Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, April 21, 2016

 

McCarty Delays Departure as Impasse Remains over Insurance Commissioner Post

Palm Harbor resident Jeffrey Bragg and State Representative Bill Hager, R-Delray Beach, have been asked back to interview again with the Florida Cabinet for the state insurance commissioner job next week.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via the Lakeland Ledger.

• All Eyes on Atwater as Insurance Pick Looms
• As hurricane Season Nears, Search for Insurance Commissioner Still Up In The Air

 

Florida Appeals Court Rejects Legal Restriction in Workers’ Comp Cases

In a potentially far-reaching decision, an appeals court Wednesday struck down a state law that restricted a police officer from paying a law firm to help her pursue workers’ compensation insurance benefits.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via SayfieReview.com.

  

Florida Homeowners out $250 Million in Hardest Hit Funds after State Passes on Mortgage Aid

Struggling Florida homeowners are losing out on $250 million in mortgage assistance because state officials opted not to apply for additional money from the federal Hardest Hit Fund.  The Tampa Bay Times’ Susan Taylor Martin reports.

 

New Law Cracks Open Florida Self-Driving Car Research

A new Florida law puts the state at the helm of researching what may be transportation’s most futuristic technology:  self-driving cars.  The Orlando Sentinel’s Jason Ruiter reports.

 

Emergency Room Doctors Say Florida’s New Legislation Flawed

A new Florida law effectively bans a practice called “balance billing.”  But emergency room doctors say the new law misses the mark.  Ryan Benk reports for WJCT.

  

Industry Scrambles after Court Decision on Attorney Fees, Contracts

Business groups are sounding the alarm and plaintiffs’ lawyers are celebrating an appeals court decision declaring unconstitutional Florida’s sweeping restrictions on injured workers’ rights to sign contracts with workers’ compensation lawyers.  Christine Sexton reports for Politico Florida.

  

Massive Nuclear Plant Plan near Everglades Delayed by Court

A massive nuclear plant expansion proposed by Florida’s largest electric utility must be redone to meet environmental and other concerns near Everglades National Park, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday.  The Associated Press’ Curt Anderson reports via the Tampa Tribune.

 

Scott Bound for California — and Another Trade Mission

Scott plans to lead the Enterprise Florida trade mission next month that is timed so he can attend the Milken Institute’s Global Conference.  The Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports for the “Post on Politics” blog.

 

 

 

 

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