Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Coal Industry Blasts Safety Rules
Jun 20 2011 // Coal industry officials have roundly criticized two sets of new safety rules proposed by federal regulators following an explosion that killed 29 West Virginia miners last year. The West Virginia Coal Association and Alpha...
Surplus Lines Sea Change: Calif.’s AB 315
Jun 17 2011 // California is expected to pass surplus lines regulations before July 21, 2011. On that date, the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010 (NRRA) becomes effective, and only the “insured’s home...
South Carolina Lawmakers Agree on Copper Theft Bill
Jun 17 2011 // A South Carolina bill designed to curb thieves from ripping copper from air-conditioning units and farm irrigation systems is heading to Gov. Nikki Haley. The Senate voted 39-1 this week to agree to changes made in the...
Virginia Governor Signs School Safety Legislation
Jun 17 2011 // Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed legislation designed to improve school safety. The new laws signed Tuesday make it illegal for sex offenders to be on school buses and allows video cameras to be installed on them,...
Bill to Update Small Insurers’ Tax Option Introduced in House
Jun 16 2011 // Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to adjust the tax code for about 600 small property/casualty insurance companies. The change will increase access to insurance for rural communities and...
Tennessee Governor Signs Captive Insurance Law
Jun 16 2011 // In a move that business groups say could change the risk management operations of many corporations, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed into law a bill allowing for the creation of captive insurers. Backed by Tennessee...
SEC Proposes Tighter Rules for Securities Brokers
Jun 15 2011 // U.S securities brokers would be more closely scrutinized by accountants and be subject to stricter rules for how they handle their customers’ assets under a plan proposed by federal regulators Wednesday. The proposal...
Suit Challenges Tennessee’s Law Against Broadening Anti-Discrimination Rules
Jun 15 2011 // Tennessee cities and counties that want to make it tougher to discriminate against gays and lesbians face a stumbling block under a new state law, and now some Nashville city councilmembers and others are suing to...
Vietnam Insurance Market Readies for Foreign Insurers, New Regulations
Jun 14 2011 // The Vietnamese insurance industry is expected to experience significant change within the coming years as it continues to open up to foreign insurers, and the country’s regulatory framework evolves. Vietnam’s...
North Carolina Lawmakers Agree on Workers’ Compensation Benefit Change
Jun 13 2011 // Consensus legislation to change limits on benefits for workers injured on the job in North Carolina has swept through the General Assembly and is moving to Gov. Beverly Perdue for her signature. The Senate agreed...
Tennessee High Court Agrees Judge Took Too Long
Jun 13 2011 // The Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld the Court of the Judiciary’s decision that Cocke County General Sessions Judge John A. Bell took too long to decide a personal injury case and related accusations. The high...
Judge Hands Toyota Owners Setback in U.S. Lawsuit Over Losses
Jun 10 2011 // A federal judge said Toyota owners outside California who seek to recover losses in their vehicles’ value resulting from unintended acceleration cannot pursue their claims under that state’s...
P/C Insurance Industry Wins, Loses in Scott’s First Session
Jun 10 2011 // It is axiomatic in Florida that when it comes to the legislature and insurance issues, the power brokers play for the last 72 hours. No matter how many committee meetings, no matter how many press conferences, no matter...
Florida Judge Questions Tickets in Red Light Camera Debate
Jun 10 2011 // A Broward judge has ruled that law enforcement officers cannot ticket drivers for running red lights. It’s another piece of legal wrangling in the ongoing dispute over red light cameras. County Judge Fred Berman...
Judges Question Individual Mandate in Healthcare Law
Jun 10 2011 // Three federal appeals judges expressed unease with a requirement that virtually all Americans carry health insurance or face penalties, as they repeatedly raised questions about President Barack Obama’s health care...
Judge Signals $32 Million Settlement in Wells Fargo Bias Suit
Jun 9 2011 // A federal judge signaled that she would approve a settlement calling for Wells Fargo & Co. to pay $32 million to about 1,200 female brokers who claimed they were paid less than men and denied promotions because of...
Coal Industry Blasts New Federal Mine Safety Rules
Jun 9 2011 // Coal industry officials this week roundly criticized two sets of new safety rules proposed by federal regulators following an explosion that killed 29 West Virginia miners last year. The West Virginia Coal Association and...
Best Upgrades State Farm General Insurance Co.’s Ratings
Jun 9 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a” from “a-” of State Farm General...
Louisiana Group Benefits Chief Resigns
Jun 8 2011 // The chief executive officer of the health insurance office for state employees and retirees, hired by the Jindal administration in April, is resigning after receiving strong criticism from lawmakers about his work to help...
Finance Industry Warns of Transatlantic Discord over Derivative Rules
Jun 8 2011 // Transatlantic sniping by top policymakers could make it harder to agree new rules to crack down on derivatives, derivatives market officials said on Tuesday. “The high policy debate is going in the wrong direction...
