Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Jan 31, 2018
Senate Committee Forward Bill Pre-Empting Local Control Of Vacation Rentals
In a battle over how far to roll back Local Control and Regulation of Vacation Rental Homes, Senator Greg Steube won a crucial victory. FloridaPolitics.com’s Scott Powers reports.
Sign Language Gibberish Prompts Bill On Hurricane Briefings
The Florida House unanimously approved a Bill that would require Officials to include a qualified Sign Language Interpreter at televised Hurricane Briefings. The Associated Press reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida Supreme Court Eyes Traffic Ticket Firm
The Florida Supreme Court ordered a Miami-Dade County Firm that helps Customers fight Traffic Tickets to show why it is not practicing Law without a License. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
Aronberg To Head Up National Opioid Abuse Initiative
Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg will lead a National Group of Prosecutors to develop Policy Proposals focused on the Opioid Crisis. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via the “Truth or Dara” blog.
House Re-Drafts PTSD Legislation To Include Educational Component
A House Panel on Tuesday pushed forward a Re-Draft of a Workers’ Compensation Bill that would extend Benefits to First Responders who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder if they are diagnosed within two years of the Work-Related Mental Injury. Ana Ceballos reports for Florida Politics.
Senators Try to Set Framework for Telehealth
A Senate Committee Approved a Bill that includes some recommendations made by a State-Appointed Telehealth Advisory Panel but ignores other recommendations involving what is known as “Parity” in Health Care Coverage and Reimbursements. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
Tampa International Airport is No. 6 Nationally for Guns Confiscated at Security Checkpoints in 2017
The Transportation Security Administration intercepted 97 Guns — 90 of them loaded — at TIA last year. The year before, Screeners Confiscated 79 Guns at the Airport’s Checkpoints. Richard Danielson reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Among the States with the Lowest Number of Structurally Deficient Bridges
Compared to the other States, Florida Ranked 49th on the percentage of Structurally Deficient Bridges and 41st on the total number of Structurally Deficient Bridges. Donovan Harrell reports for the Tampa Tribune.
Florida Physician Arrested For Stealing $64K In Insurance Claim Checks
A Florida Healthcare Practitioner has been arrested on Charges of Forgery, Uttering, Scheme to Defraud, and Grand Theft after allegedly stealing $64,436 in Insurance Claim Monies from his Business Partner, according to a statement from the Florida Department of Financial Services. Insurance Journal reports.
Lori Berman Cruises To Landslide Primary Victory
Berman, Lantana Democrat won an expected Victory in a Special Primary Election, defeating fellow Democrat Arthur Morrison. The Sun-Sentinel’s Dan Sweeney reports via FloridaPolitics.com.
A Billion Here, a Billion There . . . Budget Tussle Begins at Capitol
Republicans are at Odds over spending in Health Care, Education. The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports via “The Buzz” blog.
- Senate Budget Pits Hospitals Against Each Other
- Richard Corcoran’s Next Challenge: Master The Expectations Game
Political Fight Begins as “Sanctuary Cities” Bill Stalls in Senate
A Senate Panel Tuesday has likely killed Legislation banning “Sanctuary Cities” in Florida, a contentious issue that appeared poised to become the first big Political Fight of this year’s Florida Gubernatorial Campaign.
House Kicks Off Effort to Weed Out “Bigots on the Bench”
Speaker Richard Corcoran has followed up on a promise to shake up the Criminal Justice System and shake out more Data on how it’s doing. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Bottoms Up: Booze Bills Moving In House
A Trio of Alcoholic Beverage-Related Bills moved through a House Panel Tuesday. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Lawmakers Roll the Dice Again on a Gambling Plan
Attempts to reach a Deal on sweeping Gambling Proposals have been perennially fruitless endeavors in the Florida Legislature. The Orlando Sentinel’s “Central Florida Political Pulse” blog has the story.
Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown To challenge Congressman Al Lawson
Lawson begins the Campaign as a strong Favorite even if Jacksonville makes up 40 percent of the Vote. James Call reports for the Tallahassee Democrat.
With Merger Nearly Complete, Lennar Poised To Help Homebuilders Face New Challenges
Florida’s Lennar, the Nation’s Second-Largest Homebuilder, is close to completing its strategic buyout of Arlington, Virginia’s CalAtlantic Group, expected to happen as early as next month. Phil Ammann reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
PCI Joins Insurance Associations In Backing NAFTA
PCI and other Insurance Groups in the US, along with two in Canada and one in Mexico, voiced their support for the North American Free Trade Agreement via a Joint Statement. Financial Regulation News reports via the PCI SmartBrief.
NAIC Names 2018 Consumer Liaison Representatives
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recently named 37 Consumer Liaison Representatives for 2018.
6 Homeowners Insurance Tips For Super Bowl Party Hosts
Here’s how Super Bowl Party Hosts can enjoy the Game — and their Guests — while avoiding a possible Insurance Claim. Elena Ashanti Jefferson reports for National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com.
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