Special Session Ends Quickly, No Insurance Issues Involved
The Florida legislature left Tallahassee nearly as quickly as they arrived last week. Governor Crist called the special session for the purpose of potentially adopting a constitutional amendment prohibiting oil drilling. The amendment could have been placed on Florida’s ballot this fall. However, opponents of adopting such an amendment point out that drilling is already prohibited by Florida law, and the state does not need a constitutional amendment prohibiting something that is already illegal.
The politics of oil drilling and constitutional amendments aside, the legislature’s prompt departure meant that no other issues were added to the scope of the special session. The legislature therefore did not consider any issues of direct significance to the insurance industry.
Legislative leaders have suggested that they may return to Tallahassee for another special session later this summer. Although any additional special session would take place after the deadline for pursuing a constitutional amendment on drilling, some legislative leaders have suggested that the state should consider economic incentives or other measures aimed at providing relief to affected areas. With the possibility of the legislature returning to Tallahassee still in play, insurers will need to continue to monitor the possibility that insurance issues could be added to a special session.