SB 7040 - Ratification of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Rules Relating to Stormwater

On Thursday, February 8, SB 7040, a proposed committee bill by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government and was reported favorably with 9 yeas and 0 nays.

In 2021, the Florida Legislature directed DEP to begin rulemaking on stormwater management’s design and operations throughout the state. This rule sets standards for reducing pollution from stormwater runoff and DEP estimates that it will increase the cost of development by more than $2,600 per acre.

As originally drafted, there was concern that the permit application process in the rule could result in protracted delays in receiving permits. AIF worked with DEP and legislative leaders to craft clarifying language that provides a significant amount of certainty in the process.

AIF VP of Governmental Affairs, Adam Basford provided testimony to the committee pointing out concern over the increased costs that will result from the rule but also thanking DEP and legislative leaders for their work to make changes that provide consistency and additional regulatory certainty.

SB 7040 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

SB 676 – Food Delivery Platforms

On Thursday, February 8, SB 676 by Senator Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government and was reported favorably with 9 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 676 preempts the regulation of food delivery platforms to the State and provides regulatory safeguards for the business relationship between a Food Delivery Platform and a Food Service Establishment. Among the provisions, the bill prohibits a food delivery platform from taking and arranging for the delivery or pickup of orders from a food service establishment without the express consent of that food service establishment. The bill also allows for some guidelines for a restaurant or establishment to be removed from a Food Delivery Platform and creates a channel for better communication between the food service establishment and the consumer themselves.

SB 676 will now go to the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee for consideration.

AIF supports streamlining regulations and creating a level regulatory platform that allows businesses to compete fairly.

SB 1218/HB 1147 – Broadband

On Thursday, February 8, SB 1218 by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) was heard by the Senate Rules Committee and was reported favorably with 19 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

Also on Thursday, February 8, HB 1147 by Representative Josie Tomkow (R-Polk City) was heard by the House Commerce Committee and was reported favorably with 18 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

In 2021, the legislature passed a law that mandates pole access by local municipal utilities to broadband providers for a fee of one dollar, per pole, per year. The goal of this measure was to broaden rural Florida’s access to high-speed internet. However, the 2021 law included a provision that would do away with pole access for broadband providers on July 1, 2024. SB 1218 and HB 1147 extend this deadline until December 31, 2028.

SB 1218 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.

HB 1147 will now go to the House Floor for consideration.

AIF supports the expansion of broadband services to all Floridians and supports legislation that seeks to promote that goal.