WASHINGTON, D.C., June 10, 2008—The following is a statement from Bob Rusbuldt, President & CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big "I") concerning today’s U.S. House Subcommittee on Capital Markets hearing on the Insurance Information Act, H.R. 5840. 

“Today’s hearing highlighted the improvements made to H.R. 5840.  We commend Chairman Paul Kanjorski for making these changes and for his willingness to consider additional revisions to this legislation.  Although progress has been made, concerns remain in areas such as preemption and data collection.  We look forward to working with Chairman Kanjorski and other Members of the Subcommittee as they consider this bill and H.R. 5611 (NARAB II), much-needed legislation to reform nonresident agent licensing that enjoys strong bipartisan support.” 

Founded in 1896, the Big “I” is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com. 

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