We passed four bills with overwhelming, bipartisan support, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed these measures into law this week.  I am grateful for the strong partnership we have with Governor DeSantis and House Speaker Paul Renner, which enables us to act quickly to address urgent needs of our state and nation.  Unlike the dysfunction we so often see in Washington, when challenges come our way here in Florida, our Governor, Cabinet, and Legislature work together.

House Bill 1C: Disaster Relief by Senator Corey Simon

As demonstrated after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole, the Florida Senate is committed to helping Floridians rebuild from devastating storms in every manner possible. In response to Hurricane Idalia, the Florida Senate passed House Bill 1C, providing necessary funding and tax relief to the communities who need it most. The Florida Senate is meeting the challenge to support our rural and agricultural communities that have been devastated by Hurricane Idalia.

HB 1C provides over $30 million to address the gap in federal funds, ensuring that Floridians who have been devastated by Hurricane Idalia are not left behind by the federal government.

HB 1C grants tax relief to Floridians on building material purchases, provides refunds of motor fuel taxes used for agricultural shipments and debris removal and lowers farmer’s tax bills on agricultural equipment that they cannot use due to the impact of the storm.

The legislation expands funding for rural infrastructure in impacted counties, ensuring that small towns and communities across the Big Bend are able to rebuild their farms, roads, schools, and economies.

It also expands the My Safe Florida Home Program through an additional appropriation of over $170 million. This program empowers Floridians to make their houses more resilient to natural disasters, potentially lowering insurance costs.

House Bill 3C: Family Empowerment Scholarship Program by Senator Jay Collins

Since House Bill 1 passed in the 2023 Regular Session, Florida has seen record numbers of families benefit from enhanced school choice opportunities now offered to every Floridian. House Bill 3C expands opportunities to Students with Unique Abilities, ensuring that all Florida students have access to a full array of school choice opportunities that meet their unique needs.

A record number of families have been able to receive the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), a critical program that ensures students with unique abilities have access to school choice opportunities tailored to their needs, as determined by their parents.

HB 3C allows for a greater number of students and families to receive funding under the FES-UA program and removes the cap on funding that families can receive, increasing access and opportunity for those students with unique abilities.

To address the demand for the unique abilities portion of the Family Empowerment Scholarship, families will now have until December 15, 2023, to apply for scholarships in the current school year, in order to be funded by February 1. Ensuring adequate time to apply for and receive scholarship funding.

HB 3C provides critical support to some of our most vulnerable student populations. This legislation builds upon HB 1 passed during the 2023 Legislative Session to ensure access to quality education options, regardless of income, zip code, or circumstance.

House Bill 5C: Scrutinized Companies by Senator Bryan Avila

Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism and played a critical role in the horrific terror attacks on Israel by Hamas. This legislation takes a strong stance against the Iranian regime and makes it clear that Florida in no way will support corrupt, tyrannical, and terroristic countries who diametrically oppose American national security and seek to wage proxy war through radical terrorist groups.

The Biden Administration’s unsteady leadership and failure to implement sanctions, most notably, their decision to unfreeze $6 billion to the Iranian regime, has empowered Iran to further support Hamas and other terrorist groups in the region.

With House Bill 5C, Florida is stepping up to hold the Iranian regime accountable for their support of terrorism. As is the trend, when Joe Biden falters, Florida stands up and delivers.

HB 5C expands upon current sanctions maintained by the State of Florida by requiring the state to divest all assets with companies in certain sectors that receive even a tenth of their revenue from or invest a certain dollar threshold into the listed Iranian industries. These restrictions are the strongest allowable under federal law.

This legislation ensures that the State of Florida will not invest in any companies that support the Iranian regime and their sponsorship of terrorism in the Middle East and around the globe.

House Bill 7C: Security Grants by Senator Alexis Calatayud

Through this legislation, the Florida Senate makes it clear that anti-Semitic violence has no place in Florida and we are committed to protecting Jewish Floridians from threats of violence. As the threat of anti-Semitism grows following the horrors of Hamas’ attack on Israel, the Florida Legislature is providing critical funding to keep our Jewish community safe.

Following the horrific terror attacks on Israel, there has been an increase in anti-Semitic violence across the country and even here in Florida.

The Jewish people have historically faced persecution and horrors that most can never imagine. The Florida Senate cannot stand by and let our Jewish friends, neighbors, and loved ones be in harm’s way.

No Floridian should feel scared to attend their place of worship or school. The Florida Senate is committed to protecting our Jewish neighbors from violence.

House Bill 7C appropriates $15 million to full-time Jewish Day Schools and preschools for hardening security measures and $10 million for non-hardening security measures. Funds can purchase and install security infrastructure, perimeter lighting and fencing, materials for door hardening, security cameras, barriers, blasé-resistant film, and shatter-resistant glass. This legislation also includes funding for increased security personnel and training.

Florida Leads the Way in Supporting Families and Communities

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an unprovoked attack on Israel and brutally murdered, tortured, and raped over 1,400 innocent civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.

Florida stands firmly with the people of Israel and our own Jewish communities across the state. This resolution makes it unquestionably clear that Israel has every right to defend itself from the threats facing their people and country, and Florida will stand arm-in-arm with them as they seek victory and peace.

Senate Resolution 8C supports the right of the State of Israel to exist as a sovereign and independent nation, including the right and obligation to defend itself, with the full rights and privileges afforded to all nations under international law.

SR 8C demands the immediate end of any direct or indirect financial support of Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah, or any entity that publicly supports these attacks and other terrorist activities.

This resolution rejects and condemns threats against Jewish people, institutions, and communities in Florida, the United States, and abroad.

SR 8C states that the State of Florida is proud to have the third-largest Jewish population in the United States and continues to cherish a long-standing bond and alliance with the State of Israel.

  The Florida Legislature has returned to Tallahassee this week for additional committee hearings.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance.

Respectfully,

Kathleen C. Passidomo

Senate President
State Senator, District 28

The post Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation to Support Israel, Provide Hurricane Relief and Expand School Choice into Law. appeared first on Republican Men's Club of Collier County.

We began session in the aftermath of a destructive hurricane season on the heels of two special sessions needed to help stabilize Florida’s freefalling property insurance market. While these issues alone could have easily monopolized the last 60 days, I am proud that with the tireless work of our Senators, and strong partnerships with the Florida House and Governor DeSantis, we are concluding today having passed significant legislation in nearly every area of public policy, along with a balanced budget, meaningful tax relief for families and seniors, and historic reserves.

This was truly the session of the Florida family as we tackled kitchen-table issues important to growing families and seniors. School choice is now a reality for every child, in every family. Education dollars follow the child, and the parents – not the government – decide where they are spent.

With our Live Local Act, more Floridians can afford to live close to good jobs, where they can raise their families in the heart of the communities they serve.

Insurance and litigation reforms with strong protections for consumers, coupled with permanent tax relief on key items will help eliminate hidden costs that increase the price of goods and services, keeping Florida affordable for those at every income level and stage of life.

We passed strong legislation to support unborn babies and parents, with safeguards to protect the innocence of childhood and let kids be kids.

And, by expanding Florida’s iconic wildlife corridor, current and future generations of Florida families will have the opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of Florida’s heartland.

From workforce housing, to school choice, to insurer accountability, to public safety, we listened to our constituents, incorporated ideas and feedback from our communities, and made our mark with historic reforms to keep our state affordable and her people free.

Balanced Budget Invests in Infrastructure, Education, Tax Relief & Historic Reserves

On Friday, Senate Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Act, a balanced state budget for the upcoming fiscal year passed the Senate and House floor.

We continue to be in a very unique situation with our budget. We are seeing increases in revenue and record-low unemployment, yet we know Floridians are suffering greatly from inflation, and nationally our economy is projected to face some challenges.

With increases in revenue, we have the amazing opportunity to make key generational investments in many areas of our infrastructure, from workforce housing to transportation, to clean water, to our iconic Wildlife Corridor. While this is positive, we cannot ignore the economic challenges already impacting Florida families and those clearly on the horizon nationally. Rather than spending all we have, this budget holds the line, setting aside historic reserves and providing tremendous tax relief opportunities that will reduce the cost of living for Florida families in a meaningful way.

We also make critical investments to further ongoing relief and recovery efforts as we work to help Southwest Florida and other impacted communities rebuild. Coupled with the significant legislation put forward by Senator Martin, Leader Albritton, and our Select Committee on Resiliency, this budget will help our state be even more prepared for future hurricanes and other significant weather events that come with living on our beautiful peninsula.

Live Local Statewide Workforce Housing Strategy

Senate Bill 102, Housing, by Senator Alexis Calatayud, was signed into law on March 29. The legislation, entitled the Live Local Act, contains a comprehensive, statewide workforce housing strategy designed to increase the availability of attainable housing options for Florida workers who seek to live in the communities they serve.

Floridians are ready to live local, and to spend less time commuting and more time building their lives and raising their families in the heart of the communities they serve. As I travel the state, availability of workforce housing is a top issue on the minds of hardworking Floridians and retirees in every community I visit. With this comprehensive legislation, we are shutting down affordable housing stereotypes and creating attainable housing options needed by the majority of our workforce, the backbone of Florida’s economy.

The Live Local plan is the product of discussions with stakeholders over many years. With their advice and input, we are tackling this complex issue from all angles –incentivizing private sector investment, funding both the SHIP and SAIL programs at historically high levels, providing new avenues for solutions in zoning, encouraging more mixed-use developments in latent commercial areas, and enhancing public access to information about expedited permitting and public property that may be suitable for workforce housing.

In total, I am confident our legislation will improve housing options for Floridians at all income levels and stages of life, so that families don’t have to spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, and can have the margin needed to save and build the rest of their lives.

Expanding Access to Florida’s Wildlife Corridor

Senate Bill 106, Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network, by Senator Jason Brodeur, expands access to Florida’s iconic Wildlife Corridor. The bill, signed into law by Governor DeSantis on April 11, connects the corridor to Florida’s Greenways and Trails System and the SUN Trail Network, as well as recreational pathways to heritage small towns across Florida.

Our wildlife corridor provides a unique opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of Florida’s heartland. With this legislation, we have the chance not only to preserve this natural resource for future generations, but to expand access so more Floridians can walk, run, and bike from trail town to trail town, taking in all our great state has to offer.

I envision Florida’s Wildlife Corridor as a top destination for recreational tourists from across the country and around the world. As I have said before, I believe this will be Florida’s Central Park – a legacy we can be proud to leave for future generations of Floridians and visitors to enjoy.

Enhancing Public Safety, Codifying Constitutional Right To Keep And Bear Arms

Senate Bill 150, Public Safety, by Senator Jay Collins, was signed into law on April 3. This robust public safety package codifies the constitutional right of citizens to keep and bear arms and expand tools available to law enforcement and educators working to keep our communities and schools safe.

I stand with Governor DeSantis, Speaker Renner, and Senator Collins, decorated members of our military, who along law enforcement leaders from across the state, agree that eliminating the need for a concealed weapons license in the state of Florida will help more Floridians better protect themselves and their families.

This comprehensive legislation ensures our laws respect the constitutional rights of law-abiding Floridians while at the same time incorporating valuable tools recommended by law enforcement that will increase the safety of our schools and communities.

Historic School Choice, Parental Empowerment Legislation

House Bill 1, Education, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Corey Simon, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12, was signed into law on March 27. HB 1 contains a comprehensive package of innovations that promote parental involvement and customized K-12 education in Florida. The legislation empowers parents to guide their children’s education by providing for an Education Savings Account for every student in the K-12 system. Incorporating recommendations from the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, the bill also takes the first step towards reducing onerous and excessive regulations on public schools.

The goal of making school choice a reality for every child across our great state has been a long time coming, and with the steadfast resolve and leadership of Governor DeSantis, Speaker Renner, Senator Simon, Rep. Tuck, and many others, school choice is here for every Florida family.

Additionally, this bill reduces some of the outdated, unnecessary, and quite frankly, burdensome regulations public schools have to abide by. By reducing red tape that burdens our traditional public schools, these institutions, which have served our communities for generations, will have a meaningful chance to compete right alongside other school choice options.

Career and Technical Education, Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Grades 6-12

Senate Bill 240, Education, by Senator Travis Hutson, furthers ongoing legislative initiatives that promote career and technical education (CTE), with a focus on work-based learning linked to local employment opportunities for Florida students in Grades 6-12.

More than a decade ago, Florida began the transformation to link education to the realities and opportunities of the economy. Under the leadership of Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford, in 2013 the Legislature passed the Career and Professional Education Act, which began the process of promoting industry certifications in K-12 education, with financial incentives for schools that help students learn skills that directly lead to jobs.

A decade later, under the leadership of President Wilton Simpson and Speaker Chris Sprowls, Florida transformed our workforce system, making it easier for consumers to access services and career planning, and to register for job training. This legislation builds on this tremendous progress by creating additional partnerships between local schools and businesses, expanding opportunities for students to gain on-the-job experience in meaningful, high-paying fields needed in our growing communities.

Increasing Consumer Protection and Insurer Accountability

Senate Bill 7052, Insurer Accountability, by Senator Hutson, contains various provisions intended to increase consumer protection and insurer accountability in Florida.

Over the last several years, during regular and special sessions, we have worked on reforms to strengthen the property insurance market in our state so policyholders have access to quality, affordable, private market property insurance. Ultimately, every homeowner needs property insurance that is reliable and affordable. When disaster strikes, we want to make sure impacted Floridians can successfully navigate the claims process and be compensated for losses in a timely manner.

This legislation continues our efforts to balance fair costs and protections for consumers while strengthening state review and analysis of the insurance market so that bad actors can be held accountable. I commend Senator Hutson for his diligence in bringing stakeholders together to put forward a strong and meaningful insurer accountability package that enhances consumer-friendly provisions of current law and increases transparency between homeowners and insurance companies.

Heartbeat Protection Act

Senate Bill 300, the Heartbeat Protection Act, by Senator Erin Grall, was signed into law on April 13. The legislation protects innocent, unborn life by prohibiting abortions after six weeks gestation, with exceptions for women who are victims of rape, incest and human trafficking, or whose baby has a devastating diagnosis of a fatal fetal abnormality.

The Heartbeat Protection Act builds on Florida’s strong track record of protecting the most vulnerable, especially the unborn, and strengthens state efforts to promote adoption and support families, with significant resources to benefit infants, young children, and parents, which we hope will encourage more Floridians in difficult and unplanned situations to choose life for their babies.

Our bill also includes strong and clear exceptions for rape, incest, and human trafficking, in addition to those already available for the life of the mother. We also clarify the existing exception for the horrible situation when parents are facing the heartbreaking diagnosis of a fatal fetal abnormality.

Comprehensive Legal Reforms

House Bill 837, Civil Remedies, sponsored by Senator Hutson, was signed into law on March 24. The bill reforms Florida’s tort laws to decrease frivolous lawsuits while protecting the rights of Floridians who suffer a loss.

When a horrible accident or incident occurs and people suffer a loss, they should be compensated quickly and fairly. The vast majority of attorneys work very hard to provide sound legal representation for Floridians in these difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, there are a few bad actors who are in the business to draw out civil cases as long as possible, collecting more and more fees from insurance companies.

Litigation drives up the basic costs of goods and services for everyone across all areas of industry and commerce.

Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, we have taken many steps to help keep Florida affordable for growing families and seniors. This legislation furthers those efforts striking the right balance and protecting the rights of Floridians who suffer a loss, while at the same time safeguarding everyone else against the hidden costs of prolonged litigation.

Protecting Children

Last session we defended and expanded parental rights in education, and the feedback from parents and teachers who appreciate appropriate guardrails on social issues being taught in schools is overwhelmingly positive. This year, we expanded on that good work.

Parents have the right to raise their children as they see fit, and government intervention should be a last resort. Unfortunately, all too often we are hearing about treatments for gender dysphoria being administered to children, often very young children. That’s just wrong, and we need to step in and make sure it isn’t happening in our state.

• House Bill 1069, Child Protection in Public Schools, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Yarborough prohibits classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity in Pre-K through Grade 8 and expands the role of parents in reviewing and approving instructional materials, with a clear process when a parent wants to object to specific content.   The bill also protects students and teachers from being required to use language that violates their personal convictions. Specifically, the bill prohibits a school from requiring, as a condition of employment, that a teacher refers to a student or another teacher by a pronoun that does not correspond to that person’s sex. Similarly, students cannot be forced to refer to a teacher or to other students by pronouns that do not correspond to the person’s sex.
• Senate Bill 1438, Protection of Children, by Senator Yarborough, authorizes the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to fine, suspend, or revoke the license of any public lodging establishment or public food service establishment if the establishment admits a child to a live adult performance that depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, or lewd exposure.
• Senate Bill 254, Treatments for Sex-Reassignment, by Senator Yarborough protects children from being subjected to sex-reassignment prescriptions and procedures. Exceptions are provided for patients with genetic or biochemical disorders as well as those with certain injuries or illnesses.

The post Senate President Kathleen Passidomo May 5 Update appeared first on Republican Men's Club of Collier County.

It is clear that the broad appeal of the free state of Florida has impacted our population and our housing needs.  Countless families and business owners have fled high-tax, lockdown states in search of a better life in Florida.

As our state continues to grow, our Live Local Act will make sure Floridians can live close to good jobs, schools, hospitals, and other critical centers of our communities, while fitting comfortably in their household budgets, no matter the stage of life or income.

Also this week, the Governor signed House Bill 1, Education, which expands school choice to every student in Florida.

It was an incredible week for Florida.  Because of these and many other priorities we’re working to pass this session, the Sunshine State will remain the best state in the greatest nation in the world.

Live Local Act Signed into Florida Statute by Governor Ron DeSantis this Week

Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill (SB) 102, the Live Local Act, representing the largest investment for housing efforts in state history.

“This legislation provides record support for Florida’s workforce and their families to help them live where they work, while also providing historic support for our military communities and the families living near military bases,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I applaud Senator Passidomo for leading on this legislation and look forward to the support it will provide to Florida families.”

The Live Local Act invests a record $711 million for housing projects and assistance through the Florida Housing and Finance Corporation (FHFC) to create or build upon housing programs. This includes:

• $259 million for the SAIL program to provide low interest loans to developers building workforce housing. $150 million of these funds are recurring for certain specified uses such as redevelopment of underused property and projects near military installations.
• $252 million for the SHIP program to provide local governments with incentives to build partnerships with developers who are preserving available housing or producing more housing.
• $100 million for the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Programto provide down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time home buyers with a focus on law enforcement, first responders, teachers, active duty military, and military veterans.
• $100 million for FHFC to implement a loan program to alleviate inflation-related cost increases for FHFC-approved housing projects.

Additionally, this bill builds upon efforts to help Floridians afford to purchase their first home by codifying the Hometown Heroes program and increasing the borrowing limit per loan to $35,000 or 5% of the purchase price of a home. This bill will also broaden FHFC’s ability to invest in affordable housing for those that are currently in the foster care system or who are aging out of the system and expands eligibility for the Job Growth Grant Fund to authorize public infrastructure projects that support expanding housing opportunities.

This legislation also creates a new tax donation program to allow corporate taxpayers to direct certain tax payments to the FHFC, up to $100 million annually, to help fund the SAIL program and increases the amount of tax credits available through the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program from $14.5 million to $25 million annually. Additionally, the bill provides a sales tax refund of up to $5,000 on building materials for housing units funded through FHFC.

Historic Legislation Signed into Law to Expand School Choice Options to All Florida Students

House Bill 1, Education, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Corey Simon, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12, was signed into law earlier this week by Governor Ron DeSantis.

HB 1 contains a comprehensive package of innovations that promote parental involvement and customized K-12 education in Florida. The legislation empowers parents to guide their children’s education by providing for an Education Savings Account for every student in the K-12 system. Incorporating recommendations from the Florida Association of District School Superintendents, the bill also takes the first step towards reducing onerous and excessive regulations on public schools.

The goal of making school choice a reality for every child across our great state has been a long time coming, and with the steadfast resolve and leadership of Governor DeSantis, Speaker Renner, Senator Simon, Rep. Tuck, and many others, today is the day school choice is here for every Florida family.

Additionally, this bill reduces some of the outdated, unnecessary, and quite frankly, burdensome regulations public schools have to abide by. By reducing red tape that burdens our traditional public schools, these institutions, which have served our communities for generations, will have a meaningful chance to compete right alongside other school choice options.

Yesterday, I stepped down from the President’s rostrum for the chance to debate in support of HB 543, specifically the Safe School Canine Program.  I worked with Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods on this innovative program.  This is just one component of the bill that will improve school and community safety. I also worked on this bill with Pinellas County Sherriff Bob Gualtieri, Chair of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission, and we included many recommendations of the commission to improve school safety.

HB 543 will help keep our schools safe by making sure we swiftly identify threats and get more kids the services they need to live a safe and successful life. Sheriff Gualtieri has shared with me that threat management is hands down the greatest opportunity we have in the State of Florida at prevention and keeping violent incidents from happening. Threat prevention is all about identifying behaviors, getting people help and keeping them off the pathway to violence. Silos create a void that adversely impacts public safety. With this bill, we are breaking down the silos and improving the flow on information. You can’t help what you don’t know about. When a behavior is identified, we want to make sure if the child relocates, the new school district knows about it so the student can stay on the right track.

We are also adding to the threat management team someone with personal familiarity with the child.  Someone who actually knows the child can provide valuable information that helps differentiate behaviors, which is critical to separating minor challenges that require correction from serious issues that require intervention.  Most importantly, we are creating a consistent, statewide operational process for threat assessments so they are done in the same way in every county.

Measure Protecting Innocent Life Presented on the Senate Floor

Thursday, Senator Erin Grall (R-Fort Pierce) presented Senate Bill 300 on the Senate Floor where she answered questions from fellow senators on her legislation. SB 300 builds upon previous pro-life legislation passed into law and provides further protections for unborn children.

With an unprecedented opportunity as lawmakers to protect innocent life, and to stand with the brave moms who choose life for their babies, this legislation provides for robust protections of innocent life by prohibiting abortions after six-weeks gestation.

As amended on the Senate floor, SB 300 maintains current law exceptions to the six-week abortion prohibition, which protects the life and health of the mother and for the devastating diagnosis of a fatal fetal abnormality. This legislation also expands exceptions and includes a 15-week exception for women who are victims of rape, incest, or human trafficking. In instances of any known or suspected human trafficking, the physician must report this to local law enforcement if the woman is 18 years old or older or to the Florida Department of Children and Families if she is a minor.

This legislation also promotes healthy families and supports parents who chose life for their babies by providing additional counseling or mentoring services as well as providing millions of dollars for nonmedical material assistance to families such as car seats, cribs, clothing, formula, and diapers.

This legislation will make Florida a beacon of hope for those who understand that life is sacred and must be protected.

Florida Senate Works to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs

Senator Jason Brodeur (R-Sanford) presented Senate Bill 1550 in the Senate Committee on Health Policy where it passed with unanimous committee support. Cited as the “Prescription Drug Reform Act”, SB 1550 institutes comprehensive reforms of Florida’s prescription drug policy to increase transparency, eliminate predatory practices, and protect consumers.

This legislation requires that prescription drug manufacturers publish information on price increases in a public manner in order to address the transparency issue regarding prescription drug pricing. Provisions in this policy put a stop to predatory practices such as spread pricing and pharmacy clawbacks that increase costs for patients.

Further, this legislation holds pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) accountable under the Florida Insurance Code and requires disclosures regarding certain business activities. SB 1550 also prevents Pharmacy Benefit Managers from steering patients to certain pharmacies in order to increase profit.

These measures will lead to greatly improved transparency in the prescription drug marketplace and increased accountability for manufacturers and distributors. Florida’s health care consumers deserve the ability to obtain their critical medications without the shell game that the pharmacy benefit managers and drug manufacturers have created to profit off of Florida’s patients

The post March 31 Legislative Update – Senate President Kathleen Passidomo appeared first on Republican Men's Club of Collier County.

Greetings from Tallahassee!
On Friday. the Florida Legislature wrapped the second week of meetings of the 2023 Legislative Session.
The Florida Senate debated and discussed proposed policy both in committee meetings and on the Senate floor this week. Legislation focused on rebuilding local communities that suffer damage from hurricanes, upholding the parent’s right to choose the best school for their children, addressing labor shortages in workforce revitalization and protecting Florida from foreign threats.

Rebuilding After Natural Disasters
Wednesday, Senator Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) presented Senate Bill 250 in the Senate Committee on Community Affairs where it passed with unanimous committee support. Senate Bill 250 assists local communities impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole with the recovery process while ensuring that Florida is better prepared to respond to future natural disasters. Senator Yarbrough presents Senate Bill 254 to the Senate Committee on Health Policy
This legislation among other things allows residents of devastated areas to stay on their land while rebuilding their homes, encourages local governments to develop an emergency financial plan, and requires the Division of Emergency Management to assist local governments and residents with the debris removal process.
Senate Bill 250 lays the groundwork for Floridians to recover stronger and faster in the case of future natural disasters.

Funding Students, Not Systems
Thursday, Senator Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) presented Senate Bill 202 in the Senate Appropriations Committee where it passed with strong committee support. Senate Bill 202 establishes universal school choice across the State of Florida, ensuring that Florida students receives an education that meets their unique needs.
This legislation expands Florida’s educational voucher program and allows every student in Florida to receive an education in a setting fit to their own individual needs. Through this legislation, families of students who fall below 185% of the federal poverty level (FPL) will be prioritized, with a second priority for households with income below 400% of FPL, to receive an empowerment account to take education dollars earmarked for their child and choose among a variety of options to customize their child’s k-12 education.
Senate Bill 202 puts parents in the driver’s seat regarding their child’s education, provides parents and students with the full array of educational opportunities, and ensures that a child’s future is not determined by their zip-code. Through this legislation, Florida will continue to lead the way in education, delivering positive educational outcomes that result in lifelong success.

Reimagining Workforce Development
Tuesday, Senator Travis Hutson (R-Palm Coast) presented Senate Bill 240 in the Senate Committee on Pre-K – 12 Education where it passed with unanimous committee support. Senate Bill 240 reimagines and revitalizes workforce development programs hosted within Florida’s schools.
Through a comprehensive approach, incorporating local businesses, community boards, and public schools, this legislation expands opportunities for middle and high school students to receive valuable career training while still enrolled in a Florida public school.
Senate Bill 240 revises current high school graduation requirements to place a specific emphasis on educational curriculum that is focused on technical education and career training. Additionally, this legislation establishes a program that allows local businesses to assess the job market for their specified region and collaborate with local schools to ensure that roles found to be of a greater need are greater emphasized in our educational system.
As the entire nation attempts to address labor shortages in key fields such as nursing and logistics, Florida will lead through innovative educational policies that benefit individual students and the economy as a whole.

Defending Florida from Foreign Threats
Tuesday, Senator Jay Collins (R-Tampa) presented Senate Bill 264 in the Senate Judiciary Committee where it passed with strong committee support. Senate Bill 264 prohibits foreign adversaries and companies funded by adversaries from purchasing agricultural land in the State of Florida.
Due to the growing threat of the Chinese Communist Party’s attempts to weaken America’s national security through strategic land purchases, it is critical that we protect the health of our agriculture industry. Senate Bill 264 ensures that America’s enemies will be strictly prohibited from purchasing agricultural land in the State of Florida. This is a crucial step to protect Florida’s food supply and broader security interests.

The Florida Senate and House will reconvene next Monday as legislative session continues.
Respectfully,
Kathleen

Kathleen C. Passidomo
Senate President
State Senator, District 28
Naples Office:
3299 East Tamiami Trail
Suite 203
Naples, FL 34112
239-417-6205
LaBelle Office:
25 East Hickpochee Avenue
Room J-101
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-674-7122
Tallahassee Office:
409 The Capitol
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-487-5028

Not paid for at taxpayer expense.

Paid political advertisement paid for by Working Together for Florida P.C., 133 South Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285.

The post Legislative Update – March 17, 2023 appeared first on Republican Men's Club of Collier County.

We’re already preparing for the 2022 legislative session. Committee hearings begin September 20, 2021, and we convene for session on January 11, 2022.
It is my absolute privilege to serve you and represent our region in Florida’s State Senate.
Thank you.

Kathleen C. Passidomo
Senate Rules Chair
State Senator, District 28

Naples Office:
3299 East Tamiami Trail
Suite 203
Naples, FL 34112
239-417-6205
LaBelle Office:
25 East Hickpochee Avenue
Room J-126
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-674-7122
Tallahassee Office:
400 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-487-5028

Not paid for at taxpayer expense.

Paid political advertisement paid for by Working Together for Florida P.C., 133 South Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285.

The post 2021 Session letter – Kathleen Passidomo appeared first on Republican Men's Club of Collier County.

Gaming Compact Agreement Reached Between Florida Legislature This Week
This week, Florida lawmakers met to discuss and debate the 2021 Gaming Compact and related legislation.
As a sovereign nation, the Seminole Tribe has the right to offer gambling on its properties. Through a previously established agreement, the Tribe shared revenue with the state of Florida to support education, law enforcement and infrastructure, among other investments. However, since the agreement expired in 2015, the state has not benefited from this revenue.
The 2021 Gaming Compact was negotiated by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the State of Florida. The historic 30-year Compact restores Florida’s relationship with the Seminole Tribe, offers new opportunities for Florida’s legacy pari-mutuel industry, and provides substantial new revenues for our state. Importantly, it preserves Florida’s reputation as a family-friendly and safe world-class destination.
The goal of our legislation was to balance the requirements of federal Indian gaming law and Florida’s complex pari-mutuel regulatory structure, while also strengthening and enforcing restrictions against illegal and compulsive gambling. Responsible regulation is central to gaming, and as with other industries, such regulation should reflect current needs and current gaming violations and activities.
That is why we created an independent Gaming Control Commission to safeguard the public from illegal gaming activity and uphold the integrity of the industry.
The Compact also includes several provisions to help prevent compulsive gambling abuse, such as requiring the Seminole Tribe to make a substantial annual contribution ($250,000) per operational gaming facility to the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling.
Additionally, all advertising and marketing at tribal gaming facilities and all online betting sites must contain a responsible gaming message and a toll-free helpline number for gamblers.
The 2021 Compact will generate a minimum of $2.5 billion in new revenue for the state over the next five years and an estimated $6 billion through 2030.
On Tuesday, the Senate voted in favor to ratify the agreement. On Wednesday, the House voted to approve the measure.

Governor Signs Tax Relief Package to Help Floridians Find Cost Savings
On Friday, May 21, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 7061 which offers a variety of tax credits and holidays for Floridians to save on costs as many begin to rebuild beyond the pandemic. The approved tax package is expected to create $196.3 million in relief for Floridians.
This includes three tax holidays for Floridians. Two of which have historically played a major role in annual cost savings: Hurricane Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday and the Back-to-School Tax Holiday.
The Florida Legislature expanded the dates and item eligibility to help Floridians take advantage of tax-free supplies needed to secure your homes from hurricanes and prepare our students for the new school year.
The Hurricane Disaster Preparedness Holiday runs from Friday, May 28 through June 6. The Back-to-School Tax Holiday begins July 31 until August 9.
In addition, Floridians can benefit from a new tax holiday: “2021 Freedom Week.” This holiday will allow Floridians to purchase eligible event tickets, outdoor gear and beach or boating items tax-free from July 1 through July 7.
The goal is to encourage Floridians to take advantage of the recreational and entertainment opportunities here in the Sunshine State and help support local economies and businesses.

Hurricane Season Is Rapidly Approaching, Are You Prepared?
Though the Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins on June 1, forecasters have already spotted tropical storms forming as early as mid-May.
Visit FloridaDisaster.org to help your family and/or business establish a plan to remain safe in the event of a disaster.
Utilize this checklist to help keep you organized and plan your shopping list for the upcoming Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday.
Stay informed and view the latest updates on hurricane forecasts here.

Save On Hurricane Supplies Starting May 28 During the Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday
The tax relief package (HB 7061) Governor DeSantis signed into law this month includes the continuation of the annual Disaster Preparedness Tax Holiday. This year, the Florida Legislature expanded the tax-free savings to 10 days, which starts on Friday, May 28, and lasts until June 6.
Eligible items include:
· Portable self-powered light source selling for $40 or less;
· Certain portable radios selling for $50 or less;
· Tarps selling for $100 or less;
· Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits selling for $100 or less;
· A gas or diesel fuel tank selling for $50 or less;
· Packages of certain battery types, selling for $50 or less;
· A nonelectric food storage cooler selling for $60 or less;
· Portable generators for use in a power outage selling for $1,000 or less;
· Reusable ice selling for $20 or less; and
· Portable power banks selling for $60 or less.
Don’t wait, get prepared today!

Memorial Day Weekend Festivities in Southwest Florida
There are a variety of Memorial Day activities your family can safely participate in this year. Enjoy time at the beach, grill out in the backyard, attend a summer event or just keep it local this long weekend.
Many of Southwest Florida’s local restaurants and shops are offering opportunities for friends and family to gather for the holiday. You may find some local resources below.
· Beach Locations & Information
· Events
· Local Shopping & Sales

Fun Florida Activities for Your Family This Summer
As families and parents prepare for school to end next month, don’t let the education end outside of the classroom!
There are a variety of activities in Southwest Florida that can help your children exercise their minds and bodies.
View the links for summer activity ideas in your region:
· Collier County
· Hendry County
· Lee County

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo
Senate Rules Chair
State Senator, District 28

The post Legislative Update – May 21, 2021 – Kathleen C. Passidomo appeared first on Republican Men's Club of Collier County.

Auditory Oral Intervention for Children with Hearing Loss Receives $875,000
Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, listen and talk, most especially those with hearing loss. The funding of the Auditory Intervention for Children with Hearing Loss Program is crucial for children with hearing loss to receive access to care.
$875,000 will help facilitate hearing screenings and evaluations. The program will also provide listening and spoken language services to children with hearing loss from their birth to the age of three.
The program serves multiple counties and reaches the underserved and rural areas of our region to increase access to audiology services and screenings for children.

Bonita Springs Home Elevation & Buy-Out Program
The budget invests $300,000 to assist in elevating or purchasing homes in Bonita Springs that currently suffer from frequent flooding.
With this funding, the City of Bonita Springs will be able to move families to another area of the city that does not flood. The project will also provide an opportunity to elevate homes thus allowing families and residents to remain safely in their homes. It will also reduce the need for additional funds for the National Flood Insurance Program.

C-21 Bridge will Grant Hendry County Access to Lake Okeechobee
An investment of $3,652,000 will help replace a bridge connection inside the Herbert Hoover Dike to the Lake Okeechobee recreational area. This bridge will provide access for Hendry County law enforcement, emergency vehicles, citizen’s vehicles, bicycles and pedestrian traffic, to Lake Okeechobee.
The existing bridge was lost when the South Florida Water Management Districts removed and relocated the S-169 Structure as part of ongoing repairs and upgrades to the canal system and Herbert Hoover Dike.
The new bridge will meet all up-to-date Florida Department of Transportation and Army Corps of Engineers safety standards.

Collier County Golden Gate Senior Center Construction & Expansion
The provides $250,000 to expand the Collier County Senior Center. The funding will support the design, construction and expansion of the current Golden Gate Senior Center to better serve community seniors.
The expansion will provide additional space for programming and would provide the community access to aid after natural disasters and other large-scale community emergencies.

Collier County Lake Park Boulevard Capital Improvements and Water Quality Flow-way
The Lake Park Boulevard Capital Improvement and Water Quality Flow-way project is the first critical step in a multimillion-dollar series of infrastructure improvement projects.
The $250,000 allocated for the project will support the conversion of septic to sewer, the rehabilitation of the stormwater system, roadway improvements and other related site improvements to promote functionality, health and safety.
The surrounding region includes the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve; therefore. it is critical we safeguard our natural resources and residents.

David Lawrence Center (DLC) Wraparound Collier Program Support
The David Lawrence Center (DLC) Wraparound Collier Program (WRAP) will receive $279,112 in funding for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year.
The program provides specialty mental health services to hundreds of high-risk uninsured children and adolescents in Collier County who have severe to moderate problems in functioning across settings and for whom funding for an appropriate level of care does not otherwise exist.

Everglades City Wastewater Treatment Facility Replacement
As you may be aware, Everglades City’s existing wastewater treatment facility is in very poor condition. That is why I allocated $4,340,160 to fund the replacement of all systems and update the facility to be in compliance with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The facility is located in an environmentally sensitive region that reached the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, the Everglades National Park and the Big Cypress National Preserve. The funding will allow for the existing facility to be demolished and a new facility to be constructed.
I am committed to protecting our water quality while safeguarding Florida’s natural resources and landscape in a practical and effective manner.

Fort Myers Salvation Army Co-Occurring Residential Treatment Program
To help those seeking rehabilitation and recovery in Southwest Florida, the Fort Myers Salvation Army Residential Treatment Program will receive $300,000 to support its efforts.
The program provides treatment for mental health and substance abuse.
The program hosts 12 felony probation beds to serve approximately 22 persons annually. The cost of the program is $75/day per patient.
Patients will receive medical services including an initial assessment and diagnosis by a psychiatrist and ongoing medication management.
A Mental Health Clinician (licensed or registered intern) will offer weekly in-person counseling, mental health therapy groups, medication and blood work services, and more for successful substance abuse treatment.

Connecting Airglades Airport Industrial Park with Clewiston Utilities will Create Economic Opportunities
The Airglades Airport Industrial Park is located west of Clewiston in Hendry County, on the south side of US 27. The park is shovel-ready for new tenants; however, the development of the property has been hindered by a lack of wastewater capacity.
Increasing wastewater capacity is critical in order to receive additional tenants at Airglades and create much-needed jobs for the region. That is why I requested an investment of $1,000,000 to support the construction, engineering inspection services and the installation of a wastewater force main from Airglades to the city of Clewiston’s existing wastewater treatment plant and utilities.
This project would complete the last piece of a multi-year, multi-agency, multi-million dollar investment and provide economic development opportunities to the surrounding area. The completion of this project is critical in order to sustain the economic environment in Hendry County as a whole and for the entire region.

Funding to Repair Hendry County Port LaBelle Utility System
Port LaBelle is one of the fastest-growing areas in Hendry County. In the past two years, more than 343 homes have been built. With the influx of residents and due to its aging infrastructure, the Port LaBelle Utility System wastewater collection system is in need of repairs.
Funding of $250,000 will help to update and replace the gravity mains and pipes. This project will reduce the infiltration of groundwater, the exfiltration of wastewater, and increase the plant’s capacity.
The project would provide both economic and environmental improvements for Hendry and Glades County.

LaBelle Water Transmission Line
The $1,298,931 funding for the LaBelle Water Transmission Loop project provides a greater degree of safety and consistency for the City of LaBelle water plant and its residents.
The current transmission pipeline serves approximately 7,500 residents. The project will mitigate any water line damage from ongoing construction projects, including the expansion of SR293. This will ultimately help prevent any water shortages for the residents of LaBelle.

Lighthouse of Collier Receives $90,000 to Support Blind Residents
The Lighthouse of Collier provides serves 14,000 area residents by fostering independence and enhancing the quality of life for the blind, visually impaired and their caregivers.
An allocation of $90,000 will help serve 30 or more clients with blindness or vision loss who want to maintain independence in their homes. Clients will benefit from receiving 1:1 instruction in ADL’s (Activities of Daily Living) from a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT), Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) or OT with Low Vision Rehabilitation certification, to enable independent living.

Marco Island Improvements with Tide Leveling & Canal Flushing
We secured $270,000 in funding for the San Marco Road Tide Leveling and Canal Flushing Improvement.
The project will install two (2) 48-inch diameter pipe culverts as well as stormwater inlet structures between two (2) canal basins under the San Marco roadway and through existing drainage easements.
Tide leveling and canal flushing are an integral part of the City of Marco Island’s Master Plan for Stormwater pollution control.

Naples Botanical Gardens Receive Funding for Horticulture Campus
Naples Botanical Garden will receive $750,000 in funding to develop a 75,000-square-foot Horticulture Campus.
This campus will enable the gardens to better meet Southwest Florida’s environmental challenges while contributing to global conservation efforts and enhancing its 170-acre property.
This is another win for Southwest Florida as the gardens are a major tourism draw for Collier County.

Funding for the Naples Senior Center at Jewish Family and Community Services
The Naples Senior Center, formerly known as the Jewish Family and Community Services of Naples, manages the only dementia-respite support program in Collier and Southern Lee County.
This cutting-edge, innovative support program provides the highest standard of care to clients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). It is designed for seniors who have been diagnosed with early to mid-stage ADRD.
This session, I worked to ensure the Naples Senior Center received $75,000 in appropriations to help support the program.
The program provides a holistic approach to socialization and wellness in everyday living.

Governor DeSantis Implements Ban on Vaccine Passports
On Tuesday, May 4, Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 2006, sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess. This legislation prohibits the use of vaccine passports and gives the Governor the authority to invalidate COVID-19 local emergency orders.
His leadership on this issue gives Floridians the freedom to go about their lives without some of the unnecessary burdens that local governments have been forcing on residents and businesses.
If you still choose to wear a mask, you are welcome to!

Support Given to Florida’s First Responders with New Bonus Allocation
On Wednesday, May 5, the Governor announced first responders can expect to receive $1,000 bonuses this year. This includes police officers, firefighters and paramedics.
We are grateful for the protection and support our first responders have provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they deserve our support.

Voter Reform Bill Signed into Florida Statute Last Week To Protect Floridians
On Thursday, May 6, Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 90, Election Administration, by Senator Dennis Baxley into law.
This legislation 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.

Governor Signs Transformational Legislation to Expand School Choice Options
On Tuesday, May 11, Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 7045 that will provide more education opportunities for children from low-income families and students with unique abilities. The bill expands eligibility for low-income students, and prioritizes military, foster, and adopted students.
“This legislation creates historical levels of flexibility in both schooling and educational services for millions of low-income families and families of students with unique abilities,” said Governor DeSantis. “As we have seen for more than 20 years now, these scholarship programs have elevated so many children and families. I am thankful to Senator Manny Diaz and Representatives Randy Fine and Jason Fischer for sponsoring this inclusive legislation to ensure that all of Florida’s students have the best chance for success.”

Florida Invests in Resiliency
On Wednesday, May 12, Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1954. This comprehensive legislation will ensure a coordinated approach to Florida’s coastal and inland resiliency. The new program will enhance Florida’s efforts to protect our inland waterways, coastlines, shores and coral reefs, which serve as invaluable natural defenses against sea level rise.
Additionally, this bill and the 2021-2022 budget are part of the largest investment in the state’s history – over $640 million – to support efforts to ensure state and local communities are prepared to deal with the impacts of sea level rise, intensified storms and flooding.   
· $12.5 million for the Resilient Coastlines Initiative for resilience projects and coral reef protection.   
· $29 million for establishment and planning efforts of the Resilient Florida Grant Program.   
· $500 million in federal funding for implementation of statewide resilience projects through the Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan.
· $100 million for Resilient Florida Grant Program projects in partnership with local communities, beginning in 2022.   

Governor Signs 15 Additional Bills into Florida Statute Friday, Including CONNECT Website Updates
Last Friday, the Governor signed 15 bills into law including House Bill 1463, Department of Economic Opportunity, by Representative Chip LaMarca.
This legislation will modernize Florida’s unemployment system, specifically the CONNECT website system that suffered major issues during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
The measure will make the application process for programs much easier and streamlined for those looking to recover and rebuild beyond the public health emergency.
Other bills signed by Governor DeSantis include:
· SB 530 – Nonopioid Alternatives
· SB 602 – Business Organizations
· SB 1080 – Tobacco and Nicotine Products
· SB 1884 – Preemption of Firearms and Ammunition Regulation
· SB 1890 – Campaign Financing
· HB 35 – Legal Notices
· HB 67 – Public Defender Duties
· HB 327 – Public Records
· HB 353 – Bicycle Operation Regulations
· HB 363 – Privileged Communications Made to Crime Stoppers Organizations
· HB 369 – Construction Contracting Regulation Exemption
· HB 379 – Public Records
· HB 1239 – Broadband Internet Infrastructure
· HB 7037 – Review under the Open Government Sunset Review Act
Other bills signed this week are:
· SB 148 – Allowing To-Go Sales of Alcoholic Beverages

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo
Senate Rules Chair
State Senator, District 28

Naples Office:
3299 East Tamiami Trail
Suite 203
Naples, FL 34112
239-417-6205
LaBelle Office:
25 East Hickpochee Avenue
Room J-126
LaBelle, FL 33935
863-674-7122
Tallahassee Office:
400 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-487-5028

Not paid for at taxpayer expense.

Paid political advertisement paid for by Working Together for Florida P.C., 133 South Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285.

The post Legislative Update – Funding Secured for District 28 – Kathleen C. Passidomo appeared first on Republican Men's Club of Collier County.

Today marks the 54th day of this year’s legislative session.
Both chambers continue to work on budget negotiations after a week of conferencing. Our goal is to establish a balanced budget that will help support Floridians rebuilding from COVID-19 and beyond the pandemic.
Once the budget is finalized, it must be printed and provided to each member of the House and Senate for review for a minimum of 72 hours before we can vote on the budget on the floor. Once the finalized budget is passed, we can declare Sine Die and officially end the 2021 Legislative Session.
The Senate Rules Committee, of which I am chair, held a final meeting Tuesday to review and discuss legislation before moving to the Senate floor for a final vote. As we finalize outstanding legislation and budgetary items, we are optimistic that we have advanced a series of measures that will ensure a better, brighter future for all Floridians.

Budget Negotiations Underway Between the Senate and House of Representatives
The Florida Senate and House of Representatives began budget negotiations for the 2021-2022 fiscal year budget.
The Appropriations Conference Committee is led by Senate Appropriations Chair Kelli Stargel and House Appropriations Chair Jay Trumbull, who are working together along with their subcommittee chairs to negotiate through the differences in each chamber’s proposed budgets.
The Senate and House are committed to passing a balanced budget that prioritizes key investments in infrastructure, water quality improvements, environmental restoration and education, while responsibly planning for Florida’s future as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Prioritizes Our Servicemembers, Veterans and Their Families
Several pro-veteran initiatives won approval from the Florida Senate this week.
House Bill 231: Services for Veterans and Their Families, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Gayle Harrell, authorizes the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to create the Florida Veterans’ Care Coordination Program to provide both veterans and their families with dedicated behavioral health care referral services, primarily for mental health and substance abuse. The legislation unanimously passed off the Senate Floor. Through the program, a veteran may call a separate veteran-dedicated support line to receive assistance and support from a fellow veteran who is trained to respond to the calls for assistance.
Two measures by Senator Tom Wright, Senate Bill 586: Veterans Employment and Training and Senate Bill 938: Purple Star Campuses, unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Senate Bill 586 creates a coalition to help veterans as they transition into the civilian workforce, designating Veterans Florida as the state’s principal assistance organization under the United States Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program for employers and transitioning service-members. The program will help exiting military members in their last six months of service to bridge the skills they learned in the military with a civilian job in Florida and empower Veterans Florida to educate businesses, business associations and transitioning service-members on the SkillBridge program and its benefits.
Senate Bill 938 recognizes and supports the exemplary schools that aid students of military families as they transition into new schools by requiring the Department of Education to establish the Purple Star Campus Program. The measure provides Purple Star Schools with a designated military liaison, maintains a student-led transition program to assist military students in transitioning into new schools and offers professional development training opportunities for staff members on issues relating to military students.
The Florida Senate is committed to ensuring the Sunshine State remains the number one state in the nation for our military and veteran communities and their families.

Measure to Increase Unemployment Benefits Passes Florida Senate
The COVID-19 Pandemic has shed light on issues within Florida’s unemployment system and the Florida Senate is taking the necessary steps to address these challenges.
Senate Bill 1906: Reemployment Assistance, by Senator Jason Brodeur, passed the Florida Senate and is headed to the Florida House of Representatives for consideration.
The maximum unemployment benefit amount has not been raised in over two decades, and the cost of living for Floridians has grown substantially since then. The legislation proposes to increase the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $275 to $375, and to increase the minimum weekly benefit from $32 to $100, bringing Florida on par with the national average for state unemployment benefits.
It also aims to increase the maximum duration of benefits from 12 weeks to 14 weeks when the unemployment rate is at or below 5%, and from 23 weeks to 25 weeks when the unemployment rate is at or above 10.5%. Additionally, denial of reemployment assistance solely on the basis of pregnancy is prohibited under the legislation.

Legislation Modernizing Florida’s Reemployment Assistance Program Passes Senate
Gaining unanimous support in the Florida Senate, House Bill 1463: Department of Economic Opportunity, presented in the Senate by President Pro Tempore Aaron Bean, will update Florida’s antiquated reemployment assistance program.
While the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) continues to work tirelessly to ensure benefits are provided to claimants, the state’s reemployment assistance program, known as CONNECT, was not built to process the volume of claims received during the pandemic.
House Bill 1463 establishes an Office of Economic Accountability and Transparency within DEO to provide oversight on key agency initiatives. The measure also works to modernize Florida’s reemployment assistance program by implementing a cloud-based system that is necessary for an efficient and effective operation and directs other program and claims-processing changes to promote efficiency and timeliness.

Senate Approves Legislation Providing Moments of Silence in Public Schools
The Florida Senate approved a measure to afford students the opportunity for a daily moment of reflection while at school. House Bill 529: Moments of Silence in Public Schools, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Dennis Baxley, requires teachers to hold a moment of silence at the beginning of school each day.
The legislation prohibits teachers from suggesting how to utilize the moment of silence but instead encourages teachers to discuss with families how students can make the most during this time of reflection.

Bill to Strengthen Florida’s Right to Farm Act Passes House Floor
Gaining bipartisan support on the House Floor Thursday, Senate Bill 88: Farming Operations passed in a 110 to 7 vote.
Florida’s legacy farming communities contribute to our nation’s food supply and billions of dollars to our state’s economy. Senate Bill 88: Farming Operations, by Senator Jason Brodeur and Representative Jayer Williamson, increases protections for our farmers by modernizing Florida’s Right to Farm Act.
Our state has experienced tremendous growth since Florida’s Right to Farm Act was originally passed in 1979. Both chambers have now approved this legislation, which seeks to update this important law so existing farm work and complementary agritourism activities are protected.
On Thursday, the legislation was sent to the Governor’s office for his consideration.

Online Sales Tax Bill Signed into Law By Governor DeSantis
On Monday, the Governor signed into law Senate Bill 50: Online Sales Tax by Senator Joe Gruters.
Online purchases are not tax-free. Every time government turns a blind eye on collecting taxes, we put a greater burden on the businesses and Floridians who are following the law. Making sure out-of-state businesses are collecting and remitting taxes that are owed is the right thing to do.
SB 50, effective July 1, 2021, will help to prevent an unexpected tax hike on Florida businesses, creates a fair playing field for in-state businesses, and creates a revenue stream to replenish the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund to support Florida workers seeking re-employment.
In addition, this bill includes a plan to decrease the commercial rent tax over time, once the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund is replenished.

Special Session Announced To Discuss 2021 Compact With Seminole Tribe of Florida
On Friday, Governor DeSantis and the Seminole Tribe of Florida executed a historic new 30-year gaming Compact.
After months of negotiations, the 2020 Compact restores the State’s relationship with the Tribe, preserves and offers new opportunities for Florida’s legacy pari-mutuel industry, and provides substantial new revenues for the State of Florida.
Some of the highlights of the new Compact with the Seminole Tribe include:
· A new 30-year term;
· Craps and Roulette;
· Additional facilities on the Tribe’s Hollywood reservation;
· Enhanced revenue sharing brackets and;
· Statewide online sports betting in partnership with the pari-mutuels.
The new Compact will need to be ratified by the Legislature. Senate President Wilton Simpon and House Speaker Chris Sprowls have agreed for the Legislature to reconvene in a Special Session the week of May 17 to provide a more thorough vetting of these important issues.
The previously discussed legislation to establish a Gaming Control Commission and to decouple greyhound, jai alai, harness, and quarter horse racing will be reintroduced during the Special Session. This will provide ample time to thoroughly discuss and address the future of gaming in our state in a more comprehensive manner.
I understand that Florida’s diverse population has differing opinions and beliefs in regard to gaming. As President Simpson mentioned, Florida has a significant gaming footprint. Therefore, it is necessary that we regulate these activities in a manner that is fair and equitable to all parties.

Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Update
As of Thursday, April 22, 13,209,897 vaccine doses have been administered in Florida. There are now 8,307,032 individuals who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Florida.
Remember, all individuals aged 18 and older are now 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 April 23, there have been 2,196,502 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida, including 33,400 in Collier County, 4,607 in Hendry County and 65,427 in Lee County.
As of April 22, the state’s positivity rate for new cases is 5.95%.
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.

In the News
New autism center in Cape Coral is first for Southwest Florida
Thanks A Million Harry Chapin Food Bank
New eye institute opening at Golisano Children’s Hospital this fall

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo
Senate Rules Chair
State Senator, District 28

The post Kathleen C. Passidomo – Legislative Update – April 24, 2021 appeared first on Republican Men's Club of Collier County.

Each chamber passed a version of the state budget last week, but a lot has changed since then.  While we planned for a major budget shortfall, the most recent revenue estimate for FY 2021-2022 projects Florida will receive $2 billion more in revenue than the most recent estimate.  The increase is a result of federal relief funding and higher tax revenues expected as we continue to recover and rebuild our economy from COVID-19.  While the latest revenue projection is a strong improvement, we have important decisions to make about how we fund the many priorities and challenges our state faces.  We must ensure that every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely and provides a strong return on investment for Floridians.

While the budget process moves forward, we continue to hear important legislation on the Senate floor. Below is an update on activities this week.  To search and follow any of the proposed legislation for the 2021 session, you may view them here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2021.

The post Passidomo Legislative update April 17 appeared first on Republican Men's Club of Collier County.

This week, the Florida Senate passed the proposed $95 billion state budget for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year. The budget aims to support Floridians as we continue to recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the budget includes funding for key initiatives that will benefit our state beyond the pandemic.
Priorities include support for new workforce opportunities, projects to help address the rising sea level and Everglades restoration, and major investments in Florida’s infrastructure.
The Florida House passed its proposed budget this week, too. Budget negotiations will begin as early as next week to resolve differences and produce a consensus budget before April 30 for the Governor’s consideration.
As the budget process progresses, legislation continues to move through the process. It is important to note that bills as originally filed oftentimes change dramatically in committee hearings due to input from the public and committee members. SB 86 on Bright Futures is such an example (see my comments below). If you are interested in following the course of any piece of legislation go to the Florida Senate website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2021.

Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Update
As of Thursday, April 8, 10,732,071 vaccine doses have been administered in Florida. There are now 6,942,405 individuals who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Florida.
As of this Monday, all individuals aged 18 and older are now 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.

Reminder: Pre-Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine & Use the DOH Vaccine Locator
Visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) statewide vaccine locator site and preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
Both websites help eligible Floridians preregister for the vaccine and locate nearby vaccination sites.

COVID-19 Update: Florida Case Data
As of April 9, there have been 2,111,807 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida, including 32,138 in Collier County, 4,507 in Hendry County and 62,224 in Lee County.
As of April 8, the state’s positivity rate for new cases is 6.66%.
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.

Senate Unanimously Approves Balanced Budget with Major Investments in Infrastructure, Environment
The Florida Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 2500: Appropriations, the Senate’s proposed budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The $95 billion budget includes key investment infrastructure, water quality improvements and environmental restoration, child welfare, and an increase in the minimum wage for state workers.
The balanced budget includes $5 billion in reserves to responsibly plan for Florida’s future as the economy recovers from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The budget proposal fully funds the Medicaid program, which increased by 730,000 enrollees as a result of the pandemic and maintains last year’s unprecedented level of per-student funding for K-12 education, including a $500 million allocation to raise teacher salaries. The budget also provides for a $50 million increase in our investment in the child welfare system and increases the minimum wage for state workers to $13 per hour, three years ahead of the timeline outlined by the constitutional amendment that passed last fall.
Additionally, the Senate approved conforming bills associated with the balanced budget that make comprehensive investments in Florida’s infrastructure and environment. Senate Bill 2512, Documentary Stamp Tax Distributions, forms a three-part infrastructure plan to prioritize funding in state and local affordable housing programs, mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise, and enhance wastewater programs, including septic-to-sewer conversions. The new framework provides that 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.

Senate Prioritizes Legislation Expediting Water Storage North of Lake Okeechobee
Senate Bill 2516: Water Storage North of Lake Okeechobee, works to improve the water quality in Lake Okeechobee and reduce damaging discharges.
The legislation expedites the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project, providing for water storage north of Lake Okeechobee, and secures $50 million annually to ensure the success of this transformative policy.
Senate Bill 2516 will serve to mitigate toxic algal blooms, protect against droughts, improve water quality and quantity, and preserve Florida’s unique environment for generations to come.

Measure to Replenish Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, Cut Business Rent Tax Sent to Governor’s Desk
The Florida Senate recognizes the hardships Florida’s businesses have endured during the ongoing pandemic. Senate Bill 50: Taxation, by Senator Joe Gruters, passed off the Senate Floor and prevents an unexpected tax hike on Florida businesses, creates a fair playing field with out-of-state businesses, ensures necessary compensation is available for Florida workers seeking re-employment and cuts Florida’s business rent tax by $1 billion.
Unlike brick and mortar businesses here in Florida, out-of-state retailers or marketplaces that sell products online do not always remit the sales tax for each purchase. This legislation simply ensures marketplaces and out-of-state retailers collect the owed sales tax at the point of sale for remote purchases, and remit these taxes to the state, just like in-state retailers. This measure helps create a fair climate for our state’s businesses, where everyone plays by the same rules.
Senate Bill 50 directs these funds, approximately $1 billion of uncollected sales tax from out-of-state retailers, to be collected and deposited into Florida’s Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund for the next four years, or until the Trust Fund is replenished to pre-pandemic levels. Replenishing the trust fund will prevent an impending 700% increase in unemployment taxes facing businesses while ensuring that the fund remains solvent for employees when they need to claim their benefits. Once the Trust fund is replenished, additional funds collected from out-of-state retailers will go toward reducing Florida’s business rent tax rate from the current 5.5% to 2%.
Cutting the business rent tax by 3.5% will lower taxes on businesses by over $1 billion. Florida is the only state to charge sales tax on commercial rentals of real property. This meaningful tax cut will lower operating costs for Florida businesses while helping decrease new businesses’ startup costs.

Legislation Safeguarding First Amendment Rights, Combating Violence Passes Committee
In the last year, violence and destruction from dangerous riots have plagued our state, Washington D.C., and cities around the country.
Now, the Florida Legislature is taking action to ensure public safety and preserve the First Amendment right of all Americans to peacefully protest. House Bill 1: Combating Public Disorder, presented by Senator Danny Burgess, passed the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
House Bill 1 upholds the rule of law and protects law enforcement officers from violent attacks.
The legislation increases criminal penalties for violence, burglary, and destruction during a riot, allows law enforcement to prohibit individuals from blocking traffic and obstructing roadways if a permit has not been obtained, provides for a six-month mandatory sentence for battery against a law enforcement officer during a riot, creates a process to reject efforts to defund the police, and makes doxing a first-degree misdemeanor. The Florida Senate is committed to ensuring individuals’ First Amendment right to peacefully protest. Rioting, violence and destruction only silence those protesting peacefully, and will not be tolerated here in Florida.

Measure to Combat Human Trafficking in Florida Advances to Senate Floor
The Senate Committee on Rules approved Senate Bill 1826: Human Trafficking, by Senator Manny Diaz, Jr., in an ongoing effort to end human trafficking in Florida.
The legislation expands the definition and scope of “human trafficking,” to better ensure
traffickers are brought to justice for this form of modern-day slavery.
The legislation also provides that certain communications between a human trafficking victim advocate or trained volunteer with the victim are confidential. This will help individuals feel more comfortable sharing their experiences and receiving these critical services in a private setting.

Measure to Stabilize Florida’s Property Insurance Market Passes Senate
With the cost of property insurance in Florida increasing rapidly, the Florida Senate passed legislation to stabilize Florida’s property insurance market. Senate Bill 76: Property Insurance, by Senator Jim Boyd, addresses several issues surrounding the rising cost of property insurance in Florida. Specifically, the bill clarifies options for insurance coverage related to roof damage and replacement, creates a uniform period for filing a property insurance claim, requires that the insured party provide notice to the insurance company before filing a lawsuit, and changes how attorney fees are awarded in property insurance litigation.
“We want to make certain that Floridians have access to property insurance that is both reliable and affordable. Right now we have a situation in our state where homeowners are paying more for their property insurance, and yet insurance companies are suffering massive losses,” said Senator Boyd. “One of the biggest drivers of rate increases is the extraordinary number of roofing claims in Florida. This bill provides a needed update to roofing policies to both protect homeowners and prevent the abuse of claims by predatory attorneys and contractors.”

Senate Passes Statewide Flooding and Sea-level Rise Resilience Plan
The Florida Senate this week passed Senate Bill 1954, Statewide Flooding and Sea-level Rise Resilience, by Senator Ray Rodrigues.
SB 1954 establishes statewide resiliency programs that assess and address inland and coastal flooding and sea-level rise.
The bill creates the “Resilient Florida Grant Program” within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which will provide funding, subject to appropriation, to local governments for the costs of resilience planning and projects to adapt critical assets.
The bill further creates the “Comprehensive Statewide Flood Vulnerability and Sea Level Rise Data Set and Assessment,” to be updated every five years. The DEP must develop a statewide data set necessary to determine the risks to inland and coastal communities, including statewide sea level rise projections; and develop a statewide assessment, based on the statewide data set, which identifies vulnerable areas, infrastructure, and critical assets.

Comprehensive Legislation to Improve Emergency Response Efforts Passes Committee
The ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic has highlighted several areas where the Florida Legislature can make improvements to benefit our state moving forward.
Senate Bill 2006: Emergency Management, by Senator Danny Burgess, updates the State Emergency Management Act to better address the threat posed by a pandemic or other public health emergency. This legislation passed the Senate Committee on Rules, chaired by Senator Kathleen Passidomo, its final committee stop before consideration by the full Senate.
Last year, Senate President Wilton Simpson announced the creation of a new committee, the Select Committee on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, chaired by Senator Burgess. The committee reviewed a wide range of issues regarding the state response to the pandemic, and this legislation is one step in addressing the gaps that were identified.
The bill provides for additional oversight and transparency regarding exercises of the executive branch’s and local government’s emergency powers to protect the individual rights of all Floridians while keeping our communities safe. It ensures the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) maintains a stockpile of personal protective equipment.
Senate Bill 2006 also requires the DOH to create a state public health emergency management plan and for DEM to incorporate it into a comprehensive emergency management plan.

Senate Passes Comprehensive Plan to Invest in Florida’s Infrastructure
The Florida Senate today passed Senate Bill 2512, Documentary Stamp Tax Distributions, and Senate Bill 2514, Resilient Florida Trust Fund. These conforming bills associated with the state budget establish the statewide plan to fund key infrastructure programs.
Senate Bill 2512 funds key infrastructure priorities; including critical wastewater programs, affordable housing, and mitigating sea-level rise, without raising taxes on Floridians.
This comprehensive proposal modernizes our documentary stamp tax distribution by dedicating a steady stream of funding to address these three critical areas of public policy.
SB 2514 creates the Resilient Florida Trust Fund within the Department of Environmental Protection and provides that the trust fund is established as a depository for documentary stamp revenues dedicated to resiliency projects as provided for in SB 2512.

Legislation to Provide Students With Improved Career Planning Tools Passes Senate Florida
On Thursday, Senate Bill 86, Student Financial Aid, by Senator Dennis Baxley passed the floor.
Since the Bright Futures Program was established, it has been modified many times, to include increases in investments. In 1997, the state funded $69 million in scholarships. This year’s budget invests $651 million of state resources into Bright Futures. When Bright Futures was first established, the funding was based on the cost of tuition, but today the program includes more support, such as the cost of books.
Over the last several weeks, I have received a number of emails on this bill, many from people who expressed concerns about the original version and were not aware of revisions made in recent weeks. The originally filed version did not contemplate reducing funding for Bright Futures. Instead, it tied the funding for each student to whether or not they were enrolled in a degree program that would lead to them getting a job once they graduated. That provision caused a great deal of concern to me and to students and parents all over the state.
I and many of my colleagues spoke with the bill sponsor to share these and other concerns about the bill. As a result the bill was amended dramatically.
The current version of the bill does not limit any student in their choice of degree selection or the courses they may take. The bill provides that the scholarships will be funded through an amount annually specified in the General Appropriations Act (GAA). The budget recently passed by the Senate fully funds Bright Futures Scholarships at current levels.
The updated Senate Bill 86 that passed the Senate floor this week provides a framework for Florida students and families to make more informed decisions about educational options and expands avenues of eligibility for merit-based financial aid scholarships.
Senate Bill 86 requires the Board of Governors (BOG), State Board of Education (SBE) and the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF) to create and publish a list, by December 31, 2021, of programs and certificates that will not directly lead to jobs.
University students will also have access to the real-world outcomes of state university graduates by academic area, and students will be able to explore post-graduation median salary, debt, loan, and continuing education information before declaring a major.
The bill provides additional eligibility options for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program beginning for graduates of the 2021-2022 academic year.

Senate Committee to Meet Next Week on Three Proposed Gaming Bills
Next Monday, the Committee on Regulated Industries will meet to discuss three new proposed bills related to gaming in Florida.
As a member of the committee, I will participate in discussions regarding the following proposals: the creation of a Gaming Control Commission, the decoupling of jai alai, harness and quarter horse racing, and conform Florida statutes to the constitutional prohibition on greyhound racing.
Senate President Simpson recognizes that Florida is a diverse state and that Senators and constituents have many different opinions, beliefs and convictions regarding gaming. The fact remains, gaming is a voter-approved industry that has contributed billions of dollars to our economy for education, health care and infrastructure while providing hundreds of thousands of jobs to Floridians for nearly 100 years.
I will continue to keep you updated as discussions progress.

In the News
Collier CARES app launching to connect people with essential services
Minor league baseball: Fort Myers Mighty Mussels to open season with limited attendance

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo
Senate Rules Chair
State Senator, District 28

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