DeSantis signs $2.7 billion tax break and windshield bills

After announcing his presidential candidacy, Gov. Ron DeSantis wasted no time getting back to work and enacting new laws. Among the 27 bills he signed the day after were significant tax relief measures amounting to $2.7 billion and stricter regulations on cracked windshield claims. The tax bill, H.B. 7063, introduced provisions for two 14-day sales tax holidays for back-to-school and hurricane preparedness. It also benefited the agricultural industry by prohibiting special assessments on ag lands unless the revenue is designated for debt service and establishing a permanent sales tax exemption on cattle fencing materials. Additionally, the bill provided permanent tax exemptions on various items like adult diapers, incontinence products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, diapers, wipes, shoes, strollers, cribs, and children’s clothing. H.B. 7063 further reduced the business rent tax by one percentage point to 4.5% starting in December. Another bill signed, S.B. 1002, closed a loophole allowing lawyers and repair shops to exploit window replacement claims. It disallowed assignment of benefits on automobile glass claims and prohibited insurers from directing claims to specific vendors. S.B. 1002 was part of a larger effort for tort reform during the recent legislative session.