However, DeSantis, who did not include insurance in his call for a special session on redistricting next week, said Monday that lawmakers must first reach an agreement on reforms that could build on changes made to the insurance industry last year.
While the House has yet to show a willingness to accept more aggressive measures proposed by the Senate in the 2022 regular session, DeSantis stated during a press conference at the AdventHealth Training Center in Tampa that lawmakers should return to Tallahassee "once we have something that will go."
Brandes, who has pushed the Legislature to address issues in the property insurance industry, distributed a "template letter" to lawmakers on Friday in order to start a polling process to force a special session on the issue.
"I wholeheartedly support what Senator Brandes is doing," DeSantis stated on Monday. "I think it's just that, as you recall, it kind of fell apart at the end of the session." So we just want to make sure we have a product that will stand up to scrutiny."
However, Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat who supports Brandes' effort, accused DeSantis of attempting to gain public support after he "ignored" the issue during the regular session.
"He is now speaking in support of a special session because it has become politically dangerous for him to remain silent on it," Eskamani told reporters during a conference call Monday. "I think it's important to emphasize that we had 60 days to manage and address these real-life issues." Instead, his (DeSantis') priority bills, all of which were culture wars, consumed all of his time."
According to the law, Brandes must first obtain the support of 20% of the Legislature —- 32 of the 160 members —- in order to request a special session from the Department of State.
Brandes has requested that legislators send him letters of support, with his office electronically submitting the collected signatures. Vanessa Thompson, Brandes' legislative assistant, said the 20% mark had already been "surpassed" by early Monday afternoon.
The State Department has seven days after the letters are formally submitted to poll lawmakers. A session would be called if three-fifths of the House and three-fifths of the Senate agreed to it.
"With hurricane season approaching on June 1st, it is critical that we do everything in our power to ensure the people we represent can obtain insurance coverage at a reasonable price," Brandes wrote to House and Senate members on Friday.
DeSantis has stated that he expects lawmakers to return to Tallahassee to address the property insurance issue, most likely after the November election.
The governor stated on Monday that the need for lawmakers to address current conditions is growing.
"We have to be truthful with people. "We're in an inflationary period, so everything is going to go up," DeSantis said. "However, in the case of property insurance, clearly, you know, we have market dysfunctions that could be addressed." Several insurers have already gone out of business. We need a thriving market where people can obtain policies at reasonable prices. So I thank him (Brandes) for his efforts. "I believe we'll make it."
Attempts to use the polling process on other issues in recent years have not resulted in special sessions.
Sen. Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican who served as chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, appeared with DeSantis in Tampa on Monday and expressed optimism about the prospects for a special session on insurance.
"I'm sure we'll get there," Boyd said.
In 2021, lawmakers approved changes that included a new formula to limit the fees of attorneys who represent homeowners in lawsuits against insurers, as well as a reduction in the time to file claims from three to two years. They also passed a proposal to prohibit roofing contractors from advertising in order to entice homeowners to file claims, though that portion of the law has been blocked by a federal court on free-speech grounds.
Customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp., which frequently charges less than private carriers, were also allowed to see larger rate increases under the law.
However, in recent months, many private insurers have sought significant rate increases and dropped customers in order to reduce financial risks. As a result, thousands of homeowners turn to Citizens for coverage each week, with Citizens' total number of policies expected to exceed 1 million by the end of the year.
During the legislative session that ended last month, the Senate wanted to take a more aggressive approach to bolstering private insurers than the House.
For example, the Senate proposed allowing new deductibles of up to 2% on roof-damage claims, in response to insurers' complaints that questionable, if not fraudulent, roof claims are driving up costs. A homeowner with $300,000 in total coverage, for example, could have faced a $6,000 deductible to replace a damaged roof under the Senate proposal.
The House, however, rejected the proposal, which would have resulted in higher out-of-pocket costs for homeowners who need to replace damaged roofs.
House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, has stated that the 2021 changes will require more time to take effect.
Brandes wants a special session to address Citizens, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, and providing a "financing mechanism for insurers to access if capital markets are not an option." He advocated for "significant property insurance reforms to create a sustainable environment for Florida homeowners."