This edition of the “LWVFL Capitol Report” includes highlights of the Florida League’s legislative work from March 3, 2023 through March 12, 2023.
Session At A Glance
This past Tuesday, the 2023 Regular Legislative Session kicked off with opening speeches from the House and Senate Leadership and the State of the State from Governor Ron DeSantis. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo opened up the 2023 Legislative Session by declaring that the “eyes of the nation are on Florida this year. Let’s show America how it’s done.” Passidomo also mentioned how she foresees long hours and working weekends for the next 60 days as the legislature tackles high-profile issues. Similar language was seen in House Speaker Paul Renner’s message – Renner affirmed that he will back Passidomo’s plans and DeSantis’ agenda. One stark difference seen between the Senate President’s and House Speaker’s opening remarks, however, was upon the pressing topic in Florida of abortion restrictions. While Passidomo didn’t touch on the crucial topic, Speaker Renner made it clear that the House of Representatives goal is to “defend the right to life,” hinting towards the limiting abortion legislation recently filed.
ICYMI: Legislators have filed a six week abortion ban in Florida. We are urging League members to contact Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s office NOW and voice strong opposition to Senate Bill 300 & House Bill 7!
Governor Ron DeSantis delivered the annual State of the State address to the Florida House and Senate, laying out his top priorities for his second term and a potential platform for a presidential run. “We will stand strong, we will hold the line, we won’t back down and I can promise you this: you ain’t seen nothing yet,” DeSantis told lawmakers. While there has been discussion of a 2024 presidential run, the Governor’s speech only focused upon his legislative agenda. Some of the mentioned priorities included the expedited expansion of infrastructure, a $1.5 billion tax reduction, changing death penalty sentencing, cracking down on pharmacy benefit managers, allowing gun owners to carry weapons without a permit, and possibly, in open view; and a fresh round of lawsuit limitations.
What we can gather from these speeches, anticipated busy days ahead, and legislation already quickly making momentum, is that this legislative session is bound to be one of the most hectic and historic years to date here in Florida. However, this will not impact the League’s mission to empower voters, defend democracy and other legislative priorities for this year.
League Lobby Days Recap
Not only did the legislative session commence this week, but also the League of Women Voters of Florida held their 2023 Lobby Days in Tallahassee this past Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday consisted of a day filled trainings, presentations and celebrations. Wednesday morning, in the Old Capitol Historic Museum, the League held a legislator round-robin where Senator Book, Senator Pizzo, Representative Bartleman, Representative Hart’s aide, Mailk Moore, and Representative Bracy-Davis all came to speak on their priorities for the year and answer questions from our members. Following the legislative round-robin, the League hosted a news conference outside the capitol building. The afternoon continued with League members meeting with various legislators. Overall, it was a successful and very informative two days!
Click here to view photos from LWVFL’s 2023 Lobby Days events.
Click here to watch a playback of LWVFL’s news conference.
League Action on Legislation
Senate Bill 202: K-12 Education/HB 1: School Choice
Senate Bill 202 by Senator 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 9-4. It now moves to the Appropriations committee.
Senate Bill 320: Land Acquisition Trust Fund
Senate Bill 320 by Senator Harrell was heard in the Environment and Natural Resources committee on February 21, 2023. This bill appropriates from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund a minimum of the lesser of 7.6 percent1 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 Senator 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 Senator 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 Senator Rodriguez was heard in the Environment and Natural Resources and passed unanimously 8-0. The bill now sits in the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government. 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 Senator Stewart was heard in the Environmental and Natural Resources Committee on March 6, 2023 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 Senator 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 Senator 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 graywater 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 carryforward 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 Representative Roach and Representative Sirois was heard and voted favorably 12-5 in the Ethics, Elections, and Open Government Committee on March 8, 2023. 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 November 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 to be heard on March 14.
