Insurance Law Update

Just wanted to provide a short annotation of proposed bills (that are alive as of last Monday or passed) for 2006 and 2007. I know there is probably a small audience for this type of info but for those select few here you go:

To get to the bill language go here and then find the bill by scrolling down the page
2007 – Singed by governor
- HB 1311 - Insurance producers; provide time limit to appeal licensing decisions of Commissioner of Insurance.
- HB 1313 – Insurance companies; revise financial reporting requirements with the Commissioner of Insurance.
- SB 2337 – State income tax credit for purchase of private insurance to cover long-term care insurance

2007 – alive but not fully passed either, awaiting signature or in conference
HB 753 – mentions windstorm in non-amended sections
HB 1312 – Insurance rebate monies; county must designate fire investigator and require training
HB 1485 – revise requirements on bail bondsmen
HB 1500 – Mississippi Economic Growth and Redevelopment Act of 2007 (Windstorm)
HB 1524 – public adjusters; provide for licensure and regulation by Commissioner of Insurance
HB 1727 – income tax and insurance premium tax; authorize a credit for certain investments made by qualified development entities
SB 2644 – State Employees Health Insurance Management Board; add directors of JUCO Board and PERS
SB 2809 – Auto liability insurance; place lienholder’s name on insurance check as loss payee
SB 3050 – Mississippi Economic Growth and Redevelopment Act of 2007 (Windstorm)
SB 3090 – City of Pascagoula; authorize payment of retirees’ health insurance premiums

2006 – all signed by the governor
HB 720 – Bail Agents, require certain license requirements
HB 984 – Risk retention/purchasing groups; delete annual registration fee
HB 1175 – revising the definition of “insurance” under the Preneed Cemetery and Funeral Registration Act
SB 2006 – Insurance Coverage; require notice of cancellation mailed to creditor loss payee
SB 2056 – Med Mal Insurance Availability Plan; authorize Tort Claims Board to transfer assets and liabilities
SB 2076 – Insurance agents; exempt from examination applicants for credit property license
SB 2332 – Prohibit rate increases on auto insurance for active military personal; MCPA
SB 2381 – authorize ADR procedure for personal lines insurance claims (DOI)
SB 2382 – Insurance agent/producer licensing laws; make technical changes (DOI)
SB 2424 – Unauthorized insurance agents; extend repealer on law prohibiting commission payments
SB 2557 – Insurance premium finance law/sale of checks law; make technical changes
SB 2849 – allow pooling of liabilities under an employers liability insurance policy; Workers’ Comp Comm.
SB 2963 – Exemption from Health Savings Accounts; execution

SB 2117 - Extension of License for those on Active Duty

Interesting bill that is due back from the governor this week, 2117, concerns extending licenses for those on active duty with the National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces. These licenses include attorney's, architects, auctioneers, chiropractors, barbers, etc. I think this is a very good bill and look forward to it becoming law.

SB 3036 - Domestic Violence, Revising Protective Orders

What caught my eye about this bill is how many times it has been amended so when I started actually looking at the current amendments I was quiet surprised as how actively it changes the current law for a bill I have not heard anyone mention. For text of the bill with its latest amendments see here . This bill appears to currently be to conference as it has passed both the House and Senate but with different language. Primary changes that could occur with this bill are:

1. creation and implementation of a Mississippi Protective Order Registery (looks a lot like the Sex offender registry to me for those of you who think the SOFR is illegal/unconstitutional).

2. Costs of attorney's fees for the "protected" are to be paid by the violator is a protective order is deemed appropriate.

3. Lots of restrictions can be placed in accordance with this protective order bill, this has typically already been in the purview of the judge but this would make it statutory where I do not believe it has been so clearly delineated before