On March 5, 2019, Managing Partner Shannon Zetrouer traveled to Tallahassee to speak to Florida Representatives regarding House Bill 435. The proposed bill, introduced as a measure intending to help timeshare consumers, was ultimately withdrawn from consideration after this hearing.
Ms. Zetrouer spoke in detail about her concerns with the proposed legislation. The main issues with the proposed bill as she saw them are:
- Restraint on trade, the elimination of consumers’ rights, the influence the bill may have of pending litigation,
- The negative impact the bill would have on attorneys attempting to assist timeshare owners,
- High costs of complying with measures in the bill,
- The severity of violations to the bill,
- Over-regulation of businesses assisting timeshare owners,
- Increased harm to consumers due to a mandatory contract disclosure directing owners to contact the Developer before seeking any third-party assistance, and
- Lack of meaningful regulation requirements for the sale of timeshares.
The complete text of the proposed bill can be found here:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2019/435/BillText/Filed/PDF
