Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Neb. Committee Holds Hearing on Proposal to Abolish Credit Law
Feb 12 2008 // A national insurance group testified today against a bill to abolish Nebraska’s law regulating credit-based insurance scoring saying the practice benefits a majority of Nebraska consumers. The Washington, D.C.-based...
Ariz. Lawmakers Hope to Start State-Run Temporary Worker Plan
Feb 12 2008 // A group of Arizona lawmakers is proposing a state-run temporary worker plan that would let Mexicans come to the state to work in businesses hard-hit by labor shortages. Proponents say the package of proposals was needed...
Calif. Bill Seeks to Ban Discrimination in Workers’ Comp Awards
Feb 12 2008 // A Democratic lawmaker is pushing legislation in California that would prohibit doctors from considering age, race or genetic factors in determining the size of workers’ compensation benefits for employees who suffer...
OSHA Hit for Lack of Safety Rules on Deadly Dust Explosions
Feb 11 2008 // Top federal safety officials urged the Labor Department in 2006 to adopt critical regulations to prevent deadly dust explosions– like the one suspected in the deadly blast in a Georgia sugar plant last...
Miss. Attorney Asks Judge to Dismiss Katrina-Related Contempt Case
Feb 11 2008 // Attorneys for Mississippi attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs asked a federal judge to dismiss criminal contempt charges that he ignored a court order to turn over documents about insurance claims after Hurricane...
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Announces Staff Changes
Feb 11 2008 // Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty announced three staff changes at the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. McCarty appointed Rebecca McCarley deputy chief of staff; promoted Chris Bailey to acting director...
Farmers Hires Ruggiero as VP Legislative/Regulatory Affairs
Feb 11 2008 // Farmers Insurance Group, Inc., announced that Denise Ruggiero has joined the company as vice president, legislative and regulatory affairs. “Denise will be a key player in the legislative and regulatory arenas in all...
Wis. Senate Squeaks Through Bill to Ban Credit Scoring
Feb 10 2008 // With the 2008 legislative sessions now in full swing, many states are taking another look at the issue of insurers using credit scoring to underwrite or rate auto or homeowners insurance. Insurance trade groups are...
People
Feb 10 2008 // Susan Doyle has been named president and COO of Wisconsin-based Wausau Insurance, part of the commercial markets business unit of the Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group. Doyle replaces Mark Fiebrink, who retired. Doyle...
It’s Time to Undo Florida’s Property Insurance ‘Reforms’
Feb 10 2008 // A year has passed since Gov. Charlie Crist and a nearly unanimous Legislature hailed the arrival of a new era for Florida’s property insurance system. They promised lower rates, greater availability of insurance, and...
Allstate Still Writing in Fla. But For How Long?
Feb 10 2008 // Allstate insurance companies can keep on writing new policies in Florida under an appeals court ruling that rejected the state’s attempt to stop them, but which also potentially sets up a quick resolution to the...
Analysis: Theriot-Donelon Insurance Spat in La. Goes On
Feb 10 2008 // When they disagree, political veterans in Louisiana’s Capitol often avoid the microphones and have their arguments in private. Not so Jim Donelon and Steve Theriot. Donelon, state insurance commissioner, and Theriot,...
State Officials Not Sold on New License Rules Under Real ID Act of 2005
Feb 10 2008 // States have five more years to verify identity, reissue licenses; even so some states continue to refuse compliance State officials and some in Congress remain skeptical about new federal rules for driver’s licenses,...
Colo. Legislation to Ban Use of Credit Scoring in Underwriting Defeated
Feb 10 2008 // Agents, insurers praise legislation’s defeat but say the battle is not over yet As the issue of credit scoring continues to be the subject of state legislative proposals, insurance agents in Colorado are celebrating...
Democrats Blast FDA Labeling Rule as Liability Shield for Drug Makers
Feb 10 2008 // Proposed rules limit when drug manufacturers can change warnings labels without FDA approval The Bush administration wants to limit the situations where drug companies can change warning labels when they know of unsafe...
Judge Sentences Milberg Weiss Lawyer for Class-Action Kickbacks
Feb 10 2008 // Retired attorney Lazar, first of seven from firm to plead guilty, sentenced to home detention, probation A retired attorney who pleaded guilty in a lucrative kickback scheme involving class-action lawsuits against some of...
Fla. Lawmakers Schedule More Hearings on Property Insurance Rates
Feb 8 2008 // After two more days of grueling questions to Florida state regulators and insurance company executives, a special Senate panel wrapped up its business Tuesday as confused as when it began. In fact, the Select Committee on...
NAS Offers Regulatory Business Shutdown Coverage
Feb 6 2008 // NAS Insurance Services introduced a new regulatory business shutdown expense insurance that provides businesses with extra expense protection if they are shutdown by a regulatory agency such as a health or police...
Allstate Defends Property Insurance Rate Proposal to Lawmakers
Feb 6 2008 // Warming oceans, and the possibility they may bring more hurricanes, have to be considered when setting property insurance rates, Allstate officials told lawmakers Monday, defending themselves against allegations they are...
Judge Weighs Dropping Financial Firms from Enron Lawsuit
Feb 4 2008 // A federal judge in Houston said Friday she will evaluate whether three high profile financial institutions being sued for $40 billion in connection with Enron Corp.’s collapse should be dropped from litigation after...
