Florida’s new legislature leadership rejects condo crisis special session.
Florida’s new legislative leadership dismissed speculation regarding a special session aimed at addressing the affordability crisis faced by condo owners, even in light of Gov. Ron DeSantis’s calls for such a session to be held by the year’s end.
The crisis was primarily triggered by a set of modifications approved by the state following the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South, a 12-story condominium in Surfside, Miami-Dade County, in June 2021, according to a recent article by Douglas Soule of Naples Daily News.
“We share the governor’s sense of urgency,” stated Sen. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, who was elected Senate president on Tuesday. “We concur that a thorough examination of this matter is essential. The matter at hand is intricate.”
However, Albritton stated that legislators would address it in the upcoming regular session, starting on March 4.
Rep. Daniel Perez, R-Miami, who was elected as House speaker, expressed a similar sentiment.
“The question should not be about when. The question should be what,” Perez stated. “When individuals advocate for a special session, they are often quick to label it as such, but we must carefully consider the topic and the solutions we aim to address…”
Condo challenges continue to be a significant concern in Florida.
Following the tragic collapse of the Champlain Towers South, which resulted in the loss of 98 lives, lawmakers enacted a series of reforms. The changes encompassed updated safety standards and mandates for condo associations to maintain cash reserves for maintenance projects.
The requirements are due by the end of the year, prompting condo associations to implement special assessments and increase monthly fees. In certain instances, the increases were so substantial that thousands of condo owners across the state have chosen to sell their units.
Sen. Jason Pizzo, the newly appointed Senate Democratic leader, announced on Tuesday that he and Sen. Jennifer Bradley, R-Green Cove Springs, will be hosting “a very large summit on condos” in Davie on Dec. 3. He stated that the official announcement would follow in a few days.
Everyone will enter the room. “We’re going to discuss it thoroughly with peer review and be able to progress,” said Pizzo, of Sunny Isles Beach.
Regardless of the deadline, Pizzo expressed his belief that anyone acting in good faith and striving to comply with the law will be acceptable.
He mentioned that lawmakers would start engaging in that discussion during the committee weeks preceding the regular session.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News