Florida 2009 Legislative Wrap Up: Part 1A by Katherine Scott Webb
1a. The 2009 Session of the Florida Legislature led to the passage of a comprehensive property insurance bill. Could you give an overview of the main provisions of the bill, particularly with regard to:
- the status of Citizens Property Insurance, the state’s insurer of last resort?
- the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund?
- whether some insurance companies may charge unregulated rates?
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Florida 2009 Legislative Wrap Up: Part 1B by Fred E. Karlinsky
1b. The 2009 Session of the Florida Legislature led to the passage of a comprehensive property insurance bill. Could you give an overview of the main provisions of the bill, particularly with regard to:
- the status of Citizens Property Insurance, the state’s insurer of last resort?
- the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund?
- whether some insurance companies may charge unregulated rates?
answer_1b_fred_e_karlinsky.mp3
Florida 2009 Legislative Wrap Up: Part 2 by Fred E. Karlinsky
2. The Florida Supreme Court’s decision in Essex v. Zota and a federal court’s ruling in CHL Hotels v. Twin City Fire Insurance called into question the forms used by Surplus Lines carriers in Florida. How did the Legislature address the issues raised in these cases?
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Florida 2009 Legislative Wrap Up: Part 3 by Katherine Scott Webb
3. In the context of attorney’s fees in workers’ compensation cases, how did the Legislature respond to the Florida Supreme Court’s holding in Murray v. Mariner Health?
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Florida 2009 Legislative Wrap Up: Part 4 by Fred E. Karlinsky
4. Florida’s 2009 Legislative Session was extended so that Senate and House of Representatives could agree on a final budget. What were the main issues of contention that led to the extension, and how were these budget issues resolved?
answer_4_fred_e_karlinsky.mp3
Florida 2009 Legislative Wrap Up: Part 5 by Katherine Scott Webb
5. Proposed cuts to Florida’s education budget were of major concern to many Floridians. Specifically, how will Florida’s education system be affected by these budget cuts?
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Florida 2009 Legislative Wrap Up: Part 6 by Fred E. Karlinsky
6. After the Florida Supreme Court overturned Governor Crist’s gambling compact with the Seminole Indians, the legislature sought to structure a new agreement not only with the Seminoles but also with other gaming interests in Florida, including pari-mutuel establishments. What is the current status of these considerations?
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Florida 2009 Legislative Wrap Up: Part 7 by Katherine Scott Webb
7. Florida has joined Georgia, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Indiana in prohibiting cities and counties from imposing fees when police and firefighters respond to automobile accidents—the so-called “crash tax.” How did this issue come to the attention of the Legislature, and will any further action be taken on it next year?
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Florida 2009 Legislative Wrap Up: Part 8 by Katherine Scott Webb
8. How did the 2009 Florida Legislative Session address the issue of State Farm’s withdrawal from the state property insurance market? Specifically, will State Farm reconsider its withdrawal? What impact will the State Farm situation have on Florida’s smaller property insurance companies?
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Biography of Speakers
Fred E. Karlinsky, Esq., a shareholder at Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate, practices in the areas of insurance regulatory law and governmental affairs.
A member of the Florida Bar, Mr. Karlinsky is a primary industry strategist for all Florida insurance-related legislative initiatives, including property and casualty, automobile, health, workers’ compensation and medical malpractice.
Mr. Karlinsky, serves as Florida counsel to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, and is a member of the Association of Insurance Compliance Professionals, among other professional affiliations. Recently, he became an Adjunct Professor of insurance law at Florida State University College of Law.
Katherine Scott Webb joined Colodny, Fass, Talenfeld, Karlinsky & Abate as an Associate in 2005 and was named as Partner in 2009. Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Webb practiced commercial litigation. Currently, Ms. Webb is involved in both lobbying and regulatory work, and represents clients’ needs to Florida’s legislative and executive branches of government.
A Tallahassee native, Ms. Webb received her Bachelor of Science in political science in 2000 from Florida State University, and obtained her Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law in 2003. As a law student, she was chosen to participate in a fellowship program on the Insurance Committee of the Florida House of Representative, during which she assisted House members to draft legislation and conducted detailed analysis on various House Bills.
Ms. Webb is admitted to practice before all Florida state courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
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