AIF Policy Retreat &
Champions for Business Awards Dinner
June 13 - 14
TradeWinds Island Resorts on St. Pete Beach
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SB 262 – Technology Transparency
Today, SB 262 passed the House by a vote of 106 yeas and 10 nays.
Last week the Senate altered the language of the bill that provided more business-friendly layers to the package. AIF stood in support of these changes but continued to express concerns with other provisions of the bill.
Yesterday, the House adopted 2 amendments that removed the business-friendly layers passed by the Senate. AIF opposed these amendments. One amendment would make virtually any collection of information about a consumer, such as a photo, or a recording of a customer service call, an “unfair trade practice” with 50k penalties. The other amendment would reverse the Senate position that would not prevent targeted advertising as long as platforms do not utilize data gathered from non-affiliated websites.
SB 262, as amended, will now go back to the Senate for consideration.
AIF opposes legislation that places onerous regulatory burdens on Florida businesses and reduces the ability for businesses to effectively utilize online advertising.
SB 170- Relating to Local Ordinances
Today, SB 170 was debated and passed by the House with 82 yeas and 33 nays. The bill was returned to the Senate and was passed with 37 yeas and 1 nay.
SB 170 is a bill that would require counties and cities to prepare business impact statements for official review before a proposed ordinance can take effect. This is vital to securing a more free-market, business friendly, environment so businesses are protected from unnecessary, burdensome regulations. Additionally, this legislation requires a county or city to suspend an ordinance that is pending authorization by a court of law.
SB 170 will now go to the Governor for approval.
AIF supports legislation which holds local governments accountable for the actions they take that can have a negative impact on businesses in their jurisdiction.
HB 1343 - Relating to Agricultural Lands
Today, HB 1343 was introduced on the Senate Floor and amended.
HB 1343 originally contained several provisions regarding agricultural lands including a prohibition on local governments charging special assessments on agricultural lands as well as provisions that allow agricultural employee housing to be built on agricultural land.
The amendment that was adopted on the Senate Floor removed the section which prohibits local governments from charging special assessments on agricultural lands. This language has been added to the Senate tax package. Additionally, this amendment clarified that a local government may not use a change in zoning to revoke or deny an agricultural land classification provided bona code farming remains the land use.
HB 1343 will be up for a final vote in the Senate and likely sent back to the House for consideration of the amended bill tomorrow.
AIF supports legislation that provides protections for farmers against municipal regulations that are overbearing and impede the functionality of agricultural producers.
HB 376- Relating to Criminal History Information
Today, SB 376 was placed on final passage by the House and was reported favorably with 115 yeas and 1 nay.
The bill revises the process for a court-ordered sealing of a criminal record to allow a person to petition a court to seal a criminal history record if the record has been automatically sealed by the State of Florida and the subject of the sealed record presents a certificate of sealing issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
SB 376 will now go to the Governor for approval.
In order to prevent confusion and difficulty for employers and employees, AIF supports legislative efforts that allows individuals with sealed records at the State level to petition local government be sealed at the local level as well.
