Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis issued two proclamations recognizing May 4, 2024 as International Firefighters’ Day and May 5, 2024 as National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day. National Firefighter’s Day highlights the duty and bravery of firefighters around the country who put their lives on the line to protect life and property. National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day honors firefighters and emergency services personnel who have sacrificed their lives to save others.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis applauded Governor Ron DeSantis for signing HB 939, a Consumer Protection Bill. Among other provisions, this legislation mandates cash-app companies like Venmo, PayPal and Zelle create protections so users are not unfairly taxed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for transactions that are unrelated to goods-or-services. The legislation also creates a 10-day recission period during declared disasters where policyholders can get out of bad roofing contracts.

Today, at a press conference in Jacksonville, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis joined Governor Ron DeSantis for the signing of House Bill 989, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) Agency Bill. Among many provisions, this legislation creates the Florida Taxpayer Advocate and bolsters the services provided by the Division of Insurance Consumer Services to support consumers. This legislation also create rules and regulations to prevent fires caused by lithium-ion batteries commonly found in electronic vehicles (EVs) such as scooters, hoverboards, golf carts, and battery-powered cars and designates cryptocurrency as unclaimed property. Lastly, this bill rebrands the fraud and arson investigations unit of the Department from the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS) to the newly named Criminal Investigations Division (CID).

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $34 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of April. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, nearly $2.4 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida citizens.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis warned Floridians on the potential increase in property insurance premiums and other pitfalls when purchasing solar panels and having them installed on the roof of their home or business. Several states have seen a massive increase in residential solar panel installation, growing by 1,106% in the last five years, with many offering incentives for these installations. However, there are potential hazards to these installations, such as compromised roof integrity, an increase in homeowners insurance, and a difficulty in finding property insurance coverage.

Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announces the arrest of 16 individuals in a workers’ compensation insurance fraud sting operation involving unlicensed contractors in Manatee County. The operation was in collaboration with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis led a Keeping Policyholder First Insurance Roundtable in Clearwater with state legislators as well as business and community leaders to highlight the successes made to improve Florida’s property insurance market.

Today, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced he was issuing the following letter to the Florida Congressional delegation, encouraging their support of legislation authored by Senator Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio, along with efforts by Representative Aaron Bean, codifying the state’s ability to permit certain projects.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis applauded Governor Ron DeSantis for signing legislation to fund and improve the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program. The successful MSFH program provides free home inspections and up to $10,000 in grants to allow Florida homeowners to strengthen their home against storms with home hardening products like impact resistant doors and windows, while cutting insurance costs through mandatory home mitigation discounts. Legislation signed into law today provides an additional $200 million in funding for the program. Since 2022, the program has successfully completed more than 104,000 free home inspections, approved more than 38,000 grant applications, and obligated nearly $390 million in home hardening grants. Since May of 2022, the state has invested more than $600 million in the My Safe Florida Home program to help Floridians harden their homes and reduce insurance costs.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis submitted a public records request to the Office of Congressman Sheldon Whitehouse related to the Rhode Island Senator’s recent interest in the solvency and stability of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (CITIZENS).

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is encouraging Floridians to take advantage of the Florida Home Hardening Sales Tax Initiative before it ends on June 30, 2024. This initiative established a two-year sales tax exemption on the retail sales of items like impact-resistant windows, doors, and garage doors. Overall, the Florida Home Hardening Sales Tax Exemption program has saved homeowners an estimated $462.6 million during the course of the exemption period.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of four individuals, Abel Vera, Nancy Mercedes Pena, Yuniesky Betancourt, and Maura Perez in Miami-Dade County for allegedly staging an automobile accident and falsely documented the accident with police. The four had a goal of reporting the accident to the automobile insurance company, Kemper Insurance, to exploit the personal injury and protection (PIP) benefits associated with the auto policy for financial gain.

With the start of the 2024 Hurricane Season just 50 days away, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis highlights “Prepare Florida,” a disaster preparedness initiative to encourage Floridians to prepare now before a hurricane makes landfall. CFO Patronis’ PrepareFL.com website serves as a one-stop-shop for disaster preparedness information and resources to help Floridians ensure they are prepared to weather the next storm.

Ahead of Tax Day on Monday, April 15, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is highlighting taxpayer rights and encouraging Floridians to understand resources available to them as taxpayers. Floridians are expected to pay billions in federal income taxes this year, and the CFO has made it his mission to hold the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) accountable and provide information and resources for taxpayers.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) & State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis applauded Governor Ron DeSantis’ signing of Senate Bill 718, Exposures of First Responders to Fentanyl, by Senator Jay Collins and Representative Jessica Baker.

Florida intends to cut its ties with Morningstar until the investment firm can prove it has rooted out anti-Israel bias in its investment ratings platforms, the state’s chief financial officer told JNS on Thursday.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis toured the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Florida Task Force 2 Training Center where he assessed hurricane preparedness and discussed the importance of Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) teams.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced that more than $33 million in unclaimed property was returned to Floridians during the month of March. Since CFO Patronis took office in 2017, nearly $2.4 billion in unclaimed property has been returned to Florida citizens.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis released the following statement following his visit to the U.S. Mexico border in Eagle Pass, Texas. CFO Patronis assessed U.S. border security and support efforts by the Florida Guard, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Florida Highway Patrol.

Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Miguel Reyes, Jr. in Miami-Dade County on charges of Burglary, Arson, and Throwing a Destructive Device. On March 22, 2024, Miguel Reyes and another suspect were caught on a surveillance recording system approaching a local barbershop, shattering the front glass windows, and throwing two ignited objects into the business causing a large commercial fire. The additional suspect is still at large.