Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, December 6

Dec 6, 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

 

9:00 a.m.–Florida Cabinet meeting;  To view the complete agenda, click here.

  • Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Board Report
  • Financial Services Commission
  • Florida Office of Insurance Regulation 
    • For publication
      • Proposed amendments to Rules 69O-200.004,.005,.006,.009,.014,.015 would incorporate a new category of Motor Vehicle Service Agreement Companies called “Motor Vehicle Manufacturers.”
      • Due to its irrelevance, repeal of Chapter 69O-170 Part IV pertaining to the arbitration of rate filings is proposed.  Under recent changes to Section 627.062(6), F.S., the provision for arbitration was removed from the regulation.
    • For final adoption
      • Proposed Rule 69O-170.0155 incorporates proposed revisions to Form OIR-B1-1802, also known as the Uniform Mitigation Inspection For
  • Florida Department of Revenue; To view the hearing notice, click here
    • Rule 12-3.0015:  Interest Applicable to Unpaid Tax Liabilities or Amounts Not Timely Refunded
      • Rule 12B-8.001:  Premium Tax; Rate and Computatio
      • Rule 12B-8.0012: Insurance Policy Surcharge; Rate and Computation
      • Rule 12B-8.003: Tax Statement; Overpayments

10:00 a.m.–Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriting Association Board of Governors meeting;  To view the meeting notice, click here.

(CANCELED) 10:00 a.m.–Florida Surplus Lines Service Office National Clearinghouse Committee meeting.  To view the meeting notice, click here.

 

 

Daily Insurance-Related News

 

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation replacement cost estimates rise for homeowners

Joe Freitas thought $109,000 was a good deal on his new home. His insurance agent recommended a $139,000 policy – enough to give him a cushion in case of a disaster.

 

Blog:  TaxWatch report says Florida’s property insurance system is underfunded and overexposed

An analysis of Florida’s hurricane insurance system clearly shows that reforms are needed to better protect those who reside in Florida from risk of severe financial pressure from hurricane losses, according to Reducing the Concentration of Risk in Florida’s Property Insurance System, a report released today by Florida TaxWatch, the nonpartisan, nonprofit, research institute and government watchdog.

 

Florida hires top cop to snuff out insurance fraud

The state’s chief financial officer hires a federal agent, paying him $100,000 a year to stop fraud in personal injury protection and workers’ compensation, as well as other types of insurance, in Florida.

 

Sweeping changes could be ahead for Florida school teachers’ benefits

A Senate bill would require counties to band together and bid employee benefits among insurers beginning July 2013.

 

Workers’ Compensation Wrestlemania:  The Insurance Industry vs. the Dispensing Physicians

All of a sudden a classic David and Goliath struggle is emerging in the Legislature, with the Florida insurance industry muscling up against the minority of physicians in the state who don’t send workers’ compensation patients to pharmacies but dispense repackaged drugs to injured workers at the point of care — in their own offices.

 

Associated Industries focuses on workers’ compensation, online sales tax, casinos and personal injury protection as legislative priorities

Business lobbyist Associated Industries of Florida says its top issues include reform of physician drug repackaging for Workers’ Compensation patients, enforcement of sales tax collection from online businesses — travel companies in particular, a push for destination casinos and insurance reform.

 

House to Unveil Redistricting Plans

The House of Representatives panel charged with redrawing the state’s political boundaries will unveil a slate of options for the state’s congressional and state House districts Tuesday, setting the stage for discussions that could affect the balance of power in Florida for a decade.

 

Amid uncertainty, Floirda economists reduce slot machine revenue forecast

They say new venues for the gaming machines likely will draw revenue from existing pari-mutuels that offer slot machines and that it’s possible that market saturation may come into play.

 

New Florida bill would add barrier to welfare, food assistance for people with drug-related felonies

A Republican in the state Legislature wants to make it a little harder for someone with a drug-related felony conviction to receive welfare benefits and food assistance.

 

Governor Rick Scott drops plan to ‘recapture’ pension savings from local governments

Governor Rick Scott appears to have dropped his push to make counties, school boards and other governments return millions of dollars in cost savings earned this year when public employees were forced to contribute 3 percent to their retirements.

 

‘Buy Florida’ bill would help in-state companies win contracts

The bill would require agencies to give a 5 percent cost preference to Florida companies bidding for contracts, which supporters say would help steer business to companies that pay state taxes and employ people in Florida.

 

Florida Senate panel quizzes fertilizer bill’s opponents, supporters for an hour, then passes it

Supporters of legislation say restrictions on local ordinances are needed to prevent a patchwork of regulations that creates difficulties for chain stores and lawn care businesses.

 

Senate president joining Florida Governor Rick Scott on trade mission to Israel

Senate President Mike Haridopolos, one of the three most powerful people in state government, is joining Florida Governor Rick Scott on a week-long trade mission to Israel.

 

Bahamian oil drilling plans 50 miles from Port Everglades

Just as South Florida braces for oil drilling set to begin next month off the shores of Cuba, a Bahamian company is pressing to dig exploratory wells as early as next year less than 200 miles from the state’s delicate coastline.

 

Agents Push Back on Medical Loss Ratio after U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Setback

Independent insurance agents and healthcare agents say they will continue to pursue their goal of a medical loss ratio exemption despite a recent rejection of their request by the Department of Health and Human Services

 

Congress Readies to Punt the National Flood Insurance Program Again

The Senate is preparing to vote on legislation next week which would extend the current National Flood Insurance Program for at least six months, confirming that the outlook for a long-term extension for the program any time soon remains cloudy at best.

 

Louisiana Commissioner Urges Policyholders to Claim Citizens Property Insurance Rebate

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and Department of Revenue Deputy Assistant Secretary Gary Matherne are urging those who have had a property and casualty insurance policy on their property during the last four years to claim the rebate for the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Assessment charged on their insurance policy.

 

Haigood to Head Texas Fire and Casualty Insurer Association

Lyndell Haigood, regional vice president of State Auto Insurance Co., has been elected president of the Association of Fire and Casualty Companies in Texas.

 

 

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