Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Friday, April 21, 2017
Apr 21, 2017
Florida Senator and Insurance Public Adjuster Frank Artiles Resigns
Senator Frank Artiles Resigned from the Florida Legislature on Friday, consumed by a Scandal that erupted three days earlier over a diatribe of insults the Miami Republican unleashed against Two Lawmakers at a Tallahassee Bar.
· Controversy over Miami Lawmakers Racial Slur Engulfs Florida Legislature
· Lawyer: Florida Senator’s Slurs are Protected Free Speech
· Artiles Asks Negron and Senate’s General Counsel to Recuse Themselves From His Investigation
Florida District Court Rules in Excess Coverage Case
The U.S. District for the Northern District of Florida granted a Summary Judgment in favor of American Casualty Insurance Co. and denied a similar Motion for the Tudor Insurance Co. in a Case to determine whether American Casualty was required to contribute to the Monetary Settlement of a Claim in involving a Party insured by both Companies. Richard Jones reports for the Florida Record.
Florida Alleges Widespread Servicing Failures at Ocwen
Attorney General Pam Bondi Files Lawsuit against Nonbank. Ben Lane reports for HousingWire.com.
· Mortgage Servicer Ocwen Faces Regulatory Action
Florida Home Insurance Premiums Must be Brought Under Control
Over the next 5 years, Florida Insurance Rate Hikes are expected to Increase over 60% in Miami-Dade County alone. American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research President Steve Pociask writes for the Ft. Myers News Press.
Tampa Bay Times Explains Why Rick Scott Should Veto Rideshare Bill
The Bill promotes the fiction that Rideshare Operators and Drivers are somehow different from Taxis. The Tampa Bay Times’ Editorial Board writes.
· PCI Encourages Florida Governor to Approve Ride-Sharing Bill
Felon Rights, Gambling Ballot Issues Pass First Supreme Court Hurdle
In a pair of High-Profile Issues that could go on the Ballot next year, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday Approved Proposed Constitutional Amendments that would Restore Felons’ Voting Rights and Restrict the Expansion of Gambling in the State. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via the Palm Beach Post.
Lawmakers Approve Attorney Fee Tweak to Public Record Law
Lawmakers on Thursday unanimously passed a compromise measure on Winners of Public Records Lawsuits collecting Attorney Fees. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitis.com.
House Approves Six-Year Lobbying Ban for Former Lawmakers, Elected Officials
The Florida House approved tough New Ethics Legislation Thursday barring Members of the Legislature and Statewide Elected Officials from Lobbying. FloridaPolitics.com reports.
Appropriations Chiefs Sound Hopeful as Clock Ticks on State Budget Negotiations
With two weeks and change remaining in the 2017 Legislative Session, House and Senate Budget Leaders are Professing Optimism that they can resolve their differences and Adjourn on Time May 5. Michael Moline reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Trump to Order Review of Dodd-Frank Reforms, Taxes for Insurers, Banks
President Donald Trump will Order the Treasury today to find and Reduce Tax Burdens and review Post-Financial Crisis Reforms that Banks and Insurance Companies have said hinder their ability to do business. Reuters reports via Insurance Journal.
Texas Stamping Office: “Industrial Insured” Bill Passed by House
The Texas House of Representatives has Approved House Bill 1559, which creates an Exemption for Entities Classified as an “Industrial Insured.” Insurance Journal reports.
Texas “Hailstorm” Bill Passed by Senate Committee
Senate Bill 10 by Committee Chairman Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, is Lawsuit Reform Legislation aimed at stemming the problem of Storm-Chasing, Out-of-Town Attorneys blanketing local neighborhoods after a severe weather event like a Hailstorm to solicit Frivolous Lawsuits. Insurance Journal reports.
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