Governor Crist Expands Call for October 3 Special Session to Include Personal Injury Protection

Announces Special Session for later in October to lower property taxes
 
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today expanded the call for the Special Session beginning October 3, 2007, to include Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, known as personal injury protection or PIP.  The session was originally called by the Legislature on September 28, 2007, to focus on the 2007-08 budget.
 
“Personal injury protection insurance is very important to the people of Florida, and $10,000 in coverage provides a minimum safeguard,” said Governor Crist.  “I am encouraging members of the House and Senate to reach consensus and ensure the continuation of this important consumer protection.”
 
Governor Crist also announced that the Legislature will call a Special Session to be scheduled later in October to address property tax relief in time for a constitutional amendment to be placed on the January 29, 2008, ballot.
 
“By addressing property taxes before end of the month, we will ensure that the people of Florida have the opportunity to vote to lower their property taxes on January 29,” Governor Crist said. 
 
Please see the attached proclamation expanding the call of the October 3 Special Session.
 
PROCLAMATION
STATE OF FLORIDA
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
TALLAHASSEE
 
TO THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE FLORIDA SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

WHEREAS, the initial purpose of this Special Session was to consider legislation making adjustments to fiscal year 2007-2008 appropriations; legislation providing for the redirection of trust fund revenues and balances to the General Revenue Fund; legislation making adjustments to user fees; legislation to conform Florida law to such adjustments and redirections; and legislation narrowing the definition of “municipality of special financial concern” created by Section 8 of Chapter 2007-321, Laws of Florida.; and

WHEREAS, Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, and with it the requirement to maintain personal injury protection benefits expires on October 1, 2007; and

WHEREAS, reenactment of Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law with reforms designed to lower costs and eliminate fraud and abuse such as: minimum qualifications for care providers, a uniform claims process, a fee schedule to help control medical costs, increased enforcement authority and increased funding to crack down on fraud, and litigation reform aimed at streamlining the claims process and reducing legal costs, will serve the best interests of the people; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the people of the State of Florida to expand the call for this Special Session;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Charlie Crist, Governor of the State of Florida, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by Article III, Section 3(c)(1), Florida Constitution and Section 11.011, Florida Statutes, do hereby proclaim as follows:

The call to the Legislature of the State of Florida is expanded for the sole and exclusive purpose of considering the following:

HB 13C and any identical bill filed in the Senate, or other similar legislation which reenacts, with reforms, the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault law, and any related public records measures deemed necessary by the Legislature.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed to this Proclamation expanding the call to the Legislature in Special Session at the Capitol, this 1st day of October, 2007.
 
_____________________________
GOVERNOR
 
ATTEST:
 
__________________________
SECRETARY OF STATE