Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
S.C. Lawmakers Back Homeowners’ Flex-band Rating
Jun 3 2004 // Concurring with a series of House amendments, the South Carolina State Senate approved a bill Thursday that creates a flex-band rating bill for homeowners’ insurance, similar to that enacted for the state’s...
Illinois Gov. Blagojevich Would Veto Med-Mal Caps
Jun 1 2004 // Gov. Rod Blagojevich said he would veto legislation that tries to slow the growth in malpractice insurance rates by capping some lawsuit awards, an idea being considered by the Illinois House. “I oppose caps...
After 205 Years, R.I.-Based Providence Washington to Close Its Doors
Jun 1 2004 // Providence Washington Insurance Companies is shutting down after more than two centuries, a victim of financial losses, an inability to raise capital and failure to find a buyer. The Providence, R.I.-based company’s...
Michigan Senate Takes Up Bill to Keep Insurers From Steering Claims
Jun 1 2004 // Auto insurers could not restrict policyholders from using the repair shop of their choice under legislation to be considered by the Michigan state Senate. Critics say some insurers currently send or direct claim holders to...
Reaction Mixed to Idea of Special Session in Wyoming
Jun 1 2004 // Calling a special session to deal with rising medical malpractice insurance rates could be risky if nothing comes out of it, those involved in the debate said May 28. Legislative leaders opted to vote on whether to...
Dominion of Canada Stops Writing Auto Policies in Newfoundland; Cites “Punitive Legislation”
Jun 1 2004 // Dominion of Canada General Insurance Co. announced that it intends to stop offering new, personal auto policies in Newfoundland and Labrador in the wake of proposed insurance reform introduced by the Conservative...
Okla. Gov. Applauds Tort Reform Approval
May 28 2004 // Oklahoma’s House of Representatives approved HB 2661, the tort reform bill, on a 68-32 vote Thursday afternoon. The State Senate was to take up the legislation for final passage Friday morning. In response to the...
Vermont Gov. Douglas Signs Law Amending WC Filing Limit and Requiring Medical Fee Schedule
May 28 2004 // Vermont Gov. James Douglas (R) has signed important workers’ compensation reform legislation (H. 632) supported by the insurance industry including the American Insurance Association (AIA). The new law reduces the...
S.C. Homeowners’ Flex Rating Bill Gets House Backing
May 28 2004 // The South Carolina House of Representatives has passed a personal lines modernization bill that will reportedly give consumers more choices of products and companies by enhancing the competitive nature of the market. The...
AIA Hails Ohio’s ‘Landmark’ Asbestos and Silica Reforms
May 28 2004 // The Washington, D.C.-based insurer lobbyist American Insurance Association (AIA) praised the Ohio General Assembly’s passage of the first asbestos reform legislation in the country that helps “truly sick victim...
NAIC Comments on A.M. Best Insurer Solvency Study
May 28 2004 // A recently published study by the A.M. Best Company, titled Best’s Insolvency Study: Property/Casualty U.S. Insurers, 1969-2002, provides further evidence that the national system of state-based insurance regulation...
Fraud, Tort Reform Bills Pass in Minnesota
May 28 2004 // The 2004 Minnesota legislative session adjourned on May 16, with several insurance-related bills signed into law, and a fraud bill now on Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s desk, according to the Property Casualty...
NAMIC Urges NAIC to Table ‘Sarbanes-Oxley’ Proposals
May 27 2004 // The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies has urged the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ to table its current proposals to adopt parts of the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act as part of state...
Conn. Gov. Rowland Signs Terror Exclusion Law
May 27 2004 // Connecticut Gov. John Rowland (R) has signed into law important legislation to create a terrorism exclusion in the state’s Standard Fire Policy (SFP). The American Insurance Association (AIA), among other industr...
Zenith Files 10% Reduction in Calif. Workers’ Comp Rates
May 27 2004 // Zenith National Insurance Corp. reported that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Zenith Insurance Company, has filed with the California Department of Insurance its workers’ compensation rates for use on or after July 1,...
Fla. CFO Warns of Hurricane Preparedness
May 26 2004 // With explosive state population growth and experts predicting the formation of more than 12 named Atlantic storms, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher is issuing a warning to consumers: Prepare...
Tenn. Workers’ Comp Reform Bill Goes to Governor
May 21 2004 // The Tennessee General Assembly on Thursday gave final approval to workers’ compensation legislation that seeks to address rising costs in the state’s workers’ comp system. SB 3424, introduced at the...
AIA Pleased With Removal of Judge in Asbestos Bankruptcy Cases
May 20 2004 // The American Insurance Association (AIA) on Wednesday praised a recent federal appeals court ruling that removed a judge from overseeing three major asbestos-related bankruptcy cases in New Jersey. In a 2-1 decision, a...
U.S. House Passes OSHA Changes for Employers
May 20 2004 // Employers could get more time to challenge citations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and more companies could recoup lawyers’ fees under a set of House bills that would make employer-friendly...
California Senate OKs Bills Expanding Firebreaks and Insurance Rights
May 20 2004 // Bills to expand firebreaks around some rural homes and give homeowners greater insurance rights were approved recently by the state Senate. The four measures were introduced in response to the fires that ravaged large...
