junction, AZ 85119, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to timely pay an ordered forfeiture.

Cole P. Cyr, 323 State St., Apt. 405, La Crosse, WI 54601, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of failing to comply with the terms of a Stipulation and Order regarding a forfeiture assessment.

Tyler M. Dillenburg, W9040 Cty. Rd. M, Shawano, WI 54166, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of having a criminal conviction that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct; failing to disclose a criminal conviction and an administrative action taken by WIAA on a licensing application, and failing to apply for and obtain a federal crime waiver.

Nicole R. Etter, 4119 N Woodburn St., Shorewood, WI 53211, had her insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Thomas A Griesman, 416 E Washington St., Burlington, WI 53105, had his insurance license summarily suspended and was ordered to cease and desist all insurance intermediary activities. These actions were taken based on allegations of having pending criminal charges that may be substantially related to insurance marketing type conduct and failing to timely report criminal charges.

Joseph A. Hill, 4848 E Roosevelt St., Apt. 3045, Phoenix, AZ 85008, had his insurance license revoked. This action was taken based on allegations of owing delinquent Wisconsin taxes.

Kyle S. Jobin, 48646 Gratiot Ave., Ste. 101, Chesterfield, MI 48051, had his application for an insurance license denied. This action was taken based on allegations of being named in a lawsuit or arbitration containing allegations of misrepresentation, fraud, or unsuitability.

Dianne-Lynn McLester-Heim, N8258 Cooper Rd, Oneida, WI 54155, had her insurance license summarily suspended and was ordered to cease and desist all insurance intermediary activities. These actions were taken [Continued on page 39]