News from the South - Florida News Feed
Bill blocking Citizens Insurance policies for noncompliant condos advances in House
Bill blocking Citizens Insurance policies for noncompliant condos advances in House
by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
March 11, 2025
This legislative session’s much-awaited House condo bill passed its first committee unanimously in 13 minutes on Tuesday, but one of the differences between the House and Senate proposals appears to be taking center stage.
Miami Republican Rep. Vicki Lopez wants to bar the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. from issuing or renewing policies for condominium buildings that haven’t completed a building inspection, a requirement the Legislature passed following the 2021 collapse in Surfside of a 12-story condo that killed 98 people.
Lawmakers gave condos with three or more stories a Dec. 31, 2024, deadline to complete structural integrity reserve studies and repeat them every 10 years, detailing how much a condominium association needs to save to pay for roof and structural maintenance.
“It is the stick,” Lopez told reporters after her HB 913 cleared the Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee. “Look, they’ve had two and a half years to get a structural integrity reserve study done. It literally doesn’t take that much.”
However, Republican Sen. Jennifer Bradley of Northeast Florida, sponsoring the upper chamber’s proposal (SB 1742), says that provision would make the situation worse for condo owners facing higher association fees to pay for repairs. Bradley’s bill has not had a hearing yet, but she expects it to pass in the next two weeks.
“We want to make sure that associations comply, but I’m also very concerned about making sure that they don’t compound their troubles by not being able to secure insurance,” Bradley told Florida Phoenix.
Both Bradley and Lopez said the differences between the bills would be resolved.
“I think that’s something that leadership is going to have to sort out,” Lopez said.
Unreliable data
Approximately 36% of condominiums required to acquire the structural integrity reserve studies had done so by Feb. 10, said Melanie Griffin, secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, to House lawmakers during a Feb. 18 meeting. Griffin said the data may not be accurate because they were self-reported.
The condo associations are not required to submit copies of their studies, but the department included an optional field for additional information in the form reporting their completion.
“While this information gives us an idea of what condominium associations and owners are experiencing, we are not confident in this additional data, and we are not sure it is reliable enough to draw concrete conclusions from or base important policy decisions on,” Griffin told lawmakers.
Another difference in the bills is that Lopez wants condo associations to be able to get loans to cover necessary repairs without requiring approval from association members. On the other hand, Bradley wants the associations to hire investment advisers to grow their reserve funds.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.
The post Bill blocking Citizens Insurance policies for noncompliant condos advances in House appeared first on floridaphoenix.com
News from the South - Florida News Feed
Orlando restaurant owner invites artists to parking lot amid federal fight against street art
SUMMARY: In response to Florida’s decision to paint over street art on public roads, including the rainbow crosswalk outside the Pulse nightclub, Orlando’s Se7en Bites restaurant owner Trina Gregory is opening 49 parking spaces for local artists to create vibrant artworks. The event, “Parking Spaces for Pride,” will take place Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 617 N Primrose Drive. It aims to transform controversy into a community celebration that uplifts Orlando’s LGBTQ+ community, preserving the city’s love for art. Gregory intends to make this an annual event promoting creativity, diversity, and resilience amidst the state’s restrictions on non-uniform traffic markings.
The post Orlando restaurant owner invites artists to parking lot amid federal fight against street art appeared first on www.clickorlando.com
News from the South - Florida News Feed
Community honors life of 10-year-old Harper Moyski, killed in shooting at Minneapolis church
SUMMARY: In Minneapolis, friends and family gathered to honor 10-year-old Harper Moyski, killed in a mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School. Harper, remembered as fierce, curious, and unapologetically herself, was one of two children killed alongside 21 injured when a former student opened fire during Mass. Her mother, Jackie Flavin, described Harper as “extra in the very best way,” loving dogs and aspiring to be a veterinarian. Speakers at the outdoor memorial called for an end to gun violence, especially in schools. Rabbi Jason Rodich urged kindness amid societal division, encouraging people to support one another “for Harper.”
Read the full article
The post Community honors life of 10-year-old Harper Moyski, killed in shooting at Minneapolis church appeared first on www.news4jax.com
News from the South - Florida News Feed
A look at recent flooding across South Florida
SUMMARY: South Florida is still recovering from a week of severe flooding that made roads nearly impassable, stalled cars, and forced people to wade through water. In Hollywood, upgraded flood pumps and drainage systems helped subside water levels quickly, preventing damage to homes. However, in North Miami, residents along 141st Street report ongoing issues with backed-up drains and street flooding, which disrupt daily life, including doctor visits. The city claims the flooding is due to long tides rather than clogged drains and asserts the area has been checked. Concerns remain about the area’s vulnerability without further drainage maintenance.
Parts of South Florida are still drying out from the deluge of rain storms last week.
For video licensing inquiries, contact: licensing@veritone.com
-
Local News7 days ago
Russian drone incursion in Poland prompts NATO leaders to take stock of bigger threats
-
News from the South - North Carolina News Feed6 days ago
What we know about Charlie Kirk shooting suspect, how he was caught
-
News from the South - North Carolina News Feed6 days ago
Federal hate crime charge sought in Charlotte stabbing | North Carolina
-
Our Mississippi Home5 days ago
Screech Owls – Small but Cute
-
News from the South - Arkansas News Feed6 days ago
NW Arkansas Championship expected to bring money to Rogers
-
News from the South - North Carolina News Feed6 days ago
Under pressure, some immigrants are leaving American dreams behind
-
News from the South - Alabama News Feed7 days ago
Huntsville Fire & Rescue Holds 9/11 Memorial Service | Sept. 11, 2025 | News 19 at 5 p.m.
-
Mississippi News Video6 days ago
Mississippi Science Fest showcases STEAM events, activities