Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, June 14, 2017

 

Air Ambulances: Insurers Call for End to Balance Billing to Consumers

Consumers should not receive devastating Bills for tens of thousands of dollars for Air Ambulance Transport when Providers and Insurers cannot agree on a reimbursement, a Group representing Florida Insurers told a State Panel Tuesday.  The Palm Beach Post’s Charles Elmore reports for the “Protecting Your Pocket” blog.

 

YgreneWorks Announces 12,000 Milestone For Residential Property Mitigation Upgrades

The YgreneWorks Program has proven to Residential and Commercial Property Owners that it is an essential part of Floridian Communities, allowing Property Owners peace of mind during hurricane season while reducing energy and insurance costs, and combating the effects of climate change – all with the highest customer protection standards in the Industry.

 

Money for St. Johns County’s Beaches Doesn’t Come Without Costs

St. Johns County Commissioners on Tuesday will consider entering into a Grant Agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to receive Assistance for Recovery Efforts tied to Hurricane Matthew.  The St. Augustine Record reports.

 

Fires are Being Set On Purpose on Farmlands on Treasure Coast

In the wake of drought-dousing rains, State Officials are again permitting Farmers and others to burn weeds and piles of brush from land-clearing that have been accumulating for months.  Elliot Jones reports for TCPalm.com.

 

Florida Ranks 40th in Kids Count Data

This year, Florida Ranked 40th among the States, its worst showing in years. The percentage of children living in poverty did not improve, and there was a 17 percent increase in the number of children living in areas of concentrated poverty.  Marilyn Meyer reports via the Lakeland Ledger.

 

Doctor Gets Federal Prison Sentence in Sober Homes Fraud

Chatman’s Centers, Reflections Treatment Center in Margate and Journey to Recovery in Lake Worth, received between $9.5 Million and $25 Million in Insurance Payments, Prosecutors said.  Tonya Alanez reports for the Sun-Sentinel.

 

Audit Finds Understaffing and Lax Control of Medication at State Mental Hospitals

Florida’s State-Run Mental Hospitals are Understaffed, some are Unlicensed and they are failing to keep track of pharmaceuticals and seized contraband, according to a New State Audit.  The Tampa Bay Times’ Christopher O’Donnell reports via the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

 

Red Light Ticket?  Enforcement Depends on Where You Got It and How You Try to Resolve It

The way the State’s Red-Light Camera Statute is Enforced varies depending on which City or County someone is ticketed in, and how the ticketed person tries to resolve the ticket.   Susannah Nesmith reports for FloridaBulldog.org.

 

Change to “Stand Your Ground” Law Taking Center Stage in Murder Trial

On Friday, Governor Rick Scott Signed SB 128 into Law, and Effective Immediately it shifted the Burden from the Defense to the Prosecution in a Pretrial Hearing claiming a “Stand Your Ground” Defense.  Jessica DeLeon reports for the Bradenton Herald.

 

Home Prices Rising in Vast Majority of Broward, Palm Beach ZIP Codes

For the first time, the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Realtors are releasing Quarterly Data by ZIP Codes, giving Consumers granular glimpses into specific markets across the Two Counties.  The Sun-Sentinel’s Paul Owers reports.

 

Indian River County Might Be Region’s First To Ban Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

County Commissioners want to review Rules that would keep any Dispensaries from Opening in Unincorporated Indian River County.  Colleen Wixon reports for TCPalm.com.

 

Once Bitter Rivals, Governor Rick Scott, Speaker Richard Corcoran Now Cheer Each Other On

The Two Republicans fought bitterly for months but became fast friends in recent days as their Political Agendas finally converged.  Each Man traded support for the Other’s Priorities, and both Declared Victory after a round of dealing in private.  The Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet reports.

·         Corcoran Doesn’t Play Small Ball

 

Only a Fraction of Floridians Own a Solar Power System

The number of Floridians who own Renewable Energy Systems, such as Solar Panels, that are interconnected to electric utilities and generate power stood at 15,994 at the end of last year. That’s a minuscule fraction of the State’s 20 Million Residents.  But it’s a 38 percent Increase from 2015.  The Palm Beach Post’s Susan Salisbury reports.

 

U.S. Senate Panel Sets Goals for Autonomous Vehicle Deployment

Senate Commerce Committee Leaders on Tuesday said safety, reducing roadblocks to innovation, and clarifying Federal and State Regulatory Roles are among the Chief Goals they will follow when Drafting Legislation covering Autonomous Vehicles in coming weeks.  Automotive News reports.

·         Senators in Drive to Remove Regulatory Roadblocks for Driverless Cars

 

FAIR Talk About Residual Markets

Residual Markets are a necessary part of the Insurance World when you have Regulations or Requirements that some Customers will struggle meeting. Being educated about your Local Residual Markets (and other E&S Options) is a way to make sure that you’re serving your Customers.  Insurance Journal’s Patrick Wright explains.

 

 

 

Click here to follow Colodny Fass on Twitter (@ColodnyFassLaw)

 

 

 

 

 

 

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to news@colodnyfass.com