Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Florida Senate

Florida Senate

Broad-Based Tax Relief Package Becomes Law

Posted on

Back-To-School and Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays, Sales
Tax Exemption for Feminine Hygiene Products, Lower Business Rent Tax

Florida Governor Rick Scott today signed House Bill (HB) 7109, Taxation. The legislation, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax, will deliver broad-based tax relief to families and businesses across the state.
“I am pleased to see this comprehensive tax relief package become law,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart). “Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature have worked together for the last several years to reduce the tax burden facing Florida families and businesses in a broad-based and meaningful way. This good bill furthers that commitment.”
“From tax savings for parents and students preparing for the new school year, to permanent savings for women’s health products, the Senate is advancing legislation that will keep more money in the pockets of the hardworking Florida families who earn it,” said Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland). “This tax relief package incorporates many of the ideas suggested by Senators and vetted by our Committee, and I am pleased to see it become law today. My colleagues and I want to remind all Floridians that they can begin taking advantage of this tax savings by stocking up on critical supplies during the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday, which runs from June 2 through June 4, just in time for hurricane season.”
Establishes the 2017 Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday
The legislation creates a three-day “back-to-school” sales tax holiday from August 4-6, 2017, for clothing and footwear costing $60 or less, school supplies costing less than $15, and for  a personal computer or personal computer-related accessories, including tablets, costing $750 or less.
Establishes the 2017 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
The legislation creates a three-day “disaster preparedness” sales tax holiday from June 2-4, 2017, for disaster preparedness supplies. Tax-free items include: flashlights and lanterns costing $20 or less; radios and tarps costing $50 or less; coolers and first-aid kits costing $30 or less; and, generators costing $750 or less, among others.
Creates a Sales Tax Exemption for Feminine Hygiene Products
The bill creates a permanent sales tax exemption for essential hygienic products for women. Currently, Florida law imposes a sales tax on luxury items such as cosmetics and toiletries, while providing tax exemptions for medical products used to prevent or treat illness. HB 7109 makes it clear that feminine hygiene products are not luxury items in the same category as toiletries, but rather a necessity for women’s overall health, hygiene, and well-being. Several states including: Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and the District of Columbia currently exempt these items.
Legislation to exempt the sales tax on feminine hygiene products was originally filed as Senate Bill 176 by Senator Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples).
“This common sense legislation will result in a tax savings for women all over the state who purchase these necessary products,” said Senator Passidomo. “Through this bill, Florida stands to join other states that currently exempt these items.”
Reduces Business Rent Tax
House Bill 7109 permanently lowers the sales tax charged on commercial leases. The state currently levies a six percent tax on the total rent or license fee charged for renting any real property. Residences are exempt from this tax, and Florida is currently the only state in the country to impose this type of tax on businesses. The bill permanently lowers the rate from 6 percent to 5.8 percent.
During the 2017 Legislative Session, the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax passed Senate Bill 378 by Senate President Pro Tempore Anitere Flores (R-Miami, Monroe) to lower the business rent tax.
“Cutting this business tax will help the small, local businesses in our communities that lease property,” said President Pro Tempore Flores. “This legislation is a great step towards reducing and hopefully one day eliminating this burdensome tax on business.”
Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption
During the 2017 Legislative Session, the House and Senate also passed House Joint Resolution (HJR) 7105, Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption, sponsored by former Senate President Tom Lee (R-Thonotosassa). The joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution to provide an additional homestead exemption of $25,000. The amendment will take effect January 1, 2019, if approved by Florida voters. Homestead property owners will receive an exemption from ad valorem taxes, except levies by school districts, for the assessed valuation greater than $100,000 and up to $125,000.
Background: As Florida continues to recover from the Great Recession, the Legislature has prioritized broad-based tax relief for Florida’s families and businesses.
2016: House Bill 7099 provided broad-based tax relief for Florida families and businesses by permanently eliminating the sales tax exemption for machinery and manufacturing equipment, establishing a three-day Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday, and reducing local property tax millage rates.
2015: House Bill 33-A permanently decreased the communication services tax (CST) on Floridians’ phones and television services, instituted a 10-day Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday, and among other tax relief measures, eliminated the sales tax charged to returning service members and their families who have purchased a vehicle overseas.
2014: Senate Bill 156, by President Negron, provided a nearly $400 million reduction in vehicle registration fees.  The legislation reduced certain annual fees paid to register a motor vehicle to the amount paid prior to 2009. Annual vehicle registration fees were raised during the height of Florida’s economic decline in 2009, a year when state general revenue collections had declined more than 22 percent since their high in 2005-2006. In addition to other tax relief measures passed in 2014, this legislation provided fee relief to every Floridian who registers a car or truck.

Major Expansion of Southern Water Storage Becomes Law

Posted on

Governor Scott Signs Plan to Reduce Harmful Discharges from Lake Okeechobee

Florida Governor Rick Scott today signed Senate Bill 10, Water Resources, by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island). The legislation authorizes a significant increase in southern water storage to further the goal of reducing and eventually eliminating harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee, a priority of Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart).
“After twenty years of talking, southern storage is finally becoming a reality,” said President Negron. “We are well on our way to putting the harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the pages of history, instead of the front pages of daily newspapers.”
“I am grateful to Governor Scott for signing this bill into law today, and to my colleagues in the House and Senate for their support. I am particularly thankful for Senator Rob Bradley who tirelessly moved the bill through the legislative process, and to all of my constituents and concerned citizens from around the state who participated in community events and traveled to Tallahassee time and time again to make their voices heard. I would also like to thank Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala for shepherding the bill through the Appropriations Committee and for his longtime commitment to protecting Florida’s environment,” continued President Negron.
“I look forward to the work ahead as we continue to work with Governor Scott and our federal partners to expedite the planning and construction of this critical project,” said President Negron. “Together, we will end the plague of toxic blue-green algae that harms the health of our citizens and destroys our environment and our economy, once and for all.”
Senate Bill 10 expressly prohibits the use of eminent domain, leveraging land already owned by the State of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), land swaps, and purchases, to minimize impacts on agricultural workers while achieving 240,000 to 360,000 acre feet of storage. The legislation also provides grants to establish training programs for agricultural workers.
Senate Bill 10, Water Resources

  • Requires the SFWMD to develop a plan to provide a minimum of 240,000 acre-feet of storage through a deep storage reservoir and water quality treatment features, using the A-2 parcel, land swaps, and purchases. The district may consider alternate configurations using the A-1 parcel if a minimum of 360,000 acre-feet of additional storage can be achieved (60,000 acre-feet currently provided by A-1 FEB).
  • Requires the SFWMD to use DMSTA2 modeling to determine the amount of acreage needed in order to meet water quality standards.
    • Directs the SFWMD to negotiate modifications of lease terms on state and district owned lands to make land available for the reservoir project.
    • Directs SFWMD to negotiate for the acquisition of privately-owned property, if needed for the reservoir project, through purchase or land swap.
    • The bill terminates the current PRIDE work programs, on state owned land using inmate labor for agricultural work, in light of the high unemployment rate in the EAA for these types of jobs. This land would then be available to swap for any privately-owned land needed for the reservoir project, further minimizing any impact on agricultural workers in the EAA.
  • Establishes a number of timelines for achieving milestones for approval of the post?authorization change report and requires reporting to the Legislature.
  • Moves up the date for the EAA reservoir project planning study to commence if the post-authorization report is not submitted for Congressional approval, or Congressional approval is not obtained in accordance with the time frames in the bill.
  • Clarifies that ongoing Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects will continue to receive funding.
  • Authorizes the district to begin planning and discussion with the owners of the C-51 Reservoir project to determine if the state should acquire or enter into a public private partnership for this water storage facility that will add approximately 60,000 acre?feet of storage south of the Lake.
  • Establishes the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Training Program in DEO for the purpose of stimulating and supporting training and employment programs, to match state and local training programs with identified job skills associated with non-agricultural employment opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.  The bill expresses the Legislature’s intent to promote the implementation of the Airglades Airport in Hendry County and an inland port in Palm Beach County to create job opportunities in areas of high agricultural unemployment.
  • Establishes a revolving loan fund to provide funding assistance to local governments and water supply entities for the development and construction of water storage facilities.
  • Revises the uses of the Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund to include the water storage facility revolving loan program.
  • Provides funding for the reservoir projects, including an authorization to bond funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF). The total cost is approximately $1.5 billion, half of which could be paid by the federal government. The bill includes an appropriation of $64 million for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year.
  • Allows for funds not spent on the reservoir projects to be used for other Everglades Restoration projects as provided in Legacy Florida.

Background:
Record rainfall this past year resulted in unseasonably high water levels in Lake Okeechobee, which threatened the integrity of the Herbert Hoover Dike. To maintain safe water levels, the Army Corps of Engineers authorized the release of billions of gallons of water from the Lake to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers. Such freshwater discharges cause significant environmental damage by lowering the salinity levels of the estuaries and introducing pollutants into coastal waters. Due to the discharges this summer, massive amounts of toxic algae that originated in Lake Okeechobee were sent to the estuaries and coastal waterways.
As a result of the high volume discharges, coastal communities experienced enormous harmful algal blooms with devastating impacts not only to the ecology of local waterways, but also to residents, fishermen, and local businesses. The extent and severity of the blooms resulted in Governor Scott declaring a state of emergency in four Florida counties.

President Negron Discusses Priority Legislation Passed During the 2017 Legislative Session

Posted on

Excellence in higher education package, southern water storage expansion,
juvenile justice reforms, bills to protect constitutional freedoms

As the Florida Senate concludes the 2017 Legislative Session today with the passage of the 2017-18 General Appropriations Act, Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart), discussed progress on several key priorities. The Senate’s Excellence in Higher Education Act saw final passage today, while the President’s plan for a major expansion of water storage south of Lake Okeechobee and several pieces of legislation to protect freedoms guaranteed by our state and federal Constitutions passed last week. During the 2017 Legislative Session, the Senate also advanced the public discussion on key juvenile justice reforms.
“More than 18 months ago when I was designated by my Senate colleagues to serve as the Senate President for the 2016-2018 term, I discussed four key priorities. This session, we had significant movement in each of these policy and budget areas. This would not have been possible without the support and advocacy of my colleagues in the Senate, and the House, and thousands of constituents in my district and across the state who have played a role in developing this legislation.”
Major Expansion of Southern Storage
Senate Bill 10, Water Resources, sponsored by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island), authorizes a significant increase in southern water storage to further the goal of reducing and eventually eliminating, harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee. Senate Bill 10 expressly prohibits the use of eminent domain, leveraging land already owned by the State of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), land swaps, and purchases, to minimize impacts on agricultural workers while achieving 240,000 to 360,000 acre feet of storage. The legislation also provides grants to establish training programs for agricultural workers.
“For too long toxic blue-green algae has been harming the health of both our citizens and our economy. This legislation provides a clear plan to address this plague in a manner that benefits communities across South Florida,” said President Negron. “Senate Bill 10 will make an important difference to families, communities, and the economy east and west of the Lake, as well as southern communities who have waited too long for additional investments in meaningful economic development to expand workforce training and job opportunities.”
“I promised my constituents that we would dramatically expand southern storage by leveraging existing water infrastructure, and utilizing a combination of state, local, and private land, in a manner that respects the interests of the agricultural community and private land owners. After twenty years of talking about southern storage, this legislation establishes a concrete plan to achieve this critical component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in a reasonable amount of time,” continued President Negron.
Excellence in Higher Education
Senate Bill 374, sponsored by Senator Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange), Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton), and Senator Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), promotes on-time graduation by expanding need and merit-based student financial assistance and support, establishing tuition and fee incentives, streamlining 2+2 articulation, and strengthening mechanisms that keep colleges and universities accountable to Florida taxpayers. The legislation also expands policy and funding tools universities can leverage to recruit and retain the very best faculty, enhance professional and graduate schools, and improve aging infrastructure and research laboratories. The bill supports Florida’s nationally-ranked community colleges by reinstating a statewide coordinating board for the Florida Community College System, tightening the community college bachelor degree approval process, and clarifying responsibilities within Florida’s taxpayer-funded K-20 education system, to maximize resources already available at state universities, community colleges, and school district technical centers.
“This comprehensive legislation will boost the strength and competitiveness of our state’s higher education system as our primary economic engine to drive vibrant, sustainable economic development and growth in high-paying jobs,” said President Negron. “Our primary objectives are to work with colleges and universities to better serve students and increase their accountability to the taxpayers. I believe Florida taxpayers will see a return worthy of their investment when our top Florida students attend our own colleges and universities, complete degree programs on-time, and then graduate with job opportunities in high-demand fields needed in our growing communities.”
“As we worked on this legislation over the last year, I have enjoyed the opportunity to hear from students and learn about the challenges they face as they work to complete their degrees. Like many students today, I worked throughout college and law school, and I understand the challenges of working and balancing difficult coursework,” continued President Negron. “I am confident this package of policy enhancements will help more students graduate on-time, while maintaining the flexibility some students need as they balance their studies with family and work obligations.”
Civil Citations for Certain Youth Offenders
House Bill 301 (Senate Bill 196), sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Anitere Flores (R-Miami, Monroe), reforms requirements regarding the issuance of civil citations for certain first-time misdemeanor offenses including: possession of alcoholic beverages, trespass, and disorderly conduct, among others. The legislation did not see final passage in the Florida House.
“In too many cases, we have become a society where law enforcement officers are brought in to referee the day-to-day challenges that come with raising children. Instead of helping our youth to learn positively from their mistakes like we once did, they could be put in the juvenile justice system, creating a criminal record that could potentially follow them for their rest of their lives,” said President Negron. “There needs to be a delicate balance here. We should not, and we will not, tolerate serious wrongdoing committed by young people. At the same time, we need workable solutions that move away from the over-criminalization of adolescents. We need to find an appropriate balance between public safety and decriminalizing the youthful mistakes of adolescents. Next session, we will continue to make the case with our House colleagues on this important issue.”
Fidelity to the Constitution
Religious Liberty
Senate Bill 436, Religious Expression in Public Schools, sponsored by Senator Dennis Baxley (R-Lady Lake). The legislation creates the “Florida Student and School Personnel Religious Liberties Act,” and specifies a school district may not discriminate against a student, parent, or school personnel on the basis of a religious viewpoint or religious expression.
“Freedom of Religion is a central right protected by our Constitution. The government should not impose a religion, but all too often we see the other extreme where we are taking away people’s right to free speech and their right to practice their faith in a way they believe is appropriate,” said President Negron. “Students of any faith, or no faith, have a right to free speech. The Legislature is taking the steps necessary to protect this important constitutional right of public school students, parents, teachers, and school administrators.”
Eyewitness Identification
Senate Bill 312, Eyewitness Identification, sponsored by Senator Dennis Baxley (R-Lady Lake), creates procedures for state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to follow when they have a lineup for an eyewitness to identify a suspect. The procedures require the use of a lineup administrator who is unaware of which person in a live lineup is the suspect.
“While a lineup is a valuable tool for law enforcement investigators, many people have serious and valid concerns that the eyewitnesses can be unduly influenced by having an officer present who knows which person is the suspect,” said President Negron. “Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt. We have an obligation to ensure the constitutional rights of all suspects are protected from potential manipulation.”
Eyewitness misidentification of crime suspects has contributed to 64 percent of the Florida cases in which DNA evidence later exonerated the defendant. Of the 349 DNA exonerations nationwide, more than 70 percent had a mistaken identification issue.
Right to Self-Defense
Senate Bill 128, Self-defense Immunity, sponsored by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island), protects the right of self-defense for all Floridians by changing the burden of proof and who must bear it during pretrial hearings to evaluate a defendant’s claim of immunity based on a justifiable use of force. The bill places the burden of proof on the state and requires the state to overcome the immunity claim by offering evidence meeting the standard of clear and convincing evidence.
“If the State of Florida is going to accuse a citizen of committing a crime, the State of Florida should have the burden of proof at each and every part of the proceeding. This legislation requires the state to meet the standard of clear and convincing evidence to overcome an immunity claim. This is a huge step towards better protection of the constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all citizens,” said President Negron.

The Florida Senate Passes Broad-Based Tax Relief Package

Posted on

Back-To-School and Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holidays, Sales
Tax Exemption for Feminine Hygiene Products, Lower Business Rent Tax

The Florida Senate today passed House Bill (HB) 7109, Taxation, by Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland). This legislation, combined with provisions of Senate Bill 2500, the 2017-18 General Appropriations Act, and House Joint Resolution 7015, Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption, will deliver broad-based tax relief to families and businesses across Florida.
“This tax relief package continues our commitment to reducing the tax burden facing Florida families and businesses in a broad-based and meaningful way,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart). “Sales tax holidays for school supplies and hurricane preparedness essentials provide savings for families across our state. Likewise, a permanent reduction in the business rent tax is an important step towards reducing and ultimately eliminating this onerous tax on business.”
Several components of HB 7109 are detailed below.
Establishes the 2017 Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday
The legislation creates a three-day “back-to-school” sales tax holiday from August 4-6, 2017, for clothing and footwear costing $60 or less, school supplies costing less than $15, and for  a personal computer or personal computer-related accessories, including tablets, costing $750 or less.
Establishes the 2017 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
The legislation creates a three-day “disaster preparedness” sales tax holiday from June 2-4, 2017, for disaster preparedness supplies. Tax-free items include: flashlights and lanterns costing $20 or less; radios and tarps costing $50 or less; coolers and first-aid kits costing $30 or less; and, generators costing $750 or less, among others.
Creates a Sales Tax Exemption for Feminine Hygiene Products
The bill creates a permanent sales tax exemption for essential hygienic products for women. Currently, Florida law imposes a sales tax on luxury items such as cosmetics and toiletries, while providing tax exemptions for medical products used to prevent or treat illness. HB 7109 makes it clear that feminine hygiene products are not luxury items in the same category as toiletries, but rather a necessity for women’s overall health, hygiene, and well-being. Several states including: Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, and the District of Columbia currently exempt these items.
Legislation to exempt feminine hygiene products from sales tax was originally filed as Senate Bill 176 by Senator Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples), which passed the Committee on Appropriations earlier this session.
Reduces Business Rent Tax
House Bill 7109 permanently lowers the sales tax charged on commercial leases from 6 percent to 5.8 percent. The state currently levies the tax on the total rent or license fee charged for renting any real property. Residences are exempt from this tax.  Florida is the only state in the country to impose this type of tax on businesses.
Earlier this session, the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax passed Senate Bill 378, by Senate President Pro Tempore Anitere Flores (R-Miami, Monroe), to lower the business rent tax.
Creates $500 million in Property Tax Savings
SB 2500, the 2017-2018 General Appropriations Act, which will be available for final passage later today, appropriates unprecedented total funding for K-12 education, while reducing local millage rates, resulting in more than $500 million in tax savings for Florida’s families and businesses.
Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption
House Joint Resolution (HJR) 7105, Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption, sponsored by former Senate President Tom Lee (R-Thonotosassa), proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution to provide an additional homestead exemption of $25,000. The amendment will take effect January 1, 2019, if approved by Florida voters. Homestead property owners will receive an exemption from ad valorem taxes, except levies by school districts, for the assessed valuation greater than $100,000 and up to $125,000.
Background: As Florida continues to recover from the Great Recession, the Legislature has prioritized broad-based tax relief for Florida’s families and businesses.
2016: House Bill 7099 provided broad-based tax relief for Florida families and businesses by permanently eliminating the sales tax exemption for machinery and manufacturing equipment, establishing a three-day Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday, and reducing local property tax millage rates.
2015: House Bill 33-A permanently decreased the communication services tax (CST) on Floridians’ phones and television services, instituted a 10-day Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday, and among other tax relief measures, eliminated the sales tax charged to returning service members and their families who have purchased a vehicle overseas.
2014: Senate Bill 156, by President Negron, provided a nearly $400 million reduction in vehicle registration fees.  The legislation reduced certain annual fees paid to register a motor vehicle to the amount paid prior to 2009. Annual vehicle registration fees were raised during the height of Florida’s economic decline in 2009, a year when state general revenue collections had declined more than 22 percent since their high in 2005-2006. In addition to other tax relief measures passed in 2014, this legislation provided fee relief to every Floridian who registers a car or truck.

Solar Tax Exemption Legislation Passes Unanimously

Posted on

Bill reduces tax burden on renewable energy properties for 20 years

Senate Bill 90, Renewable Energy Source Devices, by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) passed the Florida Senate today with unanimous support, following unanimous approval of the Florida House of Representatives yesterday. The tax exemption will apply for 20 years on solar and renewable energy devices.
“The voters of Florida spoke loud and clear in support of an expanded solar market in the sunshine state,” stated Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg). “Reducing property taxes on solar and renewable energy devices will bring more solar energy to Florida. The unanimous support of the legislature shows that we are dedicated to expanding the share of renewables in our energy portfolio, and I am excited to continue to advocate for energy reform.”
The bill implements Amendment 4, which passed with 73 percent support by the voters on the 2016 primary election. The bill exempts 80% of the value of solar and renewable energy devices from property taxes on real and tangible personal property. This reflects an extension of the existing exemption in law for solar and renewable energy devices on residential property. The exemption encourages expansion of solar and renewable energy production in Florida, complimenting an industry that has experienced significant growth in recent years. The tax exemption of the bill will begin in 2018 and extend for 20 years.
For more information on SB 90 please visit http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/00090

Student Loan Debt Bill Passes Legislature

Posted on

Senator Hukill’s Bill Addressing Student Loan Debt Now Goes to the Governor

Senator Dorothy L. Hukill’s (R-Port Orange), Senate Bill 396 Student Loan Debt bill has passed the Florida legislature with unanimous support today.
The bill requires public and private post-secondary education institutions (colleges & universities) to provide information regarding student loans to students on an annual basis. The institutions will provide up-to-date information to each student receiving student loans. The knowledge provided will allow students to better prepare their finances and goals post-graduation.
In the U.S., student loan debt is over $1.3 trillion and growing by approximately $2,667.20 every second. Senator Hukill’s legislation allows students to be given their loan information annually by their college or university as they are working on their degree to be knowledgeable of their financial situation. This bill as well as Senator Hukill’s SB 392, which addresses teaching high school students’ financial literacy, will help students make better decisions about their financial futures as they join the work force and enter adulthood.
“Student loan debt is growing every second and every second a student is putting themselves further into debt for their education,” said Senator Hukill. “Our students need to be as informed about this debt and what it will cost over the life of the loan as they would be when they buy a car or a house.”
“With total student loan debt recently surpassing one trillion dollars, something must be done to make students aware of the debt they are accruing,” stated Senator Bean. “This bill will give students the information they need to make informed, fiscally-responsible decisions when it comes to student loans.”
Senator Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville) is the co-introducer of Senate Bill 396.
Representative Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach) is the sponsor of the companion House Bill 867.

Sen. Linda Stewart's Privacy Bill Protecting Identities of Homeless Passes Florida Senate

Posted on

Legislation sponsored by state Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) that would safeguard the dignity of those who have fallen on hard times won the unanimous endorsement of the Florida Senate on Tuesday.
SB 1024 is designed to protect the homeless population of the state by exempting their personal identifying information from public records requests. The bill also seeks to maximize the response rate to surveys conducted by the state from a population of Floridians that are particularly concerned with their privacy, suffer from mental illness, or have undergone the trauma of domestic violence or substance abuse.
“The release of individual identifying information could lead to discrimination, injury, and pose a barrier to homeless persons receiving services,” said Sen. Stewart. “At the same time, accurately collecting this data for funding purposes ensures that we are able to better assist our communities in the struggle to end homelessness in Florida.”
SB 1024 creates an exemption to the public records requirements for individual identifying information in homelessness surveys and databases. Unless re-enacted, the exemption would expire on Oct. 2, 2022.

Mast Statement on Passage of S.B. 10

Posted on


U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) released the following statement after final passage of S.B. 10 in the Florida Senate and House:
“As I talk to people in our community, the one issue that keeps them up at night more than any other is the lack of clean, safe water in our area. Our waterways are irreplaceable treasures, central to the economy and quality of life in our region. The water being discharged by Lake Okeechobee into the Treasure Coast is destroying our community, putting people out of business, killing sea life and even making people sick. The Florida legislature’s commitment to building a reservoir south of the lake is a critical step forward in our work to restore our lagoon and beaches. I urge Governor Scott to sign this bill, and in my role as Vice Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, I will do everything in my power to ensure the federal government matches Florida’s commitment to clean water.”
BACKGROUND
Rep. Mast has been a strong supporter of efforts to build a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment subcommittee of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Army Corps of Engineers.

Legislation to Keep BP Oil Funds in Northwest Florida Passes Unanimously

Posted on

Legislation passed by Senate and House now heads to Governor Scott

The Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives have unanimously passed House Bill 7077, Gulf Coast Economic Corridor. The legislation, sponsored by Senator George Gainer (R-Panama City), Senator Doug Broxson (R-Pensacola), and Senator Bill Montford (D-Tallahassee), will ensure funds received in the settlement of the state’s economic damage claims caused by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill remain in Northwest Florida’s eight disproportionately affected counties.
“Settlement funds represent a historic opportunity for our communities. We need to make certain that not only the currently-held settlement payments, but also all future settlement payments are transferred directly to Triumph Gulf Coast, where we know they will be used to ensure the ongoing economy recovery of Northwest Florida,” said Senator Gainer. “I am pleased to see this legislation advance to Governor Scott with provisions that ensure we take into account feedback from local governments in the eight disproportionately affected counties.”
The eight Florida counties disproportionately affected by the Deepwater Horizon Spill include: Bay, Escambia, Franklin, Gulf, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton and Wakulla Counties.
The initial settlement payment was received by the state in July of 2016, and future payments are scheduled to be paid annually from 2019 through 2033. Under current law, the eight counties are to receive 75 percent of all economic damage settlement funds received by the state. House Bill 7077 immediately appropriates the initial settlement payment to Triumph Gulf Coast, and releases future settlement payments, received on or after July 1, 2017, directly to Triumph Gulf Coast, no later than 30 days after they are received by the state.
“Triumph Gulf Coast will develop a comprehensive economic improvement plan for Northwest Florida to ensure that our communities benefit from these funds now and in the future. In keeping with the initial Senate position on this critical legislation, the bill makes it clear that settlement funds should be transferred directly to Triumph Gulf Coast,” said Senator Broxson. “We have waited for far too long, and now is the time to transfer these funds back to Florida’s Panhandle.”
“This legislation is very important to our constituents. Families and businesses across Northwest Florida have been counting on us to get this right. They expect current and future settlement funds to benefit our disproportionately affected counties, and they want to see progress as soon as possible,” said Senator Montford. “For the better part of the last decade, our communities have been feeling the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. This legislation affirms our longstanding commitment to keep these critical funds in Northwest Florida, and I am pleased to see it unanimously pass the Senate today.”
The legislation requires each board of county commissioners in the eight counties to solicit proposed projects and programs from other elected local governing boards within the county and provide Triumph Gulf Coast with a list of proposed projects and programs located within its county. The submitted list must include projects and programs submitted by other elected local governing boards and recommendations by the board of county commissioners. Triumph Gulf Coast must allocate at least five percent of the initial $300 million to projects and programs in each county, and must allocate at least four percent of future settlement funds to projects and programs in each county. Remaining funds are unrestricted can be appropriated at the discretion of Triumph Gulf Coast, provided they meet other legal requirements.
Currently, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Chief Financial Officer, each appoint one board member. House Bill 7077 expands the number of board members from five to seven. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives will each appoint an additional private sector member from one of the four least populous disproportionately affected counties, so that two such counties are represented on the board. All employees and board members appointed after July 1, 2017, are subject to a six-year lobbying ban.
Background
In 2013, the Legislature created Triumph Gulf Coast to ensure economic damage settlement funds coming to the state would both benefit the eight disproportionately affected counties and be properly accounted for. The Triumph Gulf Coast Board is tasked to make awards to programs and projects that meet the priorities for economic recovery, diversification, and enhancement of the disproportionately affected counties. The corporation is required to abide by the state’s public record laws and public meeting notice requirements.

Senate Passes Legislation to Reduce Property Taxes

Posted on

Constitutional Amendment Would Provide Additional Homestead Exemption

The Florida Senate today passed House Joint Resolution (HJR) 7105, Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption. Sponsored in the Senate by former Senate President Tom Lee (R-Thonotosassa), the legislation proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution to provide an additional homestead exemption of $25,000.
“For most families a home is their largest and most meaningful personal and financial investment. If approved by Florida voters in November 2018, this amendment will provide significant savings for homeowners across our state,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart).
“As our state recovers from the Great Recession, the Florida Legislature has prioritized broad-based tax relief for families and businesses,” said Senator Lee. “This legislation builds on that commitment by giving voters the opportunity for substantial annual savings on their property taxes.”
The amendment will take effect January 1, 2019, if approved by Florida voters. Homestead property owners will receive an exemption from ad valorem taxes, except levies by school districts, for the assessed valuation greater than $100,000 and up to $125,000.
Background
Every person who owns and maintains a permanent residence (homesteaded property) in Florida is eligible for a $25,000 tax exemption applicable to all ad valorem tax levies, including levies by school districts. An additional $25,000 exemption was approved by Florida voters in 2008 and applies to homestead property value between $50,000 and $75,000. This exemption does not apply to ad valorem taxes levied by school districts. Not more than one exemption is permitted for any individual or family unit or with respect to any residential unit.
Article XI, Section 1 of the Florida Constitution authorizes the Legislature to propose amendments to the Florida Constitution by joint resolution approved by a three-fifths vote of the membership of each house. Article XI, Section 5(e) of the Florida Constitution requires approval by 60 percent of voters for a constitutional amendment to take effect.