Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, April 24, 2015
Apr 24, 2015
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
3:00 p.m.–Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association Market Assistance Plan meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here.
9:00 a.m.–Florida Insurance Guaranty Association Board of Directors meeting. Tallahassee, Florida. To view the meeting notice, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida House, Senate far from compromise on Uber regulation
Uber and Lyft drivers will have to buy special insurance under legislation passed Thursday by the Florida Senate and poised for a vote today by the House. Michael Auslen reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
Senator Alan Hays volunteers for Governor’s hospital funding commission
Senator Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, wants to serve on Governor Rick Scott’s Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding, he said Thursday. The Miami Herald’s Kathleen McGrory reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
House makes offer to break deadlock as Session clock winds down
The House attempted to break its deadlock with the Senate over health insurance and the state budget Thursday, rolling out an offer leaders say could cover $505 million of a looming almost $2.2 billion loss in hospital funding. The Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports for the “Post on Politics” blog.
Florida Senate president reiterates he won’t confirm governor’s agency heads
Senate President Andy Gardiner says he has no plans to confirm a dozen of Governor Rick Scott‘s agency heads before the May 1 end of the 2015 Legislative Session. Steve Bousquet reports via the Miami Herald’s “Naked Politics” blog.
Florida Senate advances fracking chemicals disclosure bill
Despite warnings that they were creating a “roadmap” for companies to circumvent the state’s public records law, a divided Senate committee advanced a bill Thursday that could allow oil and gas companies to shield the chemicals used in the fracking process. Mary Ellen Klas reports via the Tampa Bay Times’ “The Buzz” blog.
Florida Republican lawmakers approve of provision to outlaw back yard firing ranges
The Florida House on Thursday passed an amendment that would make illegal to discharge a firearm for recreational reasons in a neighborhoods, particularly taking umbrage with makeshift back yard gun ranges that took sprout in Florida from 2011 legislation taking aim at any local ordinances enforcing gun laws. John Pacenti reports for the Palm Beach Post’s “Post on Politics” blog.
Sober-home certification bill set for passage
There were no questions or debate when the Senate considered a bill that ensures sober homes are safe for recovering addicts and neighbors – sending it now to the full Senate for a final vote on Friday. The Palm Beach Post’s Christine Stapleton reports for the “Post on Politics” blog.
People who for pay sex in Florida could pay a bigger price
People who solicit prostitutes will face increased penalties under a bill that’s going to Governor Rick Scott, the Associated Press reports via the Sun-Sentinel.
IRS Weighs Rules on Hedge Fund Managers’ Use of Reinsurance
Hedge fund managers including billionaire John Paulson won’t immediately face new limits on their use of insurance in offshore tax havens, after the IRS proposed rules and chose not to make them effective now. Bloomberg’s Richard Rubin, Zachary R. Mider and Sonali Basak report.
Thomson to Serve as Connecticut Deputy Insurance Commissioner
Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Katharine L. Wade announced Thursday that she has appointed John Thomson, director of the Connecticut Insurance Department’s Captive Insurance Regulation Division, as the Department’s deputy commissioner, effective immediately, Insurance Journal reports.
Texas Home Insurers Seek Lawsuit Protection Despite Healthy Profits
The Dallas Morning News reports a rising tide of lawsuits filed by homeowners in recent years has companies worried that more could be on the way. The industry seeks legislation that would curb homeowners’ ability to sue insurers for unpaid claims or unfair practices. Insurance Journal notes the story.
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