Last Call for 1.29.24 — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics
Staff Reports – January 29, 2024
A digest of the day’s politics and policy while the bartender refreshes your drink.
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Legislation that would crack down on third-party litigation financiers appeared to be on the fast track, but it hit a snag Monday during its second committee stop.
The bill (HB 1179) is backed by the Florida Justice Reform Institute and other insurance and business lobbyists, who early last Session celebrated a major victory when lawmakers approved a sweeping torts bill aimed at curbing the volume of litigation in Florida’s court system.
The Florida Justice Association, which represents the state’s trial attorneys, is the chief opponent of the new legislation.
The bill cleared its first committee last week and was quickly placed on the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee’s Monday agenda. However, committee members didn’t rubber stamp it — they instead deferred a vote without explanation.
