Today marks day 11 and the end of week 2 of the 60-day legislative session. Already, your Florida Chamber team has scored 19 bills and tracked 272 votes for our end of year report card that measures how legislators vote on your Business & Competitiveness Agenda. Below is a rundown of this week at the Florida Capitol.
Extension of Liability Protections for Health Care Providers Passes Senate
Wednesday, the Florida Senate passed SB 7014,related to COVID-19 claims against health care providers, by a vote of 22-13. Last year, the Florida Legislature passed COVID-19 liability protections for businesses and health care providers with overwhelming support. Unfortunately, the protections afforded to health care facilities and providers sunset at the end of March 2022 without further legislative action. SB 7014 sponsored by Senator Danny Burgess simply extends the liability protections passed last year for health care providers through June 1, 2023. The health care community, including hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and nurses, have been on the front lines fighting this ongoing pandemic and the Florida Chamber believes it is necessary to protect our health care heroes beyond the March sunset.
SB 7014 was immediately certified and now waits in House messages for when the House companion measure is ready for the Floor. That bill, HB 7021, has one committee hearing remaining and can be up as early as next Wednesday in the House Judiciary Committee.
Necessary VISIT FLORIDA Extension Packs Bags for Trip to Final Committee in the House
HB 489, by Representative Linda Chaney, had its first committee hearing in the House this week in the Tourism, Infrastructure and Energy Subcommittee and will be heard in its final committee on Monday in the House Commerce Committee.HB 489extends VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s tourism marketing agency, through October 1, 2028. Florida’s tourism industry is a key driver of the state’s economy and for every $1 the state spends in tourism marketing, the return on investment is $3.27 in state revenue. By extending this important program, VISIT FLORIDA will have the certainty to plan for future marketing campaigns and hire or retain top talent. A similar bill in the House last year did not receive a hearing. The Senate companion, SB 434 by Senator Ed Hooper, also has one committee hearing remaining.
Burdensome Local Ordinance Protection Bill Ready for Senate Floor
After hours of public testimony yesterday, two Florida Chamber-supported bills passed the Senate Rules and Senate Appropriations Committees that would protect local businesses from burdensome and expensive regulations and restrictions by their local government. SB 280 requires local governments to create a business impact statement when considering local ordinances and pauses enforcement of regulations while they are being challenged in court. The bill also allows established businesses to collect attorney fees when successfully challenging certain local government ordinances. SB 620 creates an avenue for businesses that lose more than 15 percent of their profit due to a local government ordinance to recover damages. These Senate-priority bills now head to the Senate Floor, while both companion bills in the House still have two committee stops.
More Chamber News & Chamber Views-
HB 851 related to school concurrency passed its first committee stop on Wednesday. This Florida-Chamber backed bill clarifies and streamlines the approval process for local developers when satisfying school concurrency requirements and requires local government action within 60 days of a tendered commitment. The Senate version, SB 706, will be heard next Tuesday in Community Affairs.
A House committee took steps to protect Florida’s foundational document, the State Constitution, by hearing a proposal that would limit the subject of so-called citizens’ initiatives on the ballot to procedural issues or the structure of government. HB 1127, by Representative Mike Beltran, passed the House Public Integrity & Elections Committee on an 11-5 vote. If this measure passes both bodies of the legislature, this constitutional amendment will be on the November 22 ballot. For too long, out-of-state and billionaire special interests have used the petition process to jam policy that cannot withstand legislative scrutiny or measures that are designed to goose preferred voter turnout into our constitution. The Florida Chamber has a long-standing position of opposing any constitutional amendment that can be accomplished by the legislative process.
On Thursday, the Senate passed reapportionment maps for the state’s 28 congressional seats and 40 state senate districts. Every ten years, the Legislature is required to redraw the congressional and state district lines following the decennial census. The “Fair Districts” amendment complicates the matter by dictating what legislators can and can’t do, which resulted in two of the three maps being thrown out by the courts after the 2012 redistricting effort. The House maps are still working through the committee process and the House State Legislative Redistricting Committee met today. Because of the redistricting process, all 28 congressional seats, 40 state senate seats, and 120 state house seats will be on the November 22 ballot.
Spotted this week: Disney celebrated their 50th anniversary in Florida, FL Trucking Day, our friends at the University of South Florida, Citrus County Chamber, the Greater Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce, and many others for Florida Tourism Day at the Capitol.
Engage with us at these Upcoming Events:
Florida Chamber Safety Council's FREE Webinar on OSHA Recordkeeping Compliance
Wednesday, January 26
10:00-11:30am EST
Are you in compliance with the OSHA recordkeeping requirements? OSHA is requiring businesses to post their 300A summaries by Tuesday, February 1, 2022. The Florida Chamber Safety Council is offering this free informational webinar with Advisory Board member Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., to make sure Florida's businesses are properly prepared. Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., is the only attorney in the country confirmed by the U.S. Senate to run the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Florida Chamber Safety Council's Southeastern Leadership Conference on Safety, Health + Sustainability
March 30 - April 1
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Join the movement to create a culture of safety in Florida as we set the national example for safety, health and sustainability. The 2022 conference at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando will bring together safety, health, and sustainability leaders from Florida and the Southeast. Attendees will gain valuable expertise and knowledge as well as have professional networking opportunities, understand current data and trends, hear from leaders in EHS, and learn best practices that will be brought back to leading employers to move the needle on safety, health and sustainability. The conference will include professional development opportunities (with CEUs), national keynotes including Mike Rowe of “Dirty Jobs” fame, networking and more.
Florida is growing quickly. It is estimated that Florida will grow by four million more residents by the year 2030 to a total population of 26 million – bringing both challenges and opportunities to Florida’s diverse business climate. Join us at this event to engage with Florida’s business and community leaders on creating solutions for resiliency and growth in industries that are key to securing Florida’s future.
Below is a comprehensive review of legislative activity from Week 2 of the 2022 Legislative Session.
Improving Florida's Talent Pipeline for a Better Workforce
Computer Science and Technology Instruction
Reinforces the importance of computer science and technology instruction in all K-12 grade levels and allows qualifying computer science courses and certifications to count toward high school graduation requirements.
SB 790: Sen. Ed Hooper
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 365: Rep. Fred Hawkins
The House did not take action this week.
Student Assessments
Replaces the end of the year Florida Statewide Assessment with a state standards-aligned progress monitoring testing system to better support student growth and improvement throughout the year.
SB 1048: Sen. Manny Diaz, Jr.
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 1193: Rep. Rene Plasencia
The House did not take action this week.
Schools of Innovation
Expands and makes permanent a Chamber-backed program that increases public school instructional flexibility by allowing students to progress based on the mastery of concepts and skills.
SB 766: Sen. Jason Brodeur
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 961: Rep. Nick DiCeglie
The House did not take action this week.
Creating Quality Jobs by Diversifying Florida's Economy
Film, Television and Digital Media Project Rebate Program
Creates the Targeted High Wage Production Program to broaden the film, television and digital media industry in Florida, create high wage jobs and encourage the production of family-friendly movies and television.
SB 946: Sen. Joe Gruters
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 217: Rep. Dana Trabulsy
The House did not take action this week.
Florida Tourism Marketing
Reauthorizes VISIT FLORIDA, the state's tourism marketing arm, beyond October 1, 2023, to provide certainty and allow VISIT FLORIDA to long-term plan and hire top talent.
SB 434: Sen. Ed Hooper
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 489: Rep. Linda Chaney
Passed Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee 17-0. Now on House Commerce Committee for 1/24/22.
Rural Economic Development
Encourages development and job growth in opportunity zones and rural communities.
SB 800: Sen. Ben Albritton
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 685: Rep. Brad Drake
The House did not take action this week.
Crowdfunding
Enhances capital formation opportunities for small businesses and provides investor protections.
SB 1880: Sen. Joe Gruters
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 779: Rep. Joe Harding
The House did not take action this week.
Capital Investment Tax Credit
Expands the Capital Investment Tax Credit program to include intellectual property as a form of capital investment.
SB 1878: Sen. Joe Gruters
Now on Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee Agenda for 1/24/22.
A House Bill Has Not Been Filed
Improving Florida's Infrastructure for Smart Growth and Development
School Concurrency
SB 706 requires local governments that adopt school concurrency to equally apply such concurrency to development across the district.
HB 851 clarifies the approval process for local developers when providing proportionate-share mitigation and requires local government action.
SB 706: Sen. Keith Perry
Now on Senate Community Affairs Committee agenda for 1/25/22.
HB 851: Rep. Stan McClain
Passed Local Administration & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee 15-0. Now in House Education & Employment Committee.
Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure and Fees
Expands the charging network for electric vehicles through a grant program that derives funding from an annual electric vehicle flat fee.
SB 918: Sen. Jeff Brandes
The Senate did not take action this week.
SB 908: Sen. Jeff Brandes
The Senate did not take action this week.
A House Bill Has Not Been Filed
Net Metering
Ensures that all energy customers pay their fair share for the maintenance of Florida's reliable, efficient, and resilient energy grid.
SB 1024: Sen. Jennifer Bradley
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 741: Rep. Lawrence McClure
The House did not take action this week.
Building the Perfect Climate for Business
Property Insurance
Increases competitiveness in the property insurance marketplace by allowing for more takeouts from Citizens Property Insurance, the state's intended insurer of last resort.
SB 186: Sen. Jeff Brandes
Now on Senate Banking and Insurance Committee agenda for 1/25/22.
SB 1728: Sen. Jim Boyd
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 1307: Rep. Tommy Gregory
The House did not take action this week.
Contingency Risk Multiplier
Returns the use of the contingency fee multiplier to rare and unusual circumstances to address out of control attorney fees in commonplace insurance litigation.
SB 1910: Sen. Joe Gruters
The Senate did not take action this week.
A House Bill Has Not Been Filed
Right to Farm
Undoes key protections under the "Right to Farm Act" that is intended to protect legacy farming operations.
SB 1102: Sen. Gary Farmer, Jr.
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 6085: Rep. Anna Eskamani
The House did not take action this week.
Recovery of Damages in Claims for Medical Negligence
Drives up medical malpractice insurance rates by broadening the scope of who is allowed to collect damages in medical negligence claims.
SB 262: Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 6011: Rep. Spencer Roach
The Senate did not take action this week.
Recovery for Wrongful Death
Drives up medical malpractice insurance rates by broadening the scope of who is allowed to collect damages in medical negligence claims.
SB 560: Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 6039: Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson
The House did not take action this week.
Solicitation of Nonmedical Services
Improves health safety by adding certain requirements and disclosures for advertisements that intend to solicit legal services from patients of medical devices and pharmaceuticals.
SB 1762: Sen. Jeff Brandes
Now on Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee agenda for 1/24/22.
HB 1537: Rep. Clay Yarborough
The House did not take action this week.
Discrimination in Labor and Employment
Interferes in employment practices by prohibiting a job creator from requesting or relying on previous wage or salary information to interview, hire, promote or employ an employee.
SB 322: Sen. Linda Stewart
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 293: Rep. Geraldine Thompson
The House did not take action this week.
Unlawful Employment Practices
Creates a new state cause of action by adding military status to the list of protected classes under which it is unlawful to discriminate for employment purposes.
SB 550: Sen. Janet Cruz
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 853: Rep. Dan Daley
The House did not take action this week.
Wage & Employment Benefits Requirements
Removes the statewide preemption for minimum wage and employment benefits, thereby creating a patchwork of regulations across Florida's cities and counties.
SB 446: Sen. Annette Taddeo
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 6047: Rep. Carlos Smith
The House did not take action this week.
Family and Medical Leave
Creates a business and employee funded family leave state fund for parents who just gave birth, adopted or fostered a child, requires employers to maintain health coverage and allow up to 12 months leave from employment. The fund provides 12 weeks of paid leave per year for covered individuals.
SB 688: Sen. Janet Cruz
The Senate did not take action this week.
SB 656: Sen. Janet Cruz
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 627: Rep. Angela Nixon
The House did not take action this week.
HB 629: Rep. Angela Nixon
The House did not take action this week.
Small Business Saturday
Supports shopping at local small businesses by eliminating the sales tax on purchases on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
SB 712: Sen. Annette Taddeo
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 439: Rep. Carlos Smith
The House did not take action this week.
Business Rent Tax
Eliminates the Florida-only business rent tax after July 1, 2026.
SB 1558: Sen. Joe Gruters
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 6093: Rep. Tommy Gregory
The House did not take action this week.
Corporate Income Tax
Mitigates a $1.2 billion corporate income tax increase by addressing key provisions of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in Florida's tax code.
SB 1090: Sen. Joe Gruters
The Senate did not take action this week.
A House Bill Has Not Been Filed
Tax Exemptions
Improves the Florida R&D Tax Credit by increasing the amount of credits available and provides a documentary stamp tax exemption for federal emergency loans.
SB 952: Sen. Joe Gruters
Now on Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee Agenda for 1/25/22.
HB 1293: Rep. Tommy Gregory
The House did not take action this week.
Consumer Data Privacy
Regulates companies that collect or sell consumer data and provides consumers the right to request that data be deleted, not sold, or corrected. The House bill contains a private right of action as an enforcement mechanism.
SB 1864: Sen. Jennifer Bradley
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 9: Rep. Fiona McFarland
The House did not take action this week.
Making Government and Civics more Efficient and Effective
Supermajority Vote for Preemption
Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution that would require a supermajority vote to pass preemption legislation, making it harder for the legislature to prevent a patchwork of unnecessary or burdensome regulations.
SB 152: Sen. Gary Farmer, Jr.
The Senate did not take action this week.
A House Bill Has Not Been Filed
The House did not take action this week.
Requiring Broader Public Support for Constitutional Amendments
Protects Florida's foundational document by proposing an amendment to the Constitution that would increase the threshold of voter approval to further amend the State Constitution.
SB 950: Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 177: Rep. Rick Roth
The House did not take action this week.
Amendments of the State Constitution by Citizen Initiative
Protects Florida's foundational document from special interests by proposing an amendment to the State Constitution that would limit citizens initiatives to procedural subjects or the structure of government.
SB 1412: Sen. Jason Brodeur
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 1127: Rep. Mike Beltran
Passed Public Integrity & Elections Committee 11-5. Now in Judiciary Committee.
Local Ordinances
Prevents burdensome regulations by requiring local governments to adopt a business impact statement before the adoption of an ordinance and awards attorney fees if it is found by the courts that a local ordinance is arbitrary or unreasonable, or that the ordinance is prohibited by law.
SB 280: Sen. Travis Hutson
Passed Senate Rules Committee 14-2.
HB 403: Rep. Mike Giallombardo
The House did not take action this week.
Local Government
Allows businesses to recover damages from local governments if an ordinance or local governmental provision creates a significant loss in revenue.
SB 620: Sen. Travis Hutson
Passed Appropriations 11-7.
HB 569: Rep. Lawrence McClure
The House did not take action this week.
Preemption of Recyclable and Polystyrene Materials
Removes a Chamber-backed preemption on local ordinances relating to polystyrene products.
SB 320: Sen. Linda Stewart
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 6063: Rep. Michael Grieco
The House did not take action this week.
Preemption of Over the Counter Drugs
Removes a Chamber-backed preemption on local ordinances related to sunscreen and over-the-counter drugs and cosmetics.
A Senate Bill Has Not Been Filed
HB 6019: Rep. Anna Eskamani
The House did not take action this week.
Preemption of Vacation Rentals
Removes a Chamber-backed preemption of vacation rental regulation.
A Senate Bill Has Not Been Filed
HB 6033: Rep. Michael Grieco
The House did not take action this week.
Rights of Nature
Repeals a Chamber-backed provision that outlaws the "rights of nature" legal doctrine in Florida.
SB 1854: Sen. Gary Farmer, Jr.
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 6003: Rep. Anna Eskamani
The Senate did not take action this week.
Employee Organizations
Creates transparency and accountability in the collection of union dues for public sector employees.
SB 1458: Sen. Dennis Baxley
The Senate did not take action this week.
HB 1197: Rep. Scott Plakon
The Senate did not take action this week.
Championing Florida's Quality of Life
COVID-19 Liability Protections - Health Care
Extends the commonsense COVID-19 liability protections expiring for health care facilities to continue to protect our healthcare heroes as the pandemic continues.
SB 610: Sen. Jeff Brandes
The Senate did not take action this week.
SB 7014: Sen. Danny Burgess
Passed Senate 22-13. Now in House Messages.
HHS1: Rep. Colleen Burton
The House did not take action this week.
Florida Kidcare Program Income Eligibility
Increases the Florida Kidcare Program income eligibility threshold to reduce fiscal cliffs and facilitate a pathway for families towards economic self-sufficiency.
