Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Below is a high-level update of significant bills and issues that occurred during the 2023 Florida Legislative session’s fifth week, April 3-7.

Halftime in Tallahassee

This week marked the halfway point of the 2023 Legislative Session. To date, the Legislature has passed 19 bills and both chambers have adopted their respective budgets. Several major pieces of legislation have already been passed and signed into law such as tort reform, affordable housing, and expansion of the state’s voucher system. The Legislature will shift their work next week toward floor sessions as House and Senate committees begin to wrap up their meetings for the session. There are still over 600 bills that have not been heard in any of their committees of reference, potentially spelling out their doom. Session will adjourn on Friday, May 5.

Budgets Pass – Conference Committees Set to Begin

Both chambers passed their respective budgets this week setting the stage for budget conference committees beginning as early as next week. The $113 billion House budget, HB 5001, is about $700 million less than the Senate's proposed $113.7 billion spending plan, SB 2500. Funding for Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promotion company and Enterprise Florida, the state’s economic development company, is one of the issues where the chambers take different approaches that will be the subject of budget negotiations. There are also differences in how education is funded, including funding that should be set aside for expanding the state's voucher system.

Property Insurance Bill Filed

The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee filed SB 7052 as a committee bill. It was reported favorably by the committee. The insurer accountability package would sharply increase fines against insurance companies who are bad actors and place more regulatory responsibilities with the Office of Insurance Regulation and the Department of Financial Services. The bill now heads to the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee. There is currently no House companion.

Immigration Bills Waiting to Move

SB 1718 is waiting to be heard in Senate Fiscal Policy, its last committee of reference. A similar bill, HB 1617, has been filed in the House but has not yet been heard in committee. Importantly for businesses, the bill revises requirements for public and private employers for employment verification and amends the penalties for an employer’s noncompliance with the employment verification law, including allowing the suspension and revocation of licenses for private employers in certain circumstances and the imposition of fines. 

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

Warmly,