Florida Legislature Hits Key Issues – It’s Time for Reader Action NOW!

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STORY by STEVE TRAIMAN

Read our Treasure Island Rental Property Round Table sidebar here.

With the Florida Legislature winding up its session March 13, some key bills are in final stages that will have major effects on Gulf Beaches towns and St. Petersburg, our prime distribution areas.

Residents and businesses with key interests in outcomes are urged to contact their local senator and House representative to express their concerns of prime concern, Brian Lowack, Assistant Pinellas County Administrator and legislative liaison, told Paradise News, “As of Feb. 21, proposed changes in short-term rental property rules would pre-empt local town governments from curtailing short-term rentals. Hours HB 1011 has passed all committees and is  headed for a floor vote; Companion Senate SB 1128 has one committee left before going to a floor vote. The bills allow ‘grandfathering’ so the only Gulffront towns affected would be Indian Rocks and Redington Beach.

“Another key issue is to establish within the executive office of the Governor’s Office of Resiliency a Statewide Sea Level Rise Task Force to take action on recommendations. House HB1073 had one more committee to pass, and Senate SB 7016 had passed a second reading floor vote. 

“Also, in support of a dedicated recurring source of funding for beach nourishment, both the House and Senate have $50 million proposed for maintaining current funding levels.”

Doug Izzo, Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce legislative action liaison, provided these additional action items of local town interest with official chamber priority.

Support reauthorizing and funding VISIT FLORIDA, set for Sunset June 30 if action isn’t taken. SB 362 and HB 213 reauthorize VISIT FLORIDA for eight years with Gov. DeSantis requesting $50 million. As of Feb. 21, SB 362 passed Commerce &Tourism Committee with no action on HB  213.

Support Business Rent Tax Cut: SB 1778 & HB 1141 Legislators lowered the Business rent tax from 5.8% to 5.7% in 2018, and cut it to 5.5% in 2019. SB 1778 would lower the business rent tax to 5%, saving businesses $8.3 million, with no action on either bill.

Support Communications Services Tax Cut: SB 1174 & HB 701. This legislation would set the maximum communications services tax for charter counties and municipalities at 5% beginning on September 1, followed by a drop to 4% at the beginning of 2022. For non-charter counties, the rate would be 2% beginning on January 1, 2022.  SB 1174 passed Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee. No action on HB 701. Tax cut could be rolled into tax-package. 

Support E-fairness SB 126 & HB 159 This legislation would level the playing field between online retailers and brick-and-mortar businesses by making sure they both collect and remit sales tax. SB 126 passed Commerce & Tourism Committee. No action on HB 159. 

Oppose E-Verify Mandate SB 664, SB 1822 & HB 1265. SB 664 mandates that all employers register with and use E-Verify that would place significant costs on business for little gain. E-Verify is far from perfect and consistently flags lawful employees. The compliance costs, and penalties associated with it, should not be based on this flawed system. SB 1822 & HB 1265 only require government entities to use E-Verify. SB 664 was amended & passed Judiciary Committee. No action on SB 1822 & HB 1265 .

Support Film Florida Rebates SB 530 & HB 497. States surrounding Florida offer incentives for filming and Florida is losing films and associated economic benefits. SB 350 & HB 497 would allow the Department of Economic Opportunity to provide rebates to help lure films to our state. SB 530 passed by Commerce & Tourism Committee. No action on HB 497. 

Robin Miller, TBBC president & CEO, told Paradise News, “Regarding the legislative topics of importance to the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, it is our mission to always represent the best interest of our business community. This is in balance with what the geographical communities we serve benefit from as well.  In most instances we align and we are proud to fight hard for their benefit.”  

Contact Your Legislator NOW!

To contact your key legislators, listed by voting district, here are their Tallahassee phones and emails, with a District map available at https://www.pinellascounty.org/delegation/  if you’re not sure who they are.

Senate

House of Representatives

Read our Treasure Island Rental Property Round Table sidebar here.

[Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Tony Fabrizio and Brian Lowack, Pinellas County; Doug Izzo and Robin Miller, Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce, for their key information & comments.]

[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman, St. Pete Beach, providing business writing services at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com or by phone to 727-363-7531.]  

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