HB 705 – Public Works Projects

On Tuesday, February 27, HB 705 by Representative Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) was read for a second time on the House Floor and was placed on third reading.

HB 705 ensures that public works projects that use local funds may not require contractors to pay specific wage rates or provide locally mandated employment benefits. This provision already applies to projects that use state dollars. Some local governments are currently requiring the use of prevailing wage rates in their public works contracts. These requirements can dramatically impact project costs and impact an employer’s flexibility in employment decisions. AIF believes that the state minimum wage requirement and the free market are sufficient to ensure proper wage levels.

HB 705 will be read for a third time on the House Floor on Wednesday, February 28.

AIF supports legislation that keeps businesses competing through free market access to public programs.

SB 1178 – Community Associations

On Tuesday, February 27, SB 1178 by Senator Jennifer Bradley (R-Flemming Island) was heard by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee and was reported favorably with 19 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of an amendment to this legislation.

SB 1178 reworks several current provisions in Florida law that govern neighborhood community associations and how they are managed. The amendment AIF supported adds language to set new disclosure requirements for the creation of condominium space in buildings with multiple units. These requirements require a building association to be notified of what section of the building is going to be new condominium space and who is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep for “shared facilities” in the building. This allows for clearly defined roles and allows for consistency in how shared spaces between businesses and condominium owners operate.

SB 1178 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that provides clarity and consistency in the relationship between businesses and owners of condominiums.

SB 7076 – Transportation Network Companies

On Tuesday, February 27, SB 7076 by the Senate Finance and Tax Committee was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee and was reported favorably with 15 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 7076 reworks a law passed in 2017 that defined transportation network companies (TNC’s) in Florida law and set a robust regulatory framework for TNC’s to follow. A TNC is defined as “an entity that uses a digital network to connect a rider to a TNC driver, who provides prearranged rides.” Since the implementation of this law, there has been a situation where one airport set significantly higher per-trip pickup fees for TNC’s.

SB 7076 ensures that all airports are to charge the same fees by prohibiting them from charging a pickup fee before the time the passenger enters the vehicle. In no case would the bill allow a fee to be greater than the lowest pickup fee charged to a taxicab company operating in the airport’s jurisdiction.

SB 7076 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that provides for regulatory certainty and consistency in competitive markets.

HB 179 – Towing & Storage

On Tuesday, February 27, HB 179 by Representative Melony Bell (R-Fort Meade) was read for a second time on the House Floor and placed on third reading.

HB 179 seeks to curb predatory towing practices hurting Florida’s businesses and consumers. Among other provisions, the bill clarifies the fees that towing companies may charge, increases the timeframe for a towing company to sell an unclaimed vehicle to ensure consumers have time to retrieve it; and prohibits towing companies from requiring only notarized original titles that are appropriate for securing the release of a vehicle.

HB 179 will be read for a third time on the House Floor on Wednesday, February 28.

AIF supports legislation that sets clear guidelines for businesses and consumers to follow. These measures will reduce the amount of rampant litigation while keeping businesses in line with their obligations to the consumer.