Latest Legislation Headlines

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

Illinois Tort Reform Efforts Struck Down

Dec 2 2007 // If anyone is betting on what organization is running the show in Illinois, my money is on the Illinois Trial Bar Association. Put a check mark in the “win” column recently for the Trial Bar as the 2005 tort...

16 Judges Step Aside From Scruggs Contempt Case

Dec 2 2007 // Every eligible federal judge in north Alabama has stepped aside from presiding in the criminal contempt case of Mississippi trial lawyer Richard Scruggs, who is accused of disobeying an order by failing to turn over...

Georgia Closes Contractors’ Liability Loophole

Dec 2 2007 // General contractors in Georgia are no longer able to use subcontractors as a broad shield against bodily injury and property damage claims at construction sites under a new law.The new statute went into effect July 1. The...

From Insurance Consumer to Commissioner

Dec 2 2007 // While the position of California Insurance Commissioner is elected and there are already rumblings that he’d make a good gubernatorial candidate in 2010, current California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner says...

Kipper to Lead Oregon Insurance Division

Dec 2 2007 // The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has named Scott Kipper administrator of its Insurance Division, DCBS Director Cory Streisinger announced. Kipper replaces Joel Ario, who left in July to become...

Senate Approves Terrorism Insurance Backstop Extension

Dec 2 2007 // The Senate passed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (TRIPRA) of 2007, its version of legislation that will extend the federal terrorism insurance backstop. The current federal terrorism reinsurance...

Framing the Issues

Dec 2 2007 // The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) represents 1,000 insurance companies that write about 40 percent of the business in the United States. They now have a new CEO and president. David Sampson comes...

Effectively Navigating Environmental Liability Risk

Dec 2 2007 // Those involved in commercial real estate transactions are often confronted with environmental issues before and after the purchase of a site. Environmental issues can range from exposures associated with lead paint or...

Fla. Insurance Regulators Get Public Input on New Reinsurance Rules

Nov 29 2007 // Florida Insurance Regulators held a workshop Monday to seek public input on a draft rule that would implement new legislation which gives the insurance commissioner discretion in allowing unaccredited reinsurance companies...

Mass. Auto Insurers Pressed to Lower 2008 Rates Even More

Nov 28 2007 // Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is pressing auto insurers in the state to lower their 2008 rates, arguing that their initial filings last week included more than $200 million in extra profits and payments to...

S&P Says Saudi Insurance Market Able to Meet Regulatory Challenges

Nov 27 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has said that it considers the Saudi insurance market to possess the “inherent strengths,” which will allow it to “ride out” forthcoming regulatory...

Iowa Groups Ask Lawmakers to Consider Bicycle Liability Laws

Nov 26 2007 // Several groups are looking into the possibility of a bill that would protect counties from liability lawsuits related to annual bicycling events in the state.State and county officials met with bicycle clubs and event...

Hawaii County Looks to Stem Flood Hazards

Nov 26 2007 // Hawaii County has met a deadline to save Big Island residents’ federal flood insurance coverage, but at least one County Council member is not satisfied.The council voted unanimously this week to approve a bill that...

NCOIL Names New Officers

Nov 26 2007 // The National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL), elected the following officers for 2008: Sen. James Seward (NY) as President-Elect; Rep. Robert Damron (KY) as Vice President; Rep. George Keiser (ND) as Secretary;...

Legislators Adopt Model Law to Strengthen State Guaranty Funds

Nov 21 2007 // A new model law adopted by the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) will create a stronger safety net for property/casualty guaranty funds nationwide.According to legislators, the Post-Assessment Property...

Insurance Compact Adopts ’08 Budget

Nov 20 2007 // The Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission adopted a $1.4 million 2008 budget by a vote of its full membership in a public teleconference yesterday.Following a comprehensive comment period, including a public...

Audit: Wis. Never Implemented Health Care Program for Businesses

Nov 20 2007 // A program created by Wisconsin lawmakers in 1999 to reduce health care costs for small businesses was never implemented after running up nearly $500,000 in spending, according to an audit released last week.The Private...

IIF Insurance Committee To Be Chaired by Execs from AIG, ING, Zurich

Nov 20 2007 // The Institute of International Finance based in Washington, D.C., is establishing a Committee on International Insurance Regulatory Issues headed by industry leaders to support the development of global industry...

Florida Regulators Deny Allstate Rate Increases

Nov 19 2007 // The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued Notices of Intent to disapprove five rate filings submitted by Allstate Floridian Insurance Co., Allstate Floridian Indemnity Co., Encompass Floridian Insurance Co., and...

Brown Named Chief of Staff of Fla. Insurance Commission

Nov 19 2007 // Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty promoted Audrey Brown to the position of chief of staff with the Office of Insurance Regulation effective Nov. 19.Brown has served as the deputy chief of staff since June,...