TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) – Last year was supposed to be the year of affordability, but the same concerns remain for lawmakers heading into the 2026 session.
“Prices are a top issue for Floridians, and I speak for everyone here when I say addressing this is a top priority for the next Congress,” said Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman (D-Boca Raton).
In the first round of proposals for 2026, Senate Democrats are unveiling a package of affordability bills aimed at combating soaring property and casualty insurance rates.
All 11 Senate Democrats have introduced or plan to introduce legislation to address the affordability crisis.
These bills address everything from financial aid to tax cuts and consumer protections.
SB 30 by Sen. Barbara Sharif: Prohibits property and casualty insurance rates from increasing by more than 10% to 15% and gives consumer advocacy groups the power to request administrative hearings, administer oaths, and issue subpoenas.
SB 78 by Sen. Rosalind Osgood: Permanently eliminates taxes on impact doors, garage doors, and windows.
SB 84 by Leader Lori Berman: Establishes the Insurance Solutions Advisory Board. Analyzes and compiles data on Florida’s real estate and auto insurance markets and submits annual reports with recommendations to the Legislature and Governor.
SB 108 by Sen. Tina Polsky: Allows Floridians to avoid costly litigation by requiring mediation of disputed property insurance claims.
SB 128 by Sen. Lavon Bracey Davis: Requires insurance companies to notify homeowners of their right to an inspection before not renewing a home’s roof due to its age. Insurance companies require homeowners to pay compensation if an inspection shows that the roof has more than five years left in its useful life.
SB 140 by Sen. Darryl Rouson: Strengthens whistleblower protections for insurance company employees and contractors who disclose unethical or illegal conduct.
Several bills are being revived, including one that is entirely new, following a lawmaker-led insurance inquiry in the last Congress that centered on insurance companies claiming losses while their affiliates made billions in profits from soaring premiums.
“We’ve heard a lot of big talk about holding insurance companies accountable for what they’ve done to their policyholders. Now is the time to act,” said state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando).
Senator Smith’s new bill aims to increase oversight of property and casualty insurance companies through the Office of Insurance Regulation.
On the full House floor, lawmakers are fronting property taxes instead of property insurance, introducing eight new options for the Senate to consider now.
“We will now submit these proposals, discuss them as they go before the committee, and move forward,” said state Rep. Toby Oberdorf (R-Palm City), chairman of the Property Tax Committee.
“There has been a great deal of debate here in the state Legislature about whether to prioritize property taxes or insurance in the next session, and Governor DeSantis, in his final term, is determined to make property tax reform a top priority.
