SB 10-Relating to Water Resources

On Wednesday, April 12th, SB 10, by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Orange Park) was read for a third time on the floor of the Senate and passed by a vote of 36 yeas to 3 nays. AIF continues to oppose this legislation.

This bill, after amended in its previous committee hearing, now authorizes the construction of a reservoir below Lake Okeechobee ONLY on the land the state already owns in an attempt to remedy the pollution flowing east and west of the lake. While the amended bill takes the issue of eminent domain off the table and protects the farm lands crucial to the economic development in the glades, AIF remains concerned with the solution to only address the water storage issues south of Lake Okeechobee.

SB 10 will go to the House floor for consideration.

AIF OPPOSES this legislation as we do not believe that ONLY addressing the issue of water storage south of Lake Okeechobee will resolve the issue of excess water discharged from the lake.

SB 388-Relating to Beverage Law

On Wednesday, April 12th, SB 388, by Senator Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast), was heard before the Senate Committee on Rules and passed. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

Florida’s “Tied House Evil Law,” s. 561.42, F.S., prohibits a manufacturer or distributor of alcoholic beverages from having a financial interest, directly or indirectly, in the establishment or business of a licensed vendor, and prohibits a manufacturer or distributor from giving gifts, loans, property, or rebates to retail vendors.

The bill exempts financial transactions between a vendor and a manufacturer from all tied evil house prohibitions if the following conditions are met:

• The financial transaction must be negotiated at arm’s length for fair market value between a manufacturer of beer or malt beverages, and
• The financial transaction cannot involve, either all or in part, the direct sale or distribution of beer or malt beverages between the manufacturer and the licensed vendor.

SB 388 will now go to the Senate floor to be heard.

AIF SUPPORTS this legislation because it would remove unnecessary and outdated regulations on Florida’s businesses.

SB 76-Relating to Limitations on Property Tax Assessments

On Wednesday, April 12th, SB 76, by Senator Tom Lee (R-Brandon) was heard in the Senate Committee on Rules and passed. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

In 2008, Florida voters approved Amendment 1 which, among other things, created a 10% cap on the annual increase of property taxes for all non-homestead properties.  However, this amendment included a sunset provision that goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2019.  SB 76 proposes a constitutional amendment be added to the ballot during the 2018 General Election to let the voters decide in making this cap 10% tax cap permanent.

SB 76 will now go to the Senate floor to be heard.

AIF SUPPORTS a permanent 10% property tax cap on second homes and commercial property.