PUBLISHER ’ S NOTE
A VOICE FOR THE INDUSTRY written by Dave Hulcher
Apart from the June 18th special session , the 2024 Kansas legislative session is in the books .
In this edition , we include a summary of the legislative issues impacting the insurance industry , most significantly highlighting changes to the workers ' compensation law . While the session may be over , advocating for our members at both the state and national levels never stops . Working with the Government Affairs committee , we will continue to identify issues that impact members and lay the groundwork for 2025 . If you have issues of concern , I encourage you to reach out so we can get them on the agenda . With election season in full swing , we will be learning more about candidates that will be supportive of our issues and allocating KIAPAC funds accordingly .
In addition to the legislative recap , this edition of the magazine includes a deeper look at weather trends in Kansas and the United States based on data from NOAA / NCEI . This should be useful information in our continued effort to educate consumers on what is driving market conditions . While the number of tornado events in Kansas is down relative to historic numbers , wind and hail events have spiked in frequency and severity . There ’ s a reason why I have recently become familiar with the meaning of “ convective storms ”! Across the United States , $ 1B storm events have increased to a record number of 28 events . Kansas was affected by 7 of those events in 2023 and 2 so far in 2024 .
As you know , April , May , and June are the most severe weather months for Kansas . While it can be stressful , it also highlights the good that our members bring to their communities .
Stay humble , kind , and thankful ,
2 KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER
KIA & B
MAY / JUNE 2024 • VOLUME 29 No . 3
OFFICERS OF KAIA President : Kevin O ’ Brien | kevin . obrien @ reillyinsurance . com President-Elect : Bryan Schmitz | bryanschmitz @ sbsins . com VP / Treasurer : David Vogel | dvogel @ provalueins . com Secretary / Assistant Treasurer : Brock Elliott | Brock @ elliottinsurancegroup . com National Director : Jo Erin Stuteville | JoErin @ elliottinsurancegroup . com Immediate Past President : Lucas Raleigh | lucas @ releighinsurance . biz
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Zone I Director : Shelby Doty | dotysh @ insurance-planning . com Zone II Director : Bryce Hundley | bryce @ hundleyinsurance . com Director-at-Large : Russell Winn | russell @ winninsurance . com Director-at-Large : Scott Strickland | scotts @ cacu . com Director-at-Large : Cristi Werth | cwerth @ ruraltel . net Director-at-Large Christine Teagarden | christine @ trulyins . com Young Agents Chair : Bryce Burdiek | BryceBurdiek @ sbsins . com
KAIA STAFF & CONSULTANTS Chief Executive Officer : Dave Hulcher COO / General Counsel : Beth Smoller Vice President of Finance : Shannon Bower E & O Program Administrator : Barb Wise AVP of Prof . Dev . & Marketing : Karlyn Judd Director of Marketing : Valerie Gardner Director of Business Development : Patrick McCoy Membership Engagement Specialist : Ruth Wright Office Coordinator : Barb Cobuluis Acct . Managers : Valerie Dunnam & Carolyn Rouse KAIA Lobbyist : Dan Murray
PICTURED ON THE COVER : Kevin O ’ Brien , Luke Hunter , Dave Hulcher , Brock Elliott , Bryce Burdiek , Beth Smoller , Cindy Hower , Jo Erin Stuteville , Bryan Schmitz , Robert Richey and Kristy Wilson .