Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments to chapter 284-17 WAC to enable electronic filing for applications and renewals of agent licenses, establish reciprocity for nonresident "personal lines" licensees, based on their states of residence, clarify and facilitate on-line licensing of insurance agents and brokers (producers), and clarify this state's "affiliation" rules. Amendments may be adopted to WAC 284-17-515 related to professional designations that the office of insurance commissioner will recognize for purposes of waiving prelicensing education requirements.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 48.02.060.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These amendments will help streamline insurance agent/broker (producer) licensing and renewals. The amendments will help align this state's requirements with national standards. National standards for uniformity and reciprocity in personal qualification, education, training and experience of licensed insurance agents were enacted as part of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act at Sections 321 and 322 (P.L. 106-102).

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Submit written comments by March 6, 2008.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kacy Scott, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255, fax (360) 586-3109, e-mail KacyS@oic.wa.gov.

January 23, 2008

Mike Kreidler

Insurance Commissioner

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