Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Jan 24, 2017
Nelson: Trump hiring freeze could hurt hurricane response in Florida, nation
Florida Senator Bill Nelson expressed concern Monday that President Donald Trump‘s federal hiring freeze will harm the government’s hurricane preparedness and response. The Miami Herald’s James Martin Rose reports for the “Naked Politics” blog.
Associated Industries: Keep Florida’s vital, business-friendly insurance salary tax credit
The proposed repeal of Florida’s insurance-premium-tax-salary credit would create the largest Florida tax hike in many years by increasing premium tax collections from insurers in this state by $297.3 million, the Associated Industries of Florida explains via the Orlando Sentinel.
Committee chair wants assurances PIP repeal would lower premiums
The chairwoman of the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee foresees changes to Florida’s personal-injury protection, or PIP, mandate for auto insurance, but wants assurances reform will reduce premium costs. FloridaPolitics.com’s Michael Moline reports.
Jeff Brandes bill would legalize delivery drones in Florida
The legislation (SB 460) focuses on ground drones, or “personal delivery devices.” FloridaPolitics.com’s Jim Rosica reports.
Court Rules Against Injured Worker On Doctor Choice
In what could be a first-of-its-kind decision in Florida, an appeals court Monday ruled against an injured worker who sought a change in physicians under the workers-compensation insurance system. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via Health News Florida.
Florida Releases Supplement Report with New Data on Litigation Trends, Attorney Fees
The State of Florida Division of Administrative Hearings has released its Supplement 2016-2017 Annual Report of the Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims today, Dara Barney reports for WorkersCompensation.com.
House panel gets update on dental carve out law
A recent study by the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability into how effective managed care plans are at providing dental care appeared to be inconclusive, agency officials said this week. Jenna Buzzacco Foerster.
“Patient Savings Act” filed in Florida House
The shared savings incentive program would allow “insureds [to] receive cash payment as incentive to save on certain non-emergency health care services.” A.G. Gancarski reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Judge steps down amid impeachment threat
A Jacksonville circuit judge accused of making racist and sexist remarks abruptly resigned Monday, a day before a House committee was slated to explore impeachment proceedings. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via SayfieReview.com.
Senator Dana Young Files Florida Fracking Ban Bill
Today, Senator Dana Young (R-Tampa) filed Senate Bill 442, an act relating to advanced well stimulation treatments, which effectively bans fracking throughout Florida. The bill bans fracking of all types in Florida, including hydraulic fracking, acid fracking, and matrix acidizing.
Florida Democratic Party director to step down
Florida Democratic Party executive director Scott Arceneaux announced Tuesday that he is stepping down. The Miami Herald’s Amy Sherman reports for the “Naked Politics” blog.
Richard Corcoran walks the walk, denies extra $13M for DEP water war
His job as Florida House Speaker requires Richard Corcoran to make some tough calls, but this one had to be easy for a man whose stated mission is to clean up the way Tallahassee operates. Joe Henderson reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Bills would restrict local regulation of Florida vacation rentals
Proposals from State Representative Mike La Rosa and Senator Greg Streube would restrict how local governments may regulate vacation rentals, a move that could help preserve that market for the rapidly-expanding Airbnb phenomenon and similar home-sharing services. Scott Powers reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Negron’s “Other Constituents” Will Give Him a Fight on Lake O’s South Reservoir Plan
Senate President Joe Negron is dead-set on spending $2.4 billion for reservoir land south of Lake Okeechobee, SunshineStateNews.com Publisher Nancy Smith reports.
California Insurance Commissioner Prevails in Insurance Industry’s Legal Challenge
In a 7-0 decision, the California Supreme Court has affirmed the authority of Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones in a legal challenge brought by the insurance industry, Insurance Journal reports.
PCI’s Sampson: FIO, NFIP among top governmental issues in 2017
The scope of authority held by state regulators and the Federal Insurance Office is among the top regulatory issues for insurers in 2017, says PCI President and CEO David Sampson. World Risk and Insurance News reports.
Nearly 19 million Americans live in areas where auto insurance is unaffordable including a large number in the New York region, according to a first-of-its kind study by the U.S. Treasury Department. Reuters reports via Insurance Journal.
The Coalition for Competitive Insurance Rates commended a study examining the impact of legislation introduced in the 114th Congress by Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) and Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-MA) (S. 3424 and H.R. 6270) to levy a special punitive tax on foreign-based companies providing reinsurance to US affiliates.
NAIC Releases Insurance Reports
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) released a number of reports including the Homeowners Insurance Report for 2014, 2013-2014 Auto Insurance Database Report and Report on Profitability by Line by State in 2015. The reports provide validated data on market distribution and average cost by policy form and amount of insurance.
NAIC Announces 35 Consumer Representatives for 2017
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners recently named 35 consumer liaison representatives for 2017. The 22 funded and 13 unfunded consumer representatives began their terms January 1.
Texas Stamping Office: Upward Trend Continues for Surplus Lines
Nationally, nearly $26 billion in surplus lines insurance premium was recorded for end-of-year 2016, which is a 3.27 percent rise from 2015, Insurance Journal reports.
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Doak Named Representative to International Economic Organization
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners announced the appointment of Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak as the NAIC’s representative to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
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