Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Monday, November 23, 2015
Nov 23, 2015
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
- 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.–Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”) Proposed Rule Hearing. Tallahassee, Florida. Proposed amendments to Rule 19-8.010 would adopt the 2016-2017 FHCF Reimbursement Contract. To view the meeting notice, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida Gets “C-” Grade for Weather Preparedness
Florida has a lot of work to do on weather preparedness, the States At Risk project explains.
Florida’s Orchid Underwriters to Acquire Platinum Partners in Massachusetts
Orchid Underwriters, a Vero Beach, Florida-based managing general agent providing excess & surplus insurance for coastal properties, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a Massachusetts-based wholesale brokerage, Insurance Journal reports.
Florida to Put Fences Around Train Tracks After Fatal Crashes
The Florida Department of Transportation says it is planning to install fences around train tracks to avoid more fatal crashes, the Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.
Brown & Brown Acquires Assets of Florida-Based Bentrust Insurance Group
Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc., a subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc., has acquired certain assets of BenTrust, Insurance Journal reports.
State of Florida moves to improve HMO fraud recovery after Inspector General report
Florida’s managed care plans, which are now at the heart of the state’s Medicaid program, are not adept at recovering millions of dollars in fraud and abuse, and the state agency charged with regulating HMOs need more training to better uncover insurance fraud, Christine Sexton reports for PoliticoFlorida.com.
GOP arguing for changes to Florida Retirement System
Florida Republicans once again are taking aim at the Florida Retirement System, arguing taxpayers can save billions of dollars by closing the huge public employee pension program to new members and offering them a 401k-style investment plan. Arek Sarkissian reports for TCPalm.com.
Rick Scott to release state budget in Jacksonville
Florida Governor Rick Scott plans to release his recommended state budget Monday in Jacksonville, James Rosica reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Florida lawmakers cry foul over rising property taxes paying for increased education spending
When Governor Rick Scott rolls out his budget proposal Monday, he’ll talk about spending more money on schools, but some fellow Republicans say he’s not telling taxpayers the whole truth, Steve Bousquet reports via the Bradenton Herald.
Florida legislators surprised most everyone when a couple of key Republicans joined Democrats in tanking a gun bill in a House committee, Orlando Sentinel columnist Scott Maxwell writes.
Florida Legislature Tries Again to Regulate Backyard Gun Ranges
The Florida Legislature seems intent on ordering a cease fire at backyard shooting ranges – stemming from a situation that arose out of the Florida Keys in early 2014, the Miami Herald’s Kevin Wadlow reports.
Florida Legislature is going after the courts again
Florida legislators aren’t feeling the love from the courts so they’re taking action — again. Based on their dismal rate of success with past efforts to interfere in judicial matters, it might be advisable to drop the case. Former State Representative Paula Dockery writes for the Tallahassee Democrat.
Wages debate moves to Florida Legislature
Minimum wage proposals don’t have a chance of passing Florida’s Republican-dominated Legislature, said State Representative Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach. Collin Breaux reports for the Panama City News-Herald.
Florida lawmakers seek to expand term limits from 8 to 12 years
A Democratic House member and a Republican Senator want voters to expand term limits for state lawmakers from eight to 12 years, the Associated Press reports via SaintPetersBlog.com.
U.S. to Pursue Covered Agreement with EU for Re/Insurers
The U.S. Treasury and U.S. Trade Representative announced plans on Friday to negotiate a covered agreement on insurance with the European Union, a move it said will “level the regulatory playing field for U.S-based insurers and reinsurers.” Reuters reports via Insurance Journal.
Court Denies Uber’s Appeal of Class Action Filed by Aspiring Employees
A U.S. appeals court this week denied ride service Uber’s request to immediately appeal an order approving class certification in a lawsuit filed by drivers who wish to be deemed employees. Reuters’ Dan Levine reports via Insurance Journal.
Members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners elected the organization’s 2016 officers yesterday.
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