CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 28, 2023

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 27, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement following the passage of House Bill 3 by Representative Bob Rommel in the Florida House of Representatives. House Bill 3 prohibits financial institutions from discriminating against consumers for their beliefs, barring the consideration of "ESG Credit Scores;” and permanently prohibiting SBA fund managers from considering ESG factors when investing the state's money.

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 24, 2023

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of John Sutton on charges including Filing a False and Fraudulent Insurance Claim, Grand Theft, Unlicensed Contracting, and Failure to Obtain Workers Compensation coverage for allegedly conducting an unlicensed roof replacement scheme to defraud homeowners out of more than $41,000 in insurance claims.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a proclamation ahead of Greek Independence Day on Saturday, March 25th, 2023. The proclamation highlights the strong ties between Greece, the United States, and the state of Florida.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis released a proclamation in honor of the Palm Beach International Boat show and the impressive economic impacts the show has on Florida’s economy.

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 23, 2023

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 22, 2023

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis inducted the 2023 officers and new members of the Florida Commission on the Status of Women (FCSW). The Commission was created over three decades ago by the Florida Legislature with the mission of raising awareness and celebrating the contributions and successes of women throughout the state. The CFO inducted the following 2023 officers: Chair Sophia Eccleston, Vice Chair Lori Day, Treasurer Rosie Paulsen, Secretary Claudia Medina Thomas, Member at large Jenna Persons-Mulicka, Member at large Maruchi Azorin, and Parliamentarian Belinda Keiser. The CFO also inducted the following new members: Melissa Stone, Maria Wells, Staci Sims, Kate English, Tina Vidal-Duart and Jennifer Collins. Additionally, the FCSW announced that they will be hosting statewide roundtable discussions to inform communities about the results of their recently conducted survey - The 2022 Voices of Women. The roundtables will occur in Jacksonville, Destin, Ocala, Orlando, Fort Myers and Miami and will provide women with an opportunity to share what matters most to them and highlight resources available through the Commission’s work on behalf of Florida’s women.

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 21, 2023

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 20, 2023

PANAMA CITY, Fla. - Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement on President Joe Biden’s veto of a bill that repealed a Department of Labor Rule facilitating the use of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards in pension fund investments.

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 17, 2023

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 16, 2023

Today, the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) provided an update on the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program which was created in the 2022 Special Session on Insurance.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement on Governor Ron DeSantis’ creation of a multi-state “alliance” to push back against ESG standards.

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 15, 2023

Legislative Update for March 14, 2023:

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement following the passage of House Bill 3 by Representative Bob Rommel from the House State Affairs Committee. The legislation will now move to the House Floor. House Bill 3 prohibits financial institutions from discriminating against consumers for their beliefs, barring the consideration of "ESG Credit Scores;” and permanently prohibiting SBA fund managers from considering ESG factors when investing the state's money.

Senate Bill 246 – Florida Kidcare Program Eligibility (Senator Calatayud) – This legislation increases the income eligibility threshold for coverage under the Florida Kidcare program; enrollees under the program are based on a tiered system of uniform premiums and federal approval through a waiver or state plan amendment.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Trevor Lawrence Taylor on charges of Insurance Fraud, Scheme to Defraud, and Grand Theft for his alleged involvement in an insurance fraud scheme including falsifying receipts and fabricating invoices to defraud Tokio Marine Insurance Company out of more than $34,000.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is encouraging Floridians to check their smoke alarms as they change their clocks when Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 12, at 2 a.m.

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 9, 2023

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA — He oversees a $114.8 billion budget. He has taken on the powerful ESG complex, the international “social credit score” mafia and the Deep State’s censorship organs – all while performing his duties to look out for the rights and due benefits of Floridians.

CFO Patronis Legislative Update for March 8, 2023

This legislation includes measures to eliminate one-way attorney fees and fee multipliers for all lines of insurance, modernizing Florida's "bad faith" law, and protecting small businesses from paying exorbitant damages.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is highlighting his 2023 “Keep Florida Free” Legislative Priorities. The CFO’s top priorities include protecting Floridians who are targeted by the IRS, protecting taxpayer dollars from the cult of Environmental, Social, Governance policies or ESG, preventing fraud through transparency by requiring GoFundMe and other crowdfunding sites to report account transactions, banning TikTok from Florida’s schools, and more.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $27 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of February. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, more than $1.9 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida citizens.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) issued a letter to NewsGuard, an organization that according to their website provides “credibility ratings” on news and information to promote “safety” for “readers, brands and democracies.” In the letter, the CFO states that NewsGuard’s activities are in line with the same ESG practices the Florida Legislature is targeting for the upcoming legislative session which could result in the divestment or legislative scrutiny of NewGuard’s clients. Additionally, the CFO says that the organization appears to be part of larger effort to create social credit scores that result in “debanking” and “deplatforming” of private entities, and the CFO is prepared to leverage his office to protect Florida businesses that NewsGuard is targeting.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced his support of House Bill 1185 filed today to add required transparency measures in Florida law to protect Floridians from crowdfunding charity scams from companies like GoFundMe.

Florida’s CFO Jimmy Patronis told Breitbart News he’s looking to give the best “return on investment” for Floridians and the Sunshine State instead of focusing on pushing a political agenda in investing such as environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies.

DAYTONA, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis announced that members of his Division of Investigative and Forensic Services’ (DIFS) Bomb Squad Team were deployed to Daytona to help ensure safety during the Daytona 500 this weekend. The DIFS’ Bomb Squad consists of 13 Certified Bomb Technicians and three Apprentices. DIFS also has explosive detection K-9s that have been deployed in support of the race.

TALLAHASSEE, FL. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis applauded Governor Ron DeSantis’ announcement of his “Digital Bill of Rights”, proposed legislation to protect Floridians from big tech overreach and unfair censorship. The proposed legislation also includes measures to combat digital threats from the Communist Party of China (CCP).

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is playing Cupid this Valentine’s Day and looking for Floridians with “Valentine’s-themed names” and urging them to search Florida’s Unclaimed Property database. Currently, Florida has more than $19 million in unclaimed property with Floridians who have the names listed below. Additionally, since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, more than $1.9 billion has been returned to Floridians in unclaimed property.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement on the January Consumer Price Index report which indicated inflation increased 6.4% on an annual basis.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following statement on Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed legislation cracking down on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards within Florida.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $26 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of January. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, more than $1.9 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida citizens.

Hoy, Oficial principal de finanzas (CFO) Jimmy Patronis emitió una declaración luego del anuncio del IRS de una nueva propuesta de programa de informes de propinas entre el IRS y los empleadores en las industrias de servicios. El IRS propuso el nuevo procedimiento de ingresos esta semana para apuntar a las propinas ganadas por los empleados de la industria de servicios.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement following the IRS’s announcement of a new tip reporting program proposal between the IRS and employers in the service industries. The IRS proposed the new revenue procedure this week to target tips earned by service industry employees.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement following the passage of Senate Bill 52 from the Senate Education Pre-k-12 Committee. Senate Bill 52 by Senator Danny Burgess requires Florida school districts to prohibit and prevent students from accessing social media platforms through the use of internet access provided by each district. Further, the bill calls for in-school instruction on social media safety and how best it can be utilized in personal and professional life.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Willie Hill in Jacksonville on one charge of Arson of an Occupied Dwelling for his alleged involvement in intentionally setting a trailer on fire.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis hosted a press conference at the Florida Capitol in Tallahassee to highlight his “Four Pillars of IRS Protection” to safeguard Florida families and businesses from overreach and targeting by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS). The CFO was joined by National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), Florida TaxWatch, The James Madison Institute (JMI), Senator Blaise Ingoglia, Representative Toby Overdorf, and other members of the legislature. Last year, the CFO announced he would work to pass legislation for the upcoming session to fight back against the IRS, which is expected to grow by 87,000 personnel through an $80 billion appropriation of taxpayer money from the Inflation Reduction Act that President Biden signed into law last August. Senate Bill 372 and House Bill 507 were filed recently in association with the CFO’s Pillars of IRS protection by Senator Blaise Ingoglia and Representative Toby Overdorf ahead of the 2023 Legislative Session.

TAMPA, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis hosted a press conference at Restocon in Tampa to highlight his “Four Pillars of IRS Protection” to safeguard Florida families and businesses from overreach and targeting by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS).

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement applauding Governor DeSantis’ Framework for Freedom 2023-2024 budget.

CLERMONT, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis hosted a press conference at USA Roller Chain and Sprockets in Clermont to highlight his “Four Pillars of IRS Protection” to safeguard Florida families and businesses from overreach and targeting by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS). The CFO was joined by National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), Florida TaxWatch, state legislators and local elected officials.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Jeremy Dewitte on charges of Deposit Check with Intent to Defraud, False and Fraudulent Motor Vehicle Insurance Application, Sexual Offender Fail to Register Insurance Vehicle, False and Fraudulent Motor Vehicle Insurance Application, False and Fraudulent Insurance Claim Under $20,000, Communications Fraud Over $300, Staged Crash, False and Fraudulent Insurance Claim Under $20,000, Communications Fraud Over $300, and Scheme to Defraud Under $20,000.

THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis attended the Scams and Fraud Seminar in The Villages and highlighted his “Be Scam Smart” financial safety video series for senior citizens. The “Be Scam Smart” videos are designed to be a simple and accessible way for senior citizens to learn the warning signs of a scam, and how to not become a victim of identity theft. In 2021, it was estimated that seniors in the United States lost nearly $1 billion to scams. The free online videos cover topics such as common scam tactics, identity theft, and what to know before you purchase annuities and reverse mortgages. Visit MyFloridaCFO.com/SAFE to learn more.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced his support for HB 379 and SB 52 by Representative Brad Yeager and Senator Danny Burgess that requires Florida school districts to prohibit and prevent students from accessing social media platforms through the use of internet access provided by each district. Further, the bill calls for in-school instruction on social media safety and how best it can be utilized in personal and professional life.

Today, the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced that last week, January 23 through January 28, over $5.4 million in insurance claims checks were cut by 13 participating insurance companies at Insurance Villages in Punta Gorda, Englewood, and Fort Myers for 1,086 residents impacted by Hurricane Ian. Representatives from the National Flood Insurance Program, the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were on scene meeting with consumers as well. These Hurricane Ian Insurance Villages have provided opportunities for local area residents having insurance issues to meet directly with their insurance company and work together to resolve outstanding claims.

Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis appointed Ken Jones to the Florida State Board of Administration (SBA) Investment Advisory Council (IAC). The IAC provides independent policy oversight of SBA’s funds and major investment responsibilities. Ken Jones’ appointment is subject to Senate confirmation and his term expires on December 12, 2023.

Today, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced that, as a follow up to last year’s deployment of initial payment centers to Southwest Florida due to Hurricane Ian, the Division of Consumer Services is hosting an Insurance Village today, Friday, January 27th and Saturday, January 28th. The village will serve as an opportunity for policyholders to meet with their property insurer in-person and work together to resolve outstanding claims. Representatives from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and more than a dozen insurers are expected to be on hand to assist insurance consumers.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis highlighted proposed legislation to provide Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) coverage for Florida’s emergency dispatchers and Crime Scene Investigators (CSI). In 2018, CFO Patronis successfully championed legislation to provide vital PTSD benefits for Florida’s first responders under the state’s workers’ compensation system. Senate Bill 352 and House Bill 337, filed recently for the 2023 Legislative Session by Senator Burgess and Representative McFarland, will expand those same coverages to civilian emergency support personnel who are also impacted by the devastating effects of PTSD.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis sent a letter to the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) regarding the recent collapse of cryptocurrency exchange firm FTX. The CFO encouraged OFR to use every tool the financial regulatory agency has to aid Floridians impacted by the FTX financial collapse.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a directive barring asset managers within Florida’s deferred compensation program from investing participants’ compensation in financial products associated with Environmental, Societal and Governance (ESG) standards.

Today, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced that, as a follow up to last year’s deployment of initial payment centers to Southwest Florida due to Hurricane Ian, the Division of Consumer Services will host three Insurance Villages the week of January 23 through January 28. The villages will serve as an opportunity for policyholders to meet with their property insurer in-person and work together to resolve outstanding claims. Representatives from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and more than a dozen insurers are expected to be on hand to assist insurance consumers.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a proclamation recognizing the week of January 16, 2023 – January 20, 2023 as Florida Thrift Week. This proclamation highlights the practice and the benefits of thrift and the positive impacts it has on Florida’s economy. Thrift is a long-time American tradition that promotes financial literacy which leads to responsible consumerism and smart saving practices.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet presented Sergeant David “Shack” Cox of the Florida Highway Patrol with a Cabinet Resolution honoring his service and recognizing him as the 2021 Trooper of the Year. Trooper Cox has served the State of Florida as a highway patrol officer since 2006.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet honored and recognized individuals from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) who were awarded special honors in 2021. These annual awards acknowledge the dedicated public servants who represent the State of Florida and work around the clock to keep Floridians safe.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of five individuals in Dade County for their alleged involvement in a staged automobile accident insurance fraud scheme. The five individuals were allegedly paid $1,000 each to participate in the staged automobile accident and receive treatment at local personal injury protection (PIP) clinics with the intent to fraudulently bill insurance companies out of more than $50,000.

In recognition of January as Financial Wellness Month, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is encouraging Floridians to know the warning signs of financial scams and is sharing tips on how to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued a proclamation recognizing January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. The month is an opportunity to highlight the issues faced by Florida firefighters, as well as the need for decontamination gear and firefighter cancer coverage. According to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), cancer remains the number one line-of-duty death in the entirety of the fire service.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $26 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of December. In 2022, the CFO’s Division of Unclaimed Property returned a grand total of $351.2 million. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, more than $1.8 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida citizens.

FORT MCCOY, Fla. - Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Jessie James Kropp on one count of Arson in Marion County for allegedly lighting a mortar-style firework in his ex-girlfriend’s vehicle, shattering the back window and causing extensive fire damage. Kropp also attempted to avoid arrest by initiating a high-speed vehicle chase before being taken into custody by law enforcement.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis released the following statement on Inauguration Day. CFO Patronis was sworn in today to serve his second term alongside Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and Florida’s newly elected Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement following recent media reports that credit card companies are going to start tracking gun and ammunition sales. The reports state that major credit card companies such as Visa, Mastercard and American Express have decided to apply a new sales code to distinguish firearm purchases at U.S. gun stores. Additionally, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled on a Texas bill (NetChoice V. Ken Paxton), establishing that major corporations, including banking institutions, do not have a right to limit American’s constitutional rights.