Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Monday, July 7, 2014
Jul 7, 2014
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
There are no events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
State of Florida geologists preparing map of sinkhole-prone areas
State of Florida geologists are well on their way to creating a statewide map showing where sinkholes are most likely to form, Scripps’ James Rosica reports via TCPalm.com.
Research group invents sinkhole simulator
Here in Florida, if sinkholes could be predicted like other natural disasters instead of remediating after the fact, more property and lives could be saved, Christine Doan reports for Central Florida Future.
Florida’s Reputation As Lightning Capital Well-Deserved
Florida currently leads the nation in people fatally struck by lightning so far this year, with four deaths — the same number as have died in the rest of the United States, according to the National Weather Service, McClatchy’s Keith Morelli reports via InsuranceNewsNet.com.
Local insurance agent appointed to state panels
Annette Pointer of 1st Place Insurance has been appointed by officials of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents to serve on two separate select state-wide task force committees on education and legislative matters.
As private security grows in Florida, so do gun incidents involving guards
More than 100,000 private-security guards patrol Florida’s neighborhoods and businesses – more than twice the number of law-enforcement officers statewide. Henry Pierson Curtis reports for the Orlando Sentinel.
First workshop on Charlotte’s Web implementation today
The Department of Health has until January 1 to implement regulations governing the use and manufacture of the Charlotte’s Web strain of marijuana. The measure signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, SB 1030, allows doctors to treat patients with a cannabis extract for a specific set of ailments starting on the first day of 2015, James Call reports via SaintPetersBlog.com.
- Look For Linda Mcmullen To Be Named Director Of Office Of Compassionate Use
- PoliticsofPot.com Web site Launched
Governor Scott to highlight crime proposals
Governor Rick Scott is touting his opposition to any changes to Florida’s sentencing laws, Associated Press’ Gary Fineout reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Governor Rick Scott’s chief of staff once worked for All Aboard Florida’s sister company
Rick Scott’s former chief of staff Adam Hollingsworth became one of the Governor’s most trusted advisers, a position he used to influence the administration’s rejection of billions in federal high-speed rail money, then later lobby for a rail project that would benefit his employer, emails, text messages and administration documents obtained by Matt Dixon and the Scripps/Tribune Capital Bureau show in this subscription-only article.
Lawsuit focused on Crist support by St. Joe board
Information about St. Joe Co. board members’ past political support of former Governor Charlie Crist wasn’t disclosed when he was nominated to serve on the company’s board, Scripps’ Matt Dixon reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Big surge in no-party voters could reshape Florida politics
Combined with voters who belong to minor parties, no-party voters now outnumber Republicans in the state’s big three counties of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach, in addition to Orange, the heart of the I-4 corridor in Orlando. Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet, Malena Carollo and Tia Mitchell report via the Bradenton Herald.
The Florida Supreme Court will consider whether convicted felons have the right to claim immunity under the state’s controversial “stand your ground” self-defense law, even if they are barred from possessing guns in the first place, FlaglerLive.com reports.
Ten counties likely to sway Florida’s gubernatorial election
Not that long ago Republicans could reasonably count on winning seven of Florida’s 10 largest counties, enabling them to win many statewide elections. That is no longer the case, Bob Sparks explains for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Florida House races shape up – for 2016
Five Florida House of Representatives incumbents, plus one other candidate, each filed paperwork this week to run for House seats in the election two years away, according to the state Division of Elections, Phil Ammann reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Fracking in South Florida? Environmentalists Steamed Over Texas Company Drilling Near Lake Tafford
For a couple months now, residents and officials in Collier County have been up in arms about recent revelations that a Texas-based oil company used an unauthorized fracking-like method to extract oil from a well near Lake Trafford, FlaglerLive.com reports.
Growth continues on Clearwater Beach
New development is either planned or underway for Clearwater Beach to accommodate the brimming numbers of visitors to the area, Peter Schorsch reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Insurers working to offer coverage for ride-sharing drivers
Auto insurers are working on a new and potentially important type of policy for drivers who cruise around town in their cars — some of which are emblazoned with pink mustaches — trying to make a few extra bucks, Austin-American Statesman’s Tim Eaton reports via InsuranceNewsNet.com.
Lloyd’s Underwriters Find Success with U.S. Subsidiaries
Insurers Hiscox Ltd., Beazley Plc and Catlin Group Ltd. are reaping the benefits of the U.S. market, according to a report from SNL Financial, Insurance Journal notes.
NAPSLO Executive Director Brady Kelley recently spoke with Business Insurance Senior Editor Judy Greenwald about the organization’s challenges, outlook and legislative priorities.
Click here to follow Colodny Fass& Webb on Twitter (@CFTLAWcom)
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to Brooke Ellis at bellis@cftlaw.com.