Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, February 26
Feb 26, 2010
Note: Until the March 2, 2010 Florida legislative bill filing deadline, Capitol to Courthouse Headliners will provide a listing of insurance-related bills filed each day. This listing will be located at the end of the news headlines.
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Citizens Property Insurance executive pay examined
How does state-run insurer’s executive pay stack up to that of other state agencies and private insurers?
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Executive Director Scott Wallace was one of Florida’s top-paid government employees last year and 48 other Citizens employees earned more than $100,000, a Sun Sentinel analysis shows.
Latest double-digit property insurance hike: Florida’s Homeowners Choice, by 14%
Add Homeowners Choice to the tally of property insurance companies receiving a double-digit rate hike.
The Clearwater-based company, which has about 70,000 homeowners policies, said Friday it has received regulatory approval to raise premiums an average of 14 percent. The increase is effective for policies written or renewed on or after April 10.
After nearly five years, claims that continue to be filed against insurance companies as a result of Hurricane Wilma are being considered by the state’s top political leaders.
State Farm Florida Part of Combined $1.5 Billion Homeowners Underwriting Loss
The net written premium for State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm Lloyds, State Farm General Insurance Company and State Farm Florida Insurance Company represents 34 percent of the P-C companies’ combined net written premium.
Column: In Florida’s Past, Great Leaders Really Led
Major problems of the state?
Lee County Commission To Consider Drywall Resolution Tuesday
The Lee County Commission on Tuesday will consider whether to pass a resolution calling for Gov. Charlie Crist to make a disaster declaration on defective drywall.
Column: Outcome of condo bills could affect millions
As Florida’s 60-day legislative session prepares to kick off on Tuesday in Tallahassee, a plethora of bills that will impact millions living in common-interest-ownership communities are already being discussed.
One home damaged as 300-acre brush fire spreads through Estates
For a chilly day, things were a little too warm for some Golden Gate Estates residents on Thursday.
Fears of Chinese drywall at Boynton Beach housing project
Roxanne Burey was thrilled when she bought her townhome in The Preserve in Boynton Beach in 2007.
Florida ‘fair market’ ruling chills hospitals
HMOs can pay “fair market value,” less than the amount they’re billed when their members get emergency treatment in hospitals outside their networks, an appellate court in Tallahassee has ruled.
Major pain clinic legislation filed to combat Florida pill mills
Bill bans felons from owning pain clinics, gives officials teeth to shut down violators
Florida’s top officials this week unveiled sweeping legislation to combat the growing ranks of pain clinics doling out narcotic pills, especially in South Florida, saying last year’s crackdown wasn’t tough enough.
Audit slams Jackson Health System over money mess
A much-anticipated audit of Jackson Health System released Thursday criticized management for a ”significant deficiency” in its financial practices because it didn’t identify highly overstated revenue estimates ”in a timely manner.”
Ruling on red-light cameras gets cities scrambling to review practices
The use of cameras to nab red-light runners in some communities might be in legal jeopardy.
Traffic camera ban is filed in Florida legislature
A Spring Hill lawmaker has filed a bill that would prevent local governments from using traffic cameras, calling them “a hidden tax.”
New Florida driver’s license rules frustrate a confused public
Bobby Marron plopped a stack of documents onto the counter at the driver’s license office.
Ban on texting and driving could be passed in 2010
On Jan. 3, 2008, Russell Hurd waited for his daughter at Walt Disney World in Orlando. They were about to plan her dream theme-park wedding.
Justices want 90 new Florida trial court judgeships
Justice is being delayed by court system spending cuts totaling 10 percent over the last three budget years and growing caseloads, including an explosion of foreclosure filings, the Florida Supreme Court said in asking lawmakers for 90 new judgeships.
Florida Struggles to Carve Out New Jobs
Spurred by state unemployment soon expected to top 12 percent and a political agenda keen on kick-starting a long-stalled economy, Florida lawmakers insist job creation is a priority in this legislative session.
Newly released House documents raise more questions about former Speaker
Was incoming House Speaker Ray Sansom duped into thinking it was in his best interest to accept the $110,000 part-time job that ultimately led to his downfall?
Florida GOP offers up strong foes in Kosmas race
Florida Republicans have had a lot of problems lately.
Sink, McCollum duel over ethics reforms in Florida
Rival candidates to become Florida’s next governor engaged in a good-government competitive skirmish Thursday, each of them pledging to clean up state government.
Alex Sink: Release credit card bills
Amid a backdrop of recent political scandals, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink on Thursday joined the chorus calling for sweeping ethics reforms in Florida.
Column: Term limits put clueless newbies in charge in Tallahassee
This is the best Republicans can do? Really?
U.S. Senate adjourns without voting on flood program
The U.S. Senate on Friday adjourned for the weekend without approving a measure that would extend the National Flood Insurance Program through March 28.
Yes on 17, Californians for Fair Auto Insurance Rates, a coalition of consumers, businesses, senior organizations, taxpayer advocates and insurers, filed a lawsuit today in Sacramento Superior Court to force Proposition 17 opponents to make changes to their ballot arguments and correct patently false and misleading statements.
State Farm Follows ‘Lose-One, Write-One’ Policy in Mississippi
State Farm gave consumers one part of its policy change when it announced eight months ago it would resume issuing insurance policies in Mississippi.
Florida insurance-related bills filed on Friday, February 26, 2010:
HB 1379 Relating to Warranty Associations by State Representative Kurt Kelly
Would revise prohibited acts by service agreement companies, home warranty associations and service warranty associations, as well as authorize a reduction in returned premium by claims paid on agreements or contracts. Would authorize the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) to order specified entities to cease using specified forms and delete requirements to file specified financial reports. It would make permissible periodic OIR examinations of specified licensees and provide criteria for determining whether to examine a licensee. The bill also would revise criteria for rebating portions of commissions, along with the criterion for illegally dealing in premiums as unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practice. Additional unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices are specified, as well as provisions for a criminal penalty for engaging in specified activities without a license. Provisions relating to rate filings would be repealed. Effective Date: July 1, 2010
SB 2514 Relating to Wireless Communications Devices in Motor Vehicles by State Senator Ted Deutch
Would prohibit reading, writing or using a wireless communications device for text messaging while driving a motor vehicle. Would prohibit the use of a wireless telephone while driving a motor vehicle unless the telephone is designed and used for hands-free talking and listening. The bill also would prohibit operators of school buses or other public transportation vehicles from operating such vehicles while using a wireless telephone. Effective Date: July 1, 2011
SB 2508 Relating to Colorectal Cancer Screening Insurance Coverage by State Senator Eleanor Sobel
Would require certain health insurance policies, health contracts, health insurance programs, group arrangements and managed health care delivery entities that provide coverage to state residents to provide coverage for certain colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests for colorectal cancer. Would require coverage of certain evidence-based screening strategies and prohibit certain deductible or coinsurance requirements. Effective Date: July 1, 2010
SB 2506 Relating to Regulation of Vessels by State Senator Dan Gelber
Would remove restrictions on county and municipal regulation of certain non-live-aboard vessels not in navigation. Effective Date: Upon becoming law
SB 2498 Relating to State Employee Benefits by State Senator Thad Altman
Would prohibit separate benefit plans and different levels of state contributions for employees exempt from career service and provide an exception for state university system employees. Premium levels necessary for full funding of the state group health insurance program to certain requirements also would be required. Effective Date: July 1, 2010
HB 1429 Relating to Annuity Contracts by State Representative Elaine Schwartz
Would require insurance companies to include a provision in annuity contracts entered into with senior consumers that authorizes senior consumers to terminate or liquidate the contract without penalty upon being admitted as a resident in specified long-term care facilities. Effective Date: July 1, 2010
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