Democrats in the Senate just dropped a six-bill package aimed at tackling the state’s property insurance crunch.
The set of proposals is part of a larger “Affordability Agenda” that state Democrats are putting together ahead of the 2026 Session. Each measure targets one or multiple factors contributing to the rising cost of living.
Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman of Boynton Beach urged Republican lawmakers to “put aside partisanship” and back the bills, which among other things would cap rate hikes, speed claim resolutions and beef up consumer protections.
“To put it simply: We want you to keep more of your hard-earned money and we want you to get what you pay for,” she said in a statement.
Sens. Mack Bernard, LaVon Bracy Davis, Tracie Davis, Rosalind Osgood, Tina Scott Polsky, Darryl Rouson, Barbara Sharief and Carlos Guillermo Smith joined her at the Capitol on Wednesday to announce the bills.
They include:
— SB 30[1] by Sharief, which would limit annual property insurance rate increases to between 10% and 15% and give Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate the ability to hold hearings and issue subpoenas to challenge pricing and practices.
— SB 78[2] by Osgood, which would make permanent the sales tax break for impact-resistant windows, doors and garage doors.
— SB 84[3] by Berman, which would create an “Insurance Solutions Advisory Council” to gather market data on property and auto coverage, then deliver recommendations reports yearly to lawmakers and the Governor.
— SB 108[4] by Polsky, which would require mediation as the first stop for disputed residential property claims, with the goal of keeping homeowners out of court and free of costly court expenses.
— SB 128[5] by Bracy Davis, who was just sworn in Tuesday[6]. The bill targets nonrenewals tied to roof age. Insurers would have to inform homeowners of a right to an inspection before dropping coverage and reimburse the cost if the roof has at least five years of useful life left.
— SB 140[7] by Rouson, which would expand whistleblower protections so insurance company employees and contractors who report unlawful or unethical conduct are shielded from retaliation and can seek remedies if punished.
“Affordability is the number one issue for Floridians, and I speak for everyone here when I say that addressing it is our No. 1 priority for the upcoming session,” Berman said.
“The out-of-control property insurance market affects all of us, whether you own your home or rent it from somebody else.”
The 2026 Legislative Session begins Jan. 13.