Monday, August 14

Registration

Ancillary Groups 

 5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
 Delta Ballroom D
 Level 2

Steering Committee Meeting
The Steering Committee is comprised of the Chair and Staff Chair, or their designee, of each Standing Committee and is led by the Officers of the Steering Committee. This meeting will review the Committees’ plans for the Annual Meeting, preview any policies anticipated for debate, and make determinations regarding joint and re-referral of the resolutions.

Presiding:
Senator Don Balfour, Georgia, Chair, NCSL Standing Committees
Margaret Piety, Staff Attorney, Legislative Services Agency, Indiana, Staff Chair, NCSL Standing Committees

Tuesday, August 15

Continental Breakfast 

Registration 

General Session-The Global Edge:  Economic Success in a Competitive World
The challenge of economic competition in a global economy can inspire great ideas, make a company great, generate government innovations, and create prosperity. At this session, panelists will explore strategies for success.

Presiding:
Senator Steven Rauschenberger, Illinois, President, NCSL
Moderator:
Matthew Kisber, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Nashville, Tennessee
Speakers:
James Sasser, Former Ambassador to China, Washington, D.C.
Fredrick W. Smith, Chairman of the Board, FedEx Corporation, Memphis, Tennessee
U.S. Representative John Tanner, Union City, Tennessee

Credit Unions' Dual Chartering
State legislators recognize credit unions as an important option available to constituents in need of financial services, and NCSL policy supports the existing credit union dual chartering system, just as for banks. However, some state legislators are concerned about the changing nature of credit union services, lending practices, and membership definitions. This session will consider some of these issues, how the dual chartering system addresses them, and NCSL's expiring policy.

Moderator:
Senator Ruth Teichman, Kansas, Chair, Financial Services Standing Committee
Speakers:
Gavin Gee, Director, Financial Institutions Bureau, Idaho
Leo Hafner, Deputy Legislative Post Auditor, Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit, Kansas
Lee Williams, President, Central Star Credit Union, Wichita, Kansas

Handout:
Kansas Performance Audit Report-
Regulation of Credit Unions: Reviewing the Department of Credit Unions' Procedures for Ensuring Institutions' Safety, Soundness and Compliance with the Law

Luncheon sponsored by Countrywide Financial Services, Freddie Mac, and Real Estate Advocacy Group for States

Working Lunch:  Foreclosures
Joint session with Economic Development, Trade and Cultural Affairs
With interest rates climbing, inflation creeping up, and housing markets cooling, some who bought homes during the booming market are facing financial challenges. Borrowers face the loss of their homes and credit problems, while lenders face lost revenue and questions from their regulators. Concerns are rising regarding the impact of the nontraditional mortgage loans and the foreclosure may be having on the market. Come to hear the discussion on the current situation and how policymakers and industry can work together to address foreclosure issues.

Co-Moderators:
Melissa Calderwood, Staff Vice Chair, Financial Services Standing Committee
Senator Liane Sorenson, Delaware
Speakers:
Douglas G. Duncan, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Research and Business Development, Mortgage Bankers Association, Washington, D.C.
Keith Ernst, Senior Policy Counsel, Center for Responsible Lending, North Carolina

Tom James, Consumer Counsel, Office of the Attorney General, Illinois
Robin Stout Migala, Senior Project Manager, Freddie Mac, McLean, Virginia

Handouts:
Ernst PowerPoint
Freddie Mac PowerPoint
REAGS PowerPoint

Insurance Supervision:  State Compact vs. Federal Preemption
Supervision of the insurance industry has been and remains a state responsibility for 135 years, but legislation introduced in April by Senators John Sununu (R-New Hampshire) and Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) would dramatically change the historically proven system. While the National Insurance Act of 2006 begins its legislative journey, the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact has reached its 26-state threshold and sprung to life. This session will explore the significance of these two developments for the future of insurance regulation.

Moderator:
Senator Delores Kelley, Maryland, Vice Chair, Financial Services Standing Committee
Speakers:
Alessandro Iuppa, Superintendent of Insurance, Maine and President, National Association of Insurance Commissioners
Kevin McKechnie, Optional Federal Charter Coalition, Washington, D.C.

An Industrial Loan Company (ILC) Cocktail:  Mixing Banking and Commerce
Many commercial firms are actively seeking to enter the banking industry - a fact that critics see as a threat to community banking and economic development. A few states already permit ILCs, which can be owned by commercial firms like Wal-Mart, Sears or Home Depot. However, several states have looked to ban or limit ILCs, while federal legislation could preempt state interstate branching restrictions and let banks and ILCs alike set up shop in any state in the country. This session explores ILCs, interstate branching laws and the implications of the pending state and federal legislation.

Speakers:
G. Edward Leary, Commissioner of Financial Institutions, Utah Department of Financial Institutions
Joseph E. Spruill, III, General Counsel, Virginia Bankers Association, Glen Allen, Virginia
George Sutton, Shareholder, Callister, Nebeker & McCullough, Salt Lake City, Utah

Handouts:
Sutton presentation 

Standing Committee Chairs and Staff Chairs, as members of the Steering Committee, should plan to attend. The Steering Committee will review policy statements reported out of Committees and determine the calendars for the Annual Business Meeting on Thursday.

Presiding:
Senator Don Balfour, Georgia, Chair, NCSL Standing Committees
Margaret Piety, Staff Attorney, Legislative Services Agency, Indiana, Staff Chair, NCSL Standing Committees

 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception - Music City Country Fair
Tennessee will showcase its famous Southern hospitality and capture the spirit of a Music City Country Fair. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Hall of Fame Park will be open exclusively to NCSL attendees, who will be submerged in the history of America's own country legends, including Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles and Loretta Lynn. Guests will be greeted by animated impersonators for great photo opportunities. Soloists, trios, dance bands, Southern cuisine and carnival activities will provide hours of fun for the entire family. Come out to the Country Fair for a big Music City welcome!

Wednesday, August 16

Walk for Wellness
Cosponsored by the Health Committee, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators and the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators
Join state legislators from around the country for a 5K Fun Run/Walk at the NCSL Annual Meeting. The Walk for Wellness is dedicated to raising awareness of the devastating effects conditions like heart disease, diabetes and obesity have for our nation as a whole, while drawing special attention to the health disparities that exist in minority and underserved communities.

*Buses will depart from the Gaylord Opryland Hotel at 6:30 am on Wednesday, August 16 to take participants to the Gaylord Springs Golf Course. The Walk for Wellness will begin at 6:45 am, and buses will return to the hotel at 8:00 am. 

NAIC Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact Breakfast
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) invites interested legislators and staff to attend a breakfast briefing and discussion on the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Compact. The Compact is a major step in the process of streamlining, modernizing, and harmonizing state regulation of insurance toward the goal of maintaining state authority while facilitating product delivery to market and assuring consumer protections.

Presiding:
Senator Ruth Teichman, Kansas, Chair, Financial Services Standing Committee 

Continental Breakfast 

Registration 

 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
 Delta Ballrom A
 Level 2

General Session:  Lessons in Leadership
Join renowned historian, Doris Kearns Goodwin for a discussion based on her best selling book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. Learn lessons from the way Lincoln surrounded himself with a Cabinet made up almost entirely of men who had been both his political enemies and enemies of each other to achieve not only political success, but also victory in the Civil War. Carefully analyzing Lincoln's political acumen, Goodwin extracts kernels of wisdom about leadership, building and maintaining teams in the midst of trying circumstances, and overcoming obstacles on the path towards your goal.

Presiding:
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Texas, President-elect, NCSL
Speaker:
Doris Kearns Goodwin, Boston, Massachusetts

Award for Excellence in State Legislative Leadership
Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, Tennessee
Speaker Andrew Romanoff, Colorado
Lifetime Achievement Award - State Legislatures
Alan Rosenthal, Rutgers University, New Jersey

Exhibit Hall Open 

Credit Reporting & Scoring 101
(Cosponsored by the Banking FSL Partners Project)
What does a mortgage, landlord, insurance, credit card and an employer have in common? They all have access to and use an individual's credit report and credit score. More than four billion pieces of data are entered into consumers' credit records monthly. But, concerns are growing regarding how well consumers understand the credit reporting system and how the data is used. Come discuss the use of credit reports and scoring.

Moderator:
Representative Donna Stone, Delaware
Speakers:
Eric Ellman, Vice President & Counsel, State Government & Federal Regulatory Affairs, Consumer Data Industry Association, Washington, D.C. 
Representative George Keiser, North Dakota, representing the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL)
Ken Markison, Mortgage Bankers Association, Washington, D.C.
Edmund Mierzwinski, Consumer Protection Director, National Association of State PIRGs, Washington, D.C.

Handouts:
NCSL's Credit Reporting: A Primer for Policymakers
Markison PowerPoint

Exhibit Hall Lunch
All annual meeting participants are welcome! 

(Cosponsored with the Communications, Technology and Interstate Commerce Committee)
Identity theft is a serious crime affecting millions of people. Victims spend months or years and thousands of dollars cleaning up the mess the thieves have made, and may lose job opportunities, be refused loans for education, housing, or cars, and even get arrested for crimes they didn't commit during the cleanup process. State legislatures have taken the lead on crafting legislation to combat identity theft and to assist victims. Come discuss the innovative strategies state legislators have devised to prevent identity theft.

Moderator:
Senator Carol Fukunaga, Hawaii
Speakers:
Representative David Clark, Utah
Senator Carlene Walker, Utah
Melissa Calderwood, Principal Analyst, Legislative Research Department, Kansas
Kimberley Wells, Principal Assistant Attorney General, Crime Victims Section, Office of the Attorney General, Columbus, Ohio

Handouts:
NCSL Identity Theft Legislation
NCSL Identity Theft Statutes
Fukunaga PowerPoint
Calderwood - Kansas Legislative Summary and Identity Theft law
Wells - Ohio Identity Theft Passport PowerPoint

Committee Concurrent Session
Understanding Financial Regulation and Supervision
(Cosponosred by the Academy for Excellence in Financial Services Policy)
America's unique system of decentralized regulation plays a vital role in promoting U.S. financial markets as the strongest and most dynamic in the world. This session introduces federal and state regulators, outlines regulatory structures and key functions, and explores how these work in tandem to regulate and supervise the financial marketplace.

Moderator:
Jon Hedegard, Staff Chair, Financial Services Standing Committee
Speaker:
Dwight R. Larsen, AM, V.P. Bank Value Advisory Services, United Bankers Bank, Minnesota

Handouts:
Understanding Financial Regulation PowerPoint 

Insurance Market Conduct Working Group
Presiding:
Senator Delores Kelley, Maryland, Vice Chair, NCSL Financial Services Committee
Panelists:
Representative George Keiser, North Dakota, representing the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL)
Rosanne Mead, Assistant Insurance Commissioner for Market Regulation, Iowa Insurance Division, Des Moines, Iowa

Handout:
Mead PowerPoint

Boston Promotional Event:  A Taste of the Bay State Event
Join us for a preview of the NCSL Boston 2007 as we showcase the best of Massachusetts from Boston to the Berkshires. Enjoy regional foods and beverages from Boston's most famous restaurants, vineyards and breweries and experience a sampling of the history and culture of this great state. 

Thursday, August 17

Breakfast with the  Bankers Associations
The Tennessee Bankers Association and all the State Bankers Associations, with the American Bankers Association, invite all members of NCSL's Financial Services Committee and other interested legislators to an Executive Briefing on issues surrounding credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, interchange, and transaction amount holds. Presentations will be made by representatives of the Tennessee Bankers, national card associations, and others and will last one hour. Breakfast will be provided to all attendees, who will be returned to the hotel by bus no later than 8:25 a.m. 

Continental Breakfast 

Registration 

Concurrent Session
Opportunities for Working Families
Cosponsored by the Women's Legislative Network and the Human Services & Welfare Committee
The rising cost of living is making it increasingly difficult for working families to make ends meet. Job losses or emergencies can result in additional debt and lost savings. State legislators, government agencies, foundations and members of the private sector are partnering to help families help themselves. This session will feature experts who will discuss practical policy solutions to help families build assets and invest in their futures.

Presiding:
Representative David Clark, Utah
Senator Maggie Tinsman, Iowa
Speakers:
Jessica LeVeen Farr, Community Affairs Division, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Georgia
Ben Mangan, President and CEO, Earned Assets Resource Network, San Francisco, California

Remarks by Secretary Michael Chertoff, U.S. Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.
All legislators and legislative staff will want to attend this centerpiece of the Annual Meeting. All other annual meeting participants are welcome to attend as observers. The business meeting is the culmination of the conference year. It includes debate on policy resolutions that will guide NCSL in lobbying the federal government in the year to come, as well as election of NCSL officers and approval of the conference budget.

Presiding:
Senator Don Balfour, Georgia, Chair, NCSL Standing Committees
Senator Steven Rauschenberger, Illinois, President, NCSL 

Exhibit Hall Open 

Legislative Staff Luncheon 

Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Luncheon
(unaffiliated legislative group)

Republican Legislative Campaign Committee Luncheon
(unaffiliated legislative group) 

Concurrent Session
Military Appreciation
With the largest military mobilization in decades, states have been dealing with several issues related to the deployment. Legislatures have considered support services and benefits for the families of National Guard, Reserve and armed forces members who have been called to active duty. Come discuss how state legislators are working to improve the lives of active military personnel, veterans and their families.

Moderator:
Vice Speaker Mark Takai, Hawaii
Speakers:
Dr. Bill Harrison, Board Member, Military Child Education Coalition, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Joyce Wessler Raezer, Director-Government Relations, National Military Family Association, Alexandria, Virginia
Delegate Terrie Suit, Virginia

Exhibit Hall Ice Cream Social 

Ancillary Groups 

 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Tennessee Center Stage Starring LeAnn Rimes at the Legislative Plaza
The Tennessee Host Committee invites you to join us at the Tennessee State Capitol and Legislative Plaza for a private concert with LeAnn Rimes and an evening of Southern cuisine. The newly renovated Capitol Building and legislative complex will be open for guest tours and will set the stage for country music sweetheart, LeAnn Rimes.
Continuous shuttle service will be available between the NCSL hotels and the Legislative Plaza event.

Friday, August 18

Registration 

General Session and Breakfast
Dueling Pollsters: How Americans Will Vote In November
Two of the nation's most trusted and respected pollsters look across America's political landscape as the nation approaches the critical mid-term elections. Frank Luntz and Peter Hart provide the perspective of how the major political parties see the 2006 elections unfolding, and what it means for policy issues in the months ahead.

Presiding:
Representative Donna Stone, Delaware, Vice President, NCSL

Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognition of John S. Wilder, Tennessee Senate Speaker and Lieutenant Governor
Project Citizen Awards 

Exhibit Hall Open 

 10:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.