October was a jam-packed month, and my office and I wouldn't have it any other way! With two weeks spent in Tallahassee for committee meetings, various events throughout the District, meetings with constituents the month of October flew by. Our office is expecting November to be just as busy!
I have officially filed my first piece of legislation, and have sponsored legislation of my colleague's as well. To learn about these bills, the annual Collier County Legislative Delegation Hearing, and so much more, keep reading. I'm so excited to share all of the work my office staff and I have been doing this month!
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20/20 Bipartisan Justice Center Presidential Justice Forum
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In late October, I had the extreme honor to introduce and present the President of the United States Donald Trump with the 2019 Bipartisan Justice Award for his effort and great strides in criminal justice reform. Criminal justice reform is a very complex matter that I am very passionate about and have focused on during my time in the State Legislature. Being chosen to present the 2019 Bipartisan Justice Award to President Trump was the honor of a lifetime, and an experience I will not soon forget.
I want to thank the 20/20 Bipartisan Justice Center for inviting me to speak on this stage and present this award, and I would like to thank President Trump for his graciousness and his kind words. May Democrats and Republicans alike continue to seek true and fair criminal justice reform for all Americans!!
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In early October, I was surprised and honored to receive the PACE 2019 Believing in Girls Award! The PACE Center for Girls does outstanding work that emphasizes empowering our young women to be future leaders for their community by prioritizing academic success. This organization has made PACE Center for Girls Collier County continually makes a positive impact in our community, and it's an honor to support them. Thank you so much for this award, PACE!
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Collier County Legislative Delegation Hearing
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On October 30th, the Collier County Legislative Delegation met and held our annual Legislative Delegation Hearing. The Collier County Legislative Delegation consists of Senator Passidomo, Representative Rommel, Representative Rodriguez, and myself. This annual formal hearing gives us as legislators the opportunity to hear the financial and legislative needs of Collier County organizations.
These Hearings give our offices a great insight as to what our communities need most, and how the Legislature can best provide assistance. We then take those needs with us to Tallahassee, and work together to make sure those financial needs get funded in this year’s budget.
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HB 313 Non-embryonic Stem Cells
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I am proud to have introduced my first piece of legislation for the 2020 Legislation Session that focuses on bringing stem cell implementation in to the free market. This legislation authorizes operation of stem cell banks in Florida and also authorizes certain licensed personnel to administer or assist in non-embryonic stem cells treatments. This legislation requires stem cell banks to register with the Department of Health, and for the Department of Health to adopt rule standards that have been developed by an independent third party.
The goal for this legislation is to bring stem cell treatments in to the free market, and to make the treatments safer for patients.
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Co-Sponsor: HB 339 Drug Trafficking Offenses
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I have signed on a Sponsor of my colleague Representative Andrade's bill, HB 339 Drug Trafficking Offenses. This legislation, revises minimum and maximum quantities for certain trafficking offense. HB 339 re-calibrates drug trafficking thresholds to better ensure mandatory minimums apply only to the major players in the drug trade. HB 339 also creates what is known as a 'safety valve' that restores direction in sentencing for non-violent, and low-risk drug offenders.
This bill is similarly molded by a federal bill that was recently signed in to law by President Trump and has the support of several law enforcement groups, and aims to solve many problems regarding Florida's drug sentencing laws. This form of criminal justice reform follows dozens of state who have repealed similar mandatory minimum drug laws, and have seen crime continue to fall while saving their state millions of dollars in unnecessary corrections costs. I am proud to be a sponsor of this bill and support my colleague, Representative Andrade, in this fight of much needed and overdue criminal justice reform!
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Prime-Co Sponsor: HB 287 - Postsecondary College Athletes
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I am proud to have signed on as a Prime-Co Sponsor of HB 287 Student Achievement Act, a bill that has been filed by my colleague Representative Chip LaMarca. This piece of legislation, if passed and signed in to law, would authorize certain students participating in intercollegiate athletics to receive compensation.
This legislation is a huge step in the right direction for Florida and its tremendous student athletes. This legislation would allow for athletic potential to be maximized and bring our student athletes in to the free market. I am excited to join this fight on behalf of our student athletes statewide.
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Alliance of Educational Leaders Roundtable
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An alliance of SWFL educational leaders met in October to discuss legislative priorities for the upcoming 2020 Legislative Session. This alliance, consisting of superintendents, university presidents, and legislators/legislative united to find practical solutions for shared issues and interests regarding our students. Thank you to Collier County Superintendent Kamela Patton for the invitation!
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Meeting with Florida's Chief Financial Officer
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In early October, Rep. Rommel and I had the pleasure of sitting down with Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis- right here in Naples! We discussed how we can work together to best protect Florida consumers and create a Fraud Free Florida. Thank you for your time CFO Patronis!!!
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As we begin November and approach the holiday season, I would like to be the first to wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving! I've always appreciated the sense of gathering with family and close friends to share a delicious meal and a football game. I hope your Thanksgiving is full of health and happiness!
There are just three weeks of interim Committee meetings before the start of Session in January. Two weeks of Committee meetings in November, and a final week of meetings in December. Stay tuned for exciting and important legislative announcements!
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Representative Byron Donalds
Suite 212
3299 Tamiami Trail East
Naples, FL 34112
For Appointments & Constituent Services: Maddie Dawson | (850)717-5080 | maddie.dawson@myfloridahouse.gov
For Constituent Services & Outreach: Tory Renza | (863) 675-5267| tory.renza@myfloridahouse.gov
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