Resolution 151-2009
Commissioner Carruthers
RESOLUTION NO. 151-2009
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY OPPOSING HOUSE
BILL 1171 AND SENATE BILL Z036, OPPOSING ANY
LEGISLATION HAVING THE RESULT OF ABRUPT
DEREGULATION OF THE INSURANCEiINDUSTRY, REMOVING
EFFECTIVE CONSUMER PROrrECTION AGAINST
UNREGULATED RATES, AND SEEKING GOVERNOR CRIST'S
VETO IF THE LEGISLATURE PASSES SUCH BILLS.
WHEREAS, insurance is an essential need for Florida residents; and
WHEREAS, Florida's economy is in great part driven by the real estate market; and
WHEREAS, banks lending money to homeoWlllers require that homeowners carry
property insurance; and
WHEREAS, access to reasonable property insurance is vital to the health of the
State's real estate economy; and
WHEREAS, the private property insurance industry has not provided adequate
insurance coverage for residents of Monroe County and other coastal areas in the past; and
WHEREAS, such lack of coverage from the private sector has necessitated the
establishment of the Joint Underwriting Authority and now Citizens Property Insurance
Corporation; and
WHEREAS, regulatory oversight of the property insurance industry is essential to
providing coverage that will not bankrupt consumers, especially as it pertains to windstorm
property insurance; and
WHEREAS, such regulatory oversight has been diligently provided by the Office of
Insurance Regulation; and
WHEREAS, RBI17I and SB2036 will allow large private insurance companies to
bill consumers at unregulated rates; and
WHEREAS, even the most educated consumel1S are challenged by insurance
declaration pages and policy disclosures and may miss required language regarding rates;
and
WHEREAS, there is no requirement that insurance agents disclose to consumers
that their rates are unregulated and may be in excess of other available rates; and
Res Opposing Insurance Dereg.
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WHEREAS, the effect ofHB1171 and SB2036 will be to significantly reduce the
staff and budget of the Office of Insurance Regulation;: and
WHEREAS, HB 1171 and SB2036 will limit the ability of the Office of Insurance
Regulation to protectthe insurance consumers of the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, HB1171 and SB2036 are in conflict with HB1495 and SB1950 which
protect and extend regulation of the insurance industry to the benefit of Florida's
consumers;
NOW BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS that:
1. The Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County requests that the Florida
Legislature reject or revise the proposed legislation which is proposed to deregulate the
insurance industry and limit the ability of the Office of Insurance Regulation to protect the
citizens of Florida from ruthless insurance practices.
2. The Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County requests that Governor Charlie
Crist veto any bill passed by the legislature that in any way deregulates the insurance
industry or which reduces the resources of the Office of Insurance Regulation to protect the
citizens of this State.
3. The Clerk shall immediately send a copy of this resolution to Senate President Jeff
Atwater and Speaker of the House Larry Cretul confirming opposition to HB 1171 and
SB2036.
4. The Clerk shall immediately send a copy of this resolution to the Honorable Charlie
Crist.
5. This Resolution shall become effective on the date adopted.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County,
Florida, at a meeting of said Board held on the .' 2Qth day of' May ,A.D. 2009.
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Res Opposing Insurance Dereg.
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONE~
OF M~ci>E COUNTY, FLORIDA
By#-~L:.. >n~5~
Mayqr / Chairman
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fv:ONF10E COUNTY ATTORNEY
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