SB 110 - Rural Communities

On Thursday, March 13, SB 110 by Senator Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) was heard by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee and was reported favorably with 19 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
 
SB 110 is a piece of Senate President Ben Albritton’s (R-Wauchula) “Rural Renaissance” plan to strengthen Florida’s rural communities by investing and restructuring Florida’s approach to rural community management. This bill creates grant programs designed to promote new economic opportunities and growth by providing broadband infrastructure to underserved populations. The bill also develops roadmaps to expand healthcare access and modernization tools for rural counties in need of economic stimulation.
 
SB 110 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislative efforts to boost economic vitality in Florida’s rural communities. These efforts will create jobs and allow businesses more opportunities for investment in the Sunshine State.

HB 1551 – Attorney Fee Awards in Insurance Activities
 
On Thursday, March 13, HB 1551 by Representative Hillary Cassel (R-Dania Beach) was heard by the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee and was reported favorably with 16 yeas and 1 nay. Representative Susan Plasencia (R-Orlando) voted against the bill. AIF spoke in opposition to this legislation.
 
HB 1551 reinstates awards of attorney fees in many insurance actions, including property and auto. As the bill is written, trial attorneys will have no risk in bringing claims against insurers because they will either get all their fees for winning even the smallest portion of the insurer’s offer or voluntarily dismiss the case before an adverse judgment to avoid paying the insurer’s fees. In the worst case, unscrupulous trial attorneys could make unreasonable offers, lose, and leave their clients to pay the insurer’s fees. Thus, this legislation unwinds a critical piece of the monumental 2022 & 2023 tort reform efforts. 
 
HB 1551 will now go to the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee for consideration.

AIF opposes any regulation that aims to reverse previous legislative fixes addressing frivolous insurance litigation, which drives up costs. Florida should look for ways to entice insurers to form or expand in this state, not turn companies away with inconsistent law changes that would negatively affect them.