DeSantis signs $2.7 billion tax break and windshield bills

A day after declaring he was running for president, Gov. Ron DeSantis was back at his day job and signing legislation.

The governor on Thursday signed 27 bills in all, including $2.7 billion in tax relief and tightening rules on cracked windshields claims.

The tax bill, H.B. 7063, included several provisions meant to cut what taxpayers pay by creating two 14-day sales tax holidays around back to school as well as two for hurricane preparedness.

The legislation was also a boon for the agricultural industry. The new law, according to a statement from Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, prohibits counties from imposing special assessments on ag lands “unless the revenue from the assessment against the property is pledged for debt service." This along with the creation of a permanent sales tax exemption on materials for fencing used to “contain, confine or process cattle.”

Other measures in the bill, provide for permanent tax exemptions on adult diapers and incontinence products as well as toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss; and on diapers, wipes, shoes, strollers, cribs and other items for babies and toddlers as well clothing sized for children five or younger.

H.B 7063 also cuts the business rent tax one percentage point to 4.5% starting in December.

Another piece of legislation signed Thursday was S.B 1002.

This bill closes a loophole that supporters of the legislation said allowed lawyers and repair shops to cash in on window replacements. The new law disallows the assignment of benefits on automobile glass claims and keeps insurers from steering claims to specific vendors.

S.B. 1002 was one of several bills passed during the recent legislative session aimed at tort reform.