March 2025 Newsletter

Fighting to Protect BRIM Coverage

Over the past several weeks, our members have been hard at work pushing back against HB 2015, a bill that would extend the moratorium on new or additional BRIM insurance coverage for volunteer fire departments, EMS agencies, local governments, and nonprofits. This legislation would also give BRIM the authority to non-renew current coverage for these critical entities—putting public safety and essential services at risk across West Virginia.

We’re incredibly proud of and grateful for the many members who have stepped up—making calls, sending emails, submitting public comments, and even visiting the Capitol to meet directly with legislators. Your advocacy is making a difference and showing lawmakers just how vital BRIM coverage is to our communities.

This fight isn’t over yet, but thanks to your continued efforts, our voice is being heard loud and clear under the dome.

Also, in relation to BRIM, HB 3516 was introduced in House Judiciary last week, which will amend the limit of liability insurance provided through the Board of Risk Management, the time period within which suits must be filed and will immunize state employees from personal liability except for orders of restitution by a court following conviction of a crime. This legislation provides: If any person to whom the right accrues to bring any personal action, suit, or scire facias, or any bill to repeal a grant, shall be, at the time the same accrues, an infant or insane, the same may be brought within the like number of years after his or her becoming of full age or sane that is allowed to a person having no such impediment to bring the same after the right accrues, or after such acknowledgement as is mentioned in S55-2-8 of this code, except that it shall in no case be brought after 20 years from the time when the right accrues. This bill passed out of committee and is on 2nd reading in the House.

Another piece of legislation, HB 3513 will establish standards of liability and insurance requirements in certain civil actions originated last week in House Judiciary. The Big I has worked on this liability legislation for the past year in an effort to be able to serve our clients. This legislation has passed out of House Judiciary and is on first reading on the House Floor.

In addition to these bills, we are also watching many other bills on behalf of the Big I. For a full list, click here.



Capito Reacts to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services job cuts and Secretary Kennedy’s Proposed SNAP Benefit Changes

Before the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services comes to West Virginia on Friday to discuss changes to SNAP benefits and food dyes, he announced that the department would be cutting 10,000 jobs.

Beverage Industry Responds to New Dye Ban Law

Those in the beverage industry say Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s decision to ban certain food dyes in West Virginia will do more harm than good.

Revenue Collections Above Estimates for February

The West Virginia Department of Revenue is reporting that state revenue collections in February exceeded estimates by $33.7 million.

NFIP Reauthorized in Recent Government Funding Bill

Last week, the U.S. Senate passed a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through Sept. 30 and included a short-term reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Treasury Suspends Enforcement of Corporate Transparency Act

The U.S. Department of Treasury announced it will not enforce the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) beneficial ownership reporting rule, which would have impacted many small businesses.

2025 Big ‘I’ Legislative Conference: Registration Now Open  

Registration for the 2025 Big “I" Legislative Conference is now open! The premier event for independent agents will take place April 30-May 2 at The Westin Washington, D.C. Downtown Hotel. 

Register and attend for your opportunity to join other agents and speak to legislators in a unified voice.