Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, February 22
Feb 22, 2012
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 2012 Regular Legislative Session
- Click here for today’s Senate block calendar
- Click here for today’s House of Representatives block calendar
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.–House Economic Affairs Committee
- CS/CS/HB 725 relating to Insurance Agents and Adjusters by State Representative Bill Hager
- CS/HB 1101 relating to Insurance by State Representative Mike Horner
9:00 a.m.–Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (“Citizens”) Market Accountability Advisory Committee meeting. Teleconference: (866) 361-7525; conference code: 7819939192#. To view the meeting notice, click here.
(RESCHEDULED – No further information available at this time) 10:00 a.m.–Citizens Presidential Search Committee meeting. Teleconference: (888) 942-8686; conference code: 5743735657#. To view the meeting notice, click here.
11:00 a.m.–Citizens Depopulation Committee meeting. Teleconference: (855) 312-8651; conference code: 4458606638#. To view the meeting notice, click here.
1:00 p.m.–Citizens Board of Governors Workshop. Teleconference: (888) 942-8686; conference code: 5743735657#. To view the meeting notice, click here.
1:00 p.m.–House Session
- HB 7105 relating to Open Government Sunset Review/Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association by the House Government Operations Subcommittee
- HB 7107 relating to Open Government Sunset Review/Consumer Complaints and Inquiries by House Government Operations Subcommittee
- HB 7033 relating to Open Government Sunset Review/Personal Injury Protection and Property Damage Liability Insurance Policies by House Government Operations Subcommittee
- CS/CS/HB 313 relating to Premises Liability by House Judiciary Committee; House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee; State Representative Leonard Bembry
- CS/HB 409 relating to Alien Insurers by House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee; State Representative Ed Hooper
- HB 379 relating to Captive Insurance by State Representative Jeanette Nuñez
- CS/CS/HB 1065 relating to Annuities by House Economic Affairs Committee; House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee; State Representative Doug Broxson
- CS/CS/HB 1011 relating to Warranty Associations by House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee; House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee; State Representative Joe Abruzzo
- HB 1127 relating to Citizens Property Insurance Corporation by State Representative Ben Albritton
- CS/CS/HB 645 relating to relating to Public Records/Title Insurance/Department of Financial Services by House Government Operations Subcommittee; House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee; State Representative George Moraitis Jr.
1:00 p.m.–Florida Division of Insurance Agents and Agency Services Rule Development Workshop. Proposed amendments would update the following Rules in Chapter 69B-213, F.A.C. to conform with current statutory provisions in the Florida Insurance Code. To view the hearing notice, click here.
- 69B-213.010: Purpose and Scope
- 69B-213.020: Definitions
- 69B-213.040: Who May Appoint a Customer Representative
- 69B-213.050: Limits on Lines and Products the Customer Representative May Handle
- 69B-213.060: Appointment of Customer Representative and Designation of Supervising Agent
- 69B-213.070: Termination of Appointment or Supervision
- 69B-213.080: Duties of Appointing Agent
- 69B-213.090: Duties of Appointing Agency
- 69B-213.100: Duties of Designated Supervising Agent
- 69B-213.110: Customer Representative’s Duties
- 69B-213.120: Duty to Supervise Explained
- 69B-213.130: The Customer Representative’s Authority; Limitations.
3:00 p.m.–Citizens Finance and Investment Committee meeting. Teleconference: 866-361-7525; conference code: 2478401990#. To view the meeting notice, click here.
3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.–Senate Committee on Health Regulation
- SB 668 relating to Workers’ Compensation Medical Services by Senator Alan Hays
Florida Lawmakers Still Balk at Raising Homeowners’ Premiums for Catastrophe Fund
State lawmakers have gambled with their constituents’ money for years when it comes to dealing with Florida’s property insurance issues.
Report: Broward lake yields dozens of submerged vehicles
The Broward Sheriff’s Office Dive and Rescue Team this week has fished more than two dozen submerged vehicles from a Pembroke Park lake and even more are likely to be found, WPLG-Ch. 10 reported.
Claims bills seek money for victims – but often fail
They’re just two people whom the government did wrong: a Broward sheriff’s deputy speeding on his way to work nearly ended Brody’s life when he rammed the high-school student’s car in 1998; and a Brevard County jury imprisoned Dillon for 27 years for a murder he did not commit.
Florida Jury Awards Man $3.3 Million Over Bank’s False Alarm
A Miami-Dade jury has awarded $3.3 million to a man who was trying to cash a check but was then detained after a Bank of America teller activated a silent alarm.
Florida House keeps county health departments under state umbrella
The House has taken a step toward the Senate on Tuesday and passed a Department of Health bill that keeps county health departments under the umbrella of the state agency.
Redistricting review widens as justices ask for lawmakers’ addresses
The Florida Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that groups challenging the maps will need to turn over the address information they used in preparing their legal arguments to help justices decide whether the redistricting plans favor or disfavor incumbents.
Blog: Senate GOP leadership scramble
Former House Speaker and powerful Senate Rules Chairman John Thrasher may have tipped his hand too soon in a bid to make history as the second lawmaker to serve as leader of both chambers.
On second thought, House panel approves state worker drug tests
An amendment allowing state agencies the option of drug-testing their workers instead of mandating tests, along with other concessions, made HB 1205 more palatable for members of the House Appropriations Committee.
House Committee approves 2 bills that restrict benefits for the poor
One bill would deny food stamps to someone convicted of drug charges, and the other prohibits Electronic Benefit Transfer cards from being used to buy alcohol or tobacco, or to be used at strip clubs or out-of-state ATM machines.
Exemption for professional teacher organizations draws union ire
The statewide Professional Educators Network provides legal counsel, liability insurance and professional training to teachers, but doesn’t engage in collective bargaining, doesn’t contribute or endorse political candidates and doesn’t consider itself a union.
Senator Jim Norman’s amendments restore much of University of South Florida funding
Sen. Jim Norman, R-Tampa, has filed three amendments to Sen. JD Alexander’s budget proposal that he says will give the University of South Florida a more equitable share of cuts across the university system.
Environmental groups warn they’ll sue to require removal of Rodman Reservoir dam in Putnam County
Legislators in the past have stymied attempts to remove the dam and restore the Ocklawaha River. The Florida Wildlife Federation and Florida Defenders of the Environment say removing the dam is needed to allow species such as manatees, striped bass and shortnose sturgeon to migrate into the river.
Governor Scott raising large amounts for 2014 re-election campaign
Gov. Rick Scott is quickly – and somewhat quietly – building up a large campaign account for re-election even though the race is three years away.
As water wars rage, state may step in
St. Johns Water Management District may lose even more authority over local decisions, some fear
Conflicts involving Central Florida’s water supply are heating up even as the Legislature considers ways to impose further controls on the state’s regional water regulators.
Electric car expo gets under way in Tampa
NovaCharge, a national maker of electric vehicle charging stations, had only one charger in the Tampa area a year ago. Now it has more than 200.
Ambulance-chasing attorneys, frivolous lawsuit filings and contractual indemnification clauses were all subjects addressed by the Texas 2011 legislative session.
Nevada Approves Regulations for Self-Driving Cars
Nevada is the first states to regulate self-driving vehicles on its roadways.
Connecticut Seeks to Recapture Role as Insurance Capital
Hartford is trying to recapture its status as the nation’s insurance capital by drawing in a specialized insurance business that is finding a home elsewhere.
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