AIF TOP PRIORITY ISSUE
HB 947/SB 832 – Civil Actions
On Wednesday, April 23, HB 947 by Representative Omar Blanco (R-Miami) was introduced for a second time on the House Floor and was temporarily postponed.

On Friday, April 25, SB 832 by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills) was introduced on the House Floor, amended, and passed with 80 yeas and 20 nays. SB 832 which contained only the phosphate mining language was also placed on the special-order calendar with amendment 722689 by Rep. Jacques that would add the substance of HB 947 onto SB 832.

HB 947 repeals portions of the 2023 legislation that makes claimant damages and past medicals transparent and fully available to a jury in civil trials relating to personal injury and wrongful death claims. Prior to the 2023 reforms, a common practice by plaintiff’s attorneys were to inflate the total cost of damages by using a “letter of protection” that often-multiplied damages upwards of 300 percent. These disputes produced a flurry of frivolous litigation and massive nuclear verdicts (verdicts over $20 million) based on evidence that was dramatically inflated against the consistent market-price of medical procedures. HB 947 would remove the ability for a jury to see the real cost of damages compared to other examples of similar medical expenses.

The bill also includes language from HB 585, Former Phosphate Mining Lands by Representative Jon Albert and HB 1551 by Representative Hillary Cassel (R- Broward) to the original language of HB 947. Although the phosphate strict liability protection is important to Florida business, the addition of prevailing party awards during litigation essentially brings back one way attorney fees. One-way attorney fees will bring Florida back to the pre 2022/23 reforms and destabilize the insurance market by raising prices for businesses and consumers.

SB 832 will now go back to the Florida Senate for consideration.

AIF opposes legislation that repeals transparency in damages in civil actions and any other legislation that undoes previous reforms that have been working. Such reforms would open the floodgates for frivolous litigation and nuclear verdicts leading to higher prices of insurance for businesses operating in Florida. 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 818/HB 703 – Utility Relocation

On Tuesday, April 22, SB 818 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

On Friday, April 25, HB 703 by Representative Will Robinson (R-Bradenton) was read for a third time on the House Floor, amended, and passed with 106 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.

SB 818 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration. HB 703 will now go to the Florida Senate 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.

HB 1137 – Utility Service Restrictions

On Wednesday, April 23, HB 1137 by Representative Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) was read for a third time on the House Floor and was reported favorably with 109 yeas and 5 nays.

HB 1137 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.

HB 1137 will now go to the Florida Senate for consideration.

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

SB 1386 – Assault and Battery on a Utility Worker

On Thursday, April 24, SB 1386 by Senator Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) was read for a third time on the Senate Floor and was reported favorably with 37 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 Florida House for consideration.

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

HB 1219/SB 922 – Employment Agreements

On Wednesday, April 23, HB 1219 by Representative Traci Koster (R-Tampa) was read for a third time on the House Floor and was reported favorably with 91 yeas and 21 nays.

On Wednesday, April 23, SB 922 by Senator Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach) was introduced on the Senate Floor and was temporarily postponed.

On Thursday, April 24, HB 1219 by Representative Traci Koster (R-Tampa) was substituted for its companion, SB 922 by Senator Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach). The bill was read for a third time on the Senate Floor and was reported favorably with 28 yeas and 9 nays.

In highly competitive business environments, companies are often required to keep innovations and intellectual property developments confidential. These bills strengthen 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 Governor for approval.

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.

SB 496/HB 897 – Timeshare Management Firms

On Tuesday, April 22, SB 496 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was heard by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

On Wednesday, April 23, HB 897 by Representative Kim Berfield (R-Clearwater) was read for a third time on the House Floor and was reported favorably with 115 yeas and 0 nays.

This bill clarifies 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 Floor for consideration. HB 897 will now go to the Florida Senate 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 492/HB 1175 – Mitigation Banks

On Monday, April 21, SB 492 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was heard by the Senate Rules Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

On Wednesday, April 23, HB 1175 by Representative Wyman Duggan (R-Jacksonville) was introduced on the House Floor and was temporarily postponed.

This bill 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 Floor for consideration. HB 1175 awaits further consideration on the House Floor.

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 1239/SB 1574 – Energy Infrastructure Investment

On Tuesday, April 22, HB 1239 by Representative Jennifer Kincart-Jonsson (R-Lakeland) was heard by the House Commerce Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

On Tuesday, April 22, SB 1574 by Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) was heard by the Senate Fiscal Policy and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

On Thursday, April 24, SB 1574 by Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) was read for a third time on the Senate Floor and was reported favorably with 37 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.

HB 1239 will now go to the House Floor for consideration. SB 1574 will now go to the Florida House 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.

HB 561 – Manufacturing

On Tuesday, April 22, HB 561 by Representative Nan Cobb (R-Eustis) was heard by the House Commerce Committee 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 Floor for consideration. The Senate companion, SB 600 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares), is on the Senate special order calendar for Monday, April 28.

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

HB 579 – Local Government

On Tuesday, April 22, HB 579 by Representative Toby Overdorf (R-Palm City) was heard by the House Commerce Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

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.

HB 579 will now go to the House Floor for consideration.

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

HB 913 – Condominium Associations

On Wednesday, April 23, HB 913 by Representative Vicki Lopez (R-Miami) was read for a third time on the House Floor and was reported favorably with 113 yeas and 2 nays.

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 Florida Senate for consideration.

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