Legislative Roundup: Major Bills

MAJOR BILLS THAT PASSED
PIP reform
No-fault auto insurance fraud has become a rampant and expensive problem in Florida, forcing personal injury protection premiums to rise 387% in the last five years. Ground zero was in Hillsborough County.
The bill, which Gov. Rick Scott is expected to sign, cracks down on fraudulent “PIP clinics,” channels victims to reputable emergency rooms and restricts some lawyers' fees, although it does not cap any of those fees as originally desired by backers. The bill was opposed by trial lawyers, PIP clinics, chiropractors, acupuncturists and massage clinics with a close vote in the Senate.

Property tax cut amendments
Lawmakers placed three constitutional amendments on the November ballot that would cut property taxes if approved by voters. Amendments 2 and 9 address property tax breaks for disabled veterans, surviving spouses of military veterans and first responders who died as a result of service.
Amendment 4 has three elements. First, it prohibits increasing the assessed value of homestead property if the fair market value decreases. Second, non-homesteaded and commercial properties would have their assessment increases capped at 3% per year. And third, first-time homebuyers would get an exemption equal to 50% of a county's median home price. That exemption would phase out over five years.
Constitutional amendments require a 60% approval from voters.

Tax cuts
About $830 million in tax cuts made their way through the Legislature. The changes include tax breaks for aircraft manufacturers, Internet companies, phosphate companies and livestock packing houses, among others. The cuts also include a further increase in the corporate income tax exemption to $50,000 — meaning half of the state's businesses will not pay any corporate income tax. Gov. Scott wants to eliminate the tax completely within five years. The package of cuts also includes a sales tax holiday Aug. 3-5 on back-to-school supplies and other retail items such as clothing.