Florida State House District 4 |
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My Sponsored Bills:
We are closing in on the final week of the 2023 Legislative Session. It has been an action-packed eight weeks, both for the bills I filed and for the Florida House as a whole. Right now, we're in the heat of budget conferences, and for my part, I'm honored to be serving on the House State Administration & Technology / Senate Agriculture, Environment & General Government Conference Committee grappling with the allocation of millions of our taxpayer dollars. This morning, the House's invocation will be delivered shortly after 10am by the Reverend Canon Mike Hesse of Destin, retired rector of Emmanuel Anglican Church, husband of Claudia Hesse, retired English teacher from Choctawhatchee High School.
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HB 71 (Violent Offenses Committed Against Criminal Defense Attorneys) - On April 13, HB 71 was substituted by its identical Senate companion bill, SB 384, and was read twice on the House Floor. SB 384 was then voted on by the entire Chamber and passed unanimously with a vote of 109-0. SB 384 will now be sent to the Governor's desk to sign into law, if he so chooses. In case you missed it, read my press release HERE.
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HB 73 (Termination of Agreements by a Servicemember) - On April 20, HB 73 was substituted by its identical Senate companion bill, SB 574, and was read twice on the House Floor. SB 574 was then voted on by the entire Chamber and passed unanimously with a vote of 115-0. SB 574 will now be sent to the Governor's desk to sign into law, if he so chooses. In case you missed it, read my press release HERE.
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HB 201 (Criminal Defendants Adjudicated Incompetent to Proceed) - With a favorable vote by the Health and Human Services Committee on April 17, HB 201 successfully passed through all three House Committee hearings.
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HB 635 (Dental Services for Veterans) - HB 635 was read on the House Floor a second time on April 25 and the third time on April 26, at which time it was voted on by the House Chamber and unanimously passed. It has been sent to the Senate and awaits passage.
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HB 1085 (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) - HB 1085 was voted favorably by the Infrastructure Strategies Committee on April 17. Yesterday, HB 1085 was read for the second time on the House Floor, at which time it was voted on by the House Chamber and passed with a vote of 99-15. It has been sent to the Senate and awaits passage.
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HB 1155 (Provisional Child Care Licensing) - HB 1155 was voted favorably by the Health and Human Services Committee on April 17. HB 1155 will next be read twice on the House Floor and then voted on by the entire House Chamber next week.
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HB 1227 (Problem-solving Courts) - HB 1227 will next be read twice on the House Floor and then voted on by the entire House Chamber next week.
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The following are two local bills I filed that would specifically affect Okaloosa County. I am proud to report that both of them have passed the 120-member House Chamber with unanimous support.
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HB 815 (Ocean City-Wright Fire Control District, Okaloosa County) - HB 815 was voted favorably by the State Affairs Committee on April 19. HB 815 was then read twice on the House Floor yesterday, at which time it was voted on by the House Chamber and unanimously passed. It is now referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
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HB 1643 (Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, Okaloosa County) - HB 1643 was voted favorably by the State Affairs Committee on April 11. HB 1643 was then read twice on the House Floor yesterday, at which time it was voted on by the House Chamber and unanimously passed. It is now referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
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HB 1297 (Capital Sexual Battery) - HB 1297, sponsored by Representative Baker, strengthens penalties for the crime of capital sexual battery, including the death penalty.
Click HERE for the explainer document.
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Click HERE for the explainer document.
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HB 7063 (Taxation) - HB 7063, sponsored by Representative McClain, will provide tax relief for millions of Floridians through multiple avenues. Permanent sales tax exemptions on baby and toddler products including diapers, baby monitors, strollers, and more. A two week "Back to School" sales tax holiday and a "Freedom Summer" sales tax holiday, as well as sales tax holidays for disaster preparedness and tools.
Read about these changes and more in the Speaker's press release HERE.
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Click HERE for the April 10 - 14's Week in Review and HERE for April 17 - 21's Week in Review.
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"Thank you for allowing me to represent you. It is truly an honor to serve you and the State of Florida." - Representative Patt Maney |
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