Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Mar 29, 2017
AIF, PCI blast Greg Steube’s prejudgment interest bill
The Associated Industries of Florida and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America didn’t mince words about Senator Steube’s pre-judgement interest bill.
Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance lost $27.1 million during 2016; first loss in a decade
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. lost money for the first time in a decade because of water loss claims, assignment of benefits abuse, and rising litigation costs, SaintPetersBlog.com reports.
Florida auto insurers denied rehearing by state supreme court
The Florida Supreme Court this week rejected a request from medical providers that it plunge again into a dispute about payments by Allstate Insurance Company to care for auto-accident victims. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida lawmakers consider new car insurance system. Here’s who wins, loses with changes.
Getting auto insurance would get a lot more expensive for those who can least afford it in Florida – those living paycheck to paycheck – under a pair of proposals gaining traction in the Legislature. Jeremy Wallace reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
For the past five consecutive years, Colodny Fass law firm has been accorded the honor of being chosen as the official State of Florida reviser for A.M. Best’s annual “Best’s Insurance Law Digest.”
House Committee Advances Bill to Deregulate Vacation Rentals
While the war against home-sharing companies like Airbnb rages on in South Florida, a bill prohibiting Florida cities and counties from passing measures to restrict homesharing companies and vacation rentals sailed through a Florida House subcommittee on Tuesday. Allison Nielsen reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Having this safety device could cut boaters’ fees
A House subcommittee Tuesday approved a bill that would discount state registration fees for boats with tracking devices, in hopes of avoiding tragedies like the 2015 disappearance of two Jupiter teens. Isadora Rangel reports for TCPalm.com.
Florida House panel proposes $622M cut to hospitals
A House budget panel proposed cutting hospital funding by $621.8 million Tuesday but recommended increases in programs for mental health, veterans, children and the elderly. Alexandra Glorioso reports for the Naples Daily News.
After DUI, lawmaker resigns from health subcommittee
Representative Pigman, an emergency room doctor whose district includes western St. Lucie County, notified House Speaker Richard Corcoran he would leave his post in the House Health Quality Subcommittee, Corcoran’s office announced Tuesday. The Naples Daily News reports.
New rankings show healthiest and least healthy counties in Florida; St. Johns the healthiest
Which counties were the healthiest and most unhealthy throughout the Sunshine State? St. Johns County ranked first in both key indexes, Les Neuhaus reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Senate plan gives Governor Rick Scott job incentive money, but with a catch
Governor Rick Scott would get the $85 million he has asked the Legislature for to continue to hand out job incentives to companies to move to Florida, but with a big caveat, under a plan the Florida Senate rolled out this morning. The Tampa Bay Times’ Jeremy Wallace reports.
Bondi appointed to Trump’s drug commission, headed by Christie
Attorney General Pam Bondi has been appointed to President Trump’s Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission, which will be led by Chris Christie. Alex Leary reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
FPL’s fracking investment bill passes committee despite objections
A House committee overlooked opposition by residential and commercial utility customers Tuesday and approved a proposal sought by Florida Power & Light to allow the company to expand its rate base by charging customers for investments in natural gas fracking operations in other states. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the Tampa Bay Times.
Property tax debate looms for Florida education budget
A proposed property tax increase is built in large part on allowing Florida property taxes to increase with property values, something that is a non-starter for the House and could become a major sticking point as lawmakers attempt to wrap up the annual legislative session by its scheduled May 5 conclusion. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via the Palm Beach Post.
Judge backs Scott’s removal of prosecutor who won’t use death penalty
Siding with Governor Rick Scott, a circuit judge Tuesday signed off on the removal of Central Florida State Attorney Aramis Ayala in the high-profile case of accused cop-killer Markeith Loyd, refusing to put the case on hold while the prosecutor seeks a ruling on whether the governor overstepped his authority with her ouster. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via the Palm Beach Post.
Birds of a feather, the gilded rich are flocking to Florida and its lack of state income tax
Billionaires have discovered Florida. Or more likely its lack of state income tax, a benefit that likely saves some of the richest transplants here more in a year than many people make in a lifetime. The Tampa Bay Times’ Robert Trigaux reports.
Trump administration still undecided on international insurance deal
A report by Bloomberg said that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has ordered staff to continue engaging with key stakeholders to assess the full effects of the agreement on the US insurance industry, InsuranceBusinessMag.com reports.
Lawmakers Meet With Trump Budget Director To Discuss Flood Prevention
Members of Iowa’s congressional delegation met with President Donald Trump’s budget director Monday morning to discuss funding the Cedar Rapids flood mitigation project, InsuranceNewsNet.com reports.
Republicans Ask Treasury to End “Too Big To Fail” Process for Non-Banks
Key Senate Republicans urged the Trump administration to rethink the process for labeling firms whose failure could threaten the financial system, arguing it has led to substantial regulatory costs. Bloomberg’s Elizabeth Dexheimer reports via InsuranceJournal.com.
Insurers Deny Claims Based On Questionable Cell Tower Data
Insurance companies continue to use the information to deny claims by casting doubt that customers were where they said they were, InsuranceNewsNet.com reports.
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