PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that he wants lawmakers to convene a special session to address the rising costs of condo ownership in Florida.

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Ron DeSantis says he wants lawmakers to provide relief to struggling condo owners in a special session

  • The session would provide remedy to owners struggling to afford renovations demanded by new legislation intended to prevent a tragedy similar to what happened in Surfside

  • Senate President Kathleen Passidomo has already said she does not support calling a special session to address the issue

Calls for a special session in Florida have been growing as condo owners navigate new, and potentially costly, regulations that require mandatory inspections, repairs and cash reserves.

Lawmakers implemented the regulations following the 2021 collapse of a 12-story beachside condominium in Surfside, Fla. The collapse killed 98 people, making it one of the deadliest structural failures in U.S. history.

“You have a lot of people in these condos that are on fixed incomes, a lot of senior citizens,” said DeSantis Thursday during a roundtable event in Pinellas County. “If there were no issues with the condos, it is still something that could be difficult to afford.”

DeSantis told reporters he wants a special session to be held before the end of the year. He also floated two ideas to help address the issue: A 0% interest loan to condos, and an extension for the law’s compliance deadline. DeSantis said he’s still contemplating other means of consumer relief.

“We want to still focus on the safety and responsibility of these condo associations to ensure that they’re structurally sound, to ensure they’re putting enough money in reserves,” said St. Petersburg Republican State Sen. Nick DiCeglie. “But we also want to make sure that that is not a burden.”

The Florida Constitution stipulates only the governor, both legislative leaders, or a vote by three-fifths of the Florida House may order a special session.

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo in August penned a letter to senators, saying she does not support a special session. 

Florida House Democrats on Thursday acknowledged a need for reforms.

“House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell supports a special session on condo reform if the proposals put forth are actually meaningful, people-centered policies that actually address the issue and not attempt to put a Band-Aid over it,” wrote acting House Democrats Communications Director Joey Arellano.