HB 5401-Pesticide Registration
On Wednesday, April 5th, HB 5401, by the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, was heard before the House Appropriations Committee and passed unanimously by a vote of 27 yeas to 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this bill.

This legislation repeals a supplemental pesticide registration fee on certain products sold in Florida. The supplemental fee was established in 2009 as a mechanism to boost state revenue and help balance the budget.

HB 5401 will go on to the House floor to be heard.

AIF SUPPORTS this legislation which removes a duplicative fee on businesses.

HB 1231-Relating to Agricultural Practices
On Wednesday, April 5th, HB 1231, by Representative Jake Raburn (R-Valrico), was heard before the House Ways & Means Committee and passed by a vote of 18 yeas to 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this bill.

This bill clarifies that livestock, poultry, and aquaculture medical supplies are exempt from sales tax. The bill repeals a supplemental pesticide registration fee which was added to bi-annual pesticide registrations. The bill also expands the travel radius limitations on the state restricted agricultural tag from "150" miles to statewide.

HB 1231 will now go to the House Commerce Committee to be heard.

AIF SUPPORTS the various provisions of this bill which help our agricultural industry remain competitive and continue to be a driving force in Florida's economy.

SB 392-High School Graduation Requirements
On Wednesday, April 5th, SB 392, by Senator Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange), was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee and passed by a vote of 17 yeas to 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

Currently, based on 56 Next Generation Sunshine State Standards in financial literacy, high school students receive financial literacy instruction as part of the one-half Economics course credit required for graduation. The bill requires students entering grade 9 in the 2017-2018 school year and thereafter to complete a one-half course credit in personal financial literacy and revises the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards to include additional specified financial literacy topics.

SB 392 will go on to be heard on the floor of the Senate.

AIF SUPPORTS legislation that gives students tools to learn about relevant, and real life subjects that will prepare them for the workforce in the future.

HB 221-Relating to Transportation Network Companies (TNCs)
On Wednesday, April 5th, HB 221, by Representative Chris Sprowls (R-Clearwater) and Representative James Grant (R-Tampa), was read for a third time on the House floor and passed unanimously by a vote of 115 yeas to 0 nays. 

This bill aims to establish a regulatory framework for Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) and how they operate throughout communities in Florida. HB 221 defines what constitutes as a “TNC vehicle”, sets in place insurance requirements and preempts authority to the state, which will allow for a streamlined set of rules to be followed throughout the state.

HB 221 will now go to the floor of the Senate for consideration.

AIF SUPPORTS statewide digital transportation service policies to create price competition, promote consumer choice, enhance customer experience, create jobs and remove anti-competitive local regulations.