SB 832 – Former Phosphate Mining Lands

On Tuesday, March 25, SB 832 by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) was heard by the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee and was reported favorably with 8 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

Phosphate mining is a critical industry in Florida and is essential to providing sufficient fertilizers and agrichemicals for agricultural operations around the globe. SB 832 adds a new, narrow defense against causes of action that come from naturally occurring elements. This ensures that phosphate mining companies that meet all of their environmental permitting duties aren’t held liable for elements that are already in the land.

SB 832 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that simplifies regulatory patchwork and provides protections against frivolous litigation allowing businesses to buy, sell, and develop land without the threat of unnecessary lawsuits while following the law.

 

HB 1183 – Cybersecurity Incident Liability

On Tuesday, March 25, HB 1183 by Representative Mike Giallombardo (R-Cape Coral) was heard by the House Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee and was reported favorably with 14 yeas and 2 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill tackles civil liability from the cybersecurity perspective. As businesses, large and small, continue to rely on data and software to effectively service their customers, frivolous litigation has been on the rise following cyber-attacks on businesses. The bill sets standards for businesses to follow, so if a breach occurs, they are protected from frivolous litigation. Additionally, the bill creates a structure for companies using consumer data to better protect the data from cyberattacks.

HB 1183 will now go to the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that creates a clear and consistent framework for businesses to follow in order to safeguard consumer privacy and to reduce the risk of frivolous litigation. These measures will create a fair playing field and encourage more businesses to invest in Florida.

 

SB 1386 – Utility Worker Protection

On Tuesday, March 25, SB 1386 by Senator Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) was heard by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and was reported favorably with 9 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 1386 increases penalties against individuals who commit acts of violence against utility workers while on duty. The bill rephrases statutory definitions of “utility workers” that require such individuals to wear appropriate gear that clearly identifies them as an employee of a utility provider.

SB 1386 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal & Civil Justice for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that stiffens criminal penalties against those who commit acts of violence against utility workers.

SB 818 – Utility Relocation

On Tuesday, March 25, SB 818 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was heard by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee and was reported favorably with 8 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill modifies the process of relocating utility facilities on a public right of way.  It helps to ease some scheduling pressure that certain utilities may have in the relocation process as well as shifts the cost burden from the utility owner to the owner of the right of way that is requiring the relocation. These expenses often add up when developments, road projects, and other local structures require broadband facilities to be moved. As Florida becomes increasingly more developed, these relocations will become ever more frequent.

SB 818 will now go to the Senate Transportation Committee for consideration.

AIF supports initiatives that ease regulatory and cost burdens for utility providers who are forced to move facilities from a right of way.

SB 1132 – Consumer Right to Repair Certain Equipment

On Tuesday, March 25, SB 1132 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) was heard by the Senate Agriculture Committee and was reported favorably with 5 yeas and 0 nays. AIF spoke in opposition to this legislation.

SB 1132 establishes new guidelines to enforce the digital right to repair for products that are mass produced and often require servicing to perform optimally. The bill requires manufacturers to provide a list of parts and tools used for the repair of devices to dealers and servicing providers. A good example of such products are smartphones and computers, agricultural equipment, and automobiles.

SB 1132 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

In its current form, AIF opposes SB 1132 as it would allow intellectual property that is developed and owned by manufacturers, to be readily available for distribution by entities that are not associated with the manufacturer. These reforms could result in higher repair costs for products ranging from smartphones to heavy machinery.

 

SB 1826 – Ultra Processed Food

On Tuesday, March 25, SB 1826 by Senator Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) was heard by the Senate Agriculture Committee and was temporarily postponed. AIF stood in opposition to this legislation.

SB 1826 mirrors Senator Martin’s SB 560 (Chemical Additives in Food Products) but explicitly prohibits Florida school districts from offering “ultra-processed” food in school cafeterias. The bill uses definitions from the proposed language in SB 560 that bans food products containing certain dyes and other chemical additives.

SB 1826 awaits further consideration by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

AIF opposes legislation that adds another layer of regulatory patchwork against businesses who sell products that are FDA approved and considered safe for consumption.