Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Treasury Seeks Comments on Improving Insurance Regulation
Oct 18 2011 // The U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Insurance Office is seeking public comment for its report on how to improve the country’s insurance regulatory system. The study is mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street...
Tennessee Caps Medical Malpractice Damages
Oct 17 2011 // Insurers in Tennessee will payout fewer damages in medical malpractice cases after a new cap on damages took effect earlier this month. The new law also states insurers may no longer be sued under the state’s...
Nebraska Insurance Director Needs More Data on Exchange Cost
Oct 17 2011 // Nebraska insurance officials can’t decide whether to recommend a state-based health insurance exchange or follow a proposed federal model until they know how much the national plan will cost, Nebraska Department of...
Federal Flood Insurance Program Extended Until Nov. 18
Oct 17 2011 // The U.S. House of Representatives in early October passed legislation that keeps the federal flood insurance program running until Nov. 18, 2011. The House voted 352-66 to extend the National Flood Insurance Program...
One Frustrated Florida County Decides to Tackle Auto Insurance Fraud On Its Own
Oct 17 2011 // One county in Florida has decided not to wait on state lawmakers’ promise to address the insurance fraud and fix the state’s automobile no-fault law. It has passed its own ordinance to crack down on fraudulent...
New York Officially Combines Regulatory Agencies
Oct 17 2011 // New York Department of Financial Services, the new department that combines the state’s insurance and banking regulators, was officially launched on Monday, Oct. 3. Financial Services Superintendent Benjamin Lawsky...
Florida Lawmakers Contemplate the Future of Citizens
Oct 17 2011 // With four months to go before Florida’s legislative session, lawmakers are already considering the future of the state’s largest homeowners’ insurer. However, there are few easy answers in sight. Citizens...
Florida Commercial Lines Deregulation Law Takes Effect
Oct 17 2011 // Commercial insurers in Florida no longer have to seek prior approval from state regulators before changing some of the rates they charge under a new law that took effect October 1. Earlier this year, Florida lawmakers...
New York Judge: Al-Qaida Owes $9.3 Billion for 9/11 Harm
Oct 16 2011 // A magistrate judge in New York has recommended that al-Qaida be assessed $9.3 billion for the damage done to properties and businesses in the Sept. 11 attacks. Federal Magistrate Judge Frank Maas in a ruling Friday, Oct....
New Billing, Commission System at Texas Windstorm Pool Starts Jan. 1
Oct 13 2011 // The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) will be implementing a new billing and commission system beginning Jan. 1, 2012. In a bulletin to insurance agents, TWIA said under the new system it will assume the...
Florida Weighs Workers’ Comp Hike, Cost of Doctor-Dispensed Drugs
Oct 13 2011 // Florida employers could have to pay more in workers’ compensation premiums if regulators go along with a proposed statewide average 8.9 percent rate hike. The rate change may also trigger legislative action to clamp...
New Tennessee Workers’ Comp Exemption Law Takes Effect
Oct 13 2011 // More people are now eligible to claim exemptions from workers’ compensation in Tennessee as a result of a new law that took effect this month. The law expands eligibility for people who can apply for and be listed on...
New Jersey Looks to Put a Lid On Its Auto Insurance ‘Pot of Gold’
Oct 13 2011 // New Jersey’s auto insurance personal injury protection (PIP) regulations are due for an update. The state’s law requires that the Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) revisit the rules every two...
Kentucky Judge Orders Amish Men to Pay Fine Over Buggy Signs
Oct 12 2011 // Two Amish men in western Kentucky have been ordered to pay fines and could face jail time for refusing to post reflective triangles on their horse-drawn carriages. Levi Hostetler and Joe Stutzman were found guilty in short...
Analysis: Health Care Tops 2012 Debate in Arkansas
Oct 11 2011 // Democrats in Arkansas next year can’t escape the debate over the health care overhaul. They can at least try to change the conversation in their favor. The dispute between Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe’s...
Best Affirms Sirius International Ratings
Oct 11 2011 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A” (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Sirius International Insurance...
Stine Sworn in as Nebraska Workers’ Comp Court Judge
Oct 7 2011 // Judge Tom Stine has been sworn in to serve on the bench of the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court. Attorney General Jon Bruning opened and officiated the swearing-in ceremony, which took place in the Nebraska State...
California Fights Regulation with Regulation
Oct 7 2011 // In an odd twist, California business groups applauded Governor Jerry Brown for signing legislation Thursday to create a new layer of government regulation they say will lessen the burdens imposed by future regulations. The...
Mass. Agents Gathering Signatures for Insurance Credit Score Ban
Oct 6 2011 // A Massachusetts independent agents group said it is confident that banning auto insurers’ use of credit scores and other socioeconomic factors will become a state law in coming months. The Massachusetts Association...
Florida Lawmakers Contemplate the Future of Citizens
Oct 6 2011 // With four months to go before Florida’s legislative session, lawmakers are already considering the future of the state’s largest homeowners’ insurer. However, there are few easy answers in sight. Citizens...
