A bill that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed in early December includes several laws that went into effect at the start of the New Year, which includes laws that cover tolls, tenant safety and property insurance.
The toll relief law is one of the many laws that went into effect on January 1.
Florida commuters who use a transponder will receive toll rebates.
The bill will credit commuters 50% of their tolls if their transponder is used at least 35 times during a month. DeSantis said it ensures Floridians, and not tourists, will benefit from the rebate program.
“Tourists are still going to pay the same,” DeSantis said. “We want our folks that are working every day to be able to benefit.”
The bill was approved by lawmakers in a special session in December.
The program is expected to benefit approximately 1.2 million drivers and will save the average commuter nearly $400 in the 2023 calendar year.
The law will run until the end of 2023.
DeSantis estimated the rebates will cost the state $500 million next year. Commuters are expected to save an average of almost $400 over the year.
Another law taking effect is “Miya’s Law,” which is intended to keep tenants at apartment complexes and rental properties safer.
The law was named after 19-year-old Orlando woman, Miya Marcano, who was killed by an employee at the apartment complex she was living in.
The law will require employees to undergo a background check, give a 24-hour notice before entry for maintenance repairs and require landlords and property managers to keep a log of everyone who has access to master keys.
These rules only apply to properties that have more than 50 family units.
The President of the Florida Landlord Network Paul Howard said a lot of these rules are already being used.
“It’s a reasonable accommodation for the tenant, the tenant should feel safe and secure in their home and I don’t see a problem with that. Again, the larger communities are going to have are already doing all of this because of the liability on the other things that go along with it,” Howard said.
Also, lawmakers approved a $1 billion fund to help insurers get reinsurance coverage for their properties.
It’s meant to reduce insurance lawsuits and aimed at speeding up the claims process when it comes to recent storms that hit Florida.