Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, April 19, 2017

 

Florida Rideshare Regulation Legislation Approved

Today House Bill 221, sponsored by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) and Representative Chris Sprowls (R-Clearwater) passed the Florida Senate with overwhelming, bipartisan support following the unanimous passage of the Bill last week in the House of Representatives.

 

House Tees Up Florida No-Fault Insurance Repeal

A move to repeal Florida’s No-Fault Auto Insurance System could receive approval Wednesday from the House, though it remains unclear whether Lawmakers can agree on the issue before the scheduled May 5 end of the Legislative Session.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via SayfieReview.com.

·         Crash Victim Urges Changes in Florida’s Auto Insurance Regulations

 

House Rejects Democrats’ Amendments, Tees Up Workers’ Comp Bill For Passage

After shooting down Amendments offered by Democrats that would have provided Injured Workers with a greater choice of Treating Physicians and eliminated a Cap on Plaintiff’s Attorneys Fees, the House on Tuesday teed up a Workers’ Compensation Bill, HB 7085, for passage on Wednesday.  Christine Sexton reports for Politico Florida.

·         House Ready to Vote on Workers’ Comp Changes

 

U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Appeal by Florida Floating Home Owner

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Florida man’s latest Appeal in a Landmark Case involving the seizure and destruction of his Floating Home.  The Associated Press’ Curt Anderson reports via Insurance Journal.

 

Man Alleges Progressive Failed to Settle His Insurance Claim

Hector Colon filed a Complaint on March 24 in the Orange County Circuit Court against Progressive Casualty Insurance Co. alleging that the Insurer breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing.  Jenie Mallari-Torres reports for the Florida Record.

 

Trauma, Medicaid Changes Move Forward in Florida House

HB 1077 would eliminate limits on the numbers of Trauma Centers comes after years of legal battles in the Hospital Industry about whether the Florida Department of Health should approve Proposals to open New Trauma Facilities.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via the Palm Beach Post.

 

Florida Wildfires Burn More Than 126K Acres So Far in 2017

At least 126,000 Acres have burned in Wildfires across Florida since January, surpassing the five-year average of acreage burned in a typical year.  Insurance Journal reports.

 

Frank Artiles Replaced as Senate Committee Chair

Kelli Stargel will replace Frank Artiles as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities.  A.G. Gancarski reports for FloridaPolitics.com.

·         Artiles Apologizes on Senate Floor as Resignation Calls Mount

 

House and Senate Advance Medical Pot Bills But No Compromise in Sight

Florida Lawmakers are moving full steam ahead to implement the Voter-Approved Constitutional Amendment to Legalize Medical Marijuana, but there is still no sign of a compromise between competing House and Senate Plans.  The Tampa Bay Times’ Michael Auslen reports via “The Buzz” blog.

 

Senate President Can’t Say if Florida Legislature Will End on May 5 as Scheduled

Given the number of major unresolved issues, many have wondered if the Legislature will have to either extend this year’s Session or maybe even have to come back for a Special Session as they had to two years ago to finish the Budget.  The Miami Herald’s Jeremy Wallace reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.

·         Clash of Titans:  Latvala, Lee Feud Persists as Session Nears End

 

Florida Senate Scuttles House Ethics Changes

A Major Ethics Package backed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran is dead for the Session after the Senate refused to consider the Legislation, House leaders said Tuesday. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Lloyd Dunkelberger reports via the Palm Beach Post.

 

House Advances Bill Giving Power to State Legislators for CRAs

A modified Bill to put Additional Limits on Community Redevelopment Agencies advanced Wednesday in the House Government Accountability Committee.  Mitch Perry reports for FloridaPolitics.com.

 

Another Session Will End With The Reviled Write-In Loophole Intact

Neither the Republican Party of Florida nor the Florida Democratic Party has shown much enthusiasm for closing a Loophole that protects Florida’s Closed Primary System.  The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet notes in “The Buzz” blog.

 

Clearwater Man Claims Injury During Heroic Runaway Golf Cart Rescue

After one of the “Improperly Loaded” Doors accidentally hit the accelerator, Pierce alleges the Driverless Cart began moving forward toward Residents sitting in complex’s courtyard.  SaintPetersBlog.com reports.

 

 

 

Click here to follow Colodny Fass on Twitter (@ColodnyFassLaw)

 

 

 

 

 

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to news@colodnyfass.com