Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Votes Favorably for SB 122
On March 4, 2019, in a five to three vote, the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee passed SB 122— a bill related to attorney fee awards under insurance policies and contracts.
The Florida Chamber-backed bill, sponsored by Senator Doug Broxson, levels the playing field between insurers and service providers and subcontractors and provides a step toward real Assignment of Benefits (AOB) reform.
In 2018, there were more than 34,000 AOB lawsuits filed, compared to only 405 AOB lawsuits in 2006. Increasing amounts of AOB abuse are costing 90 percent of Florida families an increase in their homeowners’ insurance. Florida’s bottom-five legal climate, including AOB fraud and abuse, costs Florida families an average of $4,442 a year. The Florida Chamber will continue to support SB 122 and other efforts that protect consumers and small businesses from billboard trial lawyers trying to make a payday.
A proposed committee bill (PCB CSJ 19-01) related to AOB reform will be heard in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday.
We Need Your Support
We’re hearing that busloads of trial lawyers are making their way to Florida’s Capitol to oppose important legal reform efforts, including AOB reform. PLEASE TAKE 2 MINUTES to help us improve Florida’s bottom-five legal climate by contacting members of the House Civil Justice Subcommittee TODAY and urging them to vote yes on PCB CSJ 19-01 (AOB Reform), HB 17 (Tort Reform) and HB 355 (Dangerous Instrumentality Doctrine).
- Rep. Bob Rommel (Chair)
- Rep. Jackie Toledo (Vice Chair)
- Rep. Anika Omphroy (Democratic Ranking Member)
- Rep. Bruce Antone
- Rep. Melony Bell
- Rep. Mike Beltran
- Rep. Ben Diamond
- Rep. Nick DiCeglie
- Rep. Tommy Gregory
- Rep. Mike Hill
- Rep. Amy Mercado
- Rep. Bobby Payne
- Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez
- Rep. Charlie Stone
- Rep. Geraldine Thompson