Legislative Status Report
April 21, 2017


Since 1987, the Daytona Regional Chamber works closely with our Volusia County delegation and others to relay the local business viewpoint on matters that come before the State government. In an effort to keep our members informed, we present our Legislative Status Report.  If you have any questions regarding its content, please contact  Jim Cameron at 386.566.2140.

 Legislative Session to Date

The Session is scheduled for the next 2 weeks. 

Click  for April 24-28 meetings and Session. 

Click House Calendar for April 24-28 Committee meetings and Session (projected). 

Click Subject Index of ALL House/Senate bills filed so far.
 House / Senate Budget Proposals
Budget - House Appropriations Chair Carlos Trujillo  and Senate 
Appropriations Chair Jack Latvala  stated that despite being $3.8 billion apart on spending, they feel that budget negotiations can be accomplished by the May 5 adjourned date. However, the budget must be presented to all House and Senate members by May 2 to give them proper time to review the budget before a final vote. 

Click here for more information regarding the FY 2017-18 budget.   
Workers' Compensation
Workers' Comp - H 7085 by Rep Burgess - by a vote of 82-37 vote (Reps Tom Leek, Paul Renner, David Santiago voted YES; Patrick Henry voted NO) the House approved a workers' compensation measure to address the recent 14.5 percent rate increase.   

Click here for more information regarding Workers' Comp. 
Education Legislation

Charter School Funding - S 376 - by Sen David Simmons - beginning July 1, 2017, substantially redistributes public school capital outlay funding by requiring each district to share approx $150.7 million of discretionary millage revenue with eligible charter schools as well as local capital outlay funds on a monthly basis; stipulates that charter schools must show that 75 percent of their students are eligible for free/reduced-price school lunch; sets parameters on how a charter school board can use capital outlay funds;
It was substituted for a similar House version H 5013 by Rep Diaz which was approved by a 76-28 vote (Reps Tom Leek, Paul Renner, David Santiago voted YES; Patrick Henry voted NO). S 376 is in messages between the House and Senate.  
Click here for more information regarding Education legislation. 
Property Taxes

Homestead Exemption - SJR 1774 by Sen Lee would add an additional $25,000 exemption for homestead properties valued between $50,000 and $100,000.
 
The business community opposes it because it would shift the tax burden onto non-homesteaded business/commercial properties and rental units as well as vacation condos/timeshares. In addition, local government officials says it would cost significant revenue and that numerous services will be jeopardized. It's more than the $300 million in tax breaks that the House and Senate are seeking.

Click here for more information regarding Homestead Exemption. 
Community Redevelopment Agencies

Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) - H 13 by Rep Raburn was approved by the Government Accountability Committee (Rep David Santiago voted YES) by an 18-5 vote (with several amendments). 
 
The original version would have eliminated all CRAs established after July 1; prohibited CRAs from taking on new projects/debts after October 1 and terminate all CRAs by 2037.

Click here for more information regarding CRAs legislation. 
Financial Literacy/High School Students

High School Graduation Requirements -  S 392 by  Sen Dorothy Hukill  - the "Financial Literacy" legislation for high School Students. It specifies financial literacy standards/instruction for students entering grade 9 in the 2017-18 school year and thereafter.

On April 19, it was placed calendar for 3rd reading. 
Insurance Issues

Assignment of Benefits - H 1421  by Reps Grant & Plasencia was approved 21-7 by the House Commerce Committee.
Several of the provisions in the bill include -
  • It would amend current statutes that bar a residential property insurance policy from prohibiting the assignment of post-loss benefits, and establishes requirements applicable to the assignment of post-loss benefits; 
Click here for more information regarding Assignment of Benefits...
Television/Film Industry

Florida Film Investment Corporation  S 1576  by Sen Gibson would establish a Florida Film Investment Account, into which funds for investment and returns on investments are deposited and utilized; as a nonprofit entity to invest in film and television projects. While the initial money would come from the state, the intent is for the program to grow based on returns from investment. 

S 1576 past passed the Commerce & Tourism committee ( Sen Travis Hutson voted YES ) but has 2 more committee stops this week and there are 2 similar House versions H 1345 and H 1393 which are still in committee.

Environmental/Water Quality 

Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems - H 285 by Rep Fine was approved 117-2 by the House (R eps Tom Leek, Paul Renner, Patrick Henry, David Santiago voted YES ).
The bill requires the Dept of Health (by January 2019) -
  • To identify all septic tanks in the state including the location and operational condition of the systems and all other information deemed necessary;
  • Incorporate the information into and update the current database of septic tanks;
  • generate a report that includes the total number of septic tanks in the state, and each county, and provide a state wide map of septic tanks and to submit the report to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker.
  • It requires such details regarding septic tanks be provided to a perspective purchase before or at the time of sale.
A similar Senate version - S 1748 by Sen Stewart is before the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

General Updates

High School Graduation Requirements - S 392 by Sen Dorothy Hukill to revise the requirements for the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards to include financial literacy. On April 19, it was placed calendar for 3rd reading .
 

Vacation Rentals -  S 188   by Sen Steube  - stipulates that local governments cannot prohibit vacation rentals or regulate the duration or frequency of vacations rentals; it passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee, and goes to the Senate Rules on Tuesday, April 25.
The Chamber opposes S 188 on the grounds that ALL hospitality properties abide by the same State and Local rules and regulations.
 

A ccessibility of Places of Public Accommodation  - H 727 by Rep Tom Leek - stipulates how the state would license experts to counsel businesses how to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)...voluntarily as a means to protect their business against costly lawsuits. The basic intent of the ADA remains intact in order to protect individuals with disabilities. 
A similar Senate bill  S 1398 by Sen Stewart  passed the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government and now goes to the Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, April 25.
The Chamber supports both H 727 and S 1398.
Workers Compensation/Public Records - H 1107 by Rep Albritton passed the House 115-0. It would basically shield workers from being solicited via a public records search.

 
Casino Gambling   - S 8 by Sen Galvano which would allow additional gambling outlets in the State in addition to negotiations with the Seminole Tribe over a gambling compact, and would only take effect if the state can reach a new deal with the tribe AND H 7037 by Tourism & Gaming Control Subcommittee which keeps the current compact with the Seminole Tribe intact and bans slot machines in 8 counties (previously approved by voter referendum); eliminates card room games at pari-mutuels.
Both bills are now in a House/Senate Conference Committee which began this past week. 

Chamber's 2017 Legislative Priorities

Click Legislative Priorities to see the Chamber's recommendations for the 2017 Session. Compiled by our Legislative Action Committee -
Bob Williams, Chair (Halifax Health), this list was presented to the Volusia delegation at their December 

These recommendations will be discussed at the upcoming Volusia Days at the Capital on March 21-22 and will be tracked throughout the session and reported each week in the Chamber's Legislative Status Report beginning March 10.
Legislative Directories

Click these links to contact YOUR




Each week, Chamber staff drafts this newsletter.
We try to emphasize business-related issues that affect Volusia County.

If you know of a legislative issue that you would like mentioned 
in  Legislative Status Report, please contact   Jim Cameron,  Sr Vice President, Government Relations, 386.523.3673.
Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce |126 E. Orange Ave., Daytona Beach | 386.255.0981 | Visit our Website
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