Florida News in Brief

Citizens policy count dipsTALLAHASSEE (NSF) — After a huge drop the previous week, the number of policies at the state's Citizens Property Insurance Corp. decreased slightly last week. Citizens had 437,097 policies Friday, down from 439,079 a week earlier, according to data posted on its website.

Citizens had 567,650 policies in mid-November, but the number plummeted because of what is known as a "depopulation" program aimed at moving policies into the private market. Citizens is at its lowest total since October 2019, when it had 419,475 policies. Officials have estimated Citizens will have fewer than 400,000 policies by the end of the year.

Citizens was created as an insurer of last resort but, starting in 2020 and 2021, saw explosive growth as private insurers shed customers and raised rates amid financial problems. Citizens peaked at about 1.4 million policies in September 2023. But with legislative changes to shield insurers from lawsuits and the depopulation program, the policy count has steadily decreased over the past two years.

State leaders and Citizens officials have long sought to reduce the size of Citizens, at least in part because of financial risks if Florida gets hit with a major hurricane or multiple hurricanes.

Florida gasoline prices drop after holidayTALLAHASSEE (NSF) — Florida motorists were paying an average of just over $3 a gallon for regular unleaded gas Monday, after the burst of demand during the Thanksgiving holiday week. The AAA auto club said the average price was $3.01 a gallon, down 9 cents from a week earlier. The national average price Monday was $3, down 7 cents from a week earlier.

DeSantis targets 'puppy mills' on TuesdayTALLAHASSEE (NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday called for state lawmakers to address pet-breeding facilities, derided as "puppy mills," during the upcoming legislative session.

"Now, many breeders take care of their animals and treat them with dignity and respect," DeSantis said during an appearance at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee. "No doubt, there are some bad actors who keep these animals in inhumane conditions, and we want to put an end to that type of practice in the state of Florida."

In addition to seeking legislation directed at "inhumane" breeding practices, DeSantis said the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will work with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to license and regulate breeders, with "very strong penalties" for people who mistreat animals.

"We will establish a hotline for individuals to call and report animal abuse by breeders, to better crack down on bad actors," DeSantis added. "We also want to require pet stores to offer space to local shelters for adoption before they use space to sell dogs from the puppy mills."

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said his agency will also work with the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine to establish best management practices for dog breeders.

The 2026 legislative session will start Jan. 13.