Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, April 15
Apr 15, 2011
To go directly to the section of your choice, click on a hyperlink below. Other hyperlinks to meeting information, bills and news are noted in bold type.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
Florida’s 2011 Regular Legislative Session
- Click here for today’s Senate block calendar
- Click here for today’s House of Representatives block calendar
10:00 a.m.–Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association Safety Committee meeting; 10:00 a.m. To view the meeting notice, click here. To view the agenda, click here.
1:30 p.m.–Senate Committee on Budget
- SB 1252 relating to Persons Designated to Receive Insurer Notification by Senator Chris Smith
- SB 1330 relating to Residential Property Insurance by Senator Alan Hays
- CS/SB 1568 relating to Insurer Insolvency by the Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance; Senator Bill Montford
- CS/SB 1714 relating to Citizens Property Insurance Corporation by the Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance; Senator Alan Hays
Property Bill HB 803 clears Florida House Committee, albeit with numerous amendments.
Investigation: State regulators claim agent preyed on senior citizens
Dozens of elderly Sarasota County residents risked losing their homes after they were sold fake Insurance policies by a Nokomis agent who pocketed their premiums, state regulators allege.
Homeowner Claims Citizens in Renovation Credits
Hurricane windows and a new roof went on in 2009, one Harry Zifferblatt said county inspectors told him was just fine. But inspectors for Citizens, his windstorm insurance company, later came back and said it didn’t meet its standards
FIRM seeks community’s help to fight bills
A grass-roots group formed to keep Florida Keys windstorm Insurance affordable is going on the offensive this month to oppose legislation that would increase rates and phase out most coverage, and to raise money to continue fighting the good fight.
Editorial: Insurance law must benefit consumers
The Issue: Rewrite of property Insurance laws. Our Opinion: Proposals would further burden policyholders.
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, commonly known as Citizens, was created by the Florida Legislature to be the insurer of last resort for state residents unable to procure affordable property insurance through the private market.
Agencies will make regional effort for safe boating
The North American Safe Boating Campaign kicks off officially with National Safe Boating Week, May 21-27.
Florida Medical Association’s malpractice relief bill riding high in House
With lawmakers getting “lobbied to death” on the issue, a House committee Thursday expanded a bill that would help doctors and hospitals fight medical-malpractice lawsuits.
Editorial: School’s self-funded health plan needs fixing
The last thing the Manatee County School Board needs now is another contentious issue driving heated debate, but the district’s deficit-riddled health insurance program demands attention.
Insurance agent elected Florida Strawberry Festival president
Ron Gainey, an Insurance agent who started as a Florida Strawberry Festival volunteer more than 30 years ago, has been named the organization’s president.
Florida Medicaid reform embraces controversial push toward managed care
More HMOs. Less care for transplant patients. Lawsuit limitations.
On the workers’ compensation set in Bradenton with Morgan Fairchild
It’s hot. And late into a long day. But Morgan Fairchild looks fabulous on the Bradenton set of “Workers’ Comp.”
Blog: Scott lawyer to Florida Supreme Court — My facts were wrong on high speed rail
It’s likely too late to make a difference now, but Governor Rick Scott’s attorney on Thursday sent a letter to the Florida Supreme Court admitting he got a key fact wrong when he argued on behalf of the governor in a lawsuit challenging his decision to kill the high-speed rail project between Tampa and Orlando.
Blog: Governor Rick Scott reverses developmental disabilities cuts
After talks with the House and Senate, Gov. Rick Scott said he’ll reverse his deep rate cuts to the Agency for Persons with Disabilities because legislators said they’ll fill the deficit.
Senate OKs bill to strengthen pensions
In a year when lawmakers are slashing state oversight and regulations, there is one area where they are moving to add a layer of more rules — local government pensions.
House debate begins on Florida courts overhaul plan
Democratic members of the Florida House branded Speaker Dean Cannon’s proposed overhaul of the court system as a politically motivated court-packing scheme on Thursday as debate on the bills began.
Florida House panel OKs tax break for online firms
Legislation that would resolve a tax dispute in favor of online hotel booking companies such as Expedia, Travelocity and Priceline won approval from a House committee on Thursday.
Immigration bill headed to House floor
Following two hours of sometimes tearful testimony and despite united opposition from Florida’ business and agricultural community, the House Economic Affairs Committee on Thursday approved a controversial immigration measure (HB 7089) requires employers to verify the status of new hires and allows police to ask criminal suspects to prove they are in the country legally.
Scott says selling Solantic ‘right thing to do’; Dems want disclosure of all assets
Rick Scott’s pending deal to sell his family’s share of Solantic did little Thursday to stem the cascade of ethics questions clouding the multi-millionaire Republican governor’s first months in office.
Florida has competitive advantage in 22 of 25 growth industries
Florida has a competitive advantage in more high-growth industries than any other state in the nation, according to a report released this week.
Lawmakers press for insurance representation on systemic risk panel
Federal lawmakers Thursday again raised concerns about the Obama administration’s delay in naming an insurance expert as a voting member of the new Financial Stability Oversight Council.
Wall Street Journal: Climate Change Heads to the Supreme Court
Green activists hope to force electric utilities and many others to pay ‘public nuisance’ claims for emitting carbon dioxide.
Next Tuesday, the Supreme Court hears American Electric Power v. Connecticut, a case that asks whether America’s climate change policy can be designed and managed by the federal courts. The answer should be a resounding no.
Texas wind insurer hires interim executive
The board of the troubled Texas Windstorm Insurance Association voted Thursday to hire John Polak, former vice president of National Interstate Insurance Company in Ohio, as interim general manager to replace the one ousted earlier this year.
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Reform Bill Sent to Full Texas House
The Texas House of Representatives Insurance Committee has approved a bill that would make significant changes to how the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association operates, sending it on to the full House for consideration.
Column: Don’t let conflict bury needed Texas windstorm insurance reforms
The Texas Capitol is never short on headlines, drama and controversy during a legislative session, and the issue of windstorm insurance, which covers hurricane, other wind and hail damage along the coast, has contributed its share in 2011.
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