2024 legislative session begins with several key bills to watch
January 12, 2024 — This Week's Top Stories in Florida
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2024 legislative session begins with a quieter tone
As the Florida Capitol kicked off the legislative session this week, expectations are set for a less tumultuous 60-day period than in previous years. A quieter session is anticipated as Governor Ron DeSantis, with his presidential ambitions as the backdrop, is predicted to depart from his aggressive legislative approach in previous years as his national ambitions wane. The Republican governor will be distracted as he concentrates his efforts on the Iowa caucus on January 15 and the January 23 GOP primary in New Hampshire. Claiming to have fulfilled his gubernatorial agenda, DeSantis has not announced any major legislative proposals for 2024. Instead, he has asked lawmakers to fund many of his political priorities unveiled in his $114.4 billion proposed budget, including his migrant flight program, school vouchers, and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, which expedites construction on state-owned roadways.
Lawmakers in the Florida House have filed 857 bills this year compared to the 919 bills submitted in 2023. Meanwhile, the Florida Senate has filed one less bill than last year, signaling that legislators on both sides of the aisle are motivated to advance their priorities. But lawmakers also expect a different pace, with Senate President Kathleen Passidomo focusing on healthcare and deregulating public schools, and House Speaker Paul Renner targeting social media regulations for children. While fewer contentious issues dominate this session, debates over topics like firearm waiting periods, child labor laws, artificial intelligence, and condominium regulations are expected to stir emotions. And despite DeSantis’ campaign refrain projecting legislative success, there remains a consensus that critical issues persist, from high insurance rates to affordable housing concerns.
Despite national polls showing DeSantis trailing in the race for the GOP presidential nomination, Tallahassee insiders maintain his influence in Florida's Capitol remains strong, especially as the Republican governor has three years left in his term. He also holds sway over key legislators such as Speaker Renner and President Passidomo, who largely align with the governor’s initiatives. Though some dissent within the Republican ranks is expected among the vocal group of lawmakers who endorsed Trump for president and stand ready to criticize DeSantis.
Top issues to watch during the 2024 legislative session
As Florida lawmakers gathered in Tallahassee this week to begin the 60-day legislative session, a diverse range of bills are poised to shape the state's policies, impacting issues from insurance and healthcare to education and pronouns. Here are the top bills to watch during this session:
Homeowners Insurance: Major insurance market reforms in the past years may shift the focus away, but the crisis is ongoing and lawmakers have proposed bills to reduce homeowner premiums, revise eligibility for Citizens Property Insurance, and $400 million in temporary tax relief.
Auto Insurance: The surging cost of vehicle insurance, among the highest in the country, is prompting legislators to revisit repealing and overhauling the state’s “no-fault” motorist law that would require more liability coverage.
Education: Controversy surrounds an education bill aiming to eliminate graduation requirements for Algebra I and 10th-grade language arts exams. The bill also allows parents to determine whether their third-grade student should advance to the next grade level, even if they fail the required reading test. School funding, teacher pay, and free lunch for students are among the other education bills being floated.
Health Care: Senate President Kathleen Passidomo has promoted legislation aiming to bolster medical workers in the state by providing education assistance and expanding grants for medical students. The 234-page bill also seeks to address affordability by increasing Floridian’s access to healthcare providers. However, Medicaid expansion for the roughly 1 million uninsured in the state is excluded from consideration.
Child Labor: Backed by conservative advocacy groups and industry associations, a proposed law being considered would expand working hours for teenagers aged 16 and 17 years to the same number of hours permitted to someone 18 years of age or older. However, these teenagers would be limited to working between the hours of 6:00 AM and 11:00 PM on school days, per the most recently filed bill amendment. The bill also removes the 30-minute break requirement after working four consecutive hours for 16 and 17-year-olds.
Workplace Freedoms: A recently filed bill could shield employees from consequences in the workplace for expressing certain religious or biological views on sexuality, gender, and marriage. It also restricts transgender individuals' ability to share preferred pronouns with their employer if they differ from their biological sex.
Firearms: The Florida House contemplates reversing Governor Rick Scott's policy that would lower the legal age to purchase a rifle or shotgun to 21, while also eliminating the three-day waiting period, potentially undoing reforms after the Parkland school shooting.
Abortion: Amid legal uncertainties over Florida’s 15-week and six-week abortion bans, Republicans are proposing compensation for parents under the Wrongful Death Act, if an unborn child dies. Meanwhile, a pair of Democrats are aiming to shield women from prosecution if they have an abortion outside of the state’s third-degree felony regulations.
Prison System: Florida's prison system, in dire need of renovation and additional facilities to address capacity, is poised to become a focal point for budget negotiations during this year’s session.
Kratom Regulation: In response to kratom-related deaths, legislators seek to regulate the substance's sale, distribution, and labeling, proposing financial penalties for violations.
Voting Rights: A newly filed bill seeks to restrict mail-in voting, requiring qualified voters to only vote by mail if they cannot vote in person on Election Day or during early voting. To vote by mail, voters must swear and provide a reason for their absence. Accepted excuses include being out of the county, having an illness or disability, or being a caregiver. A request would have to be made to vote by mail for each election.
Social Media: BIlls filed in the House and Senate would restrict access to social media platforms for users under 16 years old, requiring platforms and other websites to institute an age verification system and prohibiting minors from creating new accounts
School Deregulation: Senate Republicans are pushing to ease public school regulations to grant more control to local officials and teachers, aligning them with private schools.
Artificial Intelligence: Lawmakers have demonstrated interest in regulating AI, with proposals requiring disclaimers on political AI-driven content and protecting consumers from misinformation.
As the legislative session unfolds, these bills are forecasted to generate fierce debates and hard decisions that could shape Florida's political and social landscape for decades.
State requests Supreme Court decline congressional redistricting challenge
Florida officials have urged the state's Supreme Court to reject a challenge to the constitutionality of the congressional redistricting plan implemented by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2022. Secretary of State Cord Byrd and the Legislature argue that the court should uphold the 1st District Court of Appeal's December 1 ruling supporting the plan, emphasizing the impending legislative session and the approaching 2024 elections. The legal dispute focuses on the redrawing of a majority-minority district in North Florida during an April 2022 special legislative session that was formerly held by Black Democrat Al Lawson. The redrawing resulted in the district moving to the Jacksonville area and resulted in white Republicans winning all North Florida congressional seats. Voting rights groups argue that the overhaul violated the Florida Constitution’s Fair Districts Amendment, preventing the diminishment of minority voters to elect the candidate of their choice. A Leon County circuit judge initially sided with the plaintiffs, but the 1st District Court of Appeal overturned the decision. On appeal with the Supreme Court, plaintiffs have asked for the case to be expedited, asking for a decision before the 2024 elections. If the Supreme Court decides the redistricting plan is unconstitutional, it would require the Legislature to redraw congressional districts. Another challenge to the redistricting plan is pending in federal court.
State GOP ousts Ziegler as chairman, elects Power as new leader
In a swift, decisive leadership change, the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) officially removed its chairperson, Christian Ziegler, during a closed-door meeting in Tallahassee. About 200 Republicans convened, with a resounding vote to oust Ziegler following several weeks of turmoil surrounding a sex scandal and ongoing criminal investigations for rape allegations. Evan Power, a Tallahassee lobbyist, and RPOF vice-chairperson, emerged as the party's new leader, winning with 135 votes against Peter Feaman's 65 votes. Governor Ron DeSantis endorsed Power before the vote. Ziegler's removal came after the party faced challenges in fundraising and public image due to the scandal. Power emphasized the need to regain donors' trust, stating, "We moved on as fast and efficiently as we could, and now we're in a new chapter with a new chairman." Ziegler did not attend the meeting.
FDA allows Florida to import prescription drugs from Canada
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a Florida program allowing the state to import certain prescription drugs from Canada, a move intended to reduce escalating medication costs. Florida aims to import prescription drugs treating conditions such as HIV, mental illness, and prostate cancer, initially for use in state-run facilities and Medicaid members. States are allowed to import certain prescription drugs from Canada under section 804 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) as long as they are demonstrated to reduce costs to the American consumer without risk to public health and safety. However, FDA approval must be granted for specific drugs seeking to be imported. The FDA's decision has drawn criticism from pharmaceutical companies, with concerns about potential risks to public health associated with importing unapproved medicines. The pharmaceutical industry has vowed to leverage its powerful lobbying group to explore blocking this policy from being implemented. Whether Florida will actually be able to import drugs in volume remains uncertain as Canada has restricted exporting medications citing drug shortages. The FDA rules also mandate that prescriptions must come from within the “legitimate drug supply chain.” The move aligns with the Biden administration's focus on addressing prescription drug costs, while companies explore alternative strategies to make medications more affordable and accessible. A 2021 study by the Rand Corporation showed that Canadian drug prices were 54% lower than those in the U.S.
Bill to put teens to work in the trades increases concerns
Legislation introduced in the Florida Senate that aims to introduce teens to technical and skilled trade opportunities as alternatives to traditional career paths is drawing criticism and concerns. Senate Bill 460 by Sen. Corey Simon (R-Tallahassee) proposes permitting teens aged 16 and 17 to work at heights exceeding 6 feet, provided they earn a safety certificate and have supervision. However, critics, including the Florida Policy Institute, emphasize potential dangers, citing ambiguous supervision definitions and a low supervisor-to-worker ratio in industries like construction. A separate bill under consideration this year and gaining momentum by the Legislature could allow employers to schedule 16- and 17-year-olds to work unlimited hours per week, including overnight shifts without breaks and regardless of school schedule.
Florida braces for economic slowdown in 2024
Prominent economist with the University of Central Florida (UCF), Sean Snaith, predicts a potential U.S. economic slowdown in 2024 prompted by the cost of living outpacing wage growth. Snaith, director of UCF's Institute for Economic Forecasting, highlights that over the past two years, household spending power has reduced and pandemic-era stimulus funds have dried up, causing some Americans to face budget gaps. Reduced spending and smaller economic growth will likely be the result. The upcoming presidential election cycle could also sideline economic activity as people await potential federal policy changes, but Florida is well-equipped for the slowdown, Snaith predicts. The state economy, as measured by gross state product (GSP), is expected to expand at an average rate of 1.6%, comparable to the projected 1.4% average for the U.S. over the next four years. Other impacts on Florida's economy include a forecasted rise in unemployment from 3.1% in 2023 to 4.4% in 2024, and reaching a peak of 5% in 2025. New residential construction is anticipated to drop due to higher mortgage rates and caution by developers amid a forecasted slowdown. Despite these challenges, Snaith remains optimistic about Florida, citing the strong labor market and ongoing population growth among several regions of the state. He believes the impact of a recession or downturn in 2024 will be far less severe than those of 2007-2009 and 2020.
Florida's film industry loses out on billions due to lack of support
Florida's film industry is grappling with challenges as the state lacks a film incentive program and dissolved its Office of Film and Entertainment in July 2023. The absence of state support has led TV, film, and commercial productions to avoid Florida and turn to other states that boast incentive programs. Once ranking third in the nation for production work, the Sunshine State now fails to make it into the top 20, attributed to the absence of an incentive program for films and television series. Industry professionals fear that without a proactive state film office, securing significant productions will be nearly impossible, sending a message that the state is "closed for business." Before its doors shuttered, the Florida film office had a lean budget of just under half a million dollars per year. It was part of the Department of Economic Opportunity, which was renamed Florida Commerce in July, as the governor’s office aimed to “streamline and modernize Florida’s economic development agencies.” Florida is now among five states without a state film commission office, alongside Alaska, Delaware, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
Film Florida, a non-profit entertainment production association, says 2,221 production inquiries were made to the state film office in 2022, with 1,871 of those successfully brought to Florida and various counties. From 2012 to 2016, when the state’s film incentive program was last active, $296 million was handed out to productions through 30% tax credit rebates capped at $8 million per applicant. This translated to $1.2 billion spent in-state, but critics say only 43 cents per dollar spent were returned to taxpayers, according to a study by the Florida Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research. Film Florida estimates that in the past five years over 100 major film and television series projects have been lost due to the lack of an incentive program. This has resulted in an approximate in-state expenditure loss of up to $2 billion that would have been spent by production teams, the organization cites. The absence of state support has hindered the industry's growth and competitiveness as productions “set” and “based” in Florida actually film in neighboring states.
Suspended Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren wins appeal against DeSantis
Suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren has won his federal appeal with a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, reigniting his legal battle with Gov. Ron DeSantis. Warren, twice elected to the position, has another opportunity to argue for reinstatement following his suspension in August 2022 for alleged refusal to enforce state laws, including abortion restrictions. He is now asking the court to expedite his case. The appellate court's detailed opinion, which sent the case back to a federal judge for reconsideration, emphasized that federal courts can remedy First Amendment violations, contrary to the district judge's prior determination. The appellate court highlighted First Amendment rights for elected officials, signaling that political advocacy is not grounds for dismissal. The case now returns to the district court, where a judge will assess if the suspension was based on Warren's performance rather than political disagreements. While Warren's legal team aims to have the proceedings heard timely, attorneys for DeSantis are expected to challenge the decision, resulting in further delays.
Warren opts out of re-election
Just days before scoring a win with a federal appeals court, Andrew Warren, the Democratic Hillsborough County state attorney suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis, announced he won't run for re-election. Citing a "high risk" of another suspension if he won, Warren, avoids challenging Republican and former County Court Judge Suzy Lopez, the appointee replacing him as State Attorney. Lopez remains the sole candidate in the race and would win April’s election uncontested as it currently stands. With a federal judge deeming DeSantis's removal unlawful, Warren's legal battles continue, but it remains unclear if he is reconsidering reelection in the wake of his latest victory.
A big year ahead for cruising
Florida is set to witness a maritime renaissance in 2024 with the arrival of mega cruise ships that are guaranteed to further enhance the cruising experience. Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, will debut in Miami on January 27. It boasts a 20-deck, 250,800-gross-ton structure with unique features like AquaDome and eight distinct neighborhoods onboard, which are sections of the ship that boast an entirely different feel, ambiance, and activities than the rest of the ship. The brand new Utopia of the Seas, the world’s second-largest cruise ship, arrives in Port Canaveral in July, offering a fresh perspective on entertainment and dining with more than 40 food and beverage spots. Disney Treasure, Disney Cruise Line's latest vessel, will embark on Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral in December, offering theme park influences with bars influenced by the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Treasure will host a new Broadway-style stage show based on “Moana” and a dinner theater experience themed after Pixar’s “Coco.” Princess Cruises' Sun Princess, part of the Sphere class, makes its debut in October at Port Everglades as the company’s largest ship, featuring 21 decks, new dining experiences, a three-deck main dining room, and a 1,000-seat main theater. Additionally, Port Canaveral welcomes two new cruise brands, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises, while PortMiami anticipates the completion of MSC Cruises' new terminal capable of handling three mega-ships and 36,000 passengers daily.
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