February 2023 Activity Report Overview

Lawmakers convened in Tallahassee last month for the sixth and seventh interim committee weeks. Legislator’s then headed back to their districts for one week at home before Session officially begins on March 7th . Legislators will begin Session with 7 bills in the Senate and 1 bill in the House ready to be heard by their full chambers on second reading. While this number is slightly lower than in previous years, it’s important to note that several key pieces of legislation has already passed during the two Special Sessions. One trend we are seeing is an increase in larger ‘package’ bills, which results in fewer bills passing overall. HB 837, a tort reform bill, will be heard in its first committee today. Last week, the Governor and legislative leadership joined together to announce the package, which aims to reduce the number of suits and damages that businesses face in frivolous lawsuits. Governor DeSantis unveiled further immigration policy plans this week. His proposed legislative package would include, among other provisions, adopting more stringent hiring protocols, increasing penalties for illegal immigration, preventing local governments from issuing IDs to undocumented immigrants, and preventing undocumented students who entered the country as children from receiving in-state tuition rates. The Universal School voucher bill gained traction this week. HB 1 passed through its second committee, while its companion bill, filed by Senator Corey Simon, passed its first committee. Legislation that allows people to carry concealed guns in Florida without a permit began moving through the Senate this week. The bill, SB 150, filed by Tampa Senator Collins, also includes several provisions to bolster school security. Two of Senate President Passidomo’s priorities have passed their final committees and are ready for the Senate floor. This includes SB 102, the ‘Live Local act’ which expands affordable housing funding, programs, and prevents local governments from imposing rent controls while allowing them to increase the percentage of property tax breaks given to landlords proportional to the affordable housing units they offer. Governor DeSantis also announced his plan to spend $205 million on opioid and substance abuse treatment and prevention programs. The funding comes from a settlement in a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers.

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