Legislative Status Report
April 16, 2021
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.
Governor Ron Desantis
Gov DeSantis has received S 50 Taxes/Fees on Remote Sales which requires out-of-state retailers with no physical presence in Florida to collect Florida sales tax on taxable items.

S 50 will allow the use of the sales tax fund to be transferred into the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund until the balance reaches its 2019 balance. He has until April 19 to sign it, let it passed without signature, or veto it.
Call Gov Desantis office (850) 717-9337
in support of S 50!
Legislature Session Report 
Education
Charter Schools – H 51 by Rep Harding allows state universities/colleges to sponsor charter schools upon approval by the Dept of Education (DOE); it also pertains to lab schools, persistently low-performing schools, schools of hope, virtual schools, capital outlay funding. Next stop - Rules Committee then House floor. .
Workforce Related Programs and Services H 1507 a comprehensive bill that authorizes the Governor to seek federal waivers to create greater flexibility in implementing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA); creates the Office of Reimagining Education and Career Help (Office) to coordinate; 

Click here for more information.
Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment Benefits - S 1906 by Sen Jason Brodeur was amended and approved by the Appropriations Committee ( Sen Travis Hutson voted YES).

Amendments included…
▪ Increasing the minimum weekly benefit from $32 to $100; and maximum weekly benefits from $275 to $375, effective July 1.
Increasing, from 12 to 14, the maximum number of weeks that Florida can offer applicants when the unemployment rate is below 5%; and from 23 to 25 weeks, the maximum number of weeks for applicants when the unemployment rate is 10.5% or higher. It’s on the Special Order Calendar, April 21.

A somewhat related House version, H 1463 by Rep LaMarca was approved by the Commerce Committee (Rep Webster Barnaby voted Yes). Next stop – Rules Committee, then House floor.
Tourism
Vacation Rental Units S 522 by Sen Diaz preempts local authority to regulate short-term rentals i.e. shifts regulation by cities/counties to the State’s Division of Hotels/Restaurants (under Dept of Business & Professional Regulation). It's on the Rules Committee agenda...April 20.

A similar House version H 219 by 
Rep Fischer is still before the Ways & Means Committee....not moving.
Bed Tax Revenue – H 1429 by Rep Avila would allow counties to spend tourist-development taxes i.e. “bed” tax revenue for flood control.

Proponents of the bill stated concerns about sea-level rise.
 
The Chamber OPPOSES H 1429 because diverting funds to pay for
flooding-related projects could divert money from tourism promotion and advertising. Tourism advertising is extremely competitive!

H 1429 was approved by the House (Reps Webster Barnaby, Elizabeth Fetterhoff, Tom Leek, Paul Renner voted YES). Next stop - Senate.

 
A Senate version S 2008 by Sen Diaz was temporarily postponed in committee.
Insurance Issues
Property Insurance - the Senate approved S 76 by Sen Boyd (Sens Travis Hutson, Tom Wright, Jason Brodeur voted YES). It would change the state’s property-insurance system by allowing insurers to limit amounts paid for roof damage and placing new restrictions on attorney fees in insurance disputes. 

Click here for more information.
Business Regulation
Home-based Businesses S 266 by Sen Perry would prevent counties/cities from regulating many aspects of businesses that operate inside of a home; the Rules Committee approved a Committee Substitute version with new provisions. Next stop – full Senate.
A similar House version – H 403 is not moving.
Regulation would shift to the state. It would include criteria that home-based businesses must meet to operate in an area zoned for residential use.
House and Senate Committees approve New Gaming Legislation
Senate and House Committees approved 3 bills this week to establish a gaming framework in the State.
 
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee approved the following bills related to gaming (Committee Chair Travis Hutson voted YES). 

Click here for more information.
On the Radar Screen
Reemployment Assistance - S 1906 by Sen Jason Brodeur / House version H 1463 by Rep LaMarca ….amends the state’s reemployment assistance weekly benefit amount from a range of $32 to $275 per week to $100 to $375 per week for up to 12 weeks....neither bill is moving.
Impact Fees S 750 by Sen Gruters makes changes the scope of impact fees imposed by local governments to fund local infrastructure to meet the demands of population growth….Sen Gruters filed a strike-all amendment which was approved by the Appropriations Committee (Sen Travis Hutson voted YES).

H 337 by Rep DiCeglie passed Ways & Means Committee and the State Affairs Committee and set for a House floor vote. 
Home-based Businesses S 266 by Sen Perry would prevent counties/cities from regulating many aspects of businesses that operate inside of a home; the Rules Committee approved a Committee Substitute version with new provisions. Next stop – Senate floor vote.

A similar House version – H 403 is not moving.
Event Sponsors
Chamber's 2021 Legislative Priorities
Click 2021 Legislative Priorities to see the Chamber's recommendations for the Session. Compiled by our Advocacy Action Council - Dwight Durant, Chair (Zev Cohen & Associates), this list was presented to the Volusia delegation at their December 14 meeting.  

These recommendations will be tracked throughout the session and reported each week in the Chamber's Legislative Status Report.
Contact Your House and Senate Members
Click here to see Volusia's House/Senate contact information
as well as new committee assignment.

Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce
126 E. Orange Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386.255.0981 | info@daytonachamber.com

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