Declarations – West

Flood Band-Aid

“The National Flood Insurance Program has been barely hobbling along with a Band-Aid approach — extending it for short periods of time. Reaching an agreement to allow the Senate to fully debate this on the floor and to work on getting it reauthorized for five years will be great, much needed news for homeowners and the housing market.”

—U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R.-La., said he and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D.-Nev., have forged a bipartisan agreement to allow floor time on a five-year extension of the National Flood Insurance Program after Memorial Day weekend for the Congressional work period June 2 through July 1.

Space Liability

“NASA does not have any insurance requirements. We have cross waivers of liability negotiated in our Space Act Agreements and cargo contracts which covers the terms between NASA, SpaceX, and our International Partners. NASA also self insures our cargo.”

—National Aeronautics and Space Administration spokesman Joshua Byerly talking about insurance and the recent private SpaceX mission to the International Space Station.

Intervenor Intervention

“The Legislature needs to have a hearing to determine why there are not more consumer groups participating in the Department of Insurance’s rate intervening program.”

—State Sen. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, who has become the latest person to question intervenor fees, calling on the California Department of Insurance to review a state program that allows consumer groups to intervene in insurance rate cases.

Fraud Ring

“This organized automobile insurance fraud ring has been put out of business.”

—California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones commenting on the arrest, felony charges and the establishment of a $1 million bail amount for a “key figure” in what he alleges is an organized fraud ring.