After Rate Hikes, Gaetz Hopes to Overhaul Insurance Rules For Florida

Require insurance companies to ‘promptly’ pay businesses and families who’ve taken losses in the state due to fire, natural disasters or other claims.

Increase penalties on insurance companies who are caught delaying their payouts to customers.

Streamline the claims adjustment process and require insurance companies and public adjusters working on behalf of homeowners to use the same software and estimating to determine the amount of money owed to a homeowner by an insurance company after a claim.

Require insurance companies who want to increase rates to come before the State of Florida’s Insurance Commission and explain themselves. It would also require companies to say publicly how much their executive team makes and force insurance companies to open their books to the Insurance Commission to get a rate increase.

ou might surmise that this sounds like a pretty good set of terms for homeowners and policyholders in general – and that insurance companies might feel they are getting the short end of the stick. But, Gaetz believes the terms laid out in the bill won’t bother the right insurance companies. “No, I’m not afraid of insurance companies leaving the state,” Senator Gaetz said via phone on Tuesday, “If the only way an insurance company can operate in Florida is by not paying their claimants on time and by using different sets of books about what it costs to buy a bundle of shingles or fix a roof or replace windows – and if an insurance company has to pay excessive salaries and self-deal with their own companies that they are using as a way to shield profits. If that’s the only way that a company can do business in Florida, I’ll help them pack. They will leave the state today. I believe that the insurance industry is filled with honest, fair companies who do a good job in a very risky environment, but I don’t believe that shady insurance companies have any place in Florida.”

No Silver Bullet

While Gaetz hopes the bill will do something to lower insurance premiums around the state and in Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast, he also says that it’s not a panacea. “Well, just that there’s no silver bullet that is going to drive down high property insurance rates. But I think there are things that we can do on top of eliminating unnecessary and excessive litigation. There are things on top of that that we can do to try to hold down the costs of property insurance. Otherwise, the Free State of Florida may become the unaffordable state of Florida,” Gaetz conducted.

What’s Next

We are a long way from this bill becoming law, which isn’t guaranteed. The bill was filed for the 2025 legislative session on February 7. Still, it will likely have to pass through a gauntlet of subcommittees, committees, edit processes, and one or two-wheeler dealers in addition to the jaws of the insurance lobby before it could become law.

Other Bills From Gaetz in 2025

State Senator Don Gaetz has also filed the following bills for the upcoming session:

SB 102:  Would require the Florida Department of Education to develop and implement a workforce credential program for students with autism spectrum disorder by January 31, 2026. The program aims to help these students secure employment after graduation by allowing them to earn skill-based badges that align with employer needs. Each badge must require the demonstration of at least five specific skills or behaviors, including workplace safety, and must be validated by two exceptional student education instructors. The department would be required to produce an annual report from 2026 through 2030, detailing program operations, student participation, employment outcomes, and other relevant data. The law would take effect on July 1, 2025.

SB 140: If passed, SB 140 would introduce several changes to Florida’s education system, focusing on charter schools and school district property management. The bill would adjust the process for converting existing public schools into charter schools by specifying who can apply and requiring documented support from at least 50% of teachers and parents, with voting procedures set by the State Board of Education.

A key provision of the bill would allow municipalities in struggling school districts—those that have received a rating below an “A” for five consecutive years—to apply for a new type of charter school known as a “job engine charter.” The purpose of these schools would be to attract businesses and job-producing industries to the municipality. To maintain accountability, job engine charters would be required to submit an annual report detailing economic investments aimed at bringing businesses into the area. These schools would also be responsible for providing exceptional student education services, implementing security technology, and ensuring financial stability by assuming responsibility for any debts incurred. Additionally, the bill would prevent students who transfer into a job engine charter school from participating in high school athletics for their first year of enrollment.

In addition to changes related to charter schools, the bill would impose new requirements on school boards regarding the acquisition and use of real estate. Before occupying newly purchased or acquired property, a school board would have to submit a five-year plan outlining how the property would be used, taking into account factors such as enrollment growth and curriculum changes. This plan would need to be updated and submitted annually. Furthermore, school boards in districts where enrollment has declined over the previous five years would be prohibited from purchasing or acquiring new property. Instead, they would be required to dispose of surplus real estate, as determined by the State Board of Education.

The bill also outlines how surplus school district property should be repurposed, prioritizing its use for affordable housing for teachers, first responders, and military personnel, as well as for charter school facilities or recreational spaces for local governments. To ensure smooth implementation, the State Board of Education would be tasked with creating rules and procedures to enforce these provisions.

SB 150: If enacted, SB 150 would increase criminal penalties for acts of animal cruelty committed during a declared state of emergency in Florida. Under current law, acts such as overloading, tormenting, depriving of necessary sustenance or shelter, mutilating, or killing an animal in a cruel manner are classified as first-degree misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

However, under the proposed legislation, if these offenses occur during a state of emergency declared by the governor, they would be elevated to third-degree felonies. This would carry more severe consequences, including potential imprisonment of up to five years and higher fines, as specified under Florida’s felony sentencing guidelines.

The bill is intended to provide stronger deterrents against animal cruelty in times of crisis, such as hurricanes or other emergencies, when animals may be at greater risk of neglect or abuse. If passed, the new penalties would take effect on July 1, 2025.

SB 312: Seeks to modify the governance and oversight of the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, Inc. (IHMC). Under the proposed legislation, IHMC’s board of directors would gain the authority to approve the creation of corporate subsidiaries, a responsibility that currently falls under the Florida Board of Governors.

The bill also shifts reporting responsibilities. Instead of the University of West Florida’s Board of Trustees overseeing compliance, IHMC itself would be required to certify annually that it is operating within legal and regulatory guidelines. These reports would be submitted directly to the Governor and the Legislature.

Additionally, the legislation clarifies IHMC’s ability to establish affiliation agreements with universities and research institutions. It also reorganizes existing statutes concerning financial oversight, public records compliance, and ethical obligations for both IHMC and its subsidiaries.

While state agencies would retain their oversight authority, the bill ultimately grants IHMC greater independence in managing its corporate structure and internal operations.

SB 320: proposes changes to the licensure requirements for surveyors and mappers in the state. The bill establishes an alternative pathway to temporary licensure, known as the 1st Step Florida Surveyors and Mappers Credentialing and Licensing Protocol.

Under the proposed legislation, individuals seeking to become licensed surveyors and mappers who do not meet existing educational requirements may qualify for the licensure examination if they demonstrate good moral character, pay the required fees, and obtain a recommendation letter from a licensed surveyor or mapper employer or prospective employer. This alternative pathway will be available starting January 30, 2026.

However, licenses granted under this program will expire on December 15, 2031. Applicants will be notified that they must meet the traditional educational and experience requirements by that date to continue practicing in the field.

The bill also includes updates to statutes concerning licensure exams, educational requirements, and the definition of good moral character. Additionally, it clarifies that the Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers will oversee the certification process and adopt rules regarding approved educational programs.

SB 348: Seeks to prohibit candidates, elected officials, appointed officials, and public employees from falsely claiming military service, awards, or qualifications. The bill also bans the unauthorized wearing of military uniforms, medals, or insignia, with exceptions for theatrical performances.

Violators would face penalties under Florida’s ethics laws, with fines that could be withheld directly from their salaries if left unpaid. The legislation also empowers the Attorney General to refer outstanding penalties to collection agencies and pursue collection efforts for up to 20 years.

SB 352: Aims to protect employees from retaliation when they report violations or misconduct to the Commission on Ethics. The bill establishes that agencies and independent contractors cannot take negative actions, such as firing, disciplining, or demoting, against employees who disclose certain types of information. The disclosures must involve violations of conduct standards, breaches of public trust, or constitutional violations, and they must be submitted to the Commission on Ethics.

The bill specifically shields employees who submit complaints or provide information during investigations related to these violations. If an employee faces retaliatory actions, such as being fired or disciplined for making a protected disclosure, they are granted the right to file complaints and seek remedies, including reinstatement, back pay, and legal fees.

Employees or applicants may also pursue civil action within 180 days of retaliation, with the potential for significant relief, including reinstatement and compensation for lost wages. However, employers can defend their actions by proving that the adverse action was based on reasons unrelated to the disclosure.

SB 354: focus on restructuring the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) and refining the regulation of utility services. Key changes include reducing the number of PSC commissioners from seven to five, with specific qualifications such as a certified public accountant and a chartered financial analyst. The bill also clarifies the PSC’s authority over setting utility rates, ensuring that utilities cannot charge unapproved rates and must base their rates on legitimate costs.

Additionally, the legislation emphasizes energy efficiency, renewable energy, and conservation, instructing the PSC to set goals for utilities to promote demand-side renewable energy systems. It further mandates annual reports from utilities detailing their progress toward energy efficiency goals and analyses of potential rate impacts on consumers, including executive compensation disclosures. The goal of these changes is to enhance transparency, encourage energy conservation, and ensure that rates are fair and reasonable for all customers.

SB 376:  Proposes an amendment to Section 61.403 of the Florida Statutes regarding guardians ad litem in family law cases. The bill authorizes the court to consider information provided by a guardian ad litem, specifically allowing the court to take into account written reports and testimony, even if they do not adhere to the technical rules of evidence. These reports may include recommendations and the wishes of the child involved. The guardian ad litem’s report must be filed and served at least 20 days before a hearing, unless the court waives this requirement.