As the legion of lawmakers makes their way to Tallahassee for the opening of the legislative session, the central issue that is expected to dominate the insurance industry is, once again, homeowners' reforms. After sustaining damage from eight storms in two years — and facing the very real possibility that the 2006 season will be just as active — lawmakers are preparing to tackle a slate of issues. Feeding that debate will be the recommendations of a number of task forces, including the Task Force on Long Term Solutions For Florida's Hurricane Insurance Market and the Standard Personal Lines Advisory Committee. And that is not to mention two other comprehensive reform packages backed by CFO Tom Gallagher and the parties on both sides of the House and Senate.

How the legislature will react to the multiple calls for reform remains to be seen. Given that this is an election year, however, it is almost certain that lawmakers will enact some set of laws as a platform to highlight their reelection campaigns. This could translate into a 300-page bill touching on every aspect of the market, or a more modest set of proposals that focus primarily on consumer issues. If the industry has its way, lawmakers would leave the homeowners' market alone.

The many debates over the state of the homeowners' market retrace and cover many well-worn paths. How many times have we heard about the need to reform Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, reconsider consumer choice, and reshuffle the deck when it comes to deductibles, building codes, and mitigation? Added to this list are newer ideas such as establishing hurricane savings accounts.