Insurance-reform bills die

The South Mississippi Sun Herald

March 18, 2008

A bill that would extend tourism incentives to casinos to build upscale attractions is still alive, but the last of the Katrina-related insurance-reform bills died in the Legislature on Tuesday.

Tuesday was the deadline to get bills originating in the other house of out committee, or they would be considered dead. Here's a rundown of where some of South Mississippi's bills stand:

The Senate Tourism and Finance Committees passed House Bill 1196, offered by Rep. Diane Peranich, D-Pass Christian, which would give tax breaks to casinos to build nongambling-related tourism amenities.

Peranich's bill would help casinos that intend to invest more than $10 million in a theme park, water park, cultural or historical center, motor speedway or other large tourist attraction. The bill would also give incentives to hotel investments of more than $40 million, as well as golf courses with investments of more than $10 million.

Similar attempts to give casinos incentives have failed.

HB 498, offered by Rep. Michael Janus, R-Biloxi, would have put the burden on insurers to prove a claim is not covered in a policy when there is a dispute; it died when the Senate Insurance Committee didn't take it up.

The committee killed seven Katrina-related insurance-reform measures offered by Sen. David Baria, D-Bay St. Louis, earlier this session.

Committee Chair Eugene 'Buck' Clarke, R-Hollandale, said Friday his committee wouldn't take up the Coast delegation's insurance reforms because he said they would pile mandates on insurance companies, and that would likely drive up insurance costs, which have slowed Katrina recovery.

Supporters said HH 498 was needed in case the Broussard 'slab' case ruling is overturned on appeal. The ruling in the lawsuit, filed by a Biloxi couple after the storm, said insurers must prove a claim is not covered in a policy when there is a dispute.

A Senate Bill that would prevent casinos from expanding to counties where they don't currently exist was kept alive after gaining approval in a House committee.

A House bill that would give the public greater access to law enforcement records is still alive and awaits debate in the Senate.

A bill that would allow utility companies to raise customers' rates to pay for new power-generation sites before they are built is still alive. Utilities Mississippi Power and Entergy have both asked for the ability to raise rates to help them pay for new power plants, but those against the plan say consumers could be stuck with higher bills, even if the company decides not to go forward with the expansions.

A Senate bill that would have made it tougher to get a divorce under what is known as a 'covenant marriage' died in the House.

A bill that would create harsh penalties for bribing a judge remained alive after passing a Senate committee. It would make bribing a judge a felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than five years, but not more than 20 years and a fine three times the amount of the bribe, but in no case less than $25,000.

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