Latest Legislation Headlines

All the headlines from our Legislation Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Bill to Regulate R.I. Contractors Filed

Jun 22 2006 // House Speaker Tempore Charlene M. Lima (D-Dist. 14, Cranston) has introduced legislation to regulate the registration of contractors in Rhode Island. The legislation (2006-H 8245) would amend the contractors’...

Market Still Fragile as La. Legislature Adjourns, Insurer Group Says

Jun 22 2006 // In the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita the 2006 Louisiana legislative session was very contentious; however, lawmakers rejected the proposals that would have been detrimental for consumers and the insurance...

Mich. AAA, Coalition Host Press Conference Urging Veto of Helmet Bill

Jun 22 2006 // AAA Michigan today urged Governor Jennifer Granholm to veto legislation that would repeal Michigan’s 37-year-old mandatory motorcycle helmet law, saying that the new law would recklessly endanger Michigan...

Okla. Gov. Names Harkey as Workers’ Comp Judge

Jun 20 2006 // Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry appointed Michael J. Harkey as a Workers’ Compensation Court judge for a term ending July 1, 2008. He succeeds Richard G. Mason, who resigned in January. The governor praised...

Workplace Bullies May Be Next On Insurers’ Watchlist, Insurance Journal Reports

Jun 20 2006 // From the playground to the classroom to the office — bullies can be found in all walks of life, but new anti-harassment legislation in some states could put an end to bullying in the workplace that can be costly for...

Brokers Support New Federal Bill to Reform Surplus Lines Insurance Regulation

Jun 20 2006 // In a step that is being applauded by insurance brokers, Reps. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-FL, and Dennis Moore, D-KS, have introduced federal legislation requiring states to establish a uniform system of regulation for the...

Va. Gov. Kaine Signs Small Business Insurance Purchasing Bill

Jun 20 2006 // Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine has signed a General Assembly bill that allows small businesses to collectively purchase health insurance, which supportershope will help address health care concerns within the...

Things that should keep you awake at night

Jun 19 2006 // The integration of the U.S. insurance market and global financial market will have a profound impact on business, according to Dave Zwiener, president and chief operating officer of Property and Casualty Operations for The...

Heads up on workplace bullying

Jun 19 2006 // From the playground to the classroom to the office — bullies can be found in all walks of life, says an anti-bullying advocacy group vying for new legislation that could potentially outlaw workplace bullying. But how...

Maryland targets urban auto rates

Jun 19 2006 // Maryland, seeking to address the higher costs of insurance for urban drivers, recently passed legislation to require insurers to regularly review their rating territories and streamline the process for protesting...

Keeping tabs on transparency

Jun 19 2006 // “In life there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed — but when they are, great drama is born.” Quoting from the “Desire Under the Elms” playbill at the Lesher Regional Center for the Arts...

Illinois freshman regulator McRaith gives insurance view from Midwest

Jun 19 2006 // Question: What is the specific impact of the 2005 catastrophes on the Midwest? McRaith: There are three identifiable impacts on Midwestern residents. First, since the cost of reinsurance has gone up so significantly...

Despite Bush veto, Florida legislators vow to revive no-fault bill in 2007

Jun 19 2006 // Irate Florida legislators, upset after Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed the state’s no-fault auto insurance law, are vowing to place the topic of no-fault insurance and the personal-injury-protection bill on the front burner...

Florida vows to implement credit scoring rule despite protests

Jun 19 2006 // Florida insurance officials are vowing to enforce a new rule regarding the use of credit scores in insurance starting September 1, despite protests from the industry that the rule is too stringent. The Financial Services...

Editor’s Note: Florida PIP, no-fault, rescue only temporary until 2007

Jun 19 2006 // The insurance industry was on pins-and-needles in early May when the Florida Legislature passed SB 2114 and extended when the state’s no-fault auto insurance law would sunset—but then the bill went onto the...

News Currents

Jun 19 2006 // California considering new mileage verification rules Insurance brokers and agents could be required to verify odometer readings for new and renewal automobile insurance policies under amendments the California Department...

New risks, laws continually expand employers’ liability

Jun 19 2006 // While insurance agents and brokers probably know employment practices liability should not be taken lightly, they might not be aware of new coverage issues and trends, according to Patricia Carlson of the Insurance Skills...

Things that should keep you awake at night

Jun 19 2006 // The integration of the U.S. insurance market and global financial market will have a profound impact on business, according to Dave Zwiener, president and chief operating officer of Property and Casualty Operations for The...

States promise quicker insurance product, filing approval under new system with Interstate Compact

Jun 19 2006 // State regulators have reached a milestone in their efforts to streamline product regulation, with a centralized approval system for certain life and financial products on the verge of becoming reality. After three years of...

California Insurance Wholesalers Urged to Get Active, Pursue Legislation

Jun 16 2006 // In conjunction with the Annual Meeting of the California Insurance Wholesalers Association held June 8 – 9 in Napa, Calif., outgoing President Mark Maucere urged the members of CIWA to get active to protect their...