Capitol to Courthouse Daily Florida Insurance Report: Monday, March 7
Mar 7, 2011
To go directly to the section of your choice, click on a hyperlink below. Other hyperlinks to meeting information, bills and news are noted in bold type.
- Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
- Daily Florida Insurance-Related Bills Filed for 2011
- Daily Insurance-Related News
Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
No insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related Bills Filed for 2011
SB 1900 relating to Insurance by Senator Jeremy Ring
Provisions relating to acquisition of controlling stock with respect to stock and mutual insurers would be amended under SB 1900. A person would not be permitted to acquire a domestic stock insurer or a controlling company unless such person has filed with the Florida Insurance Commissioner (“Commissioner”) and sent to the insurer a statement containing specified information and the offer, request, invitation, agreement or acquisition has been approved by the Commissioner of Insurance. SB 1900 would authorize the Commissioner to retain attorneys and experts in reviewing the proposed acquisition of control. Effective date: July 1, 2011
SB 1800 relating to Public Records/Commissioner of Insurance by Senator Jeremy Ring
Linked to SB 1900, SB 1800 would provide an exemption from public records requirements for notice of a proposed divestiture in a domestic insurer provided to the Florida Insurance Commissioner pursuant to the acquisition of a domestic stock insurer. The bill specifies the duration of the exemption, as well as provides an exemption from public records requirements for the identity of a lender pursuant to a merger or other acquisition of control of a domestic stock insurer where a source of consideration is a loan made in the lender’s ordinary course of business, upon request of the lender. Effective date: contingent
SB 1908 relating to Insurance by Senator Chris Smith
SB 1908 would remove an exemption from regulation under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act provided for persons or activities regulated by the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. It also specifies that the business of insurance is subject to the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. SB 1908 further clarifies that an affiliate of a medical malpractice insurer is subject to the provisions that govern rates for medical malpractice insurance. Effective date: July 1, 2011
SB 1806 relating to Motor Vehicle Insurance by Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla
Provisions relating to proof of financial responsibility for rented or leased motor vehicles would be revised under SB 1806, which would establish certain responsibilities relating to the provision and obtaining of liability insurance for lessors and lessees of rented and leased motor vehicles. The bill would revise who is deemed to be the owner of a motor vehicle for purposes of determining financial responsibility. Further, it would revise the applicability of certain provisions relating to financial responsibility of an owner of commercial motor vehicles. Effective date: July 1, 2011
Major overhaul and rate hikes proposed for state’s largest insurance company
Florida’s largest insurance carrier would be able to raise its rates by as much as 25 percent a year under a major overhaul of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. filed on Friday.
Lawmakers to tackle insurance reform
The fight over insurance reform in Tallahassee could cost customers a lot of money
The free market could cost insurance customers millions of dollars this legislative session.
Insurance reform could cost Floridians millions of dollars
The free market could cost insurance customers millions of dollars this legislative session.
Column: Senator Alan Hays’ free-market approach would raise homeowners-insurance rates
Friday’s column took a look at bills being sponsored or co-sponsored by state Sen. Alan Hays, the Umatilla Republican who represents much of Lake County.
Wilma Insurance dispute keeps Miramar Police Department homeless
The police abandoned their headquarters in 2005 when it was damaged by Hurricane Wilma.
Walter Dartland: Get PIP cheats off the street
Rep. Rene Garcia raises a valid question in asking if there’s enough data to justify concern about PIP fraud in the Sunshine State. Yes, there is.
Former State Representative Brown talks insurance at First Friday
Former Florida representative Don Brown spoke at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce First Friday Breakfast this week. Brown is an insurance expert and is serving on Gov. Rick Scott’s transition team on insurance reform.
Jacksonville’s Fortegra buys web insurance firm for $37M
Fortegra Financial Corp. has agreed to acquire the web-based technologies company eReinsure.com for $37 million in cash, according to a company press release.
Title agents keep watch on details
Mary Howard has been in the title insurance business for 15 years. She and her husband, Tom, founded Cornerstone Title five years ago.
Column: State workers’ next ulcer – insurance
While everyone has worried about changes in the Florida Retirement System, trouble has been brewing in another benefit plan vital to state employees.
Letter to the Editor: Greed of lawsuits encouraged by tort lawyers
The recent report in newspapers concerning fraud with faked car crashes should come as no surprise. Such greed is encouraged by our ambulance chasers, namely tort lawyers.
Florida lawmakers plan quick start to 2011 session
A pair of contentious ballot issues sure to please tea party supporters will be among the first measures up for floor votes in this year’s Florida legislative session.
- Blog: Scott to give first State of State speech at 6 p.m.
- Legislative session shaping up as test of wills
- St. Petersburg Times Legislative Preview
- Senate president walks political tightrope
- Focused Cannon ready to wield power as new Florida House Speaker
Floridians may get fewer federal unemployment benefits, if state insurance cut
Florida residents who lose their jobs will get fewer unemployment benefits than residents in any other state if a House bill reducing benefits is passed, says a national advocacy group for the unemployed.
Senator Mike Bennett happily has tons of bills
When Mike Bennett ends his state Senate career at the conclusion of this year’s Florida legislative session, he will be remembered as one of the most prolific bill filers in state history.
Hospitality looms large in tourism’s legislative goals this year
A year ago, amid complaints from vacation-rental home owners in Southwest Florida, the state Legislature passed a law sparing the homes from being forced to install the fire-sprinkler systems required in conventional hotels.
New faces, new fights: Issues on the front line for Florida Legislature
High-profile bills will hit the table early in opening week
While it might start with a bang on the Senate side – where lawmakers are set to begin work on several high-profile bills in the first week – the 2011 legislative session could be more intriguing for the delicate dance that will play out before the final gavel falls in May.
Scott sends $77M to Port of Miami in light of Panama Canal work
Gov. Rick Scott said Friday that he is redirecting $77 million in Florida Department of Transportation funds to help dredge the Port of Miami to 50 feet deep.
Slow pace of confirmations affecting federal judges in South Florida
U.S. District Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley has been waiting 741 days – about two years – for his replacement to be named.
School Voucher Bill Lets Some Peek at Restricted Data
For years, private-school vouchers have been criticized as a drain on public school funding and a violation of church-state separation.
Florida poised to make big splash in online education
Supporters say expanding the Virtual School prepares children for college and work, eases teacher shortages in critical areas and helps kids learn at their pace.
McRaith to Head U.S. Insurance Office
The Obama administration is expected to name Illinois Insurance Commissioner to head the new Federal Insurance Office.
Texas Last Resort Insurer Put Under ‘Administrative Oversight’
The Texas Department of Insurance said that allowing the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to continue operating would be hazardous to the public and the last resort insurer’s policyholders.
Christie Signs Bill Enabling N.J. To Become Captive Domicile
Governor Chris Christie signed into law legislation that enables New Jersey to license and regulate captive insurance companies, creating a new industry in the state.
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says insurance market is competitive again
Last fall, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon ditched his longtime homeowners insurance policy with Travelers and signed on with one of the new companies that has come to Louisiana in the past few years.
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon dumps his insurer
Last fall, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon ditched his longtime homeowners insurance policy with Travelers and signed on with one of the new companies that has come to Louisiana in the past few years.
Mississippi Passes Bill to Speed Workers’ Compensation Appeals
The Mississippi Senate has passed a bill making it easier to appeal a decision of the state Workers’ Compensation Commission.
No-Fault Makes Up Vast Majority Of 2010 N.Y. Health Care Fraud Reports
Of the 14,625 suspected health care fraud reports that the New York State Insurance Department received, 12,807 of them involved the state’s no-fault system, according to the insurance superintendent’s annual fraud report.
Democrat Fondren to Challenge Chaney in Mississippi Insurance Race
Incumbent Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, a Republican, will face opposition in his bid for re-election.
White paper explores funding benefits risks through captives
Funding employee benefit risks through a captive insurance company is not for every employer, but those that do so can reduce their costs, reap significant tax breaks and provide enhanced benefits to employees, according to a new Business Insurance white paper.
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