Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Mar 11, 2015
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
9:00 a.m.–Florida Department of Revenue Rule Development Workshop. Proposed amendments to Rule 12B-8.001, “Insurance Premium Tax; Rate and Computation,” would provide clarification regarding the computation of the installment payment amount required to meet the prior year exception when a taxpayer has made one or more qualifying contributions to eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations. To view the meeting notice, click here.
10:00 a.m.–Florida Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) – Division of Consumer Services (“DCS”) Proposed Rule Hearing. Proposed repeal of Rule 69J-7.001, “Grants-Medical Condition Exception,” which provides that if an existing and compliant opening protection system of a home is unlikely to be deployed due to the homeowner’s medical limitations, a replacement system more likely to be deployed under the medical limitations shall qualify for a grant from the My Safe Florida Home program. This Rule is proposed for repeal because the statute implemented does not address grants based on medical limitations. To view the hearing notice, click here.
11:00 a.m.–DFS – DCS Proposed Rule Hearing. Tallahassee, Florida. Proposed repeal of Rule 69J-9.001, “Database of Information Relating to Sinkholes,” which requires insurers to electronically submit data for all sinkhole or catastrophic ground cover collapse claims (confirmed on or after January 1, 2005) to the DCS. To view the hearing notice, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Bill allows Citizens policyholders to expand some properties
A bill approved by the Florida Senate’s Banking and Insurance Committee Tuesday would allow improvement or expansion of certain buildings as long as the structure ends up no more than 125 percent of its original size. Dan Sweeney reports for the Sun-Sentinel.
Consumer Advocate to Florida Lawmakers: Ridesharing Proposal “Hell-on-Wheels”
The Consumer Federation of the Southeast has warned that consumers will be at significant risk if Florida legislators allow transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft to follow different consumer protection standards than other transportation services in cities and counties across Florida, Insurance Journal reports.
Uber one vote away from legal in Broward
Broward County has decided what to do with one of its most recalcitrant, law-defying corporate citizens, the Sun-Sentinel’s Brittany Wallman reports
Senate panel approves Florida health care expansion given a “snowball’s” chance — but a chance
Despite opposition from Governor Rick Scott and the House, a Senate panel Tuesday unanimously approved a plan aimed at drawing $50 billion in federal funding over the next decade to serve 800,000 uninsured Floridians. The Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports for the “Post on Politics” blog.
Scott and Cabinet OK guidelines for firings, but pace is s-l-o-w-e-d
Governor Rick Scott and the Cabinet approved guidelines Tuesday for hiring and firing state agency heads, but dropped a proposal that these bosses face an annual up-or-down vote on keeping their jobs. The Palm Beach Post’s John Kennedy reports for the “Post on Politics” blog.
When $145 million is not enough
Lawmakers hoping state economists might find some money, any money, to cover a sudden hole in next year’s budget were out of luck Tuesday. The Miami Herald’s Michael Van Sickler reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Breaking their silence about Florida’s troubled prison system, several current and former prison inspectors told lawmakers Tuesday that their bosses repeatedly ordered them to ignore evidence of possible criminal wrongdoing by corrections officers and ignored allegations of cover-up. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Dennis Baxley Beats Jimmie Smith in Opening Round of 2016 Florida Senate Race
Dennis Baxley won the first round against Jimmie Smith in the race to replace Charlie Dean in the Florida Senate as the two House Republicans continue to jockey for position in 2016. Jeff Harrington reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
U.S. Consumer Bureau Moves to Restrict Mandatory Arbitration Clauses
When credit card issuers have faced suits seeking class- action status, companies invoked arbitration clauses to keep squabbles out of court almost two-thirds of the time, according to a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau study published yesterday. The findings pave the way for the agency to propose a ban of forced arbitration or to severely restrict the practice.
XL and Catlin choose reinsurance leaders for combined company
The reinsurance operations of the combined XL Catlin will be led by Charles Cooper in Bermuda, Jonathan Gale in London and John Welch in North America once the companies merge later this year, Sarah Veysey of Business Insurance has learned.
Mercury Agrees to $1 Million Settlement With California Department of Insurance
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced a $1 million settlement with Mercury Insurance Co., Mercury Casualty Co. and California Automobile Insurance Co. over findings that Mercury violated California laws on rating and underwriting practices, Insurance Journal reports.
Commissioner, GOP legislators back North Carolina insurance bills
Republican lawmakers and Democratic state Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin back legislation they say would improve the process to set North Carolina homeowner insurance rates and give insurers a new way to cover huge losses after a hurricane. The Associated Press reports via the Charlotte News and Observer.
Texas Lawmaker Files Insurance Department Transparency Bill
A bill filed by state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, would require the Texas Department of Insurance to post on its website information regarding insurance rates of every residential property and personal auto insurer in the state, including details and justifications for rate increases, Insurance Journal reports.
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