The second week of the Legislative Session comes to a close today and 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 […]

The Florida Legislature opened the 2023 Session on Tuesday, March 7th. The House and Senate met in a joint session Tuesday morning to receive the Governor’s Message during the annual State of the State address.  With a list of executive priorities spread throughout the address, Governor Ron DeSantis began his speech by reflecting on the […]

Readers of these alerts are aware – or should be – that, beginning on April 13, 2023, Form 144 filings will have to be submitted electronically.  Aside from some of the challenges discussed in our earlier alert, companies should be aware of another unintended consequence of this requirement.  Specifically, given the difficulty of tracking paper filings, […]

The Florida Legislature officially begins its 60-day 2023 regular Session on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Here is a list of what is expected to be top of mind for legislators this session. For additional information on the 2023 legislative session, specific bills of interest and the potential impacts on your business, or for information on […]

March 1, 2023, is the deadline for Florida homestead exemption applications for qualifying residences owned and occupied on the January 1 tax day.  Florida property appraisers generally enable applications to be made online.  The exemption is a $50,000 annual deduction from the property appraiser’s Assessed Value in yielding the Taxable Value for the taxpayer’s principal […]

This week the House and Senate met in Tallahassee for a weeklong Special Session. During the Special Session, the Legislature passed several bills related to Emergency Management, Illegal Immigration, Intercollegiate Athletics; as well as local bills related to Reedy Creek Improvement District, Sunshine Water Control District, and Eastpoint Water and Sewer District. Senate Bill 2B, […]

Do you send your customers a courtesy email to tell them their electronic bill (“ebill”) is available, will soon be available, or can be accessed via a website link? Be careful – a new spate of lawsuits, including ever-dangerous class actions, is on the rise. The Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act (§559.55 et seq.) is […]

We have seen an increase in regulatory activity relating to alleged violations of practicing without an appropriate state license. Some of this may be attributed to confusion that arose as a result of telehealth flexibilities authorized by the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (“PHE”). During the COVID-19 […]

Last week, the Florida House and Senate met in Tallahassee for legislative committee meetings as they prepare for the 60-day session that convenes on March 7, 2023. While it is still early in the legislative process with three more weeks of committee meetings scheduled for the month of February, a few healthcare issues are emerging […]