Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, March 02, 2016
Mar 2, 2016
Compromise Insurance Reform Bill advances in Florida Senate
A half-a-loaf package of property insurance reforms aimed at reducing fraud and overbilling cleared the state Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday over the opposition of construction contractors and to the chagrin of the sponsor of a tougher bill that failed to advance. Ron Hurtibise reports for the Sun-Sentinel.
Sinkhole Insurance could become more affordable under plan in Florida Legislature
Sinkhole damage insurance could be easier to get and more affordable under a plan that has growing momentum in the Florida Legislature. Jeremy Wallace reports for the Miami Herald.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has approved the removal of up to 80,000 personal residential policies and 1,500 commercial residential polices from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
Uber goes after Senate President on ride-sharing issue
The Senate has scuttled efforts to reach a compromise on a heavily lobbied proposal involving app-based transportation services, an official from the ride-sharing service Uber said Tuesday. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner and Dara Kam report via SayfieReview.com.
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Issues Annual Report on Freedom to Travel Law
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty submitted the “2016 Report on Life Insurance Limitations Based on Foreign Travel Experiences” to the Florida Legislature yesterday.
Senator kills his own fracking bill, blames opponent
A Senate bill that would have imposed a two-year moratorium on oil and gas hydraulic fracturing while state regulations were developed won’t be reconsidered in the 2016 legislative session, its sponsor said Tuesday. Bruce Ritchie reports for Politico Florida.
Florida returns record $32 million in unclaimed property
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said the state returned $32 million in property last month, beating the previous record of $27.5 million in August 2014. The Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Compact vote, confirmation snub latest setbacks in Scott’s tough session
Since lawmakers last week unveiled the outline for their roughly $80 billion budget plan, news has gone from bad to worse for Governor Rick Scott, Matt Dixon reports for Politico Florida.
Florida Surgeon General’s confirmation in jeopardy
Despite a show of support from Governor Rick Scott, a Senate panel Tuesday postponed for a second time a vote on the confirmation of state Surgeon General John Armstrong. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Margie Menzel reports via SayfieReview.com.
Florida primary campaign begins in earnest after Super Tuesday
It felt like Florida’s primary began in earnest Tuesday night, with Rubio awaiting results at the Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center, Hillary Clinton at downtown Miami’s Ice Palace Studios and Trump at his ornate Palm Beach estate, Mar-a-Lago. The Miami Herald’s Patricia Mazzei reports.
Rick Scott isn’t picking a side in Senate race that includes his No. 2
Governor Rick Scott is keeping the door shut on an endorsement of his lieutenant governor, who is running in a crowded U.S. Senate race that got a little more crowded this week with the addition of another key ally. Tampa Bay Times’ Tony Marrero reports via “The Buzz” blog.
Judicial Term Limits Bill Likely Dead in Florida Senate
A House initiative to place term limits on Florida Supreme Court justices and appellate judges was assigned to three committees of reference in the Senate late Tuesday: Judiciary, Ethics & Elections, and Rules. Jim Rosica reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
House Doesn’t Budge on Everglades “Legacy” Money
The House is sticking with a proposal to create a 10-year funding pool only for Everglades restoration, setting up potential negotiations with the Senate on how to spend voter-approved money for land and water conservation. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via SunshineStateNews.com.
Rod Smith seeks a return to the Florida Senate
Former Florida Senator Rod Smith has officially filed to run for Senate District 8, a newly redrawn North Florida district that includes all of his home county of Alachua County, plus all of Putnam County and part of Marion County. The Tampa Bay Times’ Rod Smith reports via “The Buzz” blog.
NAIC Releases Market Share Data
The NAIC published two sets of data to help provide consumers with market share data indicating the degree of market concentration in lines of business and identifying leading insurance writers.
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