Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Thursday, January 29, 2015
Jan 29, 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
Looking Ahead–Florida Legislature Interim Committee Meetings
- Week of February 2, 2015
- Week of February 9, 2015
- Week of February 16, 2015
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Former Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate: End the cabinet monopoly, save state insurance regulator
Apparently, not even the Florida Constitution can save Kevin McCarty. He’s an insurance regulator in a sinkhole of Tallahassee politics says former Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw in this Sun-Sentinel editorial opinion.
Keys commission urges Scott to retain insurance commissioner McCarty
Stepping into a hurricane of controversy over a move to replace Florida’s top insurance regulator, Monroe County commissioners sided with the agency boss. Kevin Wadlow reports for the Keynoter/KeysNews.com.
Bullard files bill de-linking mortgages and windstorm insurance, admits it has little chance
Florida property owners should be able to buy homes without having to buy windstorm insurance, says a bill filed by Monroe County’s state senator. Kevin Wadlow reports for the Keynoter/KeysNews.com.
Florida Court Rejects Royal Caribbean’s Appeal of Medical Malpractice Ruling
A federal appeals court has refused to reconsider a decision that opens the door for cruise ship passengers to sue for medical malpractice, the Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.
Insured people pay “about $2,000” for uninsured hospital stays, Florida Chamber says
The Florida Chamber of Commerce is weighing in on the state’s rising cost of health care, decrying the Affordable Care Act’s plans to expand Medicaid, but acknowledging uninsured residents cost big bucks. Joshua Gillin of Politifact Florida analyzes the Chamber statements.
Speaker says Florida House won’t consider Medicaid expansion this year
For the third year in a row, a Florida House speaker has closed the door on expanding Medicaid in the state even as a coalition of Florida businesses is joining traditional advocates for the poor in urging acceptance of federal dollars to provide some added coverage, James Rosica reports for the Tampa Tribune.
Scott’s budget cuts taxes by $673 million, positions by 1,353
Governor Rick Scott unveiled a proposed $77 billion budget Wednesday that spends nearly all of a $1 billion surplus on tax cuts and an increase in education spending, but leaves many unmet needs by cutting 1.2 percent of the state workforce. Tampa Bay Times’ Michael Van Sickler reports for the “The Buzz” blog.
Florida legislative leaders outline joint priorities for 2015
Following a tradition established by their predecessors, Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli outlined their list of joint priorities for the upcoming legislative session, Kathleen McGrory reports for the Miami Herald’s “Naked Politics” blog.
Sunshine Law violations alleged in Florida Department of Law Enforcement firing
Matthew Weidner, a St. Petersburg lawyer whose practice focuses on consumer justice, has filed a complaint with a state prosecutor, accusing Governor Rick Scott, Cabinet members and their staffs of violating Florida’s Sunshine Law and asking for a criminal investigation over the filing of Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Gerald Bailey.
- Bondi: Blame in Gerald Bailey’s ouster is on staff, not Governor Scott
- Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam criticizes Governor over firing
Fugitive treasure hunter nabbed in Florida after 2-year hunt
A fugitive treasure hunter embroiled in insurance litigation over what’s been described as the greatest lost treasure in American history has been arrested in Florida after more than two years on the lam, authorities said Wednesday. The Rapid City Journal reports.
Former legislator taking over Broward Days group
Broward Days has a new leader as it prepares to return to Tallahassee after skipping its signature event in 2014, the Sun-Sentinel’s Anthony Man reports.
Insurance Option for Uber Drivers Approved by California Commissioner
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has approved a filing that will enable Uber drivers purchasing coverage through Metromile to add a new coverage endorsement to their personal auto policy, Insurance Journal reports.
NAIC Seeks Input on Transportation Network Companies White Paper
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has begun a 30-day comment period on a draft white paper (available here) that no doubt will shape the development in states across the country of insurance requirements relevant to transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, R-Street’s Ian Adams reports via Insurance Journal.
Bermuda States It Will Fight to Remain Top Domicile for Insurance Linked Securities
The Bermuda Stock Exchange has issued a lengthy defense of its primary position as the “domicile of choice” for insurance linked securities; pointing out that 57 percent of such securities issued in 2014 were handled on the island, and that it is “committed to retaining its top position for the creation, listing and servicing of the vehicles in 2015.” 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.