Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Thursday, March 8
Mar 8, 2012
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 2012 Regular Legislative Session
- Click here for today’s Senate block calendar
- Click here for today’s House of Representatives block calendar
8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.–Senate Session
- HB 4087 relating to the Repeal of a Workers’ CompensationIndependent Actuarial Peer Review Requirement by State Representative Ben Albritton
- CS/SB 378 relating to Expert Testimony by Senate Committee on Budget; Senator Garrett Richter
- SB 676 relating to Workers’ Compensation Certificate-of-Exemption Process by Senator Chris Smith
- CS/CS/SB 1620 relating to Insurance by Senate Budget Subcommittee on General Government Appropriations; Banking and Insurance; Senator Richter
9:30 a.m.–Florida Division of Insurance Agents and Agency Services Rule Development Workshop. Proposed amendments to Rule 69B-211.004, entitled “Appointment Renewal Process,” would provide clear and concise information to appointing entities of the appointment renewal process and the fees for noncompliance with the law. To view the hearing notice, click here.
(CANCELED) 10:00 a.m.–Florida Surplus Lines Service Office National Clearinghouse Committee meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here.
1:00 p.m.–House Session
Florida Senate approves auto insurance fix with zero debate
The Florida Senate quickly on Wednesday approved without debate its bill dealing with personal injury protection. The bill heads to the House, which adopted a starkly different version.
Florida House OKs 3 Victim Compensation Measures Worth Millions
Three high-profile claims bills that would let victims of governmental negligence receive millions in compensation cleared the Florida House on Monday.
Hospital sale and lease bill heads to governor’s desk
A top priority for for-profit hospital chains cleared the Legislature on Wednesday and is on its way to the governor.
Florida budget slashes primary care visits for Medicaid recipients
As the state aims to balance the budget in the face of a $2 billion shortfall, Medicaid recipients might see their doctor’s visits slashed.
Florida Bill Lets Pharmacists Give Some Vaccinations
Florida pharmacists would be able to give vaccinations for pneumonia and shingles under a bill that’s going to Governor Rick Scott.
Could retiring doctors leave state in a bind?
He has started two area cancer care centers, been awarded honors that only a handful of others have received and trained at the nation’s top-rated institution for cancer treatment.
Tax cut package sails through Senate panel
Included in the large omnibus bill is a top priority of Governor Rick Scott, an increase of the corporate income tax exemption from $25,000 to $50,000, which would move about 3,500 businesses off the tax roll.
Legislative leaders don’t expect massive last-minute budget chaos to ensue from a disputed court ruling that could require refunding government workers 3 percent of their pay, with interest, that has been collected for their pension plans over the past eight months.
Florida Senate passes growth management “glitch” bill to resolve legal challenge
A House bill intended to resolve a legal challenge to last year’s sweeping growth management law rewrite received final approval in the Senate on Wednesday and is heading to the governor.
Florida House votes to expand school voucher program
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship program vouchers amount to about $4,000 per student, and only low-income students are eligible for the program.
Study report implies state contributed to misconceptions over proposed federal water quality rules
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed federal rule establishing nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in Florida waterways was followed by an uproar of protests about costs from industry groups.
After lost Governor Scott emails flap, public records bill passes
Florida’s next governor and other statewide elected officials will have to preserve and make public any documents and emails they send between their election and the time they are officially sworn into office.
Florida Senate leader struggles to keep GOP “soldiers” in lock-step
With just two days left in the legislative session, at least two high-priority — and contentious — measures remain unresolved and at least one poses a potentially embarrassing loss for Senate President Mike Haridopolos.
What color is the Easter bunny? That’s up to the governor now
Nearly 50 years ago, Florida outlawed dyed bunnies, chickens and ducks.
Fannie Mae Changing “Forced-Place” Home Insurance Rules
The practice of banks forcing expensive homeowners insurance on borrowers could come to an end after Fannie Mae told lenders it would seek to oversee such policies itself.
7-Day Advance Hurricane Forecasts Not Far Away, Says Storm Center Chief
National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read said that science will improve to the point where forecasters can reliably issue forecasts showing where a hurricane will be a week ahead of time.
Louisiana High Court Says Storm Death Files Can Be Kept Secret
The Louisiana Supreme Court has rejected an attempt by two news organizations to examine the files of a state investigation into allegations that doctors at a New Orleans hospital euthanized patients in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Louisiana Ranks 4th in Train-Vehicle Crashes, Injuries
Louisiana recorded fewer vehicle-train collisions and fatalities last year, but the number of related injuries rose slightly. That’s according to preliminary 2011 data from the Federal Railroad Administration.
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