Florida state legislators concluded a five-day special session after passing two bills addressing insurance rates.

The first bill helps insurers with their risk portfolio by creating reinsurance to assist policyholders.

The second requires condominiums to have thorough inspections and includes an entire section about roofing systems.

Legislatures felt the pressure of addressing these issues as soon as possible because of the continuous increase in insurance rates and because hurricane season is expected to begin on June 1.

The Tennessee Legislature passed Senate Bill 884 and delivered it to Gov. Bill Lee this past week on May 18.

Present law imposes an annual privilege tax of $400 on registered lobbyists with the state.

As introduced, the bill eliminated the tax for attorneys, physicians, investment advisors, and lobbyists.

However, as amended and passed, the bill only removes the annual tax for physicians.

The bill becomes effective immediately if signed by the governor or left unsigned for more than 10 days.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has scheduled a special election for state House District 119 on July 19 due to a vacancy created by the resignation of Rep. Sonya Williams-Barnes.

The primary will occur on June 7. A primary runoff will take place on June 28, if necessary.

Williams-Barnes is stepping down to begin work as Mississippi policy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center.