Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Jun 2, 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
8:30 a.m.–Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology (“FCHLPM”) meeting. Tallahassee, Florida. Agenda includes review of computer models submitted under the FCHLPM’s Acceptability Process and 2013 Standards. Teleconference: (888) 670-3525; conference code: 7135858151. To view the meeting notice, click here. To view the agenda, click here.
9:30 a.m.–Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation Proposed Rule Hearing. Tallahassee, Florida.
- Existing Rule 69L-7.710, F.A.C. has been rewritten and re-organized into five proposed Rules that are intended to replace it under existing Chapter 69L-7, entitled “Workers’ Compensation Medical Reimbursement and Utilization Review.” The proposed Rules incorporate updated versions of Form DFS-F5-DWC-9 and related instructions, including revised instructions for dispensing practitioners when billing for dispensed medications, and for pharmacists billing on Form DFS-F5-DWC-10. For more information and to view the hearing notice, click here.
2:00 p.m.–U.S. House Committee on Financial Services – Housing and Insurance Subcommittee hearing: “The National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”): Oversight of Superstorm Sandy Claims.” Testimony from FEMA regarding the NFIP’s claim payments to policyholders and allegations of incorrect payments and improperly undervalued claims. For more information, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida and Virginia Push for Commercial Space Launch Insurance Reform
Florida and Virginia, ordinarily competitors for space business, have become allies in a little-heralded legislative push to better protect state-operated spaceports from catastrophic events such as launch failures, Military-Technologies.net reports.
The three most important people during hurricane season you don’t know
A handful of people direct the fate of Palm Beach County’s more than 1 million residents when a storm threatens, yet their committee carries an ambiguous title belying the weight of their position. The Palm Beach Post’s Kimberly Miller explains the structure.
Stop Uber, Lyft at airport to avoid “anarchy on the curbs,” aviation director says
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is being swarmed by unlicensed, underground taxi drivers for the companies Uber and Lyft, Broward County‘s aviation director complained. He wants them stopped. The Sun-Sentinel’s Brittany Wallman reports.
Budget negotiations delayed as Special Session gets underway
A sharply-divided Florida Legislature returned to the Capitol Monday to resolve unfinished business, including a state budget, a stalemate over health care and expanded environmental protections mandated by voters in the state Constitution. Steve Bousquet reports via the Miami Herald’s “Naked Politics” blog.
- House tax break package shrinks to “north of $400 million” in bid for health care compromise
- Don Gaetz: No one is coming out of special session “covered in glory”
No surprise: Senate panel OKs amended FHIX plan
The Senate Health Policy Committee unanimously passed its Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange Program, or FHIX, after amending it to be more palatable to conservative constituents and the House Republicans. The Miami Herald’s Michael Auslen reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Health insurers ask for up to 63 percent higher rates in Florida
Health insurers in Florida want rate increases up to 63 percent in 2016, according to federal information posted Monday, Charles Elmore reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Governor’s “Transparency Tour” Takes Aim at Hospitals
Continuing to target the hospital industry, Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday announced what he dubbed the “Spotlight Transparency Tour” to discuss issues such as hospital profits and patient outcomes. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via Health News Florida.
Speculation swirls around Scott summit
Florida will take center stage in the GOP political universe today when most of the major Republican presidential candidates speak in Orlando at an event hosted by Governor Rick Scott that is fueling speculation about the governor’s intentions beyond his current office. Zac Anderson reports for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Judge Rules Mostly in Favor of Flagler County Authority to Regulate Vacation Rentals
Just five days after hearing arguments, a circuit judge today ruled against an attempt to stop Flagler County government restrictions of the short-term vacation rental industry from taking effect. But the ruling also found the ordinance unconstitutional if applied to vacation rental contracts that predate the day the ordinance was passed in February, FlaglerLive.com reports.
Florida League of Cities Lauds Home Rule Heroes
Three state lawmakers have been recognized by the Florida League of Cities for their dedication to ensuring localities are able to function without too much state interference, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Janelle Irwin reports.
Fake service dog bill goes to governor
A bill that punishes owners of fake service dogs and protect those with invisible disabilities who use a service animals has been sent to to the governor for his signature. Christine Stapleton reports for the Palm Beach Post’s “Post on Politics” blog.
Dowling Selected as Illinois Insurance Department Director
Insurance Journal reports that Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner says he will appoint the acting commissioner of the Connecticut Insurance Department to be director of the Illinois Department of Insurance.
SIFI Process Questioned By U.S. House GOP
Republican leadership of the House Financial Services Committee is asking the Financial Stability Oversight Council for detailed information on the process used to designate non-banks as systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs), Arthur Postal reports for InsuranceNewsNet.com.
U.S. Supreme Court Sets Standard for Prosecuting Social Media Threats
The U.S. Supreme Court buttressed speech protections on the Internet, throwing out the conviction of a man who used graphic language on Facebook to suggest he might kill his wife, kindergarten students and an FBI agent. Bloomberg’s Greg Stohr reports via Insurance Journal.
Tennessee Workers Comp Opt-Out Legislation Revised, Ready for Next Session
Legislation seeking to provide Tennessee employers with an option to the current workers’ compensation system has been amended and deferred to the next legislative session. MyNewMarkets.com’s Amy O’Connor reports via Insurance Journal.
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