Recap of Week 4 & Preview of Week 5 of Session
We are at the midway point now of the Florida Legislature’s nine-week session! I have had lots of you call and write to ask how you can help. That …
Bill Watch
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Congress Talking NFIP − Again
Familiar themes, elusive solutions
Last Thursday, the US Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee held a hearing entitled, “Reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Local Perspectives on Challenges and Solutions.” This is the latest look at the …
Speedier Disaster Relief from FEMA
Plus, the changing hurricane cone
FEMA boasts a quick response to Hurricane Idalia victims with its Direct Housing Program, new FEMA rules mean slashing lots of red tape to help future disaster survivors even faster, and experts say the standard …
Hurricane Lessons Reflected in Updated Building Code
by David Grindley, MCE, PE
Buildings with damaged siding may now need code-required upgrades when they’re repaired. That’s one of the notable changes in the 8th Edition of the Florida Building Code (2023), which went into effect on December …
Borrowing for the Next Hurricane
Plus, Citizens’ ongoing depopulation
The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund is borrowing billions in preparation for the next big storm, the reinsurance industry says a federal cat fund backstop is unnecessary coming off a profitable year, plus the latest on Citizens …
Bill Watch
Recap of Week 3 & Preview of Week 4 of Session
Last week (Week 3 of Session) kicked off with a noticeable uptick in the number of committee meetings and bills heard in those committees as legislators are diving into …
Tax Break Coming Early for Florida Businesses
Plus, a great ranking for start-ups
2024 looks to be a great year for Florida business. There’s a major reduction in the Business Rent Tax happening sooner than expected and its new ranking at #3 in the best states to …
Florida’s Algae Blooms Bad for Business
Economic impact revealed
Florida has a recurring algae bloom problem. In 2005, 2018, and perhaps now again in 2024, high levels of nitrates and phosphates in the water from various sources of runoff cause excessive blooms and, in turn, damage …
Insurance Prices on Voters’ Minds
Encouraging news on reinsurance pricing
A new poll showing inflation and rising property insurance prices are the biggest motivators for Florida voters this November, a new forecast for reinsurance pricing and commercial property rates this year, plus a big insurance …
More Storms = More Severely Flooded Properties
Newest FEMA data analyzed
A recent update to an ongoing analysis of chronically-flooded properties shows that their numbers are increasing in the US and Florida while the number of those properties insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has …
