Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development Task Force Update from the 51st ALEC Annual Meeting

This July, ALEC hosted its 51^st Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. In addition to hearing from Kansas House Majority Leader and CIED Task Force Chair Chris Croft about Kansas’ successful fight to pass a REINS Act-style bill, members of the Commerce, Insurance, and Economic Development (CIED) Task Force also voted on an array of model policies submitted for consideration. The policies and amendments approved by the task force have also received final approval from the ALEC Board of Directors and are listed below.

1. Stop Squatters Act

This policy forbids individuals from trespassing into properties that are not owned by them. It ensures the rights of property owners, provides homeowners solutions against squatters, and increases the penalty for squatters. This policy was passed by both the CIED Task Force and the American City Council Exchange (ACCE).

2. Public Employee’s Bill of Rights

While in many states public employees are represented by public sector union officials, many employees are not satisfied with their union representation and find it challenging to understand union policies. This model policy allows for public employees to freely express their concerns with union officials, urge transparency from union leadership, and demand change when the acts of a union negatively affect employees. Instead of expanding government programs, this model policy ensures the employees’ private right of action.

3. An Act to Establish the Regulatory Management

This policy creates an Office of Regulatory Management. The goal of this office is to promote transparency, reduce needless regulations, and ensure that new regulations are sensible and cost-effective. This act also allows for the Office of Regulatory Management to serve as a regulatory framework including several regulatory reform endeavors such as enforcing requirement caps, cost/benefit qualifications, regulatory sandboxes, and a regulatory budget.

4. Military Spouse Licensure Act

This policy allows military spouses to use active licenses from one state to another to acquire employment. The policy ensures that military spouses can obtain employment without having to receive a license in their new state of residency.

5. Earned Wage Access Act – Amendments to existing model policy

This Act provides the definitions, operations, and enforcement of Earned Wage Access Services. Earned Wage Access allows employees to receive their paycheck before payday with the goal of closing the gap between earning money and receiving it.

Amendments clarified the definition of “provider” and removed registration and reporting requirements.

6. Resolution Reaffirming Support for the U.S. State- Based System of Title Insurance Regulation in Response to Growing Federal Encroachment.

This resolution reasserts support for the state-based title insurance system during a time of federal government overreach. The resolution provides reassurance as the federal government attempts to undermine the current state-based title insurance system. This resolution aims to ensure the federal government does not participate in unnecessary bureaucracy or impose title insurance regulations. The resolution was passed by the CIED Task Force and the Federalism and the International Relations (FIR) Task Force.

7. Resolution Opposing the Imposition or Expansion of Digital Trade Barriers

This resolution opposes the increased digital trade barriers that obstruct growth and innovation within the digital economy. The passing of this resolution serves as a call to Congress to advance and support international efforts focused on promoting an open and just digital trade atmosphere. The resolution was passed by both the CIED Task Force and the Federalism and International Relations (FIR) Task Force.

ALEC States and Nation Policy Summit

The next ALEC conference is the 2024 States and Nation Policy Summit, scheduled for December 3-5 in Washington, D.C.

Click here to register.