Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, March 23
Mar 23, 2011
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 2011 Regular Legislative Session
- Click here for today’s Senate block calendar
- Click here for today’s House of Representatives block calendar
8:00 a.m.–House Civil Justice Subcommittee
- CS/HB 967 Relating to Personal Injury Protection Insurance by House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee and State Representative Mike Horner
8:00 a.m.–House Community and Military Affairs Subcommittee
- HB 535 Relating to Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program by State Representative Jim Frishe
- HB 707 Relating to Agriculture (Reinsurance) by State Representative Steve Crisafulli
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.–House General Session
- SB 484 Relating to Discriminatory Taxes/Reinsurance by Senator Alan Hays
1:00 p.m.–House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee
- HB 1227 Relating to Surplus Lines by State Representative Bill Hager
- HB 1411 Relating to Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Protection Insurance by State Representative Jim Boyd
- HB 1007 Relating to Insurer Insolvency by State Representative Mack Bernard
3:15 p.m.–Senate Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability
- SB 1182 relating to the State Board of Administration by Senator Jeremy Ring
The major property insurance reform bill in the Florida Senate that aims to cut costs to insurers and attract new capital to the Florida market advanced through the Budget Committee March 22, but not before an unfriendly amendment passed.
Insurers tussle for muscle in clash over bill
A property insurance bill being pushed by Governor Rick Scott and the insurance industry took a hit Tuesday as it moved forward in the Senate, but even its opponents suspect the setback will be temporary.
Senator Mike Fasano Leads Charge Against Insurance Bills
Republican senator inserts amendments that dampen reforms
Blog: Big insurance giveaways decried as bill clears another committee
Two legislators and a group representing attorneys who represent policyholders slammed bills today that would allow hefty rate hikes for insurers and allow insurers to drop full sinkhole coverage.
The Florida Surplus Lines Service Office has received notification from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation that it has approved a decrease in the emergency assessment fee levied by Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
Homeowners Can’t Sue Insurers? ‘Bad Faith’ Bill Troubles Some Senators
Senator John Thrasher’s bill gets skeptical review, even from supporters.
Texas Broker Bowen, Miclette & Britt Acquires Florida Agency
Texas-based insurance broker Bowen, Miclette & Britt Inc. has expanded into the Florida market though the acquisition of Huckleberry Sibley & Harvey Insurance & Bonds.
State Farm Sponsors ‘Stay-in-School’ Campaign with Miami Heat’s LeBron James
LeBron James studies statistics all the time. One in particular is jumping out at him these days.
Scott signs off on $14 million bailout for courts
Governor Rick Scott approved an emergency $14 million to keep the state courts system afloat until April 30.
Blog: Scott will drug-test employees
Governor Rick Scott has announced a new policy of administering drug tests to all applicants for employment in state agencies controlled by the governor’s office, and random drug testing of current employees.
Blog: Dana Young’s seaport legislation takes another key step
Today, Representative Dana Youngs (R-Tampa) bill to repeal burdensome duplicative regulations at Floridas ports took another step toward becoming law by passing out of the Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
House and Senate far apart in how to handle $3.75 billion budget gap
House Speaker Dean Cannon says his chamber plans to use pension reform to help offset school cuts and he warns against “phantom cuts based on unproven efficiencies.
- Senate draft budget includes money for Miami port but not other items sought by Scott
- Fasano wants to send 1st District Court of Appeal a message
Florida House Unveils First Round of Budget Allocations
House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, released the first round of budget allocations to the various appropriations committees Monday, with education, health care and criminal justice receiving the lion’s share of hand-outs.
Florida Governor Scott holds Facebook ‘town hall’
Republican Governor Rick Scott held his first Facebook town hall meeting Tuesday and came to a quick conclusion: “Twitter’s way easier.”
State Representative Bovo to leave post as head of the Legislature’s Hispanic caucus
State Representative Esteban Bovo said today that he will wait for the Miami-Dade County Commission to decide when to hold a special election before making his mind up on resigning from the Florida legislature in order to run for that seat.
South Florida faces tougher watering restrictions
Drought conditions Tuesday triggered emergency watering restrictions for all of South Florida, requiring more cutbacks for many residents already under year-round landscape watering limits.
States Begin To Adopt SLIMPACT For Surplus Lines Law Implementation
Kentucky, New Mexico and Ohio have become the first states to enact comprehensive legislation implementing the surplus lines and reinsurance reform and modernization law.
Bills Filed in Texas Aimed at Increasing Insurance Policy Transparency
Two pieces of legislation recently filed in Texas would require insurance companies to provide customers with more complete information on rate increases and expand resources available to consumers for shopping the market.
Texas windstorm insurer replaces general manager
Texas agents who sell policies for the Texas wind insurance pool need to provide banking data to the association in order to begin receiving monthly direct deposit commissions.
Texas Wind Pool Reminds Agents of Switch to Direct Deposit Commissions
Texas agents who sell policies for the Texas wind insurance pool need to provide banking data to the association in order to begin receiving monthly direct deposit commissions.
Vermont Introduces New Captive Legislation
Vermont is proposing changes to its captive insurance law as part of its annual enhancements to its captive statute, according to the Deptartment of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration.
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