HB 1239 – Relating to Broadband Internet Infrastructure

On Monday, April 19, HB 1239 by Representative Josie Tomkow (R-Auburndale) was heard by the House Commerce Committee and was reported favorable with 22 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

The amended bill provides a procedure for access by broadband providers for attachments to utility poles of municipal electric utilities. It directs the Florida Office of Broadband to create a strategic plan to increase broadband Internet services in the state. The bill also provides for a municipal electric utility promotional rate of $1 per wireline attachment per pole per year, for any new attachments necessary to expand broadband Internet to unserved and underserved areas. Additionally, the bill provides a grant program for providers who seek to expand broadband Internet services to unserved areas of the state.

HB 1239 will now go to the House floor for consideration.

AIF supports increased access to broadband internet as quality connectivity has become imperative to business operations across the state, especially during a time when so many businesses are operating remotely.

 

SB 1592 – Relating to Broadband Internet Infrastructure

On Monday, April 19, SB 1592 by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee and was reported favorable with 20 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

The bill provides a procedure for access by broadband providers for attachments to utility poles of municipal electric utilities. It provides for the adoption of rates, terms, and conditions for the access to the poles consistent with federal requirements for pole attachments. The bill also provides for a municipal electric utility promotional rate of $1 per wireline attachment per pole per year, for any new attachments necessary to expand broadband Internet to unserved and underserved areas.

SB 1592 will now go to the Senate floor for consideration.

AIF supports increased access to broadband internet as quality connectivity has become imperative to business operations across the state, especially during a time when so many businesses are operating remotely.

SB 1132 – Relating to Personal Care Attendants

On Monday, April 19, SB 1132 by Senator Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville) was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee and was reported favorable with 17 yeas and 2 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

The bill allows allow nursing homes to employ personal care attendants (PCA) and to allow a PCA to work as a nursing assistant (and count as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) for the purposes of staffing requirements) for a period of up to four months if the PCA is participating in the PCA training program established by the Agency for Health Care Administration in consultation with the Board of Nursing. The training program must consist of at least 16 hours of education which will lead to a PCA becoming a CNA. The bill defines a PCA as a person who provides care to and assists residents with tasks related to the activities of daily living and prohibits a PCA from performing any task that requires clinical assessment, interpretation, or judgment, or from working as a PCA for more than one nursing home before becoming a CNA.

The bill also specifies that a PCA must complete the 16 hours of education prior to having any direct contact with a resident.

SB 1132 will now go to the Senate floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislative efforts that expand access to care and keep health care costs low for Florida businesses.

SB 566 & HB 365 – Relating to Motor Vehicle Rentals

On Monday, April 19, SB 566 by Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee and was reported favorable with 13 yeas and 7 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

Also on Monday, HB 365 by Representative Michael Caruso (R-Boca Raton) was heard by the House Commerce Committee and was reported favorable with 21 yeas and 1 nay. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, stood in support of this legislation.

A person renting a car In Florida is levied a $2 per day rental car surcharge. The 6% sales tax is also due on the transaction. Peer-to-peer car sharing programs are app-based platforms where owners list and rent out their personal vehicle. However, these businesses are not collecting the rental car surcharge or the 6% sales tax which is already due in Florida. The proceeds from the rental car surcharge paid by consumers who rent vehicles builds and maintains the state’s infrastructure, which is very important to Florida businesses statewide.

The bills clarify that rental transactions made on peer-to-peer car sharing platforms are subject to a $1 per day surcharge and sales taxes. It also establishes operational and insurance requirements for peer-to-peer vehicle sharing programs to protect consumers.

SB 566 will now go to the Senate floor for consideration.

HB 365 will now go to the House floor for consideration.

AIF supports the proposed measures in this bill to hold all rental car services accountable, regardless of how the vehicle is accessed.