Drew Wilson, vice president at Florida Politics, has expressed concerns regarding recent legislative developments in Florida. In an op-ed published on March 20, Wilson highlighted that recent tort reform legislation has contributed to reversing the state's litigation-heavy environment but cautioned that bills such as House Bill 947 could lead to increased consumer costs.
"The legislation, backed by insurers and the business lobby, made sweeping changes to laws governing how lawsuits are filed and litigated in Florida," said Wilson. "Backers long pointed to litigation costs as the primary driver for rising insurance premiums. Before the legislation was enacted, the Florida Chamber of Commerce said Floridians were paying a $5,000-per-year “tort tax,” by way of higher prices and premiums."
According to a March 2025 policy primer from the Consumer Choice Center, Florida's 2023 tort reform law, HB 837, has started yielding measurable consumer benefits. These include reduced litigation, stabilized insurance rates, and improved courtroom transparency. The primer warns that new legislative proposals like HB 947 and SB 1520—which aim to expand admissible medical evidence and alter litigation procedures—could potentially undermine these achievements.
The Consumer Choice Center report also notes that the Florida Chamber of Commerce previously estimated a $5,000-per-year "tort tax" on households due to inflated prices and insurance premiums caused by the state's unchecked lawsuit environment. HB 837 was designed to reduce these indirect costs by limiting attorney fee multipliers, tightening negligence standards, and encouraging early settlements.
"The rising cost of litigation is something that impacts every consumer or customer, whether they know it or not," said Yaël Ossowski, Deputy Director at the Consumer Choice Center and co-author of the organization's 2025 policy primer. Ossowski said that the reforms introduced by HB 837 in 2023 have significantly helped improve Florida's reputation as a litigious hotspot and made the civil justice system more accountable for small businesses and consumers.
Wilson is known for his extensive coverage of legislative and policy developments over more than a decade at Florida Politics. His expertise in insurance, tort reform, and regulatory issues has established him as a respected figure in Florida's political journalism community. He previously worked as a staff writer for various regional news outlets and holds a degree in journalism.
Florida Politics is a nonpartisan news outlet focused on state government, policy, and political affairs. Based in Tallahassee, it provides comprehensive coverage of Florida's legislative process, elections, and lobbying activities with an emphasis on detailed reporting and analysis. The publication is widely followed by policymakers, journalists, and advocacy groups across the state.