Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Feb 17, 2016
FEMA Responds to Florida’s Flood Rate Request, Sort Of
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has responded to Florida’s request to review the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) rates and it may not be as forthcoming and helpful as Florida lawmakers had hoped, Insurance Journal reports.
Ban on surprise emergency medical bills passes panel after changes
Though revised legislation appears to leave out ambulances, Florida’s insurance consumer advocate said she was “encouraged” by a Senate committee’s passage Tuesday of a measure designed to protect consumers from surprise emergency medical bills. Charles Elmore reports for the Palm Beach Post.
Governor Rick Scott, triangulation and the difficult path to Session’s end
There’s no doubting that this session of the Florida Legislature has gone smoother than last year. No fiery speeches on the chamber floors over Medicaid expansion. No threats of walk-offs. No steely stares when asked questions from the media about closed-door caucus meetings. Gary Fineout asks “The Fine Print” question: Can this truce last?
Scott agency heads get Senate panel’s blessing
A Senate committee signed off Tuesday on the confirmation of seven Florida regulatory agency heads, including leaders of some of the state’s highest-profile departments.
Big citrus growers call for drastic downsizing of Florida Citrus Department
A dozen of the largest and most influential Florida citrus growers has proposed a radical downsizing of the Florida Department of Citrus, virtually eliminating its marketing and research programs and transforming it to a small regulatory agency. Kevin Bouffard reports for the Lakeland Ledger.
Florida Senate bill would let people bring guns into airport terminals
A proposal that would allow people to bring guns into airport terminals, but not through federal security screening, has taken off in the Senate amid turbulence from aviation officials. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via the Palm Beach Post.
Bill to let Scott use military force to bar refugees clears House panel
A contentious bill that would give the governor a bigger toolbox, including the use of military force, to keep certain refugees out of Florida cleared its second House committee Tuesday on a 9-3 party-line vote. Politico Florida’s Daniel Ducassi reports.
Florida lawmakers struggle with local governments over who should have more control on some issues
Each session of the Legislature is a tug of war between Florida lawmakers and local governments over home rule, revenue sharing and unfunded mandates. Jeff Schweers reports for the Naples Daily News.
Bill to bar red light cameras moves to full Florida House
A bill to bar cities and counties from installing cameras at intersections to catch red light runners, narrowly passed its final committee stop in the Florida House and is now heading to the full House. Jeremy Wallace reports for the Bradenton Herald.
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today announced that he has reached an agreement with Allstate Insurance Company and Allstate Indemnity Insurance to reduce Allstate’s homeowner insurance rates statewide by an average of 12.6 percent, effective February 1, 2016.
Massachusetts Bill Aims to Open Up Home Rate Filings for Discussion
The Massachusetts Senate recently passed a legislative amendment that would open up home insurers’ rate filings for public discussion, Insurance Journal reports.
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