Committee hears bill to allow CE credit for association participation by insurance producers

The House Insurance Committee heard testimony on House Bill 4178 at its meeting, a bill that would allow licensed insurance producers and solicitors to count some active participation in professional associations toward their continuing education (CE) requirements.

Proponents told the committee that associations often provide unpaid, substantive work — including planning and teaching at conferences — but that activity currently does not earn CE credit. Chuck May of NAFA Michigan said the bill would let producers “use the efforts that they put into local organizations such as NEFA” as credit toward their required CE. He told the committee producers currently must complete about 24 hours of CE every two years and that the bill would not allow association participation to count toward the three hours of ethics training required in the same period.

Supporters said the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) would retain oversight of any credits granted. A witness for NAFA Michigan told the committee that DIFS would approve criteria and monitor association-based CE; that DIFS oversight was included in the bill was presented as a key safeguard. Several organizational supporters were listed on testimony cards as not wishing to speak: Parker Fisher (DIFS) was recorded as neutral, while Kathy Cooper (National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals) and Craig Puckett (Big I of Michigan) were listed as supporters.

Committee members asked how association participation would be verified. Committee witnesses and proponents described “active participation” — planning or leading sessions or holding leadership roles — as the qualifying activity, not mere membership or attendance. One proponent said the bill envisions crediting producers who help organize or present approved CE content; the transcript included the guidance, “Active participation is the key. Active participation. Not just be a member.”

Several committee members voiced support. Vice Chair Representative Carter said the bill would help members who attend national or interstate association meetings by crediting that work: “I’m in full support of this legislation,” Carter told the committee, noting practical value from national-group participation. Proponents also said roughly 15 states already allow some form of association participation credit.

The bill’s supporters emphasized limits built into the proposal: association participation would not replace mandated ethics hours; DIFS would approve and monitor which association activities qualified; and credit would apply only to substantive, verifiable participation. The committee read testimony cards in support and neutral positions but did not record a formal committee vote on House Bill 4178 at this meeting.

Following the testimony and the reading of supporting cards, the committee moved to other items on the agenda and took recorded roll-call votes on three different bills later in the same session.