Latest Legislation Headlines

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

Congressional Hearing Again Targets Regulatory Reform

Oct 31 2007 // No one argues the need to revamp the regulatory structure of the insurance industry, but just how to reform regulation remains the big question for legislators considering the issue. Some in the insurance industry support...

National Group Recommends Adoption of Rate Modernization Legislation

Oct 30 2007 // Kansas could become the ninth state to allow a modernized rating system for personal lines of insurance. A state task force studying rate modernization has issued a recommendation proposed by the National Association of...

Okla.’s Child Support Data Exchange Law Goes into Effect Nov. 1

Oct 30 2007 // The Oklahoma Insurance Department issued a reminder that a new state law compelling Child Support data exchange for workers’ compensation, personal injury and wrongful death claims has a fast-approaching Nov. 1...

House Leader: 120-Day Extension for Federal Terrorism Insurance Possible

Oct 29 2007 // A key House leader says he will push for a 120-day extension of the federal terrorism reinsurance program that expires at year’s end rather than simply accept the Senate bill that is narrower in scope than the House...

8 S.C. chief urges pre-set

Oct 27 2007 // hurricane damage formulaLooking to minimize claims litigation 8 West Virginia lawmakers may reassert workers’ comp oversightBut will they scare insurers from the state?9 Florida brings back no-faultLawmakers add...

W. Va. lawmakers may reassert workers’ comp oversight

Oct 27 2007 // West Virginia legislators learned recently that they have no one to blame but themselves for the loss of power over the rules that govern workers’ compensation claims and benefits.Lawmakers first ceded the...

Fla. brings back no-fault auto insurance

Oct 27 2007 // Gov. Charlie Crist signed legislation that will reinstate Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law and ensure that drivers have $10,000 worth of health care benefits through personal injury protection or PIP coverage by...

Surplus lines execs search for common ground

Oct 27 2007 // News CurrentsThe independent nature of surplus lines professionals was readily apparent when a panel of industry executives gathered to discuss current issues at the recent National Association of Surplus Lines Offices...

Calif. governor signsworkers’ comp bill

Oct 27 2007 // California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that is expected to lower workers’ compensation rates for small businesses and increase competition among insurance companies.Existing law requires...

Calif. workers’ comp reforms working better than expected, Gov. decides not to raise benefits

Oct 27 2007 // Reforms to California’s worker’s compensation system enacted since 2002 “have had a substantial impact on system costs,” according to a new report by the state Workers’ Compensation Insurance...

News Currents

Oct 27 2007 // Surplus lines execs search for common groundThe independent nature of surplus lines professionals was apparent when a panel of industry executives discussed current issues at the recent National Association of Surplus...

News Currents

Oct 27 2007 // Calif. passes flood legislation, rejects bill on child booster seatsCalifornia Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation designed to strengthen flood protections in California and approved a bill that would ban...

Off-year election 2007 could provide glimpse into 2008

Oct 27 2007 // This fall is an off-year election season with only a handful of federal races and most state houses gearing up for contests in 2008. However there are some races — a hotly-debated referendum in Washington and key...

House Panel Calls for Holocaust Insurance Policy Disclosure

Oct 25 2007 // A U.S. House of Representatives’ panel endorsed legislation this week that would require insurance companies to disclose information on Holocaust-era policy holders.The legislation aims to address concerns among some...

N.Y. Proposal Prompts States to Rethink Regulation of Reinsurers

Oct 25 2007 // As the reinsurance industry increasingly moves offshore, U.S. insurance regulators are rethinking current rules that require only non-U.S. reinsurers to post collateral equal to the full amount of their liabilities to U.S....

Judge Cuts $12 Million Award to Conn. Man in GE Job Bias Case

Oct 25 2007 // A federal judge has cut $5 million from a more than $12 million jury award that found General Electric discriminated against and illegally fired a chief engineer.Fifty-three-year-old Hemant Mody of Avon, Conn. never saw...

Anticipating Reform, Okla. Lawmakers Study Workers’ Comp System

Oct 25 2007 // Oklahoma Rep. Mark McCullough’s recent study of the state’s workers’ compensation system may lead to reform legislation being filed in the state’s 2008 legislative session, the House of...

Fla. Workers’ Comp Rate Decrease not Enough for Commissioner

Oct 24 2007 // Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty disapproved the National Council on Compensation Insurance’s latest rate filing for workers’ compensation insurance rates, due to become effective next year.McCarty...

Wis. Medical Group to Sue Lawmakers over $200 Million Fund Transfer

Oct 24 2007 // The Wisconsin Medical Society is planning to challenge lawmakers’ decision to transfer $200 million from a medical malpractice fund to help balance the budget. Lobbyist Mark Grapentine says the group has hired a...

Urban Lawmakers Eye Ban on ‘Proxies’ in Mass. Auto Insurance Pricing

Oct 22 2007 // Lawmakers representing urban drivers in Massachusetts are challenging the Patrick administration’s auto insurance plan, saying new regulations leave loopholes for companies to charge higher rates to minorities and...