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CFO Jimmy Patronis, Commissioner Putnam Urge Lawmakers to End Credit Report Freeze Fee

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House Bill 953 passed unanimously out of its first committee today


At a joint press conference today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Adam H. Putnam along with Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) and Rep. Shawn Harrison (R-Tampa) urged lawmakers to eliminate the credit report freeze fee during the 2018 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 1302, sponsored by Sen. Brandes, and House Bill 953, sponsored by Rep. Harrison, aim to make it easier for Floridians to protect themselves from fraud. HB 953 passed unanimously out of its first committee, House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee, today.
“Florida has the second highest number of identity theft complaints per capita with Miami, Naples, Tallahassee, and Orlando in the top 10 metro areas for these complaints,” said CFO Jimmy Patronis. “We know data breaches will continue to happen to no fault of consumers. No one should have to jump through hoops to protect themselves from fraud.”
“We should do all we can to make protecting consumers’ financial information even easier. Protecting consumers from fraud continues to be a top priority of mine,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
“Whether a data breach victim or a consumer wanting to protect themselves from fraud, Floridians should be able to easily freeze their credit without having to pay to do so,” said Sen. Jeff Brandes. “It’s the right thing to do.”
“We’ve seen time and time again the implications data breaches have for Floridians,” said Rep. Shawn Harrison. “There should not be a burden placed on the consumer’s shoulders just to protect their credit.”
Florida law currently allows credit report agencies to charge a fee of up to $10 to freeze credit reports, and data breach victims are required to submit paperwork to prove their identity is in jeopardy to avoid paying the fee. Four states (Indiana, South Carolina, Maine, North Carolina) do not charge fees to freeze credit.

Lawmakers must put consumers first in any repeal of PIP system

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The Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee today took an initial step toward repealing Florida’s fraud-riddled No-Fault/PIP auto insurance system with the passage of Senate Bill 150, filed by Senator Tom Lee (R-Brandon). If enacted, the existing No-Fault/PIP system would be replaced in 2019 by a new fault-based system requiring all motorists to carry bodily injury (BI) coverage of $20,000 per person/$40,000 per occurrence and mandatory medical payments coverage of $5,000. The BI limits are increased to $30,000 per person/$60,000 per occurrence after three years.
“If the Senate’s intent is to manage the cost of auto insurance for Florida drivers, high mandatory minimum levels of coverage, mandatory medical-payments and a new system without a third-party bad faith fix is not the solution,” stated Michael Carlson, president of PIFF. “If we move from No-Fault to a tort-based system, we urge lawmakers to protect consumers’ freedom of choice by allowing the market to determine the right mix of coverage limits and price.”
As the Senate considers this measure, PIFF said it urges members to carefully weigh how moving to a new system will impact consumers, and to consider key market-based principles. According to the organization — which represents 45 percent of the private passenger automobile insurance market and more than 20 percent of the private homeowners’ insurance market — any repeal of PIP must avoid unnecessary cost increases, such as high BI limits and mandatory medical payments coverage, and should address third-party bad faith litigation, which is a cost driver that could increase auto insurance premiums.
“As the debate on repealing PIP unfolds, PIFF is committed to working closely with legislators to ensure that Florida’s motorists receive the best coverage at the best prices possible, while avoiding unnecessary mandated coverages and litigation costs that drive up the price of auto insurance for everyone,” Carlson added.

Florida Realtors Announces 2018 Legislative Priorities

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As the 2018 Florida legislative session begins, it offers a prime opportunity to resolve ongoing issues impacting property insurance, vacation rentals, affordable housing and business growth, according to Florida Realtors®, the state’s largest professional trade association.
“Every session, Florida Realtors stands ready to support homeownership initiatives and defend the private property rights of Floridians throughout the state,” says 2018 Florida Realtors President Christine Hansen, broker-owner with Century 21 Hansen Realty in Fort Lauderdale. “This Session is no different as we work to educate lawmakers on growing AOB abuses, private property rights associated with vacation rentals, affordable housing needs and the benefits of further reductions to Florida’s business rent tax.”
Florida Realtors’ top priorities for 2018 are:
Assignment of Benefits reform
AOB was designed to help property owners streamline repairs to their home. But a growing number of contractors, such as water remediation companies and roofers, have been inflating the cost of repairs. When insurers contest the claim, the contractors file a lawsuit. Insurers often settle the lawsuit but the litigation costs are passed on to all policyholders.
“Realtors are going to make it clear that drastic reform of the Assignment of Benefits process is needed to cut down on the abuse that drives up insurance premiums for property owners,” says 2018 Florida Realtors Public Policy Committee Vice Chair Tim Weisheyer. “In just 10 years we have seen 405 AOB cases balloon to 28,000, and the average AOB insurance claim is 50 percent more than non-AOB claims. These are sobering facts that really demonstrate the need for legislative action.”
Business rent tax reduction
The 2017 Legislature took a big first step in growing Florida’s economy by lowering the sales tax on rent to 5.8 percent. Small businesses, which make up almost 99 percent of all Florida employers, are disproportionately impacted by the tax. Further reductions to this tax will provide businesses with the capital needed to expand, hire, improve benefits and raise salaries.
“There is no doubt that last year’s reduction to the business rent tax will help small businesses throughout the state, but we still have a lot of work to do if we want to lift this burden off our economy,” says 2018 Florida Realtors President-Elect Eric Sain. “Millions of workers and their families benefit from a lower business rent tax and that’s why we are going to be back at it again this year, urging lawmakers to reduce it even further.”
Vacation rental fairness
Online platforms have significantly expanded the ability of homeowners to rent their property. In response, local governments around the state are establishing new ordinances, inspections and fees designed to discourage vacation rentals, often at the expense of private property rights.
“Innovative vacation rental tools have opened up new revenue sources for Floridians throughout the state, bringing increased flexibility and prosperity to their lives,” Sain explains. “Unfortunately, local governments see vacation rentals as a disruption to the community and are trying to discourage the practice by infringing on people’s property rights. We are urging the Legislature to step in and prevent property rights from being undermined.”
Increase affordable housing funds
A 2017 report from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) ranks Florida as the sixth least affordable housing market in the nation – discouraging news for a state looking to grow its economy. To encourage people to move to Florida, build lives here and contribute to the economy, the state housing trust funds need to be directed to as many programs as possible to help people buy homes.
“In support of our original position from 1992, Realtors will continue to advocate for as much funding as possible for affordable housing,” says 2018 Florida Realtors Treasurer Cheryl Lambert. “These trust fund dollars positively impact our communities by giving thousands of Floridians the ability to achieve the American dream of homeownership.”

Gov. Scott: Florida Job Growth Fund Awards First Grant to Manatee Technical College

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Governor Rick Scott today visited Manatee Technical College to announce that the college will be awarded the first grant from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. Last month, the School Board of Manatee County voted to accept $201,500 in funding through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). This funding will support the purchase of high-tech equipment needed to expand the workforce training program in Advanced Manufacturing and Production Technology, which will help prepare more students for future career opportunities.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to announce that Manatee Technical College has been selected as the first recipient of the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund. This program was designed to support economic development projects that enhance workforce training programs, such as Manatee Technical College’s manufacturing program, so Florida can continue to compete in this global economy. Ensuring a well-trained workforce is vital to bringing new job opportunities to families in our state, and I look forward to announcing additional Florida Job Growth Grant Fund recipients in the near future.”
This proposal was chosen based on its strong return on investment to the state and the regionally driven demand for a robust manufacturing workforce. The impact of this program will help prepare Florida students for years to come and encourage businesses to invest in Manatee County as a result of the skilled workforce. Return on investment is calculated based on the number of Floridians completing the training program and the projected increase in wages they earn once they find employment in comparison to total project cost.
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of DEO, said, “Our agency has worked diligently to evaluate more than 200 Florida Job Growth Grant Fund proposals to ensure that these funds are spent wisely. Manufacturing skills are needed throughout our state, but specifically in Manatee County where there are hundreds of manufacturers. Manatee Technical College has a successful existing program that will be enhanced by these funds. We look forward to the opportunities this funding will bring to the families of Manatee County.”
For more information about the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, visit FloridaJobs.org/JobGrowth.

Sen. Bill Nelson on Sec. Zinke’s meeting in Tallahassee

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Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the Secretary of Interior’s meeting with the governor in Tallahassee this evening:

“I have spent my entire life fighting to keep oil rigs away from our coasts. But now, suddenly, Secretary Zinke announces plans to drill off Florida’s coast and four days later agrees to “take Florida off the table”?  I don’t believe it. This is a political stunt orchestrated by the Trump administration to help Rick Scott, who has wanted to drill off Florida’s coast his entire career. We shouldn’t be playing politics with the future of Florida.”

Sen. Bill Nelson on Sec. Zinke's meeting in Tallahassee

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Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the Secretary of Interior’s meeting with the governor in Tallahassee this evening:
“I have spent my entire life fighting to keep oil rigs away from our coasts. But now, suddenly, Secretary Zinke announces plans to drill off Florida’s coast and four days later agrees to “take Florida off the table”?  I don’t believe it. This is a political stunt orchestrated by the Trump administration to help Rick Scott, who has wanted to drill off Florida’s coast his entire career. We shouldn’t be playing politics with the future of Florida.”

Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott Invite K-12 Students to Participate in 2018 Black History Month Contests

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Three students will earn a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship

Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott today invited Florida K-12 students to participate in the 2018 Black History Month art and essay contests based on this year’s theme, “A Celebration of Innovative African-American Leaders.” Students, parents, teachers and principals are also invited to nominate full-time educators in elementary, middle and high schools for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.
Governor Scott said, “Ann and I are proud to join Florida families in celebrating Black History Month this February and encourage every Florida student to participate in the 2018 Black History Month contests and nominate one of our state’s great educators for the Excellence in Education Award.”
First Lady Ann Scott said, “Governor Scott and I are so honored to announce this year’s Black History Month contests in celebration of Florida’s many innovative leaders. I hope every student takes advantage of this opportunity to learn about our state’s history and potentially earn a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship. We are also honored to recognize this year’s featured artist, Thomas H. Lewis, whose beautiful one-of-a-kind stained glass art is displayed around the country.”
About the Student Contests
Art Contest for Grades K-3: The Black History Month art contest is open to all Florida students in grades K-3. Two winners will be selected.
Essay Contest for Grades 4-12: The Black History Month essay contest is open to all Florida students in grades 4 through 12. Three winners will be selected: one elementary student (grades 4-5), one middle-school student (grades 6-8), and one high school student (grades 9-12). Winners will receive a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
About the Excellence in Education Award
Governor Scott’s annual Black History Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida. Three winners will be selected: one elementary teacher (grades K-5), one middle school teacher (grades 6-8) and one high school teacher (grades 9-12).
Contest Entries and Nomination Forms and Guidelines
Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at FloridaBlackHistory.com.
Volunteer Florida
Black History Month Committee
3800 Esplanade Way, Suite 180
Tallahassee, Florida 32311
All entries must be received by 5:00 p.m. EST on Friday, March 2, 2018. 
More information about the contests and Florida’s Black History Month is available at FloridaBlackHistory.com.

Nelson, others voice ‘strong opposition’ to Trump’s offshore drilling plan

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) today led a group of 37 Senate Democrats in voicing their “strong opposition” to the Trump administration’s plan to open up nearly all federal waters to offshore oil drilling.

“This draft is an ill-advised effort to circumvent public and scientific input,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. “We are deeply troubled by your decision to open more than 90% of the outer continental shelf to fossil fuel development and needlessly put our coastal residents, businesses, oceans, and climate at grave risk.”

Nelson, a long-time opponent of allowing oil rigs too close to Florida’s coasts, filed legislation in April 2017 that would block the Trump administration from opening up any additional areas to offshore oil drilling until at least 2022.

He’s also filed legislation to extend the current moratorium in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico for an additional five years, to 2027.

Following is text of the senators’ letter to Zinke, a PDF is available here.

January 9, 2018

The Honorable Ryan Zinke
Secretary
United States Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240

Dear Secretary Zinke:

We write in strong opposition to your agency’s misuse of taxpayer funds and agency resources to issue a draft 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program in the middle of the current 2017-2022 Five-Year Plan. This draft proposal is an ill-advised effort to circumvent public and scientific input, and we object to sacrificing public trust, community safety, and economic security for the interests of the oil industry. We urge you to abandon this effort and maintain the protections outlined in the current 2017-2022 plan.

During your confirmation hearings, you pledged to incorporate local input into the management of our nation’s public lands. Our constituents, scientific bodies, businesses, and local elected officials have already decidedly rejected efforts to expand offshore drilling that could compromise ecosystems, tourism and recreation, public safety, and marine industries. The governors of New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Attorney General of Rhode Island, all are formally opposed to new leasing off their respective shores. Additionally, more than 150 municipalities on the East Coast, West Coast, and Gulf of Mexico have passed resolutions opposing offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration. The New England, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, the Department of Defense, Air Force, and NASA have all weighed in expressing serious concerns or opposition to offshore exploration and drilling. More than 41,000 businesses and 500,000 fishing families have also expressed opposition to drilling in their communities.

The current 2017-2022 plan already allows leasing for more than 45 billion barrels of oil, and guarantees protections for vital resources in the Arctic, Pacific, and Atlantic. As the nation’s coasts are already bearing the consequences of climate change through rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and increased storm surges and flooding, we should not open all previously closed outer continental shelf areas to fossil fuel extraction and further endanger our climate, coastlines, communities, and economies. Especially in the harsh and fragile Arctic, where your agency has predicted a 75 percent chance of a major oil spill, proposing 19 new leases is the height of irresponsibility.

We are deeply troubled by your decision to open more than 90% of the outer continental shelf to fossil fuel development and needlessly put our coastal residents, businesses, oceans, and climate at grave risk. Offering 47 leases by expanding drilling into the Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic and Eastern Gulf of Mexico waters would lock us into decades of carbon pollution, and endanger future generations and livelihood simply for short-term gain of major oil companies.

We strongly object to this draft proposal, and urge you to maintain protection for the Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic and Eastern Gulf of Mexico and for our communities.

Sincerely,

Nelson, others voice 'strong opposition' to Trump's offshore drilling plan

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) today led a group of 37 Senate Democrats in voicing their “strong opposition” to the Trump administration’s plan to open up nearly all federal waters to offshore oil drilling.
“This draft is an ill-advised effort to circumvent public and scientific input,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. “We are deeply troubled by your decision to open more than 90% of the outer continental shelf to fossil fuel development and needlessly put our coastal residents, businesses, oceans, and climate at grave risk.”
Nelson, a long-time opponent of allowing oil rigs too close to Florida’s coasts, filed legislation in April 2017 that would block the Trump administration from opening up any additional areas to offshore oil drilling until at least 2022.
He’s also filed legislation to extend the current moratorium in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico for an additional five years, to 2027.
Following is text of the senators’ letter to Zinke, a PDF is available here.

January 9, 2018

The Honorable Ryan Zinke
Secretary
United States Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Secretary Zinke:
We write in strong opposition to your agency’s misuse of taxpayer funds and agency resources to issue a draft 2019-2024 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program in the middle of the current 2017-2022 Five-Year Plan. This draft proposal is an ill-advised effort to circumvent public and scientific input, and we object to sacrificing public trust, community safety, and economic security for the interests of the oil industry. We urge you to abandon this effort and maintain the protections outlined in the current 2017-2022 plan.
During your confirmation hearings, you pledged to incorporate local input into the management of our nation’s public lands. Our constituents, scientific bodies, businesses, and local elected officials have already decidedly rejected efforts to expand offshore drilling that could compromise ecosystems, tourism and recreation, public safety, and marine industries. The governors of New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Oregon, Washington, and the Attorney General of Rhode Island, all are formally opposed to new leasing off their respective shores. Additionally, more than 150 municipalities on the East Coast, West Coast, and Gulf of Mexico have passed resolutions opposing offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration. The New England, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils, the Department of Defense, Air Force, and NASA have all weighed in expressing serious concerns or opposition to offshore exploration and drilling. More than 41,000 businesses and 500,000 fishing families have also expressed opposition to drilling in their communities.
The current 2017-2022 plan already allows leasing for more than 45 billion barrels of oil, and guarantees protections for vital resources in the Arctic, Pacific, and Atlantic. As the nation’s coasts are already bearing the consequences of climate change through rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and increased storm surges and flooding, we should not open all previously closed outer continental shelf areas to fossil fuel extraction and further endanger our climate, coastlines, communities, and economies. Especially in the harsh and fragile Arctic, where your agency has predicted a 75 percent chance of a major oil spill, proposing 19 new leases is the height of irresponsibility.
We are deeply troubled by your decision to open more than 90% of the outer continental shelf to fossil fuel development and needlessly put our coastal residents, businesses, oceans, and climate at grave risk. Offering 47 leases by expanding drilling into the Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic and Eastern Gulf of Mexico waters would lock us into decades of carbon pollution, and endanger future generations and livelihood simply for short-term gain of major oil companies.
We strongly object to this draft proposal, and urge you to maintain protection for the Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic and Eastern Gulf of Mexico and for our communities.

Sincerely,

PIFF supports efforts to decrease distracted driving

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Personal Insurance Federation of Florida Remarks on Texting While Driving Policy

The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida (PIFF) today applauded the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee for passing House Bill 33, Texting While Driving, filed by Representatives Jackie Toledo and Emily Slosberg. The bill amends the Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law to make the enforcement of the ban primary.
Samantha Sexton, Vice President of Legislative & Regulatory Affairs for PIFF, shared the following remarks:
“Our members understand that texting while driving is a complicated distraction to reduce, but drivers must change their behavior for the benefit of all.
“PIFF hopes that by making texting while driving a primary offense, drivers will think twice before picking up their phones. Floridians are not only putting themselves at risk, but their passengers and other drivers when they text and drive.
“PIFF represents roughly half of the auto market in Florida, and like the Speaker, sponsors and co-sponsors, we want to see motorists arrive safely at their destinations.”