Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 130833

Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 130833

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-252-13

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: ESTABLISHING THE HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE TASK FORCE

Introduced: 4/29/2013

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 4/2/2013

Agenda Date: 4/2/2013

Agenda Item Number: 11A3

Notes:

THIS IS FINAL VERSION AS ADOPTED. ALSO SEE 130420

Title:

RESOLUTION CREATING AND ESTABLISHING THE HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE TASK FORCE [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 130420]

Indexes:

TASK FORCE

Sponsors:	Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Co-Prime Sponsor
	Lynda Bell, Co-Prime Sponsor
	Esteban L. Bovo, Jr., Co-Sponsor
	Rebeca Sosa, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

County Attorney	4/29/2013		Assigned	Cynji A. Lee		4/30/2013

Board of County Commissioners	4/2/2013	11A3 Amended	Adopted as amended				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Abigail Price-Williams read the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. Assistant County Attorney Terrence Smith read, into the record, the following proposed amendments: On handwritten Page 4, Section 3, Line 1, to delete the language “…fifteen (15)…” and insert the language “…seventeen (17)…;” in line 2 to delete the word “…property…;” in subsection (a) to add the language “…which may include County Commissioners or designees…;” in subsection (b) to change the amount from “…One (1)…” to “…three (3)…:” and to add the following language at the end: “…which may include County Commissioners or designees…;” and in subsection (c) to correct a scrivener’s error by deleting the word “his.” Commissioner Diaz noted the intent of this resolution was to review the level of power that Citizens Insurance Company possessed which enabled it to increase homeowner insurance rates and decrease benefits at will. He stated many residents of South Florida were cancelling their policies due to inability to cover the costs and suggested the Board take a strong position on this matter. He commented that Florida residents should not be penalized because the area was prone to hurricanes. Discussion ensued among Commission members regarding the urgent need to lower homeowner insurance rates and for insurance reform. There being no further questions or comments, the Board proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution as amended.

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION CREATING AND ESTABLISHING THE HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE TASK FORCE

BODY
WHEREAS, Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (''Citizens'') is the state-run corporation whose public purpose is to provide insurance protection to property owners throughout Florida. Citizens operates according to statutory requirements created by the Florida Legislature and a Plan of Operation approved by the Florida Financial Services Commission; and
WHEREAS, residents of Miami-Dade County, many of whom have no other option but Citizens for available homeowners insurance coverage, have expressed significant dissatisfaction with the property insurance program administered by Citizens; and
WHEREAS, it is desirable to create a task force to assist in evaluating and recommending measures to improve issues relating to local property insurance programs, namely Citizens, including but not limited to unauthorized rate increases, unfair practices leading to the removal of credits, and other issues impacting the affordability of homeowners insurance for the residents of Miami-Dade County,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. There is hereby created the Homeowners Insurance Task Force.
Section 2. The purpose of the Homeowners Insurance Task Force is to discuss, evaluate and advise the Board of County Commissioners on issues relating to local property insurance programs, namely Citizens, including but not limited to unauthorized rate increases, unfair practices leading to the removal of credits, and other issues impacting the affordability of homeowners insurance for the residents of Miami-Dade County.

Section 3.
The Homeowners Insurance Task Force shall consist of seventeen (17) members. The members shall be knowledgeable of and have demonstrated an expertise in the insurance market, shall comply with the requirements of Section 2-11.38 of the Code of Miami-Dade County (''Code''), and shall serve without compensation. Notwithstanding any provision in the Code to the contrary, the members shall be appointed in the following manner:
(a) One (1) appointment from each member of the Board of County Commissioners, which may include County Commissioners or designees;
(b) Three (3) appointment by the Mayor of Miami-Dade County, which may include the Mayor or designee;
(c) The Property Appraiser or designee.
Any member who ceases to meet the membership requirements set forth above shall immediately forfeit his or her office.
Section 4. Chairperson. A member of the Homeowners Insurance Task Force, chosen by a majority of the members, shall serve as Chairperson.
Section 5. Duties and Reports.
(a). Functions. The Homeowners Insurance Task Force shall evaluate, explore, consider and recommend improvements to local property insurance programs, namely Citizens.
(b). Report. The Homeowners Insurance Task Force shall provide a preliminary report to the Board of County Commissioners within one hundred eighty (180) days from the effective date of this resolution, and shall submit a final written report on the status of property insurance and recommendations on improvements within three hundred and sixty-four (364) days from the effective date.

Section 6. The Homeowners Insurance Task Force shall be provided adequate staff and support services to enable it to carry out its purposes and duties.
Section 7. This resolution shall stand repealed three hundred and sixty-four (364) days from its effective date.