Governor Ron DeSantis

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Deadline Extensions

Last fall, Governor DeSantis signed Executive Order 22-242 on October 20, 2022, extending ad valorem property tax filing deadlines for Floridians affected by Hurricane Ian and called for a special session to address further relief. The special session concluded toward the end of the December and Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 4-A, which codified the extended deadlines in section 197.3182 of the Florida Statutes. The deadlines are exactly the same as the ones in the Executive Order; the details about those deadlines may be found here.

This was not all the Governor was able to offer Hurricane Ian victims, that same bill provided for ad valorem property tax refunds and how to qualify.

Property Tax Refunds

Continue Reading Ad Valorem Property Tax Refunds Available for Those Affected by Hurricane Ian

Governor Ron Desantis issued an executive order prohibiting COVID-19 “vaccine passports” in Florida. The order prevents government entities from issuing “vaccine passports” or other standardized documentation for the purpose of certifying an individual’s COVID-19 vaccine status to a third party.

How does this order impact Florida business owners?

Further, this order prohibits businesses in Florida from requiring patrons to provide documentation certifying that the individual had a COVID-19 vaccination. Businesses still, however, can employ COVID-19 screening protocols and measures, such as requiring the use of a mask.Continue Reading No COVID-19 “Vaccine Passports” for Florida

The Florida House of Representatives passed S.B. 72 in a decisive 83-31 vote, a bill that would give businesses and health care providers a legal safe harbor from COVID-19 injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law this afternoon. The law retroactively applies to causes of actions that have accrued but does not apply in a civil action which is commenced before the effective date of the law (March 29).

The new law provides civil immunity to corporations, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and houses of worship. The exception to the law would be a showing of gross negligence or intentional misconduct, both of which are very difficult standards to prove. The bill had its opponents, of course, namely, the plaintiff bar, as it creates significant legal hurdles for plaintiffs who wish to file lawsuits over coronavirus-related injuries.Continue Reading COVID-19 Legal Safe Harbor Signed into Florida Law

Yesterday, Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order No. 20-91 (which the Governor amended later the same day for clarification). Section 1.B of Executive Order 20-91 provides “all persons in Florida shall limit their movements and personal interactions outside of their home to only those necessary to obtain or provide essential services or conduct essential activities.”

What are essential services?

Unfortunately, it’s not easy to describe in general terms what an “essential service” is. Of course, if you own a business, you consider your business’s service or product essential, otherwise you wouldn’t be in business to begin with! Personal feelings aside, however, it’s important to understand how the State of Florida defines “essential services.”Continue Reading COVID-19: What are Essential Services?