Property Insurance Reform & Condo Safety Passed in Second Special Session
On Wed., May 25, the Florida House passed Senate Bills 2D and 4D as part of Special Session 2022D to address the state’s dysfunctional property insurance market and shore up condominium safety, prioritizing Florida homeowners and residents.
Balancing the interests of all stakeholders while keeping consumers at the forefront, SB 2D contains several measures to stabilize the property insurance market.
Sponsored by House Appropriations Committee Chair Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, SB 2D builds on our focus on increasing consumer choice and affordability, addressing fraud and costly litigation, and holding insurers accountable. As Chair Trumbull indicated, “this is a great first step to reduce premiums for policyholders and continue to provide Floridians some relief.”
Senate Bill 4D addresses Florida Building Code issues, including a new statutory exception to the Code that will allow roofs over 25% damaged but already in compliance with the 2007 Code to be repaired instead of being required to be replaced. This provision will reduce the total cost of roof repairs and help to lower insurance rates over time.
Following the tragedy in Surfside last year, House leaders fought to pass meaningful reform that would help ensure that this kind of horrific event never happens again. Sponsored by House Pandemics & Public Emergencies Committee Chair Daniel Perez, R-Miami, SB 4D also addresses this issue with a House-championed provision requiring condominium associations to fully fund a non-waivable reserve so that structural integrity repairs and maintenance can be covered – not put off until it’s too late.
Among other reforms, SB 4D also creates a statewide program to conduct milestone structural inspections for condominium and cooperative buildings that are three stories or taller, 30 years after initial occupancy or 25 years if the building is located within three miles of the coast. While this bill will not bring back the 98 lives lost and the hundreds of others impacted, it is a tremendous step forward.
Senate Bills 2D and 4D now await the approval of Governor Ron DeSantis. For more information on the bills, visit www.myfloridahouse.gov.
-w1920.jpg){kind=logo}
| MAY 2022 |MAY SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Property Insurance Reform & Condo Safety Passed in Second Special SessionOn Wed., May 25, the Florida House passed Senate Bills 2D and 4D as part of Special Session 2022D to address the state’s dysfunctional property insurance market and shore up condominium safety, prioritizing Florida homeowners and residents.Balancing the interests of all stakeholders while keeping consumers at the forefront, SB 2D contains several measures to stabilize the property insurance market.Sponsored by House Appropriations Committee Chair Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, SB 2D builds on our focus on increasing consumer choice and affordability, addressing fraud and costly litigation, and holding insurers accountable. As Chair Trumbull indicated, “this is a great first step to reduce premiums for policyholders and continue to provide Floridians some relief.”Senate Bill 4D addresses Florida Building Code issues, including a new statutory exception to the Code that will allow roofs over 25% damaged but already in compliance with the 2007 Code to be repaired instead of being required to be replaced. This provision will reduce the total cost of roof repairs and help to lower insurance rates over time.Following the tragedy in Surfside last year, House leaders fought to pass meaningful reform that would help ensure that this kind of horrific event never happens again. Sponsored by House Pandemics & Public Emergencies Committee Chair Daniel Perez, R-Miami, SB 4D also addresses this issue with a House-championed provision requiring condominium associations to fully fund a non-waivable reserve so that structural integrity repairs and maintenance can be covered – not put off until it’s too late.Among other reforms, SB 4D also creates a statewide program to conduct milestone structural inspections for condominium and cooperative buildings that are three stories or taller, 30 years after initial occupancy or 25 years if the building is located within three miles of the coast. While this bill will not bring back the 98 lives lost and the hundreds of others impacted, it is a tremendous step forward.Senate Bills 2D and 4D now await the approval of Governor Ron DeSantis. For more information on the bills, visit www.myfloridahouse.gov.BILL SIGNING UPDATE
HB1135: Santa Rosa CountySigned into law by Governor DeSantis on May 6, this bill removes the School Board from the act, revises the method of electing the civil service board and rules relating to classified pay plans, leave and holiday policies. It also provides that actions related to suspensions, demotions and dismissals may be filed through the board of county commissioners’ human resources department.
CS/CS/SB 160: Transportation Facility DesignationsSigned by the Governor on May 9, this bill pays tribute to the Rev. Murray Hamilton, Sr., and Ira Mae Wells-Bruce, two incredible Santa Rosans who exemplify the very best of our community.Rev. Hamilton will be honored with a road designation for the portion of Hwy. 90 in Milton between Canal St. and Stewart St.Mrs. Ira Mae’s road designation will be the portion of Hwy. 87 in Navarre from East Bay Blvd. to Hwy. 98.The legislation also honors several other prominent figures from around our great state with road designations as well.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS SALES TAX HOLIDAYGovernor DeSantis also signed this year’s tax package (HB7071) into law last month and included the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.From May 28 through June 10, this exemption period covers a variety of necessities to ensure your family and businesses are hurricane-ready.Click the button below to learn more.CONSTITUENT CASES