FROM THE STATE LEAGUE: OUR ACTION ON LEGISLATION
Senate Bill 202: K-12 Education/HB 1: School Choice
Senate Bill 202 by Sen. Simon was in the Appropriations Committee on Education on March 8. This bill establishes and modifies K-12 education programs to provide additional financial support for families and flexibility for school districts. The bill also requires the State Board of Education to provide recommendations to Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Legislature by Nov. 2, regarding any repeals and/or revisions of the Florida Early Learning-20 Education Code, which will be considered in the 2024 legislative session. The House companion bill (HB 1 – School Choice) passed through its last stop, the Education Quality subcommittee. The League testified in opposition to HB 1.
The bill passed by a party-line vote of 9-4. It now moves to the Appropriations committee.
Senate Bill 320: Land Acquisition Trust Fund
Senate Bill 320 by Sen. Harrell was heard in the Environment and Natural Resources committee on Feb. 21. This bill appropriates from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund a minimum of the lesser of 7.6 percent of the funds remaining after debt service or $50 million annually for projects dedicated to the conservation of the Indian River Lagoon. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will use the funds to provide grants for projects that implement the 2008 updated Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. Priority must be given to projects for ecosystem monitoring and habitat restoration, septic to sewer conversion, and management of stormwater, freshwater, and agricultural discharges. The League waived in support of this bill.
The bill passed unanimously passed 9-0.
Senate Bill 100: Mangrove Replanting and Restoration
Senate Bill 100 by Sen. Garcia was heard in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and passed unanimously 9-0. SB 100 requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules for mangrove replanting and restoration. The bill requires the rules to address significant erosion in areas of critical state concern, protect barrier and spoil lands, assist Everglades restoration and Biscayne Bay revitalization efforts, promote public awareness, identify vulnerable properties along the coastline, and encourage partnerships with local government entities to create mangrove protection and restoration zone programs. The League waived in support of this bill.
The bill now sits in the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
Senate Bill 602: Land Acquisition Trust Fund
Senate Bill 602 by Sen. Burton was heard in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and passed unanimously 9-0. SB 602 appropriates $20 million from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection to implement the Heartland Headwaters Protection and Sustainability Act. The funds must be used to enter into financial assistance agreements and distributed in accordance with the projects identified in the Heartland Headwaters Annual Report that protect, restore, or enhance the headwaters of the river systems located in the Heartland Region of Central Florida. The bill also contains legislative findings regarding the enactment and purposes of the Act, findings from the Central Florida Water Initiative and its Regional Water Supply Plan, and the need for consistent funding support to implement the Act. The League waived in support of this bill.
The bill now sits in the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
Senate Bill 458: Wastewater Grants
Senate Bill 458 by Sen. Rodriguez was heard in the Environment and Natural Resources and passed unanimously 8-0. The Leauge waived in support of this bill.
The bill now sits in the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
Senate Bill 506: Comprehensive Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan
Senate Bill 506 by Sen. Stewart was heard in the Environmental and Natural Resources Committee on March 6, and passed 8-0. SB 506 directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan by July 1, 2024 and to convene a technical assistance group within DEP to help develop the plan. The bill provides minimum criteria for the plan and directs DEP to provide a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives upon its completion. The League waived in support of this bill.
The bill now sits in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
Senate Bill 192: Everglades Protection Area
Senate Bill 192 by Sen. Avila was heard and voted favorably 9-0 in the Community Affairs Committee. This bill requires any proposed comprehensive plan or plan amendment by a county as defined in s. 125.011(1), F.S., or any municipality located therein, applying to land within, or within 2 miles of, the Everglades Protection Area to be reviewed pursuant to the state coordinated review process. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is tasked with determining whether the plan or plan amendment will adversely impact the Everglades Protection Area or the Everglades restoration and protection objectives in state law. It has 30 days after receipt of the plan or plan amendment to issue a written determination identifying any adverse impacts. The League waived in support of this bill.
The bill now sits in Environmental and Natural Resources Committee.
Senate Bill 358: Residential Graywater System Tax Credits
Senate Bill 358 by Sen. Burgess was heard by the Community Affairs committee and voted favorably 9-0. The bill creates a corporate income tax credit for the purchase of residential gray water systems equal to 50 percent of the cost of each system, up to $4,200 per system, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2024. The bill specifies eligibility conditions for the credit, authorizes the carry-forward of unused credits, and authorizes the Department of Revenue (DOR) to adopt rules. The Revenue Estimating Conference determined the bill will reduce General Revenue Fund receipts by at least $100,000 beginning in Fiscal Year 2024-25. The conference ultimately adopted an indeterminate impact. The League waived in support of this bill.
SB 358 now sits in the Finance and Tax committee.
House Bill 31: Partisan Elections for Members of District School Boards
House Bill 31 by Rep. Roach and Rep. Sirois was heard and voted favorably 12-5 in the Ethics, Elections, and Open Government Committee on March 8. The House joint resolution proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution requiring that members of a district school board be elected in a partisan election. The proposed change would apply only to elections on or after Nov. 3, 2026, except that earlier primaries for the purposes of nominating candidates for placement on the 2026 general election ballot are permissible. President Cecile Scoon testified in opposition of this bill on behalf of the League.
HB31 now sits in the Education & Employment committee, and was to be heard on March 14.
