Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Monday, August 1
Aug 1, 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
10:00 a.m.–Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation Rule Development Workshop; 10:00 a.m. To view the meeting notice, click here.
- Rule 69L-5.205: Loss Data Reporting
- Proposed Rule amendments would clarify that former self-insurers must report loss data for the final period of authorization only once.
- Rule 69L-5.217: Civil Penalties and Fines
- Proposed Rule amendments would reduce the penalties assessed against self-insurers for late filing of required forms, reports and documents, and also recalculate penalties that were assessed against a self-insurer.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty: Why I chose NIMA
In the wake of Dodd-Frank and NRRA, states are considering two different agreements, NIMA and SLIMPACT. Florida, with nearly $15 to $20 million in annual tax revenues at stake, has elected to go with NIMA. Florida’s insurance commissioner tells us why.
Dallas National Files to Dismiss Lawsuit It Filed Against Florida Insurance Commissioner
A Texas-based workers’ compensation insurer has asked a federal judge to dismiss the lawsuit it filed against the Florida Insurance Commissioner.
Florida Senator Fasano Wants SB 408 Repealed; Sinkhole Rate Request ‘Devastating’
Florida Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, is calling for a repeal of this year’s massive property-insurance bill, SB 408
Florida Underwriter: Breaking Up is Hard to Do
Some people are so frustrated that state lawmakers have been unwilling to make major changes to Citizens Property Insurance Corp. that they want legislators to consider privatizing part of the company. Will that cause a storm of controversy?
Which Citizens are They Working For?
Sinkholes have been an ongoing problem for decades. On the Florida sinkhole website, you can see just how many are out there and their reported location.
- The bottom could fall out for homeowners needing sinkhole coverage
- Proposed sinkhole rate hike fight continues
- Could sinkholes sink housing market?
Florida auto insurance rates climbing steadily
State Farm, Geico, Progressive and Allstate – the big four auto insurers in Florida – have been aggressively battling for your business on the airwaves, with each promising lower rates than the other guy.
Gainesville: Please Stop Stealing Stop Signs
Officials in Gainesville, Florida have a message for residents and visitors. Please stop stealing stop signs.
Colodny Fass’ Tim Stanfield in Florida Underwriter: Major Changes Ahead for Medicaid
During its 2011 session the Florida Legislature passed HB 7107, a landmark Medicaid reform act that will convert Florida’s Medicaid system from a traditional fee-for-service system to one primarily based upon managed care plans.
Florida’s Medicaid program heading to managed care system
As Washington grapples with debt ceilings and spending, another set of fiscal negotiations quietly begins this week that will impact Floridians for years.
Special election set for Florida Senate seat
Gov. Rick Scott has set a special election to replace former Florida state Sen. Tony Hill, a Jacksonville Democrat.
Florida Governor Scott Signs Abortion Legislation
Governor Rick Scott held a ceremonial bill signing at the Governor’s Mansion for four bills that strengthen Florida’s pro-life laws.
As of Monday, Florida jobless must file for unemployment online
Now the jobless must find a computer to file for unemployment compensation.
State asks for court review of new law
Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning has asked a federal court to review the state’s new election law, sidestepping the Obama administration’s examination of the most controversial pieces of a measure that was a major priority for the Republican-led Legislature and signed by Gov. Rick Scott.
Easy investments beat state’s expert pension planners
An ordinary investor who put $100 into an easy investment fund portfolio 10 years ago could have had $184 by the end of the decade – without combing through the stock listings, making lots of trades or hiring high-priced experts.
Minorities, Liberals Falling Out Over ‘Fair Districts’
Pushed by the progressive left, Fair Districts’ reforms collided with minority interests at the state’s redistricting road show in Central Florida.
GOP’s war of words with Lois Frankel lands U.S. Representative Tom Rooney in awkward spot
After a few political ricochets, a Christian home for young unwed mothers in Tequesta emerged last week as an unlikely beneficiary from the feud between U.S. Reps. Allen West, R-Plantation, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston.
Battle to fill electoral war chests is on in Florida
More than 12 hopefuls begin to ask for money
Florida’s 2012 primary election is more than a year away, but the charge to fill candidates’ campaign coffers is well under way.
West Palm Beach looking to dump police radio system, alliance
For several weeks in spring, a banshee-like wail intermittently drowned out police radios in West Palm Beach. Mystified technicians tracked the problem to a cheap fix to the radio system in neighboring Palm Beach.
Florida may pass up $100 million federal Race to the Top grant for early-childhood education
Florida’s decision to reject federal grants tied to the Obama administration’s health-care overhaul means it might not be able to compete for $100 million to improve the care and education of young children.
Florida Commission on Ethics writes off almost $160,000 in fines
The state’s Ethics Commission wrote off nearly $160,000 in fines against public officials Friday, but did decide to try dunning 19 public employees to make good on $22,050 in civil penalties now nearly nine years old.
State officials hope Lottery makeover will boost ticket sales
Voters approved state-run gambling 25 years ago, but the Lottery is struggling to keep up with today’s demands amid much competition
The Florida Lottery is not aging gracefully. Voters enthusiastically approved state-run gambling 25 years ago, but the Lottery is struggling to keep up with today’s demands.
On talk radio, Rick Scott finds an audience
Gov. Rick Scott is in “Heaven.” He adjusts the headphones, clears his throat and pulls closer to the microphone in the studios of WHBT-AM, “Heaven 1410.”
Florida falling behind on renewable energy development
Two years ago, the Sunshine State seemed poised to assume its natural role as a national leader in renewable energy.
U.S. House Committee Hears Concerns on Surplus Lines Reform Tax Issue
Just days after the surplus line reform legislation became effective, federal legislators heard comments from industry insiders on concerns regarding the implementation of provisions in the bill, including how states will come to consensus on surplus lines premium tax proposals.
Key European Parliament committee backs one-year delay of Solvency II
A key European Parliament committee has recommended that full implementation of Solvency II, the European Union’s new risk-based capital regulatory regime, be delayed by one year until Jan. 1, 2014.
While claim settlement is the largest driver of customer satisfaction during a property claim experience, first notice of loss (FNOL) drives a significant 21 percent of the experience and often sets the tone for the remainder of the claims process, a new J.D. Power and Associates study says.
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