Category(s): Federal - 04/01/2013

On March 20, 2013, we again partnered with Networks Financial Institute ("NFI") in presenting the 9th Annual Insurance Public Policy Summit in Washington, DC, titled “Navigating U.S. and International Cross Currents."  Participants included Congressional, NAIC and industry leaders, along with academics presenting new research.  NFI’s website (click here) has a summary of the Summit, along with access to the research papers.

Charles T. Richardson, Esq. - FAEGRE BAKER DANIELS LLP, (202) 997-0681 , crichardson@faegrebd.com

Category(s): Florida - 04/01/2013

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation advised that it filed an appeal on March 21, 2013 in regard to Leon County Cir. Ct Case No.:  2013-0073-CA: Myers et al. v. McCarty in his Official Capacity. The litigation, which relates to statutory changes made by Florida’s enactment of HB 119 relating to Personal Injury Protection insurance, was brought late in 2012 by a group of Florida massage therapists and others in the health care community who are challenging the constitutionality of the new law.  To view the Notice of Appeal, click here.  To view the precipitating injunction order, click here.

Fred E. Karlinsky, Esq. - GREENBERG TRAURIG, P.A., (954) 768-8278 , karlinskyf@gtlaw.com

Category(s): Florida - 04/01/2013

A Notice of Correction issued February 28, 2013 to proposed Rule 61G20-3.015, F.A.C., "Equivalence of Standards," revealed that the current Florida Building Code does not incorporate the ASTM E 1996-05, a testing standard to which certain hurricane shutters/impact protective devices had formerly been compliant under the previous 2007 Code.

Richard J. Fidei, Esq. - GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP, (954) 592-5530

Category(s): Georgia - 04/01/2013

The Georgia Department of Insurance has released the permitted geographic rating areas for small group and individual health insurance policies.  Bulletin 13-EX-1 creates 16 separate rating areas within the state.  The rating areas are effective for all small group and individual policies issued with an effective date on or after January 1, 2014.  To view the Bulletin, click here.

Tony Roehl, Esq. - BAKER HOSTETLER LLP, (404) 256-8419 , troehl@bakerlaw.com

Category(s): Tennessee - 04/01/2013

Governor Bill Haslam has signed legislation deleting the longstanding statutory requirement that all original books and records of domestic insurers be physically located within the state of Tennessee.  The statutory change (Public Chapter No. 5) was proposed by the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance for the dual benefits of decreasing compliance burdens on domestic insurers and facilitating redomestications.

T. Stephen C. Taylor, Esq. - BASS, BERRY & SIMS, PLC, (615) 742-7758 , staylor@bassberry.com
Robins H. Ledyard, Esq. - BASS, BERRY & SIMS, PLC, (615) 742-6259