QUICK BITS
WORKERS COMPENSATION RATES TO DECREASE
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will hold a public hearing Sept . 23 on a proposal that would lead to an average 8.4 percent decrease in workers ’ compensation insurance rates next year . The National Council on Compensation Insurance ( NCCI ), which makes annual rate filings for workers ’ compensation insurers , submitted the proposal Aug . 24 . If approved , it would continue a series of workers ’ compensation rate cuts in recent years . Regulators last year approved an average 4.9 percent decrease for 2022 . NUCA of Florida consistently monitors the workers compensation rate hearings and works with other industry stakeholders to keep the rates manageable for our members .
FLORIDA TO RECEIVE FUNDS FOR EV CHARGING STATIONS
The White House on Wednesday approved plans that will make available roughly $ 71.5 million for electric-vehicle charging stations in Florida during this fiscal year and next year . Florida ’ s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan was among 35 plans that the Biden administration approved under a federal program . “ Making electric vehicle charging accessible to all Americans is critical to achieving a transportation sector that improves our environment and lessens our dependence on oil and gas ,” U . S . Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said in a prepared statement . The Federal Highway Administration said about $ 900 million in federal funding is expected to result in a half-million charging stations across 53,000 miles of the nation ’ s highway system . Florida ’ s plan outlines a network of about 6,772 public charging ports along 6,244 miles of highway , according to the White House . Florida lawmakers in 2020 directed the state Department of Transportation to develop a plan to encourage more electric-vehicle charging stations . The state later designated $ 8.6 million to add 34 fast-charging stations along Interstate 95 , Interstate 4 , Interstate 75 , Interstate 275 and Interstate 295 with part of money Florida received in a settlement between Volkswagen and the U . S . Department of Justice over emissions violations .
46 DITCHMEN • SEPTEMBER 2022