SB 620 – Relating to Local Government

On Thursday, January 27, SB 620 by Senator Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast) was read a second and third time on the Senate floor and passed with 22 yeas and 14 nays.

The bill creates a cause of action for a business to sue a local government when the enactment or amendment of an ordinance or charter provision causes at least a 15% loss of profits to the business, if the business has been legally operating for at least 3 years preceding the ordinance.

SB 620 will now go to the House for consideration.

HB 569, the companion bill of SB 620, is in the House Local Administration and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee which is the second of three committee stops.

AIF supports legislation bolstering the rights of businesses to recoup undue losses at the hands of local governments to maintain a prosperous business climate in Florida.

 

SB 280 – Relating to Local Ordinances

On Thursday, January 27, SB 280 by Senator Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast) was read a second and third time on the Senate floor and passed with 28 yeas and 8 nays.

The bill pertains to the passage and challenging of local ordinances by affected businesses and requires counties and cities to produce a “business impact estimate” prior to passing an ordinance. The estimate must be published on the local government’s website and include information such as the proposed ordinance’s purpose, estimated economic impact on businesses, and compliance costs.

SB 280 will now go to the House for consideration.

HB 403, the companion bill of SB 280, is in the House Civil Justice and Property Rights Subcommittee which is the second of three committee stops.

AIF supports legislation that grants businesses the right to challenge in court unjust and arbitrary local ordinances that create barriers to business which leads to jobs lost and a decelerated economy. Business is the lifeblood of Florida and owners deserve the right to protect their livelihood.

SB 434 – Relating to Florida Tourism Marketing

On Thursday, January 27, SB 434 by Senator Ed Hooper (R-Palm Harbor) was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee and was reported favorable with 19 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Adam Basford, stood in support of this legislation.

VISIT FLORIDA is the name for the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, a non-profit that serves as Florida’s statewide destination marketing organization and represents the state’s tourism industry. Under the bill, the scheduled repeal date for VISIT FLORIDA and the Division of Tourism Marketing is extended from October 1, 2023, to October 1, 2031.

SB 434 will now go to the Senate floor for consideration.

AIF supports investment in building a world-class marketing engine with top talent, analytics, and funding that develops and executes data-driven branding strategies to bolster tourism and further the economic growth of Florida.

SB 468 – Relating to Insurance

On Thursday, January 27, SB 468 by Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee and was reported favorable with 18 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Adam Basford, spoke in opposition to Amendment 571360 which would have negatively impacted the underlying bill and was ultimately withdrawn.

The bill amends several insurance related statutes to better clarify intent and fix insurance industry issues. Specifically, the Florida Catastrophe Fund is a state-run program that provides reinsurance coverage. Its capable management over the last decade has allowed Florida to benefit from this reinsurance backup without the need to resort to assessments on private insurance policies and this bill strengthens those protections.

SB 468 will now go to the Senate floor for consideration.

AIF supports maintaining the stability of the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund.

SB 474 – Relating to Recreational Off-Highway Vehicles

On Thursday, January 27, SB 474 by Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) was heard by the Senate Rules Committee and was reported favorable with 17 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Adam Basford, stood in support of this legislation.

The bill increases the dry weight allowed for recreational off-highway vehicles (ROV) from 2,500lbs to 3,500lbs.  This increase is necessary to allow for the development of electric powered ROVs because the battery components often weigh significantly more than internal combustion vehicles.

SB 474 will now go to the Senate floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that encourages revisions to outdated regulations that bolster the business climate and drive competition for new and better products for Florida’s businesses and consumers.