Florida Legislature Calls Special Session on Homeowners Insurance, Hurricane Preparedness

Florida's legislative leaders have called a special session to address homeowners insurance and hurricane preparedness as the state enters the peak of storm season, according to state officials.

The special session will focus on proposed legislation that includes additional reinsurance support, grants for home hardening projects, and incentives designed to encourage insurance companies to write more policies in coastal counties, legislative leaders said.

The timing comes as Florida continues to grapple with challenges in its property insurance market while facing the annual threat of hurricanes during peak storm season, which typically runs from August through October.

According to the proposals under consideration, the state would provide additional reinsurance support to help stabilize the insurance market. Reinsurance acts as insurance for insurance companies, helping them manage large-scale losses from catastrophic events such as hurricanes.

The legislation would also create grant programs to help homeowners pay for upgrades that make their properties more resistant to hurricane damage, such as impact-resistant windows, reinforced roofing, and other structural improvements.

State officials said the proposed bills include measures to incentivize insurance carriers to expand their coverage in coastal counties, where many property owners have faced difficulty obtaining affordable homeowners insurance in recent years.

The special session represents the latest effort by state government to address insurance market challenges in Florida. The action comes during a busy legislative period in which Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed well over 100 measures this year, according to officials.

Other recent legislative actions have included legislation to substantially increase the homestead property tax exemption starting in 2027 and 2028. The state has also advanced policy changes tightening SNAP eligibility rules set to take effect in 2026, which will reshape safety-net access for low-income residents.

Beyond the Legislature, Florida officials have pursued other initiatives in recent weeks. The state attorney general issued criminal subpoenas to Roblox over allegations the gaming platform has not adequately prevented child predators from targeting children, escalating an investigation into the technology company.

At the local level, some Florida municipalities have advanced new regulations on public gatherings, with cities such as Winter Park moving forward with ordinances to limit protests at public facilities including libraries and event centers.

The special session on homeowners insurance and hurricane preparedness has not yet been scheduled, but legislative leaders indicated it would take place as storm season continues.