Legislative Update - February 23, 2024

Yesterday was day 45 of the 60 day session.  Conference committees (aka budget negotiations) will begin to meet on Monday so that the House and Senate can hash out the differences between their proposed budgets. According to the Florida Constitution, the only action required by the legislature is to pass a balanced budget.  To end session by Friday, March 8, the budget needs to be on the legislators desk no later than Tuesday, March 5 for the "72 hour cooling off period" before they can vote on the budget. 

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo's top legislative priority, "Live Healthy" has passed both Chambers as well as Speaker Paul Renner's priority to ban social media for those under 18 years old.  It is uncertain if Governor Ron DeSantis will sign HB 1, the social media bill, as he has publicly stated that he prefers parental control. 

The Florida House Democratic Caucus has chosen Rep. Christine Hunschofsky as their Leader Designate-Elect for the 2027-28 term.  She currently serves as the Democratic Whip and as a Democratic ranking member on the Infrastructure Strategies Committee and Insurance & Banking Committee. Hunschofsky was first elected to the House in 2020. Before that, she served on the Parkland City Commission and was Mayor during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.

Legislative...

Budget talks to being next week ... With the legislative session scheduled to end March 8, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said Thursday she expects budget negotiations to start Monday. “I didn't want to have to drag people, particularly staff, in on the weekend,” Passidomo told reporters. “I think we can do it starting on Monday. Our (Senate and House) staffs have been working really, really well together.” The Senate and House have proposed budgets that top $115 billion. Legislative leaders have been working on what are known as allocations, which determine overall amounts of money provided to different areas of the budget, such as education and health and human services. Once allocations are set, conference committees can meet to negotiate spending details. Because of a constitutionally required 72-hour “cooling off” period, the budget will need to be finished March 5 to allow the legislative session to end as scheduled. The budget will take effect with the July 1 start of the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Tax Packages Move Forward in Both Chambers, Differences Remain - The House Appropriations Committee advanced its chamber's annual tax package on a 25-4 vote Tuesday, with some Democrats in opposition, after the measure (HB 7073) was amended to include a provision proposed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that would give homeowners a one-year lull on state taxes and assessments charged on insurance policies enacted or renewed after Oct 1. The change would decrease premium taxes by 1.75% on homesteaded properties by requiring insurers to pass on those savings to consumers to get the credit on their tax liability. The move aims to reduce insurance premiums for homeowners for one year but doesn't go as far as the Senate's tax cut package (SB 7074), which would offer a 1.75% credit on insurance rates for homes under $750,000 for one year, with the credit applied to their insurance premium tax bill, while covering flood policies and eliminating assessments for the Florida Insurance Guaranty Association for a year. Although the governor wanted a slightly larger tax cut for residents, that plan is expected to save homeowners $363.2 million over the next two years. Another key difference between the chambers' tax proposals involves the business rent tax, which is set to decrease to 2% in August. The House would reduce it to 1.25% for a year, saving businesses about $339.6 million. But the Senate would take a different route by boosting the amount a business can receive for electronically submitting sales taxes from $30 to $45, saving businesses a projected $47.3 million next fiscal year. Additionally, the bills have different approaches when it relates to tourist development taxes. The two plans do, however, align when it comes to tax holidays, with both proposals including four sales tax holidays that seek to save consumers around $97.3 million, including a two-week back-to-school sales tax holiday, a 30-day "Freedom Month" sales tax holiday, a one-week "Tool Time" sales tax holiday and two separate Disaster Preparedness tax holidays. They both would also expand the Strong Families Tax Credit from $20 million to $40 million, which grants businesses that donate to charities supporting children's welfare a break on corporate income and other taxes. The Senate bill unanimously passed the Senate Finance and Tax Committee this week. Both proposals are now ready for their respective chamber floors. Differences between the measures are expected to be hashed out during budget conferencing between the House and Senate over the remaining days of session. Florida Politics

“Gov. DeSantis’ insurance cut back on track as House adds to tax package” via Gray Rohrer of Florida Politics — A reduction of insurance premium taxes and flood premium taxes was left out when the House unveiled its tax cut plan (HB 7073). But the House Appropriations Committee has now inserted an amendment adding the proposal to the bill.

The plan would reduce premium taxes by 1.75% on homesteaded properties while requiring insurers to pass on those savings to consumers to get the credit on their tax liability. It would apply to policies enacted or renewed after Oct. 1, and the break would last for one year.

“Senate passes social media ban on minors; Ron DeSantis says negotiations ongoing” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — The latest version of the bill (HB 1) passed the Senate on a 23-14 vote. Multiple Republicans voted against the measure, while two Democrats backed the legislation. The bill barring anyone under 16 from opening or keeping a social media account already passed in the House last month, but the Senate has changed the language substantially, so it will have to return to the lower chamber.

DeSantis, meanwhile, said he’s not ready to sign the legislation, but suggested at a Lake Buena Vista news conference the bill could still evolve.

“Live Healthy bills, hundreds of millions in Medicaid rate increases, pass the Legislature” via Christine Jordan Sexton of Florida Politics — The Legislature is sending to DeSantis a sweeping health care bill that directs $717 million to help boost the numbers of doctors and nurses in the state and fortify hospitals while passing another bill that annually directs for the next decade $50 million in state funds for health care innovation grants. The bills (SB 7016, SB 7018) are a top priority of Senate President Passidomo, who spent the interim between the 2023 and 2024 Sessions working on a proposal to bolster the state’s health care workforce. The Senate had previously passed the bills unanimously. The House passed the bill by a 117-1 vote. Rep. Mike Beltran cast the lone “no” vote.

A measure (HB 433) to prohibit local governments from passing heat-protection ordinances for workers and eliminating local "living wage" ordinances that require companies with government contracts to pay their employees more than the state's minimum wage was approved Thursday in its final House committee stop and is now ready for the floor. Florida Phoenix

The state would preempt local governments from being able to put regulations on EV charging stations – such as requirements for certain numbers of chargers – under a provision in wide-ranging agriculture agency bills (HB 1071, SB 1084) that advanced Thursday on both sides of the Capitol. The bills containing the preemption cleared final committee stops in each chamber, readying them for floor consideration.

“Energy bill now with offshore wind ban advances in Senate” via Bruce Ritchie of POLITICO — A Senate Committee on Tuesday voted to advance an energy bill backed by House Speaker Paul Renner after adding a ban on offshore windmills. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government voted 6-3 with Democrats opposing numerous aspects of the wide-ranging bill. The bill also strikes policies adopted by the Legislature in 2008 that sought to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change and reduce dependence on foreign oil. The bill was amended to match the House version with the ban on offshore windmills or those within a mile of the coast.

The Senate voted to advance an energy bill after adding a ban on offshore windmills. Speaker Paul Renner backed the bill, which would also remove policies adopted in 2008 that attempted to reduce carbon emissions and reduce dependence on foreign oil. SB 1624 passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government with a 6-3 vote and now awaits its next committee assignment. The bill was changed to match its House companion, HB 1645 , which bans offshore windmills and those on land within a mile of the coast.

Lawmakers aim to overhaul state energy laws - Florida lawmakers are moving toward approving an overhaul of state energy laws, including eliminating references to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and imposing a ban on offshore wind-energy generation. The bills address numerous issues, ranging from natural gas pipelines to calling for a study of using “advanced” nuclear power technologies. Perhaps bigger picture, they would ditch parts of state law about reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. [Source: News Service of Florida]

“Florida bill cracking down on left-lane drivers heads to Governor for signature” via Owen Girard of Florida’s Voice — Legislation banning vehicles from driving in the left traffic lane, excluding passing and turning, was approved by the Senate on Thursday. The bill is now to be sent to DeSantis for final approval. Sen. Keith Perry championed the bill, HB 317, in the upper chamber after it was originally sponsored by Reps. Jenna Persons-Mulicka and Melony Bell in the House. Keith was the sponsor of the Senate’s prior companion bill. The Senate passed the bill unanimously, 37-0. The potential new law applies to roadways with two or more lanes and with a speed limit of at least 65 miles per hour.

“Bill would distribute revenue made by tribes for state conservation efforts” via Michael Costeines of Florida’s Voice — The Florida Senate passed a bill Thursday that secures funding for conservation lands and infrastructure through revenues made available by the compact between Florida and the Seminole Tribe. Sen. Travis Huston filed SB 1638. “Our Compact to Conserve dedicates a new, steady stream of funds to acquire conservation lands and invest in our clean water infrastructure,” Hutson said. “Additionally, we have a tremendous focus on the management of our conservation lands, which helps to protect our state from wildfire damage and guard against dangerous non-native species.” The Florida Senate unanimously passed the bill 37-0.

Immigrant ID Ban Advances - Legislation prohibiting counties and cities from accepting identification cards or documents knowingly issued by non-profit organizations to undocumented immigrants cleared the House State Affairs Committee and the Senate Rules Committee this week. Community identification cards have been used by some counties to help the homeless and others who have no proof of identity, as well as for immigrants, legal and illegal. Last year, lawmakers agreed to ban local governments from funding identification cards for undocumented individuals. The new proposals (HB 1451, SB 1174), sponsored by Rep. Kiyan Michael and Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, both Republicans, would prevent local governments from accepting them. Both bills are now ready for their respective chamber floors after receiving pushback from Democrats who oppose the initiative.

“‘Bad piece of policy’: Blaise Ingoglia rips House’s Primary runoff bill” via Gray Rohrer of Florida Politics — Add Sen. Ingoglia to the list of Florida Republicans bashing the latest plan from the House to reinstitute runoff Primary Elections, which were held in the state before 2002. “I do not like it. I think it’s a bad piece of policy,” Ingoglia told reporters. “It will disproportionately hurt conservative candidates.” The House unveiled a bill that would install a runoff Primary system starting in the 2026 election cycle. That would mean an initial election in June for Primary contests, then, if no candidate gets more than 50%, a runoff election in August featuring the top two vote-getters. The winner would then go on to the General Election.

“DeSantis doesn’t want ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ homeless camps” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — The Governor is reinforcing his interest in bills banning homeless people from sleeping in public areas while offering some guidelines into what he wants to see from the final bill to survive “judicial scrutiny.” Among those asks: a component that allows the state to help with “mental health” for the unhoused in these local facilities to be included in current bills in the House (HB 1365) and Senate (SB 1630) that would ban sleeping rough and require localities to set up homeless camps with social services. “You got to have sheltering ability and then if they want to set up some of these sites, it can’t just be some site that is like Sodom and Gomorrah where they’re using drugs and doing all this stuff. It needs to be a situation where help is available,” DeSantis said.

Gun Bills Advance to Full House for Floor Consideration - Two bills that would loosen gun laws, one making changes to the waiting period (HB 17) before a purchase and another (HB 1223) to reduce the legal age for buying rifles and long guns from 21 to 18, were approved in committee Wednesday sending both to the full House for consideration on the floor. The waiting period measure would maintain a 3-day waiting period for retail gun purchases, with the waiting period expiring at 3 days even if a background check hasn't been completed. If the Florida Department of Law Enforcement were to subsequently determine that a purchaser wasn't authorized to possess the gun, it would notify the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and a local law enforcement agency, who would be responsible for retrieving the firearm. The bill passed 13-7 in the House Judiciary Committee and now goes to the floor. HB 1223, repealing a 2018 change to Florida law that raised the minimum age for purchasing a long gun to 21, returning the minimum to 18, was approved on a 15-6 vote in Judiciary and also now is ready for floor consideration. The measures are considered less likely to pass in the Senate. Florida Phoenix

Business...

Florida gas prices rise on anticipated demand, refinery shutdown - Gas prices in Florida went up last week and topped the national average as anticipated demand and the unplanned shutdown at a large refinery pushed pump prices higher. The AAA auto club said the average price of a gallon of regular unleaded Tuesday in Florida was $3.34, up seven cents from a week earlier and up 34 cents from a month ago. [Source: CBS News]

Forecasters sounding 'alarm bells' for supercharged 2024 Atlantic hurricane season - Months before the official start of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season the news is not good. And that's even before the National Hurricane Center, AccuWeather and Colorado State University have issued their first, early predictions for what the season will hold. The reasons are two-fold: the return of La Nina and record high ocean temperatures. Neither are good news when it comes to hurricanes and especially not when they work together. More from the Gainesville Sun, the Pensacola News Journal, and the Fort Myers News-Press.

Elections...

Bobby Payne backs Chad Johnson for HD 22 — Rep. Payne is endorsing Republican Johnson in the race for HD 22. “I join Speaker Pro Tem Chuck Clemons in endorsing Chad Johnson to represent House District 22,” Payne said in a news release. “His deep roots in our rural communities will give him unique insight into the everyday challenges facing the citizens of North Florida. Chad is a fiscal conservative who has the experience and wisdom to make a difference in the state Legislature.” Johnson is one of three Republicans running to succeed Clemons in the Gainesville-based district currently held by Clemons, who is term-limited.

Miami weighs more disclosure by candidates for office - The City of Miami may soon require candidates for office to provide more thorough financial disclosures to increase transparency regarding campaign contributions. Toda, the city commission is to vote on the first reading of an ordinance that would require candidates who give or lend themselves more than $1,000 to produce an aged funds report proving the money’s origins. More from Miami Today.

Heath Care Related Articles

A proposal (HB 159 ) allowing pharmacists to screen for HIV and dispense HIV infection prevention drugs was amended  on the House floor Wednesday to name the proposed law the "John W. Rheay Act," after GOP Rep. Dana Trabulsy's  brother who died from AIDS nearly ten years ago. Sponsored by Tallahassee Democrat Rep. Gallop Franklin , who is a pharmacist, the legislation could be voted on by the full House as early as Thursday. A similar measure in the Senate (SB 1320 ), carried by Miami Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud , is waiting to be heard in its third and final committee of reference: theSenate Rules Committee .

2024 State Cancer Report Shows Improvement in Prevention, Lack of Care in Rural Areas

Lung cancer continues to be the most fatal type of cancer, resulting in approximately 29 deaths per 100,000 individuals in the state, according to the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council 2024 annual report . The second deadliest form of cancer is breast cancer at roughly 16 deaths per 100,000, followed by prostate cancer, colorectal cancer and ovarian cancer. Although the state's decrease in cancer fatalities has been attributed to a reduction in tobacco use, cancer follows heart disease as the leading cause of death in Florida. The report highlights efforts to increase HPV vaccinations and continue to reduce tobacco exposure. It also emphasizes the importance of cancer screenings, investments in health care and addressing disparities in access to care. Additionally, the report recognizes the importance of expanding the network of cancer centers in the state, among other things. Six Cancer Centers of Excellence were established in 2023, including Moffitt Cancer Center, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, the University of Florida Health Cancer Center, the Memorial Cancer Institute and the Cleveland Clinic, with three of those facilities also holding a National Cancer Institute designation. Florida Politics

Local health officials with the Florida Department of Health have issued a measles advisory in Broward County following the confirmation of multiple cases at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston. As of late last week, there were four confirmed cases. Officials are working with local schools and hospitals to identify individuals at risk of exposure. Measles symptoms include a rash, fever, runny nose, cough, and Koplik spots in the mouth. Residents with symptoms are urged to seek medical attention and avoid spreading the virus. The outbreak raises concerns about vaccination rates, as exemptions for religious and medical reasons are allowed in Florida. Florida Politics

Health Workforce Measure in HHS Committee - Among several health-related bills before the House Health & Human Services Committee  today is the House's version of a health care workforce bill (HB 1549 ), similar to Senate priority legislation called the "Live Healthy" initiative. The measure aims to address the shortage of health care providers and support innovation in the health care marketplace. Among other bills before the HHS committee is a proposal (HB 159 ) that would allow pharmacists to screen for HIV and dispense HIV infection prevention drugs, legislation (HB 1063 ) that would allow chiropractors to perform "dry needling ," like acupuncture, and legislation (HB 1269 ) that would regulate the adult use of recreational marijuana set forth in a proposed constitutional amendment  by capping THC content limits.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis awarded $20 million from the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund to researchers across the state on Wednesday. The fund, launched by the first lady in 2022 following her breast cancer diagnosis, is an expansion of Florida Cancer Connect, a program aimed at providing and sharing cancer information and survivor stories. According to the governor, Florida is second in the nation for newly diagnosed cancer cases. DeSantis Press Release

A Senate panel unanimously advanced legislation this week proposing $114 million to address the shortage of mental health and substance abuse providers in the state. The bill (SB 330 ) would create four pilot behavioral health teaching hospitals in collaboration with medical schools, including Tampa General Hospital and the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, UF Health Shands and UF Health Jacksonville and the University of Florida Medical School, and Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Sponsored by GOP Sen. Jim Boyd  and Democrat Sen. Darryl Rouson , the bipartisan proposal allocates $100 million for the pilot teaching hospitals upon submission of mandated plans to the Department of Children and Families, including $6 million appropriated for medical residency slots at the facilities. The initiative has one more committee stop. A House companion (HB 1617 ) has yet to be heard in committee. News Service Florida