CALL announces that the following bills were approved by Governor Scott:
HB 277 (Rep. Rehwinkel Vasilinda), Relating to Assessment of Residential and Nonhomestead Real Property. The bill provides that, in determining the assessed value of real property used for residential purposes, a property appraiser may not consider the increase in the just value attributed to the installation of renewable energy source device. Effective Date: July 1, 2013
SB 342 (Sen. Thrasher), Relating to Rental of Homestead Property. This bill provides that a homestead property may be rented for up to 30 days per calendar year without being considered abandoned or losing the homestead exemption on the property. If the homestead is rented for more than 30 days, the property can lose its homestead exemption. Effective Date: July 1, 2013
HB 999 (Rep. Patronis), Relating to Environmental Regulation). This bill is primarily an environmental regulation bill that was opposed by a number of environmental groups. However, the bill includes language impacting condominium associations that have boat docks and submerged land leases. The bill will exempt multi-family homes with boat docks from paying submerged land lease fees for an area equal to or less than 10 times the riparian shoreline times the number of units with boat docks. Effective Date: July 1, 2013
SB 1770 (Sen. Simmons), Relating to Property Insurance. The bill sets up a clearinghouse to shop prospective customers in the private market and sets up an inspector general for Citizens. The bill also reduces the maximum amount of coverage available from Citizens from $1 million to $700,000 over three years and prohibits Citizens coverage for new buildings seaward of the coastal construction line. Effective Date: July 1, 2013
SB 468 (Sen. Hukill), Relating to Property and Casualty Insurance Rates, Fees, and Forms. This bill includes an anti-consumer provision which will allow insurance companies to file form changes with the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) without review by OIR. Historically, over 90% of the policy forms filed with OIR contain a violation of Florida law. Effective Date: July 1, 2013
