Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Mar 21, 2017
Florida Appeals Court Sides With State Farm on Policy Information
An Appeals Court Monday sided with State Farm Florida in a dispute about whether Policy Information submitted to State Regulators is a “Trade Secret” and should be shielded from Public Disclosure. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the Orlando Sentinel.
· State Farm Ruling: Bar for Trade Secrets “Absurdly Low,” Advocates Say
Fewer Florida Carriers to Drop FHCF Cover
Only a few Carriers have told the FHCF they want to lower their participation in the State-Backed Reinsurance Scheme this year. Sister publication Trading Risk reported last week.
Florida Insurers Largely Avoid Downgrades
Rating Agency Demotech says Insurers heeded its warnings. Insurance Journal reports.
The latest report by Florida TaxWatch, the State’s Independent, Nonpartisan, Nonprofit Taxpayer Research Institute and Government Watchdog, finds that applying a National Border-Adjusted Tax to Reinsurance Transactions would result in significantly increased Property and Casualty Insurance Premiums for Floridians and negatively impact the State Economy and Job Market.
Florida Realtors: Assignment of Benefits — A Growing Problem for Florida Families
Florida Homeowners need to start taking action regarding an escalating problem that will lead to increases in their Insurance Premiums in the near future. Florida Realtors’ President Maria Wells writes this editorial opinion for FloridaPolitics.com.
Miami Mayor Wants More Limits on Airbnb and Home-Sharing
Airbnb and other Home-Sharing Platforms face more Restrictions in Miami, where the Mayor plans for more Aggressive Enforcement of Regulations prohibiting Rentals of Single-Family Homes in its Residential Areas. The Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Florida Leads U.S. In Motorcycle Fatalities, 20 Percent of State’s Motor Vehicle Deaths
Florida has the most Motorcycle Crash Fatalities in the Nation, with Brevard County having 22, Ranking Ninth among the State’s 67 Counties, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. SpaceCoastDaily.com reports.
Hefty Price Tag Added to Florida’s Long-Term Care Carve Out
The estimated “Ongoing Cost Avoidance” would be $200 Million Annually. FloridaPolitics.com reports.
Proposed All Aboard Florida Regulations: Driven by Safety Concerns or Politics?
Mayfield’s Proposal would make High-Speed Rail Companies pay for the installation of safety measures, including fencing along certain areas of the track that could be dangerous for pedestrians. Ed Dean reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Roughly 34 years after the discovery of the Virus that causes AIDS, Florida’s Lawmakers are considering Legislation whose Maximum Sentence would be Death to knowingly spread the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, or HIV, to a sexual partner without their knowledge, according to a Committee that Voted Favorably Monday in regard to the measure. Les Neuhaus reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Prosecutor Challenges Scott Over Her Removal From Case
A Central Florida State Attorney who created a firestorm by deciding not to seek the Death Penalty for Alleged Cop-Killer Markeith Loyd — or in any other Capital Case — is accusing Governor Rick Scott of abusing his Authority by ousting her as Prosecutor in the Lloyd Case. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via the Palm Beach Post.
· Governor Scott Doesn’t Have Authority to Remove Aramis Ayala, Legal Experts Say
Florida Constitution Revision Panel Starts Once-Every-20-Years Job
The Once-Every-20-Years Process of updating Florida’s Basic Law began Monday, as the Constitution Revision Commission held its opening meeting in Tallahassee. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via the Palm Beach Post.
Wireless Technology Sparks Legislative Debate
A Debate about how to move forward with 5G Wireless, the next generation of High-Speed Technology, is making big waves in the Legislature. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via SayfieReview.com.
State Legislature, Rick Scott Moving Too Slowly on Medical Marijuana, Say Voters
Florida Voters are not happy with how Gov. Rick Scott and the State Legislature are handling Medical Marijuana and say both have been slow on the uptake with getting Amendment 2 implemented in the Sunshine State.
Additional Cancer Treatment Puts Senator Hukill Out of Legislative Session
The Port Orange Republican has been undergoing treatment for Cervical Cancer, and had been hopeful her Doctors would allow her to travel and resume her duties in the Senate. Mark Harper reports for the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Court: Florida Dairy’s Skim Milk Is Skim Milk, Not Imitation
A small, all-natural Dairy isn’t being deceptive when it calls its Skim Milk “Skim Milk,” a Federal Appeals Court Ruled. Brendan Farrington reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
Consumer Group Warns on Trump Budget Cut of Flood Map Funds
A Proposal by the Trump Administration to cut $190 Million in Funding for updating U.S. Maps of Flood-Prone Areas would trigger Higher Insurance Rates or more Homebuilding in Risky Locations, a Consumer Group said on Monday. Reuters’ Suzanne Barlyn reports via Insurance Journal.
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