SB 1198 – Fraudulent Use of Gift Cards

On Tuesday, April 1, SB 1198 by Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) was heard by the Senate Rules Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill establishes criminal penalties for those who illegally obtain,
tamper with, or misuse gift cards sold by a business. There is a rising rate in the illegal use of gift cards in retail and online businesses that is costing Florida businesses millions. The penalties for fraudulently using gift cards would be a misdemeanor for all offenses under $950 in damages and a felony for offenses above $950 in damages.

SB 1198 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that deters criminal acts against Florida businesses by establishing criminal penalties for those who commit them.

 

SB 1000 – Court-ordered Sealing of Criminal History Records

On Tuesday, April 1, SB 1000 by Senator Corey Simon was heard by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill expands Florida’s access to court-ordered sealing for individuals with a criminal record. HB 1000 would rework the existing laws for record sealing in a way that permits those with non-serious offenses greater opportunities to have a record officially sealed.

SB 1000 will now go to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislative efforts to increase a non-serious offender's access to record sealing abilities. Florida, like many other states, continues to face issues with labor shortages. These initiatives will help more people enter the workforce and alleviate ongoing labor issues for businesses throughout the state.

SB 922 – Employment Agreements

On Tuesday, April 1, SB 922 by Senator Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach) was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

In a highly competitive business environment, companies are often required to keep innovations and intellectual property developments confidential. SB 922 strengthens non-compete and confidential employment agreement guidelines by establishing a framework that protects confidential trade secret information. The framework sets new rules for covered garden leave agreements for covered employers and covered employees, as current laws allow for several loopholes that employees can use to contest these agreements through litigation while also working for a competing business.

SB 922 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that protects a business’s sensitive information and drives more innovation through clarified rulemaking. These standards will allow more businesses who rely heavily on research & development to invest in Florida and create new jobs in various industry sectors.

HB 561 – Manufacturing

On Tuesday, April 1, HB 561 was heard by the House Housing, Agriculture, & Tourism Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill restructures Florida’s approach to encouraging manufacturing investments. At the Department of Commerce, the bill creates the role of “Chief Manufacturing Officer” to oversee the “Statewide Office of Manufacturing.” Additionally, the bill provides for a Florida’s Manufacturers’ Workforce Development Program designed to encourage small manufacturers with new technologies, cybersecurity protocols, and workforce training. The bill also creates a promotional campaign that boasts state-manufactured products to consumers.

HB 561 will now go to the House Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee for consideration.

AIF supports initiatives that drive new manufacturing investment to the state and the promotion of “Made in Florida” products.

SB 496 & HB 897 – Timeshare Management

On Tuesday, April 1, SB 496 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was heard by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

On Tuesday, April 1, HB 897 by Representative Kim Berfield (R-Clearwater) was heard by the House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

These bills clarify the applicability of recently enacted legislation that governs timeshare management firms and community association management companies. The bills narrow the conflict-of-interest language to clarify the regulations to ensure transparency. The bill also clarifies how many times these management firms must meet per year and streamlines the process ensuring regular oversight of these meetings. Finally, the legislation requires annual disclosure of information to stakeholders in the community.

SB 496 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government for consideration. HB 897 will now go to the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee for consideration.

AIF supports streamlining and clarifying the community association management companies’ regulations to ensure compliance and growth for Florida’s residents and businesses.

SB 818 – Utility Relocation

On Tuesday, April 1, SB 818 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was heard by the Senate Transportation Committee and was reported favorably. 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 Rules Committee for consideration.

AIF supports initiatives that ease burdens for utility providers who are forced to move facilities from a right of way by local governments.

 

SB 1002 – Utility Service Restrictions

On Tuesday, April 1, SB 1002 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) and Senator Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) was heard by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 1002 preempts local governments from enacting restrictions against how the source of energy is produced, used, delivered, converted or supplied by utility providers. The bill has several housekeeping provisions that eliminates any current local ordinance conflicting with the proposed preemption.

SB 1002 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that relieves tensions between utility providers and local governments that impose restrictions against different energy sources.

 

SB 1574 – Energy Infrastructure Investment

On Tuesday, April 1, SB 1574 by Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) was heard by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee and was reported favorably. 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 1574 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 1574 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government 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.