Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Pennsylvania Christian College Sues Over Birth Control Regs
Feb 22 2012 // A Christian college in western Pennsylvania has sued the federal government saying regulations that require employers to offer birth control coverage that includes drugs that abort fertilized embryos are “directly at...
AIA’s Snyder Describes Korea Trade Pact as ‘Excellent Model’
Feb 22 2012 // The long-awaited implementation of the Free Trade Pact between the Republic of Korea, or South Korea, and the U.S. (KORUS) is scheduled to go into effect on March 15. The date will see the conclusion of negotiations that...
Iowa Judge Orders California Porn Site to Pay $4M In Piracy Case
Feb 22 2012 // A judge has ordered the operators of a popular pornographic website to pay $4 million for copyright infringement to an Iowa-based adult film company – a ruling that should serve as a deterrent to others who pirate...
Florida Senate Leader Opposes Immunity for Lawmakers
Feb 22 2012 // The incoming Senate president is opposing a proposal that would allow state lawmakers to wrap themselves in absolute immunity from having to testify in lawsuits. The House Judiciary Committee cleared a Republican bill (PCB...
Atypical P/C Executive: Chartis CEO Hancock on Fear, Regulation, Science and More
Feb 22 2012 // The keynote speaker told the professional liability insurance underwriters that regulation is not the enemy of business growth, the plaintiffs’ bar is their ally, deleveraging of financial institutions is a good...
Missouri Senate Passes Bill Expanding Workers’ Comp to Diseases
Feb 21 2012 // In a move that Republicans contend will make Missouri more attractive to businesses, the state Senate has approved legislation to expand the workers’ compensation program. The measure, SB572, approved with a largely...
Texas 2011 Legislative Update
Feb 21 2012 // Ambulance-chasing attorneys, frivolous lawsuit filings and contractual indemnification clauses were all subjects addressed by the Texas 2011 legislative session. Joanna Salinas, partner and manager of the Austin-based law...
Connecticut Seeks to Recapture Role as Insurance Capital
Feb 21 2012 // Hartford is trying to recapture its status as the nation’s insurance capital by drawing in a specialized insurance business that is finding a home elsewhere. Since the 18th century, Hartford — home to Aetna...
Florida Lawmakers Still Balk at Raising Homeowners’ Premiums for Cat Fund
Feb 21 2012 // State lawmakers have gambled with their constituents’ money for years when it comes to dealing with Florida’s property insurance issues. But now, many top industry analysts suggest, the odds may be turning...
MF Global Judge to Review Insurance for Former Executives
Feb 20 2012 // The U.S. judge overseeing MF Global’s bankruptcy plans a closer review before deciding whether any of an estimated $190 million of insurance coverage for former company executives should instead go to customers....
Louisiana Senator Co-Sponsors Bill to Protect Agent Health Commissions
Feb 20 2012 // Two U.S. senators have filed a bill to clarify that agent compensation should be excluded from the federal health reform Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) requirement for the individual and small group markets. Sen. Mary L....
Judge Allows South Carolina Firm’s Twitter Lawsuit
Feb 20 2012 // A South Carolina company’s lawsuit accusing a former employee of costing it hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost business when he took Twitter followers can go forward, a federal judge has ruled. San...
Looks Like The Year for PIP Reform in Florida
Feb 20 2012 // Roughly halfway through Florida’s legislative session, state Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty expressed optimism that state lawmakers would find a way to substantially reform the state’s no-fault auto...
California Independent Contractor Law May Be Liability for Agents, Brokers
Feb 20 2012 // A new California labor law designed to punish employers for misclassifying workers has broad legal language that can possibly impact insurance agents and brokers who knowingly advise clients on employee classifications to...
Colorado Lawmakers Review Spaceflight Liability
Feb 20 2012 // Colorado lawmakers are trying to promote the space industry by limiting liability for companies that carry passengers. State Sen. Mary Hodge, a Democrat from Brighton, says there are risks with spaceflight. She wants to...
Long-time California Insurance Lobbyist Looks to 2012 Legislation
Feb 20 2012 // John Norwood is one of California’s best known legislative advocates for the insurance and financial services sectors. Norwood, principal of Norwood & Associates, has garnered recognition for his political work...
California Lawmaker Introduces Claim Information Control Bill Over Insolvent Insurers
Feb 17 2012 // A California lawmaker on Friday introduced a bill to give greater control of claim information held by insolvent companies over to policyholders. Assemblyman Curt Hagman said he introduced Assembly Bill 1734 to provide...
Nevada Approves Regulations For Self-Driving Cars
Feb 17 2012 // Nevada is becoming the first of the U.S. states to regulate self-driving vehicles on its roadways. The state’s legislative commission on Wednesday approved regulations that were vetted by car manufacturers, insurance...
Kentucky Lawmaker Wants Whistleblower Law to Combat Fraud
Feb 17 2012 // Kentucky Speaker of the House Greg Stumbo said he will file legislation to give whistleblowers strong financial incentive to step forward if state tax dollars are being misused. Stumbo, a Democrat, said his False Claims...
Judge in Philadelphia Hears Arguments Over Secret Arbitration
Feb 15 2012 // A group advocating open government told a federal judge last week that a Delaware law allowing Court of Chancery judges to preside over secret arbitrations in business disputes is unconstitutional. Judge Mary McLaughlin...
