SB 1082 – Relating to Agricultural Workers

On Tuesday, January 16, SB 1082 by Senator Jay Collins (R-Tampa) was heard by the Senate Community Affairs Committee and was reported favorably with 8 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 1082 addresses several housing issues that directly impact agricultural operations in the state. The bill would make it unlawful for a local government to inhibit the construction or installment of housing for H-2A program workers.

SB 1082 will now go to the Senate Agriculture Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that provides protections for farmers against rogue local governments that impose regulations that are overbearing and impede the functionality of agricultural producers.

SB 480- Renewable Natural Gas

On Wednesday, January 17, SB 480 by Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government and was reported favorably with 10 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) continues to expand its presence in Florida’s economy as it becomes a more practical and cost-effective source of renewable energy. SB 480 would grant public utilities with a cost-recovery mechanism for qualifying RNG infrastructure projects.The bill would also encourage further solutions for the capture, sale, and reuse of methane gas.

SB 480 will now go to the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that provides an economically and technically feasible framework which encourages development and investment in renewable natural gas, hydrogen, and other energy technologies. Investment in new energy solutions creates competition and allows for additional renewable energy options.

SB 774/HB 179-Towing & Storage 

On Wednesday, January 17, SB 774 by Senator Keith Perry (R-Gainesville) was heard by the Senate Transportation Committee and was reported favorably with 6 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

On Friday, January 19, HB 179 by Representative Melony Bell (R-Fort Meade) was heard by the House Transportation & Modals Committee and was reported favorably with 18 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 774 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.

SB 774 will now go to the Senate Community Affairs Committee for consideration. HB 179 will now go to the House Civil Justice Subcommittee for consideration.

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.

HB 275-Intentional Damage to Critical Infrastructure

On Friday, January 19, HB 275 by Representative Jennifer Canady (R-Lakeland) was heard by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee and was reported favorably with 16 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

HB 275 provides for increased penalties for those who “improperly tamper” with anything defined as “critical infrastructure.” Some examples of “critical infrastructure” include electrical power stations, chemical storage facilities, liquid natural gas storage facilities, deepwater ports, or railyards.

In his testimony before the committee, AIF VP of Governmental affairs said “The infrastructure that a lot of the Florida businesses in this state are taking care of and managing are critical to what we do as Floridians. Making sure that they are not the subject of an attack is incredibly important.”

HB 275 will now go to the House Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that deters vandalism, theft, or any form of criminal activity in or around areas of critical infrastructure.

HB 1147-Broadband

On Friday, January 19, HB 1147 by Representative Josie Tomkow (R-Polk City) was heard by the House Energy, Communications & Cybersecurity Subcommittee and was reported favorably with 13 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. HB 1147 extends this deadline until December 31, 2028.

HB 1147 will now go to the House Ways & Means Committee for consideration. The Senate companion, SB 1218, by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills), will be heard by the Senate Commerce & Tourism Committee next Tuesday, January 23.

AIF supports legislation that deters vandalism, theft, or any form of criminal activity in or around areas of critical infrastructure.