Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Wednesday, June 12
Jun 12, 2013
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
10:00 a.m.–Florida Workers’ Compensation Joint Underwriters Association Board of Governors teleconference meeting. To view the meeting notice, click here.
1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.–Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance meeting. Washington, D.C. Agenda includes a report from Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force; discussion of the impact of global demographics on the insurance industry and a report on regulatory developments relating to reinsurance captives. To view the meeting notice, click here.
Daily Florida Insurance-Related News
Largest-Ever Drug Enforcement Agency Settlement Rooted in Florida Walgreen’s Distribution
Walgreen’s has agreed to pay $80 million to settle allegations that the pharmacy negligently allowed painkillers to make their way through Florida onto the black market, Emily Jane Fox reports for CNN.
State Farm Agent Mike Hill Wins House District 2 Race as Florida Legislature’s Only Black Republican
Tea party leader Mike Hill of Pensacola is Florida’s newest state legislator, and the Florida Legislature’s only black Republican, cruising to an easy victory in the House District 2 race to replace the late Rep. Clay Ford, R-Gulf Breeze, reports Eric Giunta of SunshineStateNews.com.
Property insurer self-certification coverage changes now law
A temporary order issued by Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty allowing property insurance companies to make changes to their coverage without a thorough review by regulators was codified into law by legislators during session this year, The Florida Current’s Gray Rohrer reports.
Search for Citizens Property Insurance Inspector General Begins
Florida Governor Rick Scott is tapping his state inspector general, Melinda Miguel, to help search for an inspector general for state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
Economist Comments on Impact of Major Storms on Florida’s Economy
Although the recent Tropical Storm Andrea was a warning to Florida residents to prepare for the 2013 Hurricane Season, economic analyst Dr. Hank Fishkind tells WMFE 90.7 podcast listeners that a major storm can have a dramatic effect on insurance markets, property values and the state’s overall economy.
Blog: Did Medicaid expansion rejection help Florida Republicans?
Florida Democrats hoping the fight over Medicaid expansion and the sequester would win them support with those who depend on federal funding won’t find much encouragement in Tuesday’s special election for House District 2, blogs Michael Van Sickler for the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Blue Files to Organize a Non-Profit Mutual Insurance Holding Company
Florida Blue, Florida’s Blue Cross and Blue Shield Company, has filed a request with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to organize under a policyholder-owned, not-for-profit mutual insurance holding company system, the company reported in a news release.
Blog: Prescription drug information leaked from Florida’s state database
The ACLU of Florida has filed a public records request seeking information on how prescription information for more than 3,300 people ended up in the hands of third-party companies, Matt Dixon reports for the Jacksonville Times-Union.
Blog: State Representative Williams tapped to lead Florida’s Legislative Black Caucus
The Florida Legislature’s black caucus has tapped Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, to lead the caucus next year, blogs Aaron Deslatte for the Orlando Sentinel.
Democratic Candidate Files to Run Against Florida Senator Tom Lee
Lutz businessman and consultant Scott Landry Jr. filed to run against Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, as a Democrat. The seat Lee currently holds represents parts of Hillsborough County and is generally considered to lean Republican, explains Kevin Derby for SunshineStateNews.com.
Local Sick-Leave Bill Still Pending With Governor
Florida Governor Rick Scott has until June 25 to decide the fate of a bill representing a simmering argument between big business and local control.
Giant Mississippi mosquitoes set to plague Florida
The giant psorophora ciliata mosquito, which is colloquially known as the gallinipper and is 20 times the size of an average mosquito, is set to plague south and central Florida this summer as the rainy season begins, warns Tracy Jarrett of NBC News.
Federal Insurance Office Director Under Pressure By U.S. Insurers to Bend Policy
A House Financial Services Committee subcommittee, under pressure from domestic insurance interests, is expected to demand that Federal Insurance Office Director Michael McRaith pressure European regulators to bend policy more to the liking of U.S. insurers, Elizabeth Festa and Arthur Postal report for National Underwriter’s PropertyCasualty360.com.
Alabama Upgrades School Construction In Response to 2007 Storms
Three years after eight students died when a tornado hit Enterprise High School in 2007, the Alabama Building Commission started requiring “mandatory safe spaces” in new K-12 public schools, writes DeAngelo McDaniel for Insurance Journal.
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