Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, March 07, 2017
Mar 7, 2017
Insurance Issues Loom Large on Legislature’s Agenda
Will this finally be the year the Florida Legislature breaks the stalemate between Insurers and Trial Lawyers over so-called Abusive Water Claims? The Sun-Sentinel’s Ron Hurtibise reports.
· Bill Seeks to Promote Florida’s Private Flood Insurance Market
· Business Groups Oppose Tax Break Swap
Florida’s Avatar Partners Agrees to Acquire Elements Property Insurance Holdings
The Acquisition will expand Avatar’s scale and presence in the Florida Residential Property Insurance Market. Insurance Journal reports.
With Role On The Line, NCCI Insists: We’re Not “An Evil Empire Unto Itself”
The National Council on Compensation Insurance will take no position on a Senate Bill that would require Workers’ Compensation Carriers to propose their own Rates to the Office of Insurance Regulation. Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida Legislators May Find Little Wiggle Room on Medicaid
Governor Rick Scott’s Proposed 2017 Budget proposes shaving $581 Million from Hospital Payments for Medicaid Patient Care. Barbara Peters Smith reports for the Lakeland Ledger.
Corcoran Names Lawmakers to Constitution Panel
The makeup of Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission was completed Monday, when House Speaker Richard Corcoran named the Final Nine Members of the Panel, including Five State Lawmakers. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Lloyd Dunkelberger reports via SayfieReview.com.
· Corcoran Crosses the Aisle — Appoints Senator Tom Lee to the Constitution Revision Commission
Guns, Gambling and Taxes: Florida Legislators Return to Work
Once the Florida Legislature kicks off its 60-Day Session March 7, Legislators are expected to Pass, or Kill, dozens of measures dealing with everything from Abortion to Gambling and the Environment. Gary Fineout explains via FloridaPolitics.com.
· Richard Corcoran: Florida House is Keeping the Faith with Voters
· Florida Senate Convenes in Tallahassee, Adopts Compromise Budget Rules
· All Eyes on Corcoran as Florida Session Begins
· Scott Will Pledge to Fight In “State of State”
· Legislative Session Highlights Local Impacts of Statewide Issues
· Janet Cruz is Ready to Lead Her Caucus During What’s Expected to be a Raucous Session
· Florida’s New Legislative Leaders Talk Issues, Personalities
House Rules Committee Votes to Kill Most Economic-Development Programs
The House Rules Committee Voted, 15-3, Monday to Kill State Support for 23 Economics Development Programs worth around $200 Million. Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Legislators’ Grades to Reveal Record on Open Government
How quickly can the Public’s Right to Government Information be eroded? The Palm Beach Post’s Mike Stucka reports.
· Bill Shading Sunshine Advances
Where Should Florida Cities Put Pot Dispensaries?
New Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers could be allowed in specified Sarasota “Office” Zoning Districts when they are eventually Permitted to Conduct Business within City Limits. Zack Murdock reports for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Decision Time in Florida: Sun, Fun and Nonstop Gambling?
For years, Politicians in the Sunshine State have struggled over whether they want to let glitzy Las-Vegas Style Casinos sprout beside Florida’s Sugar-White Beaches. The Associated Press reports via the Lakeland Ledger.
The Senate Education Committee on Monday approved a Bill broadening Protections for Religious Expression in Public Schools that appears to be fast-tracked for passage despite Critics’ contentions that it would be Unconstitutional and carry Unintended Consequences. Jessica Bakeman reports for Politico Florida.
White Supremacists Step up Recruiting at Florida College Campuses, Group Says
The Level of Recruitment on College Campuses is Unprecedented,” the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism Director told the Miami Herald’s Kyra Gurney.
Property/Casualty Sector Spooked by Potential Antitrust Exemption Rollback
Legislation in the U.S. House would end Health Insurers’ Antitrust Exemption under the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945 but maintain Auto and Property Insurers’ Exemption. Robert Woody of PCI says Insurers must adhere to State Antitrust Laws, and he notes that “Price Fixing, Bid Rigging and Market Allocation are all Illegal at the State Level.” Business Insurance reports.
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