Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
R.I. Official Plans Bill Banning ‘Incentive Fees’
Nov 5 2004 // In the wake of the ongoing insurance brokerage probe involving bid rigging and incentive payments, Rhode Island Secretary of State Matt Brown is proposing legislation to prohibit insurance industry “incentive...
‘Wall Street’ Insurance Broker Scandal Hurting ‘Main Street’ Agents, Conn. Big ‘I’ Leader Fears
Nov 5 2004 // “We are Main Street agents. This problem was created on Wall Street.” A Connecticut independent agent leader hopes the reality behind those words will help protect independent agents from being grouped with...
Construction Defect Legislation Defended by Colo. Voters Overwhelmingly
Nov 4 2004 // Voters in Colorado Nov. 2 overwhelmingly turned back an effort to amend the state’s constitution and gut a construction defects reform measure passed by the legislature last year. In a victory for consumers and the...
Four More Years for Bush; Kerry Concedes in Phone Call to President
Nov 3 2004 // This time around, it won’t be a flood of lawyers and hanging chads like in 2000. In a call to President Bush Wednesday morning shortly after 11 a.m. (EST), Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry (D) conceded the 2004...
Incumbent Commissioners Join Bush in Return to Office
Nov 3 2004 // Joining President Bush in returning to office, a handful of insurance commissioners across the country will be back for more time in office following Tuesday’s elections. While most incumbents won rather handily, one...
Republican Candidates Win ‘Big Time’ in Insurance Industry Political Giving in Federal Races
Nov 2 2004 // The late U.S. House Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill (D-Mass.) is famous for insisting, “All politics is local.” Apparently, O’Neill wasn’t counting the money. When it comes to...
California’s DWC Regulations Get Backing From Office of Administrative Law
Nov 2 2004 // The California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC) has received approval from the Office of Administrative Law on the first set of regulations implementing SB 899, workers’ compensation reforms passed by...
Ethics Called Bottom Line Issue for Entire Insurance Industry
Oct 29 2004 // The current investigations of the insurance industry emphasize the need for stricter adherence to ethical market conduct standards, Brian Atchinson, executive director of the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association...
PCI Puts Support Behind Neb. Personal Lines Rate and Form Modernization
Oct 27 2004 // Momentum is building for Nebraska to enact personal lines rate and form modernization in 2005, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). During 2004 the state legislature did not have time...
Japan: Powerful, Beleaguered and Consolidating
Oct 25 2004 // Until Commodore Peary’s visit in 1848, Japan was one of the world’s most isolated countries, and it still remains rather unique. But something in the Japanese character and society enabled it to turn its back...
Professional Liability in the Medical Arena
Oct 25 2004 // Whether a patient, a health care provider or an insurer, everyone seems to be aware of what is going on in the medical world these days. There is general agreement that health care costs are rising, more people are going...
SMART: An Opportunity to Re-Energize States
Oct 25 2004 // Through the State Modernization And Regulatory Transparency Act (SMART Act), Congressmen Michael Oxley (R-Ohio), and Richard Baker (R-La.), have made a creative initial proposal to re-energize state insurance regulation...
Shelby Upsets Insurers’ Plan to Delay TRIA’s Sunset
Oct 25 2004 // Regardless of whether George W. Bush is re-elected or John Kerry moves into the White House, the property/casualty insurance industry appears to have a good chance of getting its wishes when it comes to extending the...
PIA SURVEY SHOWS STRONG SUPPORT FOR STATE REGULATION:
Oct 25 2004 // Members of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents who were recently surveyed strongly support state regulation of insurance and strongly oppose any effort to move to a federal regulatory system. The...
Illinois Comp Reform Bill Won’t Deliver On Its Promise
Oct 25 2004 // Despite engaging in the longest session in Illinois history, state legislators headed home this summer leaving a crucial bill to reform the state’s workers’ compensation system in limbo. Lawmakers may consider...
Nonadmitted Markets Open Options for Homeowners
Oct 25 2004 // Even before Charley and Frances, insurers were fleeing the homeowners market for high-risk properties at an alarming pace. Over the last several years, large catastrophe and mold losses have caused insurers to dramatically...
Better State Policy Will Make Better Insurance Policies
Oct 25 2004 // The Texas home and auto insurance market is finally on the mend. Rates have begun to stabilize, and thanks to landmark reforms passed in 2003, companies are even eyeing our state as a place to do business. Competition and...
OREGON’S LIBERTY NORTHWEST NEGOTIATED TAX BREAK:
Oct 25 2004 // Nine years ago, private workers’ comp insurer Liberty Northwest struck a deal with legislators that it would pay no taxes on profits in Portland or Multnomah County, according to The Oregonian. Liberty Northwest is...
Canter Predicts State, Federal Regulation to Detrimentally Affect Industry
Oct 25 2004 // More than 120 firms participated in the Big “I” Exhibit “During my term we have made numerous advances and I couldn’t have done any of them without the help of the Executive Committee and dedicated...
Take Two: Looking at the Med-Mal Crisis from Both Sides
Oct 25 2004 // National editor Andrea Ortega-Wells recently moderated a “Take Two” debate discussing the hot topic of medical malpractice, and what, if any, reforms are needed. The debate featured Paula Sweeney, partner with...
