HB 1007 – Fraudulent Use of Gift Cards

On Wednesday, April 2, HB 1007 by Representative Sam Greco (R-St. Augustine) was heard by the House Judiciary 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.

HB 1007 will now go to the House Floor for consideration.

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

HB 1219 – Employment Agreements

On Wednesday, April 2, HB 1219 by Representative Traci Koster (R-Tampa) was heard by the House Judiciary Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

In highly competitive business environments, companies are often required to keep innovations and intellectual property developments confidential. HB 1219 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.

HB 1219 will now go to the House Commerce 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 1175 – Mitigation Banking

On Wednesday, April 2, HB 1175 by Representative Wyman Duggan (R-Jacksonville) was heard by the House State Affairs Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

HB 1175 expands laws passed by the legislature in 2024 that provided credits for environmental mitigation projects. The proposed legislation would allow state agencies who govern mitigation credits to offer credits outside the service area of authorized mitigation banks. This is a resource already available at the federal level.

HB 1175 will now go to the House Floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that expands access to water quality mitigation projects. These measures would allow businesses to operate effectively while working alongside regulators on lands/waterways categorized as mitigation banks.