Latest Legislation Headlines

All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Wife of Convicted Pennsylvania Ex-Judge Challenges Fed Forfeiture

Apr 8 2009 // The wife of a retired Pennsylvania Superior Court judge convicted of insurance fraud is challenging efforts by federal prosecutors to seize the judge’s home. Prosecutors claim former Judge Michael Joyce bought the...

Federal Judge in Arkansas Dismisses Stranded Passenger Lawsuit

Apr 7 2009 // A federal judge in Fayetteville, Ark., has dismissed a lawsuit by an Arkansas woman that claimed she was illegally imprisoned on an American Airlines airplane for 91/2 hours in 2006. In an 18-page ruling, U.S. District...

U.S. Judge Halts Washington Mutual Fraud Lawsuit

Apr 7 2009 // A federal judge on Monday halted a consumer class-action fraud lawsuit against Washington Mutual Inc, saying it may be more appropriate for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp to handle claims against the failed savings and...

Texas High Court Reaffirms Controversial Entergy Workplace Ruling

Apr 6 2009 // After agreeing to a rare rehearing, the Texas Supreme Court on April 3 upheld its decision that – despite what some lawmakers say – a “premises owner” cannot be sued by injured employees of a...

Nebraksa Rules Insurance Exclusion Applies to Liquidator

Apr 6 2009 // A regulatory exclusion in a directors and officers liability insurance policy applies to an insurance regulator acting as liquidator, according to the Nebraska Supreme Court. The ruling is believed to be the first by any...

Defending Data

Apr 6 2009 // Data Security Breaches Present Emerging Risks and Opportunities for Agents Data security represents both a new market opportunity to sell insurance coverage and a new risk – especially for independent insurance...

Judge Orders State To Rework North Carolina Beach Plan Hikes

Apr 6 2009 // A Wake County judge has ordered North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin to reconsider deductible and surcharge increases for coastal homeowners in the state insurance pool called the Beach Plan. Wake County...

Florida Finds People Can’t Trust People’s Trust Insurance

Apr 6 2009 // One of Florida’s new startup property insurance companies that was expected to help pick up the slack when State Farm Florida exits the market has been barred from selling any new policies. The company was found to...

Declarations

Apr 6 2009 // Federal Aid “We need a more disciplined, structured plan for providing federal assistance following any major natural disaster.” —U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D.-Fla, in asking the U.S. Treasury to provide...

Declarations

Apr 6 2009 // Frankly Mad “It’s very, very disappointing. I’ve just pretty much run out of patience.” —Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland. Holland said she is “grossly disappointed and frankly...

Liaisons Highlight Consumer Insurance Concerns

Apr 6 2009 // Consumer Advocates Focus on How Insurers Treat Insureds in Difficult Economic, Credit Climate Insurance agents, brokers and regulators should be aware that when it comes to insurance, consumers are concerned with such...

An Awakened Washington Promises More Stress for Directors & Officers

Apr 6 2009 // Corporate Leaders Brace For Fallout From Heightened Regulation, Even Corrupt Foreign Practices Corporations and their directors and officers are living in fear. Fear of the next financial scandal, the next stock market...

Obama Plays Up Role as Consensus Builder at G20

Apr 3 2009 // Where President George W. Bush was known for his “cowboy diplomacy,” his successor, President Barack Obama wants to be known as a listener and a builder of bridges. Taking his first major foreign trip since...

Convicted Pennsylvania Ex-Judge Won’t Get Bond Pending Appeal

Apr 3 2009 // A retired Pennsylvania Superior Court judge will not be freed on bond while he appeals his insurance fraud conviction. Senior U.S. District Judge Maurice Cohill Jr. says Michael Joyce must report to federal prison once...

La. Insurance Commissioner Will Release E-Mails Under Judge’s Order

Apr 3 2009 // Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he will “instantly” release e-mails at the center of a public records dispute involving the state’s insurer of last resort if a judge decides that he...

Flooding Prompts New Scrutiny of North Dakota Disaster Aid

Apr 3 2009 // North Dakota’s spring flooding problems have focused new attention on a proposed $44 million state disaster fund that a Fargo lawmaker wants to establish. “Setting the money aside is more critical than...

Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules for Firefighter in Work Comp Dispute

Apr 3 2009 // The Oklahoma Supreme Court has upheld the claim of a 19-year veteran of the Edmond Fire Department who has cancer that he is entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. The firefighter, 45-year-old Tim...

AIG’s Ex-CEO Greenberg Scheduled for House Committee Testimony

Apr 2 2009 // The chairman of a U.S. House oversight panel said Wednesday he will soon call the chief executive of American International Group Inc. to testify, amid the committee’s ongoing probe of the fall of the insurance...

Florida Cap on Workers’ Compensation Lawyers’ Fees Goes to Senate

Apr 2 2009 // A bill that would trump a Florida Supreme Court ruling and restore a cap on attorneys’ fees in workers’ compensation cases passed the Florida House after some mild debate. Following a second round of discourse...

New York Signs Regulatory Agreement with Macau

Apr 2 2009 // New York Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo signed a cooperation agreement earlier this week with his counterpart in Macau, a move signaling the increasingly international approach to regulation for the country’s...