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CFO and State Fire Marshal Jeff Atwater Talks Fire Safety Basics During Arson Awareness Week

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Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, who also serves as Florida’s State Fire Marshal, recognizes May 7-13 as Arson Awareness Week by reminding Floridians to practice basic fire safety.
“Lives are put needlessly at risk, homes are destroyed and acres of land are ruined by this senseless, preventable crime,” said CFO Atwater. “As wildfires have ravaged parts of Florida, some started by human intervention, now is the time to focus on this costly, detrimental crime and how we can all do more to stop it.”
As summer months approach and Floridians spend more time outdoors, consumers should keep these safety tips in mind:

  • Always douse camp fires with water and never leave until the fire has been completely extinguished
  • Never throw cigarette butts out of a car window or drop them on the grass. Snuff the cigarette out completely and dispose of it properly in an ash tray
  • Never pour out gasoline or other chemicals in a yard or other grassy area
  • Abide by all county and local burn bans and refrain from burning garbage or yard debris

During 2016, the Department of Financial Services’ Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations responded to 3,799 fires across Florida, 1,264 of which were determined to be arson-related. These fires amounted to nearly $30 million in property damage and caused 56 injuries and 25 fatalities.
To report arson, call 1-877-No-Arson (1-877-662-7766). Tips that lead directly to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a $5,000 reward. Information can be provided anonymously.
Arson Awareness Week in Florida is part of a nationwide initiative to educate the public on the important role of community arson awareness and how it can and does play an important role preventing this dangerous crime.

Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jeff Atwater, a statewide elected official, oversees the Department of Financial Services, serves as Florida’s State Fire Marshal, and is a member of the Florida Cabinet. CFO Atwater’s priorities include fighting financial fraud, abuse and waste in government; reducing government spending and regulatory burdens that chase away businesses; and providing transparency and accountability in spending.

ACLU Statement on Approval of Religious Freedom Bill

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The Florida Legislature today passed SB 436, a bill purporting to support religious freedom.

Responding to the bill, ACLU of Florida Legislative Counsel Kara Gross stated:

“The ACLU has a long history of fighting to protect and defend religious freedom and will continue to do so vigorously, but religious freedom does not mean the right to discriminate against others and treat others less humanely.

“The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause prohibits public schools from endorsing or encouraging any individual religion in any way.  This bill is troublesome because it allows teachers, administrators, and other adults in positions of power, to proselytize and otherwise advance their religious beliefs during the school day.  Under this bill, any student or school employee not in the majority religion at that school is in danger of being further isolated, marginalized, and silenced due to activities championed by others in the majority. Additionally, this bill would allow teachers and other school personnel to discriminate against LGBTQ students under the guise of religious expression.  Religious education of children is the responsibility of parents and not the public schools.

“The Constitution prevents the government from suppressing groups with minority or unpopular beliefs and values.  We fear this legislation, as written, could result in such suppression. Additionally, this bill will almost certainly expose school districts and school personnel to potential litigation.”

Gov. Scott Appoints One to Indian River County Hospital District

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Governor Rick Scott today announced the appointment of Tracey Zudans to the Indian River County Hospital District.
Tracey Zudans, 46, of Indian River, is local volunteer and philanthropist. Zudans received her bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Florida. She fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning May 5, 2017, and ending December 31, 2018.

CFO Atwater Celebrates Legislative Success

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As the 2017 Legislative Session nears its end, CFO Atwater celebrates the passage of priority legislation championed by the Department of Financial Services. This year marks CFO Atwater’s seventh and final legislative session as one of Florida’s four Cabinet officers.
Successful key legislative initiatives include:
Insurance Rehabilitation and Liquidation – Sponsored by Senator Kathleen Passidomo (SB 730) and Representative Jake Raburn (HB 837)
“When an insurance company fails financially, it becomes a nightmare for the consumers who are stuck wondering if their claims will be paid and if their health care providers will still see them,” said CFO Atwater. “This legislation clarifies the process that the State of Florida has put in place for these situations, and doing so will give consumers the confidence of knowing that someone is on their side.” 
When an insurance company becomes insolvent, the Department of Financial Services steps in to protect policyholders and to assess the company’s finances. The process is known as receivership, and the Department works to determine if the company can be saved through rehabilitation or if it must be liquidated.
This common-sense, consumer protection legislation outlines the obligations of the insurance company to cooperate with Department staff and clarifies the deadlines for debtors to submit claims. By doing so, the Department can better assess the debt owed by the company and prioritize policyholder claims payments using existing funds.
Insurance Fraud – Sponsored by Senator Jeff Brandes (SB 1012) and Representative Holly Raschein (HB 1007)
“We have made significant strides in our fight against fraud, and we couldn’t have done so without the partnership of the fraud-fighting units housed within many of our state’s insurance companies and the dedicated prosecutors who take our cases to trial,” said CFO Atwater. “This legislation helps our investigators further improve their processes and hone their techniques, so that our Department can stay a step ahead of the criminals who seek to defraud Floridians.”
This legislation requires insurance companies to annually report specific information to the Department outlining fraud-related statistics and details. The legislation also requires insurance companies to hold annual anti-fraud training for their investigators and asks that insurance companies develop in-house anti-fraud plans. Finally, so that the Chief Financial Officer can ensure that prosecutors are addressing workers’ compensation and insurance fraud cases, it creates mandatory prosecutorial reporting for judicial circuits that receive state funds for dedicated insurance fraud prosecutors.
Agency Enhancements – Sponsored by Senator Kelli Stargel (SB 986) and Representative Mike Miller (HB 925)
“We pride ourselves on operating as efficiently and effectively as possible, and these updates will allow us to continue our mission of becoming the best Department of Financial Services possible,” said CFO Atwater.
This legislation implements several legacy enhancements to the Department of Financial Services including: preservation of the Department’s Holocaust Victims Assistance Program, which reunites Floridians with money and items that were stolen from them during the Nazi era; an update to the Boiler Safety Act; language that affords the prompt payment of contractual grants to vendors contracted with the State of Florida for goods or services; and clarifies the licensure process for insurance agents in Florida.
To learn more about the Department of Financial Services, click HERE.

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, a statewide elected official, oversees the Department of Financial Services, serves as Florida’s State Fire Marshal, and is a member of the Florida Cabinet. CFO Atwater’s priorities include fighting financial fraud, abuse and waste in government, reducing government spending and regulatory burdens that chase away businesses, and providing transparency and accountability in spending. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).

Senator Bean's SARA Bill Passes Florida Legislature, Heads to Governor

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SB 668/HB 859, Postsecondary Distance Education, by Senator Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) and Representative Amber Mariano (R-Hudson), has passed the Florida Legislature. The bill establishes the Postsecondary Reciprocal Distance Education Coordinating Council within the Florida Department of Education. This council will administer the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) with other states to authorize higher education institutions to offer online courses in such states.
“This is a common sense bill that makes sure Florida’s students are not at a disadvantage while pursuing their postsecondary educations, even if they choose to do so in another state,” said Senator Bean. “It also makes Florida’s colleges and universities more competitive in offering online courses to students in other states by eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape.”
Reciprocity agreements are voluntary agreements between states that establish comparable national criteria for interstate online education courses and programs. This reciprocity agreement is intended to simplify and improve the process for students who take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in other states.
“Online learning is a powerful tool, and this legislation will help ensure students enrolled in online courses are receiving high-quality education wherever they choose to attend,” stated Representative Mariano. “This bill allows Florida schools to be even more competitive nationwide and provides options for students searching for a flexible degree program.”
Florida currently participates in the SREB Electronic Regional Reciprocity Agreement (SECRRA), which allows Florida’s approved colleges and universities to offer online courses in SREB member states. However, since the current SECRRA dissolves in June of this year, Florida students will be unable to attend many out-of-state institutions. SB 668/HB 859 prevents this lapse by applying for Florida to participate as a member of the SARA. HB 859 will now go before Governor Scott to be signed into law.

Environment Florida applauds legislature for enacting voter-backed solar amendment

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This week, the Florida legislature voted to implement Amendment 4, the constitutional amendment over seventy percent of voters approved last fall. The bill, SB 90, extends the tax break on solar equipment to businesses. The bill now goes to Governor Rick Scott.
Jennifer Rubiello, state director with Environment Florida, issued the following statement:
“We applaud the state legislature for listening to the will of Florida voters when it comes to removing barriers to solar; a move that will advance renewable energy here in the Sunshine State.
“We all know that Florida has tremendous potential to tap into solar to provide pollution-free power for our homes, businesses and increasingly, modes of transportation.
“Today, Florida still ranks twelfth for solar power, behind states like New Jersey and Massachusetts. We hope this measure, and other efforts to encourage solar, will help our state climb in the solar rankings.
“We thank Senator Brandes for his support in moving this measure forward in a way that reflects the will of the citizens who voted for this pro-solar amendment.
“Ultimately, this is an important step in moving Florida away from dirty fuels and towards clean renewable sources.
“We urge the governor to support the will of Florida voters and encourage solar power by making this measure the law of the land.”

Commissioner Putnam Urges Public to Report Arson During National Arson Awareness Week

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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service are asking the public to help prevent wildfires by reporting suspected arson during Arson Awareness Week, May 7-13. Since the beginning of 2017, arsonists have started approximately 320 wildfires in Florida that have burned more than 20,000 acres.
“Severe drought conditions have increased wildfire danger throughout the state, and unfortunately, man-made fires rank among the top causes of wildfires,” said Commissioner Adam H. Putnam, “With the help of Floridians, we can stop arsonists and protect life, property and wildlife in Florida.”
Woods arson devastates thousands of acres in Florida each year. Throughout 2016, nearly 400 wildfires in Florida were started by arson.
“Everyone loses when arsonists strike. This serious crime not only threatens homes, property and valuable natural resources, but also places the lives of Floridians and our first responders at risk,” said James R. Karels, State Forester. “The state will not tolerate anyone who purposefully endangers Floridians or our visitors by engaging in these activities.”
To report suspicious wildfire activity, contact the department’s Arson Alert Hotline at 1-800-342-5869. Callers can remain anonymous and information about wildland arson could result in a reward up to $5,000. When reporting suspected woods arson activity, callers should remember the following tips:

  • After calling 911, call 1-800-342-5869;
  • Do not approach the suspect;
  • Identify vehicle descriptions and license plates;
  • Identify physical descriptions of suspects; and
  • Identify the location where the suspicious behavior was observed.

The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million acres of private and community forests. The Florida Forest Service is also responsible for protecting homes, forestland and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire on more than 26 million acres. Learn more at FloridaForestService.com.
For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FreshFromFlorida.com.

Stetson University Expects to Hold Record Graduation This Year

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Number of graduates is six percent higher than previous year

Stetson University expects to graduate 879 students at its 131st Commencement this weekend. On Friday night, May 12, Stetson will confer master’s degrees on 192 graduate students at a ceremony in Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall. The following morning, 687 undergraduate students will be honored at the Commencement ceremony at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium. The total number of graduates will set a new record for Stetson.
On the DeLand campus, students and faculty nominate and vote on their keynote speakers. This year, the graduate ceremony keynoters are Benjamin Wyatt Carter, education, and David Mueller, business. The undergraduate speakers are Chelsea Mariah Probus, religious studies, and Alexandra Panchita Sullivan, social science and religious studies.
In addition to the two Commencement ceremonies, Stetson celebrates student achievement with these events:
ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Friday, May 12, 10-11 a.m.
Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall
Undergraduate Awards & Recognition
Friday, May 12, 3-5 p.m.
Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall
Live streaming of the Commencement ceremonies can be seen on Stetson Broadcast Productions. For more information and details on Commencement 2017 events, please visit the Commencement website.
About Stetson University
Founded in 1883, Stetson University is the oldest private university in Central Florida, providing a transforming education in the liberal arts tradition. Stetson stresses academic excellence and community-engaged learning, and consistently earns high marks in national rankings. Stetson encourages its students to go beyond success to significance in their lives, the lives of others and their communities. Stay connected with Stetson on social media.

"Business and Industry Day" Event

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Vehicle Convoy Simulator, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Demonstration

WHAT: Camp Blanding community relations event
WHEN: Wednesday, May 10, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
WHERE: Camp Blanding
Starke, FL 32091
Camp Blanding is hosting a demonstration with local business and industry leaders. Guests will participate in a vehicle convoy simulator course and observe a HIMARS demonstration, and Lt. Col. Scott Taylor, base operations officer, will be available to discuss B&I Day and Camp Blanding’s mission.
Itinerary: 10:00 – 11:00: Vehicle Convoy simulator
1 p.m.: HIMARS demonstration
All news media outlets are asked to arrive at 0930, and RSVP no later than Tuesday, 9 May, at noon in order to ensure post access.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Mr. William Manley
Deputy Communications Director, Dept of Military Affairs
(904) 823-0170 (office)