New bills filed
Governor DeSantis addresses the American Property Casualty Insurance Association conference in Orlando on October 6, 2025. Courtesy EOG
Governor DeSantis is predicting there won’t be another attempt in the Florida Legislature in its upcoming January session to undo the 2022 and 2023 consumer insurance and litigation reforms nor make any other major changes. “They didn’t have a mandate to try to undo the reforms that they were trying to undo,” DeSantis said about House Republicans last spring that were swayed by the trial bar, adding “I don’t think that there’s really any realistic chance that any of this stuff will come rolling back in next year’s legislative session.” He praised the Florida Senate for refusing to consider any of the bills passed by the House last spring, including one by attorney lawmakers that would have essentially undone the elimination of one-way attorney fees signed into law by DeSantis two years ago. The implication: he’ll veto any such effort that makes its way to his desk.
The Governor made his remarks to the American Property Casualty Insurance Association conference on October 6 in Orlando. “If someone is harmed, they should have a right to go in and get redress. But what we were seeing was someone would have a $50,000 claim and they’d end up with a judgement where the lawyer got $300,000 and the person with the claim got $50,000. How is that a system that makes any sense?” asked the Governor. The reforms he said, “have made it harder for trial lawyers to get rich.” For consumers, the reforms have been effective in easing upward rate pressure, with the Governor noting there have been 59 filings for rate decreases and 87 filings for zero rate increases in 2025 so far. “Most automobile policies in the state of Florida are seeing a reduction in their insurance rates. That’s all because of the reforms,” DeSantis said. “That would not have happened had we not done those reforms.”
Indeed, many people – including legislators – recognize the truth and feel the 2022/2023 reforms are working and should be left alone to be fully implemented in order to reach their full potential to lower rates and ensure a competitive market. Florida Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse advised last week however, “We do expect more attempts to weaken the improved civil justice landscape.”
The same week of the Governor’s address, Senate Democrats filed the following bills:
SB 30 by Senator Barbara Sharief − Prohibits property insurance rate increases of more than 10% to 15%; empowers the Consumer Advocate to request administrative hearings, administer oaths, and issue subpoenas. My comment: Florida law (627.062 FS) regulates rates so that they are not excessive or inadequate. It makes no sense to cap rates when the regulator knows what’s best for each insurance company based on its risk portfolio.
SB 78 by Senator Rosalind Osgood − Permanently eliminates taxes on impact-resistant doors, garage doors, and windows. My comment: This promotes resiliency like the My Safe Florida Home program and could incentivize homeowners to strengthen their home. It’s not a new idea.
SB 84 by Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman − Creates the Insurance Solutions Advisory Council, which will analyze and compile data on Florida’s property and auto insurance market and submit an annual report with recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor. My comment: This is an outdated idea given the newly created market stability unit within the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and its regular reporting to the public and policymakers.
SB 108 by Senator Tina Polsky − Helps Floridians avoid costly litigation by requiring mediation for disputed property insurance claims. My comment: This could be questioned for being self-serving. I believe there is a rule in the Florida Senate where members are prohibited from voting or filing legislation in which they or their family can directly benefit.
SB 128 by Senator LaVon Bracy Davis − Requires an insurance company to notify a homeowner of the right to an inspection before nonrenewing due to the age of the home’s roof; and requires an insurer to reimburse the homeowner if such inspection shows that the roof has 5 years or more of life left. My comment: The laws relating to older roofs are working as is and we don’t need to tinker with them.
SB 140 by Senator Darryl Rouson − Gives increased whistleblower protections for employees and contractors of insurance companies who disclose unethical or illegal conduct. My comment: The recent examples that come to mind were problems raised in a congressional hearing relating to claims in North Carolina, if my memory serves me correctly. Senate Bill 7052, the Insurer Accountability bill from 2023, addresses these concerns. Anyone can file with the regulators and they will address it.
None of these bills estimate the average premium decrease expected if they pass. None address the costs of providing homeowners insurance. Senate Democrats hold only 11 of the 40 seats in the state Senate. They did not mention legal fee reforms among this list of bills. But the legislative process is young, with four more weeks of committee meetings this fall, leading to the January 13, 2026 start of the 60-day session. And it wasn’t Democrats who filed last spring’s repeal bills – but Republicans, with the full support of House Speaker Daniel Perez, himself a lawyer.
LMA Newsletter of 10-20-25
