Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter (ABC-FEC) applauds the passage of the Causes of Action Based on Improvements to Real Property bill (SB 360/HB 85) by the Florida Legislature. The chapter thanks State Representative John Snyder (R-District 86) and State Senator Travis Hutson (R-District 7) for sponsoring the bills in their respective chambers. The legislation now awaits signature by Gov. Ron DeSantis into law.
“The new law corrects Florida’s liberal Statute of Repose laws that had given trial attorneys carte blanche to file abusive lawsuits,” said Peter Dyga, president and CEO of ABC Florida East Coast Chapter. “They had caused financial harm to the construction industry, costing contractors, businesses, homeowners and insurers billions of dollars.”
This is the fifth consecutive year ABC has helped pass substantial legislative changes benefiting the construction industry. “We congratulate our ABC Florida Government Affairs team, led by chief lobbyist Carol Bowen, for their untiring efforts,” Dyga said.
The new law:
- Reduces Florida’s Statute of Repose from 10 to 7 years for all construction.
- Starts the clock when the earliest of the following triggers occur:
- Abandonment if construction is not completed
- The authority having jurisdiction issues a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy
- Certificate of completion, which may be issued a local building department depending on the county
- Adds a definition of materiality to describe 558 claims brought as violations of the Florida Building Code.A material defect must be alleged.
- Better defines the term “material violation.” It now means a Florida building code violation in a completed building, structure, or facility, which may reasonably result, or has resulted in physical harm to a person or caused significant damage to the performance of a building or its systems.
About Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter (ABC FEC)
The East Coast Chapter represents General and Specialty Contractors, associate and supplier members from Key West to Brevard County who share ABC’s belief in open and competitive processes, in the importance of industry education, training and safety services, and in the role the association plays in these areas. For more information, call:954-984-0075 or visit:http://www.
