Story by STEVE TRAIMAN
Thanks to key readership action, the recently-ended Florida Legislature session came up with mostly positive action on key issues affecting local communities.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Legislature sent a $93.2 billion budget to the Governor March 14 for his review that included $52.3 million, most from the Federal government, for COVID-19 response. Another $300 million is available in contingency funds for emergency response, in addition to a $3 billion emergency fund.
Most important to all businesses and residents, the Legislature extended VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s major tourist marketing agency, for three years, with $50 million funding for the coming year, and approved $50 million as the state’s share of vital beach renourishment.
While Coronavirus issues obviously took precedence in a daily-changing landscape, here’s a good update from spokesmen for both Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce (TBBC).
Brian Lowack, Assistant to the Pinellas County Administrator and Intergovernmental Legislative Liaison, told Paradise News, “Proposed changes in short-term rental property rules would pre-empt local town governments from curtailing short-term rentals. House HB 1011 and companion Senate SB 1128 failed to pass. While local towns cannot change local ordinances, they can enforce existing rules to prevent abuse of short-term rental activity.
“Another key issue was 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. Legislation failed to pass.
“Also, in support of a dedicated recurring source of funding for beach nourishment, both the House and Senate approved $50 million for maintaining current funding levels.”
Doug Izzo, Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Director, updated final legislative action for Paradise News:
Item: Support Reauthorizing & Fund VISIT FLORIDA
VISIT FLORIDA will be reauthorized for three additional years (until October 2023) with a recurring appropriation of $50 million. This was a priority for the TBBC, which would like to thank Gov. DeSantis, Senator Ed Hooper and Rep. Mel Pondar for their support and leadership that ensure VISIT FLORIDA’s reauthorization and funding.
Status: Legislation passed and is awaiting Governor’s signature
Item: Support Water Quality Enhancement (Sewage Discharge Fees)
Legislation: SB 1450 & HB 1091
Description: Local governments have illegally dumped three billion gallons of sewage into our local Florida waterways over the past 10 years; approximately 100 million in the past year alone. The state can spend billions trying to clean up our polluted waterways, but if local governments continue to pollute, our water quality will still suffer. SB 1450 & HB 1091 increases fines for local governments who continue to illegally dump untreated sewage into our waterways.
Status: Legislation passed and is awaiting Governor’s signature.
Item: Oppose Tourist Development Tax Expanded Use
Legislation: SB 334 & No companion bill Description: SB 334 would expand the use of the Tourist Development Tax for film incentives. Though we support film incentives, not through this funding mechanism. We support the funding mechanism outlines in SB 350 & HB 497.
Status: Legislation did not pass.
Item: Oppose Tourist Development Tax Expanded Use
Legislation: House Tax Package (HB 7097)
Description: SB 334 would expand the use of the Tourist Development Tax for water quality projects.
Status: Legislation taken out of tax package and did not pass.
Item: Oppose E-Verify Mandate
Legislation: SB 664
Description: SB 664 mandates all public sector contractors and subcontractors use E-Verify. Private employers are immune from civil and criminal liability for employing an unauthorized worker if the employer used E-Verify or the federal I-9 system and the system showed the employee was lawful to work.
Status: Legislation passed and is awaiting Governor’s signature.
Item: Support E-fairness
Legislation: SB 126 & HB 159
Description: 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.
Status: Legislation did not pass.
Item: Support Water Quality Enhancement (Prohibit Injection Wells)
Legislation: SB 454 & No related bill
Description: Instead of fully treating their wastewater, some local governments want to just simply inject sewage into the ground. This can be dangerous due to the proximity to our aquafers and waterways. SB 454 would prohibit the construction of new deep injection wells or the expansion of existing wells; requires current ocean outfall and deep well injection permitholders to install a functioning reuse system within the utilities service area by specified dates; prohibits the discharge of domestic wastewater through ocean outfalls and deep injection wells after specified dates.
Status: Legislation did not pass.
Item: Support Film Florida Rebates
Legislation: SB 530 & HB 497
Description: States surrounding Florida offer incentives for filming in their state. Florida is losing films and the economic benefits associated with them. SB 350 & HB 497 would allow the Department of Economic Opportunity to provide rebates to help lure films to our state.
Status: Legislation did not pass.
Item: Support Communications Services Tax Cut
Legislation: House 2020 Tax Package (HB 7097)
Description: Lowered the communication tax by .5%.
Status: Taken out in final budget negotiations so did not pass.
Robin Miller, Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber President & CEO, told Paradise News, “Our organization applauds our state legislature and the Governor for a job well done while in session. Communication back and forth was outstanding. It is a session like this that assists us in how we can effectively keep our business members informed.”
[Editor’s Note: Special thanks to 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.]