Read

 E-mail Print

BILL #

CHAPTER #

ISSUE

BILL DESCRIPTION

HB 1a

1

Catastrophe-related legislation

Relates to the Interlocal Cooperation Act, residential property insurance, automobile insurers, condominiums, capitalization for insurers writing property insurance, minimum surplus amounts, premium discounts, consumer advocates, statements of certification for rate filings, premium payment plan options for policyholders, hospital immunity caps, reinsurance, inspectors, notice of nonrenewals, cancellations and terminations, self insurance, premium taxes and discounts for hurricane mitigation programs. Effective: January 25, 2007.

HB 13c

324

Motor vehicle insurance - no fault

Revives and reenacts Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law; revises property damage coverage requirements; revises PIP medical benefits; provides benefits for services and care ordered by physician or provided by certain others; requires benefits for certain providers to be reserved for specified period; authorizes reimbursement limits schedule for PIP benefits; prohibits billing or collecting in excess of certain limits; relates to insurance cancellation, claims, rates and premiums, and policy forms. Effective: Varies.

HB 15c

325

Motor vehicle insurance -- miscellaneous

Creates public records exemption for certain information regarding personal injury protection and property damage liability insurance policies held by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; authorizes conditional release of confidential and exempt information to specified persons; provides for retroactive application of exemption; provides for future review and repeal of exemption; provides statement of public necessity. Effective: Varies.

HB 25

211

Motor vehicle insurance - traffic offenses

Requires court to sentence driver of vehicle to minimum term of imprisonment if DUI & leaves scene of crash resulting in death; requires court to order driver to make restitution to victim for damage or loss if driver leaves scene of accident resulting in injury or death; requires person convicted of DUI manslaughter to be sentenced to mandatory minimum term of imprisonment; allows assessment of victim injury points for specified offenses. Effective: July 1, 2007.

HB 111

44

Title insurance

Revises nonresident title insurance agent license requirements; revises unlawful rebate specifications; revises rate & rate deviation requirements; revises determination of insurability & records retention requirements; revises requirements for estoppel letters; provides for application to specified mortgages; provides liability for title insurance agents recording certificates of release; repeals authority of FSC to adopt rules regarding charges for certificates of release. Effective: October 1, 2007.

HB 211

25

Catastrophe-related legislation

Provides exemption from sales & use tax for sales of specified tangible personal property from June 1, 2007, through June 12, 2007; provides exceptions for sales within public lodging establishments, theme parks, entertainment complexes, & airports; provides appropriation. Effective: April 30, 2007.

HB 275

242

Motor vehicle insurance - enforcement issues

Establishes extended registration period & renewal period for certain motor vehicles & mobile homes; provides for semiannual, annual, or biennial renewal of motor vehicle & mobile home registrations; specifies that registration period for motor vehicle or mobile home may not exceed specified number of months; provides for disposition of biennial registration revenues, etc. Effective: January 1, 2008.

HB 359

150

Motor vehicle insurance - financial responsibility

Requires proof of increased fin. responsibility for bodily injury or death caused by owners or operators found guilty of, or who entered plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, regardless of adjudication of guilt, DUI offense or who had license or driving privilege revoked or suspended; prohibits insurer from taking certain actions solely because insured or specified person serves as volunteer driver for nonprofit agency or charitable org., etc. Effective: June 15, 2007.

HB 411

76

Producer licensure - licensing requirements

Specifies fees for limited appointments as motor vehicle rental insurance agents; revises provisions relating to limited licenses to transact personal accident insurance to apply to travel insurance; revises provisions relating to limited licenses to transact baggage & motor vehicle excess liability insurance to apply to motor vehicle rental insurance. Effective: January 1, 2008.

HB 449

115

Motor vehicle insurance - traffic offenses

Provides enhanced penalties for specified burglaries & thefts involving authorized emergency vehicles; provides enhanced penalties for specified burglaries & thefts committed during state of emergency & facilitated by conditions arising from emergency; prohibits release of person arrested for such burglary offense during such state of emergency until person appears before magistrate; provides for reclassification of such offenses one level above current ranking. Effective: July 1, 2007.

HB 517

49

Military personnel insurance-related legislation

Provides that members of U.S. Armed Forces called to or on active duty outside state or U.S. is exempt from providing required proof of financial responsibility as owner, registrant, or operator of motor vehicle under specified conditions. Effective: July 1, 2007.

HB 707

52

Motor vehicle insurance - miscellaneous

Revises provisions restricting use of certain colored lights; provides for lights on vehicles owned or leased by private security agencies; removes reference to watch, guard, & patrol agencies licensed under specified provisions. Effective: July 1, 2007.

HB 1285

221

Construction liens

Revises provisions relating to Construction Lien Law; revises performance bond & notice requirements; establishes procedures related to recommencement of construction; provides bond requirements; requires notices, requests, or demands to be in writing; requires claims of lien to be sworn to or affirmed; provides notice of commencement requirements; provides requirements for recording amended notices of commencement; revises requirement for lienors to demand statements of account; provides procedures for service on limited liability companies; extends duration of specified liens; provides for award of attorney's fees. Effective: July 1, 2007.

HB 1381

199

Producer licensure - licensing requirements

Authorizes certain agencies designated as branch office to file application for registration in lieu of licensure; provides exemption from required written examination to certain applicants for licensure as claims adjuster; authorizes certain licensed agents to be agent in charge of branch locations under certain circumstances; revises requirements for identification of insurers, agents, & insurance contracts, etc. Effective: July 1, 2007.

HB 1549

224

Financial regulation

Authorizes certain agencies designated as branch office to file application for registration in lieu of licensure; provides exemption from required written examination to certain applicants for licensure as claims adjuster; authorizes certain licensed agents to be agent in charge of branch locations under certain circumstances; revises requirements for identification of insurers, agents, & insurance contracts, etc. Effective: July 1, 2007.

HB 7057

126

Catastrophe-related legislation

Redesignates Fla. Comprehensive Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program as My Safe Florida Home Program; revises criteria & requirements for hurricane mitigation inspections; requires that residential structure located in wind-borne debris region have certain opening protections required under Fla. Building Code in order to be eligible for coverage by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, etc. Effective: June 12, 2007.

HB 7169

202

Workers' compensation - fund management

Provides exemption from public records requirements for certain records of Florida Workers' Compensation Joint Underwriting Association, Inc.; authorizes release of confidential & exempt records under certain circumstances; provides exemption from public meetings requirements for portions of meeting of association's board of governors or subcommittee thereof during which confidential & exempt records are discussed; requires that exempt portions of meetings be recorded, transcribed, & maintained for specified period; provides exemption from public records requirements for minutes & transcripts of exempt portions of meetings; provides for future legislative review & repeal of such exemptions; provides statement of public necessity. Effective: July 1, 2007.

HB 7187

249

Financial regulation

Removes scheduled repeal of exemption under Open Government Sunset Review Act for specified examination & investigation reports under Florida Insurance Code & related work papers, information, & lists of insurers or regulated companies; reorganizes exemption; defines "work papers" to narrow exemption for work papers & other information held by DFS or Office of Insurance Regulation pursuant to examination or investigation; provides for limited duration of exemption for work papers; makes editorial changes & deletes unnecessary language. Effective: October 1, 2007.

SB 2

205

Motor vehicle insurance - traffic offenses

Provides that offense of leaving child unattended or unsupervised in motor vehicle constitutes second-degree misdemeanor under certain conditions; provides that such offense is third-degree felony if child suffers great bodily harm, disability, or disfigurement; provides penalties. Effective: July 1, 2007.

SB 282

135

Motor vehicle insurance -- miscellaneous

Prohibits licensed retail alcohol beverage establishment open to public from denying service to designated driver. Effective: October 1, 2007.

SB 404

227

Buildings codes

Relates to housing and construction industry regulation; provides additional requirements for a person to take the examination for building code inspector or plans examiner; provides for disciplinary proceedings for violations involving failure to follow the building code or permit requirements, obstructing investigation or accepting services at a noncompetitive rate from any person whose work is under enforcement authority of the official; provides for payments to the Mobile Home Relocation Trust Fund. Effective: July 1, 2007.

SB 562

138

State regulation

Relates to ownership or transfer of securities; revises provisions authorizing a domestic insurers' ownership or transfer of certain securities without physical delivery of certificates; relates to acquisition of controlling stock; authorizes a domestic insurer's ownership or transfer of securities without physical delivery; provides for required forms; relates to custodian brokers and insurance holding companies. Effective: June 15, 2007.

SB 746

87

Workers' compensation - benefits, claims and authorized treatments

Provides standard of proof for first responders having injury or disease caused by exposure to toxic substance; provides that any adverse result or complication re smallpox vaccinations is an injury by accident arising out of employment; provides standard of proof in cases involving occupational disease; provides for continuation of permanent total supplemental benefits after age of 62 for certain first responders, etc. Effective: June 8, 2007.

SB 830

94

Motor vehicle insurance - enforcement issues

Relates to the Department of Highway Safety Motor Vehicles records public disclosure; includes ID card numbers within motor vehicle records held by Highway Safety Motor Vehicles which are exempt from these disclosure requirements; provides for release of personal information held by the Department for purposes of complying with specified federal laws; provides circumstances under which specified information may be disclosed. Effective: July 1, 2007.

SB 1624

218

Commercial insurance

Requires purchase of owner-controlled insurance in connection with public construction project if program maintains completed operations insurance coverage for no less than 10 years; exempts contractors & subcontractors working under construction project insured by said insurance program from individually satisfying eligibility requirements for large deductible workers' compensation rating plans. Effective: October 1, 2007.

SB 1748

178

Workers' compensation - self-insurance

Prohibits rejection of workers' compensation insurance policies issued by certain self-insurance funds under certain circumstances. Effective: July 1, 2007.

SB 1822

181

Property insurance

Requires that certain public lodging establishments be equipped with carbon monoxide sensor devices; specifies approved types of devices; provides requirements for installation of such devices; requires that certain buildings constructed on or after specified date be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms; provides requirements for installation of such devices; requires Fla. Building Commission to adopt rules. Effective: July 1, 2007.

SB 1852

70

State regulation

Amends provision re consumer complaints & inquiries handled by DFS & OIR; revises exemption from public-records requirements which is provided for personal financial & health information of consumers; creates exemption from public-records requirements for information concerning employees seeking assistance from Employee Assistance & Ombudsman Office; provides for future legislative review & repeal of exemptions, etc. Amends 624.23. Effective: October 1, 2007.

SB 1894

146

Workers' compensation - fund management

Provides requirements for joint underwriting plan of insurers which operates as Fla. Workers' Compensation Joint Underwriting Association, Inc.; revises restrictions on who may serve on board; requires that market-assistance plan be periodically reviewed & updated; requires that excess funds received by plan be returned to state; provides for applicability of specified statutes regulating ethical standards, etc. Effective: July 1, 2007.

SB 2162

71

Fees

Relates to local government funding; deletes specific ending date for increases to guaranteed entitlements for certain municipalities that receive revenue sharing funds; deletes specific ending date for surcharge imposed by certain local governments on penalties for non-criminal infractions; provides that a court cost applies to juvenile delinquency proceedings; deletes the surcharge imposed by certain local governments on penalties for juvenile non-criminal violation proceedings. Effective: July 1, 2007.

SB 2198

148

State regulation

Revises certain requirements for annual statements; revises certain requirements for annual audited financial statement. Effective: July 1, 2007.

SB 2498

90

State regulation

Revises certain reimbursement contract requirements; deletes expiration provision re obtaining coverage for liquidated insurers; revises provisions for determining eligibility for coverage under Citizens Property Insurance Corp.; creates Fla. Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center at FSU; provides purposes & responsibilities of center; creates Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Mission Review Task Force; requires report, etc. Effective: June 11, 2007.

SB 2836

187

Building codes

Relates to the building code; authorizes the Building Commission to approve amendments; revises provisions of Building Code Education and Outreach Program; provides for program to be administered by DCA through private nonprofit corporation selected by and under contract with DCA; provides for commission to adopt rules identifying standards equivalent to or more stringent than those adopted in the code; relates to inspections; provides for electrical systems, swimming pools, fire safety and graved roofs. Effective: June 19, 2007.