Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a statement in support of Senator Rick Scott’s Homeowners Premium Tax Reduction Act. This proposed legislation will provide American homeowners an above-the-line tax deduction of up to $10,000 of premiums paid for homeowners’ insurance annually at their primary residence.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued an Emergency Order to protect insurance policyholders following the impacts of Hurricane Debby. Among other provisions, the order extends the recission period of a public adjusters contract from 10 days to 30 days, requires anyone working in the claims process on behalf of the carrier to respond to policyholders within seven days, and requires that all adjusters verbally identify themselves and who they work for before signing a contract with a policyholder.

Following the impacts of Hurricane Debby, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued the following consumer alert warning consumers of contracts designed to avoid Florida’s ban on assignment of benefits (AOBs). AOBs were used by contractors to transfer the homeowner’s property insurance rights to the contractor but have been prohibited in Florida since January 1, 2023.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis activated his Disaster Fraud Action Strike Teams (DFAST) which have been deployed to Levy, Dixie, Taylor, Lafayette, Suwannee, and Hamilton counties to protect Floridians from storm-related fraud following the impacts of Hurricane Debby.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is urging Floridians to take the necessary precautions to prepare their homes and property ahead of the tropical wave forming in the Gulf of Mexico. The tropical wave could strengthen into a tropical storm and bring heavy rain and damaging winds to communities in the Florida peninsula then possibly moving into the panhandle. The storm could potentially bring a threat of coastal flooding, so Floridians should be up to date on recovery tips and resources offered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a directive to the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS), which the CFO oversees, barring the use of censorship and blacklisting services, like NewsGuard Technologies, Inc., that attach “credibility ratings” to news sources. Adverse ratings can diminish a legitimate news source’s reputation and advertising revenue, often intentionally, and are known to apply according to subjective factors, like political bias, not factual inaccuracies. The directive bars both the Department and its contractors from utilizing censorship media-monitoring services when making ad-buys or marketing placements for Departmental services.

A growing number of states are forcing public employee pension funds to divest from China, pulling out of the world’s second-largest economy because of hostility toward Beijing and fear that U.S. assets could be frozen if conflict breaks out in the Indo-Pacific.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that the Florida Department of Financial Services’ Division of Treasury generated a record $1.95 billion in interest earnings during Fiscal Year 2023-2024. These earnings derive from state funds and other monies that the Division of Treasury invests on behalf of taxpayers, while remaining effective stewards of resources that fund operational state duties and other financial assets entrusted to its care.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued an official letter to President Donald J. Trump outlining the nation’s insurance crisis and recommending specific actions to bring costs under control. Under the Biden-Harris administration, families and businesses have endured skyrocketing insurance costs that have put the American Dream out of reach for too many hard-working people. Since taking office, homeowners’ insurance rates have increased an estimated 37% nationally, and the Consumer Price Index has increased nearly 20%. CFO Patronis made it clear in his letter that the status quo is totally unacceptable, and that a Trump administration can rein in premiums for all Americans.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) will host a ‘Fixing Problems for Floridians Fair’ in Orlando on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The event is open to the public and will consist of experts from DFS to assist Floridians with their issues and educate consumers on resources available to them.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the appointment of Tom Gallagher to the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) Board of Directors. FIGA is a nonprofit corporation created by the Florida Legislature in 1970 and services pending claims by Florida policyholders of member insurance companies that become insolvent and are ordered liquidated.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $26 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of June. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, nearly $2.5 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida citizens.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the reopening of the My Safe Florida Home program's grant application portal tomorrow, Monday, July 1. The program will prioritize senior citizens and low-income homeowners with two special application periods before opening to the public. The initiative offers free home inspections and grants up to $10,000 for strengthening homes against storms with impact-resistant doors and windows, aiming to reduce insurance costs through mandatory mitigation discounts. Newly signed legislation provides an additional $200 million for the program, enhancing services for seniors and low-income homeowners. Since 2022, the program has conducted over 104,000 free inspections, approved 38,000 grant applications, and allocated nearly $390 million in home hardening grants.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the appointment of D. Ryan West to the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association (FIGA) Board of Directors. FIGA is a nonprofit corporation created by the Florida Legislature in 1970 and services pending claims by or against Florida policyholders of member insurance companies that become insolvent and are ordered liquidated.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of two insurance agents, and a third individual, for their alleged involvement in an insurance agent license testing fraud scheme in Miami. Rainer Miguel Salas and his son Rainer Alexander Salas, a licensed Florida insurance agent, and receptionist Karla Lit Peralta Ceballos, also a licensed Florida insurance agent, allegedly accepted payments and facilitated the fraudulent acquisition of approximately five Florida insurance agents' licenses by taking licensing exams on behalf of other individuals.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis issued a proclamation recognizing June 27, 2024 as National PTSD Awareness Day and is highlighting resources and aid available to first responders living with PTSD. Since 2017, CFO Patronis has been dedicated to serving Florida’s first responders and has supported efforts to expand PTSD benefits, including $10 million in the 2024 Focus on Florida’s Future Budget that will go directly toward aiding veterans and first responders.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is alerting Floridians about new features in vehicles that track and collect your personal information and provided tips on how to limit data collection on you and your family.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis released the following statement on new economic reports that show Florida's economy outpacing the nation as indicated by the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures. The states GDP grew by 21.9 percent from the first quarter of 2019 to the first quarter of 2024, doubling the national GDP during that time and highlighting a robust economic trajectory despite inflationary challenges.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is warning Floridians to be weary of misleading solicitations and flyers claiming to be associated with the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program and promoting “free roofs and windows”. Before conducting any business with a contractor, homeowners should verify their credentials and understand the MSFH grant process to avoid falling victim to fraud.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis warns parents, caregivers and loved ones to never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle especially as a stifling heat wave impacts much of the state. In 2023, 29 children died in hot car related tragedies including seven from Florida.