So, how did the state’s business industry fare as lawmakers spent 60 days in negotiation and debate on tort reform, insurance deregulation, and tax relief?

Many of the key pieces of legislation that would have benefited businesses passed, and some gained bipartisan support.

“It’s ironic, I guess, but it seems the business community has some of the best sessions during times of economic uncertainty,” said Jose Gonzalez, vice president of governmental affairs for Associated Industries of Florida.

Mark Wilson, president of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, said this year provided the perfect storm for passing pro-business legislation.

Florida voters were urging lawmakers to create jobs, and business advocates were unified in their approach to gaining financial stability and stimulating employment with limited cost.

“We went an entire legislative session with no new taxes on the people of Florida and the people who employ them,” Wilson said.

Below are some of the key pieces of business-related legislation to pop up this session and analyses on whether they were victories or failures for business.

Unemployment Tax Hike Delay: SB 1666 and HB 5033

Verdict: Win

What Does the Legislation Do? Florida’s employers faced as much as a 12-fold increase in their tax bills this year due to an increase in the state unemployment tax. The two bills proposed to postpone the hike to save employers struggling in a troubled economy.

Who Sponsored It? Sen. Rudy Garcia, R-Miami, and Rep. Dave Murzin, R-Pensacola.

What Happened? The House bill passed the Legislature unanimously and was signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist.

In the first and most wide-ranging triumph of the session for businesses, the Legislature voted on its first day to delay the tax hike for two years, and Gov. Charlie Crist quickly signed it into law.

The measure rolled back the base wage from $8,500 to $7,000, froze it there until 2012 and allowed employers to pay it in quarterly installments. Because of the delay, businesses will face a 15-fold increase in two years instead of a 12-fold one.

The legislation received widespread support from both Democrats and Republicans, a pleasant development for business advocates accustomed to having Republicans “butter our bread,” Gonzalez said.

“I got to say that the Democrats were very good to work with this session,” he said.

Slip & Fall: SB 1224 & HB 689

Verdict: Win

What Does the Legislation Do? Switches the burden of proof in slip & fall negligence lawsuits from defendants to plaintiffs.

Who Sponsored It? Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, and Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral.

What Happened? Crist signed the House bill into law.

Florida retailers have been lobbying for several sessions to convince state lawmakers to switch the burden of proof in slip & fall cases from retailers to customers filing the suits.

In the Owens v. Publix Supermarkets case of 2001, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that businesses must prove they were not negligent and caused a fall in a negligence suit. The Florida Retail Federation has been trying for several sessions to get the standards changed.

“This has been a long slog of getting this case decided by the Supreme Court years ago reversed,” said Rick McAllister, president of the Florida Retail Federation.

Now, businesses should be able to save money on proving innocence in tort cases, McAllister said.

Property Insurance Deregulation: SB 2044, SB 876 and HB 447

Verdict: Loss