Commissioner Causey Highlights Distracted Driving Dangers in Charlotte
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will join traffic safety advocates at a news conference on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at Pearl Street Park in Charlotte to raise awareness about distracted driving dangers during Distracted Driving Awareness Month. According to NHTSA data, distracted driving was responsible for 3,208 deaths in 2024, with experts believing the figure is underreported. Cell phone use is identified as raising crash risk exponentially. This is an informational event for media and the public; no regulatory obligations or compliance actions are established by this announcement.
Kansas PBM Reform Legislation Signed by Commissioner Schmidt
Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt signed the Kansas Consumer Prescription Protection and Accountability Act into law on April 9, 2026. The legislation targets pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) by requiring them to pass all drug rebates to health plans and banning spread pricing. It also mandates equal reimbursement for all pharmacies and grants the Department of Insurance enforcement authority. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Insurance Pop-Up Office and Town Hall in Franklin, April 22-23
Insurance Pop-Up Office, Franklin, April 22-23
Insurance Bulletin 2026-009 Clarifies Medical Malpractice Premium Rate Filing Requirements Under Amended Act
The New Mexico Superintendent of Insurance issued Bulletin 2026-009 to clarify that commercial medical professional liability insurance carriers must file updated premium rates through SERFF following amendments to the Medical Malpractice Act effective May 20, 2026. The amended law caps punitive damages at approximately $1 million for independent providers, $6 million for local hospitals, and $15 million for large hospital systems. Carriers must file rate filings or notices of no premium decreases in Case No. 2026-0088.