HB 789/SB 738 – Environmental Management

On Thursday, February 15, HB 789 by Representative Toby Overdorf (R-Palm City) was heard by the House Infrastructure Strategies Committee and was reported favorably with 16 yeas and 7 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

Also on Thursday, February 15, SB 738 by Senator Danny Burgess (R- Zephyrhills) was heard by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee and was reported favorably with 13 yeas and 3 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

HB 789 clarifies language for the redevelopment of contaminated lands and provides a barrier against frivolous litigation for those abiding by guidelines issued by the state.

HB 789 will now go to the House Floor for consideration.

SB 738 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that simplifies regulatory patchwork and provides protections against frivolous litigation.

SB 480 - Renewable Natural Gas

On Thursday, February 15, SB 480 by Senator Nick DiCeglie (R- St. Petersburg) was heard by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee and was reported favorably with 16 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) continues to expand its presence in Florida’s economy as it becomes a more practical and cost-effective source of renewable energy. SB 480 would grant public utilities with a cost-recovery mechanism for qualifying RNG infrastructure projects. The bill would also encourage further solutions for the capture, sale, and reuse of methane gas.

SB 480 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that provides an economically and technically feasible framework which encourages development and investment in renewable natural gas, hydrogen, and other energy technologies.

SB 340 - Intentional Damage to Critical Infrastructure

On Thursday, February 15, SB 340 by Senator Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) was heard by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee and was reported favorably with 16 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill provides for increased penalties for those who “improperly tamper” with anything defined as “critical infrastructure.” Some examples of “critical infrastructure” include electrical power stations, chemical storage facilities, liquid natural gas storage facilities, deep-water ports, or railyards.

SB 340 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that deters vandalism, theft, or any form of criminal activity in or around areas of critical infrastructure.

HB 1147 – Broadband

On Thursday, February 15, HB 1147 by Representative Josie Tomkow (R- Polk City) was placed on final passage on the House Floor and was passed with 119 yeas and 0 nays.

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. HB 1147 extends this deadline until December 31, 2028.

HB 1147 will now go to the Florida Senate for consideration.

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

SB 676 – Food Delivery Platforms

On Thursday, February 15, SB 676 by Senator Jennifer Bradley (R- Flemming Island) was heard by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee and was reported favorably with 17 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 676 preempts the regulation of food delivery platforms to the State and provides regulatory safeguards for the business relationship between a Food Delivery Platform and a Food Service Establishment. Among the provisions, the bill prohibits a food delivery platform from taking and arranging for the delivery or pickup of orders from a food service establishment without the express consent of that food service establishment. The bill also allows for some guidelines for a restaurant or establishment to be removed from a Food Delivery Platform and creates a channel for better communication between the food service establishment and the consumer themselves.

SB 676 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.

AIF supports streamlining regulations and creating a level regulatory platform that allows businesses to compete fairly.

HB 179 – Towing & Storage

On Thursday, February 15, HB 179 by Representative Melony Bell (R- Fort Meade) was heard by the House Infrastructure Strategies Committee and was reported favorably with 25 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

HB 179 seeks to curb predatory towing practices hurting Florida’s businesses and consumers. Among other provisions, the bill clarifies the fees that towing companies may charge, increases the timeframe for a towing company to sell an unclaimed vehicle to ensure consumers have time to retrieve it; and prohibits towing companies from requiring only notarized original titles that are appropriate for securing the release of a vehicle.

HB 179 will now go to the House Floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that sets clear guidelines for businesses and consumers to follow. These measures will reduce the amount of rampant litigation while keeping businesses in line with their obligations to the consumer.