Legislative Session Update
As reported previously, the New York State Legislature concluded their legislative session on June 10 with their traditional flurry of legislative activity with 461 bills passing both houses during the final week.

As a point of reference, 892 bills passed both houses this session which began in January. Of the 892 measures, 652 have yet to be delivered to be Governor which is not atypical for this point in the year. We anticipate that most of these measures will be enacted into law with most of the vetoes occurring at the end of the year. It is unclear at this point what impact the pending investigations of the Executive Chamber will have if any on this process.

In a sign that the world is returning to some sense of normalcy, the State Capital is now open to the public.

June 22 was primary day in New York State. Due to the new ranked voting methodology, the winner in the NYC Democratic mayoral primary has not been declared but it appears that Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams is the favorite to occupy Gracie Mansion next January.

As an aside, every state legislator seeking local office in New York City lost on primary day.

In Buffalo, Democratic Social of America member India Walton decisively upset four-term Mayor Byron Brown in the Democratic primary. Ms. Walton is the overwhelming favorite to be the next Mayor of Buffalo.

Finally, State Senator Todd Kaminsky has announced his candidacy for Nassau County District Attorney.

The New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, has ruled that state Insurance Regulation 187, “Suitability and Best Interests in Life Insurance and Annuity Transactions,” is unconstitutional. A 2018 amendment to Regulation 187 imposed a complicated new standard of care on annuity recommendations and broadened the scope of the regulation to include life insurance as well as annuity products.

Legislative Update from GreenbergTraurig, NAIFA-New York's lobbyists

The New York chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) has reached an agreement with Greenberg Traurig under which the firm will represent the advocacy interests of NAIFA-New York with state legislators and regulators. Greenberg Traurig is a global law firm with offices around the country, including in Albany and New York City.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors’ New York chapter (NAIFA-New York) and the Life Insurance Council of New York, Inc. (LICONY) will collaborate in 2021 and beyond on issues that are important to agents and advisors, the industry, and the consumers they serve.  

New York is one of three states to have implemented annuity transactions rules for producers that create a best interest standard in line with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation. NAIFA is urging other states to adopt the NAIC model, which would enhance consumer protections while ensuring agents and advisors are able to effectively continue serving consumers in New York.