Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, February 24
Feb 24, 2012
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
Florida’s 2012 Regular Legislative Session
- Click here for today’s Senate block calendar
- Click here for today’s House of Representatives block calendar
8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.–House Economic Affairs Committee
- CS/HB 511 relating to Workers’ Compensation by House Health and Human Services Committee; State Representative Matt Hudson
- CS/HB 119 relating to Motor Vehicle Insurance by House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee; State Representative Jim Boyd
1:00 p.m.–House Session
- HB 243 relating to Expert Testimony by State Representative Larry Metz
Blog: Citizens Property Insurance revamp passes Florida House
A measure that will change the way Citizens Property Insurance Corporation pays for claims in the event of a major storm passed the House Thursday on a 89-25 vote, reports the News Service of Florida.
- House passage of bill capping assessments by Citizens Property Insurance is lauded
- Delay of Citizens Property Insurance assessments for private insurers passes House
For months, Floridians have been showered with grandiose assessments by the insurance industry and its pals in Tallahassee about how fraud in the personal injury protection system is pushing mandatory premiums skyward.
William Dillon, Eric Brody claims bills continue House trek
Already through the Senate, two claims bills that fell victim to the meltdown at the end of the legislative session last year are set to move forward in the House.
Florida joins multi-state lawsuit against birth control mandate
Florida has joined yet another lawsuit against the federal government’s Affordable Care Act. This latest action challenges a provision in the law that requires health insurers – except for religious employers – to cover contraception as a preventive service.
Florida Senate health committee approves HPV vaccine bill
A bill requiring schools to give parents of students entering the sixth grade information about HPV vaccines passed in a Florida Senate health committee today.
Ready for conference? Senate approves $70.7 billion budget
With a bipartisan vote, Florida Senate on Thursday teed up a $70.7 billion budget for negotiations with the House.
Struggling Floridians Line Up for Mortgage-Mending
Nearly 1,200 people lined up at a downtown Miami conference center on Wednesday, holding onto mortgage documents and income statements in the hope of saving the homes they are struggling to pay for.
Florida Senate passes revamped bill that would increase oversight of water management districts
Governor Rick Scott last year signed a bill that cut water management district property taxes by $210 million. SB 1986 would restore the cuts, but some environmentalists suggest the bill represents a power grab by legislators over the districts’ budgets.
Local governments get relief in business tax cut passed by Senate panel
A business tax exemption favored by Governor Rick Scott was altered by the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Finance and Tax on Thursday to give local governments more flexibility in determining their tangible personal property tax levies.
As Senate backs off communications tax overhaul, House approves it unanimously
The Florida Senate backed away from an overhaul of communications service taxes on the same day the House of Representatives passed its version off the floor.
Blog: Florida House approves alimony law rewrite
The House approved a watered-down version of what began as a rewrite of the state’s alimony laws but still contains provisions critics say are biased in favor of the bread-winning spouse.
Blog: Senator Chris Smith, other Broward black leaders sue over new county districts
Black leaders in Broward County followed through on their earlier threats and filed suit in federal court over the county’s redistricting.
Senator J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, moved closer Thursday to creating an educational legacy for himself in Central Florida.
Blog: Senator Andy Gardiner says he’s 2014 Senate prez, Senator John Thrasher vows to challenge
After days of speculation, Orlando Senator Andy Gardiner confirmed what we have previously reported: He has won the support of rival Senator Jack Latvala and has secured enough Republican pledges to serve as Senate president in 2014.
Blog: Senate neckwear sends a message — Non illegitimi carborundum
As tensions continued to swirl behind the scenes because of the leadership fight in the Florida Senate, the Senate president pro tempore had an idea for some levity. Neckwear.
Texas Regulators Looking at Ways to Restructure Windstorm Pool
Texas insurance regulators are seeking a consultant to explore options for restructuring the insurer of last resort for properties along the Texas coast.
Electronic Proof of Insurance Gaining Steam in Some States
It’s possible that driving with your cell phone can be an advantage.
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