AIF Top Priority Issues
AIF TOP PRIORITY ISSUE
HB 6017 – Actions for Recovery of Damages for Wrongful Death
On Thursday, May 1, HB 6017 by Representative Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce) was read for a third time on the Senate Floor and was reported favorably with 33 yeas and 4 nays.
This bill repeals sections of the existing wrongful death law pertaining to adult children and parents of adult children recovery of damages stemming from claims of medical malpractice. The bill would allow for claims to be filed for non-economic damages, more commonly known as “pain and suffering,” to be filed for larger sums.
On Wednesday, May 1, Senator Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) proposed an amendment that would institute caps on the total amount of non-economic damages recoverable. This provision was a compromise that would have allowed non-economic damages to be pursued in civil actions but would have moderated the overall risk of frivolous civil litigation against healthcare providers. This amendment was reported unfavorably with 18 yeas and 19 nays.
HB 6017 will now go to the Governor for approval.
AIF opposes any bill that expands litigation to noneconomic damages for medical malpractice, which would destabilize insurance markets and raise costs of malpractice premiums throughout the state.
General Government
SB 1080 – Local Government Land Regulation
On Thursday, May 1, SB 1080 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was received in messages from the House, as amended, on the Senate Floor and was reported favorably with 29 yeas and 8 yeas.
This bill works to clear up regulatory patchwork at the local level by revising existing permitting processes that are often backlogged and provide an open door for selective scrutiny towards applicants for certain projects within municipal boundaries. The bill advances the timelines and reporting requirements for such applications.
SB 1080 will now go to the Governor for approval.
AIF supports legislation that streamlines local bureaucratic efficiency and provides a more expedient and transparent permitting application process for Florida businesses.
HB 1609 – Waste Management
On Thursday, May 1, HB 1609, as amended, by Representative Megan Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens) was received by the House in Senate messages on the House Floor. The bill was amended, read for a third time and passed with 111 yeas and 1 nay.
The amendment adopted by the House removes the preemption on local governments who currently have the ability to regulate auxiliary containers. This language would add definitions that clarify auxiliary containers as “reusable or single-use bag, cup, bottle, can, or other packaging that is made of cloth, paper, plastic, and other frequently recycled materials. The definitions also include materials used for food consumption or delivery by a restaurant or retailer.
HB 1609 will now go back to the Florida Senate for further consideration.
AIF opposes removing the much-needed language pertaining to the regulation auxiliary containers, which would help support Florida's businesses from the bill.
