Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, December 10
Dec 10, 2013
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
9:00 a.m.–Florida Cabinet meeting. To view the complete agenda, click here.
- Update on Citizens Risk Reduction – CEO/President Barry Gilway
- Citizens Inspector General Melinda Miguel will also speak
10:00 a.m.–Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation Proposed Rule Hearing. Proposed amendments to Rule 69L-6.031, “Stop-Work Orders in Effect Against Successor Corporations or Business Entities,” would reflect statutory revisions to paragraph 440.107(7)(b), F.S. to include limited liability companies as successor entities for purposes of effectuating stop-work orders. To view the hearing notice, click here.
11:00 a.m.–Florida Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance meeting. To view the agenda, click here.
- Consideration of the following bills:
- SPB 7004 relating to Public Records/Florida Insurance Guaranty Association
- Presentation on the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund
- Presentation by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
- Presentation on Pending Federal Legislation on the National Flood Insurance Plan
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
New Florida Keys hurricane shelter plan expected
South Florida officials are expected to approve a plan for a new mainland hurricane shelter for Florida Keys residents and their pets, the Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Column: FEMA is gouging without conscience
Just about 20 years ago, the Florida Legislature took a stand against profiteers, Tampa Bay Times’ columnist John Romano writes.
Florida lawmakers still looking to solve pedestrian safety puzzle
Welcome to Central Florida, where one of the cities in the heart of the I4 corridor, Orlando, was found to be the most dangerous city in America for pedestrians, Frank Torres reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Lawmakers seek to limit parasail accidents
Two lawmakers have proposed setting safety standards for parasailing, a move that could not only cut down on the threat of deaths and injuries to participants but save operators from skyrocketing insurance rates and a growing negative perception of the sport found in many of Florida’s coastal communities, including Volusia County, Chris Graham reports for the Daytona Beach News Journal.
South Florida chiropractor pleads guilty to insurance fraud
A chiropractor from Parkland pleaded guilty Monday to five criminal charges related to a staged accident insurance fraud conspiracy in South Florida, court records show, Paula McMahon reports for Orlando Sentinel.
Florida Arrests 9 Contractors on Workers’ Compensation Charges
Florida CFO Jeff Atwater announced the arrests of nine men as a result of a two-day undercover operation in Manatee County focusing on unlicensed contractors that failed to provide workers’ compensation insurance, Insurance Journal reports.
Washington Navy Yard Shooting Victim’s Family Files Suit in Florida
The family of a woman slain during the mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard is the first to file a lawsuit against the U.S. government and defense contractors over the slaughter that left 12 dead, alleging that officials ignored warning signs about the killer’s deteriorating mental health, Associated Press’ Tamera Lush reports via Insurance Journal.
Andy Gardiner Set to Become Senate President Designate
Andy Gardiner will officially be named the next president of the Florida Senate in 2014 today as he readies to replace Don Gaetz after the 2014 elections, Jeff Henderson reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Internet tax ruling could embolden Florida lawmakers
A U.S. Supreme Court decision last week rejecting an appeal from Amazon.com that contested a New York law that requires the Internet retailer to pay sales taxes there could provide momentum for a similar measure in Florida, Halifax Media’s Lloyd Dunkelberger reports for the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Scott, Cabinet will vote on $42,500 raise for state pension chief
Will Christmas come early for the man who runs the Florida Retirement System? Gov. Rick Scott and the three elected Cabinet members will answer that question today, Tampa Bay Times reporter Steve Bousquet reports for “The Buzz” blog.
Bills to halt pregnancy discrimination, credit report use in hiring clear Senate panel
The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee passed two bills Monday that would prohibit employers from discriminating against pregnant women or using credit reports in hiring decisions, The Florida Current’s Gray Rohrer reports.
Medical marijuana coming down to the wire
According to polls, medical marijuana has strong support in Florida. Whether it actually will come to a vote in November is far less certain, Tampa Bay Times’ Stephen Nohlgren reports.
Florida congressman lost $18 million in scheme
U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson of Florida lost $18 million in a scheme that cheated him and about 120 other investors out of more than $35 million, according to court papers, Associated Press’ Matthew Barakat reports via the Tampa Tribune.
As number of Florida banks dwindle, starting new ones become rare event
Starting a community bank in Florida used to be as common as pouring a glass of orange juice, recalls Tampa Bay Times’ columnist Robert Trigaux.
Ex-Texas, South Carolina Regulator Kitzman Joins Starr Insurance as VP
Starr Companies said it has appointed Eleanor Kitzman as vice president of Starr Insurance Holdings Inc., Insurance Journal reports.
Texas insurance companies sued by hospital for failing to pay lien
A hospital is suing an insurance company for failing to pay a hospital lien after settling with a driver injured in a car crash, Joel Brakken reports for the Southeast Texas Record.
Proposal to Raise Gift Allowance from Lobbyists Raises Concern in Oklahoma
A plan to increase by 500 percent the amount in meals and other gifts that a lobbyist can give to a legislator in Oklahoma each year is raising concerns from a public watchdog group and some state legislators over the growing influence of money in politics, Sean Murphy reports for Insurance Journal.
Local leaders planning for climate effects
When it comes to climate change, local officials have a message for Washington: Lead or get out of the way, Associated Press’ Matthew Daly reports via the Tampa Tribune.
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