Florida Legislative Update for the Week Ending March 14, 2025
1. The Special Insurance Report from 2022 – Hidden in Plain Sight
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The Special Insurance Report from 2022 – Hidden in Plain Sight
Earlier this year, a bombshell 2022 report from Florida's insurance regulators was revealed by the Miami Herald. The report, suppressed for over a year, exposes the depth of the state's ongoing insurance crisis, showing how insurance companies funneled money into affiliate companies while lobbying for and receiving tort reform and other legislative breaks. Meanwhile, they continued charging Floridians skyrocketing premiums and offering reduced coverage.
The report explains why the crisis has worsened, leaving Floridians paying the price for corporate greed. Across District 16 and the state, families face higher insurance costs and fewer choices, with the delay in releasing this vital information prolonging the crisis.
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What’s at Stake:
This hidden report reveals how the state has failed to address the growing insurance crisis, which directly impacts residents in places like District 16. Many are facing exorbitant property insurance rates, with some unable to afford coverage at all. The lack of transparency has only worsened these problems.
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Legislative History:
The subcommittee hearing on March 14, 2025, examined why this crucial information was buried. Despite the clear urgency, regulators struggled to explain the delay. You can watch the full subcommittee hearing here: 3/14/25 House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee
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Why It’s Important:
The decision to suppress this report raises questions about the priorities of those regulating Florida’s insurance market. Floridians must hold their representatives accountable for failing to provide the transparency and action needed to address this crisis.
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Take Action:
This issue needs to be brought to light, and your voice can help make that happen. Contact your state legislators and demand swift action to fix Florida’s insurance system. Share your experiences with rising insurance costs and urge the state to release the full findings of the 2022 report.
2. HB 1205/SB 7016 – Restricting Florida’s Initiative Process
- Overview: HB 1205, sponsored by Rep. Persons-Mulicka, and SB 7016 pose a direct attack on the initiative petition process in Florida, a tool used by citizens to propose amendments to the state constitution. The bill mandates that the Secretary of State receive both a financial impact statement and the full text of the proposed revision before the initiative is sent to the Attorney General. One of the most concerning aspects of this bill is the reduced time for petition gathering—cut from 30 days to just 10, making it far more difficult for citizens to meet the requirements. Additionally, the bill introduces a $1 million bond requirement for sponsors of amendments, potentially preventing grassroots organizations from effectively challenging state laws. It would require all ballot collectors to attend online training and limit their ability to submit petitions beyond their own and one family member. It would also provide for felony charges for anyone who didn't follow these strict guidelines.
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Amendment to Protect Public Funds: A positive amendment added to the bill would prevent state funds from being used to spread propaganda against ballot initiatives, as we saw in previous campaigns where state resources were misused to try to prevent an abortion amendment from passing. Read more here.
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Why It Matters: If HB 1205 becomes law, it would drastically reduce the power of Florida voters to propose changes to the state constitution. This would disproportionately affect grassroots organizations and everyday citizens, while empowering corporate interests and politicians to block constitutional amendments.
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Legislative History: The bill was heard in the [committee name] on Monday, March 11, 2025, where I spoke out against it. Despite significant public opposition (with many Floridians expressing concern over limiting petition rights), the bill passed out of committee with a vote of 6 yeas and 3 nays. The push for this bill is a blatant attempt to limit democratic participation in Florida, and we must stand against it.
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Take Action: Floridians should not let the government restrict their ability to influence change. Contact your representative today to demand they oppose HB 1205. You can watch the committee hearing: 3/10/25 Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections and see my statement here: Rachel Speaks Out
3. HB 565/SB 1822 – Regulation of Auxiliary Containers
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Overview: HB 565, introduced by Rep. Blanco, seeks to preempt local regulations of auxiliary containers, such as plastic bags and foam containers, by the state. It defines "auxiliary containers" and prohibits local governments from enacting their own regulations to curb plastic waste. The bill places this regulation under the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which would review and update the state's report on plastic waste.
This bill is a prime example of how state power is used to override local efforts to address issues that affect communities directly, especially those that are more proactive in dealing with environmental waste. Despite overwhelming opposition from the public, which includes surveys showing that two-thirds of Floridians oppose it, the bill continues to move forward. Read more here: Florida Phoenix Article -
What’s at Stake: This bill could restrict local governments’ ability to pass laws that tackle pollution, especially plastic waste, in their own communities. Rep. Blanco’s comments during the committee hearing minimized the impact of plastic pollution, claiming that people don’t intend to litter and that everyone is trying to reduce plastic use. However, this simplistic and unsupported claim ignores decades of research on environmental waste.
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Legislative History: During the House Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee meeting on March 11, 2025, the bill passed out of committee despite vocal opposition. Rep. Want pointed out that hundreds of Florida residents had written in to voice their objections, yet the committee still voted in favor. You can watch the full hearing here: 3/11/25 House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
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Why It’s an Outrage: This bill undermines local control (known as home rule), stripping cities and counties of their ability to address plastic pollution in ways that best serve their communities. It’s a classic example of corporate influence at the state level overriding the will of the people. Floridians need to demand that their local representatives stand up for their right to decide how best to manage waste in their areas. It is also necessary to carefully asses the affects of plastic single use containers on the environment and individual communities, especially beach communities.
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Take Action: Tell your representative to vote NO on HB 565! Contact them and urge them to protect Florida’s communities from unnecessary state interference.
4. Governor Pushing Proposed Rollbacks to Gun Legislation – A Step Backwards from Stoneman Douglas. Senate President Ben Albritton not on board.
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Overview: In response to growing concerns about public safety and gun violence, lawmakers in Tallahassee are currently discussing bills that would roll back firearm regulations put in place after the tragic Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018. These regulations, which were designed to improve school safety and address the rising tide of gun violence, included measures such as raising the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21, expanding background checks, and banning bump stocks.
Now, there are proposals to reverse these protections, allowing more lenient access to firearms and weakening the safeguards put in place to prevent mass shootings. Senate President Ben Albritton does not seem keen to roll back these important safeguards. -
What’s at Stake: These proposed rollbacks could put Florida students, educators, and communities at greater risk. The laws enacted following the Stoneman Douglas tragedy were important steps forward in gun safety. Undoing them would not only be a setback for the victims of the shooting but would also send a dangerous message that lawmakers are willing to prioritize gun access over the safety of their constituents.
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Legislative History: Although these bills are still in their early stages, the discussion has already sparked significant debate in Tallahassee. Proponents argue that the restrictions are too stringent and infringe on Second Amendment rights. However, opponents, including survivors of gun violence and concerned citizens, believe that rolling back these laws would further jeopardize public safety.
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Why It’s Important: Reversing these critical protections would make it easier for people to access weapons and increase the risk of future tragedies. It would also send the wrong message to the families who have fought tirelessly to improve gun laws in the wake of Stoneman Douglas.
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Take Action: Now is the time to speak out. Floridians need to demand that lawmakers do not roll back the critical gun safety measures put in place after Stoneman Douglas. Contact your representatives to let them know that you stand with the families and survivors who are fighting for safer communities. Don’t let this rollback happen.