Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Monday, March 11
Mar 11, 2013
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 2013 Regular Legislative Session
- Click here for today’s Senate block calendar
- Click here for today’s House of Representatives block calendar
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Blog: Citizens Property Insurance Replaces Disbanded Corporate Integrity Team
The state-backed Citizens Property Insurance has created an internal “forensic unit” to replace the firm’s Office of Corporate Integrity, which President and CEO Barry Gilway disbanded last year.
Reinsurers hoping to reinsert Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund provisions on insurance bill
Legislation overhauling Florida’s property insurance market made it through its first Senate committee Thursday, but some industry groups are hoping to tack on provisions to shrink the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, or Cat Fund.
Citizens Property Insurance is political minefield in Capitol debate
Florida lawmakers have been trying to “fix” Citizens Property Insurance for years. But every year, as the 60-day legislative session winds down, solutions seem to vanish.
Governor Rick Scott Still Steamed Over Citizens Property Insurance Excesses
Gov. Rick Scott is usually pretty even tempered — he moves from issue to issue with a keen focus, addresses it and moves on.
Florida Citizens Property Insurance CEO Barry Gilway: Past Misbehaviors Will Not be Tolerated
When I took the reins at Citizens Property Insurance Corp., I knew I was taking on a challenge.
In Miami-Dade, fast rising sea levels, deep trouble
The maps were intended to show how rising sea levels threaten some of Miami-Dade County’s most vital facilities.
No-name storm forced changes in insurance, preparation
Floridians know storms on a first-name basis: Andrew. Charley. Opal. Wilma.
Blog: Insurance companies shunning Florida over climate risk, report says
A new report by nonprofit environmental coalition Ceres said the insurance industry is shunning Florida markets because of increased storm activity, while insurers have done little to prepare for climate change, the South Florida Business Journal reports.
Suspicious Claims in Florida Rise 22 Percent Since 2010
Describing the insidious activity that comprises all kinds of insurance fraud in terms of the long-term battle that it is, NICB President and CEO Joe Wehrle said in Orlando, “We have a shared responsibility to win this conflict. NICB, member companies, law enforcement, and anti-fraud organizations must present a united front to protect the American people.”
Allstate Looking for 50 New Agency Owners in Florida
Allstate Insurance said it is ramping up its recruiting in Florida again and is looking for more than 50 new agency owners.
Naples’ abundant golf courses are paired with proliferation of refund lawsuits
A saturation of golf courses in Naples may be a dream for golfers in the nation’s top golf spot, but it often can turn into a nightmare for members who quit and demand membership refunds.
Senators to discuss Medicaid expansion Monday
The Florida Senate Select Committee on PPACA, which will make recommendations on how to implement the Affordable Care Act, meets Monday afternoon to discuss Medicaid expansion.
Florida Judge: 104-Week Limit on Temporary Disability Benefits Unconstitutional
A Florida district court judge’s ruling that declared unconstitutional a 104-week limitation on injured workers’ temporary benefits has left insurers and employers scrambling to come up with a legislative solution as the state’s 60-day legislative session began this week.
Coley named to committees in Ford’s absence
Representative Marti Coley has been assigned to committees in Representative Clay Ford’s absence from the Legislature for health reasons.
Access to court records in Florida varies by county
It seems like a reasonable idea: before the records in a criminal or civil case can be made public, Florida’s clerks of court must purge them of all Social Security, credit card and bank numbers.
Blog: Budget Allocations May Come This Week On Senate Side
Budget allocations, the amounts of money earmarked for each part of the proposed budget, are likely to be finalized by Senate budget writers by the end of next week, a spokeswoman for the Senate said Friday.
Blog: Charlie Crist Now Admitting He’s “Thinking” About Running For Governor
Political watchers in Florida continue to attempt to figure out if former Governor Charlie Crist is planning to try to get his old job back – this time as a Democrat.
State Representative Cary Pigman being recalled to active duty in May
First-term state Representative Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, will be going on miliary duty as a physician in Kuwait for three to four months after the end of the regular 2013 legislative session.
Former Model, Next Florida House Speaker: Meet Steve Crisafulli
Florida House Republicans’ unanimous selection last week of the man they wish to assume the reins of speaker in 2014 has left many asking themselves one question: Just who is Steve Crisafulli?
In final House term, Holder focuses on relationships
State Rep. Doug Holder heads into his fourth term in office lacking the splashy titles that typically speak to a legislator’s power and influence in Tallahassee.
Kionne McGhee: Florida’s Most Unlikely State Legislator?
Kionne McGhee wrestled in high school and college; still enjoys the sport, as a kind of life metaphor: “You can’t leave the mat, or leave life, without dealing with your opposition head-on. If you do, you find yourself feeling inadequate.
District 88’s new representative is no stranger to state electoral politics; he’s been serving eastern central Palm Beach County from Tallahassee for at least the past three years.
Sandy-damaged homes hit market at bargain prices
In coastal New York and New Jersey, people are scouring communities, in hopes of buying homes that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy at a deep discount.
FBI in New Jersey Watching for Sandy Fraud
The FBI in New Jersey is watching to ensure that federal money meant to rebuild after Superstorm Sandy doesn’t find its way into the pockets of corrupt politicians or scam artists.
Connecticut Proposes Mediation Program for Homeowners Claims Disputes
Connecticut’s insurance department is proposing a new program that would offer a mediation option to resolve claims disputes between homeowners and their insurance companies that arise from catastrophes, such as hurricanes.
Activist Brockovich to Speak with Residents Near Louisiana Sinkhole
Environmental activist Erin Brockovich and a California attorney hired by a group of Assumption Parish, La., residents are coming to Pierre Part to discuss the legal options for residents evacuated from the Bayou Corne area due to a giant sinkhole.
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.