Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Mar 28, 2017
PIP Auto-Insurance Bill in Florida House Starts Moving
Some Members of the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee, which Voted 12-2 for the Bill, expressed a need for the measure to address issues, such as changes in the State’s Bad-Faith Law, to reduce the potential for increases in Lawsuits and lengthy delays in Medical Payments. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the Orlando Sentinel.
· Bill to End PIP “Double Tax,” Save Drivers $81 Per Car Clears Panel
· Florida House Members Move On Auto Insurance Changes
Battle Over Building Code Changes Could Take Center Stage in House, Senate Today
Lawmakers in both Chambers are scheduled to consider Legislation Tuesday that could change the way the Florida Building Code is updated; a move that could have a big impact on the Construction and Insurance Industries. Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida Conditions Ripe For More Wildfires
Parts of Florida are under a drought, and Firefighters worry that dry conditions, strong winds and low humidity are increasing the chances of Wildfires. Insurance Journal reports.
1347 Property Insurance Holdings to Expand Into Florida Homeowners Market
Specialty Property and Casualty Insurance Holding Company 1347 Property Insurance Holdings, Inc., which currently offers Insurance to Individual and Commercial Customers in Louisiana and Texas through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Maison Insurance Co., has announced plans to write business in Florida. Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.
Septic Tank Inspections Bill Gets Watered Down
A Brevard County Lawmaker Watered Down his Bill to crack down on Septic Tanks that pollute waterways such as the Indian River Lagoon to allay concerns about affecting home sales and burdening home sellers.
Florida Lawmakers Seek Changes in Claim Bills
Two House Members are seeking to make Far-Reaching Changes to the process by which the State and Local Governments pay out Claims for Deaths, Injuries, and Wrongful Imprisonment. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Ryan Ray reports via News4Jax.com.
House Could Pass Health Care Changes
The House on Wednesday is slated to take up a Bill (HB 161) that would clear the way for “Direct Primary Care” Agreements between Patients and Doctors. Such Agreements involve Patients making regular payments to Doctors to cover Routine Primary-Care Services, cutting out the role of Insurers. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via News4Jax.com.
House Panel Votes to Eliminate Trauma Center Limits
The Vote by the House Health Innovation Subcommittee would eliminate a system that allows a Maximum of 44 Trauma Centers Statewide and also Caps the Numbers in 19 Regions. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via the Orlando Sentinel.
Bill to Exempt Florida Credit Unions From Regulations Advances in Senate
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Approved SB 1620 Monday, a Bill Filed by West Palm Beach Democrat Bobby Powell that would Exempt Credit Unions from Regulation under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. Mitch Perry reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Telecom Companies Get Committee Nod for Deregulation of 5G Towers
A Bill that would essentially Ban Florida Cities and Counties from Regulating the Locations or Appearances of the Next Generation Technology Cell Phone Towers was approved by a Florida House Committee Monday afternoon, but with some expectations that key provisions may be renegotiated. Scott Powers reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida Lawmakers Ask Trump Administration to Avoid Drilling in Gulf of Mexico
In a letter sent last week to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson is leading a Group of 16 Florida Congressional Representatives asking to avoid Drilling off the State’s West Coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Hannah Morse reports for the Bradenton Herald.
Florida Officials: Aggressive Efforts to Stop Zika Continue
Governor Rick Scott met Monday with Miami-Dade County Officials to discuss Zika preparedness ahead of Florida’s Rainy Season, when mosquitoes are most prevalent. The Associated Press reports via the Gainesville Sun.
Committee Rejects Bill That Would Stop Future Florida Express Lanes
A Bill seeking to end Florida’s Practice of Developing Tolled Express Lanes was rejected Tuesday by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. Scott Powers reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
House Hears Bill to Allow Utilities to Charge for Exploratory Fracking
The Florida House Subcommittee on Energy and Utilities on Tuesday will hear the Proposal sought by Florida Power & Light to allow the Company to expand its Rate Base by charging Customers for Investments in Natural Gas Fracking Operations in other States. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Cities and Counties Battling Florida Legislature Over Home Rule
Cities and Counties are furious over what they see as a power grab by Tallahassee Politicians, but House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’Lakes, says Local Governments have used the cloak of “Home Rule” to enact what he sees as “Runaway Regulations. The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports via “The Buzz” blog.
The Seminole Tribe of Florida is warning Governor Rick Scott that a two-week-old decision by a Leon County Circuit Court that opens the door for anyone from Convenience Stores, Family Fun Centers to Poker Rooms to install Slot Machine Look-Alikes is a Violation of the State’s Gaming Compact with the Tribe and is urging Lawmakers to close the loophole. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Texas Property Owners Face Real Threats From the Insurance Industry’s “Blue Tarp Bills”
Not since the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor has such a sweeping measure, impacting so many Properties, been proposed for this State. Ware Wendell reports for TribTalk.com.
Landmark Insurance Legislation: First Dedicated Run-Off Carrier Granted License by Rhode Island
Pro Global sees pipeline of New Business following the State of Rhode Island granting its Subsidiary ProTucket a Licence to accept Run-Off Portfolio Transfers.
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