HB 3 – Relating to Preemption of Local Regulations

On Thursday, March 14, HB 3 by Representative Michael Grant (R-Port Charlotte) was heard before the House State Affairs Committee and was reported favorably with 15 yeas and 7 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

This bill aims to preempt authority to the state and away from local governments when it comes to business regulations. Both big and small businesses must abide by the rules and regulations set in place by their local governments, regardless of if that rule or regulation differs from city to city, or county to county. This circumstance causes those who conduct business in multiple cities or counties throughout the state to abide by a myriad of rules that are inconsistent and must be complied with in order to continue their business. AIF believes that preempting business regulation to the state will allow for a streamline system that businesses, (old and new, small and large) can easily follow when conducting business across the State of Florida.

HB 3 will now move to the House Commerce Committee.

AIF supports legislation that will streamline business regulation throughout the state.

HB 423 – Relating to Lost or Abandoned Personal Property

On Thursday, March 14, HB 423 by Representative Spencer Roach (R-North Fort Myers) was heard in the House Commerce Committee and was reported favorably with 24 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill creates an alternate disposal process for lost or abandoned property for owners and operators of theme parks, entertainment complexes, zoos, museums, aquariums, public food service establishments, and public lodging establishments. The alternative process would require these types of facilities to hold the property for at least 30 days. Any property not claimed within 30 days must be donated to a charitable institution.

HB 423 will now be heard on the floor of the House.

AIF supports the right of property owners to hold and donate lost or abandoned property thereby eliminating the burden of contacting law enforcement for lost personal belongings.

SB 178 – Relating to Florida Tourism Marketing

On Thursday, March 14, SB 178 by Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) was heard before the Senate Appropriations Committee and was reported favorably with 18 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill removes the scheduled repeal date for the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, doing business as VISIT FLORIDA, and the scheduled repeal date for Division of Tourism Marketing within Enterprise Florida, Inc. VISIT FLORIDA is the name for the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, a non-profit corporation that serves as Florida’s statewide destination marketing organization, and represents the state’s tourism industry. Without the bill, the statutory authorizations for these entities would be repealed on October 1, 2019.

SB 178 will now be heard on the floor of the Senate.

AIF supports investment in building a world-class marketing engine with top talent, analytics, and funding that develops and executes data-driven branding strategies.