Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, August 27
Aug 27, 2013
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Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events
There are no insurance-related events scheduled for today.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Florida Regulators Set Citizens’ Commercial Lines Rates
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has approved an 8.3% statewide average rate increase to condominium association policies in Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s commercial residential account, according to state records, A.M. Best’s Bestwire reports via Advisen.com.
Citizens’ clearinghouse to let policyholders comparison shop
A Citizens Property Insurance board member on Monday said the company’s planned policy-comparison “clearinghouse” would be a “total transformation of the consumer experience,” the Tampa Tribune’s James Rosica reports.
New York Times: Florida a Case In Point for Mutually Insured Destruction
In Florida, some 2.4 million people live less than four feet above the high-tide line and where many U.S.-bound hurricanes are likely to pass, insurers can only use historical models to calculate risk. the New York Times’ Maggie Koerth-Baker reports.
Florida Schools Open with More Armed Security
In the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Pembroke Pines, students returning to school this year are being greeted not only by their teachers and principal. They’re also meeting the armed school resource officer who will be stationed permanently on campus, Associated Press’ Christine Armario reports in Insurance Journal.
Florida Alliance for Retired Americans: What is Florida Blue really up to?
Florida Blue is up to some legal black magic. They are fast-tracking a major corporate restructuring that moves $1.6 billion of surplus funds to a non-insurance, for profit company, The Florida Alliance for Retired Americans reports.
First Amendment advocate appointed to new board
What if you could go to one website and get instant access to thousands of public documents compiled by dozens of state agencies? Bill Cotterell reports on this week’s “User Experience” task force appointment by Senate President Don Gaetz.
Senator Smith files Stand Your Ground bill with Republican input
Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale filed a bill Monday to close the last-man-standing loophole in the “stand your ground” law. SB 122 would prevent someone from leaving a safe place to initiate a confrontation and then claim self-defense, James Call reports for The Florida Current.
Joe Negron Underscores His Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Committee Priorities
Following an eight-hour Senate Select Committee on the Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin (IRLLOB) meeting last week in Stuart, Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, announced four “action items” — short-term solutions to reduce or eliminate ongoing releases from Lake Okeechobee — that he and his committee will begin to explore immediately, SunshineStateNews.com reports.
Senator Thrasher downplays Lieutenant Governor rumors, says he has not been contacted
Responding to a trial balloon floated in a column by the Tampa Bay Times’ Steve Bousquet and Adam Smith about him being the frontrunner to be named Rick Scott’s new Lieutenant Governor, St. Augustine state Senator John Thrasher downplayed the rumor, telling Peter Schorsch of SaintPetersBlog.com that “I have not spoken to the governor or any of his staff about any of this, I believe this is just a media rumor.”
Democratic Candidate Jumps Into Open House Race in Orange County
A Democratic candidate emerged on Monday to run for an open seat in the Florida House currently held by Rep. Steve Precourt, R-Orlando, who faces term limits next year, Kevin Derby reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Statewide education summit on Common Core, school grading begins
Nearly 40 educators, policymakers and parents gathered Monday in Clearwater for a three-day education summit called by Florida Governor Rick Scott, James Call reports for The Florida Current.
Housing Market Continues to Rebound in Florida
Florida’s real estate market continues to rebound, according to data unveiled by the Florida Realtors on Monday, Kevin Derby reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
Allan Bense Remains a Power Broker in Tallahassee
Almost seven years after he left the Florida House, Allan Bense continues to loom as a force in Florida politics, Jeff Henderson reports for SunshineStateNews.com.
HB 1 tackles issue of labeling genetically modified food
The debate over genetically modified foods may be coming to Florida’s Capitol, if a bill filed for the 2014 session can get heard in a committee, The Florida Current’s Bruce Ritchie reports.
On this week’s “Florida NewsMakers” program Ken Lawson, Secretary of the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation, sits down with Sachs Media Group’s Alia Faraj-Johnson. Their discussion highlights Lawson’s efforts to streamline licensing and regulatory processes to help boost Florida’s economy, Peter Schorsch of ContextFlorida.com reports.
Federal Insurance Office Model Draft Near Completion
One of the gaps in state insurance regulation is in the area of insurers use of captives, Federal Insurance Office Director Michael McRaith said today in a closed meeting with state insurance regulators, staff and leadership of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners here at the NAIC summer meeting, Elizabeth Festa reports for National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com.
Insurance Industry Corporate Governance Model Law Proposal Seeks to Avoid Duplication
Insurance industry representatives proposed a new corporate governance model law for consideration by a National Association of Insurance Commissioners panel designed to avoid duplication of filing information and streamline review for regulators, A.M. Best’s Bestwire reports via Advisen.com.
Insurance Industry’s Concern with Potential Terrorism Risk Expiration Resurfaces
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America again urged the long-term reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), stressing its importance to businesses and the economy, at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Summer National Meeting, Insurance Networking News’ Chris McMahon reports.
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