Blog Posts Categorized: Legislative updates

A recently passed law means those seeking a Nebraska public adjuster license will need to get a surety bond.

Interested in getting licensed as a Nebraska public adjuster? Following the passage of LB 743, you’ll now need to get a surety bond, too.

Surety bonds and LB�743

LB 743 was signed by Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts on April 23, 2018. The bill adopted Nebraska’s version of the Public Adjuster Licensing Act, a law that has been adopted by many U.S. states. Previously, adjusters were licensed as insurance producers with the state Department of Insurance (DOI); the agency will still issue their licenses.

The surety bond LB 743 introduces is a $20,000 Nebraska public adjuster license bond. As with all license surety bonds, it serves as the adjuster’s guarantee that they will adhere to the terms of their license and perform their job in accordance with the law. The bond is also a promise that if the adjuster does commit fraud or break the law and cause financial damage to any client, the client can seek reimbursement by filing a claim against the bond. Valid claims are paid out by the surety, and the bondholder must repay the surety for any paid claims. Brush up on what surety bonds are if being bonded is new for you.

Nebraska public adjuster licensing

LB 743 introduced a license that allows both business and individuals to become Nebraska public adjusters. Application, surety bond and other licensing forms are forthcoming from the DOI, but the bill has laid out the basics of how it will work. Here’s some of the criteria for application:

• At least 18 years old
• Principal place of residence or business in Nebraska
• Pass the licensing exam and pay applicable fees
• Trustworthy, reliable, and of good reputation

Nonresident public adjuster applicants must be licensed in good standing in their home state.�Business entities seeking this license need to designate a licensed public adjuster as being in charge of the business’s compliance with insurance law and all state rules and regulations. Take a look at the bill in its entirety to learn more about licensing specifics.

The method for calculating public adjuster licensing expiration is a little confusing: licenses expire on the last day of the month in which the adjuster was born in the first year following licensing that the adjuster’s age is even. For example, if the public adjuster was born in October and licensed the year they turned 30, their license would expire on October 31 the year they turn 32. Business licenses expire on April 30 each year.

Are you a Nebraska public adjuster who needs a quote for your surety bond? Get your free quote � call Single Source Insurance today!

In Alabama, HB 204 and SB 232 were recently signed into law. Both bills involve a surety bond requirement for those who own a dangerous dog in the state.

Understanding Emily’s Law: Impact on Surety Bonds and Regulations

SB 232 is also known as Emily’s Law in memory of Emily Colvin, a 24-year-old woman who was attacked and killed by five dogs in Alabama last December. The law creates a felony charge for owners of dangerous dogs that injure or kill people, and creates a registration procedure for the owners of some dangerous dogs.

If a dog is reported as dangerous, the dog can be impounded by animal control or law enforcement � the dog’s owner is liable for costs associated with impounding. While the dog is impounded, an investigation will determine whether or not it will be considered dangerous. Dogs that are determined to be dangerous, and it caused serious physical injury or death, it will be euthanized. However if the dog is determined to be dangerous but has not caused serious injury or death, the judge may

There are several instances under which a dog will not be considered dangerous, even if it did cause injury or death:

• If the person was attacked while trespassing and committing a crime or intending to commit a crime.
• If the person was tormenting or teasing the dog when they were attacked, or if the person repeatedly did so in the past.
• If the dog was protecting a person from assault by the person who was attacked.
• If the dog attacked in response to pain or in protection of self, kennel, or offspring.
• If the dog attacked when disturbed while sleeping or eating.

Emily’s Law also states barking and/or growling does not classify a dog as dangerous.�If the dog is considered dangerous and the owner is allowed to keep it, they’ll need to adhere to Emily’s Law procedure and register the dog with local animal control or health department within 30 days and renew registration annually. Owners must be 18 years old or older, and need to provide this information with registration:

• Certificate of current rabies vaccination
• Current photo of dog
• Evidence that the dog will reside in a proper enclosure
• Evidence that the dog is spayed or neutered
• Dog must be microchipped or identifiably tattooed
• No less than a $100,000 surety bond
• Written permission from property owner allowing dog to reside at the property

Dangerous dog owners must also provide a notarized affidavit confirming that the dog will be under the control of a person over 18 if they are not in their enclosure or indoors, and that the dog will not leave the property unless in case of emergency or for regular medical treatment. Dangerous dog owners must also pay a registration fee and provide the proper enclosure within 30 days of the court’s decision. Read Emily’s Law in its entirety to learn what a proper enclosure entails and for more details.

HB 204 does much the same thing that Emily’s Law does, establishes a procedure for how a dangerous dog is labeled as such and creates a surety bond requirement for dangerous dog owners in some instances. In particular, HB 204 outlines specific penalties and procedures for dangerous dog owners that live in unincorporated areas of Chilton County, Alabama.

What does the bond do?

If their dog is declared a dangerous dog, the owner is required to get a surety bond as a means of protecting the public and the state from liability. The surety bond must be at least $100,000. In the event that the dangerous dog commits dangerous actions in the future, the surety bond provides a means of recovering medical and veterinary costs that result.

Ready to get an Alabama surety bond? Single Source Insurance is ready to help you get bonded � get in touch today!�

The Mississippi Scenic River Development Alliance (SRDA) is now an officially recognized organization by the state legislature. HB 1525 took effect with its passage on February 21, 2018.

What is the SRDA?

The Scenic River Development Alliance is a partnership between Amite, Pike, Franklin, Wilkinson, and Walthall counties and the city of McComb (in Pike County) that was originally established in 2012. It was formed to promote outdoor recreation on the rivers and in state parks in the southwest corner of the state—the Scenic Rivers Region. And while SRDA’s main objective will not change with HB 1525’s passage, recognition by the state means that the organization now has the state’s permission to collect funds and manage and develop land. In addition, SRDA employees are now employees of the state, entitling them to retirement benefits and other state-employee benefits.

As a state agency, SRDA can accept funds from any counties, municipalities, or private donors that wish to donate. Since SRDA is now state-recognized, those donations are public funds and HB 1525 requires that they are kept in the SRDA Economic Development Fund. SRDA can also acquire land�through gifts, purchase, or otherwise�to be used for tourism, industrial parks, recreation, or other economic development purposes.

Where do surety bonds come in?

HB 1525 not only makes SRDA employees state employees, it allows the Alliance to appoint trustees. Trustees’ main purpose is to vote on how SRDA funds are used. SRDA can appoint two trustees per participating county, municipality or member agency, plus two at-large trustees.�This is where bonds come in. Each trustee must be bonded in the amount of $50,000, with premiums paid by the SRDA fund. The surety bonds ensure that the trustees will act ethically and in the best interests of the state.

Ready to get a surety bond in Mississippi? Single Source Insurance can help�get a free quote today!�