FIC: Fraud Bill Readies for House Passage

By:  Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel The House is poised to pass the substantive DFS fraud bill, HB 1007, and a public records bill relating to the DFS fraud bill, HB 1009, the next time they are in Session which is May 2, 2017.  An amendment relating to HMOs selling Medicare Advantage plans was added…

FIC: Auto Insurance For Autonomous TNCs and Taxi Financial Responsibility Changes Move to Senate Floor

By:  Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel Two Senate bills containing auto insurance provisions cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 1, 2017. SB 1118, which is the Florida Department of Transportation agency package,  contains language requiring autonomous vehicles used by TNCs to be covered by auto insurance in the same amounts as that required for…

Senate Appropriations Committee Passes Broad-Based Tax Relief Package

For Immediate Release: May 1, 2017Contact: Katie Betta. (850) 487-5229 Senate Appropriations Committee Passes Broad-Based Tax Relief PackageBack-To-School Sales Tax Holiday, Sales Tax Exemption for Feminine Hygiene Products, Lower Business Rent Tax Tallahassee–The Florida Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Jack Latvala (R-Clearwater) today passed House Bill (HB) 7109, Taxation. The legislation will deliver…

FIC: WC Expansion for Firefighters Diagnosed with Cancer Going to Pass

By:  Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel Language expanding workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters diagnosed with cancer has been put on the state employee benefits bill that deals with state employee retirement, health insurance, and pay raises HB 7030.  This bill has been worked out between President Negron and Speaker Corcoran and contains priorities of each,…

GT: Citizens Board of Governors Approves 2017 Risk Transfer Program

By: Greenberg Traurig, FIC Lobbyist On Thursday, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s (“Citizens”) Board of Governors met to approve their 2017 Risk Transfer Program (the “Program”). Citizens is required by Florida Statute to procure catastrophe reinsurance in the private marketplace. Each year, the Board of Governors meets to review the reinsurance coverage recommendations offered by its…

FIC: Construction Defect Bill In Position to Pass

By:  Katrina Callaway, FIC General Counsel A bill designed to provide clarification as to when the statute of limitation and statute of repose start for construction defect claims by defining when the construction contract is considered complete passed the House on March 30, 2017 by a vote of 114-0.   The Senate companion bill, SB…

FIC: Scott Getting Newborn Screening Measure

By:  Sam Miller, FIC Consultant The House, by  a 117-0 vote on April 28,completed legislative approval of a bill (CS/CS/SB 1124) expediting  the expansion and updating of Florida’s newborn screening standards as federal standards change. The House on April 27 took up the Senate-passed version (CS/CS/SB 1124) in lieu of its bill. The House passed…