HB 697-Relating to Impact Fees

On Thursday, February 8th, HB 697 by Representative Mike Miller (R- Orlando) was heard before the House Government Accountability Committee 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 the bill as amended.

The bill provides that an impact fee adopted by ordinance of a county or municipality or by resolution of a special district must, at minimum, specify that the impact fee be collected no earlier than the issuance of the building permit for the property that is subject to the fee. Impact fees are enacted by local ordinance that were created to pay the cost of additional infrastructure necessitated by new development.

AIF supported an amendment offered by Representative Stan McClain (R-Ocala) that was adopted and relates to the sector planning process. The amendment makes clear that if a governmental entity wishes to impose a condition on a development order which implements a sector plan--such as the contribution of land/right of way, extension of public utilities, construction of parks, etc. - then the government must have ordinances in place to treat developments outside of sector plans in a similar fashion, and sets a time standard for local governments to process and act upon applications for implementing a sector plan.

HB 697 will go on to the House floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that ensures the same protections to sector plans against demanding payment or construction of facilities beyond those needed to service the development.

HB 7043 - State Assumption of Federal Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permitting Authority

On Thursday, February 8th, HB 7043 by the House Natural Resources and Public Lands Subcommittee and Representative Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo) was heard by the House Government Accountability Committee and passed by a vote of 19 yeas to 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

This legislation would give authorization to FDEP to assume implementation of the federal dredge and fill permits.

HB 7043 will go on to the House floor for consideration.

AIF supports the state assumption of the 404 program which will help create a more efficient and predictable process for businesses to navigate the wetland permitting process in a timely manner.

SB 1412-Relating to Office of the Judges of Compensation Claims

On Thursday, February 8th, SB 1412 by Senator David Simmons (R-Longwood) was heard before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and passed by a vote of 10 yeas to 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this bill.

This bill increases the initial term of judges of compensation claims to 6 years, which is 2 more than under current law, and provides that they “shall receive a salary equal to that of a county court judge.”

SB 1412 will go on to the Senate Committee on Appropriations to be heard.

AIF supports legislation that increases the salary of judges of compensation claims, in order to attract the talent that is needed to handle the increasing amount of claims files due to the court rulings on workers’ compensation.

5201-Relating to Information Technology

On Thursday, February 8th, HB 5201  by the House Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee and Representative Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) was read for a third time on the House floor and passed by a vote of 111 yeas to 0 nays.

This bill implements a “cloud first” policy for the state, requiring each state agency to first consider cloud computing solutions when sourcing their technology. The bill also moves part of the financial management responsibility of the Agency for State Technology to the Department of Management Services and designates the Department of Environmental Protection as the state coordinating agency for Geographic Information Systems.  Further, the bill increases the minimum qualification requirements for the State Chief Information Officer position which would be effective in 2019.

HB 5201 will go on to the Senate floor for consideration, and the House requests that the Senate pass the bill as passed by the House or agree to include the bill in Budget Conference.

AIF supports the adoption and implementation of a formal cloud-first strategy, resulting in more efficient and effective IT solutions for Florida.