Tallahassee – Late last night Gov. Ron DeSantis exercised his veto power striking down Senate Bill 54, the legislature’s latest effort to pull the plug on Florida’s no-fault automobile insurance system and replace it with a requirement that drivers carry mandatory bodily injury coverage (MBI) instead. DeSantis waited just one day to reject the bill after it made it to his desk following the legislature’s passage of the bill during this spring’s annual lawmaking session.
Tallahassee – Moments ago state legislative leaders presented to Gov. DeSantis Senate Bill 54, legislation passed by lawmakers earlier this spring that would end Florida’s No-fault automobile insurance system, replacing it with a requirement that drivers carry mandatory bodily insurance coverage (MBI) instead. This morning’s presentation triggers the constitutionally mandated 15-day period within which the governor must act. DeSantis is now faced with three options: Sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow the bill to become law without his signature when his July 13th deadline ends. How long the governor will wait to act remains to be seen, but so far this year, he has generally acted on other bills within several days of their presentation.
A just-released actuarial study confirms likely auto premium hikes.
With Gov. DeSantis still waiting for Senate Bill 54 to hit his desk, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (FOIR) just released a new actuarial study supporting what most everyone has long held: A shift from our PIP/No-fault auto insurance system is certain to trigger higher premiums, driving the rates highest by percentage for those who can least afford any increase, typically those who purchase the minimum coverages.
Contrary to flawed reporting by another group this week, Gov. DeSantis has yet to receive Senate Bill 54 on his desk triggering his 15-day window to either sign, veto, or allow the repeal of No-Fault/PIP to become law without his signature. So, it’s still not too late to voice your opposition to the Legislature’s attempt to switch from PIP to a mandatory bodily injury coverage system.
As Gov. DeSantis still waits for the Legislature to deliver Senate Bill 54 to his desk, it’s not too late to voice your opposition to the Legislature’s recent attempt to repeal our No-fault/PIP system and hike premium rates. We understand the governor continues to give thoughtful consideration to a veto of the Legislature’s ill-conceived, last-minute scheme to flush No-fault/PIP. All he needs now is to hear it from you, your friends, your staff and your patients.
Legislative Updates 