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Florida Senate

Legislative Session Draws Near

Legislative Session Draws Near

The 2019 Florida legislative session in only about a week away.  This year’s session will be different in some respects than recent sessions, if only due to significant changes in executive branch and legislative officers.  The Governor’s office often sets the tone for legislative sessions through developing proposed budgets and advancing public policy issues.  The […]

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House and Senate Remain Apart on AOB Reform

House and Senate Remain Apart on AOB Reform

Just two weeks into the 2018 legislative session, the Florida House of Representatives and Senate continue to take distinct approaches to the “assignment of benefits” concerns affecting Floridians through increased insurance premiums.  The House passed a bill containing reforms directed at the root of the problem–  the one-way attorneys’ fee statute against insurers, which has […]

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PIP Repeal Effort Will be Among 2018 Highlights

PIP Repeal Effort Will be Among 2018 Highlights

For the auto insurance industry, the potential repeal of Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP), or no-fault, system has become an annual debate.  The 2018 legislative session will be no different as both legislative chambers are set to take up the issue. The Florida House of Representatives has advanced a version of PIP repeal that does […]

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Salary Credit Against Premium Tax Remains Intact

Salary Credit Against Premium Tax Remains Intact

The 2017 legislative session might be best remembered for key initiatives that did not pass–  the legislature did not address the “assignment of benefits” issue and the increases to workers’ compensation insurance rates following recent Florida Supreme Court opinions.  The legislature also did not act with respect to Florida’s premium tax credit for salaries paid to […]

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Special Session Set for June 1

Special Session Set for June 1

House Speaker Steve Crisafulli and Sentate President Andy Gardiner formally called the legislature into a special session to begin June 1.  The special session might last until June 20, or such earlier time as the legislature may accomplish their constitutionally required objective of passing a budget. The special session became necessary when lawmakers could not […]

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Session Winds Down, But Political Season Will Continue

Session Winds Down, But Political Season Will Continue

The 2014 legislative session is drawing to a close, but in some respects this only means the political process will shift forums.  Florida’s 60-day legislative session has only a week remaining.  The last week is always the most active, with bills that have not yet passed being in a do-or-die situation for this year.  Among […]

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Senate President Discusses Return of Salary Tax Credit Repeal Effort

Senate President Discusses Return of Salary Tax Credit Repeal Effort

Senate President Don Gaetz recently discussed the possibility that the legislature could renew efforts in 2014 to repeal the salary tax credit available to insurers for employees hired within Florida.  The Senate tried to repeal the salary tax credit this year and use the increased revenues to reduce motor vehicle registration fees by $12 per registration.  Gaetz […]

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FHCF Right-Sizing Becomes Bite-Sized

FHCF Right-Sizing Becomes Bite-Sized

Discussions about the proper size of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund have been intense throughout the 2013 legislative session.  The FHCF proposed last year that it should be reduced in size to better ensure it can meet its reimbursement obligations to insurers.  However, last year’s proposal called for changes that were too significant and would […]

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