Legislative Update - November 10, 2023

The Special Session ended with the legislature passing several bills.  The Senate on Wednesday passed five bills, wrapping up the Legislature's special session work a day ahead of lawmakers' expected departure. The 2023C special session will officially adjourn sine die at 11:59 p.m. Thursday upon expiration of the call.  The following bills were part of the special session call:  (SB 2C, HB 1C ) that would provide about $416 million in emergency relief focused on Hurricane Idalia recovery efforts, legislation (SB 4C, HB 3C) that would lift a cap on the number of special needs students who can receive taxpayer-paid tuition vouchers, and measures (SB 6C, HB 7C) that would increase funding for safety and security at Jewish schools and expand grant programs for nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes. Also in the call were proposals (SB 10C, HB 5C) that would prevent Florida from investing in companies on a new "Iran Terrorism Sectors List" and a resolution (SB 8C) that condemns the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel and supports the right of the state of Israel to exist as a sovereign nation. It also supports Israel's right to defend itself and protect its citizens, demands the end of any financial support to Iranian-backed Hamas or other entities that support such terrorist organizations and condemns threats against Jewish people, institutions and communities in Florida and throughout the world. 

Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R-Ocala, was officially sworn in on the House floor Monday. Chamberlin won a special election in May with nearly 80% of the vote to represent House District 24 in Marion County. The seat was left vacant by former Rep. Joe Harding, who resigned in December after being indicted. Last month, Harding was sentenced to four months in prison for committing fraud to collect federal COVID-19 relief funds he wasn’t entitled to.

Also, this week, there was a special election.  Republican Erika Booth and Democrat Tom Keen each beat two other candidates during Tuesday’s Special Primary Election for House District 35 seat. Keen and Booth will face each other in January for the state House seat that was left vacant after former Republican Rep. Fred Hawkins resigned over the summer to become president of South Florida State College in Highlands County. HD 35 covers parts of Orange and Osceola counties in Central Florida. Florida Politics

Special Session …

Lawmakers Start Special Session, Advance Hurricane Relief, Voucher, Jewish School Safety Bills - The Legislature returned to the Capitol on Monday to meet in special session to take up a $400 million plus aid package (SB 2C, HB 1C) to those affected by Hurricane Idalia and emotionally charged legislation spurred by the Hamas attack on Israel, including measures (HB 7C, SB 6C) providing money for extra security measures at Jewish schools and resolutions supporting Israel in its war against the terrorist group. Lawmakers are also considering this week legislation (HB 5C, SB 10C) that would broaden sanctions against Iran, a backer of Hamas. Other bills that began moving Monday and are expected to pass include measures (SB 4C, HB 3C) eliminating a cap on private school vouchers for special needs students in the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities program. Republican legislative leaders rejected Democratic efforts to expand the call for the special session to include measures on affordable housing, property insurance and Medicaid. Florida Politics / Orlando Sentinel / Spectrum News 13 

Resolution Calling for Cease-Fire in Israel and 'Occupied Palestine' Draws Emotional, Angry Rebuke - A resolution calling for an immediate de-escalation and cease-fire in Israel and "occupied Palestine" following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and subsequent war between the nation and the terrorist group was met with overwhelming opposition on the House floor and angry accusations that backing the proposal would be anti-Semitic. The resolution (HR 31C), brought by Jacksonville Democrat Rep. Angie Nixon, garnered criticism from both Republicans and some Democrats, including several Jewish lawmakers, who asserted that Israel's response to the Hamas attack was justified. "I filed this resolution for the 1,400 Israelis and now over 10,000 Palestinians killed since the attack. Sadly, my resolution was the only one that recognized explicitly the Palestinian people that have also suffered and are continually suffering right now," said Nixon. "This bill is bad. I'm offended by this bill," said West Palm Beach Republican Rep. Mike Caruso, adding that the measure "perpetuates hate and death." Rep. Randy Fine, Florida's only Jewish Republican state lawmaker, called the resolution dangerous "because it legitimizes the folks who are out there marching, saying 'Gas the Jews' (and) 'From the River to the Sea.'" Hollywood Democrat Rep. Hillary Cassel, who converted to Judaism, questioned why Nixon didn't file a resolution asking Ukraine to cease fire following the invasion of Russian troops. She went on to say that Hamas wants to "annihilate" Jews from the planet. "We are not dealing with rational people," Cassel noted, but an "attempt to massacre an entire group of people." In response, Nixon emotionally argued for the protection of "vulnerable communities," alleging that certain Democrats were concerned about potential fundraising losses if they supported the resolution, which she asserted her community supported. "It's never been my intent to downplay the heinous acts that took place at the hands of Hamas nor to downplay the ongoing hostage situation. My intent is simply to uplift and humanize the innocent individuals that have lost their lives and are at risk of losing their lives," said Nixon. "Two things can be true," she said. "We can care about the lives of the Israelis and the hostages and care for the Palestinians who are not members of Hamas. Caring about the thousands of lost lives is not antisemitic." Only Nixon and Orlando Democrat Rep. Anna Eskamani, who is the first Iranian-American elected to any public office in Florida, were the only two legislators who voted in favor of the measure. However, several lawmakers also chose not to vote on the proposal. Nixon's resolution was the only Democrat-filed measure House Republicans allowed to come to the floor for debate during the special session. Fine said opponents wanted the chance to publicly and forcefully condemn the resolution. Tampa Bay Times / Orlando Sentinel / Politico / Florida Politics / USA Today Network / News Service Florida / Spectrum News / WCTV 

Senate Passes Resolution Supporting Israel - The full Senate gave unanimous approval to a special session resolution (SR 8C), sponsored by Lantana Democrat Sen. Lori Berman, that condemns the Oct. 7 Hamas attack and supports the right of Israel to exist as a sovereign and independent nation. It also supports Israel's right to defend itself and protect its citizens, demands the end of any financial support to Iranian-backed Hamas or other entities that support such terrorist organizations and condemns threats against Jewish people, institutions and communities in Florida and throughout the world. Earlier this week, the House overwhelmingly agreed to adopt two similar resolutions supporting Israel in the wake of the Hamas attack and war in the Middle East. The first measure (HR 9C), sponsored by Greenacres Democrat Rep. Katherine Waldron, says Florida has unwavering support for Israel and condemns the terrorist organization Hamas. Several Democratic and Republican House members signed on to cosponsor the resolution. It passed the House 108-0. The other successful resolution (HR 11C) was one brought by Palm Bay Republican Rep. Randy Fine that called for the U.S. to halt funding for Palestinian-affiliated organizations. It also condemned anti-semitic rhetoric heard among protestors on college campuses and elsewhere. Fine's bill passed on a 103-3 vote, with three Democrats in opposition. At least one Democrat raised a question about whether the measure's call against funding would include stopping "humanitarian aid" going to Gaza and Fine forcefully said it would, arguing such aid is being diverted to Hamas fighters. Another resolution, calling for an immediate de-escalation and cease-fire in Israel and "occupied Palestine," was rejected by House members on Tuesday. The resolution (HR 31C), brought by Jacksonville Democrat Rep. Angie Nixon, garnered criticism from both Republicans and some Democrats and failed with only two votes in favor. During her closing remarks on her resolution in the Senate, Berman alluded to the recent conflict in the House, saying, "To the Palestinian people who do not support Hamas, my heart is heavy, and I do grieve the loss of women, children and men in Gaza." Orlando Sentinel

Legislature Broadens State Iran Sanctions - Restrictions on state investments will apply to more businesses with ties to Iran under legislation (HB 5C) unanimously passed Wednesday by the Senate and sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who had pushed for the measure. The bill had passed the House a day earlier. The bill expands a 2007 requirement that the State Board of Administration divest from "scrutinized" companies with links to Iran's petroleum industry. The measure now will require the state to stop doing business with companies in other sectors including the construction, manufacturing, and financial industries. News Service Florida

Senate OKs Security for Places at 'High Risk for Violent Attacks' - The Senate gave final approval Wednesday to a measure providing $45 million in grants to secure Jewish schools, synagogues and institutions. The bill (HB 7C) allocates state funding to increase security at places considered "high risk for violent attacks" following last month's Hamas attack on Israel and a reported rise in antisemitic incidents. The proposal would allow flexibility in awarding grants to institutions like Edward Waters University, a Historically Black College or University, or HBCU, that was the initial target of a recent shooting in Jacksonville. The funding provided in the measure would support various initiatives, including $25 million in Department of Education grants for Jewish day schools and preschools. The money would be used to help hire and train security personnel, provide threat awareness training, implement emergency procedures and provide first aid training for school staff, among other things. Another $20 million would be used to expand the Nonprofit Security Grant Program within the Division of Emergency Management that institutions at high risk for violent attacks could apply for. In addition to the new funds, $9 million was included in the current state budget to enhance safety, and of that, $5 million was designated for security upgrades at the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg. Additionally, already allocated funds include $4 million to hire full-time guards to protect Jewish day schools. The bill unanimously passed the Senate, though Sunny Isles Beach Democrat Sen. Jason Pizzo said the measure doesn't go far enough and that the state could do more. Others added that more funding could have been specifically set aside for security at HBCUs, but that initiative will have to wait until the regular legislative session convenes in January. The proposal now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis' desk. Florida Politics

Hurricane Idalia Recovery Assistance Bill Clears Senate, Heads to Gov's Desk - Legislation providing $416 million in relief to those affected by Hurricane Idalia is on its way to the governor after receiving bipartisan support on the Senate floor on Wednesday. The measure (HB 1C) focuses on providing recovery assistance to counties impacted by the Category 3 storm, which made landfall on the Big Bend Gulf coast near Keaton Beach in Taylor County on Aug. 30. The storm caused over $447 million in estimated agricultural losses for Florida's producers across various sectors, including crops, infrastructure, fruits, tree nuts, greenhouses, animals, vegetables and forestry, according to a preliminary report by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill allocates $75 million for a program offering agriculture and aquaculture producers low-interest or interest-free loans and provides $37.5 million in aid to impacted timber owners for tree replanting. The proposal also offers tax incentives for agricultural equipment that was unusable during the two months following the storm, as well as tax breaks for re-fencing, construction materials for post-Idalia repairs and fuel utilized in agricultural shipments and debris removal. The legislation also includes $176 million to harden homes against future storms through the My Safe Florida Home Program, focusing on addressing the current backlog of applications. County and municipal governments impacted by Idalia would also get $75 million for hurricane recovery assistance. In addition to the relief funding, the measure would give local governments more time to pay back emergency bridge loans and extend a moratorium on development restrictions in 10 southwest Florida counties affected by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022. The moratorium on development restrictions is set to end Oct. 1 of next year, but language in the new measure would extend that to Oct. 1, 2026. Senators also emphasized during debate that Georgia Pacific, which closed its paper mill in Taylor County within days of the landfall of Hurricane Idalia nearby, can't get a tax break under the legislation. The initiative was supported by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. The proposal unanimously passed the House on Wednesday and cleared the full Senate on a 39-0 vote on Thursday. It now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his approval. Patronis Press Release / Simpson Press Release / PIFF Press Release / Insurance Journal / Florida Phoenix / Politico

Voucher Expansion for Special Needs Students Heads to Governor - The Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed and sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis legislation (HB 3C) that makes millions of dollars from education reserve funds available to expand access to private school tuition vouchers for students with special needs and eliminates a cap on how many students can participate. The measure will clear a waiting list of nearly 9,000 students who had sought the scholarships, but couldn't get one this year because of the cap on the number available. The measure had passed the House unanimously a day earlier. Politico / CBS Miami

Lawmakers head into a Special Session designed to help DeSantis, critics say” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel — Florida lawmakers will return to the Capitol for a brief Special Session to bolster state sanctions on Iran, a move aimed at helping DeSantis with his floundering presidential campaign, his critics say. Legislators also plan to tackle other issues, including more aid for Hurricane Idalia victims, extra money to harden homes against hurricanes and school voucher funding. But Democratic lawmakers said the agenda for the Session doesn’t go far enough in helping everyday Floridians, and the sanctions are merely window dressing framing DeSantis’ quest for the White House.

Legislature …

November would be designated as "Veteran Appreciation Month" in Florida under legislation (SB 346, HB 357) filed by Spring Hill Republicans Sen. Blaise Ingoglia and Rep. Jeff Holcomb. The identical bills aim to encourage counties, municipalities, public schools and residents to organize special programs and events to express their gratitude and appreciation for veterans across the state. "If anyone deserves a month to be celebrated for their dedication to keeping us free, it is our precious veterans who served this country," said Ingoglia in a press release. "We encourage everyone to take the time to thank our veterans and their families for their sacrifice," added Holcomb in the prepared statement. November has been recognized at the federal level as National Veteran and Military Families Month since 1996. Ingoglia-Holcomb Press Release / Florida Politics

New bill proposed in Florida to add annual fee for electric car, hybrid owners in lieu of gas tax - Senate Bill 28 proposes adding an extra license fee in 2024 for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids starting in 2024. It would cost EV owners $200 more a year and then go up to $250 by 2029. Plug-in hybrid owners would pay an extra $50 license tax and then go up to $100. [Source: WTVT]

State agency advisory boards, commissions, boards of trustees and other similar panels must annually submit a report to the governor that would include a recommendation from the department on whether to continue, terminate, or modify each group under a proposal filed this week by Miami Springs Republican Sen. Bryan Avila. The measure (SB 276) would also require each new law creating an advisory body within a state agency to provide a repeal date that would take place on Oct. 2 of the third year after enactment unless the law is reviewed and saved from repeal by the Legislature.  

Legislation filed this week in both chambers would offer a sales tax holiday on items bought with virtual currency. The legislation (HB 369, SB 352) says items bought with virtual currency in June and July of 2025 would be exempt from sales tax when the purchase is made at certain retailers, including grocery and convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants and bars. The bills are sponsored by Republican Sen. Jason Brodeur and GOP Sen. Webster Barnaby. The Capitolist

Bill Would Allow Hand Counting of Ballots, Ban Foreign Voting Software, Machines - Legislation filed by Republicans Tuesday in the House would allow hand counting of ballots at the precinct level in Florida elections. The measure (HB 359), sponsored by Reps. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole and Taylor Yarkovsky, R-Clermont, also would ban all foreign-manufactured election machines in Florida. The measure would also ban software that is "designed, produced, owned, or licensed by an entity that is owned, operated, or majority-controlled by a foreign company or a domestic company registered in another country, including a domesticated foreign corporation, or by a person who is not a United States citizen," in addition to the voting machines themselves. "This bill further secures our elections by proactively banning foreign interference in our voting system supply chain, while also bolstering confidence in our tabulation procedures," Jacques said in a press release. Jacques-Yarkovsky Press Release 

Resolution Seeking to Make it Harder to Change Constitution Re-Filed - A measure that would ask voters to change the state constitution to make it harder to pass changes to the document in the future was re-filed by West Palm Beach Republican Rep. Rick Roth on Friday. Currently, 60% of voters must vote yes on a proposed amendment to the constitution for it to take effect. The proposal (HJR 335) would raise the threshold to 66.67% of the vote. If the joint resolution makes it through the legislative process, the question would go on the 2024 ballot – and would have to pass by the current 60% threshold. Roth sponsored the measure during the 2023 legislative session where it passed the House but never received a hearing in the Senate. No Senate companion is currently filed. 

Business …

AAA: Florida Gas Prices Reach New 2023 Low - Florida's gasoline prices have dropped to the lowest levels of the year, with a state average of $3.17 per gallon, which is 5 cents lower than the previous recorded low from March, according to AAA. Over the past week, the state's average gasoline price fell by 12 cents per gallon and has decreased by 68 cents from the year's peak of $3.85 in mid-August. The drop is attributed to a reduction in the price of U.S. crude oil, settling at $80.51 per barrel, marking a $5 per barrel – or 6% – decrease compared to the previous week. Gasoline futures have also seen an 11-cent decline, resulting in a total discount of 17 cents per gallon over two weeks. Currently, the most expensive markets for gas in Florida include the West Palm-Boca Raton area, Naples and Tallahassee, while the least expensive areas in the state are Pensacola, Orlando and the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach region. AAA Press Release 

Florida ranked among top five job markets in the US - New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows gross job gains from opening and expanding private-sector businesses totaled 8 million in the first quarter &mash; eclipsing the 7.1 million in gross job losses from business closures and contractions. The net gain nationally was 976,000. The dynamic is one of the factors keeping the hiring market tight and giving employees more leverage than before the pandemic — although the pendulum has shifted back toward employers compared to 2021 and 2022. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]

Report: Florida could ease inflation by 'cooling down' its labor market - The Florida TaxWatch report titled Florida's Labor Resilience: Navigating the National Cool-Down and Local Market Dynamics, builds on a previous report released in May that discussed labor market data indicating a cooldown and highlights the economic impact of these market conditions. More from the Center Square.

Rising cost of home insurance shows alarming trend: an increase in owners not insuring their homes - “They don’t want to pay, you know, 10,15 $20,000 for homeowners’ insurance,” insurance agent with Brightway Insurance Matt Carlucci Jr. said. Carlucci said not having a home insurance policy is not a recommended course of action, which is only available to people who have paid off the existing mortgage on their house. “Everybody’s, you know, getting renewals, and very expensive,” Carlucci said. “And they’re wondering how they can afford it.” [Source: WJXT]

Governor …

DeSantis gifts Florida workers 4 extra days off for the holidays” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — As the “most wonderful time of the year” approaches, DeSanta Claus is again handing out gifts in the form of extra paid days off. State employees can skip work on business days abutting four major holidays — the day before Thanksgiving (Nov. 22), the day after Christmas (Dec. 26), the Friday before New Year’s Eve (Dec. 29), and the day after New Year’s Day (Jan. 2). Those days off are in addition to regular office closures during the holidays. “Our state employees have worked tirelessly throughout the year to aid and assist Florida families,” DeSantis said.

Courts …

Amid overwhelming opposition to consolidation, a committee appointed by the Florida Supreme Court unanimously recommended against shrinking the number of state judicial circuits, an idea pushed by House Speaker Paul Renner, the News Service of Florida writes

Campaigns and Elections …

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to endorse DeSantis for President at Monday rally in Des Moines” via Brianne Pfannenstiel of the Des Moines Register — After months of quietly signaling her support for DeSantis, Reynolds will formally endorse DeSantis for President at a Des Moines rally Monday. The endorsement is an enormous win for DeSantis, who hopes to harness Reynolds’ star power among Iowa Republicans as he looks to jump-start his stagnant campaign and establish himself as a clear alternative to front-runner Trump in the race’s critical final months. Reynolds plans to speak at DeSantis’ pre-debate rally Monday as well as a Davenport meet-and-greet Tuesday morning. She will then fly to Miami to help him fundraise around Wednesday’s debate.

Gov. Ron DeSantis was center stage Wednesday night during the third Republican presidential campaign debate in Miami. Topics covered during the debate included foreign affairs, humanitarian aid, border issues and fentanyl and opioid overdoses. Former President Donald Trump did not attend the event. New York Times / NBC News / Politico / Axios / The Hill

“‘He should get out’: Ron DeSantis outflanked by Donald Trump on his home turf” via Gary Fineout and Kimberly Leonard of POLITICO — Trump and his allies outflanked DeSantis in the days leading up to Saturday’s “Florida Freedom Summit,” where both GOP presidential hopefuls appeared before more than 1,000 Florida Republican activists, state and federal lawmakers and party faithful.

Chris Christie, Asa Hutchinson get a stormy reception at Florida voter summit” via Myah Ward of POLITICO — A combative Christie was loudly booed as soon as he took the stage and throughout his remarks at the Florida Freedom Summit in Kissimmee, as Trump maintains his dominance in the state amid a string of fresh endorsements. Hutchinson, the former Governor of Arkansas, faced similar jeering when he evoked Trump’s legal troubles. Even Vivek Ramaswamy was heckled — the crowd chanting “Trump” — when he said the GOP needs a younger, non-traditional nominee. Christie fed off the animated crowd, fueling more boos as he challenged audience members’ reactions to his remarks. “The problem is, you want to shout down any voice that says anything different than what you want to hear.”

Tim Scott slams DeSantis, Trump at GOP gathering in their home state” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — “We need a total focus on Joe Biden, a conservative warrior who created a red wave up and down the entire balance,” Scott said, “and we must win back the White House.” He suggested both DeSantis and Ramaswamy wrongly suggested America had entered a state of decline. While he praised DeSantis’ record as Governor of Florida, he said that message hasn’t played nationwide, with good reason. “He doesn’t have a forward-looking aspirational vision about where our country should go,” Scott said of DeSantis.

Trump scores more Florida lawmaker endorsements, including DeSantis defectors” via Marc Caputo of The Messenger — Seven endorsements, unveiled at the Florida GOP’s “Freedom Summit,” follow Sen. Rick Scott’s decision Thursday to back Trump and they come 10 days after one of DeSantis’ former top allies in the Florida Legislature, Rep. Randy Fine, defected to Trump. State Rep. Jessica Baker, who switched her endorsement from the Governor to Trump, indicated she was following her constituents’ interests. State Sen. Debbie Mayfield, who also switched her support to Trump, praised the former President’s leadership in uncertain times. Also leaving DeSantis for Trump: state Reps. Webster Barnaby, Alina Garcia and Kevin Steele. Reps. Mike Beltran and David Borrero, who had been neutral in the race, joined them Saturday in endorsing Trump. “DeSantis thinks he’s the next Ronald Reagan but he’s the next Tim Pawlenty,” a campaign adviser quipped.

—“Rick Scott doubles down on supporting Trump over DeSantis” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

Trump’s team in recent days has been trying to shore up support among key Florida Republicans, inviting local party leaders to join him at a rally in Hialeah scheduled for Nov. 8 – the same day as the GOP debate in Miami that he refused to attend, Politico writes.