News & Updates

Administrative Law

Office of Insurance Regulation Extends Emergency Order Period

Office of Insurance Regulation Extends Emergency Order Period

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has amended its Hurricane Helene emergency order and adopted a new emergency order in response to Hurricane Milton. The orders extend applicable grace periods until December 10, 2024. Hurricane Helene OIR adopted Emergency Order 400385-24 after Hurricane Helene. The order tolled the time period for policyholders in affected counties […]

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DFS Issues Hurricane Debby Emergency Order

DFS Issues Hurricane Debby Emergency Order

The Florida Department of Services has issued Emergency Order 2024-01 resulting from Hurricane Debby’s landfall. With respect to public adjuster contracts, the Emergency Order provides that notwithstanding Section 626.854(7), a public adjuster contract based on a Hurricane Debby loss may be cancelled without penalty or obligation within 30 days of after the date of loss […]

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CFO Patronis Highlights Concerns with Directions to Pay

CFO Patronis Highlights Concerns with Directions to Pay

Following Hurricane Debby, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis warned consumers about contractors using agreements designed to circumvent Florida’s prohibition against assignment of benefits (AOBs). In recent years, contractors’ widespread use of AOBs contributed to elevated losses, loss adjustment expenses and litigation in the Florida property insurance market. The Florida legislature included a prohibition […]

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OIR Initiates Premium Tax Discount Rulemaking

OIR Initiates Premium Tax Discount Rulemaking

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has published draft rule 69O-170.013 implementing the premium tax discount requirement adopted in the 2024 legislative session. The draft rule is substantially similar to emergency rule 69OER24-1 previously adopted by OIR. The Florida legislature granted emergency rulemaking authority to both OIR and the Department of Revenue to administer […]

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Governor DeSantis Applauds Chevron Overruling

Governor DeSantis Applauds Chevron Overruling

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis applauded the United States Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, which overturned four decades of precedent known as the Chevron doctrine. As summarized in this firm’s July 1 post, the Chevron doctrine essentially meant that unless a congressional act was clear, courts were required to defer to […]

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U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Doctrine

U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Chevron Doctrine

On June 28, the United States Supreme Court overturned the longstanding Chevron doctrine, creating a new era in federal administrative law. The Supreme Court in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo determined that the federal Administrative Procedure Act requires courts to exercise independent judgment in reviewing whether an agency acted within its statutory authority in its […]

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Timeline for Bid Protests in Florida

Timeline for Bid Protests in Florida

You bid on a competitive procurement issued by an agency of the State of Florida, and the agency has issued a Notice of Intent to Award the contract to another vendor.  All is not lost.  Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, provides a process for unsuccessful vendors to protest the agency’s intended award. Notice of Intent To […]

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Competitive Procurement Processes in the State of Florida

Competitive Procurement Processes in the State of Florida

In Florida, the Legislature has established a system of procedures to be utilized by state agencies in managing and procuring commodities and contractual services.  § 287.001, Fla. Stat. (2021).  Generally, the procurement of commodities or contractual services over $35,000.00 requires a state agency to use a statutorily created competitive solicitation process. § 287.057(1), Fla. Stat. […]

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Solutions for Overcoming the Difficulties of Complying with Rule 65D-30, Florida Administrative Code

Solutions for Overcoming the Difficulties of Complying with Rule 65D-30, Florida Administrative Code

In 2019, the Florida Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) significantly rewrote Rule 65D-30, Florida Administrative Code, related to substance abuse providers’ licensure and regulation (“Rule 65D-30”).  Since that time, many providers have found full compliance with the revised rule difficult, if not impossible.  Fortunately, if you find yourself unable to comply with the requirements […]

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