LEGISLATIVE UPDATE!!!
Elimination of Education Requirements for Surveyors.
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SB 1826 by Sen. Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) – HB 6073 by Rep. Mariano (R-Hudson)
The chair of the House Business and Professions Subcommittee, Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen (R-Ft. Myers), announced at the conclusion of the meeting that it was their last scheduled committee meeting for the 2020 Legislative Session. The block calendar for Week 5 does not include any meetings of this subcommittee. Unless Speaker Oliva decides to engage, the legislation eliminating the degree requirement for surveyors will not be heard in the House of Representatives. There has been no action in the Senate on SB 1826.
State Budget
The draft budget plans will be considered on the floor during Week 5.
Geomatics Funding (We support)
The draft spending plans do not include any additional resources for Geomatics funding at IFAS.
Division of State Lands (We support)
Both House and Senate draft budgets adopted Governor DeSantis’ budget recommendation.
Line item 1574 - $192,000 vehicle replacements
Line item 1578 - $850,000 tidal stations and benchmarks
Florida Specific E-Verify Requirement
SB 1822 by Sen. Gruters (R-Sarasota) – HB 1265 by Rep. Byrd (R – Neptune Beach)
SB 664 by Sen. Lee (R-Thonotasassa).
A state mandated E-Verify for private employers, a priority of Governor DeSantis, is beginning to move in the Senate next week. Many business groups and associations are opposed but we are not sure it will make a difference.
SB 1822 and HB 1265 are compromise positions on a Florida Specific E-Verify requirement. It requires that by January 1, 2021 all public employers, their contractors and subcontractors register and use E-Verify for all new employees. If their contract is terminated for a violation, they would be prohibited from being awarded a public contract for at least 1 year. For private employers, the bill provides two option, use E-Verify or potential employee provide picture identification complying with REAL ID and a certified copy of one of five documents and creates a 3-year retention of those documents. It prohibits private employers from bidding or contracting with a public employer unless providing an affidavit stating they are registered and use E-Verify for all newly hired employees and they will continue to do so during the contract period. Violation is the termination of the public contract and a one-year ban on contracting with public entity.
SB 664 requires all employers to utilize E-Verify or face a suspension of their license to operate.
SB 1822 is awaiting consideration by the Senate Judiciary Committee. HB 1265 is awaiting consideration by the House Commerce Committee.
SB 664 will be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee during Week 5.
Public Procurement of Services (Continuing Contracts)
(This bill was amended to lower the threshold from $5 million to $4 million which we believe was a positive amendment. We do not oppose as written and amended)
SB 506 by Sen. Perry (R- Gainesville) – CS/HB 441 by Rep. DeCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach)
This bill increases the maximum limit for a continuing contract under CCNA and for construction management/program management entities from $2 million to $4 million. The bill further increases the maximum limit for a study from $200,000 to $500,000.
SB 506 is awaiting consideration by the Senate Appropriations Committee. HB 441 has been placed on the House Special Order Calendar for consideration during Week 5.
Legislative Review of Occupational Regulation
(We oppose this as being an unnecessary overreach. However, every trade and profession are included, and we do not feel we can be lobby to be an exception.)
HB 707 by Rep. Renner (R- Palm Coast) – SB 1124 by Sen. Diaz (R-Miami)
This bill creates a systematic legislative review of the costs and benefits of the regulation of occupations in Florida. It authorizes the Legislature to review occupational regulation and then either renew the occupational regulation, renew the occupational regulation with modifications or simply allow the occupational regulation to expire. The bill preempts local regulation of the occupation if the Legislature sunsets its regulatory structure. This legislation includes Chapter 472 in the review/reenactment prior to July 1, 2024.
HB 707 passed the House Health and Human Services Committee by a vote of 12-4 and will now head to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.
SB 1124 has not been heard by the Senate Government Oversight and Accountability Committee.
THIS BILL IS WHY WE NEED A STRONG PAC!!!!
Acquisition of Certain Professional Services (CCNA – Cooperative Purchasing)
HB 257 by Rep. Antone (D-Orlando) – SB 1518 by Sen. Gruters (R-Sarasota)
This legislation amends 287.055 F.S. to authorize cooperative purchasing between government agencies for design professionals within certain criteria.
HB 257 is awaiting consideration by the House Oversight, Transparency and Public Management Subcommittee. SB 1518 is awaiting consideration by the Senate Community Affairs Committee.
