Palm Beach County State Legislative Update

Week of March 10

UPDATES FROM THE LEGISLATURE

Senate Honors Late Senator Geraldine Thompson

The Florida Senate honored the late Senator Geraldine Thompson on Thursday remembering her as a dedicated lawmaker, educator, and civil rights leader. Thompson, a champion for social justice, passed away on February 13 at 76 due to complications from knee surgery.

Known for her calm yet principled approach, the Orlando-area Democrat was a key figure in her community and a champion for social justice. Senate President Ben Albritton described her as the "perfect blend of grace and strength." Thompson’s contributions extended beyond politics—she was a public school teacher, a community college administrator, and the founder of the Wells’ Built Museum of African American History and Culture in Orlando. She also played a crucial role in efforts to establish a state museum dedicated to African American history.

During the Senate's tribute, her desk was draped in black cloth and adorned with white roses as her family sat in her place. Her impact on Florida’s political and cultural landscape remains significant, and her work as a leader, educator, and advocate will continue to inspire future generations.

Emergency Management Day at the Capitol

Emergency Management Day at the Florida Capitol brought together key leaders to discuss pressing issues that may come up during the 2025 Legislative Session. Palm Beach County Emergency Management Director Mary Blakeney and Deputy Director Richard Ellis were in Tallahassee engaging with decisionmakers on critical emergency management topics. The event highlighted the importance of preparedness, response, and policy updates to strengthen Florida’s disaster resilience.

PBC Senator Gayle Harrell Passes First Bill Heard on Senate Floor This Session

The Florida Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 112 on Wednesday. A bipartisan measure to enhance services for children with autism spectrum disorder, the bill expands access to autism screenings, extends the Early Steps Program to ease school transitions, and provides grants for charter schools and summer programs tailored to autistic students. It also establishes a no-cost autism micro-credential for educators and designates the University of Florida’s Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as the central hub for research, services, and best practices related to autism in the state.

Senate President Ben Albritton emphasized the state's commitment to supporting families affected by autism, stating, "We hear you, and we see you, and we're running to your fight." Senator Harrell acknowledged existing gaps in services for autistic children and described the bill as a significant step toward addressing those needs. The measure now advances to the Florida House for consideration.

SB 110, Rural Communities

The Rural Renaissance bill, sponsored by Senator Corey Simon was passed unanimously by the Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy this week. The bill aims to revitalize Florida’s rural communities by improving infrastructure, economic development, education, and healthcare. Senate President Ben Albritton has championed the bill, emphasizing modernization while preserving small-town values.

A major component is the creation of the Florida Arterial Road Modernization (FARM) Program, adding $30 million for reconstruction of rural arterial roads across Florida. An amendment to the bill was introduced and subsequently passed that allows counties located in the Everglades Agricultural Area to apply to the County Incentive Grant Program, managed by the Florida Department of Transportation, for funding the reconstruction of farm-to-market roads in the region. This provides a pathway to funding improvements to County Road 880 in the western part of Palm Beach County.

The bill also creates the Office of Rural Prosperity to assist communities in securing funding and allocates millions for infrastructure, rural loans, for counties with population declines. Healthcare investments include funding for hospital improvements, mobile units, telemedicine, and to support rural primary care providers. Education funding includes student loan repayment for rural teachers and increased support for regional school consortia.

With an almost $200 million investment, SB 110 seeks to boost rural Florida’s quality of life while ensuring long-term economic sustainability. With its passage through its final committee of reference this week, the bill is now eligible to be heard on the Senate floor.

SB 184, Affordable Housing

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development passed SB 184 through its second of three committees this week. SB 184 seeks to expand affordable housing by requiring local governments to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in all single-family residential areas, increasing rental options for low- and moderate-income residents. It ensures property owners with ADUs remain eligible for homestead exemptions and allows manufactured homes as ADUs if they meet regulations. Additionally, ADUs must be rented for at least one month. The bill also permits land donated for affordable housing to support military families receiving housing allowances and maintains existing density bonuses for landowners who contribute land for affordable housing.

HB 251, Holocaust Remembrance Day

The House Student Academic Success Committee advanced HB 251 this week, sponsored by Palm Beach County Representative Debra Tendrich. The bill requires the Governor to proclaim January 27 of each year to be “Holocaust Remembrance Day.” This day may be observed in public schools, at the State Capitol, and elsewhere as the Governor may designate. Under the bill, schools may include instruction about the Holocaust, anti-Semitism, and the contributions of the Jewish community. HB 251 is already scheduled to be heard in its second committee next week. The Senate companion measure, SB 356 sponsored by Palm Beach County Senator Lori Berman, is ready to be heard on the Senate floor.

HB 913, Condominium Associations

The House Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee considered and passed HB 913 this week regarding condominium associations. The bill strengthens condominium insurance and maintenance regulations by requiring Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to issue or renew policies only if the association has completed a milestone inspection and structural integrity reserve study (SIRS), when applicable. This is intended to ensure that associations adhere to safety protocols to maintain insurance coverage. It allows insurance coverage to be based on replacement cost and permits condo boards to levy special assessments and secure loans for necessary repairs without membership approval. Unit owners can vote to establish a secured line of credit for reserve funding, and reserve accounts may be pooled for multiple components. To prevent conflicts of interest, those conducting inspections or SIRS cannot be involved in related repairs. Additionally, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) must initiate rulemaking to enforce these provisions. This bill has one more committee of reference before it can be considered by the full House.

SB 7006, Public Records/NG911 Systems

The Senate Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability approved SB 7006 this week, leaving the bill with one final committee before it can be heard by the full Senate. This legislation will maintain the exemption of certain 911, E911, and public safety radio communication plans and maps from public records requirements to protect public safety and security. It also adds NG911 systems to this exemption. By keeping this information confidential, the bill aims to prevent potential misuse by individuals who may seek to disrupt emergency response operations or exploit vulnerabilities in the public safety communication infrastructure. The House companion measure has been filed as a proposed committee bill and will be considered next week.

House and Senate Committees Approve of CRA Repeal Legislation

This week, the Senate Committee on Community Affairs and House State Affairs Committee approved bills aimed at repealing Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs). These agencies, which were established to promote economic development in distressed areas, have faced increasing scrutiny due to concerns about their effectiveness and use of taxpayer funds. The bills mandate the termination of existing CRAs by 2045 and do not allow for the creation of new ones. The proposed repeal reflects growing calls for transparency and accountability in governance, with some lawmakers suggesting that other methods, such as direct state funding or public-private partnerships, could be more effective in addressing the needs of struggling communities. Both bills passed largely along party lines.