Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Idaho City Approves New Law for Vicious Dogs
Jan 23 2009 // The American Falls, Idaho, City Council is cracking down on the owners of dogs that attack humans or other animals inside city limits. The council approved a new ordinance that gives police authority to issue a misdemeanor...
Lawmakers Press Treasury Nominee to Boost Federal Oversight of Insurance
Jan 23 2009 // Seven U.S. lawmakers Friday urged Treasury Secretary nominee Timothy Geithner to boost federal oversight of insurance companies, a long-held goal of much — although not all — of the insurance...
Minnesota Committee Chair Pushes for Primary Seat Belt Law
Jan 22 2009 // The chairman of the Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee says 2009 should be the year when Minnesota passes legislation to allow authorities to ticket any motorist for not buckling up. The so-called primary seat belt...
California Insurance Commissioner Seeks Disability Changes
Jan 21 2009 // For the second time in two months, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is being accused by his predecessor, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, of proposing regulation changes that will weaken consumer protections. The latest...
Smaller Businesses Worry New Toy Safety Law Goes Too Far
Jan 20 2009 // Makers of handmade toys, secondhand stores and others who make or sell children’s products fear that new government regulations could soon put them out of business. At issue is the Consumer Product Safety Improvement...
Lloyd’s Chairman Calls for Insurance Industry Input in Financial Regulation
Jan 20 2009 // Lloyd’s Chairman, Lord Peter Levene, has called for insurers to contribute to the debate about the future of financial markets, citing better regulation as the key way forward. In an article on the Lloyd’s web...
Montana Lawmakers Want More State Fund Oversight
Jan 20 2009 // The Montana State Fund is bucking a proposal for more legislative oversight of its workers’ compensation insurance program. A state lawmaker says the state is on the hook for financial shortfalls at the quasi-private...
Colorado Evaluating Proposed Insurance Rate Filing Rule
Jan 16 2009 // The Colorado Division of Insurance continues to evalute regulation 5-1-10, Rate and Rule Filing Submission Requirements for Property and Casualty Insurance. The rule was proposed to “ensure that property and casualty...
Wisconsin Insurance Chief Dilweg Honored by Consumer Advocates
Jan 16 2009 // Consumer representatives to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) presented Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Sean Dilweg with their Excellence in Consumer Advocacy Award at recently. The NAIC Consumer...
North Dakota Republican Seeks Fines to Curb Driving While Texting
Jan 14 2009 // North Dakota Rep. Lawrence Klemin recalls the driver who pulled alongside him at a stoplight recently, eyes down, thumbs frantically working a tiny keyboard that was propped on the steering wheel. “When the stoplight...
Lawyers Hope to Fix Catastrophe- Related Insurance Problems
Jan 14 2009 // The nation’s lawyers who deal with insurance issues are developing policy recommendations designed to improve access to insurance coverage, reduce litigation over coverage and mitigate future losses involving natural...
Poll Finds Americans Support Increased Business Regulation
Jan 14 2009 // A clear majority of Americans believe government regulation of business should be increased, a new poll showed Wednesday. The poll, conducted by Public Strategies Inc. and the Politico news organization, found that more...
Eye on Insurance Industry Regulation
Jan 12 2009 // In Financial Turmoil, Agents and the Industry Must Work Together It has been said that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” That also raises the question, what happens to the boat when the tide goes down? The...
Windstorm Fund a Leading Issue With Lawmakers at Texas Capitol
Jan 12 2009 // Hurricane Ike was the big storm Texas officials feared would hit the coast – and the state’s way of paying for it afterward. When lawmakers convene Jan. 13, they’ll face the financial devastation left by...
People
Jan 11 2009 // Jim Johnstone has joined Westbrook, Conn.-based The Gowrie Group of Cos. as a producer in the Boat/Yacht department. Jim brings deep marine and sailing industry expertise that will enable Gowrie to broaden its reach into...
Massachusetts Agents Want Regulator to Rein in Progressive
Jan 11 2009 // It’s the second time in the seven months Progressive has been selling personal auto insurance online that the company has become a target of agents’ ire. A trade group for Massachusetts insurance agents has...
Independent Agents: State Regulation Big Issue in 2009
Jan 11 2009 // The New Year always brings out great hope for a new beginning, a fresh start and greater resolve for the coming year. But with all the financial and economic turmoil of the second half of 2008, independent agents could...
SEC Probes Florida’s Citizens Over Securities
Jan 11 2009 // The Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. in Florida on bid placements earlier this year on auction rate securities. The SEC issued a subpoena June 24...
Lifelines in the Storm: Pro-Policyholder Developments in 2008
Jan 11 2009 // In light of the enormous losses and cascading failures triggered by the financial crisis, companies across the full spectrum of U.S. industry will be looking to their insurance policies for loss mitigation. Fortunately,...
North Carolina Auto Rate Hike In Escrow Until Court Rules
Jan 11 2009 // Auto insurers may increase premiums on North Carolina drivers by up to 9.4 percent starting Jan. 1, but a court ruling will determine whether they can keep the extra money. The North Carolina Rate Bureau, which represents...
