Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Senate Approves Bill to Curb Flood Insurance Hikes
Mar 13 2014 // The Senate today went along with the House of Representatives by passing a bill to reverse flood insurance reforms and curb flood insurance premium increases. The Senate approved H.R. 3370, the “Homeowner Flood...
Colorado Lawmakers Consider Limiting Cellphones In Cars
Mar 13 2014 // Drivers would have to use a hands-free device to use their cellphones under a bill being considered by Colorado state lawmakers. The bill would make it illegal to use a cell phone to make calls or use apps while driving....
Conn. Legislators Propose Workers’ Comp Coverage for Mental Trauma
Mar 13 2014 // The Newtown, Conn., Police officer who has not yet returned to work since the 2012 school massacre because of post-traumatic stress disorder urged Connecticut lawmakers on Tuesday to expand the state’s workers’...
State Supreme Court Upholds Mutualization of Oklahoma’s CompSource
Mar 12 2014 // The Oklahoma Supreme Court has upheld a plan to convert the state workers’ compensation insurance provider into a mutual company. The state’s highest court handed down a decision on March 11 that affirms...
Alternative Capital Softening P&C Reinsurance Market: Towers Watson CFO Survey
Mar 12 2014 // A new survey from Towers Watson confirms that “over half (55 percent) of property & casualty (P&C) insurance chief financial officers (CFOs) believe the property reinsurance market is softer than the primary...
Judge Rejects BP Bid to Shut Down Gulf Spill Payments
Mar 11 2014 // BP Plc’s bid to temporarily halt payments under its $9.2 billion oil-spill settlement so that heightened accounting and fraud safeguards can be established was rejected by a federal judge in New Orleans. U.S....
Sen. Collins: Finding the Right Capital Regulations for Insurers
Mar 11 2014 // The following a statement by Senator Susan Collins, a former state insurance regulator, in testimony before the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection today on capital requirements for insurance...
West Virginia Lawmakers OK Chemical Spill Bill As Session Ends
Mar 11 2014 // Leading up to a midnight deadline, West Virginia lawmakers scrambled Saturday to give teachers raises and hike the minimum wage. A Jan. 9 chemical spill into the water supply loomed over the session, which began three days...
Insurers Urge Lawmakers Not to Impose Bank Capital Requirements on Industry
Mar 11 2014 // Insurance companies will urge U.S. lawmakers today to stop the Federal Reserve from imposing bank- like capital standards on their industry. A provision of the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act that overhauled U.S. financial regulation...
Colorado Bill Would Exclude Uber Drivers Until Summoned
Mar 10 2014 // A bill on ridesharing in Colorado passed by state Senate on Monday paints a “bright line” between when users of the app-based services are driving for personal reasons and when they are providing a commercial...
PCI Provides NCOIL List of ‘Key Elements’ on International Issues
Mar 10 2014 // “The National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) took positive steps this weekend during its spring meeting outlining key areas where state legislators and regulators can impact the international dialogue on...
Judge’s Refusal to Fine Drone Operator Seen Spur to More Commercial Flying
Mar 10 2014 // A judge overturned a U.S. regulator’s first fine against a drone operator, a ruling that may lead to more commercial unmanned-aircraft flights in the U.S. before rules are written to govern their use. Judge Patrick...
Court Rules Ohio Landlords Are Liable for Safety of Tenants’ Guests
Mar 10 2014 // Landlords are on notice after a ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court. The high court ruled that landlords owe the same duty of safety to guests as they do for tenants. In Mann v. Northgate Apartments, a 16 year old was injured...
Florida Lawmakers Advance Bill Banning Insurers from Considering Gun Ownership
Mar 9 2014 // Florida House and Senate committees have approved a bill that would prevent insurance companies from discriminating against gun owners. The bill flew through the Senate Appropriations committee, but did meet some...
Florida Panel Advances Bill to Limit Nursing Home Partners’ Liability
Mar 7 2014 // Defendants who can be named in lawsuits against nursing homes in Florida would be limited under a bill that moved this week through the House Civil Justice Committee. Developers, silent partners and other parties that...
Florida Lawmakers Turn Attention to Privatizing Commercial Business in Citizens
Mar 7 2014 // One year after enacting reforms designed to reduce the amount of homeowners business in the state’s insurer, state lawmakers are now looking to further shrink Citizens Property Insurance Corp. by targeting its...
Only 2 Inspectors For Asbestos Projects in Iowa
Mar 7 2014 // Two inspectors are responsible for making sure thousands of asbestos-removal projects are being properly handled in Iowa each year. The Des Moines Register reported that the lack of inspections at asbestos removal projects...
Judge OKs Settlement in Deadly 2010 West Virginia Plant Explosion
Mar 7 2014 // A judge has approved a settlement that resolves federal workplace and environmental civil charges at a plant in Hancock County where an explosion killed three workers in 2010. Under the settlement, metal recycler AL...
Ohio’s Exotic Animal Law, with Insurance Component, Survives Federal Lawsuit
Mar 6 2014 // A federal appeals court has upheld Ohio’s restrictions on exotic animals, rejecting a challenge by owners who had claimed the law was too stringent and forced them to join organizations they disagree with. Among...
Group Warns Maryland’s Auto Repair Bill Could Raise Costs for Consumers
Mar 6 2014 // An industry association says a recently proposed bill in Maryland could hurt consumers by limiting insurers’ ability to manage auto body repairs and control costs. Maryland’s Senate Bill 487 (Motor Vehicle...
