Legislative Session Update | March 7

Governor DeSantis delivered the State of the State address on Tuesday to the joint Legislature, marking the start of the 2025 Legislative Session. Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez also delivered opening remarks in their respective chambers, with all three leaders highlighting the need for property tax relief among other issues. 

Earlier this week, we informed you that bills to repeal Florida’s motor vehicle no-fault auto insurance, HB 1181/SB 1256, were filed again this year in the House and Senate. In his opening day remarks, the Governor highlighted that the Legislature has devoted more time and effort to address insurance reforms over the past few years than at any other time in the history of Florida. As a result, he reported that Florida’s automobile insurance rates are finally coming down—between 6 and 10.5% average reductions for the three largest companies—even as rates continue to skyrocket nationwide.

Additional bills filed this week include HB 1437 and its identical companion, SB 1840, entitling the prevailing party to reasonable attorney fees and costs in suits related to overdue medical benefits under motor vehicle personal injury protection policies. This would apply whether the outcome is decided at trial or at the appellate court level. HB 1551 and a similar Senate bill, SB 426, also filed this week, specify conditions for awarding attorney fees in insurance-related legal actions.  

We will continue to keep you updated regarding our initiative to improve the practice of chiropractic medicine -- Senate Bill 564 and House Bill 849. The Senate bill has been referred to the Health Policy, Banking and Insurance, and Rules Committees. The House bill has only two committee references: the Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee and the Health & Human Services Committee.

What Should You Do?

1. Request the Bills be Heard in Committee - To request that House Bill 849 be heard, email Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee Chairwoman Kaylee Tuck and request that she place House Bill 849 on the Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee agenda. To request that SB 564 be heard, email Senate Health Policy Chairwoman Colleen Burton and request that she place Senate Bill 564 on the Senate Health Policy Committee agenda.

2. Let Other Chiropractic Organizations Know That You Support These Bills - If you are a member of another chiropractic organization, let them know you support Senate Bill 564 and House Bill 849 and ask that they take a public position supporting this bill too.

3. Thank The Bill Sponsors - Let Senator Joe Gruters and Representative Chase Tramont know you appreciate their sponsorship of these bills. Send Senator Joe Gruters an email in support of Senate Bill 564 and send Representative Chase Tramont an email in support of House Bill 849.

4. Continue to Support Florida Chiropractic Coalition - FCC is working tirelessly to protect and advance chiropractic care in Florida. Your financial support is crucial to our continued efforts in Tallahassee.

Stay tuned for further updates on these bills and on other bills that we expect will be filed affecting chiropractors and chiropractic patients.