Florida Realtors® Legislative

Bill repealing disclosure clears the House

sarahm — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:38:29 +0000

HB 545 by Rep Pat Patterson, pictured, moments ago passed the House floor by a 113-0 vote. The Senate companion is currently awaiting its first hearing in Banking and Insurance.

Controversial insurance bill clears first Senate committee

Lisa Walker — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:14:09 +0000

MARCH 10 • 10:06 am — Insurance companies would be allowed to hold back half of a claim payment under a measure, SB 2044, that passed the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Wednesday after heated debate over how quickly an insurer must pay. A series of amendments failed to maintain the status quo by requiring insurers to pay 100 percent of replacement costs up front.

The measure would reduce that payment to 50 percent, with the remainder coming after homeowners provided proof they were using the money for its intended purpose. Finally, SB 2044 makes a number of other changes requested by the industry to help reduce costs.

Condo bill goes down in flames

Trey Goldman — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:09:31 +0000

MARCH 9 • HB 329, a condo bill that was heard and TP’d twice in the House Civil Justice and Courts Committee, was considered a third time this morning. The result was even worse for the bill’s sponsor, Representative Julio Robaina. The sticking point? Provisions allowing a condominium association to force tenants to pay rent to the association when the owner is in arrears regarding assessments. While a committee member offered to again Temporarily Pass the bill, Representative Robaina requested an up or down vote. Please note: other condo bills remain alive and include provisions supported Florida Realtors, including repeal of the unit owner hazard insurance requirements, and the bulk-buyer protections.

And if you’ll recall, this is the same committee that last week killed HB 125 – a bill requiring owners to provide a written disclosure to give to tenants when the property is being sold for less than the amount still owed to the lender.

Bronson: Florida Forever?

Lisa Walker — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:47:55 +0000

MARCH 9 • 2:47 pm — Florida’s governor and Cabinet unanimously approved the state’s environmental land buying priority list, but Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson said the state cannot continue to support the aggressive land buying program as it now exists. Arguing that the state can’t manage the land it already owns, Bronson said a continued push to take more acreage off the tax rolls will also hurt local governments that are already strapped for cash.

“We just can’t sustain this,” Bronson told fellow Cabinet members after approving the Florida Forever priority list for the next five years. Bronson has long been an advocate of agreements that allow the state to gain protected status for parcels while allowing the landowner to use the property. Crist has proposed spending $50 million on Florida Forever for the coming fiscal year. Lawmakers have yet to craft their own spending plans.

HB 545 re: windstorm rating repeal ready for final House floor consideration

John Sebree — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:49:58 +0000

Just moments ago the Florida House considered HB 545 which repeals a windstorm rating disclosure for residential properties located in the windborne debris region. The bill rolls to third reading. We could see final House passage as early as tomorrow afternoon.

Dollar daze

Lisa Walker — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:54:20 +0000

MARCH 9 • 8:54 am — How much will be available in the state’s general revenue fund will be the topic for the revenue estimators today. Expect a number late in the day that will help lawmakers know where they start as they begin to build the budget for the coming year. That work’s already started of course, and top lawmakers have said they don’t expect much difference in the latest forecast from the last. Legislators enter the budget writing process with a $3 billion deficit.

The Week That Was – in TLH

Trey Goldman — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:34:25 +0000

Week 1 is in the books and what a week it was. Quite unlike previous first weeks. Monday started quietly, but by sundown, we (read: you) had killed a Landlord/Tenant disclosure in committee. Tuesday was filled with the excitement and pageantry of the first day of Session. On Wednesday, six bills important to Florida Realtors were heard in three different committees – all at the same time! Thursday saw a committee chairman end a meeting 30 minutes early — with unheard bills still on the agenda, including the Florida Realtors supported Amendment 3 rewrite. And today, we catch our breath and start thinking about Week 2.

Special thanks to appraisers Joni Herndon and Clay Ketchum, who provided testimony regarding legislation to register Appraisal Management Companies operating in Florida, and President Wendell, who attended the opening session as a guest of the Senate President and helped us spread the Florida Realtor gospel. Also seen at the Capitol were RAPB President Eric Sain and RAPB Government Affairs Director Dionna Brahs-Hall, who were both here for Palm Beach County Day.

Have a great weekend, Florida Realtors.

Senate passes CAT fund, reverse mortgage bills

Lisa Walker — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:43:16 +0000

As expected, the Senate today approved a measure that restores the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund contract period to 12 months. Recently, the contract period was shortened to seven months — the length of the official hurricane season. Insurers said the shorter contract period affected their solvency. With no debate, the Senate passed SB 1460 unanimously.

The Senate also approved SB 1532 by Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey), a bill aimed at preventing unscrupulous mortgage brokers from preying on seniors. The measure calls for tougher disclosure requirements and requires mortgage companies to counsel seniors before loans can be made. The legislation would also cap fees at 2 percent of the value of the loan. The bill passed 40-0 and now goes to the House.

AMC Bill Begins Journey

Trey Goldman — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:03:21 +0000

MARCH 3 • Florida Realtors-supported legislation requiring appraisal management companies operating in Florida to register with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation cleared its first hurdle Wednesday afternoon when the House Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee gave its approval to HB 303, by Rep. (and Realtor) Matt Hudson (R-Naples). The bill is needed to identify the currently unregulated AMCs operating in Florida and prevent them from inappropriately influencing the independent judgment of an appraiser.

House Bill 545 Ready for House Floor

John Rothell — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:58:16 +0000

House Bill (HB) 545 regarding residential property sales passed its final committee today and is ready for consideration on the floor of the House of Representatives. HB 545 repeals a windstorm rating disclosure for residential properties being sold in Florida’s windborne debris region.