Dear Colleagues and Friends,

The 2024 Florida Legislative session commenced on Tuesday, January 9. Over 1,700 pieces of legislation will be considered during the 60-day session and it can be difficult to makes sense of which laws could impact your business. As Director of Government Affairs for Stearns Weaver Miller, I am monitoring bills being considered by the Legislature and will report developments regarding them in our weekly “Rotunda Report” – a high-level summary of five important bills or issues from session each week. Below are five key issues from this week, January 9-12.

Opening Day of Session

Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his State of the State during a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday, January 8. He used his 35-minute speech to outline some of his past policy priorities such as increased funding for teachers, the state’s universal school voucher program and keeping the tax burden low. House Speaker Paul Renner’s opening remarks outlined his priorities for this session, which include protecting minors from social media and keeping discretionary spending low. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo delivered remarks outlining her priorities this session, chief among them are her Live Healthy plan that aims to bolster Florida’s health care workforce and infrastructure.



Affordable Housing

An update to last year’s historic Live Local Act is moving forward in the Senate. SB 328 was reported favorably this week by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee. The bill amends several key components of the Live Local Act, including changes to both the land use and “Missing Middle” ad valorem property tax portions of the Live Local Act, as well as funding for the Florida Hometown Hero program. For more information, please see our recent alert on the bill.

Artificial Intelligence 

A panel of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity experts testified during a hearing of the House State Administration and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee. The experts stated that AI could soon map Florida roads, analyze public health data and deliver customer service to taxpayers. They also cautioned the committee members that AI brings a number of challenges by providing tools to bad actors and opening the state to security threats. AI is also the focus of legislation this session, including legislation filed targeting AI in political campaigns. SB 850 would require political campaigns to disclose the use of AI in any “images, video, audio, text and other digital content” used in political ads. 

Health Care

Two bills that are part of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s Live Healthy proposal are headed to the Senate floor. SB 7016 and SB 7018 were reported favorably by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee this week. SB 7016 seeks to increase Florida’s health care workforce, removing regulations to increase workforce mobility and expanding access to health care. SB 7018 incentivizes health care innovation through technology. Further legislation from the Live Healthy proposal is expected to be filed in the coming weeks.

Employment of Minors

HB 49 would allow minors aged 16 and 17 years old to work longer hours if passed. The bill was reported favorably by the House Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee this week. The bill removes restrictions concerning the number of work hours per day and per week for minors 16 and 17 years old allowing them to work the same number of hours as a person who is 18 years-of-age or older. The bill currently does not have a Senate companion.

I would be happy to speak with you regarding issues this session that could impact your business. For more information, please contact me.

Warmly,