Legislation Passes to Strengthen Integrity of Florida Elections

This week, the Florida Senate passed Senate Bill 90, Election Administration, by Senator Dennis Baxley.  SB 90 aims to ensure every eligible and authentic vote cast in the state of Florida is properly counted.  It establishes protections against voter fraud, increases the security of mail-in and drop-off ballots, and improves transparency around the voter process.

Our democracy is only as strong as the integrity of our elections.  As our world evolves, new threats emerge and new technologies become available, it is important to modernize and enhance our voting processes to protect the integrity of each vote and that of the election’s outcome.

I am aware that there are multiple reports falsely claiming this legislation hinders the voting process.  That is simply not true. 

The 2020 elections serve as a reminder to us of the challenges that can stand in the way of safe, secure and authentic election outcomes.  Due to COVID-19 and the influx of mail-in ballots, mail was delayed, confusion was widespread and challenges were filed.  Here in Florida, we were fortunate to avoid much of the chaos that we witnessed across the country.  That is because we are proactive in modernizing our election laws to address the emerging threats and capitalize on opportunities for improvement.

Specifically, SB 90 updates the uniform statewide voter registration application and provides guidance for the state to verify the home address of registered voters.  It holds third-party voter registration organizations accountable to the law.

The bill directs the state Division of Elections to create a statewide voter turnout dashboard for real-time information on election turnout.  It prevents voters from being approached and lobbied as they turn in their ballots at a dropbox or polling location.  Under the bill, signatures on vote-by-mail ballots must match the voter’s signature on the certificate.  This is important to prevent residents from utilizing another voter’s ballot to cast a fraudulent vote.  The bill makes clear that a supervisor validating signatures may not take into consideration the voters’ party affiliation during the validation process.

When individuals cast fraudulent votes, third parties violate our voter rights or supervisors manipulate the process, the value of each vote we cast is severely diminished.  SB 90 will strengthen the integrity of our elections by ensuring that every eligible and authentic vote is counted.  This bill was seriously considered in multiple committee stops during the legislative process.  Many changes were made to the bill in those committees based upon input from legislators and our constituents.   for example, the bill as originally filed severely restricted the use of drop boxes.  This provision was struck from the bill after much public comment.  The bill was then heavily debated on the floor.  It passed the House and the Senate, and it will be sent to the Governor for signature. 

Legislation Establishes Level Playing Field for Student-Athletes

Senate Bill 1028, by Senator Travis Hutson, expands school choice opportunities for Florida students by enabling colleges to sponsor new charter schools.  It also increases accountability of charter schools by requiring sponsors to develop an evaluation framework, including a strategic vision, policies and practices, and academic and financial performance.  I believe that parents are in the best position to make decisions about the education of their children, and expanding school choice in Florida provides them with more options from which to choose.

This week, an amendment was added to this important bill that establishes a level playing field (or court) for student-athletes.  With the amendment adopted, the bill prohibits transgender students from competing in school-authorized female sports.  The purpose is to protect competitive equity.  Everyone has varying strengths, mentally and physically.  However, there are biological differences in genders that cannot provide for fair competition. Fundamentally, gender identity and one's gender biological make-up are different.

Unfortunately, as the bill was presented it was mischaracterized by some as an insensitive attack on transgender students and became highly politicized for all the wrong reasons.

Biological females should not be placed at a disadvantage and forced to compete with individuals who identify as female but have a male biological make-up.  As a mother to three daughters and a grandmother to two grandsons, this matter is personal to me.  Each one of them has a right to participate and compete in athletics.  They should be able to flourish based on their strengths and skills, without the threat of unfair competition.

That consequences stretch far beyond the sports field.  This competitive disadvantage could hurt girls’ future opportunities, including chances to earn athletic scholarships, participate in club or college leagues, and even pursue a career in athletics.  The matter is simple, you cannot place greater value on one identity over the other.  This bill will ensure that all have a chance to compete on a fair and level playing field.

More School Choice Opportunities for Florida Families Available

House Bill 7045 (Senate Bill 48 by Senator Manny Diaz, Jr.) is another bill passed this session to expand school choice for Florida families.

The legislation streamlines existing school choice scholarships and expands program eligibility for lower income families, families of students with unique abilities, foster and adopted children, and children of our U.S. Armed Forces service members. 

It combines the McKay Scholarship Program for Students with Disabilities and the Gardiner Scholarship Program into the Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES).  The bill modifies the scholarship funding formula to increase funding for the students who require higher levels or service. Existing Gardiner students will receive the calculated amount under current law or the new law, whichever is greater, for the remainder of their time in the program. 

The bill also increases the cap of scholarships available to 20,000 and plans for growth in future years.

Governor Signs Legislation to Provide Added Protections for Florida Farmers

Senate Bill 88, Farming Operations, by State Senator Jason Brodeur, was signed into law Thursday by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.  The bill expands protections available under Florida’s Right to Farm Act.

On Thursday, I joined the Governor with some of my fellow Senate colleagues for the bill signing ceremony, alongside farmers from across the state who represented a number of family-owned, legacy farming operations.

“Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature stand with Florida farmers. The State of Florida is committed to preserving Florida’s farms, which are legacy businesses that contribute to our nation’s food supply and billions of dollars to our state’s economy,” said President Simpson.  “We frequently update our laws to recognize changes in other industries, and today we are coming together to make it clear that our hardworking Florida farmers will not be left behind.”

Florida’s Right to Farm Act was originally passed in 1979.  SB 88 expands and modernizes protections currently available under the Act to protect farmers from lawsuits based on their routine farming and agricultural activities.  The bill also adds agritourism to the definition of a farm operation.

Florida Legislature Secures COVID-19 Liability Protections For Health Care Providers & Florida Businesses

Senate Bill 72, Liability Protections for COVID-19-Related Claims, by Senator Jeff Brandes provides strong protections from civil liability related to the COVID-19 pandemic for health care providers working to serve Floridians and businesses trying to safely reopen.

The legislation was signed into law by Governor DeSantis on March 29, 2021.

Veterans Were a Top Priority This Session

Florida is the number one state in the nation for our military and veteran communities, home to more than 1.5 million veterans. 

 The Florida Senate recognizes the sacrifices these brave men and women make for our nation, and that the sacrifices are not only made by the servicemember, but by the entire family.  This year, the Florida Legislature passed several pro-veteran initiatives to ensure our military and veteran communities, and their families receive the hard-earned benefits they deserve. 

To honor the sacrifices and experiences of those captured or missing in combat during the Vietnam War, the Florida Senate unanimously approved legislation to establish the POW-MIA Vietnam Veterans Memorial on or near the grounds of the Florida Capitol Complex. The memorial will be created in partnership with the Big Bend Chapter 96, Vietnam Veterans of America.  Senate Bill 416 was carried by Senator Danny Burgess.

Protections Strengthened For Children in Out-of-Home Care

Senate Bill 80, Child Welfare, by Senator Jason Brodeur increases protections and consistency for children in out-of-home care.  SB 80 expands and clarifies existing laws related to sibling and transition placements for children in out-of-home care.

The bill recognizes the relationships young children develop with out-of-home caregivers and siblings with those of the child’s biological family members. It works to reduce trauma-related changes by removing children from safe, successful placements.  The bill also requires that a quick reference FACE sheet be created for each child to summarize the status of the child’s case and goals moving forward.

Florida Senate Reforms Child Welfare Reporting & Boosts Transparency & Reporting Protocols

Senate Bill 96, Child Welfare, by Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation), combines a series of child welfare reform initiatives advanced during the 2021 Legislative Session, including legislation from Senate President Pro Tempore Aaron Bean, Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, Senator Darryl Rouson. SB 96 strengthens and streamlines child welfare procedures and addresses critical gaps in investigations and information transparency.

SB 96 requires animal control officers who suspect child abuse to make a report to the Department of Children and Families, and conversely for child abuse investigators to report suspected animal abuse to animal control. 

To improve child safety, the bill requires various steps, including school educational programs, to help children become knowledgeable about their rights to be free from abuse.  The bill also requires the DCF to develop and implement a family-finding program and a kinship navigator program to strengthen family connections, resources and placement options.

To improve transparency, the bill expands access to confidential reports and records in cases of child abuse or neglect to include employees, authorized agents, and contract providers of the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

The bill also implements the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School grand jury recommendation to appoint a commission to specifically examine the mental health services in the state, creating a 19-member Commission on Mental Health and Substance Abuse to examine the current methods of providing mental health and substance abuse services in Florida.

Flroida Legislature Establishes Multiple Opportunities for Florida Families to Save on Sales Tax

House Bill 7061 creates a 10-day "back to school" sales tax holiday for families to save on supplies they need to learning at home and at school.  From July 31 to August 9, exempt items include: clothing, backpacks, school supplies and personal computers. 

The legislation also creates a seven-day "recreation" sales tax holiday from July 1 to July 7, known as "Freedom Week."  Tax exempt items include: boating supplies, camping supplies, fishing supplies and sports equipment. Tickets to events are also tax-free.

Also, families can save when they stock up for hurricane season.  The measure creates a seven-day “disaster preparedness” sales tax holiday from May 28 to June 6 for disaster preparedness supplies. Tax exempt items include flashlights, radios, coolers, tarps and generators.

Boosting Florida's Economy with Unemployment Compensation Replenishment & Tax Hike Avoidance 

Senate Bill 50, Taxation, by Senator Joe Gruters, creates a fair playing field for Florida businesses.

It requires the collection of existing taxes that are owed, but not currently collected from out-of-state online retailers.

Revenue derived from these collections will be used to replenish the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund depleted by the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring necessary compensation is available for Florida workers seeking re-employment.

When the trust fund reaches pre-pandemic levels, the new law automatically triggers a permanent reduction in the business rent tax. 

The legislation was signed into law by Governor DeSantis on April 20, 2021.

Florida Legislature Repeals PIP

Senate Bill 54, by Senator Danny Burgess, passed both chambers this session.  The bill repeals provisions, which comprise the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law. If signed into law, Floridians will not be required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.  Instead, motorists would need to have bodily-injury coverage.  Florida is one of just two states that don’t require some level of bodily-injury coverage.

Senate Bill 54 is a balanced law that aims to reduce rates for most motorists. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation projected drivers on average would see 5.6 percent savings with a shift to a bodily-injury coverage requirement. Rates would also be reduced because of an elimination of fraud.

Lawmakers Finalize Comprehensive Plan to Invest in Florida’s Infrastructure 

Senate Bill 2512, Documentary Stamp Tax Distributions, a conforming bill associated with the state budget, establishes a three-part statewide infrastructure plan to prioritize investing in state and local affordable housing programs, mitigating the impacts of sea-level rise, and enhancing wastewater programs, including septic-to-sewer conversions.  The new framework provides predictable funding for all three infrastructure priorities on a recurring basis.

During the upcoming fiscal year, affordable housing programs would receive approximately $200 million.

Programs established to mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise and enhance wastewater programs would each receive approximately $111 million.  (These amounts do not include federal funding.)

Revenue estimates for documentary stamps are updated several times each year.

Senate Bill 1954, Statewide Flooding and Sea-level Rise Resilience, by Senator Ray Rodrigues, establishes statewide resiliency programs that assess and address inland and coastal flooding and sea-level rise.

Senate Bill 100, Highway Projects, by Senator Gayle Harrell, builds on Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (MCORES) task force recommendations by strategically redirecting transportation funding and offering statewide policy directives to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

The bill directs DOT to retrofit existing roadways with non-toll road alternatives to traffic intersections such as overpasses to alleviate congestion on local roads in order to facilitate the free-flow of traffic on U.S. 19, providing an expedited route connecting the Suncoast Parkway to I-10.

The bill also directs and funds the FDOT to prioritize widening projects on rural, two-lane arterial highways throughout Florida that serve high volumes of local and commercial vehicle traffic and provides for non-tolled roadway and access options.

Framework Expediting Water Storage North of Lake Okeechobee Approved

Senate Bill 2516, Water Storage North of Lake Okeechobee provides the policy framework and funding for the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), to expedite the implementation of the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project (LOWRP).

The LOWRP is a project in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan that provides water storage north of Lake Okeechobee.  The northern storage the LOWRP provides will be used to help keep lake levels from rising too high in the wet season and make water available for release in the dry season.  This creates the operational flexibility necessary to help maintain lake levels that are ideal for the lake’s ecology and helps ensure adequate water supply for users around the lake.

Senate Passes Legislation to Improve, Codify Public Safety Practices in Law Enforcement

The Florida Senate today passed House Bill 7051, Law Enforcement and Correctional Officer Practices.  The bill makes several changes to the requirements for the operations and standards of law enforcement and correctional agencies and training for law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and correctional probation officers. 

The bill also incorporates provisions of the “Kaia Rolle Act,” sponsored by Senator Randolph Bracy, which unanimously passed the Senate earlier this month and prohibits the arrest of a child younger than seven years of age.

“This comprehensive legislation incorporates a number of needed policy changes and enhancements the Senate addressed in separate pieces of legislation this session, and I am grateful to Senator Bracy for his diligent work with our House colleagues to put together this strong, bipartisan package that reflects our commitment to improving and in many cases codifying existing policies that guide the actions of Florida’s brave law enforcement and correctional officers,” said Senate President Wilton Simpson. “We stand by the dedicated members of law enforcement who put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our communities. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain from a good-faith review of our policing policies because we want to make sure every law enforcement officer has the resources and training to keep our communities safe.”

Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Update

As of  Thursday, April 29, 14,271,699 vaccine doses have been administered in Florida.  There are now 8,740,620 individuals who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Florida.

All individuals aged 18 and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines. You may watch the Governor’s previous announcement here.

Check the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 website for the latest information. 

COVID-19 Update: Florida Case Data

As of Friday, April 30, there have been 2,233,518 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida, including 34,016 in Collier County, 4,684 in Hendry County and 67,157 in Lee County.  

As of April 29, the state's positivity rate for new cases is 5.66%.

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 webpage.

For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.