Governor Rick Scott signed several bills today, including one that would have Floridians observing Daylight Saving Time year round.
It’s not a done deal yet. It would still need to be approved by Congress.
If approved, it'd make Florida the first in the nation to adopt year-round daylight saving time statewide. It would mean later sunrises and sunsets from November to March, peak tourist season for many beach cities.
For almost half the school year, it would also mean thousands more children would go to school in the dark. The Florida PTA said the change would endanger students. They asked Gov. Rick Scott to veto the bill.
The change still needs congressional approval, which means it likely wouldn't happen until 2019 at the earliest, if ever.
Florida is not the first state to consider quitting the time-change game — but sometimes the search for money and God intervenes.
Lawmakers in the New England states last year considered jointly adopting year-round daylight time but critics said putting Boston and New York City in different time zones would play havoc with financial markets. That got the idea shelved until the unlikely event New York hops onboard.
Texas came close to adopting year-round standard time, but some lawmakers realized Dallas Cowboys road games against their New York, Philadelphia and Washington rivals would then sometimes begin at 11 Sunday mornings. Not wanting to force Texans to choose between church and football, two pillars of Lone Star culture, the Legislature punted.
Other legislation Gov. Scott signed into law on Friday
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SB 100 |
Taxes and Fees for Veterans and Low-Income Persons – This bill cuts taxes and fees by creating an exemption from local business taxes for honorably discharged veterans and their spouses, allowing veterans to receive an identification card or driver license with the word “Veteran” at no cost, and reducing driver license service fees for veterans. |
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CS/CS/SB 140 Marriage Licenses – This bill prohibits the issuance of a marriage license to youths. SB 168 Nonnative Animals – This bill creates a pilot program within the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to remove nonnative species. CS/SB 382 Transportation Facility Designations – This bill makes 39 honorary or memorial transportation facility designations throughout the state, including “Senator Greg Evers Memorial Highway.” CS/SB 566 Unlawful Detention by a Transient Occupant – This bill clarifies persons that may be considered transient occupants of residential property, provides for the termination of transient occupancies, and authorizes the recovery of personal belongings by a transient occupant. CS/CS/SB 740 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – This bill makes various changes within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, including increased protections for consumers and efficiencies. CS/SB 872 Young Farmers and Ranchers – This bill creates an advisory council and clearinghouse for resources to support young adults and veterans working in farming and ranching. CS/SB 1552 Juvenile Justice – This bill continues the direct support organization within the Department of Juvenile Justice and enhances public safety. CS/CS/SB 1576 Animal Welfare – This bill creates a process to return lost cats and dogs to their owners, especially after storms, and increases penalties for animal cruelty. HB 37 Direct Primary Care Agreements – This bill establishes a provision for a direct primary care agreement between a patient and health care practitioner. HB 283 Cardiac Programs – This bill expands the criteria for adult cardiovascular services for hospitals seeking licensure as a level 1 program. CS/CS HB 351 Prescription Drug Pricing Transparency – This bill requires pharmacy benefit managers to register with the Office of Insurance Regulation and increases drug price transparency. CS/HB 395 Martin County – This bill creates the Town of Hobe Sound in Martin County if approved by a referendum of local voters. CS/HB 547 Reports Concerning Seized or Forfeited Property – This bill changes the date that law enforcement agencies are required to submit an annual report relating to the Contraband Forfeiture Act. CS/HB 581 Subpoenas in Investigations of Sexual Offenses – This bill enhances investigative or law enforcement agencies use of subpoenas in investigations involving certain sexual offenses. CS/HB 631 Possession of Real Property – This bill updates real property provisions relating to access of real property and the establishment of customary use. CS/HB 675 Pharmacies – This bill creates a Class III institutional pharmacy permit and provides parameters for the permit. CS/CS/CS/HB 841 Community Associations – This bill revises numerous provisions relating to community associations regarding reporting requirements, official records, websites and bylaws. HB 869 Ranger Drainage District, Orange County – This bill removes approximately 3,000 acres of land west of the Econlockhatchee River from the Ranger Drainage District. CS/CS/HB 875 Limitations of Actions Other Than for the Recovery of Real Property – This bill clarifies the statute of limitations in actions based on a defect in the design, planning, or construction of a building or other improvement to real property and provides that certain time-barred claims may be filed within a specified period. HB 889 West Palm Beach Police Pension Fund of the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County – This bill implements police pension benefit enhancements agreed upon between the City of West Palm Beach and their police union. HB 891 St. Lucie County – This bill returns the Special Restaurant Beverage licensing law to general law in St. Lucie County. CS/CS/HB 901 Acme Improvement District and Pine Tree Water Control District, Palm Beach County – This bill transfers 50 acres of land from the Acme Improvement District to the Pine Tree Water Control District for land development in the “Flying Cow Ranch” area. CS/CS/HB 937 Perinatal Mental Health – This bill requires the Department of Health to provide perinatal mental health information through the Family Health Line toll-free hotline. HB 1013 Daylight Saving Time – This bill declares the Legislature’s intent to observe Daylight Saving Time year-round throughout the entire state of Florida if approved by Congress. HB 1015 Florida Keys Mosquito Control District, Monroe County – This bill limits the service of Florida Keys Mosquito Control District members to three terms or a total of 12 years. CS/HB 1017 Seminole County – This bill requires a referendum of local voters to approve cardroom gaming within Seminole County, following the Seminole County Charter. CS/CS/CS/HB 1059 Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult – This bill creates an injunction against the financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. CS/HB 1065 Expunction of Criminal History Records – This bill permits a person that receives a judgment of acquittal or not guilty be eligible to have his or her criminal record expunged. CS/HB 1071 City of Clearwater, Pinellas County – This bill removes the prohibition against certain land in the City of Clearwater from being used for carnivals and shows. CS/CS/CS/HB 1073 Department of Financial Services – This bill modifies requirements and procedures within divisions of the Department of Financial Services, including the Divisions of Treasury, Risk Management, Investigative and Forensic Services, and State Fire Marshal. CS/CS/HB 1079 Child Welfare – This bill strengthens the child welfare program within the Department of Children and Families and enhances parental accountability. HB 1089 East Mulloch Drainage District, Lee County – This bill establishes the East Mulloch Water Control District as a dependent district of Lee County. HB 1093 Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District, Palm Beach County – If approved by a referendum of local voters, this bill dissolves the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District as an independent special district and establishes it as a dependent district of the town to use public funds more efficiently. HB 1115 Indian River Farms Water Control District, Indian River County – This bill removes the 99-year term limitation on the Indian River Farms Water Control District. CS/HB 1117 Sebastian Inlet Tax District, Indian River and Brevard Counties – This bill authorizes the Sebastian Inlet Tax District to enter into agreements with local law enforcement agencies to provide and facilitate security services on District properties. CS/HB 1119 Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District, Manatee and Sarasota Counties – This bill expands the boundaries of the Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District to include 47 acres of land it currently surrounds. CS/CS/HB 1137 Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board – This bill transitions operations of the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board to Pinellas County, revises board composition, provides term-limits and creates additional financial and auditing reporting requirements. The bill also authorizes dissolution of the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board if approved by referendum. HB 1139 City Pension Fund for Firefighters and Police Officers in the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County– This bill authorizes the City of Tampa to enter into a supplemental contract with every firefighter and police officer who is an active member of the City’s Pension Fund. CS/HB 1141 Firefighters’ Relief and Pension Fund of the City of Pensacola, Escambia County – This bill creates a “defined contribution plan,” in addition to the already established “defined benefit plan,” for firefighters serving the City of Pensacola. HB 1201 Education for Prisoners – This bill provides correctional agencies access to increased workforce programs and educational services. CS/HB 1239 South Lake County Hospital District, Lake County – This bill repeals the special act containing the charter of the South Lake County Hospital District and dissolves the District as of October 1, 2019. CS/HB 1301 Sexual Offenders and Predators – This bill enhances registration requirements for sexual offenders and sexual predators. CS/CS/HB 1337 Nursing – This bill makes changes to terms and requirements to the Florida Nurse Practice Act to conform to those laws in a majority of states. CS/CS/HB 1373 Medication Administration – This bill revises training requirements for the administration of medication. CS/HB 1393 City of Tampa, Hillsborough County – This bill creates the Water Street Improvement District in the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County. CS/HB 1395 City of Marco Island, Collier County – This bill authorizes the Florida Department of Health to issue the City of Marco Island a license to provide basic and advanced life support services. CS/HB 1397 Hardee County Economic Development Authority, Hardee County – This bill revises the membership of Hardee County Economic Development Authority, makes all terms limited to four years and repeals travel and per diem reimbursements for members who reside outside of the county. CS/CS/HB 1423 Tohopekaliga Water Authority, Osceola County – This bill makes several changes to the Tohopekaliga Water Authority, including revising board membership, establishing term limits and removing board compensation and expense reimbursements. HB 1447 City of Orlando, Orange County – This bill creates the “Downtown Restaurant Area” in the City of Orlando and reduces the size requirements for a restaurant in Orlando’s downtown area to obtain a Special Restaurant Beverage license. CS/CS/HB 1449 Campellton-Graceville Hospital District, Jackson County – This bill authorizes the sale of assets by the Campbellton-Graceville Hospital District and terminates the District’s authority to impose ad valorem taxes. CS/HB 1451 Charlotte County Tourist Development Council, Charlotte County – This bill expands the eligibility requirements for the membership of the Charlotte County Tourist Development Council. CS/CS/HB 1435 Child Welfare – This bill authorizes a family finding program within the Department of Children and Families. HB 6501 Relief of Cristina Alvarez and George Patnode – This bill directs the Florida Department of Health to provide $2.4 million in relief to Cristina Alvarez and George Patnode for the wrongful death of their son, Nicholas Patnode. HB 6505 Relief of Vonshelle Brothers – This bill directs the Florida Department of Health to provide $1 million in relief to Vonshelle Brothers for injuries sustained by her daughter. CS/HB 6509 Relief of C.M.H. – This bill directs the Florida Department of Children and Families to provide over $5 million in relief to C.M.H., an individual formerly in the care of the Department. CS/HB 6523 Relief of Ashraf Kamel and Marguerite Dimitri by the Palm Beach County School Board – This bill directs the Palm Beach County School Board to provide $360,000 in relief to Ashraf Kamel and Marguerite Dimitri for the wrongful death of their child, Jean A. Pierre Kamel. CS/HB 6527 Relief of Christopher Cannon by the City of Tallahassee – This bill directs the City of Tallahassee to provide $500,000 in relief to Christopher Cannon for injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident caused by a City of Tallahassee Dial-A-Ride vehicle. CS/CS/HB 6535 Relief of the Estate of Dr. Sherrill Lynn Aversa – This bill directs the Florida Department of Transportation to provide $650,000 in relief to the estate of Dr. Sherrill Lynn Aversa for her wrongful death in a car accident caused by a Department vehicle. CS/HB 6545 Relief of Ramiro Companioni, Jr. by the City of Tampa – This bill directs the City of Tampa to provide $5 million in relief to Ramiro Campanioni, Jr. for injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident caused by a City of Tampa Water Department truck. HB 7021 Florida Statutes – This bill revises Florida Statutes. HB 7023 Florida Statutes – This bill revises Florida Statutes. HB 7025 Florida Statutes – This bill revises Florida Statutes. HB 7027 Florida Statutes – This bill revises Florida Statutes. HB 7033 Trust Funds – This bill continues the Land Acquisition Trust Fund within the Florida Department of State. HB 7045 The Legislature – This bill requires the 2020 regular session of the Legislature to convene on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. HB 7051 Trust Funds – This bill continues the Land Acquisition Trust Fund within the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. HB 7075 A Review Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act/Payment Instrument Transaction Information – This bill continues the public records exemption for certain payment instrument transaction information held by the Office of Financial Regulation. HB 7077 A Review Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act/Agency Employee Misconduct Complaint – This bill continues public records exemption for complaints of misconduct against an agency employee. CS/HB 7087 Taxation – This bill saves Florida families and businesses $170 million in taxes, including $38.5 million in savings from a 3-day back to school tax holiday and a one-week disaster preparedness sales tax holiday. Read more HERE. HB 7093 Corporate Income Tax– This bill conforms Florida's corporate income tax law with the federal corporate income tax changes adopted by Congress in 2017. HB 7095 A Review Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act/Local Government Electric Utility – This bill continues the public records exemption for proprietary business information for electric utilities. HB 7097 A Review Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act/Citizens Property Insurance Corporation – This bill continues the public records exemption for proprietary business information obtained by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s clearinghouse program. HB 7043 State Assumption of Federal Section 404 Dredge and Fill Permitting Authority – See the signing letter HERE. |
