Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, May 17
May 17, 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
9:00 a.m.–Florida Cabinet meeting; To view the agenda, click here.
- State Board of Administration
- Authorize the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund to file a Notice of Proposed Rule for Rules 19-8.029, “Insurer Reporting Requirements,” and 19-8.030, “Insurer Responsibilities,” and to authorize filing these rules for adoption if no member of the public requests a Rule hearing. To view the hearing notice, click here.
10:00 a.m.–Florida Surplus Lines Service Office National Clearinghouse Committee meeting; Agenda includes issues pertaining to the proposed national surplus lines tax clearinghouse. To view the meeting notice, click here.
1:30 p.m.–Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Advisory Council meeting; Agenda includes discussion on the May estimated claims paying capacity and other general business. Teleconference: 888-808-6959; conference code: 4765251363. To view the meeting notice, click here.
2:00 p.m.–National Association of Insurance Commissioners Surplus Lines Implementation Task Force and Clearinghouse Plan of Operation Subgroup meeting; To register for the call, click here.
State’s hurricane fund could have a tougher time getting money this storm season
New estimates show that the “cushion” enjoyed by the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund has dropped by $4 billion since last October.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Insurance bill prompts public sparring
A war of words is raging as vocal and experienced combatants in the battle over property insurance laws attempt to sway Governor Rick Scott their way on a bill the industry says it needs but critics contend goes too far.
Sides battle over Florida insurance bill
With a sweeping property Insurance reform bill awaiting Governor Rick Scott’s signature, supporters and opponents of the proposal continue to battle.
Wilma yacht salvage trial nears an end
An ongoing legal battle between the owner of a 158-foot luxury sailing yacht blown aground during Hurricane Wilma and Insurance companies that refuse to pay all his claims is expected to wrap up in the next two weeks, with a judge having final say on the millions of dollars that hang in the balance.
Insurance Information Institute: How Insurance Supports the Florida Economy
The Insurance Information Institute has just updated the Florida edition of “A Firm Foundation: How Insurance Supports the Economy.” The Florida edition focuses on the insurance industry’s role as a key player in the state. It includes charts on gross state product, employment, premiums and many other factors.
Florida Court Knocks Out Hulk Hogan Claim Against Agency
A Pinellas County, Florida judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Terry Bollea, better known as celebrity wrestler Hulk Hogan, in a matter stemming from his son’s 2007 car crash that left passenger, Nick Graziano, with permanent brain damage.
Blog: Clock ticking on Medicaid overhaul sell to Feds
Needing federal approval to overhaul the Medicaid program, Florida health officials have less than three months to develop a detailed plan to sell to the Obama administration.
Drought worsens: Lake Okeechobee is 4 feet lower than last year
With drought dropping Lake Okeechobee’s level almost three feet below normal, water managers may soon need to activate pumps to substitute for gravity and move water south through farmlands and into the Everglades.
Federal Election Commission clears complaint against Representative Rivera
The Federal Election Commission has found “no reason to believe” that Representative David Rivera violated campaign finance law during the 2010 election by coordinating a campaign attack with an independent political committee.
Governor Scott urges Florida justices to reject rule challenge
Governor Rick Scott has filed papers with the Florida Supreme Court urging the justices to reject a challenge to his takeover of agency rulemaking authority.
United States Supreme Court may hear case involving Florida’s travel restrictions on Cuba
A controversial Florida law that restricts state colleges and universities from traveling to Cuba and other “terrorist states” could be headed before the U.S. Supreme Court for review.
United States Supreme Court gives police a new entryway into homes
The Supreme Court on Monday gave police more leeway to break into residences in search of illegal drugs.
Florida public records bills under criticism
Governor Rick Scott, whose critics say has a tin ear for open government, is the last hope for First Amendment advocates who want him to veto bills that they contend would make it harder to investigate suspicious deaths, elder abuse and wasteful spending.
Governor Scott names Chartrand to Florida Board of Education
Florida Governor Rick Scott has appointed Ponte Vedra Beach business executive Gary R. Chartrand to the State Board of Education.
Three top vacancies filled at Department of Environmental Protection but six remain
Nine vacancies were created in January when the resignations requested of top Department of Environmental protection managers were accepted during the transition to the administration of Governor Rick Scott.
Florida Transportation Funding: Stuck in ‘Paradise’
This is National Transportation Week in America. But there is little reason to celebrate in Florida.
Senator Nan Rich: The GOP bait-and-switch
Call it the great Republican bait-and-switch of the 2011 legislative session.
Blog: State budget cuts OPPAGA funding
One little-discussed budget approved by lawmakers was what could amount to the elimination of funding for OPPAGA, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, reports the News Service of Florida.
The fate of a new $12 million complex in Newtown and the historic Lido Pool are uncertain as the city of Sarasota must deal with the fallout of Sarasota County’s move to pull future funding for parks.
Governor Scott’s mom says he’s doing a good job
Governor Rick Scott may not have gotten everything he wanted out of the 2011 legislative session but, if they handed out political report cards, his mother would still paste this one up on the family refrigerator.
Dodd-Frank Consumer Bureau Changes Approved by U.S. House Panel
Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee advanced three bills today to reshape the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, turning the tables on Democrats who approved the agency in party-line votes last year.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners elects new secretary-treasurer
Special Interim Election Held to Replace McRaith
Members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners held a special plenary meeting via conference call to elect a new Secretary-Treasurer.
Louisiana to Recoup Katrina Money
Louisiana may recoup home repair money given to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New York Names New Chairman
Christopher A. Brassard was named the new chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc.
Kansas Governor Signs ‘Crash Tax’ Bill
Kansas has joined Arizona and Utah as the third state this year to ban or place restrictions on local governments charging accident response fees.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an email to Brooke Ellis (bellis@cftlaw.com).