Fla. Legislative Session on Insurance Now Seen Likely in January

Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt informed Senate staff last Wednesday that lawmakers may have a special session in January aimed at easing the state’s property insurance crisis.

Gov. Jeb Bush had been hoping for months that lawmakers might be able to return to Tallahassee before the end of the year to deal with the problem. Floridians consistently say it is one of their biggest concerns, with premiums increasing dramatically and some insurance companies dropping policies in the wake of two hurricane-heavy years.

But legislative leaders have said in recent days that it was unlikely that lawmakers could reach a consensus on what type of legislation to take up, making it more likely that any special session would wait until January.

By that time, Charlie Crist will be governor, which is also a consideration.

In his memo to Senate staff last week, Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, said that Senate committee meetings that had been scheduled for early December were being canceled, and noted the likelihood of a January special session.

“We will keep you posted on developments,” Pruitt wrote.

A special task force appointed by Bush recently sent several hurricane property insurance recommendations to the Legislature. Among their recommendations were making it easier for insurance companies to get reinsurance from a state fund, and allowing consumers to get a variety of policy types to try to lower their rates, such as those with higher deductibles or those that don’t cover as much.

Crist could call the Legislature into session in January, or Pruitt and House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-Coral Gables, could lead a move to have lawmakers vote to call themselves into session.

The regular legislative session is scheduled to start in early March, but legislators typically meet in committees all winter.