Advocacy Report
By: MIASF Staff
Date posted: Oct 21, 2020 Wed
Florida insurance regulators early this month dug into the details of a proposal that calls for reducing workers’ compensation insurance rates next year by an average of 5.7 percent. The state Office of Insurance Regulation held a public hearing on the proposal by the National Council on Compensation Insurance, or NCCI, which makes rate filings for the workers’ compensation insurance industry. The proposal would be the fourth straight year of premium decreases for employers. Average rates dropped 7.5 percent this year, after reductions of 13.8 percent in 2019 and 9.5 percent in 2018. Regulators are expected to decide in the coming weeks whether to approve, reject or order changes in the NCCI proposal.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission met October 7th and 8th. Industry leaders told wildlife commissioners that boaters need more public access to waterways, particularly in South Florida, while the state needs to address the behavior of new boat operators. The Commission received a wide range of suggestions from people involved in commercial boating and sport fishing during a nearly two-hour online discussion. Commissioner Rodney Barreto of Coral Gables suggested a joint venture between the state and local governments to open more boat ramps, while he said he would also like the commission to revisit shark-related rules. The commission also reviewed a draft proposal for the 2021 legislative session that would address issues such as anchoring rules, the removal of “repeat offender” derelict vessels from state waters, and safety-related items including a noncriminal prohibition on bow riding, which is when a person sits on the bow with a foot or leg over the side of the vessel. Several other items of concern include a no discharge zone for the entire state and requirement of a safe boater card for every operator after 2023. MIASF will be watching this bill through the 2021 legislative session, which will begin in March. To view the FWC meeting: https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/10-7-20-florida-fish-wildlife-conservation-commission-part-1/
The U.S. Coast Guard has reported that it continues to struggle with notice of arrival compliance. Currently, there are approximately 19 cases of yachts in violation of the ANOA, which is subject to a fine up to $96,000. Please advise your foreign yachts of the importance to file timely.