Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, February 09, 2017
Feb 9, 2017
House Panel Homes in on Attorney Fees for Florida Workers’ Compensation Fix
The Chairman of a Key House Subcommittee said Wednesday that Legislation to address Rising Worker’s Compensation Premiums will include curbs on Attorney Fees, “the Biggest Driver of the Premiums.” Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Bill with Backing of Uber, Lyft and Insurance Industry Clears First Committee
A Bill that sets up a Statewide Regulatory Framework for Car-Hailing App Companies like Uber and Lyft easily cleared its first Committee Wednesday with a 14-1 Vote in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Daniel Ducassi reports for Politico Florida.
Florida Property Insurers Face Ratings Downgrades
Looming Ratings downgrades for six to eight Florida-Based Property Insurers could affect about 250,000 Policyholders Statewide, forcing some to find New Insurers, according to sources familiar with an Advisory Issued this week by Ratings Agency Demotech. The Sun-Sentinel reports via InsuranceNewsNet.com.
Florida’s AOB Abuse by The Numbers: “Alarming Trend” Reaches Crisis Point
Because of Florida’s One-Way Attorney Fee Statute, Insurers are left footing the Bill for the Inflated Claim and the Attorney Fees. Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.
Charlie Crist, Three Others Join Climate Solutions Caucus
U.S. Representative Charlie Crist and three more Members of Congress have joined the Bipartisan, largely Bi-Coastal Climate Solutions Caucus, the Group announced Thursday. Scott Powers reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida Lawmakers Persist in Efforts to Fix Sober Homes Issue
The recommended changes are the result of the Palm Beach County Sober Homes Task Force led by Dave Aronberg, State Attorney for the 15th Judicial Circuit.
How Much has Miami Beach Left on The Table By Not Signing Airbnb Deal? A Lot
The City unanimously passed additional Rules in December requiring Homeowners to submit an Affidavit to the City affirming they are in an area Approved for Short-Term Rentals, have a Business Tax Receipt and Resort Tax Account, and that their Condo Association allows the Rentals. The Miami Herald’s Chabeli Herrera reports.
Senator Brandes Files Health Data Donation Bill
Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) Filed SB 804, relating to Health Data Donation and Electronic Health Records, which establishes a mechanism to enable Individuals to anonymously donate their Health Records, BrowardBusinessLawyer.com reports.
Florida Nonprofit Hospitals Brace for Legislative Battle
A growing number of Republican Legislators are signing on to Governor Rick Scott’s call to deregulate the Health Care Industry, a move that Nonprofit Hospitals fear could cripple their ability to care for the poor. Alexandria Glorioso reports for the Ft. Myers News-Press.
Senate Panel Hears Disparate Testimony on Florida Medicaid Managed Long-Term Care
As Florida prepares for the second Medicaid Managed Care Procurement this Summer, a Senate Panel is reviewing ways that the Program can be improved for those who require Long-Term Care. Christine Sexton reports for Politico Florida.
Jeff Atwater Wins First Round of $1 Billion Bonds Fight with Feds
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater has scored a Preliminary Win in his fight against the Federal Government over U.S. Savings Bonds he holds as unclaimed property. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Tobacco Bond Repealer is Again Postponed, This Time in House
A House Bill (HB 6011) that would Repeal the Cap on the amount of money Tobacco Companies have to put up as Appellate Bonds was “Temporarily Postponed” Thursday, FloridaPolitics.com reports.
Rebuffing Rick Scott, House Republicans Vote to Slash Marketing, Incentives
The Florida House took a stunning first step towards killing the State’s Primary Tourism Marketing Agency and State’s Chief Economic Development Agency. The Tampa Bay Times’ Jeremy Wallace reports for “The Buzz” blog.
· After Pressure From House Speaker, Visit Tampa Bay Turns Over Financial Details
Florida House, Senate Trying to Avoid Budget Showdown Over Rules
The Florida Senate and House have agreed to work together on a Joint Rule to avoid a “Who Blinks First” approach to this year’s Budget Negotiations. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
· Florida House Budget Rule Could Lead to Senate Lawsuit, State Government Shutdown
Florida Lawmakers Unveil Latest Plan to Outlaw “Sanctuary” Cities
The Bills would formally define a “Sanctuary Policy” as any “Law, Policy, Practice, Procedure, or Custom Adopted or Permitted” by a State, Local or Law Enforcement Agency “which contravenes or which knowingly prohibits or impedes a Law Enforcement Agency from communicating or cooperating with a Federal Immigration Agency with respect to Federal Immigration Enforcement.” The Miami Herald’s Kristin M. Clark reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
More Bad News as Florida Orange Crop Drops Again
Florida’s Grapefruit Crop held steady at Nine Million Boxes, but its Orange Crop went down slightly, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s February Forecast. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Private Insurance Competition Could Provide a Lifeline to The National Flood Insurance Program
With rains wreaking havoc on Communities across the Nation, Congress has no time to waste fixing the outdated National Flood Insurance Program before it expires in September. Steve Ellis reports for TheHill.com.
Maryland Insurance Commissioner Appoints Associate Commissioner for Hearings
Maryland Insurance Commissioner Al Redmer Jr. has appointed Victoria August as Associate Commissioner for Hearings, in which she will have Management Responsibility for all Quasi-Judicial Hearings, including Appeals of Consumer Complaint Determinations and other Decisions by the Agency’s Units, Insurance Journal reports.
Mattax Reappointed as Texas Insurance Commissioner
Texas Insurance Commissioner David Mattax has been reappointed to the Post by Governor Greg Abbott, the Governor’s Office announced. His Term Expires February 1, 2019, Insurance Journal reports.
Louisiana Commissioner Extends Flooding Emergency Rule After Tornadoes
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has issued Emergency Rule 32, which extends Previous Emergency Rules issued after the Historic Flooding in the State in August 2016., Insurance Journal reports.
Click here to follow Colodny Fass on Twitter (@ColodnyFassLaw)
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to colodnyfassnews@gmail.com.