A similar bill in the House would push these homes valued at more than $1 million out of Citizens altogether, requiring them to get coverage in the more expensive surplus-lines market.

Vacation homes also would pay extra for Citizens' coverage under these bills.

Although these proposals would reduce Citizens' exposure, they are potentially painful for homeowners already facing more rate hikes this year.

For instance, in some parts of Broward, Citizens policies could increase an additional 67 percent.

Now, lawmakers know they must make the hard choices -- and soon.

''Everything we do this session will have some impact on higher rates, less availability,'' said Lee, the Senate president. ``The sustainability of Florida's economic development is at stake.''

STATE INSURANCE

A nonprofit group, Americans for Insurance Reform, has another approach in mind: The state should provide all windstorm insurance.

The group claims that a state-run system would provide lower prices and that coverage would be available to all consumers.

''This plan would eliminate both the profit motive as well as overreaction at times of crisis, lowering prices and assuring both stable prices and coverage,'' said Robert Hunter, director of insurance for the Consumer Federation of America, who helped author the plan.

Another idea gaining momentum: a national catastrophe fund. A number of lawmakers, insurers (including Allstate) and trade groups support the creation of a national risk pool to cover all forms of natural disasters.

Yet, Florida may be in a no-win situation if meteorologists' forecasts for another active hurricane season are accurate.

Said Lee: ``No matter what reforms we put in, if the wind blows again this year, we probably didn't do enough.''