Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Friday, January 19, 2018
Jan 19, 2018
U.S. House Financial Services Committee Notes Republican Flood Insurance “Defectors”
The U.S. House Financial Services Committee took the unusual step of issuing an “In Case You Missed It” on a scathing editorial by the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board on January 17, 2018, in which Florida Republicans and their Colleagues who had voted against Federal Flood Insurance Reform were singled out as “Defectors.”
CFO Patronis: Attorney Fee Limits “Good Debate To Have”
The Legislature should consider restricting how much Insurance Companies can spend on Attorney Fees when fighting Workers’ Compensation Claims, State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis told the News Service of Florida via News4Jax.com.
Florida Voters Want To Reform AOB System, Chamber Poll Finds
Florida Voters aren’t fans of Assignment of Benefits Rules and are looking for a change according to a New Poll conducted by the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Drew Wilson reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Lawmakers Will Look At Rail Safety Issues, Corcoran Says
House Speaker Richard Corcoran said a push by some Lawmakers for State Oversight of High-Speed Passenger Rail will get consideration during this year’s Legislative Session. The Sun-Sentinel reports.
Florida Senate Releases Revamped Sexual Harassment Rules
The Senate release a sweeping New Employment Policy that for first time specifically prohibits Sexual Harassment of Employees and Lobbyists and allows the Senate President to initiate a Formal Complaint against a Senator that could lead to his or her ouster. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the Tampa Bay Times.
Mast Wants Brightline Shut Down For Safety Review; Nelson Calls For Federal Investigation
Brightline, a $3.1 Billion Project which eventually is to run between Miami and Orlando, launched its Passenger Service Saturday morning, initially between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Andrew Atterbury reports for TCPalm.com.
GEICO Questioned a $27,340 Surgeon’s Bill. Now, It May Have to Pay Over $1 Million for Bad Faith.
Under Florida’s Totality of the Circumstances Approach, the reasonableness and adequacy of an Insurer’s Settlement Offer were relevant factors to consider when determining Bad Faith, Summary Judgment had been improperly granted. The Eleventh Circuit concluded.
Florida Lawmakers Look To Ensure Genetic Tests Won’t Affect Insurance Coverage
The Florida House Health and Human Services Committee unanimously passed a measure preventing Insurance Companies from using Genetic Information when making Policy Decisions. Shawn Mulcahy reports for WUSF.
Insurance Man Charged In Florida ID Fraud
A Man who, Authorities said, was able to open an Allstate Insurance Company Branch by forging documents indicating that another man was going to give him a large sum of cash to start his own Business, was arrested Thursday. Austin Miller reports for the Ocala Star-Banner.
House Speaker Rejects State Aid For Miami’s Amazon Bid
After playing the key role in reducing and revamping Florida’s Economic Development Program last year, House Speaker Richard Corcoran said Thursday he has no interest in developing a State Incentive Plan to bring Amazon’s New Headquarters to Florida. Lloyd Dunkelberger reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida Lawmakers Advance New Loan Type Sought By Payday-Loan Industry
Florida Lawmakers have started moving forward with a Proposal to revamp Rules for the Payday-Loan Industry, allowing Customers to borrow larger amounts of money over longer periods of time. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via the Palm Beach Post.
Florida Supreme Court Disbars Medical Marijuana Lawyer
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday disbarred a Former Jacksonville Lawyer who charged sick people nearly $800 for a “Patient Identification Card” he claimed could keep them from getting arrested for having or growing marijuana. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
No Electricity? Relax . . . Florida Pot Operator Opens Shop In Puerto Rico
Knox Medical is one of 13 Licensed Medical Marijuana Operators in Florida. Its Florida Grow Operations are located in Winter Garden, and the Company has dispensaries in Gainesville, Orlando, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, Lake Worth and St. Petersburg. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via her blog, “Truth or Dara.”
Open Government and Transparency Advocates say all the work Florida’s Constitutional Revision Commission is doing could ultimately be declared invalid because CRC Members are violating the Constitutional Open Meeting Requirements. Daniel Ducassi reports for Politico Florida.
Florida Legislature Could Declare Pornography A Health Risk
Florida could Declare Pornography a Public Health Risk that needs Education, Research and Policy Changes to protect Floridians, according to a resolution overwhelmingly approved by a House Committee Thursday. The Associated Press’ Brendan Farrington reports via the Naples Daily News.
Bills To Ease Insurer Regulatory Burdens Pass U.S. House Financial Services Committee
The House Financial Services Committee has adopted Two Bills designed to Ease Regulatory Burdens for Insurers. Glorida Gonzalez reports for Business Insurance.
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