Waukesha Times

Wisconsin State Representative Scott Fitzgerald has expressed concerns over the Federal Insurance Office's (FIO) recent efforts to collect insurance underwriting data related to "climate risk." He described these actions as those of "unelected bureaucrats" that should not be involved in insurance regulation.

"FIO's recent push to collect insurance underwriting data under the guise of climate risk is just another example of unelected bureaucrats advancing a political agenda that has no place in insurance regulation," said U.S. Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wi).

According to a press release, Fitzgerald reintroduced the Insurance Data Protection Act, which aims to limit FIO's authority by repealing its subpoena power and restricting its data collection from state insurance regulators. The bill seeks to reinforce state regulation of insurance, a practice that has been in place for nearly 150 years. This move comes in response to FIO’s increased data requests under the Biden-Harris Administration, including a proposal to collect climate-related financial risk information without coordinating with state regulators.

The FIO was established under the Dodd-Frank Act and has not issued any subpoenas. However, concerns have arisen as the office expanded its influence over state insurance regulation. The proposed legislation intends to prevent future encroachment by removing the potential for subpoena use and limiting FIO’s data authority. Major insurance industry groups, such as the American Council of Life Insurers and the American Property & Casualty Insurance Association, support this bill.

"The Insurance Data Protection Act curbs this federal overreach by repealing FIO’s coercive subpoena powers and strengthening safeguards for consumer data—so Americans can be confident their personal information isn’t being misused," said Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald represents Wisconsin’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. His previous experience includes serving in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1995 to 2021, where he held positions such as Majority Leader and Minority Leader. He is an alumnus of Hustisford High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Additionally, Fitzgerald served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 27 years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.