All the headlines from our Politics Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Mar 21 2013 // A state Senate health committee recommended this week that the state suspend the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s power to set rates for insurers under the Affordable Care Act and instead let the federal...
Mar 20 2013 // A bill that would make it even harder to pursue medical malpractice claims in Florida has cleared a Senate panel.The Senate Judiciary committee voted up the bill (SB 7030) by a vote of 6-3 on Monday. It would require that...
Mar 20 2013 // A West Virginia Senate committee advanced a bill this week that would likely increase car insurance premiums for drivers who can least afford it, but also expand liability coverage for the highest-risk drivers.The bill...
Mar 19 2013 // A U.S. Senate panel voted to move forward two of President Barack Obama’s choices to lead financial regulatory agencies, but his pick of Richard Cordray to head the new consumer bureau likely still faces a tough path...
Mar 15 2013 // A proposal that would increase the fine for not wearing a seat belt by $40 is advancing in the Tennessee Senate.The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Bill Ketron of Murfreesboro narrowly passed the Senate Transportation...
Mar 14 2013 // The Oklahoma Senate has approved legislation to privatize the state’s nonprofit workers’ compensation agency.The Senate passed the measure by a vote of 36-11. It heads to the House, where a similar bill is...
Mar 13 2013 // A proposal to establish a state-run health insurance exchange has passed the Senate with bipartisan support.A federal health care law calls for exchanges to serve as a marketplace for the uninsured to shop for medical...
Mar 13 2013 // Lawmakers in the Florida Senate have taken steps to return the state-backed insurer Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to its original purpose of being a market of last resort by requiring it to charge actuarially sound...
Mar 11 2013 // A divisive proposal to hold sellers and owners of assault weapons liable for damages in Colorado shootings was defeated by the Democratic senator who sponsored it.The bill was among the most controversial proposed by...
Mar 11 2013 // House Speaker T.W. Shannon says a Senate bill to overhaul Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system could undergo changes in the House.On Feb. 27, senators voted 34-12 for the Republican-backed bill, mostly along...
Mar 11 2013 // Texas Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman could have trouble winning Senate confirmation to keep her job, as Democrats with enough votes to defeat her nomination question her credentials.Appointed by Texas Gov. Rick...
Mar 8 2013 // A limit would be placed on the amount nursing homes would be forced to pay if sued under a bill passed by the West Virginia Senate this week.The measure explicitly includes nursing homes under the protections of a 2003 law...
Mar 7 2013 // The Oklahoma Senate has advanced a proposal that would allow voters to make the offices of state superintendent, insurance commissioner and labor commissioner gubernatorial appointments.In a statement released by the...
Mar 7 2013 // The Oregon Senate has passed a bill creating a new mediation process for patients injured by medical mistakes.The bill passed Tuesday in a 26-3 vote despite criticisms from some lawmakers who said it should have included...
Mar 7 2013 // A statewide texting-while-driving ban that has eluded passage for several years is again moving through the Florida Legislature.The Senate Communications committee meets Wednesday to consider the bill (SB 52). Opponents...
Mar 7 2013 // The West Virginia Senate unanimously passed a bill that would ensure that property owners face very limited liability from trespassers on their land.In general, common law states that property owners cannot be sued by...
Mar 1 2013 // A Republican-backed plan to overhaul Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system has been approved by the state Senate, despite concerns that the cost savings in the bill come at the expense of those injured on the...
Feb 26 2013 // Texas Insurance Commissioner Eleanor Kitzman could have trouble winning Senate confirmation to keep her job, as Democrats with enough votes to defeat her nomination question her credentials.Kitzman was appointed by Texas...
Feb 21 2013 // A measure that would ban texting while driving was approved by the state Senate after supporters said South Dakota needs to join the 39 other states that prohibit the dangerous practice.Senators voted 24-9 to approve the...
Feb 21 2013 // The Arkansas Senate has approved legislation allowing drivers to display their proof of insurance using cellphones and other electronic devices.The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would allow drivers to show their...