These are just a few of the proposals the Department will look to advance through the legislative process next year . For any legislative inquires or concerns , please contact Eric Turek at eric . l . turek @ ks . gov . Additionally , you can sign up and receive the Department ’ s newsletter , the Regulator Roundup , at insurance . kansas . gov / news . •
FROM THE COMMISH
LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW
WHAT WE ' LL BE WORKING TOWARDS IN THE NEXT SESSION written by Commissioner Vicki Schmidt , Kansas Insurance Dept .
We are entering into a busy time of the year – holiday season . In the blink of an eye , it will be a new year , and the start of a new legislative session . As we prepare for this busy season , the Kansas Department of Insurance would like to share some of our goals and policy priorities for 2025 . The Department ’ s continual aim is cutting costs , increasing efficiencies , fighting fraud and protecting Kansas consumers . We aim to achieve these goals through a legislative agenda that features proposals to further reduce fees , expedite consumer advocacy , and issuance of civil penalties for acts of insurance fraud .
In 2023 , the Department spearheaded legislation allowing the Commissioner to lower agent and agency licensure fees . One year after its implementation , the Department is poised to save the industry over $ 500,000 in reduced licensure fees . In 2025 , the Department intends to build off this success and will propose the ability to lower even more fees , and also a lifetime agent appointment model , which will effectively eliminate annual appointment renewal fees for companies . This would create a perpetual appointment process , where the initial appointment payment will be the only payment until appointment termination . It is estimated that this will afford the industry an additional savings of more than $ 6.5 million each year as well . and complaints in a more timely manner .
Another piece of legislation we plan to introduce will allow the Department to issue civil penalties for insurance fraud crimes . Currently , only criminal penalties via the prosecution are authorized by law . This additional authority would not only afford the Department the ability to process more cases , but also combat current cases of insurance fraud , and act as an extra deterrent for future cases of insurance fraud .
These are just a few of the proposals the Department will look to advance through the legislative process next year . For any legislative inquires or concerns , please contact Eric Turek at eric . l . turek @ ks . gov . Additionally , you can sign up and receive the Department ’ s newsletter , the Regulator Roundup , at insurance . kansas . gov / news . •
The Department will also propose to reduce the timeframe insurers and agents must respond to consumer complaints submitted to the Department . Companies are currently required to submit complaint responses through the online SBS portal within fifteen business days . Because responses are now entirely digital , this process has become more efficient and can realistically be hastened . The goal is to help inform and protect consumers and to address their inquiries
32 KANSAS INSURANCE AGENT & BROKER