HB 265-Relating to Computer Coding Instruction
On Tuesday, May 2nd, HB 265by Representative Elizabeth Porter (R-Lake City), was read for a third time on the House floor and passed by a vote of 117 yeas to 0 nays.

This bill will allow high school students the option of taking computer coding courses and promotes student access to education in computer science and related fields.

HB 265 will now go to the Senate floor for consideration.

AIF SUPPORTS legislation that will provide Florida’s students the opportunity to become proficient in computer coding, which will in turn prepare our states next generation for a technology driven economy.

SB 10-Relating to Water Resources
On Tuesday, May 2nd, SB 10, by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Orange Park) was amended, read for a third time on the floor of the House and passed by a vote of 99 yeas to 19 nays.

After SB 10 passed the House chamber, the bill was sent to the Senate chamber to be considered as amended. The Senate concurred to the amended form of SB 10 and passed the bill by a vote of 33 yeas to 0 nays.

This bill creates additional water storage south of Lake Okeechobee using Amendment 1 funding, in an attempt to remedy the polluted discharges flowing east and west of the lake.

SB 10 will now go to the desk of the Governor.

SB 668 & HB 859-Relating to Postsecondary Distance Education 
On Tuesday, May 2nd, SB 668, by Senator Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville), was laid on the table and substituted with HB 859, by Representative Amber Mariano (R-Port Richey). HB 859 was amended then read for a third time on the Senate floor and passed by a vote of 36 yeas to 0 nays.

This legislation seeks to authorize Florida’s participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement known as “SARA” created by the National Council on State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. This would allow for Florida’s postsecondary institutions to voluntarily participate in what is a multi-state reciprocity agreement allowing them to offer online education without excessive fees and regulatory compliance processes.  This reciprocity offers student’s greater access to more distance education, enhances oversight of distance education offerings to Florida students by another state, and expands experiential learning opportunities across state lines.  Not only is this good for students but it also helps lessen the burden on Florida businesses and taxpayers to fund construction and facility costs.

HB 859 will go back to the House floor for consideration as amended.

AIF SUPPORTS our State Universities and our Independent Colleges and Universities’ continued efforts to address the growing challenges that comes with increased enrollment, which in turn increases the workforce throughout Florida.

SB 1008 & HB 1107-Relating to Public Records/Workers’ Compensation
On Tuesday, May 2nd, SB 1008, by Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) was laid on the table and substituted with HB 1107, by Representative Ben Albritton (R-Bartow). HB 1107 was amended, read for a third time on the Senate floor and passed by a vote of 37 yeas to 0 nays. 

This bill would exempt private and personal identifying information of an injured worker or deceased employee from public record. Currently, this information is open to the public and often times injured workers are inundated with outreach from attorneys wanting to take on their cases immediately after filing their claim.

HB 1107 will now go back to the House floor for consideration as amended.

AIF SUPPORTS protecting the private information of injured or deceased employees.