HB 1553 - Evidence of Damages to Prove or Rebut Medical Expenses in Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Actions

On Thursday, January 29, HB 1553 by Representative Robert Brackett (R-Vero Beach) was heard in the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee and was reported favorably.Representative Kimberly Berfield (R-Clearwater), Representative Dean Black (R-Jacksonville), Danny Nix (R-Port Charlotte), and Michele Rayner (D-St. Petersburg) voted NO on the bill.AIF spoke in opposition to the bill.

This bill is a rollback of many provisions in the 2022-23 tort reforms that the legislature passed, which have stabilized insurance rates and reduced costs for consumers. The bill changes the structure of section 768.0427 from a statute that courts are interpreting as requiring proof of medical expenses through insurance and Medicare-based evidence, into one that merely allows such evidence to be introduced by either party. Most significantly, the bill adds language stating that the statute “does not impose an affirmative duty upon any party to offer any specific evidence.” This directly undermines the way courts are currently applying the law and reopens the door for plaintiffs to present inflated billed.

HB 1553 will now go to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

AIF opposes legislation that repeals transparency in damages in civil actions and any other legislation that undoes previous reforms that have been working. Such reforms would open the floodgates for frivolous litigation and nuclear verdicts leading to higher prices of insurance for businesses operating in Florida.

HB 1423 - Presumption Against Liability for Owners and Principal Operators of Multifamily Residential Properties

On Thursday, January 29, HB 1423 by Representative Michelle Salzman (R- Cantonment) was heard in the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee and was reported favorably. Representative Kimberly Berfield (R-Clearwater), Representative Dean Black (R-Jacksonville), and Danny Nix (R-Port Charlotte) voted NO on the bill.AIF spoke in opposition to the bill.

HB 1423 revises Florida’s liability framework for apartment and multifamily property owners by narrowing existing legal protections. Current law grants owners and operators a presumption against liability when they implement specified safety and security measures. This bill eliminates that presumption of properties with a documented recent history of serious criminal activity, thereby exposing compliant property owners to increased litigation risk despite adherence to statutory security standards.

HB 1423 will now go to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

AIF opposes exposing compliant companies to litigation, especially when the criminal acts are carried out by third party individuals who happen to reside in a multifamily housing complex. More lawsuits against property owners will destabilize insurance rates and raise costs for residents across the state, many who are in affordable housing dwellings.

SB 692 – Cybersecurity Standards and Liability

On Monday, January 26, SB 692 by Senator Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach) was heard by the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee 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.

SB 692 will now go to the Senate Judiciary Committee 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.

HB 167 – Former Phosphate Mining Lands

On Tuesday, January 27, HB 167 by Representative Lawrence McClure (R-Plant City) was heard in the Senate Rules Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

Phosphate mining is a critical industry in Florida and is essential to providing sufficient fertilizers and agrichemicals for agricultural operations around the globe. HB 167 provides protections against bad actors who bring claims against producers and property owners of land previously used for phosphate mining. The bill requires the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to perform radiation surveys on land previously used for phosphate mining operations at the request of the landowner. Plaintiffs would be required to submit DOH reports as discovery evidence in causes of action against landowners.

HB 167 will now go to the Senate Floor.

AIF supports legislation that adds a transparent good faith clause to the strict liability statute to protect businesses and landowners following environmental guidelines from being held liable in frivolous lawsuits, allowing businesses to utilize thousands of acres of land for needed projects.

SB 1396 – Litigation Financing Consumer Protection

On Tuesday, January 27, SB 1396 by Senator Colleen Burton (R-Winter Haven) was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee and reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill will prohibit harmful lawsuit investing practices by establishing the Litigation Investment Safeguards and Transparency Act. Third Party Litigation Financing (TPLF) allows hedge funds and other financiers to invest in lawsuits in exchange for a portion of any settlement or verdict, effectively turning litigation into a profit-driven enterprise. Currently, these financers operate largely unregulated, creating serious risks without commonsense safeguards or transparency.

SB 1396 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

AIF supports any legislation that will continue to improve the litigious climate in Florida and end frivolous, unnecessary lawsuits. Businesses and consumers continue to pay a “tort tax”, or a higher price of goods, to mitigate frivolous lawsuits.

HB 747 - Pub. Rec./Sealing of Criminal History Records

On Thursday, January 29, HB 747 by Representative Traci Koster (R-Safety Harbor) was heard by the House Government Operations Subcommittee and reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

HB 747 updates Florida’s public records law to expand confidentiality protections for sealed criminal history records, specifically covering people adjudicated guilty of certain nonviolent misdemeanor offenses. The bill ensures these sealed records are no longer accessible to the public, limiting access only to the individual, and specific authorized agencies for defined purposes like licensing and background checks.

HB 747 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.

HB 405 - Commercial Construction Projects

On Tuesday, January 27, HB 405 by Representative Griff Griffitts (R-Panama City) was heard by the House Commerce Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

The bill makes reforms to Florida’s home construction process by regulating Florida’s permitting process and mitigating delays by local governments. The bill preempts certain building design elements that are purely aesthetic without any functional purposes. The bill will standardize construction processes and make it easier for responsible developers to build on the land they own.

HB 405 will now go to the House Floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that encourages responsible development and limits local government’s ability to deter development via permits and fees. Responsible development is key to assisting in mitigating the affordability issues in Florida.  

SB 948 - Local Government Land Development Regulations and Orders

On Tuesday, January 27, SB 948 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.

This bill requires local governments to use uniform procedures for development applications and permits allowing streamlined processes statewide. The bill also creates the Florida Starter Homes Act which will further simplify home building procedures throughout the state. Finally, the bill will cap certain development fees.

SB 948 will now go to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

AIF supports laws that make it faster and easier to receive permits so homes can continue to be built across Florida. With housing costs rising, building more homes can help increase supply and keep prices affordable for families. 

SB 1434 - Infill Redevelopment

On Tuesday, January 27, SB 1434 by Senator Calatayud (R-Miami) was heard by the Senate Community Affairs Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill allows environmentally impacted land in dense urban counties to be used by streamlining redevelopment and removing local regulatory barriers that restrict housing supply. The legislation preempts restrictive zoning rules, limits local interference, and creates uniform development standards.

SB 1434 will now go to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.

AIF supports laws that make it faster and easier to receive permits so homes can continue to be built across Florida. With housing costs rising, building more homes can help increase supply and keep prices affordable for families.

HB 1139 – Impact Fees

On Wednesday, January 28, HB 1139 by Representative Richard Gentry (R-DeBary) was heard by the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee 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.

HB 1139 will now go to the House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee for consideration.

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 105 - Local Government Enforcement Actions

On Wednesday, January 28, HB 105 by Representative Robert Brackett (R-Vero Beach) was heard by the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee and reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

The bill creates the Local Government Regulatory Accountability Act which will prevent local governments from certain inconsistent policies regarding development. The bill also establishes a formal review period for parties who want to request a reconsideration of enforcement actions when applying for certain permits or enforcement actions.  The legislation also includes whistleblower protections for employees who report improper enforcement and preempts local laws that conflict with these standards.

HB 105 will now go to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.

AIF supports laws that make it faster and easier to receive permits so homes can continue to be built across Florida. With housing costs rising, building more homes can help increase supply and keep prices affordable for families. 

HB 399 - Land Use and Development Regulations

On Wednesday, January 28, HB 399 by Representative David Borrero (R-Miami Dade) was heard by the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

The bill restructures Florida’s land use and development regulatory framework by limiting local government discretion, increasing predictability for developers, and standardizing approval processes statewide. The bill requires development application fees to directly reflect actual administrative costs rather than project value, mandates majority votes for future land use plan amendments, and imposes standards for determining residential compatibility.

HB 399 will now go to the House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee for consideration.

AIF supports streamlining processes for development by improving the regulatory pathway for builders across the state. Promoting responsible development is key to assisting in mitigating the affordability issues in Florida. 

HB 483 - Manufacturing 

On Thursday, January 29, HB 483 by Representative Nan Cobb (R-Eustis) was heard by the House Housing, Agriculture, & Tourism Subcommittee 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 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.

HB 483 will now go to the House Careers & Workforce Subcommittee for consideration. 

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

SB 806 – Consumers’ Right to Repair Certain Equipment

On Tuesday, January 27, SB 806 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) was heard by the Senate Agriculture Committee and was reported favorably. AIF spoke in opposition to this legislation.

SB 806 establishes new guidelines to mandate manufacturers share documentation, tools, and parts to device owners and independent repair providers to use on devices. The bill creates the Agriculture Equipment Fair Repair Act which mandates certain repair and manufacturing information be available to independent providers and owners. The bill prohibits original equipment manufacturers from excluding some security related functions.

SB 806 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

In its current form, AIF opposes SB 806 as it would allow intellectual property that is developed and owned by manufacturers, to be readily available for distribution by entities that are not associated with the manufacturer. These reforms could result in higher repair costs for products ranging from smartphones to heavy machinery.