Following the disappointing veto by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul of PIANY’s top legislative priority—which would have made photo inspection system optional in the state—PIANY has been working tirelessly to include this issue in the governor’s executive budget.
PIANY is excited to announce that those advocacy efforts have paid off. The governor released her Executive Budget yesterday and the photo inspection bill was included [Part W of the Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conversation bills].
This is great news for New York consumers, as we are one significant step closer to eliminating this outdated requirement.
What would change
Under the act, insurance companies would be permitted to waive the right to conduct photo inspections. To do so, insurance companies will be required to file a statement of operation with the New York State Department of Financial Services. The statements will take effect upon the carrier’s filing.
If enacted the act would go into effect 180 days after it becomes law. In addition, there is a sunset clause. The law automatically will be repealed on Friday, Oct. 1, 2027—unless the Legislature acts prior to that date to extend the waiver program.
While passage of photo inspection reform took a big step forward yesterday, the fight continues. In the coming days and weeks, PIANY will be talking with state Senate and Assembly members to ensure photo inspections stays in the budget and we need your help!
PIANY asks all association members to participate in a grassroots campaign to encourage their elected officials to support this important issue. To do so, click this link to send a letter to your elected officials. The whole process takes less than 30 seconds!
Get involved
If you want to get involved with PIANY’s legislative and advocacy work, there are many ways to engage with the association:
- participate in PIANY’s District Office Visit Program;
- become a member of Agents Advocacy Coalition; and
- watch your PIA Northeast publications and PIA Northeast’s social-media channels for important New York updates, and share them with your followers.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq., joined PIA as government affairs counsel for the Government & Industry Affairs Department in 2012 and then, after a four-month leave, he returned to the association in 2018 as director of government & industry affairs responsible for all legal, government relations and insurance industry liaison programs for the five state associations. Prior to PIA, Brad worked as an attorney for Steven J. Baum PC, in Amherst, and as an associate attorney for the law office of James Morris in Buffalo. He also spent time serving as senior manager of government affairs as the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, a chamber of commerce serving the Buffalo, N.Y., region, his hometown. He received his juris doctorate from Buffalo Law School and his Bachelor of Science degree in Government and Politics from Utica College, Utica, N.Y. Brad is an active Mason and Shriner.
