AIF TOP PRIORITY ISSUE
SB 734 – Actions for Recovery of Damages for Wrongful Death

On Wednesday, April 30, SB 734 by Senator Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) was substituted for its House companion, HB 6017 by Representative Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce) on the Senate Floor, debated, and was temporarily postponed.
 
This bill repeals sections of the existing wrongful death law pertaining to adult children and parents of adult children recovery of damages stemming from claims of medical malpractice. The bill would allow for claims to be filed for non-economic damages, more commonly known as “pain and suffering,” to be filed for larger sums.
 
The bill sponsor proposed an amendment that would institute caps on the total amount of non-economic damages recoverable. This provision was a compromise that would have allowed non-economic damages to be pursued in civil actions but would have moderated the overall risk of frivolous civil litigation against healthcare providers. This amendment was reported unfavorably with 18 yeas and 19 yeas. This amendment may be reconsidered as House and Senate leadership continue to negotiate.
 
SB 734 awaits further consideration on the Senate Floor.

AIF opposes any bill that expands litigation to noneconomic damages for medical malpractice, which would destabilize insurance markets and raise costs of malpractice premiums throughout the state.

HB 703 – Utility Relocation
 
On Wednesday, April 30, HB 703 by Representative Will Robinson (R-Bradenton) was substituted for its Senate companion, SB 818 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) on the Senate Floor and was reported favorably with 37 yeas and 0 nays.
 
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.
 
HB 703 will now go to the Governor for approval.

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

SB 1386 – Assault or Battery on a Utility Worker
 
On Wednesday, April 30, SB 1386 by Senator Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) was substituted for its House companion, HB 857 by Representative Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (R-Lakeland), on the House Floor, read for a third time, and was reported favorably with 113 yeas and 0 nays.
 
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 Governor for approval.

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

SB 1574 – Energy Infrastructure Investment
 
On Wednesday, April 30, SB 1574 by Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) was substituted for its House companion, HB 1239 by Representative Jennifer Kincart-Jonsson  (R-Lakeland) on the House Floor, read for a third time, and was reported favorably with 112 yeas and 0 nays.
 
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. These bills would grant public utilities with a cost-recovery mechanism for qualifying RNG infrastructure projects. The bills would also encourage further solutions for the capture, sale, and reuse of methane gas.
 
SB 1574 will now go to the Governor for approval.

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.

SB 108 – Administrative Procedures
 
On Wednesday, April 30, SB 108 by Senator Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach) was received from the House, as amended, and was reported favorably with 37 yeas and 0 nays.
 
This bill revises Florida’s administrative code and updates timelines and process for public hearings and how information may be incorporated by reference in agency rules. Additionally, the bill creates a process for agencies to perform review of existing rules and provide reports to legislature on applicability and specific statutory authority and balances the consistency and predictability needed to conduct business in Florida while also ensuring agencies are adopting and implementing rules consistent with their specific statutory authority.
 
SB 108 will now go to the Governor for approval.

AIF supports legislation that reduces administrative patchwork within state agencies and local authorities and provides transparency on administrative actions from those entities.

SB 1080 – Local Government Land Regulation
 
On Wednesday, April 30, SB 1080 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was introduced on the House Floor, read for a third time, amended, and passed with 84 yeas and 29 yeas.
 
This bill works to clear up regulatory patchwork at the local level by revising existing permitting processes that are often backlogged and provide an open door for selective scrutiny towards applicants for certain projects within municipal boundaries. The bill advances the timelines and reporting requirements for such applications.
 
SB 1080, as amended, will now go back to the Florida Senate for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that streamlines local bureaucratic efficiency and provides a more expedient and transparent permitting application process for Florida businesses.

HB 1609 – Waste Management
 
On Wednesday, April 30, HB 1609 by Representative Megan Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens) was substituted for its Senate companion, SB 1822 by Senator Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers), on the Senate Floor, read for a third time, and was reported favorably with 24 yeas and 13 nays.
 
This bill establishes a preemption on local governments who currently have the ability to regulate auxiliary containers. The bill adds definitions that clarify auxiliary containers as “reusable or single-use bag, cup, bottle, can, or other packaging that is made of cloth, paper, plastic, and other frequently recycled materials. The definitions also include materials used for food consumption or delivery by a restaurant or retailer.
 
HB 1609 will now go to the Governor for approval.

AIF supports legislation that unifies regulatory measures to a uniform standard that applies to all of Florida’s 67 counties. These measures will ease compliance difficulties on Florida businesses and consumers.

SB 492 – Land Development
 
On Wednesday, April 30, SB 492 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was read for a third time on the House Floor, amended, and was reported favorably with 87 yeas and 26 nays.
 
SB 492 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.
 
On Tuesday, April 30, before sending the bill to the Florida House, the Florida Senate amended the bill to include the original version of SB 832, Former Phosphate Mining Lands, by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills). The House amended the Senate bill to remove this language. The language would’ve added a new, narrow defense against causes of action that come from naturally occurring elements.
 
SB 492, as amended by the Florida House, will now go back to the Florida Senate 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.