SB 88-High School Graduation Requirements

On Wednesday, December 6th, SB 88, by Senator Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange), was heard by the Senate Committee on Appropriations and passed by a vote of 20 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 Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, high school students receive financial literacy instruction as part of the one-half Economics course credit required for graduation. The bill revises that standard to require students entering grade 9 in the 2018-2019 school year and thereafter to complete a one-half standalone course credit in personal financial literacy.

SB 88 will go on to the Senate Floor to be heard.

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

HB 623-Relating to Grounds for Nonrecognition or Out-of-Country Foreign Judgments

On Wednesday, December 6th, HB 623, by Representative Cord Byrd (R-Jacksonville), was heard before the House Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee, and passed. AIF’s stood in support of this bill.

This legislation amends the Uniform Out-Of-Country Foreign Money - Judgment Recognition Act, codified in chapter 55 F.S., to add two additional permissive grounds for nonrecognition of a foreign money judgment by a Florida court. The Act currently provides three mandatory grounds for nonrecognition and eight permissive grounds for nonrecognition of a foreign judgment. Of the mandatory grounds that are similar to those in the bill, the Act requires nonrecognition where the foreign country’s court system is systematically unfair, failing to provide impartial tribunals and compatible due process of law.

The bill adds two permissive grounds for when a Florida court may decline to recognize a foreign judgment on more individualized due process grounds: 

• There is “substantial doubt” about the “integrity” of the particular foreign court that rendered the judgment. 
• The particular foreign court that rendered the judgment failed to afford due process in the proceedings.
  
  

HB 623 will go on to the House Judiciary Committee to be heard.

AIF SUPPORTS legislation to clarify existing law and protect Florida businesses from foreign judgments that are not compatible with the requirements of due process of law. 

HB 469-Relating to Salvage of Pleasure Vessels

On Wednesday, December 6th, HB 469, by Representative Shawn Harrison (R-Tampa) was heard before the House Natural Resources & Public Lands Subcommittee and passed. 

This legislation creates the “Florida Salvage of Pleasure Vessels Act” (act) to provide certain consumer protections for salvage work performed on pleasure vessels. More specifically it requires that salvors must provide a customer or potential customer with a written disclosure statement and salvage work estimate for services. If a salvor’s charges exceed the written estimate by more than 20 percent, the salvor is required to promptly notify the customer of the additional estimated charge and allow the customer to authorize, modify, or cancel the order for salvage.

HB 469 will move on to its next hearing in the House Careers and Competition Subcommittee.

AIF supports legislation that ensures price transparency and consumer protections.