Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Number of Insurers Based in Texas ‘Average’ Compared to Size of Market
Jan 28 2013 // The Texas insurance market is ranked the 12th largest in the world in terms of premium volume, but only an “average” number of insurance carriers call the state home, and many of the 400 insurance companies...
New Mexico Weighs Reform of Taxi, Shuttle Regulation
Jan 25 2013 // Lawmakers are proposing to revamp state regulation of taxis and moving companies to potential lower costs for consumers. Reps. Tom Taylor, a Farmington Republican, and Carl Trujillo, a Santa Fe Democrat, are sponsoring the...
Arkansas Lawmakers Advance Guns in Church Bill Minus Insurance Provision
Jan 25 2013 // An Arkansas Senate panel advanced a proposal this week to allow concealed handguns in churches, but rejected an amendment to require places of worship to carry more insurance if firearms are permitted. A House committee...
Florida Regulator McCarty Offers Reform Map to Smaller Citizens Property Insurance
Jan 25 2013 // Florida’s insurance commissioner has proposed a set of reforms designed to return the state-back property insurer to being a residual market, while at the same time offering the private insurance market incentives to...
Virgin Galactic Supports New Mexico Spaceport Liability Legislation
Jan 24 2013 // Virgin Galactic says it supports newly proposed New Mexico legislation to limit liability of spacecraft part suppliers from damage lawsuits by passengers on space tourism flights launched from the state. Virgin Galactic...
Florida Turns to Massachusetts for Health Insurance Advice
Jan 24 2013 // Florida lawmakers considering how to implement the federal health care overhaul sought information this week from two economists on the Massachusetts initiative that served as the blueprint for the national...
Insurance Associations Welcome IMF Report on Brazil Reinsurance Market
Jan 24 2013 // A group of insurance trade organizations – American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), American Insurance Association (AIA), Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers (ABIR), General Insurance Association of...
Legislation Would Ban Texting While Driving in Oklahoma
Jan 24 2013 // Legislation filed by state Rep. Curtis McDaniel would increase safety on Oklahoma roads by banning texting while driving, the lawmaker says. House Bill 1503, by McDaniel, would outlaw texting while their vehicle is in...
New NAIC CEO Nelson: ‘No Need for Dual Regulation’
Jan 23 2013 // The new CEO of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) says there is a limited role for the federal government in insurance in partnership with state regulators but there is “no need for dual...
P/C Insurers See ORSA Value to Their Business: Survey
Jan 23 2013 // Many property/casualty insurers are beginning to implement pending Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) regulatory requirements in advance of their 2015 effective date and finding the process can be a valuable business...
S&P: Low Interest Rates, Regulation Issues Are Key Insurance Industry Risks
Jan 23 2013 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has issued a new report – “Global Insurance Key Risks And Credit Trends Dominated By Low Interest Rates And Regulation Issues -” which examines how those two...
Florida’s Citizens Backs Bill Calling for More Oversight
Jan 22 2013 // Florida’s state policyholder-backed property insurer says it welcomes a newly proposed legislative initiative that would create an independent inspector general to oversee the insurer’s handling of employee...
Former Nebraska Sen. Nelson Named CEO of Insurance Regulators’ Group, NAIC
Jan 22 2013 // Former Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson has been named chief executive officer of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the organization for state insurance regulators and advocacy group for state-level...
Conn. Considers Expanding Workers’ Comp to Help Emergency Workers
Jan 21 2013 // Post-traumatic stress was so great for some first responders who arrived at Sandy Hook Elementary School minutes after a gunman killed 20 children and six educators that the Connecticut legislature is considering a measure...
Ohio Joins States Tracking Arsonists on Registries
Jan 21 2013 // Ohio is joining the few states that require convicted arsonists to register with authorities, hoping it will help solve more cases, deter repeat offenses and prevent deaths and property damage. The new law will require...
More than 2,400 Bills Filed for 2013 Oklahoma Legislative Session
Jan 21 2013 // Members of the Oklahoma House and Senate have filed more than 2,400 bills and resolutions to consider in the 2013 Legislature. The measures were filed prior to the Jan. 17, 4 p.m. deadline for state lawmakers to file...
Arkansas Lawmaker Files Tort Reform Ballot Measure
Jan 18 2013 // An Arkansas lawmaker is proposing a constitutional amendment to require those who file lawsuits found to be “frivolous” to pay court costs and to place restrictions on experts who can testify at medical...
Florida Audit Says Citizens’ Travel Expenses Excessive; Governor Orders Reform
Jan 18 2013 // A review by Florida’s chief inspector general contends that employees at the state-created Citizens Property Insurance racked up excessive travel expenses over an eight-month period. Florida Gov. Rick Scott ordered a...
Florida Looks to Restructure Its Hurricane Fund; Federal Option Proposed
Jan 18 2013 // Florida lawmakers are poised to consider restructuring the state-run property reinsurance facility by possibly lowering its mandatory annual capacity by billions due to concerns that one major storm could exhaust its...
Michigan Governor Proposes New Department of Insurance and Finance
Jan 17 2013 // Michigan Gov. Rick Synder has proposed the creation of a new Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Snyder, who is beginning his third year as governor, said the new department will “emphasize consumer...
