Latest Legislation Headlines
All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Obama Opposes Expanding Flood Insurance Program to Cover Wind Damage
May 13 2009 // The Obama Administration has come out in opposition to expanding the federal flood insurance program by letting it add coverage for wind damage. The administration said it opposes the expansion because it would further...
Health Groups Hope Savings Vow Wins Them Say in Obama Reforms
May 12 2009 // President Barack Obama’s plan to provide medical insurance for all Americans took a big step toward becoming reality after leaders of the health care industry offered $2 trillion in spending reductions over 10 years...
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit in New York Boating Tragedy
May 12 2009 // A federal judge has dismissed liability claims against the company that modified a tour boat that capsized on Lake George in 2005, killing 20 passengers. U.S. District Judge Thomas McAvoy says there’s no evidence...
Oklahoma Lawmakers Forge Agreement on Lawsuit Reform Package
May 12 2009 // Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee and House Speaker Chris Benge have announced that a compromise has been reached on a long sought comprehensive lawsuit reform package for the state. Coffee and Benge and their...
Religious Group Seeks Exemption From Georgia Auto Insurance Law
May 11 2009 // The small community of Mennonites that multiplied along a web of dirt roads in rural southeast Georgia has steadily grown the same way it does just about everything: Quietly. The community’s 100 or so members have...
SEC Chief Backs ‘Systemic Risk Council’ Idea
May 11 2009 // The head of the Securities and Exchange Commission said Friday she favors a new proposal for federal regulators sharing oversight of companies that pose financial risks to the U.S. economy. SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro said...
An Awakened Washington Promises More Stress for Directors & Officers
May 11 2009 // Corporations and their directors and officers are living in fear. Fear of the next financial scandal, the next stock market plunge, the next lawsuit. Fear of bankruptcy. Fear of angry policymakers inside Washington and...
Marsh Warns UK Construction Sector Failing to Fully Manage Project Risk
May 11 2009 // A report from Marsh’s London office warns that “the UK construction sector is failing to fully manage the risks associated with large and complex building projects, which can in turn lead to professional...
Judge Agrees to Freeze Assets of Connecticut Chimp’s Owner
May 8 2009 // A judge on Wednesday approved an agreement that freezes $10 million in assets belonging to the owner of a chimpanzee that mauled a woman. The family of Charla Nash is suing the chimp’s owner, Sandra Herold, for $50...
Louisiana House Panel OKs Fee Increase on Homeowners Policy
May 8 2009 // A Louisiana House committee has challenged Gov. Bobby Jindal’s anti-tax stance, approving what amounts to a tax hike on Louisiana homeowners: a proposal to increase an existing fee added to insurance bills. The fee...
Colorado Legislature Ends Session With Insurance-Friendly Session
May 7 2009 // The Colorado General Assembly, which adjourned yesterday, took a commonsense approach to insurance-related legislation during its 2009 Session, according to the American Insurance Association. Bills of primary concern to...
Named Storm Deductible Bill Passes Louisiana House
May 7 2009 // Two bills of interest to the insurance industry are making their way through the Louisiana legislative session, which convened April 27. House Bill 333, by Rep. Kleckley, which places limitations on named-storm, hurricane,...
Missouri Becomes Latest State to Require Fire-Safe Cigarettes
May 7 2009 // Missouri has become the latest state to join a national movement in requiring cigarettes to be self-extinguishing. The Missouri House voted 137-16 on May 5 to give final approval to legislation that requires the special...
Florida Gov. Crist to Sign Property Insurance Rate Hike Bill
May 6 2009 // Florida Gov. Charlie Crist says he’ll sign legislation that increases property insurance rates by 10 percent on more than 1 million customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Crist said that...
Declarations
May 4 2009 // Twittering Mississippi “With a diverse group of staff members with different skills and knowledge of various technologies, Twitter was mentioned as one of the most efficient ways to connect with people, and...
Fight to Approve Workers’ Comp Judges in Oklahoma Goes On
May 4 2009 // Undeterred by the governor’s veto, the Oklahoma Senate is forging ahead with the push to gain authority to approve judicial appointments in the state. The Senate has passed a referendum HJR 1041, which would allow...
Texas Senate Passes Insurance Department ‘Sunset’ Bill
May 4 2009 // After a temporary block by Democrats in the Texas Senate, a bill allowing continuation of the Texas Department of Insurance passed the Senate and headed to the House of Representatives for deliberation. Sen. Glenn Hegar of...
Nevada DMV Insurance Verification Contract Questioned
May 4 2009 // Former Nevada Assembly speaker and current lobbyist Richard Perkins is pushing a bill to require the state Department of Motor Vehicles to contract with a private company to verify motorists’ automobile...
Tennessee Court Rules Homeowners Policy Doesn’t Cover Sons’ Shootings
May 4 2009 // A homeowners insurance policy does not cover damages from a fatal sniper attack by the sons of the policyholders, the Tennessee Court of Appeals ruled. The court ruled that a policy exclusion barring coverage for damages...
Florida Lawmakers Pass Surplus Lines Insurance Regulation Exemption
May 4 2009 // Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has a bill on his desk that promises to clarify the state’s regulation of the surplus lines insurance business. The Florida Senate on May 1 joined in the House in passing the measure...
