DeSantis’ Florida insurance tax break picks up lawmakers’ support

By Gary Fineout | 02/22/2024 06:34 AM EST

The state’s insurance market has been in turmoil for years as some companies have gone under while others have shrunk coverage and requested rate hikes.

Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater and Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill are pictured listening.

Republican Florida state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (right) said a reduction in insurance taxes would be "a bridge" for homeowners hit with rate hikes. Phil Sears/AP

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — And just like that, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to give homeowners a one-year break on their insurance costs has been given new life by Republican legislators.

Senate and House panels Tuesday signed off on rival tax cut packages that now include proposals to give homeowners a credit on their insurance bills although there are still distinct differences between the two measures that legislators need to work out over the next three weeks.

House lawmakers did not include any cut in insurance taxes and fees when they rolled out the package last week. But House Republicans, who had expressed concerns about how the proposal would be implemented, amended their measure during its final stop before it heads to the full House for consideration.

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The Senate Finance and Tax Committee, meanwhile, cleared its tax cut package that also includes a reduction on homeowner insurance bills. Even though the savings won’t be substantial, state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, chair of the committee, said “it’s going to help” as legislators wait to see if other steps taken to bolster the insurance market work.

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