TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Today, the Florida Senate advanced special legislation that would replenish the state’s emergency management fund and provide loans for local bridge repairs. New measures up for voting would also expand the jurisdiction of statewide prosecutors and give the governor more flexibility in transporting illegal aliens.
The Florida Senate will be in special session today from 2:00 to 6:00 pm.
SPECIAL SESSION BILLS
Emergency Management
Status: Placed on Senate’s Special Order Calendar
Senate Leader Albritton’s (R-Wauchula) bill (SB 2B) includes additional funding for the governor’s Emergency Response and Preparedness Fund and provides funding for a Local Government Bridge Loan Program. A similar bill in the House (HB 1B) sponsored by Rep. Mike Giallombardo (R-Cape Coral) moved through the House Appropriations Committee.
Statewide Prosecutor
Status: Placed on Senate’s Special Order Calendar
Sen. Jonathan Martin’s (R-Fort Myers) bill (SB B4) clarifies the jurisdiction of the Office of Statewide Prosecution to further prosecute crimes involving elections. A similar bill in the House (HB 3B) sponsored by Rep. Juan Alfonso Fernandez-Barquin (R-Miami) was added to the House Judiciary Committee agenda.
Illegal Immigration
Status: Placed on Senate’s Special Order Calendar
Sen. Blaise Ingoglia’s (R-Spring Hill) bill (SB 6B) creates the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program and would expand the governor’s ability to relocate migrants anywhere in the country. A similar bill in the House (HB 5B) sponsored by Rep. John Snyder (R-Hobe Sound) was added to the House Judiciary Committee agenda.
In hearings in the House on Monday and the Senate on Tuesday, lawmakers argued that DeSantis should be given as much flexibility as possible to spend the funds because immigration issues have become an “emergency” in Florida.
“We’re authorizing a program, and we understand to fully execute this program, surveillance is needed, reconnaissance is needed, investigative techniques are needed,” said Rep. John Snyder, sponsor of the House bill.
Intercollegiate Athlete Compensation and Rights
Status: Added to the House Education & Employment Committee agenda
House Rep. Chip LaMarca’s (R-Lighthouse Point) bill (HB 7B) and Sen. Travis Hutson’s (R-St. Augustine) bill (S 8B) would revise provisions relating to athlete agents representing intercollegiate athletes.
HOUSE SPECIAL SESSION BILLS
The Florida House continues today to balance regular pre-session business with special bills now moving through committee.
Reedy Creek Improvement District (Disney), Orange and Osceola Counties
Status: Added to the State Affairs Committee agenda
Reps. Fred Hawkins’ (R-St. Cloud) and Carolina Amesty’s (R-Windermere) bill (HB 9B) repeals chapter 67-764, Laws of Florida, relating to Disney’s special district. The law renames the special district and sets up a state-controlled board of authority to collect revenue and meet outstanding obligations without shifting a tax burden to local residents.
Sunshine Water Control District, Broward County
Status: Added to the State Affairs Committee agenda
Rep. Dan Daley’s (D-Sunrise) local bill (HB 11B) governs the continuation of a special water district in Broward County, giving authority to collect revenue and meet outstanding obligations.
Eastpoint Water and Sewer District, Franklin County
Status: Added to the State Affairs Committee agenda
Rep. Jason Shoaf’s (R-Port St. Joe) local bill (HB 13B) governs the continuation of a special water district in Franklin County, giving authority to collect revenue and meet outstanding obligations.
