The Pennsylvania Surplus Lines Association has issued a new bulletin advising that, effective July 1, 2025, any versions of the 1609 Producer Affidavit prior to the revised version, which became effective on December 1, 2024, will no longer be accepted.

If you have received an email from the Kansas Department of Insurance with the subject line:

"IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED: Failure to File the 2024 Excess Lines Report and Tax Remittance – response due March 31, 2025"

You are required to respond to their email indicating you did not sell surplus lines policies in 2024.

The state clarified that these emails were sent out to all licensees who did not file their 2024 Annual and advised:

"Even though the regulation removed the requirement for zero filers to file the excess lines report and tax remittance, the statute does require taxes to be paid by March 1. Without the filings, the Department cannot determine who did not sell surplus lines in 2024 and who did. The email sent is to confirm whether the producer sold surplus lines policies in 2024.

Please advise the producers to respond to the email."

If you have filings that need to be addressed, please respond to us upon receipt of their email. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in this matter.

The Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas (SLTX) has issued the 2024 Annual Late Filing Report Schedule Notice, which includes important details regarding the release of the report. If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact the SLTX office.

The Excess Line Association of New York (ELANY) has sent out the following notice in regards to the Annual Tax Reporting:
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Please be advised that the New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has uploaded the End of Year ELANY report required to complete the 2024 Annual Premium Tax Statement to its site.

You can begin your tax filings. If you do not have a site ID, you must contact NYDFS for one. Also, you can see ELANY Bulletin 2025-03.

The Surplus Line Association of California has issued Bulletin 1495, which serves as an important reminder to all brokers about the use of Diligent Search Reports (SL-2 forms). The Bulletin specifically advises brokers not to use any altered or modified Diligent Search Reports (SL-2) in their submissions.

We have received the following confirmation from the Office of the Montana State Auditor regarding Surplus Lines Fees.

Producer fee limit: $100 for Commercial Lines or $50 for Personal Lines.

1. The Montana surplus line tax and fire tax applies to any fees paid to the carrier.

2. The Montana surplus line tax and fire tax does not apply to any fees paid to the surplus line broker.

3. If the broker requires an inspection they can seek reimbursement of the fee however, it must be included in the premium and taxed accordingly.

The Excess Line Association of New York (ELANY) has issued Bulletin 2025-08, which offers clarification regarding policy fees paid to Producers.

The Excess Line Association of New York (ELANY) issued Bulletin 2025-07, a Final Notice regarding the submission of 2024 Premium Tax Statements.

Effective immediately, Zero Annual Reports will no longer be required. The Comptroller’s office is in the process of updating their website to reflect this change.

If you have not yet completed your 2024 TX Annual Zero Reports, you may simply archive your SRTs, if preferred. As we are currently in the 2024 Annual reporting period, we will be updating our portal to align with this change for the 2025 reporting period.

The Excess Line Association of New York (ELANY) has issued Bulletin 2025-06, reminding all agencies and brokers of the upcoming deadline for the DFS Cybersecurity Certification of Compliance filing, due April by 15, 2025.

Please be advised that it is the responsibility of each agency/broker to complete this filing in New York. InsCipher is unable to complete this on behalf of brokers. If you have any questions, please contact ELANY at elanyinfo@elany.org. This is for informational purposes only.