STATEMENT: Florida TaxWatch Commends Governor Ron DeSantis for Signing Senate Bill 72

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The following statement is to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro in response to Governor Ron DeSantis’ signing of Senate Bill 72.

“Florida TaxWatch commends Governor Ron DeSantis for signing SB 72, Florida’s COVID-19 Liability Shield, into law this afternoon. This important bill will avoid the annual loss of an estimated 356,000 jobs and $28 billion in personal income for Florida residents, according to a Florida TaxWatch research report.

"As Florida moves forward under this legislation, it is important to make sure that those acting in “bad faith” are held accountable for their negligence while ensuring that those who contract COVID-19 because of the gross negligence of others can recover for their injuries. We must ensure that good actors are protected and bad actors are punished.

"Thank you to House Speaker Chris Sprowls, Senate President Wilton Simpson, Senator Jeff Brandes, and Representative Lawrence McClure for their excellent work on this bill."