SB 324-Relating to Impact Fees

On Monday, January 29th, SB 324 by Senator Dana Young (R-Tampa) was heard before the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax and passed by a vote of 6 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 Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) 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.

SB 324 will go on to the Senate Committee on Appropriations to be heard.

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.

 

SB 1224 & HB 961- Relating to Beverage Law

On Monday, January 29th, SB 1224 by Senator Rob Bradley (R-Orange Park) was heard before the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism and passed by a vote of 8 yeas to 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

On Tuesday, January 30th, HB 961 by Representative Joe Gruters (R- Sarasota) was heard before the House Careers and Competition Subcommittee and passed by a vote of 8 yeas to 7 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this bill.

Currently, vendors must purchase beer or malt beverage branded glassware from distributors for use in their establishments. This legislation allows for retailers to accept malt or beer beverage branded glassware from a distributor at no cost. The Senate bill stipulates that the distributor may give no more than 10 cases (that include up to 24 pieces per case), per brand, per calendar year, while the House bill allows for 15 cases total per year.

SB 1224 will go on to be heard in the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

HB 961 will go on to be heard in the House Commerce Committee.

AIF SUPPORTS legislation that will reduce costs on Florida’s businesses by allowing distributors to provide vendors, at no cost, glassware to use in their establishments. 

 

SB 170-Relating to Rural Economic Development Initiative 

On Tuesday, January 30th, SB 170, by Senator Denise Grimsley (R-Lake Placid) was heard by the Senate Committee on Government Oversight and Accountability and passed by a vote of 5 yeas to 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this bill.

Currently, Florida’s rural communities are experiencing additional challenges compared to their urban counterparts in many quality of life indicators. The state has an opportunity to improve the economic competitiveness of Florida’s rural communities by reforming the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI). 

This legislation accomplishes this by:

• Reducing the number of specified agencies and organizations that are required to designate REDI representatives;
• Clarifying which individuals from specified agencies and organizations must be designated as REDI representatives;
• Providing for the appointment of five additional members from the private sector:
  • Three of the private sector members are to be appointed by the executive director of the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), one appointed by the President of the Senate, and one appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
• Authorizing the creation of ad hoc committees and provides guidance for the organization of ad hoc committees;
• Modifying the definition and designation criteria for a rural area of opportunity (RAO); 
• Updating the annual reporting requirements; and 
• Make conforming changes to address cross-references in numerous sections of the Florida Statutes.
  
  

SB 170 will go on to the Senate Committee on Rules to be heard.

AIF SUPPORTS efforts to increase economic development in Florida’s rural areas by increasing job growth.