This morning, Rep. Erin Grall and Sen. Kelli Stargel filed House Bill 5 and Senate Bill 146 to ban abortion in Florida beyond 15 weeks. [Read more…] about Florida Planned Parenthood leaders respond to filing of HB 5 abortion ban legislation
Government
Senate Democratic Leader Book & House Democratic Leader Jenne Announce 2022 Legislative Priorities
Florida Democrats pledge to fight for Floridians to improve education, bolster the
economy, keep communities safe, protect individual freedoms and keep citizens healthy
Today, at the start of the 2022 Legislative Session, Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book and House Democratic Leader Evan Jenne announced their collective priorities to improve the lives of Floridians through common sense policies focused on the economy, education, safe communities, the health and wellbeing of citizens and the environment. [Read more…] about Senate Democratic Leader Book & House Democratic Leader Jenne Announce 2022 Legislative Priorities
Upcoming Public Meeting for Mason Avenue (S.R. 430) Corridor Planning Study
Meeting will be offered in multiple platforms
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will hold a public meeting regarding project plans on Mason Avenue (State Road (S.R.) 430), from Clyde Morris Boulevard (S.R. 483) to Riverside Drive / North Beach Street on Wednesday, January 19 at 5:30 p.m. [Read more…] about Upcoming Public Meeting for Mason Avenue (S.R. 430) Corridor Planning Study
President Simpson’s Opening Day Remarks
Following recognition of his family, dignitaries and special guests, President Simpson offered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery: [Read more…] about President Simpson’s Opening Day Remarks
Senate Democratic Candidates Close 2021 with Strong Fundraising
Incumbents and challengers kick off the election year with strong position
Florida Senate Democratic candidates have reported strong fundraising hauls heading into the election year, with contributions from four key races totaling more than $1.15M. [Read more…] about Senate Democratic Candidates Close 2021 with Strong Fundraising
Representative Ben Diamond and Senator Jeff Brandes File Legislation to Prevent Environmental Disasters from Phosphogypsum Stacks
In the aftermath of the toxic wastewater leak at Piney Point that allowed for a massive red tide bloom in Tampa Bay this past summer, Representative Ben Diamond (D- St. Petersburg) and Senator Jeff Brandes (R- St. Petersburg) have filed legislation to improve the abatement efforts of imminent hazards caused by phosphogypsum stacks in Florida. [Read more…] about Representative Ben Diamond and Senator Jeff Brandes File Legislation to Prevent Environmental Disasters from Phosphogypsum Stacks
Winners announced from the final Gold Rush Supreme Bonus Play Promotion drawing
41 Lucky Florida Lottery Players Strike Gold with Cash Prizes!
The Florida Lottery (Lottery) announces the winners from the final drawing in the Gold Rush Supreme Bonus Play Promotion. [Read more…] about Winners announced from the final Gold Rush Supreme Bonus Play Promotion drawing
Senator Polsky and Representative Skidmore File Pediatric CPR Bill
Winner of Annual Bill-Writing Contest
Senator Tina Polsky (D- Boca Raton) and Representative Kelly Skidmore (D-Boca Raton) filed SB 1506 and HB 1009, which require that hospitals, birth centers, and other state-licensed birthing facilities provide infant/pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) information to parents of newborns prior to discharge. [Read more…] about Senator Polsky and Representative Skidmore File Pediatric CPR Bill
Winners announced from the final Bonus Play Getaway Promotion drawing
262 Lucky Florida Lottery Players Start 2022 with Unforgettable Prizes!
The Florida Lottery today announces the winners from the second and final Bonus Play Getaway Promotion drawing. [Read more…] about Winners announced from the final Bonus Play Getaway Promotion drawing
APCIA Outlines Top Priorities for the 2022 Florida Legislative Session
The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) today outlined its top priorities for the 2022 Legislative Session, which include: working with lawmakers to build upon the 2021 reforms to help stabilize Florida’s ailing property insurance market and protect consumers from rising home insurance costs; supporting meaningful legal reforms to rein in widespread lawsuit abuse; and ensuring any legislation to repeal or reform Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system leads to consumer cost savings. Additionally, APCIA will work with the business community to address data security and privacy issues.
“As APCIA works with lawmakers this session on a variety of policy issues, a key focus area is on the long-term health and sustainability of Florida’s property insurance market and protecting consumers from rising costs,” said Logan McFaddin, assistant vice president of state government relations for APCIA. “Lawsuit abuse is a major cost driver in the home and auto insurance market and more reforms are needed to rein in frivolous litigation.”
Property Insurance Market Reforms
Florida homeowners are facing skyrocketing property insurance costs as the market continues to buckle under pressure from a mountain of litigation and billions in recent losses from natural disasters. Recent data from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation shows that Florida accounted for 8 percent of all homeowners’ insurance claims in the U.S., but 76 percent of all homeowners’ insurance lawsuits in the country.
“Florida lawmakers passed, and Governor DeSantis signed into law beneficial reforms in 2021 to help alleviate some key pressure points in Florida’s property insurance market, but more work needs to be done to address a crisis of this magnitude,” continued McFaddin.
Florida’s No-Fault Auto Insurance System
APCIA will work with lawmakers to ensure any legislation to repeal or reform Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system provides the necessary cost control measures and safeguards to prevent rampant fraud and increased lawsuit abuse – two key cost drivers in the Florida auto insurance market. Productive and meaningful changes to the no-fault system must include reforms to Florida’s bad faith laws that will help lower auto insurance costs for consumers.
“Any attempt to eliminate or reform Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system must result in cost-savings for drivers,” said McFaddin. “Repealing Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system without addressing much needed bad faith reforms could lead to higher costs and increased litigation.”
Data Security & Privacy
Another key priority for APCIA and the business community is data security and privacy. The Florida Legislature is likely to consider legislation on whether consumers can opt-out of companies selling their personal data and if they can sue companies over any violation of the law.
“While APCIA is supportive of consumer rights online, it is important for lawmakers to find the right balance as they consider new regulations for business so there are not unintended consequences that lead to increased costs for consumers,” added McFaddin.
The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) is the primary national trade association for home, auto, and business insurers. APCIA promotes and protects the viability of private competition for the benefit of consumers and insurers, with a legacy dating back 150 years. APCIA members represent all sizes, structures, and regions—protecting families, communities, and businesses in the U.S. and across the globe.