HB 427 - Public Adjuster Contracts

On Wednesday, January 21, HB 427 by Representative Lauren Melo (R–Naples) was heard in the House Banking & Insurance Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

HB 427 strengthens consumer protections around public adjuster contracts by expanding cancellation and rescission rights for vulnerable adults. The bill allows vulnerable adults or their legal representatives to cancel a public adjuster contract at any time without penalty. The bill also extends the cancellation period for insureds or claimants following a declared state of emergency and require clear contract language on these rights while clarifying disciplinary grounds for public adjusters who exploit vulnerable adults or violate other standards of practice.

HB 427 will now go to the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee for consideration.

AIF supports strengthening consumer protections, increasing accountability in the public adjuster industry, and reducing fraud-driven costs in the insurance marketplace to drive costs down.

SB 810 and HB 745 – Sealing of Criminal History Records

On Tuesday, January 20, SB 810 by Senator Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) was heard by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

On Tuesday, January 20, HB 745 by Representative Traci Koster (R-Safety Harbor) was heard by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

These bills expand Florida’s access to court-ordered sealing for individuals with a criminal record. SB 810 and HB 745 would rework the existing laws for record sealing in a way that permits those with non-serious offenses greater opportunities to have a record officially sealed.

SB 810 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice for consideration. HB 745 will now go to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislative efforts to increase a non-serious offender's access to record sealing abilities. Florida, like many other states, continues to face issues with labor shortages. These initiatives will help more people enter the workforce and alleviate ongoing labor issues for businesses throughout the state.

SB 408 - Advertisement of a Harmful Vaccine

On Tuesday, January 20, SB 408 by Senator Erin Grall (R-Fort Pierce) was heard by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee and was reported favorably with 5 yeas and 3 nays. Senator Boyd, Calatayud and Mayfield voted no. AIF stood in opposition of this legislation.

Senate Bill 408 would create a new personal injury cause of action targeting vaccine manufacturers that advertise in Florida, subjecting them to strict liability regardless of whether a vaccine is defective. Existing federal law already limits manufacturer liability and provides compensation programs for injuries associated with most vaccines. For the limited number of vaccines not covered by these programs, individuals who allege injury currently retain the right to bring a direct lawsuit against the manufacturer in court.

SB 408 will now go to the Senate Health Policy Committee.

AIF opposes any legislation that allows for frivolous lawsuits to be filed against companies, especially when there are already federal laws and regulations in place. Frivolous lawsuits continue to drive up healthcare costs for Floridians. 

HB 635 – Cybersecurity Standards and Liability

On Tuesday, January 20, HB 635 by Representative Mike Giallombardo (R-Cape Coral) was heard by the House Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF spoke in support of this legislation.

This bill tackles civil liability from the cybersecurity perspective. As businesses, large and small, continue to rely on data and software to effectively service their customers, frivolous litigation has been on the rise following cyber-attacks on businesses. The bill sets standards for businesses to follow, so if a breach occurs, they are protected from frivolous litigation. Additionally, the bill creates a structure for companies using consumer data to better protect the data from cyberattacks.

HB 635 will now go to the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that creates a clear and consistent framework for businesses to follow in order to safeguard consumer privacy and to reduce the risk of frivolous litigation. These measures will create a fair playing field and encourage more businesses to invest in Florida.

SB 482 - Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights

On Wednesday, January 21, SB 482 by Senator Tom Leek (R–St. Augustine) was heard by the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee and was reported favorably. AIF spoke for information only.  

SB 482 creates an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” that restricts government contracts with AI providers tied to foreign countries of concern and expands consumer protections around AI use in Florida. The bill requires transparency when individuals interact with AI, limits how AI companies collect, use, and sell personal data, and establishes strong protections for minors using companion chatbots, including parental consent and monitoring requirements. The bill also sets penalties for users who use a persona name, image or likeness illegally.

SB 482 will now go to Senate Appropriations for consideration.

AIF continues to monitor and weigh in on AI legislation, especially the definitions used in statute. AIF does support reasonable guardrails to AI and will continue to work with the sponsor to ensure these regulations work for all of Florida. Artificial Intelligence continues to be a crucial tool for businesses in the state and any regulation around it should continue to promote innovation. 

SB 484 – Data Centers

On Tuesday, January 20, SB 484 by Senator Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah Gardens) was heard by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee and was reported favorably. AIF spoke for information purposes only.

Senate Bill 484 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for large-scale data centers and other large electric load customers in Florida, focusing on transparency, local land-use authority, utility ratepayer protections, and water resource management. Additionally, the bill creates detailed permitting standards for large-scale data centers’ water use, emphasizing conservation, reclaimed water utilization, public hearings, and protection of Florida’s water resources. The bill also prohibits government agencies from entering into nondisclosure agreements that limit public disclosure of data center developments.

SB 484 will now go to the Senate Community Affairs Committee for consideration.

AIF supports most of the language throughout SB 484 as it sets reasonable guardrails and direction for the development of a data center in Florida. AIF does have concerns regarding a portion of the language limiting NDA use. NDA's, or Non-Disclosure Agreements, especially in the pre-development stages of large projects, are extremely important in protecting proprietary information. AIF will continue to work with the sponsor to improve the bill and continue to push pro-business policies for Florida. 

SB 528 – Manufacturing

On Wednesday, January 21, SB 528 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill restructures Florida’s approach to encouraging manufacturing investments. At the Department of Commerce, the bill creates the role of “Chief Manufacturing Officer” to provide additional resources for manufacturers across the state. Additionally, the bill provides for a Florida Manufacturers’ Workforce Development Program designed to encourage small manufacturers with new technologies, cybersecurity protocols, and workforce training. The bill also creates a promotional campaign that promotes state-manufactured products to consumers.

SB 528 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

AIF supports initiatives that drive new manufacturing investment to the state and the promotion of “Made in Florida” products.

SB 548 - Growth Management

On Tuesday, January 20, SB 548 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was heard by the Senate Community Affairs Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

The bill creates clear requirements for local governments who impose impact fee increases under extraordinary circumstances. Specifically, the bill mandates local governments specifically justify each increase through a plan-based method. The bill also creates clear statutes for companies that litigate against local government impact fee increases or those who recover overpaid fees.

SB 548 will now go to the Senate Finance and Tax Committee.

AIF supports legislation that creates clear and reasonable pathways for landowners to develop their land responsibly. Ensuring local governments are using collected impact fees correctly is important in lowering home costs and creating housing throughout the state.

HB 433 – Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

On Wednesday, January 21, HB 433 by Representative Danny Alvarez (R-Fish Hawk) was heard by the House Commerce Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

The bill enhances Florida’s approach on regulating the agriculture industry. The bill creates the Farmers Feeding Florida Program to ensure native, local ingredients are broadly available around the state. The bill also preempts local governments from passing ordinances that prohibit or restrict gas powered equipment used on lawns or agriculture lands.

HB 433 will now go to the House State Affairs Committee for consideration.

AIF supports promoting Florida’s agricultural community and protecting those who choose to work on agriculture lands from unfair local ordinances that can change business practices and make working lands unaffordable.

HB 203 - Phased Out Elimination of Non-school Property Tax for Homesteads

On Thursday, January 22, HB 203 by Representative Monique Miller (R-Palm Bay) was heard by House Ways and Means Committee and was reported favorably with 11 yeas and 5 nays. AIF continues to monitor the property tax discussion.

HB 203 is one of the eight bills introduced in the House of Representatives focusing on eliminating or reducing property taxes for Floridians. HB 203 proposes to amend the Florida Constitution by increasing the second homestead exemption by $100,000 per year for ten years. The bill also exempts the entire assessed value of a homesteaded property starting in 2037.

HB 203 will now go to the House Floor for consideration.

AIF’s main priority is to make sure there is not a shift in the tax burden to businesses who choose to call Florida home. A cost shift from local taxpayers to businesses would be a detrimental change for our business community by making cost of goods more expensive and Florida less enticing for growth in the commercial space.

HB 213 - Modification of Limitations on Property Assessment Increases

On Thursday. January 22, HB 213 by Representative Griff Griffitts Jr. (R-Panama City) was heard by the House State Affairs Committee and was reported favorably with 17 yeas and 7 nays. AIF continues to monitor the property tax discussion.

HB 213 is one of the eight bills introduced in the House of Representatives focusing on eliminating or reducing property taxes for Floridians. The bill limits changes in assessments to once every 3 years for ad valorem taxes levied by local governments. The bill also caps increases to 3% or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower.

HB 213 will now go to the House Ways & Means Committee for consideration.

AIF’s main priority is to make sure there is not a shift in the tax burden to businesses who choose to call Florida home. A cost shift from local taxpayers to businesses would be a detrimental change for our business community by making cost of goods more expensive and Florida less enticing for growth in the commercial space.