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Minutes for HB2461 - Committee on Insurance
Short Title
Prohibiting public adjusters from negotiating for or effectuating the settlement of any insurance claim relating to residential lines of insurance.
Minutes Content for Mon, Jan 26, 2026
The hearing on HB2461 was opened by the Chair. Assistant Revisor Eileen Ma presented a briefing of the contents of the bill and stood for questions. This bill amends the Kansas Public Adjusters Licensing Act (KPALA) by prohibiting a public adjuster from negotiating or settling a claim for loss or damage arising from residential or personal lines of insurance. (Attachment 1)
The Chair invited Steven Karrer, General Council, Kansas Department of Insurance (KDOI), to speak to the neutral position held by the KDOI with respect to this bill. The KDOI actively regulates public adjusters for claims arising under commercial lines, insurance contracts pursuant to KPALA. There are approximately 347 public adjusters licensed in Kansas pursuant to this act; most are for non-resident (commercial) public adjusters. Numerous inquiries from Kansans seeking clarification of the intent of KPALA led the KDOI to seek an opinion from the Kansas Attorney General which found that KPALA neither regulates nor prohibits public adjusting for claims arising under residential lines insurance contracts. The conferee stood for questions. (Attachment 2)
Two opponents to the bill were present; Jade Bentz, a licensed a public adjuster speaking for the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and David Cowen, private citizen.
Ms. Bentz argued this act would favor insurers and leave consumers without meaningful representation. Additionally, Ms. Bentz questioned why public adjusters are fully licensed for commercial and residential claims in 46 of 50 states plus the District of Columbia, making Kansas the only state specifically prohibiting the practice of public adjusters handling residential claims. The conferee stood for questions. (Attachment 3)
Mr. Cowen, private citizen, made his case for opposition of this bill in a detailed-outlined presentation. The conferee stood for questions.(Attachment 4)
Written only testimony in opposition of the bill was submitted by Melvin Hicks, retired CPCU. (Attachment 5)
Proponent testimony was given by Marlee Carpenter representing the Kansas Association of Property and Casualty Insurance Companies (KAPCIC). Primarily, the argument of the KAPCIC is that if this bill is not passed the cost of insurance premiums will rise for consumers. The conferee stood for questions; questions from committee members resulting in the following actions to be taken:
- obtain statistical data on the percentage of claims that utilize a public adjuster compared to those handled directly by insurance companies.
- follow up with the KDOI to gather information on the number of public adjusters registered in Kansas
- gather statistics comparing insurance rates in Kansas to the other 46 states allowing public adjusters for residential claims.
- research research recent changes in stae4s that have allowed residential public adjusters and the impact on insurance rates following those changes.
- provide clarity on the original intent of public adjusters in relation to catastrophic events and their role in both commercial and residential claims. (Attachment 6)
Written only proponent testimony was provided by the following:
- Brian Schmidt, Vice President Claims, Farmers Alliance Mutual Insurance Company (Attachment 7)
- Joseph Molina for Kansas Bar Association (Attachment 8)
- Scott Kibbe for American Property Casualty Insurance Association (Attachment 9)
- Justin Lear, CEO, Eagle Mutual, Ellinwood, KS (Attachment 10)
- Phillip Arnzen, Regional Vice President, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (Attachment 11)
The Chair closed the hearing on HB2461.
The Chair adjourned the meeting at approximately 5:00 PM
