Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Safety Oversght of Government Aircraft Lacking
Nov 30 2011 // Nonmilitary government agencies operate more aircraft than the world’s largest airline but are subject to little federal safety oversight — a situation accident investigators say has contributed to air crashes and...
Massachusetts Enacts Law on Credit Ban for Auto Insurance
Nov 29 2011 // Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a bill that bans the use of credit in underwriting and rating private passenger motor vehicle insurance in his state. The law, Chapter 195 of the Acts of 2011, was...
Judge Orders Georgia Tornado-Damaged Hotel Demolished
Nov 29 2011 // A city judge in the northwest Georgia town of Ringgold has ordered a tornado-ravaged hotel to be torn down. Judge Gene Lowery said in a hearing last week that the Baymont Inn & Suites is an eyesore and must be...
Florida Looks to Manage State’s Workers’ Compensation Costs
Nov 29 2011 // Florida officials are looking for ways to reduce the state government’s workers’ compensation costs and considering changing some mandates that grant first responders automatic benefits and reducing...
Judge Rejects Citigroup-SEC Mortgage Settlement; Orders Trial
Nov 28 2011 // A federal judge angrily threw out Citigroup Inc.’s proposed $285 million settlement over the sale of toxic mortgage debt, excoriating the top U.S. market regulator over how it reaches corporate fraud...
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts Won’t Seek Re-election
Nov 28 2011 // U.S. Democratic Representative Barney Frank, who helped to craft the landmark overhaul of financial regulations that bears his name, will not seek re-election in 2012, Democratic aides said Monday. Frank, one of the most...
Massachusetts Lawmakers Weigh Changes to Motorcycle Laws
Nov 28 2011 // Massachusetts lawmakers are weighing changes to the state’s motorcycle laws, including bills designed to ease the requirement that riders wear helmets. Current law requires all riders and passengers to wear...
N.Y. Court Rules on Asbestos Defense Costs for Primary Insurer
Nov 23 2011 // A New York State court ruled last Friday that an asbestos defendant is entitled to full defense from its primary insurer for certain asbestos liabilities, with the primary insurer paying all defense costs for covered...
Federal Judge Sides with Netflix in Antitrust Case
Nov 23 2011 // A U.S. judge granted Netflix’s bid to resolve all claims in its favor before trial in an antitrust class action, in which plaintiffs had sought hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. Netflix was sued in 2009,...
Professional Lines Market Faces Uncertainty: Torus
Nov 22 2011 // The professional liability insurance market will face challenges in 2012 with widespread concerns over pricing, a heightened awareness of the current regulatory environment and fast-emerging new risks for small businesses,...
New York Loosens Commercial Insurance Regulations for Large Insureds
Nov 21 2011 // New York State Department of Financial Services announced on Monday that it issued new regulations to implement a recently adopted state law that deregulates most insurance business for large, sophisticated companies. The...
Kipper’s Back as Nevada Insurance Commissioner
Nov 21 2011 // The second-time commissioner has captives on his mind at the center of a plan to make Nevada more business, and insurance, friendly. Scott Kipper has returned to his role as Nevada’s insurance commissioner, and now...
People
Nov 21 2011 // Valencia, Calif.-based Petersen International Underwriters has named John J. Russo as legal director. Russo will assist in monitoring compliance and current legislation in various states, maintaining surplus lines...
Florida Consumer Advocate Questions If PIP Is Worth Cost
Nov 21 2011 // Florida’s automobile no-fault law is in severe need of reform, but the cost of doing so may be more than the benefit, according to the state’s insurance consumer advocate. Speaking before Florida’s...
Insurance Executives Turn Pessimistic Over Business Outlook: Survey
Nov 21 2011 // Many U.S. insurance executives believe that business conditions have worsened compared to a year ago. Faced with continuing economic sluggishness and a changing regulatory environment, they remain guarded about their...
South Carolina Judge Awards Sex Abuse Victim $14 Million
Nov 18 2011 // A South Carolina Circuit Court judge has awarded a 27-year-old woman more than $14 million in civil damages in a suit brought against a former stepfather who sexually abused her as a child. The woman, Kelly Waldron Bowles,...
Lawmaker: Oklahoma Cannot Wait On Insurance Exchange
Nov 17 2011 // A legislative panel exploring the impact of the new federal health care law on Oklahoma will likely suggest that the state should do the minimum amount required to comply with the act, the committee’s chairman...
Google Tells Congress Online Anti-Piracy Bill Goes Too Far
Nov 16 2011 // Google Inc. warned U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday that proposed legislation to crack down on foreign websites selling pirated U.S. movies, music or other counterfeit goods goes too far and could depress investment. The...
Down to the Wire for Federal Flood Insurance… Again
Nov 16 2011 // The nation’s flood insurance program is scheduled to expire again on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011, unless Congress takes action. Last month, the House and Senate passed legislation that kept the federal government – and...
Florida’s Citizens Seeks Lawmakers’ Help to Raise Rates, Shrink Size
Nov 16 2011 // Florida’s largest property insurer wants sweeping changes — including the ability to charge higher rates — in the coming year. It may be a hard sell during a contentious election year, but the board that governs...
