Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Jul 22, 2014

 

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

 

There are no events scheduled for today.

 

 

Daily Florida Insurance-Related News

 

Florida law allows planners to give insurance advice without insurance company

A new law in Florida allows financial planners in the state to discuss insurance coverage with their clients without having to be affiliated with a provider – a move that will help fee-only planners maintain their compensation definition, Mark Schoeff Jr. writes for InvestmentNews.com.

 

FEMA Deadline Not the End of Flood Recovery in Florida

Those affected by the spring storms and flooding will still be able to reach the Federal Emergency Management Agency for follow-up questions and will have access to other disaster services and resources after today’s registration deadline of July 21, the federal agency explains in a news release.

 

As sinkhole assessment begins, one thing certain: Spring Hill house is unlivable

Hernando County officials on Monday began the process of assessing the damage and removing debris from the 40-yard-wide, 30-foot-deep hole at the intersection of Eldridge Road and Van Allen Way, said county spokeswoman Virginia Singer.  Tampa Bay Times’ Kathryn Varn reports.

 

Little progress made in Tampa’s hired-car wars

The sides in Tampa’s hired-car wars have largely kept to a cease-fire in their legal and public relations battles, Tampa Tribune’s James Rosica reports via the “Political Fix Florida” blog.

 

Florida health officials crack down on Medicaid marketing

State health officials are taking a cue from past problems and are banning health insurance companies from marketing their plans directly to Medicaid consumers as the state is rolling out a massive overhaul by transitioning millions into managed care, Associated Press reports via the Winter Haven News Chief.

 

Florida’s biggest health insurer signals rate hikes ahead

Florida Blue, the state’s dominant health insurer, snagged more than one in three consumers on the health law’s exchange this year, but many could face rate hikes as the carrier struggles with an influx of older and sicker enrollees, said the company’s top executive.  Kaiser Health News reports via SaintPetersBlog.com.

 

No Same-Sex Marriages in the Keys for now Despite Court Ruling

Gay couples won’t be able to tie the knot in the Keys any time soon despite a Monroe County judge’s decision last week striking down Florida’s voter-approved constitutional ban on same-sex marriages, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via SunshineStateNews.com.

 

Trial Judge Denies “Stand Your Ground” Immunity Hearing For Marissa Alexander

The trial judge overseeing the case of Marissa Alexander, who faces 60 years in prison for firing a shot in a domestic dispute, has ruled that she is not entitled to a second immunity hearing under Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” self-defense law, FlaglerLive.com.

 

Rick Scott and Charlie Crist Turn Toward Economic Issues

Governor Rick Scott looked to showcase his economic accomplishments on Monday as former Governor Charlie Crist, the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination, continues to fire away, writes Kevin Derby for SunshineStateNews.com.

 

Americans for Prosperity a growing force in Florida

Americans for Prosperity has built a political machine in Florida, with 10 field offices, more than 40 paid employees and hundreds of volunteers who do regular phone banking and monthly door-to-door canvassing on a wide array of issues, explains Tampa Bay Times’ Alex Leary via “The Buzz” blog.

 

All Aboard rail foes pick up steam, but admit odds slim

Even opponents admit it may not be possible to derail All Aboard Florida’s plan for train service from South Florida to Orlando, Dan Sweeney reports for the Sun-Sentinel.

 

Scott announces details about “Coast to Coast” trail funding

Gov. Rick Scott signed the state’s $77 billion budget nearly two months ago.  But Monday, his office announced how $15.9 million of it would be spent on 11 sections of the bike-trail known as the “Coast to Coast Connector” in Central Florida, Orlando Sentinel’s Aaron Deslatte reports via the “Central Florida Political Pulse” blog.

 

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World:  The Past, Present and Future of Property and Casualty Insurance in the U.S. and Texas

This PowerPoint report, presented by Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute, at the Insurance Council of Texas Mid-Year Symposium, offers an analysis of the past, present and future of the property/casualty insurance industry in the U.S. and Texas. 

 

State Farm Insurance reviewing Louisiana’s mandatory 5 percent hurricane deductible

State Farm Insurance is reviewing a request from Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon to offer a second hurricane deductible option to policyholders following the implementation of its mandatory five percent deductible.  Renita D. Young reports for The New Orleans Times Picayune.

 

Chinese Drywall Maker Ordered to Pay $55,000, Stop Doing Business in U.S.

A federal judge has ordered a China-based maker of drywall to pay $55,000 in penalties and attorney fees – and to stop doing business in the United States – as punishment for refusing to take part in court proceedings over harm allegedly done by the product, Associated Press’ Kevin McGill reports via Insurance Journal.

 

Rebates, Referrals and Rewards in Texas – What’s OK and What’s Not?

What are the rules governing insurance agents in Texas on rebates, referrals and rewards, and why do they matter?  Stephanie K. Jones reports for Insurance Journal.

 

$1 Billion Highway Guardrail Trial Underway This Week

Trinity Industries Inc. will have 13 hours this week to fight allegations its highway guardrail systems are a deadly hazard that spear cars on impact, with as much as $1 billion at stake for the company, Bloomberg’s Patrick G. Lee reports via Insurance Journal.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Spells Out How Disabilities Act Applies to Pregnant Workers

New federal guidelines on job discrimination against pregnant workers could have a big impact on the workplace and in the courtroom, Associated Press’ Tom Raurn reports.

 

 

Click here to follow Colodny Fass& Webb on Twitter (@CFTLAWcom)

 

 

 

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to Brooke Ellis at bellis@cftlaw.com.