Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, May 10
May 10, 2011
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
10:00 a.m.–Florida Surplus Lines Service Office National Clearinghouse Committee meeting; Agenda includes proposed national surplus lines tax clearinghouse issues. To view the meeting notice, click here.
11:00 a.m.–Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Audit Committee meeting; Teleconference: 877-865-3965. To view the meeting notice, click here.
2:00 p.m.–Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Agents and Agency Services Rule Development Workshop. Proposed repeal of subsection (5)(d) of Rule 69B-220.201, relating to public insurance adjuster ethical requirements, because it is superseded by the enactment of Section 626.854(11), F.S. To view the hearing notice, click here.
Florida Keys are covered — for now
Legislation that would have phased out windstorm coverage from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. — the state’s quasi-public insurer of last resort — didn’t survive the final hours of Florida’s legislative session, but Florida Keys property owners may find it more difficult to file windstorm claims.
Senate decides not to repeal septic tank inspection law, legislators disappointed
State Representative Marti Coley’s full-on effort to secure repeal of legislation that makes inspections of septic tanks a state requirement fell just short this session.
Blog: The List — South Florida Insurance Agencies
See who ranked No. 4.
‘Suspicious’ Orlando Fire Blows Out Windows, Downs Power Lines
The state fire marshal investigated a suspicious fire that blew out the windows of a home and brought power lines down onto a fire truck Monday night.
Florida Legislature Passes Medical Malpractice Changes
The Florida House has approved the final version of a bill overhauling medical malpractice suits in the state.
Daytona Beach-based Brown & Brown, Hub Announce Four Acquisitions
Insurance brokers Brown & Brown and Hub International Ltd. recently announced four acquisitions on the East and West coasts.
Appeals court overturns another lower court decision on growth management
For the second week in a row, the 1st District Court of Appeal has thrown out a lower court ruling on a growth management issue, saying that the suit was improperly filed against legislative leaders.
Blog: Governor Scott’s $400 million high-speed rail victory
The U.S. Department of Transportation today awarded about $2 billion in high-speed rail funding to 15 states, saying it was money that would have gone to Florida. But Florida was set to receive $2.4 billion. What happened to the $400 million?
Governor Scott signs bail bonds bill in early morning candelight vigil ceremony
Governor Rick Scott signs the “Officer Andrew Widman Act” at a ceremony held shortly before dawn in Fort Myers.
Farmers reap legislative victories
Agriculture accounts for 14 percent of Citrus County’s jobs, keeping 6,683 people employed.
A new law signed by Governor Rick Scott last week could mean more money for the state’s drug courts — but how much money, and how it will affect the judiciary, remains to be seen.
No applicants for state’s top education post
With a national reputation as a leader in education reform, and more aggressive changes on the way, Florida should be an easy sell for those seeking a new education commissioner.
Conservative Field Starting to Line up for First Coast House Race
With Bill Proctor facing term limits, interesting battle shapes up for his seat
With Representative Bill Proctor, R-St. Augustine, facing term limits, two Republicans have already filed to run for his seat and another candidate, who has filed for another seat, could also be in the running.
Fight Over SunRail Gaining Steam, Governor Rick Scott Feeling Heat
Business groups hail job prospects; grass-roots opponents decry ‘sweetheart deal’
The fight over SunRail is switching into high gear as business interests and community activists square off on the controversial project.
Blog: Online travel providers lose chance to settle tax dispute in Legislature
Online travel providers lost their bid to settle a hotel tax dispute with Florida counties in the state Legislature.
Blog: Billionaire Koch expands influence to college campuses, including Florida State University
A conservative billionaire who opposes government meddling in business has bought a rare commodity: the right to interfere in faculty hiring at a publicly funded university.
5 biggest questions of the session answered
The 2011 session is now in the books. Here’s a look at the five biggest questions that we asked at the start of the session and what the final answers turned out to be.
Treasury seeks Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance members
The Treasury Department is seeking members to serve on a new Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance.
Our annual ranking of America’s largest corporations
This year’s Fortune 500 rankings includes four insurance industry lists. The property/casualty mutual insurance company list shows two companies: State Farm Insurance Cos. and Auto-Owners Insurance.
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