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DeSantis signs law that forces Florida HOAs to allow residents to install storm-hardening improvements

“We deserve to protect our investment, which shelters the people we love the most in the world,” said Tallahassee Democratic Rep. Allison Tant, who voted in favor of the bill.

The bill, House Bill 293, covers numerous improvements, including permanent fixed storm shutters, roll-down track storm shutters, impact-resistent windows and doors, reinforced garage doors, exterior fixed generators, fuel storage tanks and more.

Lawmakers unanimously approved the bill in the 2024 legislative session. “If you do some of these things, we can get your insurance costs down and start moving in the right direction,” said Tallahassee Republican Sen. Corey Simon.

However, there are limitations — HOAs have to set specifications for hurricane protection products, and can regulate the style and color of a storm-hardening product. The new law is among Florida’s latest efforts to fortify itself and improve the state’s ailing property insurance market.

The 2026 Florida governor’s race is already taking shape. Here’s who could run.

The 2024 elections are still months from being decided. But for some in Florida, 2026 is already here.

With Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis set to be termed out of office in January 2027, the field of potential gubernatorial candidates is taking shape, with some of Florida’s most powerful figures jockeying for position.

Several Republicans rumored to be eyeing the governor’s mansion, including U.S. Reps. Matt Gaetz, Michael Waltz and Byron Donalds, have made recent appearances at former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York. Trump’s endorsement in 2018 helped propel DeSantis’ candidacy, and the Mar-a-Lago resident’s grip on the party shows no signs of slipping.

Any GOP candidate hoping to do well in Florida will likely need to win Trump’s approval — or at least avoid his scorn.

Ron DeSantis Signs Nine Bills.

CS/HB 775 – Surrendered Infants: Florida’s “Safe Haven Law” allows parents who are either unwilling or unable to care for their newborn infants — up to 7 days old — to surrender them at hospitals, fire stations and EMS stations. HB 775 raised the age limit from 7 days old to 30 days old.

CS/HB 855 – Dental Services: Requires dentists & certain partnerships, or corporations to designate with board dentist of record & provide information to certain patients; requires any individual, partnership, or corporation that provides dental services through telehealth to make available specified information; defines term “advertisement”; requires advertisements of dental services provided through telehealth to include specified disclaimer; provides requirements for initial examination for orthodontic appliances; defines “in-person examination.”

CS/CS/HB 1049 – Flood Disclosure in the Sale of Real Property – Requires seller of residential real property to provide specified information to a prospective purchaser; specifies how such information must be disclosed.

CS/HB 1093 – Florida Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act – Revises provisions of Florida Uniform Principal & Income Act governing trusts, estates, life estates, & other term interests.

Unexpected victims of Florida’s property insurance crisis: Assisted living facilities and nursing homes

Some assisted living facilities and nursing homes have been forced to close due to escalating operating costs tied to Florida’s skyrocketing property insurance rates, according to data from Bloomberg.

Commercial property insurance prices have gone up right along with the price for people who own homes. In a state that’s popular for retirees to enjoy their golden years, the facilities that house thousands of Florida seniors are facing increasing financial pressure just to keep their lights on.

Insurance premiums in Florida skyrocketed from 2018 to 2023. Bloomberg News reported that in 2023 alone, premiums surged by 27%, forcing some assisted living facilities to close.

“They just don’t have the budget to support such high levels of insurance premiums,” said Insurance Information Institute Spokesman Mark Friedlander.