This bill amends Florida Statutes to enhance the powers of the consumer advocate in relation to property insurance rate filings. It introduces new provisions that allow the consumer advocate to request administrative hearings to challenge rate filings and to administer oaths, issue subpoenas, and compel the production of evidence during investigations. Additionally, the bill establishes that failure to comply with court orders related to these subpoenas may result in contempt charges, and the court may require the non-compliant party to cover the consumer advocate's reasonable expenses, including attorney fees.

Furthermore, the bill revises the rate approval process by prohibiting the Office of Insurance Regulation from approving any property insurance filings that propose rates exceeding 10 percent above the highest rate approved in the past 12 months, effective July 1, 2026. It also mandates that if an administrative hearing is requested by either an insurer or the consumer advocate, the hearing must be expedited, and a final order must be issued within a specified timeframe. The intent is to ensure timely resolution of rate disputes while providing the consumer advocate with the necessary tools to protect the public interest in insurance matters.