Articles by Patricia-Anne Tom

Arizona Bill Banning Texting While Driving Dies in Senate

The Arizona Senate in an 11-11 vote failed to pass a bill that would have banned texting on a cell phone while driving. If it had passed, SB 1334 would have imposed fines of $50 for from operating a motor …

Calif. Department of Insurance Reducing Licensing Fees 6%

The California Department of Insurance announced it will be implementing a 6 percent licensing fee rate reduction on July 1, 2010, including the fees paid by more than 300,000 liensed insurance agents, brokers and adjusters. The cost of renewing a …

Hawaii Senate Committee OKs Using Hurricane Relief Fund to End Furloughs

Hawaii’s Senate Ways and Means Committee has advanced a bill that would use money from the state’s Hurricane Relief Fund to end school furlough days. Senate Bill 2124notes that reductions and restrictions to the Department of Education’s operating budget of …

California Regulator Considering Regs to Alleviate Underinsurance

The California Department of Insurance is considering proposing new regulations governing standards and training for estimating replacement value on homeowners’ insurance. Among the ideas that was floated at a recent CDI workshop on the matter was to require continuing education …

Hawaii Could Tap Hurricane Fund to Fund School Education

Hawaii is closer to tapping its Hurricane Relief Fund to help balance the state budget and resolve teacher furloughs, as a legislative committee advanced a bill that would appropriate $50 million from the fund. Senate Bill 2124, which is now …

Washington Regulator Wants Emergency Flood Insurance

Washington is one step closer to allowing the creation of a flood insurance joint underwriting association (JUA), a publicly sponsored, temporary, not-for-profit insurer of last resort to provide flood insurance when the coverage becomes unavailable on the open market. The …

Idaho Home Insurance Costs Lowest in Nation

Idaho homeowner insurance is the least costly in the nation, averaging $422 per year, according to a nationwide survey. This compares to an average $822 countrywide. The Gem State also had among the lowest average rates for renters insurance, at …

California Evaluates Continuous Coverage Discount

A California voter initiative that will appear on the June 8, 2010, ballot aimed at rewarding drivers who have had insurance for some time to be eligible for a “persistency discount,” even if they change carriers could result in a …

Washington Flood JUA Legislation Passes in House

Washington House passed legislation allowing for the creation of a flood insurance joint underwriting association (JUA) as an insurer of last resort for businesses in the Green River Valley. House Bill 2560, which passed by a 66-30 vote, would allow …

Wyoming Aims To Ban Texting While Driving

The Wyoming Legislature has given its first approval to a bill that would prohibit the use of electronic wireless communication devices for sending text or electronic mail messages while driving. Senate File 20 is sponsored by Sen. Floyd Esquibel, D-Cheyenne, …