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Legislative Status Report
January 17, 2020
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Since 1987, the Daytona Regional Chamber worked closely with our Volusia delegation and others to relay the local business viewpoint on matters that come before State government. In an effort to keep you, our members, informed of the Session in Tallahassee, we present our Legislative Status Report. If you have any questions regarding its content, please contact
Jim Cameron
at 386.566.2140.
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Governor DeSantis opens Legislative Session
with State of the State Presentation
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On Tuesday,
Gov Ron Desantis
officially opened the Legislative Session by making his second State of the State message to a joint meeting of House/Senate members (Desantis recently received a 68 % approval rating).
He stressed:
- Florida’s historic low unemployment rate
- AAA credit rating.
- #1 ranked public university system in the nation.
- One of the top rated states in the nation for fiscal health.
- Crime rate in the State is at an almost 50-year low.
- And still…..no state income tax.
He is proposing a $47,500 minimum salary for teachers costing $602 million. He feels it would help recruiting and retention of K-12 teachers. He stated it would impact over 100,000 current teachers throughout the state.
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DeSantis' FY 2020-21 Budget Proposal
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Each year, the Governor proposes a budget which is basically a blueprint used by the House and Senate as they draft their own budgets.
Gov DeSantis
recently released a $91.4 billion budget proposal
with more money going to public-school teachers and continued “momentum” on environmental issues. This is slightly more than the current year’s $91.3 billion budget.
Some highlights include-
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His keynote proposal is setting minimum teacher salaries at $47,500 — an idea that would cost $603 million next year. He says the State can afford these proposals, but state analysts warned of a slowing economy.
However, the Florida Education Association (Teachers’ Union) wants this same $603 million to be used “across the board” to accommodate veteran teachers.
In addition, he’s proposing a separate $300 million proposal that would provide bonuses to teachers and principals at high-performing and improving public schools.
He’s seeking to clean up waterways, after massive problems with toxic algae and red tide in Southeast and Southwest Florida. The proposal includes about $625 million for projects such as Everglades restoration, water-quality improvements and springs restoration…part of a four-year, $2.5 billion effort.
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Chamber Hosts Volusia Days at the Capitol
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On January 15-16, the Chamber hosted Volusia Days at the Capitol. We began with a luncheon at the Florida League of Cities that included presentations from
Reps Elizabeth Fetterhoff, Tom Leek
,
State CFO Jimmy Patronis, Dept of Economic Opportunity Exec Ken Lawson, Emergency Management Director Jared Moscowitz.
A separate meeting was held with
Attorney General Ashley Moody
where she discussed several court related issues before the House and Senate.
More than 40 people were in Tallahassee to the lobby on behalf of business issues and Volusia County projects.
Some of the major issues included funding for
Nova Canal Flood Control project
,
District Cost Differential (Education) Funding formula, calling for every dollar of the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund being used affordable workforce housing, requiring collection of internet sales tax, local regulation of vacation rental units
as well as other issues.
"Volusia lobby teams" met with
Senators Bill Montford, Debbie Mayfield, Oscar Braynon, Kevin Rader; Representatives
Chris Latvala, Evan Jenne, Emily Slosberg, Cyndi Stevenson,
as well as
Chief Resilience Office Julia Nesheiwat
,
Florida Housing Finance Corporation Exec Trey Price
,
Director on Office of Homelessness Zachary Summerlin, Florida League of Cities VP Allison Payne
and others.
Our Finale Luncheon at the Florida Chamber included Education Secretary Richard Corcoran, Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault, Agency for Healthcare Administration Secretary Mary Mayhew, Visit Florida President Dana Young, Florida Chamber Vice President Edie Ousley
updated attendees on their departments and issues.
Amy Baker, Coordinator for the Office of Economic & Demographic Research
, provided a snapshot of Florida’s current conditions.
Attendees were able to attend a Reception at the Governor's Mansion with
Governor Ron and First Lady Casey DeSantis ....thank you NASCAR!
The group also heard legislative updates from House members
Tom Leek, Elizabeth Fetterhoff, Paul Renner
and Senators
Tom Wright, David Simmons.
We missed hearing from
Sen Travis Hutson
(he and his wife are expecting their next child any day now…)
The Chamber would like to thank sponsors.....
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A major portion of
Gov DeSantis’
K-12 education plan is to expand choice.
Education Secretary Richard Corcoran
promoted Charter School choice to our Volusia Days' audience yesterday.
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After Gov DeSantis proposed his initial pay plan for school teachers and school employees, the Florida House
PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee
has countered with $462.6 million for teacher raises (nearly 25 % below
Gov DeSantis
’ $603 million proposal).
House Speaker José Oliva
has never shown support since DeSantis broached his $603 million / $47,500 starting teacher pay idea.
Meanwhile, school workers and teachers from around the state rallied at the Capitol on Monday to urge Gov DeSantis and Legislature significantly increase their pay proposals.
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District Cost Differentia
l
– last Session, it was decided that the Office Economic & Demographic Research would revisit the District Cost Distribution (Education) funding formula based on wage rates throughout Florida.
During a Volusia Days' presentation yesterday by
Economist Amy Baker
, we learned the new Wage Rate study should be completed in April (after the Session).
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Equitable funding for the Volusia School District is a top Chamber priority. and we emphatically stated that Volusia wants to take part in the public hearing process once this study is completed.
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Vacation Rental Units H 1011
by
Rep Fisher
preempts regulation of vacation rentals to the state; prohibits cities, counties from regulating or requiring inspections or licensing of vacation rentals; requires licenses issued by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants (DBPR) to be displayed conspicuously inside licensed establishment; preempts regulation of advertising platforms for vacation rentals to the state;
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Senate version
S 1128
by Sen Diaz
passed the
Innovation, Industry, and Technology
Commitee (Sen Travis Huston voted YES)
and now goes to the
Commerce and Tourism
Commitee (Sens Travis Hutson, Tom Wright, members).
Sen Wright
told Volusia Days' attendees of this OPPOSITION to Vacation Rental Units. Thank you Tom!
The Chamber opposes S 1129 and H 1011. Cities and Counties should regulate these Rental Units for fire, noise and make sure proper sales and bed taxes are collected.
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Assignment of Benefits (AOB)
- is where a consumer happens to sign over their rights to a particular home repair contractor when an insurance claim is filed.
Once an agreement is signed, it transfers any insurance claims/benefits.
S 312
by
Sen
Stewart
-
Motor Vehicle Insurance Coverage for Windshield Glass
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prohibits motor vehicle repair shops or their employees from offering anything of value to a customer in exchange for making an insurance claim for motor vehicle glass replacement or repair, including offers made through certain persons.
The Chamber supports S 312.
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A similar House version,
H 717
by
Rep Sirois
removes the requirement that the Governor and Cabinet must
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approve Space Florida’s bond proposals, specifies that revenue bonds issued by Space Florida may not constitute an indebtedness of Space Florida and may not be secured by state appropriations, reduces the maximum length to maturity for bonds, and allows Space Florida to validate its bonds.
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H 2381
provides an appropriation for the Volusia County Ariel Canal Water Quality Improvements.
The project entails the enlargement and enhancement of the existing stormwater system with a nutrient removing filter to treat additional stormwater and base flow currently discharging to Mosquito Lagoon.
The Chamber supports
H 2381.
to help clean up the Mosquito Lagoon.
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S 126
Sales & Use Tax by Sen Gruters
revises definition of “retail sale”; renaming the term “mail order sale” to “remote sale” and revises definition; revises conditions under which certain dealers are subject to sales tax levies and collection; provides that certain marketplace providers are subject to registration, collection, and remittance
requirements for sales taxes, etc.
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Environmental Regulation H 73
by Rep Overdorf
was approved by the State Affairs Committee and is now on Special Order Calendar (House vote) on January 22
.
For contracts executed/renewed after October 1, local entities must address nonhazardous contamination of recyclable materials in contracts
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with residential recycling collectors and recovered materials processing facilities.
By December 31, counties are required to implement a recyclable materials recycling program with a goal of recycling 75 %. Counties and municipalities would be encouraged to form cooperative agreements for implementing recycling programs.
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Sadowski Workforce Housing Fund
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Housing Trust Fund
S 306
by
Sen Mayfield
would exempt the State Housing Trust Fund and Local Government Housing Trust Fund from a provision authorizing the Legislature to transfer (or “sweep”) unappropriated cash balances from specified trust funds to the Budget Stabilization Fund and the General Revenue Fund.
S 306
is before the
Infrastructure and Security Committee (
Sen Travis Hutson
, member
)
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Chamber's 2018 Legislative Priorities
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Click
2020 Legislative Priorities
to see the Chamber's recommendations for the Session. Compiled by our Legislative Action Committee - Phil Maroney, Chair (Root Company), this list was presented to the Volusia delegation at their November 20 meeting.
Click here
to see
Chamber 2020 Legislative Priorities Bill Tracker
These recommendations will be tracked throughout the session and reported each week in the Chamber's Legislative Status Report.
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Contact Your House and Senate Members
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Click here
to see Volusia's House/Senate contact information
as well as new committee assignment.
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Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce
126 E. Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386.255.0981 | info@daytonachamber.com
DaytonaChamber.com
Your Chamber of Influence
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