HB 57 – Relating to Transportation

On Wednesday, February 17, HB 57 by Representative Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola) was heard by the House Tourism, Infrastructure and Energy Subcommittee and was reported favorable with 18 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

Representative Andrade offered a strike-all amendment, which was adopted.  The amended bill would create statutory provisions to increase safety for road construction workers on our state’s highways, allow larger Personal Delivery Devices to deliver packages within the state, makes changes to the State Arbitration Board, allow airports and seaports to have certifications for design-build projects and expands the ability for innovative design projects on road resurfacing projects.

HB 57 will now go to the House Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee.

AIF supports legislation that will improve the quality of life for Floridians through innovation, streamlining and increased safety in Florida’s transportation systems.

Proposed Committee Bill HHS1 – Relating to Health Care Civil Liability

On Wednesday, February 17, PCB HHS1, sponsored and heard by the House Health & Human Services Committee, was reported favorable with 17 yeas and 3 nays. AIF’s Senior Vice President of State and Federal Affairs, Brewster Bevis, spoke in support of this legislation.

PCB HHS1 provides heightened liability protections to health care providers for negligence claims by patients and residents arising under the existing laws that govern medical malpractice and long-term care facilities related to:

• Contracting COVID-19;
• Injury due to delay or omission in scheduling surgery or an act or omission in providing care for a medical condition due to a lack of resources caused by COVID-19;
• Novel or experimental COVID-19 treatment given to a COVID-19 patient; or
• Treatment of a COVID-19 patient whose injuries were related to an exacerbation of pre-existing conditions by COVID-19.

PCB HHS1 will now be assigned a bill number and receive committee references.

AIF supports legislation that protects the Florida health care community, who has been on the frontline during this pandemic, from frivolous and costly litigation by plaintiffs suing to settle.