SB 1132 – Digital Right to Repair

On Monday, March 10, SB 1132 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) was heard and amended by the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee and was reported favorably with 7 yeas and 1 nay. 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. The bill was amended to expand the scope of the proposed guidelines to include agriculture equipment.

SB 1132 will now go to the Senate Judiciary 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.

HB 641 – Food Additives

On Wednesday, March 12, HB 641 by Representative Debra Tendrich (D-Lake Worth) was heard by the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee and was temporarily postponed.

HB 641 mandates warning labels and other information pertaining to food products that contain certain chemical additives and ingredients. These include Blue 1-2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5-6, and titanium dioxide. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has already set standards for labeling, this bill would expand upon those FDA standards and follows similar laws passed in California that have caused widespread compliance issues for businesses and consumers.

AIF opposes any regulation that oversteps federal regulation of food and ingredients. Florida should allow the FDA to review the evidence produced to make informed decisions for the entire food industry to promote consistency in laws throughout the country.

SB 702 – Provenance of Digital Data

On Monday, March 10, SB 702 by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) was heard by the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee and was reported favorably with 7 yeas and 1 nay. AIF spoke in opposition to this legislation.

This bill reworks existing laws that govern online digital content by providing definitions and guidelines related to “provenance data”. As defined in this legislation, provenance data is “information identifying whether some or all of the content has been derived through generative artificial intelligence and, if so, the name of the generative artificial intelligence tool used to generate such content and the organization that developed such tool.” This definition would require businesses to provide notice and origin information on the generative AI that is being used on their platform.

SB 702 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development for consideration.

AIF opposes legislation that adds extra regulatory state-by-state patchwork to platforms that use generative AI. As written, the scope of the bill includes information on content and capture devices (what produces the image) which could lead to confusing and expensive policy for all sized businesses.

SB 600 – Manufacturing

On Tuesday, March 11, SB 600 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) was heard by the Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development and was reported favorably with 15 yeas and 0 nays. 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.

SB 600 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.

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

SB 110 – Rural Communities

On Thursday, March 13, SB 110 by Senator Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) was heard by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee and was reported favorably with 19 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 110 is a piece of Senate President Ben Albritton’s (R-Wauchula) “Rural Renaissance” plan to strengthen Florida’s rural communities by investing and restructuring Florida’s approach to rural community management. This bill creates grant programs designed to promote new economic opportunities and growth by providing broadband infrastructure to underserved populations. The bill also develops roadmaps to expand healthcare access and modernization tools for rural counties in need of economic stimulation.

SB 110 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.

AIF supports legislative efforts to boost economic vitality in Florida’s rural communities. These efforts will create jobs and allow businesses more opportunities for investment in the Sunshine State.

HB 913 – Condominium Associations

On Tuesday, March 11, HB 913 by Representative Vicki Lopez (R-Miami) was heard by the House Housing, Agriculture, & Tourism Subcommittee and was reported favorably with 18 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

HB 913 addresses multiple issues that have been ongoing in Florida’s vast condominium communities over recent years. Primarily, the bill focuses on safety guidelines for condominium associations to adhere to following the Surfside condominium collapse in 2021. The bill gives condominium associations more jurisdiction over repairs and structural inspections. Additionally, the language provides clarity on maintenance responsibilities for condominium properties jointly operated with hotels and allows for the development of shared facilities between condominiums and retail businesses.

HB 913 will now go to the House Budget Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation that expands Florida’s residential footprint and allows for better management of facilities occupied by businesses and residents.

HB 1551 – Attorney Fee Awards in Insurance Activities

On Thursday, March 13, HB 1551 by Representative Hillary Cassel (R-Dania Beach) was heard by the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee and was reported favorably with 16 yeas and 1 nay. Representative Susan Plasencia (R-Orlando) voted against the bill. AIF spoke in opposition to this legislation.

HB 1551 reinstates awards of attorney fees in many insurance actions, including property and auto. As the bill is written, trial attorneys will have no risk in bringing claims against insurers because they will either get all their fees for winning even the smallest portion of the insurer’s offer or voluntarily dismiss the case before an adverse judgment to avoid paying the insurer’s fees. In the worst case, unscrupulous trial attorneys could make unreasonable offers, lose, and leave their clients to pay the insurer’s fees. Thus, this legislation unwinds a critical piece of the monumental 2022 & 2023 tort reform efforts.

HB 1551 will now go to the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee for consideration. 

AIF opposes any regulation that aims to reverse previous legislative fixes addressing frivolous insurance litigation, which drives up costs. Florida should look for ways to entice insurers to form or expand in this state, not turn companies away with inconsistent law changes that would negatively affect them.

SB 1198 – Fraudulent Use of Gift Cards

On Tuesday, March 11, SB 1198 by Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) 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 1198 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 Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice for consideration.

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

SB 832 – Former Phosphate Mining Lands

On Wednesday, March 12, SB 832 by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) was heard and amended by the Senate Judiciary Committee with 10 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 their environmental permitting duties aren’t held liable for elements that are already in the land.

SB 832 will now go to the Senate Environment and Natural Resources 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.

SB 492 – Mitigation Banking

On Tuesday, March 11, SB 492 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was heard in the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee and was reported favorably with 8 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

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.

SB 492 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Committee 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.

HB 703 – Utility Relocation

On Wednesday, March 12, HB 703 by Representative Will Robinson (R-Bradenton) was heard by the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee and was reported favorably with 18 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.
 
HB 703 will now go to the House Commerce 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.