The Florida Legislature sent a bill to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk that is intended to accelerate the process of home mortgage foreclosures. The crash in the Florida housing market was one of the worst in the nation.<\/p>\n
Supporters of the legislation, HB 87, said that it will reduce the backlog of pending foreclosures and help the state’s housing industry.<\/p>\n
On the last day of the Legislature’s 60-day session, the Senate passed the bill on a 26-13 vote. It recently cleared the House on an 87-26 vote.<\/p>\n
Whether Scott will sign the bill is not clear. A spokesperson would only say that the governor’s office is reviewing the bill.<\/p>\n
Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, said the bill would make banks demonstrate more thoroughly their ownership of a mortgage on which they file foreclosure. It also would enable parties other than mortgage holders, such as condo associations, to ask courts to accelerate foreclosure proceedings.<\/p>\n