PIAW establishes award for Wisconsin legislators supporting insurance sector

The Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin (PIAW) has established a new award in recognition of Wisconsin legislators who demonstrate their dedication to improving the insurance sector, with state assembly member Kevin Petersen being named as its first recipient.

PIAW said the Legislative Excellence Award was created to recognize the accomplishments of lawmakers that have demonstrated their support for key industry issues, as well as keeping the state “a flourishing place for independent agents to do business.” It will be given annually to a member of each legislative house, with the PIAW Legislative Committee selecting recipients through an evaluation of legislators’ contributions during the session and throughout their legislative career.

The first assembly member to receive the award is Kevin Petersen (pictured above, center). He is vice-chair of the assembly committee on insurance and was recently elected as Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore.

Representative Petersen authored 2021 Wisconsin Act 73, which introduces new standards for insurance cybersecurity in Wisconsin. The act was derived from model legislation by the National Association of Insurance Commissioner and was considered a priority issue for PIAW during the 2021-2022 legislative session.

Former PIAW president Julie Ulset presented the award to Peterson at the State Capitol earlier this week with other PIAW Legislative Committee members in attendance.

“This session, Representative Petersen helped enact important legislation for insurance cybersecurity,” said Ulset. “He worked continuously over multiple sessions to create a final bill that will protect consumer data and help to keep the insurance industry strong. We look forward to working with him in his future roles.”

PIAW is a trade association comprising independent agents and other insurance professionals. It provides professional education, advocacy, and other services throughout the state. Last year, it had voiced its support for legislation looking to abolish the Federal Insurance Office.

“Wisconsin’s Office of the Commissioner of Insurance does a better job of overseeing the industry and protecting consumers than federal regulators ever could,” said PIAW executive director Peter Hanson in 2021. “The FIO represents an ill-conceived power grab.”