Surfside

Lawmakers wrapped up the regular 2022 Florida legislative session in March without passing a bill that would create a statewide standard for ensuring that residential buildings are safe to live in. Some elected officials gathered April 14, 2022, at the site of the former Champlain Towers South on Collins Avenue in Surfside to express urgency for a new law in Florida.

The Florida Legislature adjourned last week after unsuccessful attempts to address skyrocketing property insurance premiums and improve the safety of condo towers. Speaking Monday morning in Wellington, Gov. Ron Desantis said he “would welcome” a special session to deal with those issues.

With the House poised to pass its version of the bill Thursday, a Senate panel moved forward Wednesday with a measure that would place inspection requirements on condominium buildings after the deadly collapse last year of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside.

Sen. Jennifer Bradley of Fleming Island is sponsoring a bill that would require more frequent condo inspections. A similar bill is moving forward in the House.

President Joe Biden early Friday approved federal assistance as crews continued working at the scene of a collapsed condominium building in Miami-Dade County and as dozens of people remained missing.