HB 1553 - Evidence of Damages to Prove or Rebut Medical Expenses in Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Actions 
On Thursday, January 29, HB 1553 by Representative Robert Brackett (R-Vero Beach) was heard in the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee and was reported favorably.Representative Kimberly Berfield (R-Clearwater), Representative Dean Black (R-Jacksonville), Danny Nix (R-Port Charlotte) and Michele Rayner (D-St. Petersburg) voted NO on the bill.  AIF spoke in opposition to the bill.

This bill is a rollback of many provisions in the 2022-23 tort reforms that the legislature passed, which have stabilized insurance rates and reduced costs for consumers. The bill changes the structure of section 768.0427 from a statute that courts are interpreting as requiring proof of medical expenses through insurance and Medicare-based evidence, into one that merely allows such evidence to be introduced by either party. Most significantly, the bill adds language stating that the statute “does not impose an affirmative duty upon any party to offer any specific evidence.” This directly undermines the way courts are currently applying the law and reopens the door for plaintiffs to present inflated billed.

HB 1553 will now go to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

AIF opposes legislation that repeals transparency in damages in civil actions and any other legislation that undoes previous reforms that have been working. Such reforms would open the floodgates for frivolous litigation and nuclear verdicts leading to higher prices of insurance for businesses operating in Florida.

HB 1423 - Presumption Against Liability for Owners and Principal Operators of Multifamily Residential Properties
On Thursday, January 29, HB 1423 by Representative Michelle Salzman (R- Cantonment) was heard in the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee and was reported favorably. Representative Kimberly Berfield (R-Clearwater), Representative Dean Black (R-Jacksonville), and Danny Nix (R-Port Charlotte) voted NO on the bill. AIF spoke in opposition to the bill.

HB 1423 revises Florida’s liability framework for apartment and multifamily property owners by narrowing existing legal protections. Current law grants owners and operators a presumption against liability when they implement specified safety and security measures. This bill eliminates that presumption of properties with a documented recent history of serious criminal activity, thereby exposing compliant property owners to increased litigation risk despite adherence to statutory security standards.

HB 1423 will now go to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

AIF opposes exposing compliant companies to litigation, especially when the criminal acts are carried out by third party individuals who happen to reside in a multifamily housing complex. More lawsuits against property owners will destabilize insurance rates and raise costs for residents across the state, many who are in affordable housing dwellings.

HB 747 - Pub. Rec./Sealing of Criminal History Records
On Thursday, January 29, HB 747 by Representative Traci Koster (R-Safety Harbor) was heard by the House Government Operations Subcommittee and reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

HB 747 updates Florida’s public records law to expand confidentiality protections for sealed criminal history records, specifically covering people adjudicated guilty of certain nonviolent misdemeanor offenses. The bill ensures these sealed records are no longer accessible to the public, limiting access only to the individual, and specific authorized agencies for defined purposes like licensing and background checks.

HB 747 will now go to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislative efforts to increase a non-serious offender's access to record sealing abilities. Florida, like many other states, continues to face issues with labor shortages. These initiatives will help more people enter the workforce and alleviate ongoing labor issues for businesses throughout the state.

HB 483 - Manufacturing
On Thursday, January 29, HB 483 by Representative Nan Cobb (R-Eustis) was heard by the House Housing, Agriculture, & Tourism Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation. 

This bill restructures Florida’s approach to encouraging manufacturing investments. At the Department of Commerce, the bill creates the role of “Chief Manufacturing Officer” to provide additional resources for manufacturers across the state. Additionally, the bill provides for a Florida Manufacturers’ Workforce Development Program designed to encourage small manufacturers with new technologies, cybersecurity protocols, and workforce training. The bill also creates a promotional campaign that promotes state-manufactured products to consumers.

HB 483 will now go to the House Careers & Workforce Subcommittee for consideration. 

AIF supports initiatives that drive new manufacturing investment to the state and the promotion of “Made in Florida” products.