Governor Rick Scott today met with world leaders for the 2017 Latin American Summit and announced a major legislative proposal for the upcoming legislative session which will strictly prohibit the State of Florida, including all state agencies, from investing in any company that is doing business with Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro’s oppressive government. Earlier this year, the SBA unanimously approved Governor Scott’s proposed resolution to prohibit the State of Florida from investments connected to the Maduro regime.
Governor Scott said, “In Florida, we have been absolutely clear – the brutal government of Nicolas Maduro must end and the people of Venezuela must be given total freedom and democracy now. Earlier this year, my resolution was passed by the State Board of Administration to make sure that Florida state investments do not support the Maduro regime. Now, we are building on this action. Today, I’m proud to announce that during the upcoming legislative session, I will propose additional measures to continue to advocate for human rights and democracy for the people of Venezuela. My new proposal holds the Maduro regime accountable by making the steps we took this year permanent in Florida law. It also extends this action to all state agencies, prohibiting Florida’s state government from investing in any company doing business with the regime. I also call on all local governments and businesses to do what I’m advocating for at the state level and not do business with those that support the Maduro Regime. Companies can choose to either support the Maduro Regime, or to seek investments from the State of Florida – not both.
“Let me be clear- this proposal is aimed squarely at the Maduro regime – not businesses who provide much needed goods and services to the Venezuelan people. Florida continues to stand with the people of Venezuela and steadfast against any government that oppresses its people and denies freedom and human rights.”
Details on Governor Scott’s proposed legislation will be available in the coming weeks.
legislation
Governor Scott Signs Legislation to Combat Opioid Abuse
Governor Rick Scott today hosted a ceremonial bill signing at the Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center for HB 477, which creates new penalties and enhances existing penalties relating to synthetic opioid drugs, including fentanyl. This bill, along with the Public Health Emergency Governor Scott directed in May, will help communities fight the national opioid epidemic and keep Florida families and visitors safe. Governor Scott was joined by Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight, Congressman Vern Buchanan, and local law enforcement officers.
Governor Scott said, “I was proud to stand beside some of our hardworking Florida law enforcement officers to ceremonially sign this important legislation today. Our law enforcement officers are at the frontline of our fight against the national opioid epidemic and are often the first to respond to vulnerable families impacted by substance abuse. We will continue to do all we can to ensure our law enforcement officers have the tools they need to keep our state safe for Floridians and visitors.”
Congressman Vern Buchanan said, “I was pleased to join Governor Scott today for the ceremonial signing of this important legislation. Our communities are coming together to combat the opioid crisis and it is important that our federal and state partners continue to work side by side on this issue. I look forward to continuing to work with the Governor to keep families in Manatee County, Sarasota County and all across Florida safe.”
Governor Scott also highlighted the more than $27 million in federal grant funding that was made immediately available through the Public Health Emergency declaration. As part of this federal funding, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) allocated $375,000 to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for Naloxone so first responders have immediate access to this lifesaving drug to respond to opioid overdoses. DCF and FDLE are working together to ensure local law enforcement agencies have access to this opportunity to obtain Naloxone for Florida’s law enforcement officers. DCF is also working to ensure recently purchased Naloxone is distributed to drug treatment providers, health centers, and other community agencies.
Sheriff Tom Knight said, “This bill gives our agency more resources to combat opioid abuse and keep vulnerable Floridians safe from harm. We appreciate the support of Governor Scott and our state leaders as we continue to work together fight the national opioid epidemic.”
FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said, “We are happy to work with DCF to ensure our local law enforcement partners receive additional resources to help combat the opioid epidemic.”
DCF Secretary Mike Carroll said, “We appreciate the support of Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature to help fight the national opioid epidemic in Florida. DCF remains steadfastly committed to making sure quality treatment is available to all those struggling with addiction.”
Governor Scott to Ceremonially Sign Legislation to Fight Opioid Abuse
MEDIA ADVISORY
Tomorrow, July 11th, Governor Rick Scott will host a ceremonial bill signing in Sarasota for HB 477, which creates new penalties and enhances existing penalties relating to synthetic opioid drugs, including fentanyl. This bill, along with the Public Health Emergency Governor Scott declared in May, will help communities fight the national opioid epidemic and keep Florida families and visitors safe.
WHAT: Bill Signing Ceremony
WHEN: 1:00 PM
WHERE: Sarasota County Emergency Operations Center
6050 Porter Way
Sarasota, Florida 34232
Nelson files bill to cut student loan rates, allow borrowers to refinance
Less than two weeks after the federal government increased interest rates on federal student loans, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) filed legislation today to cut student loan rates across the board and allow borrowers with existing student loans to refinance to new lower rates.
On July 1, federal student loan interest rates for undergraduate students increased from 3.76 percent to 4.45 percent. If approved, Nelson’s bill would cap rates for undergraduates at 4 percent, and allow borrowers with existing student loans that have a rate higher than 4 percent to refinance their loans to the new lower rate – a move that’s currently barred under existing law.
“If we really want to build a strong middle class, we have to make higher education more affordable,” Nelson said on the Senate floor today. “Capping interest rates, ending loan origination fees and allowing borrowers to refinance existing student loans would certainly help make education more affordable for our students and it would help ease the financial stress that’s weighing down our economy.”
More than 43 million Americans currently have outstanding student loan debt. In Florida alone, students graduating with a four-year degree leave college with more than $24,000 in student loan debt on average.
In addition to capping student loan rates, Nelson’s bill would also eliminate the “loan origination fees” charged to students to process their loans. These fees are often taken out of a student’s original loan amount before they receive it. Nelson’s bill would eliminate the fee altogether.
Once they are set each year, student loan interest rates are fixed for the lifetime of the loan and cannot be refinanced, even if rates go lower. Borrowers who took out loans between July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2013, likely have a fixed rate of 6.8 percent. And despite a significant drop in interest rates since 2013, current law bars those borrowers from refinancing their existing loans. Nelson’s bill would change that by allowing any borrower with an existing federal student loan to refinance their loans one time to a new lower rate.
In addition to capping undergraduate rates at 4 percent, Nelson’s legislation would cap rates for graduate students at 5 percent and the rates for parents of undergraduates at 6 percent.
Nelson says capping interest rates, ending loan origination fees and allowing borrowers to refinance existing loans would help to make education more affordable for Florida students.
A copy of Nelson’s legislation is available here.
Following is a rush transcript of Nelson’s remarks on the Senate floor this afternoon, and here’s a link to watch video of his speech.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson
Remarks on the Senate Floor
July 10, 2017
Sen. Nelson: Mr. President, I want to talk about a heavy financial burden that too many of our fellow Americans are being forced to deal with and what I’m talking about is student loans.
And you may be surprised to know that the second most amount of debt in America next to mortgage debt — home mortgage debt, the second largest to mortgage debt is student loan debt. $1.3 trillion more than all the credit card debt combined in America, student loan debt is higher than that — $1.3 trillion.
So graduates recently from the class of 2016 have more than $37,000 in student loan debt, on average, when they graduate. To make matters worse, the federal government last week announced that it was increasing interest rates on federal student loans for this coming school year, which starts in September, for undergraduate students rates are increased from last year 3.76 to 4.45%, almost three-quarters of a percent. And that starts – started – on July the 1st.
Well, our economy is built on ingenuity and creativity of young entrepreneurs who took a risk on something new, but today instead of sending our graduates off to be creative and conquer the world, we’re sending them with a tremendous amount of debt that they are struggling to afford.
While I was in Florida last week over the July 4th recess, I met with a group of recent graduates and we wanted to discuss their student loans and they were not shy about telling me about it. Many of them had high interest rates. They wondered how were they going to pay off that debt, how they were going to be able to be unshackled from that financial burden so they could get on about the business of building their career and starting a family.
Let me give you some examples of the students I met with. One young lady graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2015 with $50,000 in student loan debt. The interest rate on her debt was 4.85%. She knows that her parents, who have helped her before — they are small business owners — they are not going to be able to continue to help her out financially, but she, even so, was the first person in her family to graduate from college. That student is currently attending George Washington University for grad school, after which she is estimated her total debt will be $90,000 in student loans. She told me about what every student longs to do, to purchase a home, start a family, get on with their career, but that’s increasingly becoming a pipe dream for millennials because of the burden of student loan debt.
Another student I met from Deltona, Florida, she works as a social worker for the homeless. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in the same from Florida State. She’s dedicated her life to public service and helping the most vulnerable among us. Yet, she is facing $75,000 in student loan debt while carrying interest rates that range from 5.4% to 6.8%.
In Florida alone, students graduating with a four-year degree are leaving an average of more than $23,000 in student loan debt. The thought of trying to start a career with that much debt is discouraging when some students, even after attending college in the first place, they are still struggling, they want to go on to grad school, or they are still in school wanting to finish their degree, but then they have that constant fear of having more and more debt when they graduate.
That’s not in anybody’s interest — not the students, not the families, not the communities and it’s certainly not in the country’s best interest.
If we really want to build a strong middle class, we have to make higher education more affordable and that’s why today I am filing legislation to lower the cap on student loan interest in the so-called lender origination fees and allow those with existing loans to refinance at a lower rate, namely 4%.
Remember, I told you about that one student I met that had loans that went anywhere from 5.5% to 6.8%? That was because that was the interest rate in that particular year of their education.
I think they ought to be able to refinance all of that at a max of 4% and so the bill that I am filing today, which we’re calling the Student Loan Relief Act, would cap student loan interest rates for undergraduates at 4%, graduates at 5%, and parents, a cap of 6%.
It would also help students borrow less by ending the loan origination fees that the government charges students — that the government charges students — to process their loan. So, for example, if it’s a $10,000 loan, they’ll take out a loan origination fee of $400 so the actual loan that the student gets is $9,600. These fees are taken out before the student receives the loan. The bill that we’re filing would eliminate those fees all together.
And one other thing that the bill would allow: any borrower with an existing federal student loan to refinance their loans one time to a lower rate.
Once the federal government sets the student loan interest rates for the year, they are fixed now, under current law, for the lifetime of that loan and they can’t be refinanced even if the rates go lower. That doesn’t — that’s certainly not in the interest of the student. So, for example, borrowers who took out loans between July of 2006 and July of 2013 likely they have a fixed rate of 6.8%. And despite the significant drop in interest rates since 2013, current law bars those borrowers from refinancing their existing loans. That’s not common sense.
Between ‘06 and ‘13, the interest rate on student loan debt got as high as 6.8%. Students that took out loans during that time are now stuck with those rates. They can’t refinance that debt like you could with a home loan. This bill would fix that by letting those borrowers refinance their debt with the new loans that have the lower interest rates.
Capping interest rates, ending loan origination fees and allowing borrowers to refinance existing loans would certainly help make education more affordable for our students and it would help to ease the financial stress that’s weighing down our economy and keeping some graduates from making the types of investments that traditionally lead to stronger middle-class membership like, for example, homeownership.
Sometimes in all of the partisan back-and-forth, some folks begin to forget why we’re here to serve the people. And so I urge our colleagues to take a serious look at this bill and join with me in helping those we represent. We can’t continue to leave our graduates saddled with so much student debt and no way out. We have to do something to ease the burden and I believe that this is a good way to start
And so I would just conclude by recalling what I said at the outset. You may be surprised to learn that student loan debt is the second largest debt carried in America next to home mortgage debt. You can take all the credit card debt in America and combine it all and it’s not as much as the $1.3 trillion of student loan debt that is carried today.
We need to help those students and, thereby, we are helping our country.
Madam President, I yield the floor.
Gov. Scott Ceremonially Signs Legislation to Make Student Debt More Transparent
Governor Scott ceremonially signed SB 396 which requires colleges and universities to provide students with enhanced financial information about their student loan debt.
Governor Rick Scott Signs 13 Bills Into Law
Governor Rick Scott today signed the following bills into law:
CS/CS/CS/SB 118 – Criminal History Records – This bill prevents businesses that publish arrest photos from charging a fee to remove them if requested.
CS/SB 90 – Renewable Energy Source Devices – This bill implements the constitutional amendment approved by the voters for a tax exemption on renewable energy devices.
CS/CS/SB 474 – Hospice Care – This bill directs the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Agency for Health Care Administration to adopt national hospice outcome measures.
CS/SB 494 – Compensation of Victims of Wrongful Incarceration – This bill expands the eligibility requirements of the Victims of Wrongful Incarceration Compensation Act.
CS/CS/SB 724 – Estates – This bill revises provisions relating to the elective share of an estate.
CS/SB 1520 – Termination of a Condominium Association – This bill revises requirements for the termination of a condominium association.
CS/SB 1694 – Support for Parental Victims of Child Domestic Violence – This bill allows the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to coordinate with organizations to enhance resources available to parents who are victims of domestic violence.
CS/CS/SB 1726 – Industrial Hemp Pilot Projects – This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to oversee the University of Florida and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in developing industrial hemp pilot projects.
SB 2504 – Collective Bargaining – This bill resolves collective bargaining issues.
SB 2506 – Clerks of the Court – This bill makes changes to the clerks of court budget process to ensure adequate funding.
SB 2508 – Division of State Group Insurance – This bill allows for an audit of dependent eligibility for the state group insurance program and revises pharmacy benefits.
SB 2510 – Public Records/ Dependent Eligibility Verification Services – This bill creates a public records exemption for information collected when determining a dependent’s eligibility for the state group insurance program.
SB 2514 – Health Care – This bill conforms health care statutes to the funding policies used in the General Appropriations Act.
To view the transmittal letters, click HERE.
Governor Rick Scott Signs 16 Bills Into Law
Governor Rick Scott today signed the following bills into law:
CS/HB 327 – Household Movers and Moving Brokers – This bill requires movers to tell a customer if an employee convicted of a sexual offense has access to their property.
CS/HB 329 – Child Protection – This bill prohibits shared custody plans from requiring a child to visit a parent living in a substance abuse recovery residence overnight.
CS/CS/HB 343 – Payment Card Offenses – This bill enhances consumer protections against credit card theft and skimmers.
CS/CS/HB 357 – Self-Service Storage Facilities – This bill sets requirements for self-service storage facility owners to follow when disposing of certain property, such as cars or watercrafts.
CS/CS/HB 435 – International Financial Institutions – This bill updates the Office of Financial Regulation’s regulatory procedures and requirements for International Financial Institutions.
CS/CS/HB 437 – Public Records/ International Financial Institutions – This bill provides a public records exemption for identifying information of International Financial Institutions’ customers, potential customers and shareholders held by the Office of Financial Regulation.
CS/CS/HB 467 – Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – This bill relates to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services licensing and other agency functions.
HB 589 – Prescription Drug Price Transparency – This bill enhances the transparency of prescription drug prices by including additional medications on MyFloridaRx.
CS/CS/HB 859 – Postsecondary Distance Education – This bill directs the State of Florida to apply for participation in a multi-state agreement regarding online postsecondary education.
CS/SB 128 – Self-Defense Immunity – This bill amends statute to require the state, rather than the defendant, to prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant did not use force lawfully.
CS/CS/SB 370 – Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol – This bill provides employee protections for eligible members of the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.
SB 436 – Religious Expression in Public Schools – This bill protects religious expression in public schools.
CS/CS/SB 890 – Direct-Support Organizations – This bill saves the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation direct-support organization, The Able Trust, from repeal.
CS/CS/SB 896 – Florida Prepaid College Board – This bill saves the Florida Prepaid College Board direct-support organization from repeal, ensuring continued scholarship opportunities for students.
CS/CS/SB 1052 – Justifiable Use of Force – This bill clarifies “justifiable use of force laws” and expands the Castle Doctrine to include any residence a person has a right to be in.
CS/CS/SB 1124 – Newborn Screenings – This bill allows expansion of the Florida Newborn Screening Program to include screening for additional conditions.
To view the transmittal letters, click HERE.
Senate Passes Legislation to Expand Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana
Senate Bills Implement Voter-Approved Constitutional Amendment
The Florida Senate today passed Senate Bill 8A, Medical Use of Marijuana, and Senate Bill 6A, Public Records/Medical Marijuana Use Registry/Physician Certification for Marijuana and Dispensing/Department of Health. Together, the bills implement Article X, section 29 of the Florida Constitution, which allows the use of marijuana by patients with debilitating medical conditions.
“This legislation demonstrates fidelity to the Constitution by fully and faithfully implementing the constitutional amendment passed by 71 percent of voters last November,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart). “The legislation also affirms our commitment to local control by allowing local governments to regulate the location of dispensing facilities. In addition, the legislation enhances research opportunities that will allow scientists and physicians to study and improve this medicine for our fellow citizens who are suffering from serious medical conditions and illnesses.”
“We are committed to fulfilling our constitutional duty to ensure the availability and safe use of medical marijuana in the manner prescribed by Florida voters,” said Senator Bradley. “This patient-first legislation removes barriers for both patients and physicians, expanding access to this medicine. The legislation will also help strengthen the patient-physician relationship, while ensuring safety through a unified regulatory structure for each component of the process from seed to sale. Additionally, the bill clarifies that like other medication, medical marijuana is exempt from state and local sales tax.”
Patients, Caretakers, and Physicians:
Senate Bill 8A requires patients to be certified by a licensed Florida physician as having at least one qualifying medical condition. If a patient is younger than 18 years of age, a second physician must also agree. The following are qualifying medical conditions:
- Cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS);
- A medical condition of the same kind or class as those listed above; or
- Chronic nonmalignant pain that is caused by one of the enumerated qualified medical conditions or that originates from a qualified condition and persists beyond the usual course of that condition.
The legislation also requires physicians to complete a 2-hour course and examination offered by the Florida Medical Association or the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association. The course must be completed upon each licensure renewal.
Further the bill, establishes requirements for physicians prior to certifying a patient and after certification. A certifying physician must:
- Determine that medical marijuana would likely outweigh the potential health risks to a patient;
- Check the patient’s prescription history in the Prescription Drug Monitoring Database; and
- Recertify every 30 weeks.
Senate Bill 8A also removes the three-month treatment prerequisite for patients. Patients and caregivers must provide proof of residency, register with the Department of Health (DOH), and possess an identification card. The DOH is required to create and maintain an online medical marijuana use registry for patients, caretakers and physicians. The bill clarifies that edibles and vaping are permitted, while smoking is prohibited.
Tax Exemption:
Senate Bill 8A provides a permanent tax exemption for medical marijuana and marijuana delivery devices. Medication in Florida is tax exempt.
Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs):
Senate bill 8A requires the DOH to license MMTCs as vertically integrated entities to cultivate, process, transport, and dispense low-THC marijuana, medical marijuana, and medical marijuana delivery devices. The DOH is further required to license the existing Dispensing Organizations (DOs) created under the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act as MMTCs as soon as practicable, no later than July 3, 2017.
The DOH is required to award ten additional MMTC licenses as soon as practicable, but no later than October 3, 2017.
Moving forward, the legislation requires the DOH to award four additional MMTC licenses for every 100,000 active patients in the medical marijuana use registry. MMTCs must have their products tested by marijuana testing labs certified by the DOH.
Dispensing Facilities:
Senate Bill 8A restricts the number of dispensing facilities each MMTC may initially establish to 25. MMTCs are allowed to operate five additional dispensing facilities for every 100,000 active patients in the medical marijuana use registry. DOH will determine the number of dispensing facilities per region for each MMTC. The number of dispensing facilities per region will be calculated based on a region’s population relative to the state’s overall population.
MMTCs are authorized to sell unused dispensary slots to another MMTC. An MMTC that buys such an unused slot may utilize the slot only within the same region in which the slot could have been used prior to the purchase. The buying and selling of slots will increase or reduce an MMTC’s statewide and regional maximums regarding the number of dispensaries it may operate.
The bill provides a sunset date for the dispensing facility cap to expire on April 1, 2020, and requires dispensing facilities to look and feel like a physician’s office.
Local Control:
Senate Bill 8A allows local governments to regulate the location of dispensing facilities and provides that a local government may ban dispensaries within its borders. However, if a local government permits dispensing facilities, it may not impose limits on the number of dispensing facilities.
Research and Education:
Senate Bill 8A creates the Coalition for Medical Marijuana Research and Education within the Moffitt Cancer Center to conduct scientific research, provide education, disseminate research, and guide policy on the ordering and dosing practices for the medical use of marijuana. DOH is required to implement a statewide marijuana education and illicit use prevention campaign regarding the health effects of marijuana use, particularly on minors and young adults. Further, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will implement a statewide impaired driving education campaign to raise awareness and prevent marijuana-related and cannabis-related impaired driving.
Background:
In 2014, the Legislature passed the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act to allow patients suffering from cancer or a condition that chronically produces seizures or severe and persistent muscle spasms to use low-THC cannabis. In 2015, the Legislature enacted the Right to Try Act, which authorizes an eligible patient with a terminal condition to receive an investigational drug, biological product, or device. In 2016, the Legislature expanded the Compassionate Medical Cannabis Act to allow terminally ill patients to use medical cannabis under the Right to Try Act. Additionally, changes were made to the regulatory structure within the Department of Health to increase oversight and address previous roadblocks during implementation.
In November 2016, Florida voters approved an amendment to the State Constitution creating Article X, section 29, Medical Marijuana Production, Possession, and Use. The amendment creates several exemptions from criminal and civil liability related to the medical use of marijuana for qualifying patients, physicians, treatment centers and caregivers.
Senator Bradley to file legislation to expand compassionate use of medical marijuana
Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island) today stated his intention to file legislation to implement Article X, section 29 of the Florida Constitution, which allows the use of marijuana by patients with debilitating medical conditions. The Senate will consider the bill during this week’s Special Session.
“Our constitutional duty is to ensure the availability and safe use of medical marijuana in the manner prescribed by Florida voters,” said Senator Bradley. “This patient-first legislation will expand access to this medicine, while ensuring safety through a unified regulatory structure for each component of the process from cultivation to consumption. The bill will be consistent with the Senate goal of increasing the overall number of MMTCs that provide medicine to patients. Additionally, this bill will enhance research opportunities that will allow scientists and physicians to study and improve this medicine, while gaining a better understanding of its effects.”
“This legislation demonstrates fidelity to the Constitution by implementing the amendment passed by the voters last November,” said Senate President Joe Negron (R-Stuart). “The bill will also further the work the Legislature has done over the past few years to pass legislation authorizing the medical use of marijuana and other developing medications for our fellow citizens who are suffering from serious medical conditions and illnesses.”
Legislation will be formally filed later this morning.
Governor Rick Scott Signs 29 Bills Into Law; Vetoes Two
Governor Rick Scott today signed the following bills into law:
CS/HB 259 – Martin County – This bill creates the Village of Indiantown in Martin County if approved by a referendum of local voters.
HB 531 – Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach County – This bill increases the maximum time frame for contracts for waste hauler franchises from five years to seven years.
HB 533 – City of Tampa, Hillsborough County – This bill allows the City of Tampa to offer a defined contribution component within the pension plan provided to police officers and firefighters.
HB 647 – Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission – This bill dissolves the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission.
CS/HB 737 – Port of Palm Beach District, Palm Beach County – This bill codifies the Port of Palm Beach District’s charter and authorizes commissioners to designate foreign trade zones within the district.
CS/HB 759 – City of Gainesville, Alachua County – This bill creates the Gainesville Regional Utilities Commission to oversee city- owned utilities if approved by a referendum of local voters.
HB 891 – Carrabelle Port and Airport Authority, Franklin County – This bill abolishes the Carrabelle Port and Airport Authority, an inactive Special District.
HB 905 – Barefoot Bay Recreation District, Brevard County – This bill authorizes the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners to amend the Barefoot Bay Recreation District’s charter to limit board members to two year terms if approved by a referendum of local voters.
CS/HB 921 – Fellsmere Drainage District, Indian River County – This bill renames the Indian River County’s Fellsmere Drainage District to Fellsmere Water Control District, removes the District’s 99-year limitation and amends boundaries.
CS/HB 951 – City of Key West, Monroe County – This bill expands the eligibility of residents who can serve on Key West’s Utility Board.
CS/HB 1025 – Firefighters’ Relief and Pension Fund of the City of Pensacola, Escambia County – This bill standardizes the use of overtime hours in retirement benefit calculation, suspends cost of living benefits for Deferred Retirement Option Plan participants, and revises the treatment of partial years in calculating years of service.
CS/CS/HB 1075 – Nassau County – This bill creates the East Nassau Stewardship District to install, operate and maintain community infrastructure for 24,000 acres of residential units currently in development.
CS/HB 1135 – West Palm Beach Police Pension Fund of the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County – This bill makes various changes to the pension fund as agreed upon between the City of West Palm Beach and the union representing West Palm Beach police officers.
HB 1147 – Central Broward Water Control District, Broward County – This bill removes the requirement for the Central Broward Water Control District board to take action by resolution in addition to a majority vote.
HB 1149 – North Springs Improvement District, Broward County – This bill expands the boundaries of the North Springs Improvement District to include the 42-acre area known as “Watercrest.”
CS/HB 1151 – Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District and the Alva Fire Protection and Rescue Service District, Lee County – This bill transfers land from the Lehigh Acres Fire District to the Alva Fire Protection and Rescue Service District to better serve nearby residents.
HB 1153 – Broward County – This bill allows signs along the interstate highways in Broward County to be exempt from general law height restrictions.
CS/HB 1291 – City of Jacksonville, Duval County – This bill provides an exemption for special event venues within the A. Philip Randolph Entertainment District to obtain a license to sell alcoholic beverages.
HB 1293 – City of Jacksonville, Duval County – This bill lowers the square footage and seating requirements for restaurants within special zones in the City of Jacksonville to obtain alcoholic beverage licenses.
HB 1295 – Monroe County – This bill authorizes the Monroe County School Board or the Board of County Commissioners to conduct public meetings by technological means.
HB 1297 – Palm Beach County – This bill revises the nomination process for local appointees to Building Code Advisory Board of Palm Beach County and expands list of industry associations to include any recognized regional trade association.
HB 1311 – Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement District, Lee and Hendry Counties – This bill expands the Lehigh Acres Municipal Services Improvement district to preserve and protect water reserves through drainage, conservation, mitigation, navigational and water management practices.
HB 1313 – Cold Springs Improvement District, Marion County – This bill amends the Cold Springs Improvement District’s boundaries to remove a section of property currently in foreclosure.
CS/HB 1315 – Lake County Water Authority, Lake County – This bill removes the power of the Lake County Water Authority to obtain land through eminent domain and develop active parks. It also authorizes the Water Authority to remove hazards from public waterways in Lake County.
HB 1317 – North Lake County Hospital District, Lake County – This bill extends the expiration date of the North Lake County Hospital District’s charter from 2017 to 2027 as approved by local voters in 2016.
CS/CS/HB 1333 – Sunbridge Stewardship District, Osceola County – This bill creates the Sunbridge Stewardship District for the purpose of installing, operating and maintaining community infrastructure.
CS/HB 1363 – Santa Rosa County – This bill creates a charter for the Pace Fire Rescue District within Santa Rosa County.
HB 1437 – Alachua County – This bill authorizes the Chief Judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit and the Alachua County clerk of courts to appoint designees to the county law library board and authorizes the board to relocate the library.
HB 1439 – Charlotte County – This bill authorizes event centers with certain seating and square footage requirements in Charlotte County to obtain special alcoholic beverage licenses.
To view the transmittal letter, click HERE.
Governor Scott vetoed the following bills:
HB 1089 – Ocean Highway and Port Authority, Nassau County – Click HERE to view the veto letter.
HB 1401 – East Mulloch Drainage District, Lee County – Click HERE to view the veto letter.
