JANUARY 11 TO JANUARY 17, 2024 | JAXDAILYRECORD.COM
BUSINESS & LEGAL NEWS IN BAKER, CLAY, DUVAL, NASSAU AND ST. JOHNS COUNTIES
INSURANCE REFORM: WAITING FOR RELIEF
INSIDE
THE MATHIS REPORT
New owner says Rowe’s is beating its expectations PAGE 4
CITY GOVERNMENT
Could the Laura Street Trio be demolished? PAGE 12
“It took many years for the state to get into the crisis we have been in and it will take a little while for the crisis to pass,” Florida Rep. Wyman Duggan says. BY MAX MARBUT ASSOCIATE EDITOR
I
nsurance reforms enacted by the state Legislature in the past few years are expected to help Florida’s policyholders see reduced costs and better access to coverage. In the rewriting of Florida’s insurance regulations, the response to annual homeowners insurance premiums as much as doubling in three years and an equally rapid decrease in insurance provider options for consumers, lawmakers approved compre-
hensive changes. Amendments include limiting attorney fees related to claim dispute litigation, shortening the amount of time a policyholder has to make a claim for damages, and requiring insurance companies to follow proper claims procedures or face penalties levied by the state. Insurance professionals and lawmakers agree that the effects of the measures signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis are yet to be fully felt by consumers.
INSIDE Workers’ comp insurance premiums decreasing in 2024. Page 7 Comparing average homeowners annual premiums by county in Northeast Florida. Page 8
SEE INSURE, PAGE 6
LAW & THE COURTS
New judge on the bench Former chief assistant state attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit L.E. Hutton is sworn in. PAGE 9 SMALL BUSINESS
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THE BASCH REPORT
CSX Corp. offers ‘cleanest play on U.S. rail recovery’ An analyst says the Jacksonville-based railroad company had a pretty good year in 2023 but was overshadowed by big news from other major railroads. PAGE 14
JAX Chamber business honors The JAX Chamber announces its 2024 Small Business Leaders of the Year as chosen by the Chamber Councils, the Beaches Division, NextUp JAX and Venture Services. PAGE 10
VOLUME 111, NO. 9 | TWO SECTIONS | PUBLISHED SINCE 1912