Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, March 09, 2017
Mar 9, 2017
House Version of Claims Reform Bill Omits One-Way Attorney Fee Ban
A New House Bill aims to reduce costly litigation against Insurers by forcing Benefits Assignees to risk paying Insurers’ Attorneys’ Fees if they lose. The Sun-Sentinel’s Ron Hurtibise reports.
Senate Rules Panel Temporarily Postpones Prejudgment Interest Bill
A Senate Bill that would allow Plaintiffs to recover Prejudgment Interest on Noneconomic Claims, including pain and suffering, was suddenly postponed during its Final Review Panel Thursday. Jim Rosica reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
Lawmakers Revive Bill Aiming to Bolster Private Flood Insurance
A reintroduced House Bill supporting Private Flood Insurance is “Common-Sense Legislation” that “Clarifies the Intent of Congress that Private Flood Insurance should be an option available to Homeowners,” said Nat Wienecke of PCI. Meanwhile, Don Griffin of PCI has outlined Insurers’ hopes for an extension of at least five years for the National Flood Insurance Program as its Sept. 30 Renewal Deadline looms. Gloria Gonzalez reports via Business Insurance.
Southwest Florida Wildfire 40% Contained
Florida Forest Service Officials said firefighting efforts will continue into the night in Collier County as a stubborn brush fire, burning since Sunday, has scorched 7,500 acres. Joan Murray reports via CBS Local Miami.
Florida Leads the Nation in Motorcycle Crash Fatalities
Florida has the most Motorcycle Crash Fatalities in the Nation. WJXT reports.
Florida House Members Propose Workers’ Comp Fix
House Lawmakers got an earful this week on Proposed Workers’ Compensation Measures. Business Groups and Health Care Advocates complain the Draft Legislation doesn’t do enough to address Attorney Fees, Premium Costs, Physician Fees and Patient Choice. Sarah Mueller reports via WUSF.
Florida’s New “Hurricane Hunter” Base on Schedule for Storm Season
Officials say they’re on schedule to open the new home base for the U.S. Government’s “Hurricane Hunter” Aircraft before the Atlantic Hurricane Season begins. Insurance Journal reports.
Details Revealed on NAPSLO, AAMGA Proposed Merger to Create WSIA
Strategy for forging a larger, stronger organization promoting surplus lines is outlined at NAPSLO Mid-Year Event in Fort Lauderdale. Shawn Moynihan reports via National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com.
$3.3 Billion for State Water Plan Advances in Senate Despite Concerns
A Senate Plan to Bond $1.2 Billion in State Funds to build a Water-Storage Reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee grew to become a $3.3 Billion Bonding Program that would fund dozens of Water Projects around the State — from Sewage Treatment in Tampa Bay to Wastewater Treatment in the Florida Keys. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via Tampa Bay Times’ “The Buzz” blog.
Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran had a message for House Democrats on Wednesday night: My Bills will pass without you, but I still need your help. Politico Florida’s Matt Dixon reports.
Florida House Targets Schools, Roads and Health Care in Proposed Budget Cuts
House Budget Writers Proposed $1.4 Billion in State Cuts Wednesday, targeting Heath Care, Education and Road Projects to meet Speaker Richard Corcoran’s call to trim $2 Billion from State Spending. Arek Sarkissian and Alexandra Glorioso report for the Naples Daily News.
Florida House Faults Universities Over Salaries and Spending
A top Florida House Republican says that State Universities are spending way too much money inappropriately and that they don’t need more help from taxpayers. The Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.
House Looks to Clamp Down on Local Taxes
A wide-ranging Bill that would rein in Local Governments’ ability to increase taxes narrowly passed the Florida House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via SayfieReview.com.
House Targets Changes in Utility Regulation
With a Key Lawmaker pointing to a need for “Fresh Thinking,” a House Panel Wednesday approved a Proposal that would revamp Regulation of Florida’s Electric Utilities. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via SayfieReview.com.
Tampa’s Buckhorn Won’t Run for Florida Governor in 2018
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has decided not to run for Governor next year, opting instead to finish his Second and Last Term at City Hall in 2019. The Tampa Bay Times’ Richard Danielson reports via “The Buzz” blog.
JaxPort CEO Brian Taylor Resigns
JaxPort CEO Brian Taylor resigned Wednesday as the Port Authority nears construction of one of the largest projects in its history, the second unexpected departure of the Port’s Chief Executive Officer in four years. Sebastian Kitchen reports for the Florida Times-Union.
Senate OKs Plan for Arnold Palmer Expressway
The Florida Senate on Wednesday unanimously approved a Bill that would name a portion of State Road 408 in West Orange County for Golfing Legend Arnold Palmer, who died in September. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the Orlando Sentinel.Th
Rutgers Law School Project Addresses “Use It And Lose It” in Homeowners Insurance
A new Report by the Rutgers Center for Risk and Responsibility at Rutgers Law School in Camden, N.J., in cooperation with United Policyholders, offers recommendations to State Lawmakers in Terms of how Homeowners Insurance Claims are addressed by Insurance Companies following a loss. Elizabeth Blosfield reports via Insurance Journal.
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