Rep. Austin Scott Presented with 2025 PIA Legislator of the Year Award

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) has awarded U.S. Representative Austin Scott (R-GA) the 2025 PIA Legislator of the Year Award. The Congressman accepted the award during PIA’s Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill.

PIA chose to honor Rep. Scott in recognition of his steadfast leadership in reinstating the annual administrative & operating inflation adjustment for crop insurance agents. PIA appreciates Rep. Scott for being a champion for independent agents and for his work delivering this victory through budget reconciliation.

“With Rep. Scott’s leadership, nearly a decade of advocacy by PIA and its crop insurance allies has finally paid off,” said Corey Weeks, PIA’s Manager of Government Relations. “Relief for crop insurance agents was long overdue, and PIA is proud to recognize Rep. Scott for this tremendous accomplishment.”

For several years, the Risk Management Agency (RMA) provided annual adjustments to crop insurance agent compensation to account for inflation. Then, in 2016, the RMA abruptly stopped providing the inflation adjustment to agents, functionally freezing their compensation in 2016 dollars indefinitely. Congressman Scott led the bipartisan “Ensuring Access to Risk Management Act” to reinstate the annual inflation adjustment, and the bills key provisions were included in the budget bill that was signed into law in July.

“Independent insurance agents nationwide are grateful for Rep. Scott’s leadership in reinstating the A&O inflation adjustment and for his work as Vice-Chairman as the House Agriculture Committee,” said PIA CEO Mike Skiados.

Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA’s web address is www.pianational.org.