Happy New Year! Today starts several committee meetings kicking off the 2025 Florida legislative session season. Committee weeks will occur through the end of February and session starts March 4 for 60 days. So far, there are no insurance bills of significance, perhaps with legislators respecting Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky’s recent commentary asking the Legislature to do nothing in the property insurance arena. The Commissioner went on to explain that making more changes without letting the past couple years of reform take a greater hold is the best path forward.
Over the holiday break, the leadership and members of the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee were named by House Speaker Daniel Perez. The subcommittee will be chaired by Rep. Bradford “Brad” Yeager (R-New Port Richey), a small business owner who is beginning his second two-year term in the House. The Vice Chair is Rep. Hillary Cassel (R-Dania Beach), an attorney, and the Democratic Ranking Member is Kevin Chambliss (D-Homestead). Their counterparts in the Senate on the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee were previously announced.
Here are some of the committee meetings of interest this week, with live television coverage provided by The Florida Channel:
Tuesday, January 14
The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will hear presentations on property insurance by Commissioner Yaworsky and on the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation by its President & CEO, Tim Cerio. 8:30-10:30am in 412 Knott Building.
The Senate Community Affairs Committee will hear a presentation by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation on Implementation of the Live Local Act, SB 102 (2023). The Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) will also present two reports on “Affordable Housing Strategies in Other States” and on “Affordable Housing Policies in Florida.”
The House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee will hold a panel discussion on homeowners property insurance cost drivers. 1-3pm in Morris Hall (17 HOB).
The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee will hear a presentation on hurricane recovery by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. 1:30-3:30pm in 301 SOB.
The House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee will hold a panel discussion about local governments affected by hurricanes. 3:30-5:30pm in 404 HOB
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee will hold a panel discussion about issues related to condominiums, including requirements for inspections and structural integrity reserve studies. 4-6pm in 412 Knott Building.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hear several presentations from 4-6pm in 110 SOB:
- Presentation by the Office of the State Courts Administrator describing the court system’s administrative and operational responses to the increased judicial workload and case filings resulting from HB 837 (2023), relating to insurance litigation reforms.
- Presentation by the Office of the State Courts Administrator providing an overview of problem-solving courts, standards for problem-solving courts, and examples of some of the innovative programs and success stories.
- Presentation by the Office of State Courts Administrator highlighting the major issues comprising the judicial branch’s legislative agenda and providing the recommendations of the Workgroup on Vexatious Litigants.
Wednesday, January 15
The House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee will hold a panel discussion on workforce and attainable housing. 9-11am in Morris Hall (17 HOB).
Of course, as bills are filed for this session, we scour them for topics of interest and relevance to our readers and will continue to do so as we progress to the start of session on March 4.
LMA Newsletter of 1-13-25
