Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, April 05, 2017
Apr 5, 2017
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Launches Assignment of Benefits (AOB) Resource Webpage
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has launched an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) Resource Webpage with information to educate Florida’s Consumers about changes needed to discourage Fraudulent AOB Activity.
Florida Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier is encouraging Consumers to have Flood Insurance Protection in place for their homes and businesses prior to the start of this year’s Hurricane Season.
Miami-Dade and Broward Approve Deals to Collect Millions in Taxes From Airbnb
Miami-Dade and Broward Counties passed Tax Deals with Airbnb yesterday, signaling a major win for the Home-Sharing Platform that has been aggressively lobbying for deals in its top two Florida Counties. The Miami Herald’s Chabeli Herrera reports.
Barahona Case Death Settlement Gets Florida House Panel’s OK
The Florida Department of Children and Families agreed to pay $5 Million to the Estate of Nubia Barahona and to Victor Barahona. It paid $1.25 Million but needs Legislative Approval of “Claim” Bill to pay the remaining $3.75 Million. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the Palm Beach Post.
· Why Children Die — Part 2; Clues in The Claims Bills
Florida House Bill Fails for Woman Run Over on Beach
Joynt and her Attorney, John Phillips of Jacksonville, had filed a Declaratory Action in April 2016, arguing that Volusia’s Insurance Company is obligated, based on its Policy, to cover up to $5 Million in Liability Claims and shouldn’t be allowed to shirk the remaining $1.9 Million. Dustin Wyatt reports for the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Palm Beach County OKs Funds for Heroin Epidemic, Asks for Public Health Emergency Declaration
Officials say more needs to be done to increase the availability of Treatment and implement a response to a Drug Problem that has surpassed Car Crashes as a Cause of Death Nationally. Skyler Swisher reports for the Sun-Sentinel.
Senate Proposes Compromise Over Plan to Build Everglades Reservoir
Florida Senate President Joe Negron appears ready to Compromise in order to get a Top Priority through the Legislature. FloridaPolitics.com reports.
Proposal to Drug Test Welfare Applicants Returns to Florida
A Bill that would require Florida Welfare Applicants with Prior Drug-Related Convictions to submit to Mandatory Drug Testing was advanced. The Associated Press reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
House Sees Senate on Florida Gambling Bill, Raises Them
The House Amended the Senate’s Gambling Measure with its own Bill Tuesday, setting up the Legislation for Conference. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
· Court Ruling Could Result in Explosion of Gambling Permits
South Florida’s Affordable Housing Situation Getting Worse
In a study released this month by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area ranked tenth from the bottom in the supply of Affordable Housing for extremely Low-Income Residents. The Sun-Sentinel’s Editorial Board writes.
Governor Rick Scott’s Search for Agency Law Firms with Legislative Connections Comes up Empty
Hunting for what it termed potential Conflicts of Interest, Governor Rick Scott’s Office asked every State Agency to disclose a Case in which it employs a Law Firm that has a State Legislator on its Payroll. More than 30 Agencies responded, but none said it has such an Arrangement. The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bosquet reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Hedging Costs Florida Consumers $7 Billion — Why Start Again?
Utilities have purchased much of their gas through Hedging Contracts at Locked-in Prices rather than on the Open Market, and gas prices have declined for the most part. Susan Salisbury reports for the Palm Beach Post.
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