PIP Reform Bill Clears Florida Senate In Late Night Session
MIAMI (CBS4/AP) - In a late night special session held Friday, lawmakers finally came to a conclusion on personal injury protection (PIP).
The bill (HB 119) passed late Friday on a 22-17 vote. It now goes to Gov. Rick Scott, who had made the bill his top priority for the legislative session.
Scott came to the Senate moments after the vote to congratulate Senate President Mike Haridopolos for passing the bill. The state's insurance consumer advocate said Thursday that costs for the personal injury protection (PIP) coverage have increased $1.4 billion since 2008.
A tie vote would have defeated the measure.
The Senate had been demanding a guaranteed 25 percent rate reduction on PIP but settled for a 10 percent reduction that's not guaranteed.
Governor Rick Scott congratulated lawmakers on coming to an agreement.
"This is a triumphant moment for the residents of Florida. Members of the legislature heard our call to put Floridians ahead of special interests and combat the fraud that has become a billion dollar tax on drivers. I applaud Chief Financial Officer Atwater, Speaker Cannon, Senate President Haridopolos, Representative Boyd, Senator Negron and Senator Richter and the many Florida newspapers and media outlets for uniting the legislature behind a solution to the auto insurance fraud problem. This is a bill that delivers on my promise to reduce the cost of living in this state by reducing fraud, stopping the growing cost related to accident fraud and ultimately saving Floridians money that otherwise would have found its way into the pockets of fraudsters, unethical providers and trial lawyers. I applaud the legislature for this decision that will help every Floridian policyholder. With the passage of auto insurance fraud reform, my job creation agenda and $1 billion for K-12 education, it is safe to say this session has been a victory for all Floridians."
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