he Florida 2020 Legislative Session: Bills to Watch
By: The BAMA Government Affairs Committee
The Florida legislature convened the 2020 legislative session on January 14, 2020. The House of Representatives and Senate will address several business-related bills in key areas that will affect Bay Area manufacturers, including:
· Business Taxes:
o House Bill 1141 will exempt businesses employing nine or fewer employees from paying the rental tax or license fee on property that the business rents, leases, or subleases.
o Senate Bill 1576 will revise the corporate income tax statute by capping the tax rate at 5 ½ percent.
· Workforce Education and Development:
o Senate Bill 418 will amend the workforce education statute to authorize school district career centers to conduct certain educational programs that lead to a certificate or applied technology diploma.
o Senate Bill 130 will authorize the Governor to approve workforce training grants to certain charter schools for career and technical education programs.
o House Bill 1271 will replace CareerSource Florida, Inc. with the Department of Economic Opportunity.
· Minimum Wages and Overtime Pay:
o House Bill 691 will increase the state minimum wage by $1.00 on September 30, 2020 and by $1.50 each year through September 30, 2024. Thereafter, the minimum wage will be increased each year based on the rate of inflation.
o Senate Bill 456 will increase the State minimum wage by the rate of inflation plus $.80 on September 30, 2020 and each year through September 30, 2027. Thereafter, the minimum wage will be increased each year based on the rate of inflation.
o House Bill 6065 and Senate Bills 1520 and 1126 will permit local governments to set their own minimum wages and/or set their own minimum working conditions.
o Senate Bill 1436 will require employers to pay overtime pay to salaried employees earning less than $51,064 for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
· Employment Discrimination:
o House Bill 795 will prohibit discrimination against and require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees.
o Senate Bill 206 will prohibit discrimination against employees based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
o House Bill 739 will prohibit discrimination against women in the workplace and require employers to pay female and male employees equal pay for the same work.
o House Bill 761 will prohibit discrimination against employees with “protected hairstyles” that are associated with a racial group.
o House Bill 635 will prohibit discrimination against employees and members of the public based on height and weight.
o Senate Bill 450 will prohibit businesses doing business with the State of Florida from retaliating against employees who engage in whistleblowing activities.
· Employment Terms and Conditions:
o House Bill 889 will require employers to provide employees with up to 3 months of paid family leave for the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child.
o House Bill 1297 and Senate Bill 1186 will change the requirements for drug testing in the workplace.
o House Bill 473 and Senate Bill 616 will prohibit employers from asking job applicants about their criminal history until after they have received a job offer.
o Senate Bill 1822 will require businesses doing business with the State of Florida to use the federal E-Verify system to verify the immigration and work authorization status of employees.
· Data Privacy:
o House Bill 963 and Senate Bill 1670 will require businesses operating a website or online service to provide notice to Florida consumers regarding the type of personal data collected and permit Florida consumers to request access or changes to the personal information collected by the business.
The BAMA Government Affairs Committee will monitor and report on the progress of these bills and others that may affect manufacturers. The legislative session will end on March 13, 2020.
