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May 1  • 10:30 P.M.

Write on! In four days, Florida Realtors have sent more than 25,000 emails to legislators urging them to pass significant property tax reform before the regular session ends Friday evening. Reports on the progress of House and Senate negotiations are mixed. Sen. Steve Geller (R-Hallandale Beach) and a member of the Senate Property Tax Reform Conference Committee told the press today that no resolution has been reached. Legislative staff members have echoed this. However last night, FAR lobbyists heard that a deal had been reached though the details were unknown. And so it goes during the final week of the session. Those of you who follow the Florida Legislature know that anything can — and often does — happen in the final hours.

Property managers make note. The Legislature today limited the financial penalty a landlord could impose when a tenant breaks a lease. HB 1277 by Rep. Pat Patterson (R-DeLand) relates to leases of less than a year and amends the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act so that landlords may only collect up to two months of rent when a tenant vacates the premises early. The House passed HB 1277 this morning on a 101 to 14 vote and sent it to the Senate, where it passed unanimously. It was sent to the governor this afternoon. The bill will take effect if and when the governor signs it into law.


Also sent to the governor today:

  • SB 1824 by Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey), which places numerous disclosure and education requirements on mortgage brokers and lenders to help protect consumers during the mortgage loan application process. If signed by the governor, it would take effect Oct. 1, 2007. 
  • HB 111 by Rep. Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), which requires a title insurance agent not based in Florida to fulfill the same licensure and continuing education requirements as a resident title insurance agent. The bill also repeals several provisions of current law dealing with a title agent’s compensation. If signed by the governor, the bill would take effect Oct. 1, 2007.