Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, February 24
Feb 24, 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:
Blog: Florida Cabinet tables insurance fee for hurricane claims–Fraud suspected
The Florida Cabinet postponed approving insurance policyholder fees to raise up to $710 million to help pay claims costs from the 2005 hurricane season until there is better scrutiny of the claims to ensure they’re legitimate.
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation today announced a new agreement that encourages foreign reinsurance companies to join Florida’s marketplace, something that Florida’s Legislature promoted as a result of the 2007 Property Insurance Special Session.
Bills would allow property insurers to raise rates in Florida
Companies say they haven’t been able to build claims-paying reserves
Edsel Hulse, a veteran who lives in Hollywood, said he’s expecting his Citizens Property Insurance Corp. windstorm insurance policy premium to increase this year because state legislators in 2009 approved allowing the insurer to boost premiums by up to 10 percent annually.
Lee County Appraiser Leery of Drywall Break
A bill that would allow the assessment of a Florida home with defective drywall to drop to zero is good, Lee County Property Appraiser Ken Wilkinson says, but he doesn’t know if he’ll support it.
State beaches bureau worries about erosion impact from a St. Augustine Inlet project.
A state agency has raised concerns about a proposal to pump 3 million cubic yards of sand from a shoal off the St. Augustine Inlet because of its potential for severe beach erosion several miles to its north, in the south Ponte Vedra Beach area, as well as to its south.
Trouble for SunRail? Amtrak Wants New Deal on Liability
The chief executive of Amtrak is again threatening to scuttle the SunRail commuter train planned for Central Florida before it picks up its first passenger.
Proposal Has Florida State Workers Pay for Insurance
Two House members announced plans Tuesday to make all state employees, including legislators, pay for health insurance.
System may help Florida’s first responders
The problem has bedeviled fire crews and police agencies for years: how to communicate with one another in hurricanes and other catastrophes.
Miami ranks low on auto repair fairness report
When it comes to getting your car fixed, Miami ranks 14th on AutoMD.com’s Advocacy for Repair Shop Fairness Report.
Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw has thanked Senator Ronda Storms for sponsoring Senate bill 662. If passed, the bill will prohibit the use of credit reports and credit score by insurers in making rating determinations.
Editorial: No more stalling on red-light cameras
This week a circuit court judge struck down the South Florida city of Aventura’s ordinance that allows local police to use cameras to ticket and fine red-light runners within the city limits.
Federal court reverses Treasure Island’s ban on short-term drug treatment centers
A recent federal court verdict could cost the city a million dollars or more and has potentially far-reaching legal implications for other cities in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, and possibly nationwide.
Broward moves to crack down on pill mills
Move follows Palm Beach County decision to block new pain clinics
Concerned about an explosion in the abuse of prescription drugs, Broward County officials set up a task force Tuesday to find ways to stop the spread of pill mills.
Cruz handily wins Florida state House seat
Democrat Janet Cruz won an easy victory in a special election Tuesday for the District 58 state House seat. She defeated Republican Hunter Chamberlin by roughly a 2-1 ratio.
Florida State Senator Alexander Named CEO of Alico
State Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, on Tuesday was named president and chief executive officer of LaBelle-based Alico Inc., following the resignation of Steve Smith.
U.S. Senate’s diluted jobs bill leaves hole in Crist’s Florida budget plan
The U.S. Senate’s $15 billion jobs bill positioned for a vote this week no longer offers any hope for Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s effort to patch up a gaping hole in state Medicaid spending.
Election 2010: Florida Governor
Florida Governor: McCollum 48%, Sink 35%
The race for Florida’s next governor remains unchanged, with Republican state Attorney General Bill McCollum holding onto a double-digit lead.
- TV war starts in governor’s race with 2 attack ads
- Jeb Bush: Crist’s Obama Support ‘Unforgivable’
- Blog: Crist responds to Jeb’s ‘unforgivable’ remarks
GOP challengers stack up against Kosmas in Florida congressional race
Another Republican has entered the race for the congressional seat held by Suzanne Kosmas.
Rubio, Florida Republicans spared by Sansom’s resignation
Marco Rubio may have dodged a bullet Monday, but there could be more bullets coming.
Supreme Court OKs Florida Miranda rights warnings
The Supreme Court has OK’d Florida’s version of the well-known Miranda rights warning despite complaints that it wasn’t clear a suspect could have a lawyer present during questioning.
Tampa Bay workforce agency responds to state claims it misspent money
The Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance has denied that it misspent about $81,000 called into question by a state inspector general.
Blog: Florida Senator Nelson challenges bans on fishing
Senator Bill Nelson went to bat for Florida fishermen on Tuesday by calling for a congressional review of new restrictions designed to prevent over-fishing in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
Regulating the regulators? Tougher Florida PSC rules pushed
Regulatory hearings on Florida Power & Light’s proposed $1.4 billion rate hike were a bust not only for the utility, but also could mean tougher rules for state regulators and their staff.
Five years after Jessica Lunsford’s killing, Florida legislators rethink sex offender laws
The brutal killing of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford, which happened five years ago today, fueled the creation of a boogeyman in Florida politics: the sex offender.
Florida ranks third in underwater mortgages
Florida has the third-highest percentage of homes under water, according to a report by Santa Ana, Calif.-based First American CoreLogic, a real estate information company.
Editorial: Florida Government Needs to Invest, Not Just Balance the Books
When the Florida Legislature convenes next month, I suspect there won’t be much talk of “investing,” but rather only of arithmetic.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Florida must take advantage of biopower
As Florida’s agriculture and consumer services commissioner, one of my proudest achievements is Florida’s status as a leader in the biofuel industry. We have long believed that Florida should be and can be a leader in producing energy from crops.
Attorney General Bill McCollum and the Coordinating Council on Gang Reduction Strategies today released their 2007-2009 Report of Progress highlighting accomplishments of the state’s gang reduction efforts.
U.S. Supreme Court clarifies venue rules for class actions
In a decision with implications for class action lawsuits, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a company’s principal place of business is where its officers “direct, control and coordinate” its activities-not where it has its largest volume of business.
Two Hanover companies to leave Louisiana; replacement insurer lined up
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said Friday that two of the Hanover Insurance companies will be leaving the state June 1, but he has worked with the company to find a replacement to keep existing policies in effect.
Louisiana: Tax, Premium Advantages Available for Retrofitting Structures
Louisiana residents can apply for a state tax deduction for retrofitting their homes, as well as an insurance premium discount for building or retrofitting your home to comply with the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code.
New York Recovered $32.2M for Policyholders Last Year
New York insurance regulators recovered $32.3 million last year for consumers who complained about insurers’ business practices and claims handling.
Schwartzman Named Deputy Superintendent in New York
Martin A. Schwartzman has been named deputy superintendent for Strategic Planning and Market Initiatives at the New York State Insurance Department.
Illinois Workers’ Comp Commissioner and Chief Legal Counsel to Retire
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commissioner Paul Rink and Chief Legal Counsel Kathryn Kelley are retiring, effective Feb. 26, the state’s Workers’ Compensation Commission reported.
PCI: Systemic risk assessments should look beyond size: PCI
Arbitrary size-based thresholds should not be used to determine whether a financial services firm presents a systemic risk to the U.S. economy, concludes a study slated to be released today by the Property Casualty Insurers Assn. of America.
Florida insurance-related bills filed on Wednesday, February 24, 2010:
HB 1263 Relating to Health Care by State Representative Esteban Bovo
Would redefine the term “clinic” for purposes of the Health Care Clinic Act to include certain additional providers. Would include specialty clinics within requirements for licensure, license renewal, transfer of ownership and provisional licensure, as well as require health care clinics and specialty clinics to display signs containing certain information regarding insurance fraud. Would provide for reports, inspections and audits and designate the Florida Center for Nursing as the “Florida Barbara B. Lumpkin Center for Nursing.” The bill also authorizes positions and provides for an appropriation. Effective Date: July 1, 2010
SB 2366 Relating to Hospice Care by State Senator John Thrasher
(Identical to HB 1259)
Would authorize a licensed hospice to provide care to a person who has a life-limiting illness, but who is not admitted to a hospice program. The bill also would provide for services to include the person’s family. Would clarify that the provision of palliative care by other authorized providers or facilities is not prohibited. Would establish that the provisions of the bill do not mandate or prescribe additional Medicaid coverage. Effective Date: July 1, 2010
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