AIF TOP PRIORITY ISSUE
HB 6017 – Actions for Recovery of Damages for Wrongful Death

On Wednesday, April 30, HB 6017 by Representative Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce) was substituted for its Senate companion, SB 734 by Senator Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville), on the Senate Floor, debated, and temporarily postponed.

On Thursday, May 1, HB 6017 by Representative Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce) was read for a third time on the Senate Floor and was reported favorably with 33 yeas and 4 nays.

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.

On Wednesday, April 30, Senator Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) 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 nays.

HB 6017 will now go to the Governor for approval.

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 1609/ SB 1822 – Waste Management

On Monday, April 28, SB 1822 by Senator Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) was introduced on the Senate Floor and was temporarily postponed.

On Tuesday, April 29, 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), read for a second time and placed on third reading.

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.

On Thursday, May 1, HB 1609, as amended, by Representative Megan Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens) was received by the House in Senate messages on the House Floor. The bill was amended, read for a third time and passed with 111 yeas and 1 nay.

On Friday, May 2, HB 1609 by Representative Megan Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens) was bounced 5 times between the House and Senate as the House refused to concur with the Senate amendment to reinclude language relating to auxiliary containers.

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.

The amendment adopted by the House on Thursday, May 1, removed the preemption on local governments who currently have the ability to regulate auxiliary containers. This language would add 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.

AIF opposed removing the much-needed language pertaining to the regulation auxiliary containers, which would help support Florida's businesses from the bill.

HB 1609 died in House messages.

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 108 – Administrative Procedures

On Tuesday, April 29, SB 108 by Senator Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach) was substituted for its House Companion, HB 433 by Representative Toby Overdorf (R-Palm City) on the House Floor, read for a third time, and was reported favorably with 111 yeas and 0 nays.

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.

On Thursday, May 1, SB 1080 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was received in messages from the House, as amended, on the Senate Floor and was reported favorably with 29 yeas and 8 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 will now go to the Governor for approval.

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

SB 600 – Manufacturing

On Monday, April 28, SB 600 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) was read for a third time on the Senate Floor and was reported favorably with 35 yeas and 0 nays.

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 died in House messages.

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

HB 897 – Timeshare Plan Management

On Monday, April 28, HB 897 by Representative Kim Berfield (R-Clearwater) was substituted for its Senate companion on the Senate Floor, SB 496 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala), was read for a third time and was reported favorably with 36 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.

HB 897 will now go to the Governor for approval.

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

HB 1137 – Utility Service Restrictions

On Monday, April 28, HB 1137 by Representative Jason Shoaf (R-Port St. Joe) was substituted for it’s Senate companion on the Senate Floor, SB 1002 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares), was read for a third time and was reported favorably with 36 yeas and 0 nays.

This bill 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 Governor for approval.

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

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 Batter 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 1228 – Spring Restoration

On Tuesday, April 29, SB 1228 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was substituted for its House companion, HB 691 by Representative Bill Conerly (R-Lakewood Ranch), read for a third time on the House Floor and was reported favorably with 109 yeas and 0 nays.

SB 1228 redesigns the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s jurisdiction and approval standards over certain water reclamation projects. The goal of the proposed legislation is to help replenish, restore, and protect Florida’s aquifer through public/private partnerships that fund projects in rural areas. These projects range from waste water treatment centers, pumping/transmission stations, and water reclamation facilities.

SB 1228 will now go to the Governor for approval.

AIF supports projects which maintain and grow Florida’s water supply so that business, residents and our pristine natural resources are protected.

SB 492 – Land Development

On Tuesday, April 29, SB 492 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was read for a third time, amended, and reported favorably on the Senate Floor with 35 yeas and 3 nays.

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.

On Friday, May 2, SB 492 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was received in House messages by the Senate and was reported favorably with 30 yeas and 3 nays.

The amendment adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, April 29, borrows language from the original version of SB 832, Former Phosphate Mining Lands, by Senator Danny Burgess (R-Zephyrhills). This language adds a new, narrow defense against causes of action that come from naturally occurring elements. This ensures that phosphate mining companies that meet all of their environmental permitting duties aren’t held liable for elements that are already in the land. The House amended the Senate bill to remove this language.

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 Governor for approval.

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.

SB 1198 – Fraudulent Use of Gift Cards

On Tuesday, April 29, SB 1198 by Senator Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) was substituted for its House Companion, HB 1007 by Representative Sam Greco (R-St. Augustine) on the House Floor, read for a third time, and was reported favorably with 115 yeas and 0 nays.

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 $750 in damages and a felony for offenses above $750 in damages.

SB 1198 will now go to the Governor for approval.

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

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.