Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, April 3
Apr 3, 2013
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
Florida’s 2013 Regular Legislative Session
- Click here for today’s Senate block calendar
- Click here for today’s House of Representatives block calendar
There are no Florida insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida Senate blocks move to reduce Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund
A proposal that could increase property insurance rates by sheering off some bulk in the state’s Hurricane Catastrophe Fund was hit by a bi-partisan front in the Senate on Tuesday.
Bermuda Stock Exchange gives listing approval to Everglades Re 2013 catastrophe bond deal
The Bermuda Stock Exchange has added another feather to its insurance-linked securities cap by giving listing approval to a new $250-million catastrophe bond deal.
Washington Post: Video shows massive sinkhole that killed Florida man
To view the video, click here.
Florida Senate panel ponders junking no-fault auto insurance
One year after the Legislature passed a law overhauling Florida’s no-fault auto insurance, known as personal injury protection or PIP, a Senate panel is considering eliminating the coverage in favor of an alternative system known as bodily injury.
Florida Governor Rick Scott signs bill repealing foreign drivers’ permits
With the stroke of his pen, Governor Rick Scott today ended a controversy that began three months ago when a Florida law took effect requiring foreign visitors to obtain a special driving permit before taking to the Sunshine State’s roads.
House panel OKs state regulators to work with federal health plan
A House committee Tuesday adopted what Representative John Wood, R-Winter Haven, called “a framework to move forward” concerning regulatory issues with the implementation of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Senate committee approves Senator Aaron Bean’s Plan C for health coverage
President Barack Obama has a plan to reduce the number of uninsured people, called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Pharmacy “Fair Audit” Bill Still Waiting for a Hearing
A bill that Florida pharmacy owners say would add uniformity and consistency to auditing practices by insurance companies did not get its first committee hearing Tuesday afternoon, though lobbyists for the measure tell Sunshine State News they expect it to receive a hearing, and to pass, next week.
Parasail regulations making headway in Legislature
Commercial para-sailing operators would have to carry up to $2 million in insurance and obey tightened safety requirements under a bill that flew out of a Senate committee Tuesday with a unanimous vote.
Bob Graham’s Daughter Gwen Has Steve Southerland in her Sights
Governor Rick Scott’s bid for a second term will be the main event of Florida’s 2014 elections, but a congressional race in North Florida is shaping up as one of the better matches on the undercard.
Two legislators from crime-ridden urban districts of Miami-Dade County called for a state investigation Tuesday to find out why neighborhoods too poor to support a grocery store always seem to have a thriving black-market business in ammunition used by gangs and thugs who keep residents cowering in their homes.
Blog: Florida Senator Latvala tees off on Senator Chris Smith in elections-bill fight
A series of partisan clashes on an early voting bill Tuesday brought a stern lecture from Senator Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, the point man on the legislation, who said he was “taking it a little bit personal.”
Florida House sets up “parent trigger” for passage
The Florida House on Tuesday debated a bill that will give parents a vote in turnaround options for failing public schools, as the measure continued to be assailed as a way to ease takeovers of public schools by for-profit companies.
The Florida Current’s Policy Note: State Contracts
Of Florida’s $70 billion budget, 72 percent ($50.4 billion) goes to state contracts, and according to Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, his office typically audits about 2 percent of contracts each year.
19 States Approve Insurance Service Office’s Telematics-Based Auto Rating Tool
Insurance technical and policy services organization ISO said it has filed its first vehicle telematics-based rating rule with insurance regulators in 33 states and received approvals in 19 states.
Rhode Island Issues Bulletin Affirming Punitive Damages Not Insurable Under State Law
Rhode Island’s Insurance Superintendent Joseph Torti III issued a bulletin last week that affirmed that punitive damages are not insurable under the state’s law.
Washington Insurance Commissioner Recovering From Heart Surgery
Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, the nation’s longest serving insurance commissioner, is recovering after successful heart surgery performed Monday at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.
London no longer most appealing city for insurers, study finds
London has held onto its position as the world’s leading financial centre, but not when it comes to insurance.
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