Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Aug 20, 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
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.–Florida Division of Administrative Hearings Proposed Rule Hearing; Orlando, Florida. Revisions to Chapter 60Q-6, F.A.C. relating to procedural rules for adjudication of workers’ compensation claims would modify definitions, implement mandatory electronic filing, streamline service of pleadings and promote timely resolution of attorneys’ fees and costs, among other changes. To view the Hearing notice, which includes the complete text of all proposed Rules under this Chapter, click here.
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.–Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund (“FHCF”) Rule Development Workshop. Discussion of proposed amendments to Rule 19-8.010, “Reimbursement Contract,” relating to the 2015-2016 FHCF Contract Year. To view the Workshop notice, click here. To access the draft Rule, Reimbursement Contract and related Forms, click here.
- FHCF Advisory Council meeting; 1:30 p.m. Agenda includes discussion of changes to the Reimbursement Contract and a vote on approval to file Rule 19-8.010 and its incorporated forms for Notice and Adoption if no hearing is subsequently requested. Teleconference: (888) 670-3525; conference code 7135858151. To view the agenda, click here.
10:00 a.m.–Florida Board of Employee Leasing Companies Board meeting. Teleconference: 888-670-3525; conference code: 7489217568. To view the agenda, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Citizens defends foreign travel, draws flak from Scott
Summoned before Governor Rick Scott and the Cabinet Tuesday, Citizens Property Insurance president Barry Gilway defended the state-backed insurer’s foreign travel, Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports for the “Naked Politics” blog.
Scientists meet with Governor Scott on climate change
Five scientists who met with Governor Rick Scott on Tuesday are convinced that climate change is real, but what they are less sure about is whether the governor believes them, Associated Press’ Brendan Farrington reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Preparation matters for businesses dealing with hurricanes, South Florida coalition advises
Programs to help workers’ families were among tips shared Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale at a session on hurricane preparedness, organized by the South Florida Disaster Resiliency Coalition. The nonprofit advocates a public-private partnership to cope with woes from floods to pandemics, Doreen Hemlock reports for the Sun-Sentinel.
Miami judicial races get cash influx from auto insurance political committee
An auto insurance company that regularly fights cases in court has created a political committee and spent nearly $227,000 in support of two Miami incumbent judicial candidates, the Miami Herald’s David Ovalle reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Florida Businesses, Insurers to Fight Ruling Overturning Workers’ Comp System
Property Casualty Insurers Association State Government Counsel Donovan Brown said the recent ruling to overturn Florida’s workers’ compensation law shocked the insurance industry, business groups and other stakeholders, Michael Adams reports for Insurance Journal.
Florida pension plan posts strong year
Florida’s main retirement account for state workers, teachers and other public employees is growing by a double-digit margin, the Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Florida redistricting fight goes back before judge to settle
Circuit Judge Terry Lewis has scheduled arguments for 9 a.m. today on the congressional plan redrawn by state lawmakers in a three-day special session earlier this month, the Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports for the “Post on Politics” blog.
Louisiana Attorney General Files Suit Against State Farm Over Auto Repair Practices
Alleging “a culture of unsafe business practices” in its handling of vehicle repairs, Louisiana’s attorney general has filed suit against insurance giant State Farm, Stephanie K. Jones reports for Insurance Journal.
A.M. Best revises reinsurance outlook to negative, citing ongoing market challenges
Rating agency A.M. Best Co. has revised its outlook for the reinsurance sector to negative, the firm said in a briefing issued Tuesday. Canadian Underwriter reports.
Where have all the insurer-owned banks gone?
The insurance industry is slowly backing out of the retail banking business, according to a report released Tuesday by SNL Financial, and a series of upcoming M&A deals stands to further shake up the industry.
How a shark’s bite could bring down the Internet
Google has had to reinforce its fragile undersea wiring with a material similar to that used in bulletproof vests in order to protect against sharks, which have an “inexplicable taste” for fiber optic cable, the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph reports via Advisen.com.
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