Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, March 27
Mar 27, 2013
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 2013 Regular Legislative Session
- Click here for today’s Senate block calendar
- Click here for today’s House of Representatives block calendar
1:00 p.m.–Florida Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government meeting. To view the meeting agenda, click here.
- Review and discussion of 2013-2014 budget issues relating to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, among other governmental departments
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Insurance industry fights back over vehicle tag fees changes
The insurance industry is pushing back on a Senate proposal that would drop a tax credit enjoyed by out-of-state companies as a way to cover the cost of reducing an unpopular 2009 hike on vehicle-registration fees.
Florida Senate to pitch repeal of PIP coverage
The Florida Senate next week will unveil a repeal of the state’s no-fault auto insurance law, just a year after lawmakers heralded changes they said were sure to fix problems with the system that had resulted in major rate increases for drivers across the state.
The Florida Current’s Policy Note: Wind Mitigation Inspections
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. began reinspecting homes for wind mitigation improvements in July 2011.
Ex-Firefighter State Representative Ed Hooper Wants to Require Smoke Alarm Upgrade
The low-battery warning from your smoke alarm always seems to happen when you’re trying to sleep or at some other unwelcome moment.
Insurance claim costs to escalate more than 20 percent in Florida, study says
Insurance companies will have to pay out an average of 32 percent more for medical claims on individual health policies under President Barack Obama’s overhaul, the nation’s leading group of financial risk analysts has estimated.
Hurricane emergency managers struggle to get public to listen to warnings
The nation’s hurricane emergency managers are a frustrated bunch who are repeating the same set of questions in just about every session of the 13th annual National Hurricane Conference in New Orleans: How can we get the public to understand hurricane wind and storm surge forecasts and to follow evacuation orders issued by elected officials?
The Florida Current’s Policy Note: Workers’ Compensation Insurance/Drug Repackaging
One of the biggest fights among the lobby corps in recent years has been the duel between business groups and a software company that specializes in products helping doctors who dispense their own repackaged drugs.
Blog: Biz group launches new “No Thanks” ad about Medicaid expansion
While some of the state’s top business groups have warmed up to the idea of accepting federal money and expanding Florida ‘s Medicaid program, The National Federation of Independent Business is saying “No Thanks.”
Florida panels OK Long-Term Care Insurance marketing bills
Two bills in Florida could simplify marketing efforts for long-term care insurance carriers that do business in the Sunshine State.
Blog: 1.7 million Floridians can get health insurance subsidies
Having trouble finding affordable health insurance?
Florida Skydivers’ Deaths Under Investigation
Two skydivers from Iceland who died during weekend jumps at a popular southwest Florida camp did not deploy their main parachutes, the co-owner of the facility said.
Blog: Judges hear arguments on lawmaker redistricting testimony
Lawyers challenging the state’s congressional map told a skeptical three-judge appeals panel Tuesday that opponents of the districts should be allowed to review documents and depose lawmakers they believe could provide evidence in the case.
Once unopposed, fracking bills gain opposition as they move in House
House bills that would require disclosure of certain chemicals used in oil and gas hydraulic fracturing while providing exemptions for others as protected “trade secrets” are facing increasing environmental opposition.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Rick Scott Beginning to Campaign for Re-election
If there was any question, Governor Rick Scott is in re-election campaign mode.
Blog: Jesus stomping incident at FAU draws Rick Scott rebuke
A spokeswoman says the State University System has been paying close attention to the events at Florida Atlantic University but isn’t ready to address the governor’s letter.
Blog: Federal Board Zaps Challenge To Progress Energy Nuke Plant
A federal panel on Tuesday rejected a challenge by two environmental groups to the license applications for two nuclear power reactors in Levy County, clearing one of the last remaining large obstacles holding up construction, reports Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida.
Debate intensifies over parent-trigger bill
Jeff Wright says there’s more to the story than what’s told by proponents of the “parental trigger” bill.
Texas Windstorm Insurer Board: No Receivership at This Time
Numerous representatives from Texas coastal counties, cities and business organizations on March 25 spoke before the board of the state’s insurer of last resort urging them to oppose the proposal by state regulators to place the organization in receivership.
Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Driver’s License Law
Georgia’s highest court has rejected a Mexican national’s argument that part of a state law that requires a Georgia-issued driver’s license to get behind the wheel is unconstitutional because it discriminates against non-Georgia citizens.
Federal Housing Finance Agency Wades into Force-Placed Issue with Proposed Regulation
Force-placed insurance underwriters would be barred from paying fees and commissions to banks who own or service home mortgages that are either delinquent or in foreclosure under a rule proposed by the regulator of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.
The Wait is Over; Rigsbys Set to Get Their Day Versus State Farm
Get out your best seersucker suit! The Rigsby sisters are taking on State Farm…in a courtroom…more than seven years after Hurricane Katrina!
Congressman Randy Neugebauer to Federal Insurance Office: I’m concerned about IAIS proposals
Congress is taking one of its first moves into oversight of the Federal Insurance Office activities by requesting a strong stance on concerns about international insurance regulatory proposals.
Q&A: Congressional Politics and Prospects for Terrorism Insurance Renewal
The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which was initially enacted in 2002, and amended by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act of 2005 and the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007, is currently set to expire on Dec. 31, 2014.
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