The fourth week of the Legislative Session 2020 has already come to a close as bills are moving through the Florida House and Senate. Gunster’s Government Affairs team is working hard, closely tracking legislation and meeting with legislators to monitor and lobby on behalf of our clients.

Below is a weekly update from Gunster’s Government Affairs Consultants with a summary of the issues of the week and how they may impact your business, a recap of bills that are moving through the Legislature and a close look at this week’s happenings around the capital city.

Legislation Watch

  • HB 7051: Intercollegiate Athlete Compensation and Rights. The House Education Committee is continuing to advance a bill that would allow college athletes to generate revenue from their likeness. The universities would not be allowed to pay athletes but the athletes would be able to secure endorsements. The bill has one more committee hearing before it is heard on the House floor. Read more
  • HB 7037: Constitutional Amendments Proposed by Initiative. This bill amends provisions related to constitutional amendments proposed by citizen initiatives. The bill would make getting proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot more difficult. Read more
  • HB 1011: Vacation Rentals. This bill preempts regulation of vacation rentals to the state by shifting oversight to Department of Business & Professional Regulation. Under the bill, homeowners that use rental agencies such as Airbnb, HomeAway, VRBO and MisterB&B would need to obtain a Vacation Rental Dwelling License form the DBPR and verify compliance quarterly. The bill also seeks $1.4 million to hire employees to oversee the licensing. Read more

State Budget Watch

This week the Senate and House Appropriations Chairs presented their budget proposals in each of their respective committees. The Senate Appropriations Committee adopted 70 budget amendments to the Chair’s proposal. The House Appropriations Committee adopted three amendments during their meeting this week.

Moving forward, the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and implementing bills expected to be considered can be found below:

SB 2500: Appropriations   

HB 5001: General Appropriations Act

SB 2502: Implementing the 2020-2021 General Appropriations Act 

HB 5003: Implementing the 2020-2021 General Appropriations Act

Senate Reunion 2020

Gunster government affairs consultant Joanna Bonfanti with former SenatorsSenate President Bill Galvano welcomed former legislators into the Senate Chamber for the annual Senate Reunion. This Reunion recognizes former Senators and their dedicated service to the State of Florida. Gunster’s Joanna Bonfanti was in attendance with her father, former Senator Charlie Clary.

Lauren’s Kids

State Senator Lauren Book founded Lauren’s Kids in 2007 to educate adults and children about sexual abuse prevention. Senator Book Lauren's Kids Event Entrancehas led the organizations initiatives including the statewide “Walk in My Shoes” awareness walk from Key West to Tallahassee. The foundation has brought the walk to Tallahassee the past two years with the 42 hours for 42 survivors initiative to bring awareness statewide and nationwide.

As a victim of childhood abuse herself, Senator Book has made the issue a priority during her tenure as a legislator. She has aided in the passage of over two dozen legislative changes to protect children in the State of Florida. Thank you to Senator Book for being a champion for the children. Read more about Lauren’s Kids

Florida Keys Day

Florida Keys Day CourtroomFlorida Keys Day is an annual event held in Tallahassee recognizing Monroe County. The event brings residents to the Florida Capitol to meet with legislators, discuss important issues and celebrate everything the Keys has to offer. Florida Keys Day is complete with a reception including seafood, key lime pie and cocktails. Learn more

Miami-Dade County Days

Miami-Dade County Days in Tallahassee is an annual event that includes over 1,000 attendees and 200 organizations. This event Miami Dade County Graphicshowcases Miami-Dade and allows the citizens to meet with legislators. The festivities end with the “Paella Fest” complete with food from local vendors. Learn more

 

 

For Further Information

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This publication is for general information only. It is not legal advice, and legal counsel should be contacted before any action is taken that might be influenced by this publication.

About Gunster

Gunster, Florida’s law firm for business, provides full-service legal counsel to leading organizations and individuals from its 13 offices statewide. Established in 1925, the firm has expanded, diversified and evolved, but always with a singular focus: Florida and its clients’ stake in it. A magnet for business-savvy attorneys who embrace collaboration for the greatest advantage of clients, Gunster’s growth has not been at the expense of personalized service but because of it. The firm serves clients from its offices in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa Bayshore, Tampa Downtown, Vero Beach, and its headquarters in West Palm Beach. With more than 280 attorneys and consultants, and over 290 committed professional staff, Gunster is ranked among the National Law Journal’s list of the 500 largest law firms and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Diverse Law Firms by Law360. More information about its practice areas, offices and insider’s view newsletters is available at www.gunster.com.

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