STATEMENT: Florida TaxWatch Commends House and Senate for Passing Senate Bill 72
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The following statement is to be attributed to Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro in response to the passage of Senate Bill 72 in the House and the Senate.
“Florida TaxWatch commends House Speaker Chris Sprowls, Representative Lawrence McClure, Senate President Wilton Simpson, Senator Jeff Brandes, and members of the House and Senate for passing SB 72, which provides limited immunity from civil liability for damages relating to COVID-19 for responsible Florida businesses and health care providers. The passage of 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 businesses struggle to reopen or remain open in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many are fearful of the threat of litigation. Responsible business owners acting in good faith to comply with public health directives and healthcare workers and facilities who must make extremely difficult decisions under trying and uncertain circumstances must have comfort that they will be able to operate without fear of opportunistic, predatory, and expensive litigation.
It is just as 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.
A recent Mason-Dixon poll commissioned by Florida TaxWatch found 72 percent of those surveyed said Florida businesses that act in good faith when reopening during the pandemic should be protected from lawsuits. The same poll found 74 percent supported such protection for health care providers.
Florida TaxWatch understands that immunity from civil liability will not stem the spread of COVID-19, nor will it prevent injury or harm or make the associated costs go away, but if Florida’s economy is to recover and regain its pre-pandemic prosperity, it is essential that businesses, healthcare facilities, and other entities that are working hard to comply with public health directives or protective measures are protected from civil liability.
As the bill heads to his desk, Florida TaxWatch asks Governor DeSantis to sign this important piece of legislation, and we remain ready to assist with this and other critical issues impacting Florida taxpayers.”