Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Apr 11, 2017
CORRECTION: Please note the corrected publication masthead as “Florida Insurance Bulletin.”
Governor Scott Declares State of Emergency Following Increased Wildfires Across the State
Florida wildfires have already burned 250 percent more acreage during the first three months of 2017 than during the same time period last year. There are currently more than 100 active wildfires across more than 20,000 acres in Florida.
Rising sea level grows as threat to South Florida, U.S. senators told
At the hearing, held across the Intracoastal Waterway from President Trump’s Palm Beach home, witnesses spoke of the ground-level impacts of climate change in South Florida, with flooding in Hollywood, Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale, threats to drinking-water supplies and an increased risk of damage from hurricanes. David Fleshler reports for the Sun-Sentinel.
Scientists fear budget cuts in face of Hurricane Matthew-like events
Storm experts fear a whittled-down budget for the landmark Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project will see further cuts under the current administration. Kimberly Miller reports for the Palm Beach Post.
“Floridians for Government Accountability” launches mailer targeting Senator over AOB
The direct mail campaign comes about a week after the Wall Street Journal ran an editorial that indicated Flores, the chairwoman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, would be to blame if insurance rates increased.
Ground Delivery Drones Bill Moving in Florida Legislature
House Bill 601 permits operation of self-driving “personal delivery devices,” or ground drones in Florida cities at speeds up to 10 miles per hour, the South Florida Business Journal reports via Crain’s Miami.
UPC Insurance, American Coastal Complete Merger
UPC Insurance writes and services property and casualty insurance in Florida and other states, Insurance Journal reports.
Florida Justice Association denounces House workers’ comp package
Trial attorneys issued a denunciation Monday of the workers’ compensation reform package now headed for a House floor vote, FloridaPolitics.com reports.
Orlando adopts new rules for duplexes
After two years of debate that pitted homeowners against renters and city planners against developers, the Orlando City Council on Monday approved new restrictions on the construction of duplexes in some downtown-area neighborhoods. Jeff Weiner reports for the Orlando Sentinel.
House demands finance records from secret appropriations
Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran wants two companies that received millions in secret appropriations to detail how they spent the taxpayer money. Arek Sarkissian reports for the Naples Daily News.
Governor’s top lawyer joining Constitution Revision Commission
William Spicola, general counsel to Governor Rick Scott for the past year, is leaving to become top legal officer of the Constitutional Revision Commission, FloridaPolitics.com reports.
Fighting intensifies over Silver Springs and rancher’s water permit
Advocates for Florida springs say the state is falsely blaming aquatic grass and weeds for shriveling Silver Springs as a way to grant water rights to a wealthy rancher. Kevin Spear reports for the Orlando Sentinel.
NAIC Hosts Flood Insurance Event
More than 280 regulators, consumer representatives and industry stakeholders discussed flood insurance at a forum coordinated by the Center for Insurance Policy and Research.
- Flood Risk and Insurance Report Released
NAIC Issues 2016 Annual Report – Inspiring Innovation
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners released its 2016 Annual Report, “Igniting Innovation.” The report outlines the financial health of the NAIC and highlights the progress regulators have achieved in providing consumer safeguards and ensuring the success of insurance markets.
Click here to follow Colodny Fass on Twitter (@ColodnyFassLaw)
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to colodnyfassnews@gmail.com.