Latest Legislation Headlines

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

Judge refuses to dismiss Feds, Corps from La. flood suit

Feb 12 2007 // Residents of the three areas in or near New Orleans that were flooded worst by Hurricane Katrina can sue the Army Corps of Engineers over claims that a poorly designed navigation channel caused catastrophic flooding during...

Florida insurers in freeze until June

Feb 12 2007 // Florida Gov. Charlie Crist convinced Cabinet members to approve a rule that will prevent property insurers from canceling Florida policies for much of the rest of this year. The emergency rule will freeze insurance rates...

The Commissioners: David Rivera

Feb 12 2007 // Outgoing Colorado regulator comments on consumer choices, ethicsIn 2004 at the age of 34, David Rivera was appointed to be Colorado’s State Insurance Commissioner, the youngest insurance person to serve in that...

One-on-one interviews with 15 insurance regulators

Feb 12 2007 // One-on-one interviews with 15 insurance regulators At a recent meeting of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Insurance Journal sat down with 15 insurance regulators to talk about issues affecting their...

Howard Mills, New York, Insurance Commissioner

Feb 11 2007 // Howard Mills, formerly an elected state representative, served the State of New York as its appointed insurance superintendent for the last two years. He stepped in to fill the shoes of Greg Serio when he departed and...

Maine lawmakers balk at federal driver’s license-ID system

Feb 11 2007 // The Maine Legislature declared that it would refuse a congressional order to change its drivers’ licenses so they can serve as national identification cards.Supporters of a recent nonbinding resolution say the...

People

Feb 11 2007 // The National Association of Insurance Commissioners named its 2007 committee chairs and vice chairs. The new assignments are for one year:International Insurance Relations Committee: chair, Diane Koken, commissioner,...

News Currents

Feb 11 2007 // Florida insurers in freeze until JuneFlorida Gov. Charlie Crist convinced Cabinet members to approve a rule that will prevent property insurers from canceling Florida policies for much of the rest of this year. The...

David Rivera, Colorado, State Insurance Commissioner

Feb 11 2007 // In 2004 at the age of 34, David Rivera was appointed to be Colorado’s State Insurance Commissioner, the youngest insurance person to serve in that position. This January, newly elected Gov. Bill Ritter announced he...

North Dakota – Jim Poolman

Feb 11 2007 // Currently serving in his second term as North Dakota Insurance Commissioner, Jim Poolman has focused his efforts on working for and protecting insurance consumers across North Dakota. He previously served eight years in...

Alabama – Walter Bell

Feb 11 2007 // Newly elected president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Walter Bell, also Alabama’s insurance commissioner, says state-based insurance regulation is at a “crossroads.” One of his...

Agents Welcome Windstorm Debate; Insurers Warn Against Subsidies

Feb 9 2007 // The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) says the debate over windstorm coverage is crucial for consumers and independent agents and brokers in many regions throughout the...

La. Officials Urge Federal Role in Hurricane Insurance

Feb 8 2007 // Louisiana state senators say they will ask Congress to have the federal government insure homes against hurricane damage, as it does for floods.“Y’all won’t sell it, so why not get the federal government...

Judge Rules that Priest Files Must be Released

Feb 8 2007 // A judge ordered the Roman Catholic Church to release insurance records and confidential files related to a notorious priest who had been convicted of molestation before being transferred to California.Superior Court Judge...

First Ala. Captive Insurer Licensed Under New Law

Feb 7 2007 // The Alabama Department of Insurance has licensed its first captive insurance company under legislation enacted in 2006 and signed into law by Gov. Bob Riley.Chantilly Risk Management, which is located in Montgomery, is the...

Southwest Okla. Lawmakers Urge Gov. to Issue Disaster Declaration

Feb 7 2007 // State lawmakers representing southwest Oklahoma are urging Gov. Brad Henry to include Comanche and Tillman counties in his request for a major federal disaster declaration, the Oklahoma House of Representatives...

Georgia Lawmaker Wants to Ban Genetic Profiling by Insurers, Employers

Feb 6 2007 // Georgia state Rep. Ed Setzler says he’s seen a glimpse into the future — and he doesn’t like all he sees.The Acworth Republican has introduced a bill aimed at outlawing genetic profiling in Georgia by banning...

Texas State Senator Files Bill to Provide Tax Relief to Small Businesses

Feb 6 2007 // State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran (Kerrville) has filed House Bill 1022 and House Joint Resolution 54 which clarify that personal vehicles used for the production of income are exempt from ad valorem taxation.“Most small...

Ariz. Lawmakers Move to Raise Burden of Proof on ER Suits

Feb 6 2007 // Hoping for a change of heart by Gov. Janet Napolitano, the Arizona Senate narrowly approved a medical malpractice bill to raise the bar on the legal burden of proof required for malpractice lawsuits involving emergency...

Mass. Approves Harleysville Worcester Switch to Pa. Regulation

Feb 5 2007 // Massachusetts officials have given the green light to the redomestication of Harleysville Worcester Insurance Co. to Pennsylvania. The company is a subsidiary of Pennsylvania-based Harleysville Insurance Group, whose...