Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Monday, March 12, 2018

Mar 12, 2018

Legislature approves $89 billion budget in rare Sunday Session

Lawmakers needed extra time to finish a budget after the mass shooting in Parkland forced them to quickly craft a response that included a three-day waiting period, a minimum age of 21 to buy a gun in Florida, and $400 million for mental health and school safety and a program that allows school personnel to carry concealed weapons. The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports via “The Buzz” blog.

Last-Minute “Marketplace Contractor” bill signed

Uber has been sued in multiple states, including in Florida, over whether its drivers are employees or independent contractors, raising questions over whether the company owes unemployment and other benefits. Lawrence Mower reports via the Miami Herald’s “Naked Politics” blog.

AOB lawsuit-for-profit scheme can’t be ignored

We also can’t ignore the new reality, Florida Property Casualty Association Director William Stander tells the Palm Beach Post.

Massive workers’ compensation insurance problem brewing

Workers’ compensation in the state of Florida is about to be a huge issue that could impact affordable housing, jobs and the ability of many companies to stay in business, a Florida lumber supply CEO tells the Daily Commercial.

State Representative Larry Metz appointed to 5th Judicial District

Florida’s 5th Judicial Circuit covers five counties in the north-central part of the state- Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, and Sumter, the Associated Press reports.

NRA sues Florida over plan to put age limits on rifle purchases

The NRA maintains that Florida’s new age limit violates the constitutional rights of young adults, alleging that it prohibits “an entire class of law-abiding, responsible citizens from fully exercising the right to keep and bear arms-namely, adults who have reached the age of 18 but are not yet 21.” The Washington Post’s Christopher Ingraham reports via the St. Augustine Record.

Lawmakers sign off on bill for generators

The issue of nursing homes and assisted living facilities having backup power on site was a top priority of Scott during this year’s legislative session. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Christine Jordan Sexton reports via the Winter Haven News Chief.

Lawmakers agree on plan to battle opioids

In the waning hours of the annual session, the Florida Legislature approved tough new restrictions, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Christine Jordan Sexton reports via FloridaPolitics.com.

Florida Legislature approves storm and school tax holidays

Floridians will be able to buy batteries, portable radios and generators tax-free during a week-long period in June, the Associated Press reports.

Scott signs major education bills, including controversial K-12 measure

The real controversy centers on FL HB7055 (18R), a priority for House Speaker Richard Corcoran (R-Land O’ Lakes). The bill includes sweeping changes to the K-12 system. The governor touted that the newly signed law “expands school choice.” Daniel Ducassi reports for Politico Florida.

Bill changing write-in rules clears Legislature

A bill that would allow write-in candidates to run for districts they do not live in cleared the Legislature

Guns dominated, but other big bills passed the Legislature this year too

Sarasota Herald-Tribune Political Reporter Zac Anderson gives an overview of what happened during the 60-day legislative session.

Winners and losers emerging from the 2018 Legislative Session

Nobody expected a tragedy like Parkland to suck all the oxygen out of the Legislature’s 2018 Regular Session, FloridaPolitics.com Publisher Peter Schorsch writes.

Frostproof citrus grower looking to try bamboo to offset losses

Citrus canker has led to more than a 70 percent reduction in Florida’s annual citrus crop while nearly tripling the cost of production. Kevin Bouffard reports for the Lakeland Ledger.

How would you vote on age limit, 3-day wait for gun purchases? It might be on ballot.

In an effort to shore up the newly-enacted law limiting gun sales, an influential member of the Constitutional Revision Commission has proposed an amendment that will prevent future constitutional challenges to the law. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via “The Buzz” blog.

Six months after Irma: Gearing up for another big storm, praying it doesn’t come

The Bradenton Herald’s Hannah Morse recounts how Manatee County is picking up the pieces.

Staged Car Crashes in South Carolina a Growing Problem

The Post and Courier of Charleston cited authorities who said faked crashes were part of a scam that resulted in charges filed in November against 10 Pee Dee-area residents for insurance fraud involving nearly $300,000 in altered medical bills. The Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.

Ross vs. Schwarcz: Scoring the throw-down

Tempers flared in a March 7 hearing of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, Ray Lehmann blogs for Insurance Journal.

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Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Monday, March 12, 2018

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