ELECTIONS Although considerably watered down from the original bills, both chambers passed legislation which will restrict voting largely along party lines. Described by supporters as putting “guardrails” on Florida’s election process, the legislation restricts when ballot drop boxes can be used, who can collect and return the ballots and how many they may collect. The Read more about Bills Signed by Governor DeSantis[…]
Legislative candidates who won their seats in the House and Senate were sworn into office at the Capitol on November 17th. Members also voted to accept the revised rules for the 2020-22 term during the Organizational Session. Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Spring Hill) announced the committee structure, leadership and membership for 2020-22. Here is a link to Read more about Legislative Issues[…]
The Legislature concluded its 2020 Session on March 19th. Since that time, only 16 bills have been sent to, and signed by, the Governor. The presiding officers have 191 additional bills to send to the Governor for his consideration prior to July 1st. That includes the budget with $400 million of member projects that will Read more about Legislative Issues[…]
Florida’s legislators returned to the Capitol City during the week of September 16th for interim committee meetings. Legislators will be in Tallahassee during the weeks of October 14th and 21st; November 4th and 11th; and December 9th. The Legislature will convene its regular session on January 14, 2020 and is scheduled to complete its work Read more about Legislative Issues[…]
STRAW BAN PROHIBITION Senate Bill 588 and House Bill 603 are both moving in their respective chambers. The bills would ban local governments from enacting ordinances which would prohibit the use of single-use plastic straws in food establishments. Such action would be preempted to the state. The Senate bill has been modified to where it Read more about Legislative Issues[…]