TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — On the fifth and final day of the Florida Legislature’s Special Session, Republicans were able to celebrate several victories.
“We set out to accomplish a great deal during the Special Session, and we delivered. I’m proud of the work from our bill sponsors and committees this week to address ongoing concerns of our special districts, prosecution of election crimes, and controlling illegal immigration,” said Speaker Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast).
“We were also able to provide funding for communities affected by recent hurricanes and to give our college student-athletes the tools they need to compete on and off the field,” he added.
SPECIAL SESSION BILLS
Emergency Management
Status: Passed in the Senate / House
House Bill 1B, sponsored by Rep. Giallombardo (R-Cape Coral), provides additional resources to support ongoing relief and recovery for communities impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. The bill includes additional funding for the Governor’s Emergency Response and Preparedness Fund, as well as funding for a Local Government Bridge Loan Program within the Department of Economic Opportunity.
“Hurricanes Ian and Nicole brought a lot of water, wind, and uncertainty to our shores. But the response has been incredible. We are Florida Strong because our state comes together when we need each other most,” Giallombardo said.
“Thanks to my colleagues, our Senate sponsor, Speaker Renner, and Governor DeSantis, we are providing additional resources to support ongoing relief and recovery for communities impacted by these recent storms. Putting additional funding into the Governor’s Emergency Response and Preparedness Fund and the Local Government Bridge Loan Program will lift up our people and communities that need it most” he stated.
Statewide Prosecutor/Election Crimes
Status: Passed in the Senate / House
House Bill 3B clarifies the Office of Statewide Prosecution’s jurisdiction to prosecute crimes involving elections for federal or state office, and petition activities.
“Protecting the all-important right to vote ensures that our representative democracy thrives,” said Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin (R-Miami), sponsor of the bill. “Our values and vote are diminished when people commit election fraud. By clarifying the Office of Statewide Prosecution’s jurisdiction to prosecute crimes involving elections for federal or state office, we are taking a significant step to safeguard the bedrock of the American system of government.”
Illegal Immigration
Status: Passed in the Senate / House
House Bill 5B, sponsored by Rep. John Snyder (R-Stuart) helps mitigate the ongoing impacts of unauthorized aliens coming to the State of Florida. The legislation creates the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program within the Division of Emergency Management to facilitate the voluntary transport of unauthorized migrants who have been processed by the federal government and released into the United States.
“Border patrol encounters and illegal entries into the United States are at an all-time high because Washington refuses to act. Florida will not allow the Biden administration’s failures to threaten the safety and well-being of our citizens,” said Rep. Snyder.
Intercollegiate Athlete Compensation and Rights
Status: Passed in Senate / House
House Rep. Chip LaMarca’s (R-Lighthouse Point) bill (HB 7B) and Sen. Travis Hutson’s (R-St. Augustine) bill (SB 8B) revises provisions relating to athlete agents representing intercollegiate athletes.
“Thanks to the support of past leaders and Governor DeSantis, we took proactive steps to provide college athletes opportunities to be compensated for the use of their names, images, and likenesses in commercial interests,” said Rep. LaMarca.
Reedy Creek Improvement District (Disney), Orange and Osceola Counties
Status: Passed Senate / House
House Bill 9B revises the governance and powers of Reedy Creek Improvement District, while protecting local taxpayers from the District’s debts.
“We promised transparency and accountability in how our special districts operate. HB 9 delivers on that promise while also ensuring that local residents are not shouldered with the burden of the district’s debts,” said Rep. Fred Hawkins (R-St. Cloud), sponsor of the bill. “This legislation was a well thought out approach to modernize the district and eliminate special advantages that are not available to anyone else.”
