The National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) has announced its committee chairs and vice chairs for 2026, naming a bipartisan group of state lawmakers to guide the organization's policy agenda over the coming year.
NCOIL president Paul Utke, a Minnesota state senator, highlighted the dedication of the incoming leaders.
"These chairs and vice-chairs have each demonstrated a strong dedication to the organization over the years, and I’m grateful for their willingness to step forward and serve in these leadership positions," Utke said.
Committee leadership for 2026
Rep. Ellyn Hefner of Oklahoma will chair the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws Committee, with Rep. Bill Sutton of Kansas as vice chair, while Asm. Erik Dilan of New York will lead the Joint State-Federal Relations and International Insurance Issues Committee, supported by vice chair Rep. Michael Meredith of Kentucky.
The Audit Committee will be chaired by Rep. Edmond Jordan of Louisiana, with Rep. Matt Lehman of Indiana serving as vice chair. In Life Insurance and Financial Planning, Rep. David LeBoeuf of Massachusetts assumes the chair with Sen. Justin Boyd of Arkansas as vice chair. Rep. Jim Dunnigan of Utah will lead the Budget Committee, alongside vice chair Rep. Barbara Dittrich of Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, the NCOIL-NAIC Dialogue will continue under co-chairs Rep. Edmond Jordan of Louisiana and Sen. Walter Michel of Mississippi. Asm. Jarett Gandolfo of New York will chair the Financial Services and Multi-Lines Issues Committee, with Asm. Tim Grayson of California as vice chair. Sen. Lana Theis of Michigan takes the helm of the Property and Casualty Insurance Committee, supported by vice chair Del. Walter Hall of West Virginia. Rep. Michael Sarge Pollock of Kentucky will chair the Health Insurance and Long-Term Care Issues Committee, with Sen. Mary Felzkowski of Wisconsin as vice chair. Workers’ Compensation Insurance will be led by Rep. Brian Lampton of Ohio, with Rep. Mark Tedford of Oklahoma as vice chair. Asw. Pamela Hunter of New York will chair the Nominating Committee, and Rep. Carl Anderson of South Carolina serves as chairman at large.
Market implications
NCOIL CEO Will Melofchik said the committee appointments reflect both the depth of experience and the organization’s ongoing commitment to a state-based regulatory system. He noted that the leadership team will work with the broader membership to advance model legislation that protects consumers while reinforcing state authority in insurance oversight.
For the market, the bipartisan and experienced composition signals continuity in NCOIL’s approach to key areas including property and casualty regulation, multi-line insurance policy development, and coordination with federal and international regulatory stakeholders.
Among the committees, those expected to have the most direct impact on market-moving legislation in 2026 include property and casualty insurance, financial services and multi-lines issues, and life insurance and financial planning. These committees oversee policy proposals affecting underwriting standards, liability frameworks, and capital management practices for insurers.
The Health Insurance and Long-Term Care Issues Committee may influence regulations around benefit design and access, while the Joint State-Federal Relations and International Insurance Issues Committee could affect cross-border insurance rules and federal coordination.
