Bill to Allow Private Market Solutions for Affordable Flood Insurance Passes Senate
Committee
SB 542 by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg), passed its first major hurdle
with unanimous support in the Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance. The
bill lays the framework for a private marketplace in Florida for flood
insurance. I am proud to be a co-sponsor on this
legislation.
I applaud Senator Brandes for working toward a positive solution to the
staggering increases in flood insurance prices that many Floridians are
facing. By allowing for private market flood insurance solutions, Senator
Brandes' bill will provide more options for policyholders that fit their
individual needs. The laudable goal of SB 542 is to help keep hardworking
Floridians in their homes.
SB 542 creates a wide range of flexible options for policyholders to choose so
they can reach an affordable level of coverage for their property. The hallmark
of the proposal will allow policyholders the option of covering either the
outstanding balance of their mortgage, the replacement cost of their property,
or the actual cash value of their property. The legislation is the product of
extensive work between consumer groups, insurers, the banking industry, and
real estate professionals and ensures consumers are protected in the new flood
insurance marketplace.
Legislation to Protect Florida's Children from E-Cigarettes Passes Criminal Justice
Committee
Wednesday the Senate Criminal Justice Committee unanimously passed SB 224, a bill I have
introduced this year to help protect Florida's children. If passed, Senate Bill 224 will ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors in the State of Florida.
Electronic cigarettes and similar devices have the potential to encourage life-long addictive and unhealthy habits in children. Unfortunately, we are seeing
increased use of these products by children in middle and high school. By
regulating their sale to minors, Florida can stay ahead of the growing market
and keep these products out of the hands of our
children.
Currently, there are no age restrictions on alternative nicotine products in Florida despite studies that show use is increasing. SB 224 will now move the Committee on Criminal Justice Appropriation. Allowing a child to become dependent upon nicotine is not something Florida should be interested in
supporting, and SB 224 is a step in the right direction.
SB 156: Reducing Taxes and Fees
Providing meaningful tax relief for Florida's families is at the top of the Senate's list of priorities for this Legislative Session, and on Thursday, the Senate Subcommittee on Transpiration, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations, demonstrated our resolve. In a unanimous vote, the Committee passed Senate Bill 156, sponsored by Joe Negron (R-Stuart), which reduces certain annual fees paid to register automobiles and light trucks. In 2009, certain vehicle fees were raised in lieu of raising taxes or making cuts to critical services to compensate for a drastic decline in revenue collections due to the Great
Recession.
Senator Negron's proposal will roll back portions of this 2009 increase, keeping more
money in the pockets of every hardworking Floridian who drives a
car. I have joined Senator Negron's efforts as a co-sponsor on this
important fee reduction.
Committee
SB 542 by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg), passed its first major hurdle
with unanimous support in the Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance. The
bill lays the framework for a private marketplace in Florida for flood
insurance. I am proud to be a co-sponsor on this
legislation.
I applaud Senator Brandes for working toward a positive solution to the
staggering increases in flood insurance prices that many Floridians are
facing. By allowing for private market flood insurance solutions, Senator
Brandes' bill will provide more options for policyholders that fit their
individual needs. The laudable goal of SB 542 is to help keep hardworking
Floridians in their homes.
SB 542 creates a wide range of flexible options for policyholders to choose so
they can reach an affordable level of coverage for their property. The hallmark
of the proposal will allow policyholders the option of covering either the
outstanding balance of their mortgage, the replacement cost of their property,
or the actual cash value of their property. The legislation is the product of
extensive work between consumer groups, insurers, the banking industry, and
real estate professionals and ensures consumers are protected in the new flood
insurance marketplace.
Legislation to Protect Florida's Children from E-Cigarettes Passes Criminal Justice
Committee
Wednesday the Senate Criminal Justice Committee unanimously passed SB 224, a bill I have
introduced this year to help protect Florida's children. If passed, Senate Bill 224 will ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors in the State of Florida.
Electronic cigarettes and similar devices have the potential to encourage life-long addictive and unhealthy habits in children. Unfortunately, we are seeing
increased use of these products by children in middle and high school. By
regulating their sale to minors, Florida can stay ahead of the growing market
and keep these products out of the hands of our
children.
Currently, there are no age restrictions on alternative nicotine products in Florida despite studies that show use is increasing. SB 224 will now move the Committee on Criminal Justice Appropriation. Allowing a child to become dependent upon nicotine is not something Florida should be interested in
supporting, and SB 224 is a step in the right direction.
SB 156: Reducing Taxes and Fees
Providing meaningful tax relief for Florida's families is at the top of the Senate's list of priorities for this Legislative Session, and on Thursday, the Senate Subcommittee on Transpiration, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations, demonstrated our resolve. In a unanimous vote, the Committee passed Senate Bill 156, sponsored by Joe Negron (R-Stuart), which reduces certain annual fees paid to register automobiles and light trucks. In 2009, certain vehicle fees were raised in lieu of raising taxes or making cuts to critical services to compensate for a drastic decline in revenue collections due to the Great
Recession.
Senator Negron's proposal will roll back portions of this 2009 increase, keeping more
money in the pockets of every hardworking Floridian who drives a
car. I have joined Senator Negron's efforts as a co-sponsor on this
important fee reduction.