HB 489 – Relating to Florida Tourism Marketing

On Tuesday, January 18, HB 489 by Representative Linda Chaney (R-St. Petersburg) was heard by the House Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee 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.

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, 2028.

HB 489 will now go to the House Commerce Committee.

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 1302 – Relating to Criminal History Information

On Tuesday, January 18, SB 1302 by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) was heard by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee and was reported favorable with 8 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Adam Basford, stood in support of this legislation.

The bill revises the process by which a regulatory board within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) may consider the criminal background of license applicants. The bill revises the process for a court-ordered sealing of a criminal record to require a court to grant a petition for the sealing of a criminal history record if the record has been automatically sealed by the State of Florida and the subject of the sealed record presents a certificate of sealing issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

SB 1302 will now go to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

AIF supports legislative efforts that allows individuals with sealed records at the State level to petition local government to further seal their records. Businesses in Florida drive the economy and employers need employees. A sealed record at the state level is indicative of amends made, and therefore these subjects should have access to well-paying jobs that keep Florida moving forward.

HB 145 – Relating to Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Weight Limits

On Tuesday, January 18, HB 145 by Representative Brett Hage (R-Oxford) was heard by the House Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee and was reported favorable with 16 yeas and 0 nays. AIF’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Adam Basford, stood in support of this legislation.

This 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.

HB 145 will now go to the House Commerce Committee.

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.