Albany Lobby Day

PIANY met with legislators at their Albany offices during the association’s Agency Advocacy Day, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. PIANY President Jason E. Bartow, AAI, CPIA, TRA; PIANY President-elect Jorge Hernandez; PIANY Treasurer Ed Chadwick; PIANY past President Fred Holender, CLU, CPCU, ChFC, MSFS; PIANY Committee Member Leslie Driscoll, PIANY Member Joanny Baez, PIANY Legislative Representative Patrick Zlogar; PIA Northeast Director of Government & Industry Affairs Bradford J. Lachut, Esq.; and PIA Northeast Government & Industry Affairs Coordinator Joe Ritchie attended meetings throughout the day.

The meetings focused on the association’s 2026 legislative priorities, which include allowing for carryover of continuing-education credits; establishing a unified licensing system; modernizing insurance producer advertising requirements; cracking down on staged motor vehicle accidents; criminalizing staged construction site accidents; and establishing an insurance framework for e-bikes and e-scooters..

The PIANY members met with legislators throughout the day, including Senate Insurance Committee Chairperson Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey, D-36; Assembly Insurance Committee Chairperson Assemblyman David I. Weprin, D-24; as well as with Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., D-15; Sen. Pamela Helming, R-54; Sen. James Skoufis, D-42; Assemblyman Sam Berger, D-27; Assemblymember Steve Stern, D-10; Michael Vita, legislative director for Sen. Jeremy A. Cooney, D-56.

“Meeting directly with state lawmakers to discuss our legislative priorities is a critical part of how PIANY advocates for our members and the insurance-buying public,” said Andrews. “We truly appreciate the legislators who took the time to engage in these important conversations on issues that impact professional, independent insurance agents, consumers, and the business owners they represent.”