Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Wednesday, May 10, 2017
May 10, 2017
Florida Workers’ Comp Rate Hike Backed By Appeals Court
Rejecting Arguments that Florida’s Sunshine Law was violated, an Appeals Court Tuesday upheld a 14.5 percent Increase in Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rates that began to hit Businesses in December. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida Governor Rick Scott Signs Uber/Lyft Bill Into Law
The Bill will Override the Patchwork of Local Laws throughout the State for things like Background Checks and Insurance Requirements. WJHG reports.
Florida Ag Commissioner Says “No End in Sight” as Wildfires Burn Statewide
Three schools canceled classes due to smoky conditions from a nearby Wildfire as Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner said the State is in the “Midst of its Worst Wildfire Season in years – with No End in Sight.” The Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.
· Arsonists Blamed for 320 Florida Wildfires in 2017
Florida Lawmakers Once Again Fail to Pass AOB Claims Reform
This is the Fifth Consecutive Year that a Bill on curbing Assignment of Benefits Abuse associated with Water Loss Claims has failed. Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.
Scott Berates Budget as “Backroom Deal,” Says He Could Veto Whole Thing
Florida Governors regularly exercise Line-Item Veto Authority, but a Governor hasn’t Vetoed an entire Budget since Lawton Chiles did in 1992. George Bennett reports for the Palm Beach Post.
· Rick Scott Says He Will Make Veto Decision “Based on What’s Best” for Florida Families
Calls Grow for Florida Special Session on Medical Marijuana
A Leader behind last year’s passage of a Constitutional Amendment on Medical Marijuana in Florida has joined growing calls for Governor Rick Scott and Legislative Leaders to hold a Special Session to Finalize Rules for its Implementation. The Associated Press reports via U.S. News and World Report.
· Joe Negron Says He’ll “Look At” a Special Session on Medical Marijuana
Governor Rick Scott Signs Lake Okeechobee Reservoir Bill, 10 Other Measures Into Law
Florida Governor Rick Scott Signed 11 Bills Into Law on Tuesday, including one that sets aside money to build a Reservoir South of Lake Okeechobee. Kristina Webb reports for the Palm Beach Post.
State Representative Diaz Announces Bid for Miami State Senate Seat
Miami State Representative Jose Felix Diaz made it Official Tuesday by announcing he would run in the Special Election for the State Senate Seat left vacant by disgraced Former State Senator Frank Artiles. Marc Caputo reports for Politico Florida.
House GOP Freshmen Fail to Adopt Rules for Speaker’s Race, Putting Leadership Battle into Chaos
Even after meeting dozens of times throughout the 2017 Legislative Session, the House GOP Freshman Caucus Failed to Adopt New Rules on how to pick a Leader. FloridaPolitics.com’s Peter Schorsch reports.
Jeff Brandes Celebrates Long List of Legislative Wins in 2017 Session
The St. Petersburg Republican is Celebrating his Top Eight Successes, which include a diverse range of issues such as Renewable Energy Tax Exemptions, Statewide Regulation for Ridesharing, Flood Insurance Reforms and the Development of Personal Delivery Drones. FloridaPolitics.com Publisher Peter Schorsch reports.
Florida trailed only Texas, which has held a grip on the Top Ranking every year the Survey has been conducted. But not all of the Survey Feedback on Florida was good, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
California Insurance Commissioner Approves Reduced Rates for State Farm
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has approved Rate Reductions for Two State Farm Inland Marine Policies that will bring millions of dollars in Premium Savings for tens of thousands of Boat Owners and Homeowners with jewelry and higher value collections.
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