Volume 05 | February 9, 2026 | | |
Dear Residents of House District 70,
It is truly an honor to serve you in Tallahassee as your Florida State Representative. Each day, I am guided by a commitment to represent all of our neighbors and to advance thoughtful, responsible policies that strengthen Florida and support the families and communities of Hillsborough and Manatee Counties.
During my current term, I have been proud to advocate on your behalf while serving on the following committees and subcommittees:
These assignments allow me to address critical issues ranging from affordability and education to infrastructure, economic growth, and disaster resilience, issues that directly impact our district.
If you ever need assistance or wish to share your thoughts, my office and I are always here to help. Please do not hesitate to reach out. It is a privilege to serve you, and I look forward to continuing our work together.
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HB 4027 – Hillsborough County Public Schools
HB 4027 would shift the Hillsborough County school superintendent back to an elected position instead of an appointed one. The change would need voter approval in a countywide referendum during the 2026 general election. If approved, the first partisan election for superintendent would be held in 2028.
Bill Progress
- Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Passed 1.14.26
- Education Administration Subcommittee
- Passed 1.21.26
- State Affairs Committee
- Passed 1.27.26
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Placed on Special Order Calendar to be heard on House Floor 2.11.26
HB 4029 – Hillsborough County Charter
HB 4029 proposes major changes to the Hillsborough County Charter. It would expand the Board of County Commissioners, move to all single-member districts, update district boundaries, and change voting thresholds for certain county actions. The bill also updates the charter review process, sets transition rules, and requires voter approval through a countywide referendum.
Bill Progress
- Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
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Passed 1.14.26
- Government Operations Subcommittee
- Passed 1.29.26
- State Affairs Committee
- Passed 2.3.26
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Placed on Special Order Calendar to be heard on House Floor 2.11.26
CS/HB 4061 – Hillsborough County
HB 4061 creates the Land Reserve Stewardship District as a new independent special district. It lays out how the district will be governed, funded, and transitioned, and gives it authority to plan and provide infrastructure and services.
Bill Progress
- Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Passed 1.28.26
- Ways & Means Committee
- Passed 2.2.26
- State Affairs Committee
- Awaiting committee review
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Consumer Protection & Finance
CS/HB 505 – Virtual Currency Kiosks
HB 505 adds consumer protections for virtual currency kiosks, like clear fraud warnings, daily transaction limits, electronic receipts, and refund protections when fraud occurs. It also gives the Financial Services Commission authority to adopt rules to enforce these safeguards, helping protect people from growing fraud risks.
Bill Progress
- Insurance & Banking Subcommittee
- Passed 12.9.25
- Commerce Committee
- Passed 1.27.26
- Awaiting Special Order Calendar
Legal & Regulatory Updates
HB 705 – Causes of Action for Real Property Improvements
HB 705 updates Florida law on when lawsuits related to construction and design defects must be filed. It clarifies when the clock starts, defines key completion terms, and updates the final deadline for bringing these types of claims.
Bill Progress
- Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
- Awaiting committee review
- Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
- Judiciary Committee
CS/HB 741 – Department of Commerce
HB 741 makes several updates to laws related to the Department of Commerce. It revises rules for land transfers involving military buffer properties, updates the definition of a rural community, and restructures the Community Development Block Grant program. The bill also strengthens E-Verify requirements, updates penalties and compliance rules for hiring unauthorized workers, and cleans up related statutes.
Bill Progress
- Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
- Passed 2.5.26
- Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
- Awaiting committee review
- Commerce Committee
Housing & Community Development
HB 489 – Florida Housing Finance Corporation Terminology
HB 489 cleans up and modernizes language in Florida Statutes governing the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. It clarifies key terms, updates and renumbers definitions for consistency, and fixes a cross-reference to make sure young adults aging out of foster care can still access affordable housing programs.
Bill Progress
- Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
- Awaiting committee review
- Commerce Committee
Nonprofits & Gaming
HB 609 – Bingo Games
HB 609 updates Florida’s instant bingo rules. It expands definitions to include both paper tickets and approved dispensers used by charitable, nonprofit, and veterans’ groups. The bill sets limits and standards for dispensers, bans slot-machine-style features, aligns equipment with national pull-tab standards, and makes clear that Class III gaming is not allowed.
Bill Progress
- Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
- Awaiting committee review
- State Administration Budget Subcommittee
- Commerce Committee
Health & Safety
HB 349 – Cardiac Service Providers
HB 349 updates rules for hospitals that offer adult heart services. It creates two program levels based on whether cardiac surgery is available onsite and adjusts patient volume and staffing requirements. Hospitals that are more than 100 road miles from another Level II facility get special consideration. The bill also requires hospitals to follow current national clinical guidelines and participate in data registries, with AHCA updating rules as standards change.
Bill Progress
- Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee
- Awaiting committee review
- Health & Human Services Committee
HB 923 – Recovery Residences
HB 923 updates laws for mental health and substance use providers and recovery residences. It limits how certified recovery residences can be used to house mental health patients, with narrow exceptions based on diagnosis. The bill also streamlines licensure and license transfers, clarifies inspections and staffing standards, limits access to certain records, and aligns facility size and occupancy rules with state building and fire codes.
Bill Progress
- Human Services Subcommittee
- Awaiting committee review
- Health & Human Services Subcommittee
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Service Spotlight
Page and Messengers
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The Page & Messenger Program is a long-standing tradition in the Florida House of Representatives, with historic journals noting their service as far back as 1865. Each student who participates has their name recorded in the Journal of the House, creating an official record of their time spent in Tallahassee.
As Pages and Messengers, these outstanding students have a front-row seat to observe the legislative process by attending committee meetings and sessions in the House Chamber.
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As a State Representative, I have the honor of selecting a few outstanding students each year to serve as Pages and Messengers. Heidi is our 2026 Page Student and served in the Florida House during the third week of session. She carried herself with professionalism, enthusiasm, and a genuine curiosity about the legislative process that made her a joy to work with.
I hope she enjoyed the experience and learned a great deal from spending a week in the Florida Capitol, and I wish her continued success as she pursues her goals.
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Capitol Classroom
What is the difference between a House Joint Resolution, a General Bill, and a Local Bill?
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In Florida, not every proposal that comes before the Legislature is the same. You’ll often hear terms like general bill, local bill, or House Joint Resolution, and while they may sound similar, they serve very different purposes.
A general bill is what most people think of when they hear the word “law.” These bills apply statewide and, if passed by both the House and the Senate and signed by the Governor, become part of Florida law. General bills can cover a wide range of issues including education policy, taxes, public safety, environmental protections, or health care, and they affect everyone across the state.
A House Joint Resolution is different from a General Bill in that a joint resolution is not used to create or change regular law. Instead, it is most commonly used to propose an amendment to the Florida Constitution. If the Legislature passes a House Joint Resolution, it does not go to the Governor for approval. Instead, the proposed constitutional change is placed on the ballot for voters to decide in a statewide election. In short, the Legislature can propose it, but the people of Florida have the final say.
A local bill is much more targeted. Instead of applying to all Floridians, a local bill affects a specific city, county, school district, or special district. These bills are often used to address unique local needs, such as changing the structure of a local board, adjusting local fees, or creating special local programs. Because local bills only impact a particular area, they are first presented to the local delegation for an approval before being filed with the Florida House.
A referendum local bill is a special type of local bill that puts the final decision directly in the hands of the voters in the affected community. Like other local bills, a referendum local bill applies only to a specific city, county, school district, or special district, not the entire state. What makes it different is that even if the Legislature passes the bill, it does not take effect automatically. Instead, the change must be approved by local voters in a referendum, usually held during a regular election.
These bills are often used for significant local decisions, such as:
- Changing the form or structure of local government
- Granting or modifying local taxing authority
- Making major changes to local boards or elected offices
The process is intentional. The Legislature first reviews and approves the proposal to ensure it meets legal and constitutional requirements. Then, the people who will be directly affected are given the opportunity to vote “yes” or “no.” If a majority of voters approve the measure, it becomes law for that local area. If voters reject it, the proposal goes no further.
In simple terms, a referendum local bill is the Legislature saying, “This change is allowed, but the community itself gets the final say.” It combines legislative oversight with direct voter approval, ensuring that major local changes only happen with clear support from the people who live there.
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Moffit Cancer Center
Moffitt Cancer Center is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit cancer treatment and research institution based in Tampa and Florida’s only National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Since its founding in 1986, Moffitt has combined world-class patient care with groundbreaking research, serving patients from across the state and around the world.
The center is named for H. Lee Moffitt, former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, whose leadership and vision were instrumental in securing the support needed to establish the institution. I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Moffitt, whose lifelong commitment to advancing cancer research and care is evident in the lasting impact Moffitt Cancer Center continues to have on Florida and beyond.
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Hillsborough County Firefighters
The Hillsborough County Firefighters represent the very best of public service. They are dedicated professionals who put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect our families, neighborhoods, and businesses. Whether responding to fires, medical emergencies, or natural disasters, they serve with courage, skill, and an unwavering commitment to our community.
I am deeply grateful for their hard work and sacrifice, and especially thankful for the opportunity to visit with them. Their professionalism, teamwork, and genuine care for the people they serve are truly inspiring, and Hillsborough County is safer and stronger because of their service.
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