March 26, 2009

The Florida House of Representatives successfully advanced legislation today (HB 903) that will restore balance and predictability in attorney's fees in workers' compensation. The sponsor, Rep. Anitere Flores (R-Miami), explained the bill and answered questions today when the bill was on the House's Special Order calendar.

AIF and Florida's business community strongly supports this legislation and urges its passage this session to correct an ambiguity that the Florida Supreme Court identified in the law in its October ruling of the Murray case.

Rep. JC Planas (R-Miami) filed an unfriendly amendment that could have likely raised rates for workers' compensation coverage and included other issues not addressed by the Murray case. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 45-69.

The bill will be heard next by the full House when it is presented for final passage. The House meets in session again next week and AIF encourages the House to pass the bill at that time.