Governor Crist Signs Insurance Bills

On Tuesday, June 26, 2007, Governor Charlie Crist acted upon a slate of bills.  Of those bills, three are related to insurance, three were vetoed and one was automatically approved without his signature. 

Below is a list of the bills and a brief summary of those relating to insurance:

Bills relating to insurance

Senate Bill 590 Relating to HMO Contract/New Subscriber’s Rights by Senator Burt Saunders (R–Naples).  This bill changes the language regarding primary care physicians and permits them to refer a subscriber to a skilled nursing unit when they deem it is “medically necessary.”  Previously, the standard was “in the best interest of the patient.”   The bill also adds assisted living facilities as covered facilities.  The HMO must also inform subscribers in writing of their rights under this section.  This act is effective July 1, 2007.

House Bill 1549 Relating to Examination of Insurers by Representative David Rivera (R–Miami).  This bill was a priority for the Office of Insurance Regulation.  It extends the interval at which insurers must be examined by OIR; deletes provisions allowing the Office of Insurance Regulation to accept audit reports from certified public accountant in lieu of conducting its own examination; and revises guidelines for conducting such examinations.  This act is effective July 1, 2007.

Senate Bill 1624 Relating to Insurance/Public Construction Projects by Senator Mike Bennett (R–Bradenton).  This bill requires the purchase of owner-controlled insurance in connection with public construction project if the program maintains completed operations insurance coverage for no less than 10 years; exempts contractors & subcontractors working under construction project insured by said insurance program from individually satisfying eligibility requirements for large deductible workers’ compensation rating plans, etc.  The act is effective October 1, 2007.

 

Other Bills Signed into Law:
(SB=Senate Bill; HB=House Bill)

SB 246  Relating to Certificates of Need/Level I/Cardiology Services by Senator Steve Wise 

SB 1232 Relating to Career & Professional Education by Senator Don Gaetz 

SB 1270 Relating to Education by Senator Steve Oelrich 

HB 1285 Relating to Construction Liens by Representative Thad Altman 

HB 1315 Relating to Broward & Palm Beach Counties’ Boundaries by Representative Adam Hasner 

HB 1387 Relating to St. Johns Water Control District/Indian River Co. by Representative Ralph Poppell 

HB 1415 Relating to West Orange Airport Authority/Orange Co. by Representative Bryan Nelson 

HB 1535 Relating to Sebastian River Drainage District/Indian River Co. by Representative Stan Mayfield 

SB 1916 Relating to Assisted Living Facilities/Adult Day Care Centers by Senator Mike Fasano 

SB 1972 Relating to Leases/Private Property/State Agency by Governmental Operations Committee 

HB 7173 Relating to Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission by Environment & Natural Resources Council 

 

The following bills were vetoed by the Governor:  

SB 900  Relating to Initiative Petitions by Senator Bill Posey 

HB 981  Relating to State Parks/Rule Violations by Representative Faye Culp 

HB 7183 Relating to Rules & Rulemaking by Government Efficiency and Accountability Council 

 

Finally, HB 1157 Relating to Barefoot Bay Recreation District/Brevard Co. by Representative Ralph Poppell was approved without the Governor’s signature.

 

Should you have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact this office.