Executive Update:
Vaccination Age Lowered - Governor Ron DeSantis lowered the eligible age for COVID-19 vaccinations to 40 and up starting Monday, March 29th and to 18 and up starting Monday, April 5th.
Confirmations - Several Department Secretaries and gubernatorial appointees had additional confirmation hearings in the Senate, including:
- John Davis, Department of the Lottery Secretary,
- Julie Brown, Department of Business and Professional Regulation,
- Mike La Rosa, Public Service Commission Commissioner,
- Peter Antonacci, Division of Administrative Hearings Chief Judge,
- Dane Eagle, Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director, and
- Gunster alum Simone Marstiller, Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary.
Leadership Notes:
Medicaid Coverage Extended for New Mothers - House Speaker Chris Sprowls announced bipartisan legislation to extend Medicaid coverage for pregnant women for one year after they deliver their babies. Mothers are currently covered for two months after a birth.
Leadership Proposing Housing Trust Fund Diversions - Speaker Chris Sprowls and President Wilton Simpson announce an infrastructure funding plan that pulls money from affordable housing. The plan would redirect documentary stamp tax dollars from the affordable housing trust fund to the “Always Ready: Flooding and Sea Level Rise Agenda” Speaker Sprowls announced last month, a portion would go toward the Wastewater Grant Program, and the remaining third would keep funding affordable housing.
Budget Watch - Initial budgets were presented this week in the Senate and House. The proposed Senate budget (SB 2500) is $94,958,184,153, while the House budget is expected soon. Due to the revenue shortfalls from the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many budget cuts across the board. The most notable budget cuts were within healthcare programs, infrastructure, tourism, the state’s prison system, and affordable housing programs. These cuts will likely be lessened as the budget negotiations continue. Next week, the Senate and House full Appropriations Committees will meet to review their chamber’s respective appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. There are 34 days left for the legislature to balance this year’s state wide budget.
Legislative Notes:
COVID-19 Liability Protections – The bill giving COVID-19 liability protection to businesses against lawsuits, SB 72, passed the House Friday and is headed to the Governor’s desk. The bill is a top priority for the Governor and Republican leadership. It passed by an 83-31 vote.
Executive Rainy Day Fund - The Senate proposed a “rainy day” fund for emergency money for the Governor, separate from the state’s traditional “rainy day” funds, would be created under SB 1892 by Senator Manny Diaz. The bill would set up the “Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund.” The Legislature would set the initial amount going into the fund, with the anticipation that the Federal Emergency Management Agency would reimburse money spent during an emergency.
Energy Infrastructure Preemption - An energy infrastructure preemption bill passed another House Committee Tuesday. HB 919 by Rep. Josie Tomkow preempts local governments from restricting the fuel types utility companies can use for energy production. Any previously passed actions from local municipalities would be void.
Data Privacy - HB 969, Re. Data Privacy, passed the House Civil Justice and Property Rights Subcommittee. The bill would enhance protection for internet users’ data and passed the committee unanimously. Consumers would have the right to control how their personal data is shared and sold.
Property Insurance Reforms - This week saw two bills progress that seek to cure the most serious abuses in Florida’s homeowners property insurance market. Meanwhile, legislators are considering what regulators may be shy to do: eliminate the Citizens Property Insurance 10% rate hike cap for new customers. On Tuesday, Representative Rommel’s HB 351 was heard in the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee. His proposal would make changes in the property insurance industry, including shortening the time for policyholders to file claims from three years to two years. Also, it would seek to prevent roofing contractors and public adjusters from soliciting business from policyholders, including preventing them from offering incentives to file claims. The House bill doesn’t go nearly as far as Senator Brandes’ bill, SB 76. His proposal would allow insurers to limit the amounts they pay for many roof-damage claims, as well as limit fees paid to attorneys who represent policyholders in lawsuits against insurers. This measure has passed all Senate Committees and is ready to be heard on the Senate Floor.
Anti-Riot Bill - HB 1, a measure purported to address violent riots, passed the House Friday, with Republicans in support and Democrats in opposition. A Senate companion bill has yet to be heard in committee in that chamber. The bill is a priority for Speaker Sprowls and Governor DeSantis.
Gunster’s Government Affairs Team is committed to keeping you informed. If there is any way our team can be of service to you, please contact us.
