Bill to Extend Relief

State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) on Wednesday filed legislation to ensure that property owners continue to be a priority after the drywall crisis that struck Florida’s real estate market in the mid-2000s.
“Too many Floridians have been subjected to financial loss because of the influx of tainted drywall entering our markets,” said Stewart. “When property values are lowered due to defective building materials, it is ordinary Floridians who must pay the price,” she went on to say.
Corrosive drywall lowers the value of properties and can have a heavy financial impact on property owners. In addition, imported and domestic drywall can contain high levels of toxins, such as sulfur, that have reportedly been responsible for causing respiratory problems, bloody noses, migraines, as well as failures of appliances and electronics.
A 2010 statute addressed these situations by providing relief in property taxes of affected properties, giving homeowners some breathing room to begin needed repairs. Senate Bill 948 extends the expiration date of the statute.
Currently set to expire July 1, 2017, SB 948 extends the provisions until 2025, adding eight more years to ensure that property owners statewide have the financial security to replace or repair drywalls in affected properties.
Senate Bill 950 is being introduced in the House by Representative Slosberg as House Bill 717.
“From 1999-2009 3,630,000 sheets of tainted corrosive drywall were delivered to Florida alone,” said Slosberg. “Since the market value of the property affected is substantially lowered, homeowners are being indirectly punished as they lose thousands of dollars. It is imperative that the State extend the time period and continue to offer relief to those affected.”