Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Jan 27, 2015
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
Looking Ahead–Interim Committee Meetings
- Week of February 2, 2015
- Week of February 9, 2015
- Week of February 16, 2015
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Former Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate: Governor Scott shouldn’t replace Kevin McCarty
Governor Rick Scott confirmed Monday that he’s looking at replacements for insurance regulator Kevin McCarty. But former Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw is not pleased. The Miami Herald’s Michael Austen reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Before sea level rises, Miami Beach officials want to raise West Avenue 1 to 2 feet
In an area that has seen its fair share of roadwork during the past few years, city officials want to raise West Avenue between 1 1/2 to 2 feet during the next few years in an effort to prepare one of the lowest-lying points of Miami Beach for anticipated sea level rise. The Miami Herald reports via Advisen.com.
Uber Auto Policy Meets State Requirements, Says Florida Regulator
Florida’s insurance regulators have determined that a ridesharing company’s automobile commercial liability policy meets state regulations, but legislative action is likely necessary to clarify whether that entitles the company to legally operate in the state. Insurance Journal’s Michael Adams reports.
Palm Beach County to consider loosening Uber, Lyft restrictions
Controversial ridesharing apps Uber and Lyft could get more favorable treatment in Palm Beach County, Celia Ampel reports for the South Florida Business Journal.
Drugged driving summit in Tampa addresses the reality of more stoned drivers on the road
As more parts of the country now allow some form of legal marijuana consumption, auto safety advocates say much more needs to be done to contend with the growing number of motorists who are stoned on pot or prescription drugs while driving. Mitch Perry reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
The Gainesville Sun reports that Nashville, Tennessee-based HCA owns or operates 280 hospitals and free-standing surgery centers in 20 states, including Ocala Regional Medical Center and West Marion Community Hospital in Ocala and North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville.
Florida lawmakers looking forward to $1 billion in surplus funds
Economically, Florida is on the fast track of growth, said state Representative Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, majority whip in the Florida House. Sara Kennedy reports for the Bradenton Herald.
Travis Hutson Favored Over Doc Renuart for Florida Senate Seat
Travis Hutson is starting to pull ahead of Doc Renuart in the final days in the fight for the open Florida Senate seat that had been held by John Thrasher before he became president of FSU. Jeff Henderson reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Florida has fourth largest income gap in U.S., study shows
In a sign of increasing wealth concentration, Florida’s richest 1 percent of residents make 43 times as much as the state’s bottom 99 percent, according to a study released Monday. Jeff Ostrowski reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Florida Republican Senator files new medical marijuana bill
A Republican State Senator filed a medical marijuana bill in the Florida Legislature today, Jan. 26. Senate Bill 528 was filed by Senator Jeff Brandes of Saint Petersburg, Examiner.com reports.
State of Florida won’t say which sports team should get taxpayer money
After years of high-profile defeats for teams such as the Miami Dolphins that are seeking taxpayer help, Florida legislators promised last year to create a new process to evaluate which pro teams deserve subsidies. The Associated Press reports via SaintPetersBlog.com.
Malware attack targets University of Florida faculty, staff
A dangerous virus was delivered Monday morning to the computers of hundreds of University of Florida faculty and staff by a cleverly disguised email containing malicious software code that delivers bulk email spams. Jeff Schweers reports for the Gainesville Sun.
Study Puts $1 Billion Pricetag on FSU-FAMU Engineering Split
Splitting the engineering school shared by Florida State University and Florida A&M University into two separate programs could cost $1 billion and draw legal challenges on civil rights grounds, according to a new study on the issue. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via the Tampa Tribune.
FEMA Agrees to Fargo, North Dakota, Flood Insurance Basement Exemption
Fargo, North Dakota’s acting mayor says the Federal Emergency Management Agency has moved to continue to allow homeowners to have basements in the city’s new floodplain. The Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.
Insurers Sending Consent to Rate Letters to North Carolina Homeowners
North Carolina homeowners are being told to pay higher insurance premiums or risk losing their coverage under a law that allows companies to pay more than the state has approved. The Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.
German judge: Man can’t be fined for peeing standing up
A German judge ruled a tenant can’t be held responsible for floor damage resulting from urinating while in the standing position, UPI reports via Advisen.com. There has been a growing movement in Germany to convert “Stehpinkler”–men who stand while urinating, into tidier “Sitzpinkler,” men who sit to pee.
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