Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, May 31

May 31, 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.

 

 

Daily Insurance-Related News

 

Hurricane Model Shows Interior Risk is Rising

New analytic tool could justify higher premiums for wind insurance away from coast.

 

New property insurance law predicted to help bottom line for insurers

Governor Rick Scott signed the new insurance measure into law last week.

 

Craig Fugate Rebuilds Federal Emergency Management Agency, Just in Time for Hurricane Season

As Florida heads into another hurricane season, the state has a friend in Washington.

 

Is South Florida “due” for a storm? Yes. No.  Maybe.

With hurricane season starting Wednesday, and following a 5-year stretch in which no hurricanes struck Florida, the pundits have spun the wheel of fortune and determined that the state – South Florida – Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast – your house – definitely will get a hurricane this year.

 

Storm-surge evacuation zone maps on display

Residents here last year were so preoccupied with the harsh effects of the BP oil spill that checking their status on the updated storm-surge evacuation zone map probably was not priority one.

 

Letter to the Editor:  To recoup cost, insurance companies increase rates

It was hard to read the letter from state Representative Bryan Nelson, chairman of the Subcommittee of Insurance and Banking, in the May 19 paper, where he actually said that Senate Bill 408 “did not raise insurance rates.”

 

Letter to the Editor:  Insurers pick consumers’ pockets

Insurers pick consumers’ pockets–They sure didn’t waste any time.

 

Florida toughens law on underage house parties, but not in time for graduation

When it comes to alcohol and high school graduation, state and local officials are making it clear that it’s best to just keep a lid on it.

 

Workers’ compensation law:  Prodded by pro sports teams, Florida clamps down on workers’ compensation claims

Florida workers who travel as part of their jobs may soon have a harder time claiming benefits from on-the-job accidents – thanks, in large part, to the state’s professional sports teams.

 

Florida hospital review panel could change how facilities operate

The day after Governor Rick Scott drew criticism for cutting some $615 million in state spending, his administration embarked on another contentious venture:  Taking on Florida’s public hospital system.

 

Former Florida Insurance Commissioner Tom Gallagher Seeks Return to Education Commissioner Post; 18 Others Apply, But Search Continues

Nineteen people have applied for the job of Florida education commissioner, including the surprise emergence of a well-known Florida politician who held the job 10 years ago

 

Election Supervisors Hesitant to Implement New State Law

The elections supervisor in Rick Scott’s home county refuses to recognize a new law the governor signed out of concerns that the U.S. Department of Justice hasn’t decided whether it violates a law protecting minority voters.

 

Florida sweeps trust funds

Lawmakers and governors have used a broom to balance Florida’s budget during the great recession, sweeping out $2.8 billion from 95 pots of money meant to pay for everything from children’s health care to home-buying assistance and using the money instead just to keep the state in the black.

 

Florida Condo Laws Ignite New Court Battles

Condominium associations have a slightly heavier hammer to wield against delinquent owners who rent out their units — and now associations are being nailed with new court challenges.

 

It’s official:  State Senator Mike Bennett running for Congress

Senator Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, officially filed this week to run for the 11th Congressional District seat held by Tampa Democrat Kathy Castor, according to the Florida Election Commission website.

 

Windstorm insurance fight stirring threats of Texas special session

A growing fight over Insurance for coastal communities appears likely to force lawmakers to return for a special session this summer.

 

Certificates of Insurance Bill Heads to Texas Governor

The Texas Legislature has passed a measure that requires regulatory approval of property and casualty certificate of insurance forms provided to insureds as proof of coverage.

 

Prepaid payroll cards may reach 5.4 million by ’14

5.4 million. That’s the number of U.S. workers who will get prepaid payroll cards from their employers by 2014, double the amount today, according to market-research firm Aite Group.

 

 

 

 

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