SB 1082 – Housing for Agricultural Workers

On Tuesday, January 23, SB 1082 by Senator Jay Collins (R-Tampa) was heard by the Senate Community Affairs Committee and was reported favorably with 6 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 1082 addresses several housing issues that directly impact agricultural operations in the state. The bill would make it unlawful for a local government to inhibit the construction or installment of housing for H-2A program workers.

SB 1082 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that provides protections for farmers against rogue local governments that impose regulations that are overbearing and impede the functionality of agricultural producers.

SB 1492 – Employment Regulations

On Tuesday, January 23, SB 1492 by Senator Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) was heard by the Senate Commerce & Tourism Committee and was reported favorable with 4 yeas and 2 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 1492 was filed as a bill that would preempt local governments from adding additional ordinances relating to workplace heat exposure requirements. It was amended to include preemptions relating to local wage requirements.

Employers are already required under OSHA to provide a place of employment that is free from recognized standards including heat. There are clear standards employers must meet and this bill will prevent another level of regulation in this area and an unlevel regulatory playing field.

Some local governments have also been setting their own minimum wage standards. SB 1492 ensures consistency by only recognizing the constitutionally mandated state minimum wage.

SB 1492 will now go to the Senate Community Affairs Committee for consideration.

AIF supports regulatory consistency in workplace safety regulations that prevents a patchwork of local regulations that could include unattainable standards which do little to protect employees while opening an onslaught of fines penalties, and other punitive measures.

SB 1218 – Broadband

On Tuesday, January 23, SB 1218 by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) was heard by the Senate Commerce & Tourism Committee and was reported favorably with 6 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

In 2021, the legislature passed a law that mandates pole access by local municipal utilities to broadband providers for a fee of one dollar, per pole, per year. The goal of this measure was to broaden rural Florida’s access to high-speed internet. However, the 2021 law included a provision that would do away with pole access for broadband providers on July 1, 2024. SB 1218 extends this deadline until December 31, 2028.

SB 1218 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

AIF supports the expansion of broadband services to all Floridians and supports legislation that seeks to promote that goal.