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Goliath grouper in-person workshops scheduled for October; online workshops also available

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will continue gathering public input on the management of goliath grouper this month at several in-person workshops scheduled across the state. The FWC is seeking input on goliath grouper management, including the possibility of a limited harvest in Florida state waters.
A total of 16 in-person workshops will be held altogether, including workshops held previously in July and August.
For those who missed a workshop in their area or cannot make an in-person workshop, an on-demand virtual workshop is available. This newly-added online feature can be found on the public workshops webpage at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Public Comments/Workshops” and “Workshops.” Once you’ve viewed the workshop, you can take a workshop survey, which is identical to a survey given at the in-person workshops. Additional written comments may be submitted online at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.
Upcoming in-person workshops are scheduled as follows (scheduled 5 to 8 p.m. local time, except for Tallahassee):

  • Oct. 9: Jacksonville, Pablo Creek Regional Library, 13295 Beach Blvd.
  • Oct. 10: Titusville, American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, 6350 Horizon Drive.
  • Oct. 11: Stuart, Flagler Place, 201 SW Flagler Ave.
  • Oct. 12: Davie, Old Davie School Historical Museum, 6650 Griffin Road.
  • Oct. 16: Pinellas Park, Bill Jackson’s Shop for Adventure, 9501 U.S. Highway 19 N.
  • Oct. 17: Port Charlotte, The Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St.
  • Oct. 18: Naples, Collier County Public Library – South Regional, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway.
  • Oct. 25: Tallahassee, FWC Bryant Building, Room 272 (enter on the east/Cascades Park side of the building), 620 S. Meridian St. (6-9 p.m. ET).

Workshops were held in July and August in Lake Worth, Key West, Marathon, Key Largo, Crystal River, Carrabelle, Pensacola and Panama City.

Representative Randy Fine Endorses Spritz

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Support for Matt Spritz’s bid for House District 89 continues to grow as Fine is
the latest in a series of House Republicans to throw their support behind him.

The Matt Spritz Campaign today announced the endorsement of State Representative Randy Fine, who represents District 53 in the Florida House of Representatives. Fine is the latest of a growing number of House Republicans backing Spritz’s bid for the District 89 seat.
“Matt Spritz has the energy and the conservative convictions to really make a difference in the legislature,” said Fine. “Matt understands the impact that state government has on people’s lives, and I look forward to having him in Tallahassee to work with him on policies that will reduce taxes and make it easier for Florida’s families to get ahead.”
A highly successful businessman, Fine was elected to the Florida House last year. He is the Vice Chair of the Careers and Competition Subcommittee, a member of the Commerce Committee, and the Vice Chair of the Brevard Legislative Delegation. He also serves on the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee, the Natural Resources and Public Lands Subcommittee, and the Transportation and Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee.
Notably, Fine is the only Jewish Republican currently serving in Florida’s legislature. If elected, Spritz would become the second.
“I’m honored to have Representative Fine’s support,” said Spritz. “I appreciate his commitment to working in the Florida House to spur economic growth, boost job creation, and implement common-sense education reforms like school choice. I look forward to working closely with him.”
Fine joins Representatives Byron Donalds, Tom Leek, Bobby Payne, and Bob Rommel, as well as former Representative Alex Miller, who have also endorsed Spritz.
Born and raised in South Florida, Spritz graduated Phi Beta Kappa with high honors from Emory University and from New York University School of Law in New York City. He practiced corporate and business law in New York City and later in South Florida before committing himself to public service in the Florida House.
House District 89 covers coastal portions of Palm Beach County spanning from Singer Island to Boca Raton, which has the largest concentration of voters. Thirty-six percent of registered voters in the district are Republicans, while Democrats make up 33 percent, and voters with minor or no party affiliation 31 percent.

Paid by Matt Spritz, Republican, for State Representative

Senator Audrey Gibson and Representative Lori Berman File Legislation to Reduce Gun Violence

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Senator Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville) and Representative Lori Berman (D-Lantana) are filing bills designed to temporarily prevent individuals who are at high risk of harming themselves or others from accessing firearms. The legislation allows family, household members, and law enforcement to obtain a court order when there is demonstrated evidence that the person poses a significant danger to themselves or others, including danger as a result of a mental health crisis or violent behavior.
“It is critical to address senseless gun deaths that now seem to be more the norm than a rarity.  This bill is designed to remove from harm’s way individuals who are at high risk of harming themselves or others through an act of gun violence.  A temporary, evidenced-based court order to remove a firearm from the home can be extremely helpful in curbing dangerous crisis behavior,” said Senator Audrey Gibson.
The purpose and intent of this legislation – HB 231, with the Senate measure awaiting a bill number – is to reduce gun deaths and injuries by allowing an order to temporarily restrict a person’s access to firearms, while simultaneously respecting constitutional right. Court orders are intended to be limited to situations in which the person poses a significant danger of harming themselves or others by possessing a firearm, and include standards and safeguards to protect the rights of respondents and due process of law.
“In light of Sunday night’s tragedy in Las Vegas, it is more important than ever that we address how to limit gun violence,” stated Representative Lori Berman. “This bill provides a mechanism for family or household members and law enforcement to stop bad actors before tragedy happens. The legislation also gives family members a pathway for removing firearms from individuals in the throes of a dangerous mental health crisis, including suicidal ideations.”

With 110% Increase, Sunshine State Leads the Nation in Growth of Rooftop Solar

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A new report* from PV Magazine finds Florida now leads the nation in solar growth. The state saw a 110% increase in new residential solar permits over the previous year. A state-wide partnership between the League of Women Voters and Solar United Neighbors of Florida, have spurred this growth. Solar United Neighbors of Florida was formerly known as FL SUN. It rolled out this new name this week to better reflect the unified actions of the organization’s nine state-based programs.
Funded by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Barancik Foundation, the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, and now several cities and counties, Florida homeowners and businesses are now able to take advantage of some of the lowest prices for solar in the nation using a grassroots program called Solar United Neighbors of Florida, which announced a national re-branding this week.
Pamela Goodman, President of the League of Women Voters of Florida said, “With standing room only at many of our solar education forums, it is thrilling for our grassroots volunteers to help main street Florida keep millions of dollars in Florida by saving money and harnessing the sun.”
“We envision a clean, equitable energy future, with solar on every roof and money in every pocket,” said Angela DeMonbreun, Solar United Neighbors of Florida Program Director.
Solar United Neighbors of Florida began working in the state in 2016 in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Florida. Modeled off of similar programs in Maryland, Virginia, and elsewhere, the program has already launched 14 co-ops and will have launched 21 by the end of this calendar year, with several counties and cities angling to repeat their co-ops in 2018.
In an unusual bipartisan show of support, elected officials, both Republicans and Democrats have become strong solar supporters. Senator Jeff Brandes (R-Pinellas) last year was a leader in achieving passage of a pro-solar amendment that will help reduce the costs for both businesses and residents. This will be in addition to the extended 30% federal income tax credit that consumers all across the country are eligible for through 2019, and at a diminished rate through 2021. The new commercial tax exemptions will launch in January of 2018 following quicker than usual action by the Florida Legislature.
Now several mayors have jumped on board with Mayor Rick Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) launching the first FLSUN.org co-op in his city last year, followed by Mayor Teresa Jacobs (R-Orange County), and several Miami-Dade mayors. Co-ops have launched in Alachua, Seminole, Volusia, Brevard, Sarasota, and many more.
Recently the city of St. Petersburg committed $75,000 to hiring a full time Solar United Neighbors coordinator to organize community cooperatives to further lower the cost of solar and utility bills for its citizens. Miami-Dade, Orange, Broward, and Hillsborough have all committed funds and support to provide neighborhood cooperatives for their citizens, promoting the use of rooftop solar to harness the sun and help residents lower their utility bills.
Dr. James Fenton, Director of the Florida Solar Energy Center exhorts Florida citizens: “Solar on your roof and a plug in vehicle in your garage is the best place Florida consumers can put their money. It offers a better return than the stock market…and the jobs stay in Florida.”
Florida installer president and FLASEIA (Florida Solar Energy and Installers Association) board member Remo Eyal said, “Grassroots movements across the state have helped tear down barriers to solar installations. And today we have grid parity, which means for the solar customer, that the financed cost of electricity from solar is less than buying electricity from the power companies.”
Stephen Smith, Executive Director of Southern Alliance for Clean Energy said, “The market in Florida is going gangbusters in all market segments, from utilities to rooftop solar for both businesses and residential.”
League President Pamela Goodman is thrilled with the progress: “We’re well on our way to making Florida #1 in solar with these exciting growth rates in new solar permits – Go to www.SolarUnitedNeighbors.org and let’s go solar, Florida!”
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Nelson sponsors bill to ban sale of ‘bump stocks’

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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) today sponsored legislation to ban the sale of so-called “bump stocks” that can be used to increase the firing rate of a semi-automatic weapon, essentially converting it into a fully-automatic assault weapon.
While current law bans the sale, manufacture and transfer of most automatic weapons, the legislation Nelson filed today with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and others would close a current loophole in the law that allows semi-automatic weapons to be easily modified to fire at the same rate as automatic weapons.
“I’m a hunter and have owned guns my whole life,” Nelson said, “But these automatic weapons are not for hunting, they are for killing. And this commonsense bill would, at the very least, make it harder for someone to convert a semi-automatic rifle into what is essentially a fully-automatic machine gun.”
The legislation would ban the sale, transfer, importation, manufacture or possession of bump stocks, trigger cranks and similar accessories that accelerate a semi-automatic rifle’s rate of fire. While a typical semi-automatic rifle can fire at a rate of between 45 and 60 rounds per minute, a fully-automatic weapon can fire at a rate of 400 to 800 rounds per minute.
The bill makes clear that its intent is to target only those accessories that increase a semi-automatic rifle’s rate of fire. Legitimate accessories used by hunters would be exempt. The bill also contains exceptions for lawful possession of these devices by law enforcement and the government.

Commissioner Putnam Announces Preliminary Florida Agricultural Damages Due to Hurricane Irma Total $2.5 Billion

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that the preliminary agricultural damages caused by Hurricane Irma in Florida total more than $2.5 billion.
In an initial report released today, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services estimated losses for each segment of agriculture. The preliminary economic assessments account for: current crop losses and ancillary losses, such as debris cleanup, damaged infrastructure, and animals’ long-term welfare affected by Hurricane Irma. This preliminary assessment will change as new information becomes available, and it is not representative of any specific funding request.
“Florida agriculture took it on the chin as Hurricane Irma pummeled the state, and the $2.5 billion in agricultural damages is only an initial assessment. We’re likely to see even greater economic losses as we account for loss of future production and the cost to rebuild infrastructure. We’re going to do everything within our power to support Florida agriculture as it recovers from Hurricane Irma’s devastation,” stated Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.
The estimated economic agricultural damages according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ preliminary report are as follows:

  • Total Florida agriculture: $2,558,598,303.
  • Citrus: $760,816,600
  • Beef Cattle: $237,476,562
  • Dairy: $11,811,695
  • Aquaculture: $36,850,000
  • Fruits and Vegetables (excluding citrus): $180,193,096
  • Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture: $624,819,895
  • Sugar: $382,603,397
  • Field crops: $62,747,058
  • Forestry: $261,280,000

The estimates included in the preliminary report are based on data obtained from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the UF-IFAS “Impacts of Hurricane Irma on Florida Agriculture: Update #4 Report,” UF-IFAS crops budgets, Timber Damage Estimates prepared by the Florida Forest Service, and early surveys the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services conducted with industry leaders and individual producers.
To access the preliminary report, click here.

Health Care Organizations Join Walgreens to Combat Prescription Drug Abuse by Expanding Safe Medication Disposal Program

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Organizations across health care sector come together to expand safe medication disposal program to 1,500 Walgreens stores nationwide 

Goal set to collect 300 tons of unwanted medications over next two years

Leading health care organizations AmerisourceBergen, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Pfizer and Prime Therapeutics are joining Walgreens to combat the national opioid abuse crisis by expanding the availability of safe medication disposal kiosks to an additional 900 Walgreens stores near military bases and other areas where the opioid epidemic has challenged communities. When the expansion is complete, kiosks will be available in approximately 1,500 Walgreens stores nationwide.
In the midst of the opioid epidemic, military members have emerged as a particularly vulnerable population. By expanding the focus to serve military communities, the organizations aim to help curb the misuse of medications that, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, is higher among service members than civilians. Through the safe medication disposal kiosks, military communities will now have access to a safe way to dispose of their unwanted or unused prescription medications.
The announcement builds upon the initial 600 safe medication disposal kiosks Walgreens installed beginning in 2016 across 45 states and the District of Columbia. Those kiosks have collected 155 tons of unwanted medications in the first 18 months of the program. With this expansion, the organizations have set a goal to collect an additional 300 tons of unwanted medication in the next two years.
“We are proud to work with organizations from throughout the health care community to make it even easier for people to dispose of their unwanted medications,” said Alex Gourlay, president of Walgreens. “Since launching this program in 2016, we have been truly inspired by the response of the safe medication disposal program from communities around the country. The expansion of this program is a great example of health care organizations coming together in collaboration to address a real health crisis facing the country.”
“As a supply chain partner, we are committed to finding comprehensive solutions to mitigate the opioid epidemic impacting our communities, and we understand the important role we play in helping to combat medication diversion and abuse,” said Bob Mauch, Executive Vice President & Group President, Pharmaceutical Distribution & Strategic Global Sourcing for AmerisourceBergen. “Innovation and collaboration between all parties involved in the delivery and regulation of health care will drive the greatest progress in impacting the opioid crisis, and the diverse partnership supporting the expansion of Walgreens highly successful safe medication disposal program is a strong example of the type of collaboration that’s needed.”
“Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) is proud to support this critical and timely initiative so that more communities across the country will have access to safe medication disposal,” said Kim Holland, vice president of state affairs for BCBSA. “Prescription medications that sit in home medicine cabinets pose a potential safety threat to family members and can be highly susceptible to diversion and misuse. With the escalating opioid crisis, it’s more important than ever to invest in initiatives that focus on prevention and help keep loved ones and communities safe.”
“Pfizer is committed to addressing the prevention, treatment, and effective response to the growing opioid abuse in our country. This partnership reaffirms our support for measures that promote the proper and safe disposal of unwanted medicines to deter prescription drug diversion and to protect the environment,” said Pfizer’s Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall.
A recent survey conducted by Prime revealed people taking opioids may not know how to safely dispose of unused medications. Only 17 percent had spoken with their doctor about safe disposal of unused medicine.  Additionally, nearly a quarter of adults keep unused opioids instead of disposing of them, and only 27 percent of those who dispose of old medicine use a take back program to safely dispose of controlled substances. This data reveals there is a need to encourage safe disposal and that more take back locations is one way to promote safety.
“This crisis calls for an all-hands-on-deck approach,” said Jonathan Gavras, senior vice president and chief medical officer, Prime Therapeutics. “Prime is proud to be sponsoring this take back kiosk initiative – as an extension of Prime’s existing Controlled Substances Management Program – because we not only need to monitor for appropriate use, we need to make sure these dangerous medicines don’t fall into the wrong hands. We encourage everyone to go through their medicine cabinets and drop their unwanted medicines safely into a nearby Walgreens kiosk.”
Helping to achieve the goal to collect 300 additional tons of unwanted medication in two years is the #ItEndsWithUs campaign, recently launched by Walgreens to educate teens on the opioid epidemic. The campaign provides teens with online resources to end the opioid epidemic and positive steps they can take within their communities, including how to dispose of unwanted medications. The 900 additional kiosks will be installed over the next 10 months.
Safe medication disposal kiosks allow individuals to safely and conveniently dispose of their unwanted, unused or expired prescriptions, including controlled substances, and over-the-counter medications, at no cost. The kiosks at Walgreens pharmacies are available during regular pharmacy hours and offer one of the best ways to ensure medications are not accidentally used or intentionally misused by someone else.
About Walgreens
Walgreens, one of the nation’s largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. More than 10 million customers interact with Walgreens each day in communities across America, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. Walgreens operates 8,175 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Approximately 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services. 
About AmerisourceBergen
AmerisourceBergen provides pharmaceutical products, value-driving services and business solutions that improve access to care. Tens of thousands of healthcare providers, veterinary practices and livestock producers trust us as their partner in the pharmaceutical supply chain. Global pharmaceutical manufacturers depend on us for services that drive commercial success for their products. Powered by our 20,000 associates, we are united in our responsibility to create healthier futures. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #11 on the Fortune 500, with more than $146 billion in annual revenue. The company is headquartered in Valley Forge, Pa. and has a presence in 50+ countries. Learn more at amerisourcebergen.com  
About Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association is a national federation of 36 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide health care coverage for one in three Americans. BCBSA provides health care insights through The Health of America Report series and the national BCBS Health Index. For more information on BCBSA and its member companies, please visit BCBS.com. We also encourage you to connect with us on Facebook, check out our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and check out our blog.
About Pfizer Working together for a healthier world®
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world’s best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our website at www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.pfizer.com and follow us on Twitter at @Pfizer and @Pfizer_News, LinkedIn, YouTube and like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Pfizer.
About Prime Therapeutics
Prime Therapeutics LLC (Prime) helps people get the medicine they need to feel better and live well. Prime manages pharmacy benefits for health plans, employers, and government programs including Medicare and Medicaid. The company processes claims and delivers medicine to members, offering clinical services for people with complex medical conditions. Prime serves more than 20 million people. It is collectively owned by 18 Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, subsidiaries or affiliates of those plans. For more information, visit www.primetherapeutics.com or follow @Prime_PBM on Twitter.

Legislators Unveil Legislation Targeting Assault-Style Weapons

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State Sen. Linda Stewart and Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith unveiled proposed legislation to ban the sale of assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines in Florida at a news conference Wednesday morning held by the Florida Coalition To Prevent Gun Violence.
Stewart and Smith stressed that when they introduced similar bills last year, the legislature gave it no discussion and no hearing.
“They said it’s just too early to talk about limits on assault weapons,” she said, noting it closely followed the Pulse nightclub shooting and that we’re now on the heels of the Las Vegas mass tragedy.
“I say it’s not too early. It’s too late,” Stewart said.
Smith echoed the sense of urgency. “We need bold action once and for all to address the public health crisis that is gun violence,” he said.
Pointing to the LBGTQ people of color who were killed and injured at Pulse, he asked, “Do their lives not matter?”
On June 12, 2016, 49 people were killed and 58 wounded at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Sunday night, 58 people were killed and more than 500 injured at a concert in Las Vegas.
Patricia Brigham, Co-Chair of the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, said in kicking off the news conference Wednesday that we are not deterred by the lack of legislators’ action so far.
“America has become a battlefield,” said Brigham, who is also 1st Vice President of the League of Women Voters of Florida. “It doesn’t have to be this way.”
Angel Santiago, Jr., who was wounded at Pulse, told the dozens attending the news conference that he’s not against the Second Amendment but said we can’t let mass shootings become our new normal and urged everyone to contact their legislators and plead for the proposed ban.
“I’m outraged that the sale (of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines) hasn’t been banned,” said Myra Alvear, who lost her daughter Amanda in the Pulse massacre.
“Do this not for me,” Alvear said. “Do it for our country.”
The Rev. Bryan Fulwider, chairman of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, said thoughts and prayers are not enough.
“They’re nice. I think thoughts and prayers are good,” said Fulwider, who is also one of WMFE’s Three Wise Guys of “Friends Talking Faith”. “It would be nice if some of our state legislators try it,” he said, stressing that the big question in mass shootings is not “why” or “what” but “how,” including, “How have we collectively allowed a world of madness to emerge?”
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Before the Coalition’s’ news conference, Equality Florida’s Senior Policy Director Hannah Willard said, “When tragedy strikes, thoughts and prayers will never be enough. After the Pulse massacre, we promised to #HonorThemWithAction through passing common sense gun policy that will keep all of our communities safe. We now promise to hold Las Vegas in our hearts as we continue our work to uproot violence wherever it exists.”
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David Moran, Orlando Co-Director of Gays Against Guns, added, “These are weapons of war. Allowing their sale makes no sense and only enables more bloodshed and suffering. Such senseless, mass gun violence with assault weapons is not inevitable, it’s entirely preventable. Our elected officials must take a stand and say no more. Not ever again.”
The Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, created by the League of Women Voters of Florida, promotes smart, common-sense gun legislation and helped set the course for Stewart and Smith’s proposed bills. It includes more than 100 non-partisan organizations dedicated to ensuring responsible gun policy, including such diverse groups as the Campaign To Keep Guns Off Campus, Hispanic Federation, Interfaith Council of Central Florida, Florida PTA, and Doctors for America. 

Orlando Fire Fighters Peer Support Team Travels to Las Vegas

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IAFF Members Deploy to Assist with Peer Counseling

Members of the Orlando Fire Fighters Peer Support Counseling Team are heading to Las Vegas to assist with critical peer support needs in the aftermath of the Las Vegas mass shooting.
“Unfortunately, Orlando Fire Fighters are all too familiar with the emotional cost of responding to horrific events like the Las Vegas shooting” said Ron Glass, President of the Orlando Fire Firefighters. “After the Pulse shooting, the rapid response of IAFF Peer Support was a great help to my members and their families. We want to assist our Brothers and Sisters in Las Vegas begin the recovery process”.
The Orlando Fire Fighters Peer Support team is recognized as a national leader in mental wellness counseling. Team members have traveled the State and Country to provide support and education to IAFF members.
The International Association of Fire Fighters has trained hundreds of members throughout the Country in behavioral health and wellness. These team members are trained in active listening skills, suicide awareness and prevention, crisis intervention and establishing relationships with local behavioral health providers.
The Orlando Fire Fighters Peer Support team is recognized as a national leader in mental wellness counseling. Team members have traveled the State and Country to provide support and education to IAFF members.
The International Association of Fire Fighters has trained hundreds of members throughout the Country in behavioral health and wellness. These team members are trained in active listening skills, suicide awareness and prevention, crisis intervention and establishing relationships with local behavioral health providers. 

Senator Farmer Introduces Auto Insurance Legislation

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Senator Gary Farmer has submitted two bills to decrease unfair discrimination in the sale of auto insurance, and to reduce premiums for consumers across the state.
Senate Bill 414 would ban the use of credit scores as a determining factor in calculating auto insurance premiums.  Currently, insurers are permitted to use a customer’s credit history as a justification for higher insurance rates.  According to Consumer Reports, drivers with poor credit scores face an additional $1,301 in auto insurance premiums on average.  The use of credit scores as a determining factor for auto insurance rates has been found to disproportionately affect minority populations, with African American and non-white Hispanic policyholders often paying higher premiums, and is not a reliable indicator for increased risk. “This is a common sense bill that would prevent responsible drivers from being penalized for financial situations which are wholly unrelated to their conduct on the road.  Right now the system is rigged to unfairly force higher premiums on those who can least afford them,” said Senator Farmer on SB 414.  Massachusetts, California, and Hawaii have all implemented similar statutes.
In addition to SB 414, Senator Farmer also filed Senate Bill 410, also dealing with auto insurance.  SB 410 would prohibit the use of zip codes as a determining factor in calculating auto insurance premiums.  A recent study by ProPublica determined that the use of zip codes in auto insurance rates have had an unfair impact on premiums for those living in urban areas, and particularly on minority and elderly communities.  Currently, drivers with the same driving records and level of risk can be charged drastically different premiums simply because of the neighborhood in which they reside.  “While Florida’s statutes contain language which purports is meant to prevent the use of zip codes in auto insurance from being unfairly discriminatory, what we have found is that their use is de facto discriminatory by nature and needs to be banned.  Our minority communities are being adversely affected by our current statutes, so a change needs to be made,” Senator Farmer said about SB 410.
Senator Farmer hopes to see this issue addressed in the upcoming legislative session, as Floridians across the state struggle to keep up with high and often unfair insurance premiums.