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DeSantis again pushes for condo law reforms, hesitates on special session

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday renewed his call for reforms to Florida’s condominium laws in an effort to ease financial pressure on property owners facing rising costs for building inspections and repairs, though he expressed reluctance to convene a special legislative session to address the issue.

During a roundtable discussion in Pinellas County, the governor acknowledged financial challenges faced by condo owners and noted a need for reform to prevent displacement. The calls for reform stem from the financial strain caused by new regulations enacted after the tragic 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, which claimed 98 lives.

In response to the disaster, the Florida Legislature passed stricter requirements for building inspections and repairs, particularly for structures over 30 years old or located near the coast.

“I think the path forward would be by the end of the year, generating the ideas that the legislature can then take run with and produce some reforms that are going to be sensible, that are going to continue to support transparency, that will will support safety, but are also going to do that in a way that is not going to be something driving people out of their condo units,” said DeSantis.

Short-term vacation rental bill sponsor won’t pick up the mantle in 2025

Florida lawmakers may once again attempt to pass legislation tightening regulation of short-term vacation rentals next year but, if they do, the Senator who has sponsored those bills during the past two Sessions won’t be the one carrying it.

“No,” said Pinellas County Republican Nick DiCeglie when asked Monday night in St. Petersburg about sponsoring a similar measure next year.

“I did two years in a row. I haven’t heard anything. I don’t think there’s going to be any effort to change anything from a local standpoint, but I don’t know. I have no idea. But I will not have my name on it.”

DiCeglie resides in Indian Rocks Beach, a small coastal community in Pinellas that has been described as “ground zero” in the battle between vacation rental owners and their residential neighbors who resent such rentals. He sponsored a measure in the House in the 2023 Session that died on the last day of the Session when the House refused to pick up last-hour changes made by the Senate.

Marco Rubio, Rick Scott push for enhanced Secret Service protection for presidential candidates

Scott demands 'immediate action' as threats on the GOP nominee's life persist. The second serious threat to Donald Trump’s life is leading to Republican legislation, with Florida’s two Senators both sponsoring the bill.

“Over the course of just 65 days, two deranged individuals have tried to kill President Donald Trump, and one was able to shoot him in the head. It is unthinkable that this could happen in America today and demands the immediate action of Congress,” said U.S. Sen. Rick Scott to Fox News regarding the Protect Our Presidents Act.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio is cosponsoring the bill, which only has GOP sponsorship so far.

The measure, if it becomes law, would guarantee “a major Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate who has accepted a nomination for President or Vice President at a national nominating convention of a political party … the same level of protection provided to the President.”

Two powerhouse attorneys leave GrayRobinson to start new firm

High-profile GrayRobinson attorneys Mayanne Downs and Jeff Aaron are leaving with eight other attorneys to start their own practice to “focus on complex, high-stakes litigation,” they announced Thursday.

“We are thrilled to embark on this new venture together,” Downs said in a statement. “This is a unique opportunity to leverage our extensive experience and commitment to excellence in a setting that prioritizes personalized client service. We are dedicated to delivering the highest quality legal representation and achieving exceptional outcomes for our clients.”

DownsAaron will open with offices in Tallahassee and Orlando.

“Mayanne and Jeff are leaving GrayRobinson to form their own firm, with our blessings. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with them,” GrayRobinson President and CEO Dean Cannon said in a statement.