Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Aug 13, 2014
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
9:30 a.m.–Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation Proposed Rule Hearing. Proposed amendments to Rule 69L-6.012, “Election to be Exempt,” would conform to applicable provisions of Chapter 440, F.S. relating to the process by which corporate officers may apply to be exempt from Florida’s workers’ compensation coverage requirements. The proposed Rule would also revise online Form DFS-F2-DWC-250 (Notice of Election to Be Exempt) in order to accommodate application by non-construction industry employers. To view the Hearing notice, click here.
10:00 a.m.–Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association (“FWCJUA”) Investment Committee meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here. To view the agenda, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Libertarian Adrian Wyllie Showcases Running Mate, Commercial Insurance Agent Greg Roe
Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Adrian Wyllie will be showcasing his new running mate — businessman Greg Roe, who has spent more than 30 years in the insurance industry — at campaign stops in Largo on Wednesday and Clearwater on Thursday.
Opportunity knocks for reinsurers in Florida as Citizens offloads policies
Florida is continuing to offload policyholders from its state-backed insurer Citizens onto private insurance companies – potentially boosting business for Bermuda’s reinsurers. Jonathan Kent reports for the Bermuda Royal Gazette.
Broward’s flood maps take effect Monday
Beginning Monday, thousands of Broward County homeowners won’t have to carry flood insurance anymore, the Sun-Sentinel’s Donna Gehrke-White reports.
After Hurricane Charley, Florida better prepared
It’s been 10 years this week since Hurricane Charley plundered Southwest Florida, Bob Rathgeber and Mary Wozniak write in this special report for the Southwest Florida News-Press.
Renewing push for pension changes
A coalition of cities and business groups announced Tuesday that they will be pushing for reforms to prevent Florida from facing a Detroit-like municipal pension crisis, Lloyd Dunkelberger reports for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Thousands Of Florida Residents At Risk Of Losing Health Insurance
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department said that letters are going out to about 310,000 people nationwide whose citizenship or immigration details don’t match what the government has on file, Miami CBS Local reports.
Health insurance for Florida employees gets another look
Florida House Republicans see want to provide more health insurance choices and perhaps require state workers to pay more for their health coverage, Tampa Bay Times’ Tia Mitchell explains.
Florida Unclaimed Property auction brings in $1.31 million for public schools
Last weekend, savvy bidders had an opportunity to help Florida’s schools by taking home some forgotten treasure, Peter Schorsch reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
Judge in Chris Dorworth case backs off after reporter uncovers conflict of interest
Judge Wilfredo Martinez recused himself on Tuesday from the case of a former state lawmaker after WFTV-TV9 uncovered a connection between the two, SaintPetersBlog.com’s Peter Schorsch reports.
After FBI investigation, former staffer for Crist, Bilarakis plead guilty to bilking the government
Brian Prokes, 28, a former office manager in the U.S. House of Representatives, pleaded guilty today for causing the House of Representatives to pay more than $19,000 in excess salary and unauthorized travel expenses, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Florida Times Union’s Matt Dixon blogs the story on Scripps’ “Political Fix Florida.”
Congress may close bank that helps Florida exporters
The future of the 80-year-old Export-Import Bank, a popular program that helps companies in Florida and across the country export their products overseas, is in doubt because of opposition by key Florida Republicans, Ledyard King reports for the Tallahassee Democrat.
- Southwest Florida benefits from Export-Import Bank
- U.S. House Republicans Not Planning to Address Export-Import Bank Re-authorization
Crist vs. Scott will also shape Florida Supreme Court
If Republican Governor Rick Scott is re-elected, he could completely reshape the court that has frustrated him and other GOP leaders on issues ranging from medical marijuana to efforts to protect doctors and businesses from lawsuits, Associated Press’ Brendan Farrington reports via SaintPetersBlog.com.
Democrats Running in Florida Attorney General Primary Get Little Attention
Democratic candidates George Sheldon and Perry Thurston contend Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi is vulnerable in the November election because she has been a national lightning rod THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports.
House District 6 preview: A study of North Florida GOP primary strategies
The race for the Florida House of Representatives District 6 is a study of strategies, SaintPetersBlog.com’s James Call reports.
House District 96 preview: The search for Democratic roots
Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs and former State Representative Steve Perman face off in the August 26 Democratic primary, Peter Schorsch reports for SaintPetersBlog.com.
House District 5 preview: Brad Drake wants back to Tallahassee
Former State Representative Brad Drake has the money, name recognition and backing of the Republican establishment for a return to Tallahassee, SaintPetersBlog.com’s James Call reports.
Defense industry meets in Orlando on Pentagon proposed reductions
National and state policymakers along with defense contractors and economic development officials will gather Wednesday in Orlando for the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Military, Defense & Veteran Opportunities Summit, SaintPetersBlog.com’s James Call reports.
Lloyd’s Warns Sea Level Rise, Land Subsidence Imperil Many “Megacities”
A bulletin from Lloyd’s of London warns that, “as sea levels rise, ground levels in coastal megacities are also falling – with potentially disastrous implications for insurers, Insurance Journal reports.
EU-US Dialogue Project promises action on reinsurance collateral
European regulators are pushing the US to reduce reinsurance collateral requirements through a covered agreement between the European Union and US federal government, Louie Woodall reports for Insurance Risk.
South Carolina Reports Rise in Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud complaints in South Carolina have reached an all-time high with more than 1,200 pouring in last year, according to a report by Attorney General Alan Wilson. Bruce Smith reports for Insurance Journal.
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