Declarations

Coordinated research needed
“Hurricanes, by far, cause more economic damage to a more widespread area than any other natural disaster. This bill takes sound, scientific recommendations and builds from them a foundation for better, more coordinated research. Given the enormous cost associated with hurricanes, we ought to better coordinate research and information about hurricane prediction, observation, the vulnerability of structures and how we might develop better evacuation plans.”

–U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, R-Fla., who introduced legislation to implement a national hurricane research initiative, based on recommendations presented by the National Science Foundation’s new draft report, “Hurricane Warning: The Critical Need for a National Hurricane Research Initiative.” The bill’s original cosponsors include Senators Mary Landrieu, D-La., David Vitter, R-La., and Bill Nelson, D-Fla. The National Hurricane Research Initiative (NHRI) takes the general recommendations of the National Science Board and seeks to coordinate the expertise of the nation’s science and engineering capabilities through a multi-agency effort focused on improving a better understanding of hurricane prediction, intensity, and mitigation on coastal populations, infrastructure, and the natural environment.

Source: Sen. Mel Martinez
Combat pests properly
“We must make every effort to protect property owners by ensuring that all pest control operators comply with laws requiring they be properly trained, certified and insured, and that they apply chemicals safely and lawfully”

–Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, announcing a court-ordered temporary injunction against any further business solicitations and transactions of unlicensed pest control operator Ronald L. Speer Jr., who owns Pro Services Termite & Pest Control of Austin and Round Rock. Speer lost his license last year when he allowed his liability insurance policy to expire.

Source: Texas Attorney General’s Office
Not playing fair
“It is not fair to relegate the concerns of professional insurance agents to a late-stage, final fairness hearing. Since there hasn’t been fairness for agents since the beginning of this process, we are not confident that there will be now.”

–PIA National Executive Vice President and CEO Len Brevik, commenting on a motion filed by the attorneys general of 10 states with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey opposing an amicus brief filed on Sept. 15, 2006, by the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA). PIA’s brief opposes certain aspects of a proposed class settlement with Zurich Insurance Company concerning issues of contingent commissions and disclosure statements. The attorneys general of the States of California, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Texas and West Virginia and the Commonwealths of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia contend that PIA’s Brief of Amicus Curiae is premature at this stage of the litigation. PIA’s objections to the proposed settlement center on a selective ban on the payment of contingent commissions and the mandated use of a flawed disclosure statement that creates legal conflicts.

Source: PIA National