Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Tuesday, March 6
Mar 6, 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
(CANCELED) 10:00 a.m.–Florida Surplus Lines Service Office National Clearinghouse Committee meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here.
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.–House Session
- SB 140 relating to Repeal of a Workers’ Compensation Reporting Requirement by Senator Mike Bennett
- HB 4019 relating to Repeal of Workers’ Compensation Reporting Requirement by State Representative Bryan Nelson
- SB 446 relating to Open Government Sunset Review/Insurance Claim Data Exchange Information/Past Due Child Support by the Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
- HB 7019 relating to Open Government Sunset Review/Insurance Claim Data Exchange Information by the Florida House of Representatives’ Government Operations Subcommittee
10:00 a.m.–Senate Session
- CS/CS/HB 245 relating to Depopulation Programs of Citizens Property Insurance by House Economic Affairs Committee; Insurance and Banking Subcommittee; State Representative Jim Boyd
- HB 4087 relating to the Repeal of a Workers’ CompensationIndependent Actuarial Peer Review Requirement by State Representative Ben Albritton
- CS/SB 1230 relating to Open Government Sunset Review/Public Records Exemption/Consumer Complaints and Inquiries by the Senate Committees on Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Banking and Insurance
- CS/SB 1860 relating to Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Protection Insurance by Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance; Senator Joe Negron
Storm Continues to Brew over Reforming Citizens Property Insurance
A bill to reduce the number of policies handled by the bloated Citizens Property Insurance Corporation will advance to a full Senate vote as early as Tuesday.
Amendment alters bill that bumps homeowners out of Citizens Property Insurance
Opponents of a bill that would move thousands of Citizens Property Insurance customers into unregulated, out-of-state insurers won a victory on Monday when the Senate narrowly backed an amendment that would require customers to “opt in” to the new coverage.
Opt-in amendment added to surplus lines legislation could kill bill
A crucial amendment allowing customers of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to sign up for a take-out program that ushers them into a surplus lines carrier was tacked on by a narrow Senate vote Monday, which likely will have the effect of killing the bill.
Surplus lines bill facing tough finish in Florida Senate
Florida lawmakers might wonder if they’re on a merry-go-round when it comes getting a handle on insurance costs in the state, whether for cars or homes.
Florida House Passes Personal Injury Protection Bill; Will Senate Follow?
Just days after the arrest of 36 defendants in New York City for a scheme that bilked auto insurers out of $275 million, the fight against personal injury protection fraud receives yet another boost.
Blog: Florida House, Senate insurance reform bills sharply different
The Florida House passed a bill on car insurance reform on Friday that is sharply different from the Senate’s version that has yet to come up for a vote in the last week of the legislative session.
Florida House passes Eric Brody, other high-profile claims bills
Eric Brody, who was 18 when a Broward County Sheriff’s deputy crashed into his vehicle in 1998 and severely injured him, is another step closer to receiving $10.75 million in compensation after his claims bill cleared the House on Monday by a 107-7 vote.
Florida Health department secretary abruptly resigns
Florida Department of Health Secretary Frank Farmer resigned on Monday announcing he would leave Tallahassee when the legislative session ends Friday.
Blog: Judge’s ruling on pension could create ‘chaos’ and $2 billion budget hole
Leon County Circuit Court Judget Jackie Fulford announced Monday that she will announce her decision in the union lawsuit against the state over state worker pensions at a special hearing in her courtroom on Tuesday.
Final budget deal includes new state university
Budget negotiators reached a final budget agreement Monday that would create Florida Polytechnic University and allow the Legislature to finish its session on time.
Senator Jack Latvala doesn’t want to put substantive law into budget conforming bills – legislation designed to conform to the budget crafted by the Legislature.
Department of Justice seeks trial on Florida’s ‘voter suppression’ law
On Friday, the United States Department of Justice announced it will seek a trial regarding Florida’s controversial elections law overhaul, passed last year by the state Legislature.
A Times investigation: State regulators failed to address onslaught of timeshare resale schemes
Timeshare resale schemes have quietly become the most rampant form of consumer fraud in Florida, affecting people across the United States and in some foreign countries.
Omnibus transportation bill clears House but worries Florida Senate
A variety-pack transportation bill with numerous provisions easily passed through the House on Monday, although the size and scope of the legislation could put its Senate fate in jeopardy.
Florida House OKs energy bill despite simmering objections from large power users
With near unanimous support and bipartisan accolades, the House on Monday passed HB 7117, which contains Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam’s “modest” energy policy recommendations.
Blog: Evan Jenne confirms it’s official; I’m in the race for County Commission
State Representative Evan Jenne, a Democrat from Dania Beach, made his candidacy official.
NAPSLO: No Tax-Sharing Contract Better Than Two Without Uniformity
The longer the debate over the tax-sharing option within the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act rages, the better off the surplus-lines industry is, say legislative-committee leaders of the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices.
Centauri Insurance Offers Homeowners Coverage in Louisiana
Centauri Insurance, a homeowners insurance carrier based in Sarasota, Florida, is now providing homeowners insurance coverage in Louisiana.
North Carolina Resolves Hurricane Irene Claims
North Carolina regulators have recovered over $400,000 for policyholders stemming from claims filed in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.
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