Senate Democrats Call for Special Session Over Property Insurance Laws

While a special session is being called in order to address congressional redistricting maps in the state of Florida, we may see a second special session this year in the coming weeks.

Florida Senate Democrats are calling for a special session over property insurance laws.

In a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Democrats described the current status of property insurance laws as, "a time sensitive issue that deeply impacts residents from every part of Florida."  The letter also warns that, "Failure to act will only create devastating long-term effects and overwhelming harm."

The letter also cites Article III, Section 3(c)(2) of the Florida Constitution and Section 11.011(2) of the Florida Statutes to request a special session, in the name of revising Florida's property insurance laws.

Author of the letter, Senate Minority Leader Lauren Book (D-32) writes,"Florida is nearing a tipping point, and our neighborhoods are in danger of losing their viability.  Some Insurance companies have been unable to reissue policies, are ceasing operations or are pricing renewals at unaffordable rates leaving thousands of Floridians with the unsettling surprise that they've lost coverage, and must scramble to protect their most valuable asset.  All of these issues are clearly creating an affordability crisis for our constituents."

Several key Senate Democrats, Sens. Lori Berman, Victor Torres, Jason Pizzo, Shevrin Jones, Annette Taddeo, and Gary Farmer, all signed Book's letter.

Republican Senator Jeff Brandes has also called for a special session to address property insurance and has announced that he has acquired enough support from fellow legislators to call for another special session.

"As of 1pm, within one business day of the sending out our letter, we have received more than enough responses from legislators calling for a special session on property insurance. We will be submitting our final count to the FL DOS at 5pm today," tweeted Sen. Brandes

It appears that the governor would not be opposed to the effort brought on by the Democrats, as DeSantis previously indicated he supports this special session.  However, he also indicated that lawmakers need to come to a conclusion and compromise on what reforms need to be made in the first place.