Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Thursday, March 15
Mar 15, 2012
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
(CANCELED) 10:00 a.m.–The Florida Surplus Lines Service Office National Clearinghouse Committee is scheduled. To view the meeting notice, click here.
An analysis shows that about half of the nation’s 3.7 million people who are at risk of more frequent coastal flooding live in Florida, according to the Times report.
- To access the New York Times article, click here.
Beach replenishment a tough issue in Florida
The St. Joseph Peninsula is picture-perfect Florida: 17 miles of sugar sand beach interrupted by a few clusters of homes, each with a million-dollar view of the Gulf of Mexico.
Sarasota County’s disaster plan serves as model
Sarasota County has not seen major damage from a hurricane in 90 years, but its coalition of emergency responders and volunteers is serving as a model for the rest of Florida and the nation.
The Florida Current 2012 Session Summary: Insurance
The insurance industry’s wish list for the 2012 session was industrywide but just two issues deep: Limiting third-party “bad faith” lawsuits against insurance companies and changing the state’s no-fault system, known as personal injury protection, or PIP, which has been riddled by fraud for more than two decades.
The Florida Current 2012 session summary: Health Care
With tremendous changes already in the pipeline, it may not have been surprising that Florida lawmakers this year showed restraint when it came to health care.
Blog: Lawmakers convene for expensive 11-minute session
It might have been the most expensive quorum call in the history of the Florida Legislature.
Senate President Mike Haridopolos: Senate to Focus on Court’s Eight Invalid Districts
Legislators shouldn’t have to completely revamp the map of new Senate districts rejected by the Supreme Court as the head of the Florida Democratic Party contends, the president of the Florida Senate said Wednesday.
Medicaid Shift Could Face Unexpected Delay
Florida’s overhaul of the Medicaid system likely will take longer than expected, with some beneficiaries not enrolled in HMOs or other types of managed-care plans until 2015, according to a revised state timeline.
- Feds question Florida’s Medicaid privatization plans
- Blog: Clocking ticking for governor to sign controversial Medicaid legislation
Feds release state health exchanges guidelines as Florida continues to stall implementation
Yesterday, the federal government released guidelines that would allow states the flexibility to create a blueprint for their mandated health insurance exchanges.
State officials say crackdown on prescription drug “pill mills” showing signs of success
Governor Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi and representatives of police chiefs and sheriffs associations said Wednesday that 2011 legislation and funding that targeted prescription drug “pill mills” is showing signs of success.
Governor’s principles dictate a list of vetoes
The fate of scores of bills passed by the Florida Legislature in this year’s session now rests with Governor Rick Scott.
Senate snubs hundreds of Governor Rick Scott’s appointees
The Florida Senate snubbed hundreds of Governor Rick Scott’s appointments to state agencies and local governing boards when members adjourned the 2012 session without confirming the appointees.
Florida Representative Greg Steube skips special session to get married
State Representative Greg Steube, R-Bradenton, has been excused from the Florida Legislature’s special session this week because he’s getting married this weekend.
The Florida Current 2012 Session summary: Transportation
This past summer Governor Rick Scott mapped out his vision for Florida’s future transportation plans, calling for more funding for seaports and new tolls to pay for new roads or the expansion of existing highways.
2012 Session summary: Environment and Natural Resources
Former U.S. Senator Bob Graham and Nathaniel P. Reed of Hobe Sound were among the speakers in November during an environmental rally outside the Capitol.
The Florida Current 2012 Session summary: Energy and Utilities
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said soon after the start of the legislative session that when it came to energy issues, he planned to “under-promise and over-deliver.”
J.D. Alexander to Resign As Atlantic Blue Chief Executive Officer
J.D. Alexander will resign March 31 as president and chief executive officer of Atlanticblue Group, a family-owned land management company in Lake Wales, the company announced late Wednesday.
Agent, Risk Management Groups Remain at Odds over New York Regulation 194
Close to four years after the New York Department of Insurance proposed its disclosure rule for producer compensation, a risk-management association and an independent-agents group remain at odds over the implications of Regulation 194, issuing dueling statements over its impact.
Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efficiency measure endorsed
New Orleans area parishes and others hit hard by hurricanes Katrina and Rita should be able continue to use an expedited process to award public works contracts, according to a bill approved Wednesday by a Louisiana Senate committee.
Mississippi’s Monticello and Lawrence County have achieved new fire insurance ratings
Mississippi’s Monticello and Lawrence County have achieved new fire insurance ratings.
North Carolina Court Weighs If Municipalities Charging Fees Forfeit Immunity
At a time when businesses have taken on traditional government tasks, from running schools to space launches, North Carolina’s Supreme Court is being asked to decide what tasks a municipality can perform and still remain protected from lawsuits.
Vicarious Liability Ruling May Impact Education Insureds in California
The California Supreme Court ruled that a public school district may be vicariously liable for the negligent hiring, retention and supervision of a guidance counselor who allegedly sexually abused a student.
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