Florida Legislative Session: Week 1 Report
This past week, the Florida legislature officially gaveled into the 2017 60-day legislative session.
Both the House and Senate convened for a joint session, to receive the Governor’s State of the State
address. President Negron focused his opening remarks on his priorities from Higher Education
funding, Juvenile Justice reform and the Lake Okeechobee discharges. Right out of the gate,
Senator Bradley filed a delete-all amendment to SB-10, creating the “Coast-to-Coast Water
Resources Act.” Meant to be a compromise, and to gain support of opponents, the bill is still
moving through the Senate, but the opposition remains strong and the House bill has yet to be
heard.
The Speaker of the House focused his opening day speech on cutting taxes and corporate welfare.
The Governor highlighted the year from Hurricane Matthew cleanup to the Pulse nightclub terrorist
attack against the LGBT community in Orlando. He discussed the need for economic incentives and
job creation under his leadership over the past 6 years calling out thousands of jobs created by
Northrup Grumman and Blue Origin in the Space Coast as some of his greatest accomplishments.
As always, see below for a list of important legislation and issues that were taken up during the first
week of session.
Thank you,
Devon West
Legislative Coordinator
Martin County Board of County Commissioners
Criminal Justice – SB 788
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee passed SB 788, Marketing Practices for Substance Abuse
Services, by 7-0 vote. SB 788 takes a comprehensive approach to the problem of fraudulent patient
brokering and deceptive marketing practices in the business of substance use and addiction services,
specifically related to the economic relationship between “recovery residences” and service providers.
SB 788 creates new and amends existing criminal offenses related to patient brokering and marketing
practices that create or increase fines and potential prison sentences.
The bill aids prosecutors and law enforcement by:
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Extending the jurisdiction of the Office of the Statewide Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute
patient brokering offenses.
Adopting federal law regarding the timing of law enforcement giving notice to a patient regarding
obtaining the patient’s records pursuant to a court order.
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Adding patient brokering to the list of predicate offenses that may be prosecuted as RICO offenses
which could result in higher penalties.
This bill takes effect July 1, 2017.
Environmental Preservation and Conservation – SB 442
The Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee passed SB 442, Advanced Well
Stimulation Treatment, by a 5-0 vote. SB 442 prohibits advanced well stimulation treatments on gas or oil
wells. SB 442 defines “advanced well stimulation treatment” to include all stages of well intervention
performed by injecting fluids into rock formation. This bill excludes techniques used for routine well cleanout
work, well maintenance, or removal of formation damage due to drilling or production; or acidizing
techniques used to maintain or restore the natural permeability of the formation near the wellbore.
Communications, Energy and Utilities – SB 596
The Senate Communications, Energy, and Utilities Committee passed SB 596, the Advanced Wireless
Infrastructure Deployment Act, by a 7-1 vote. SB 596 creates a process for gaining access to and the use of
public right-of-way concerning the installation of small wireless communication infrastructure.
This bill does not authorize a person to collocate small wireless facilities on a privately-owned utility pole, a
privately owned wireless support structure, other private property without the consent of the property owner,
or a utility pole owned by an electric cooperative.
SB 596 covers permit fees or application and collocation or pole attachment fees. Collocation fees include
the costs to alter a pole to strengthen it to support the installation of the wireless infrastructure and costs to
replace the pole if necessary. The collocation fees cannot surpass $15 per year for each utility pole and they
not include any expenses or consultant fees.
This bill takes effect July 1, 2017.
Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources– SB 10
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources Committee passed
SB 10, Water Resources, by a 5-1 vote. SB 10 indicates options for additional water storage south of Lake
Okeechobee to decrease the discharges to the Caloosahatchee estuaries and St. Lucie.
The different options included in the bill are the following:
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Option 1: The South Florida Water Management District is required to seek proposals from willing
sellers of land within the Everglades Agricultural Area for land that is suitable to build one or two
reservoirs with a total storage capacity of 360,000 acre-feet.
Option 2: If the South Florida Water Management District is unable to attain the desired amount of
land then the option to purchase lands from the United States Sugar Corporation, which is
available consistent to the 2010 agreement, must be exercised.
Option 3: If land is not attained consistent to the first two options then Legacy Florida funding is
increased by $50 million annually for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project, including
the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir project component.
Under each option the South Florida Water Management District is required to begin planning under the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project for the Everglades Agricultural Reservoir project component
in the specified amount of time. If the land under options 1 or 2 is attained, the bill authorizes the distribution
of $1.2 billion in Florida Forever bonds and provides contingent appropriations for the debt service
payments on such bonds. SB 10 requires that South Florida Water Management District to seek any
applicable federal credits towards the reservoir project.
The contingent appropriations for the three options include:
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Option 1: Recurring debt service from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund of $64 million beginning in
the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year as well as an additional recurring $34 million beginning in the 20182019 Fiscal Year through the 2017-2038 Fiscal Year. In total the recurring appropriation for debt is
$100 million.
Option 2: $100 million in recurring funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund is appropriated for
the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year through the 2037-2038 Fiscal Year.
Option 3: The required annual minimum distribution to Everglades restoration projects from the
Land Acquisition Trust Fund is increased to $50 million.
Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice – SB 196
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice passed SB 196, Juvenile Civil
Citation and Similar Diversion Programs, with a 5-0 vote. SB 196 requires a law enforcement officer to issue
a civil citation or require the juvenile’s participation in a similar diversion program when the juvenile admits
to committing one of the following misdemeanor offenses for the first-time:
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Possession of alcoholic beverages by a person under the age of 21
Affrays and riots
Battery
Criminal Mischief
Disorderly conduct
Possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis
Use, manufacture, delivery, possession, transportation, advertisement, or retail sale of drug
paraphernalia.
Resisting an officer without violence
Trespass
Theft
Loitering and prowling
Retail and farm theft
This bill allows a law enforcement officer to issue a civil citation or require the juvenile’s participation in a
similar diversion program when the juvenile admits to committing:
 A misdemeanor offense not enumerated in the bill
 A misdemeanor offense not enumerated in the bill and the juvenile has one or two prior
misdemeanors from a separate criminal episode
 A misdemeanor offense not enumerated in the bill and the juvenile is currently alleged to have
committed, or is currently charged with, a felony.
Under Sb 196 the law enforcement officer must provide written documentation articulating why an arrest is
warranted when he or she has the discretion to issue a civil citation but instead chooses to arrest the
juvenile.
It is believed that SB 196 will have a positive fiscal impact to state and local governments because an
increase in civil citation or similar diversion programs. This may result in juveniles being diverted from the
Department of Juvenile Justice’s more costly residential program. It also may reduce the cost to state and
local governments for housing youth in juvenile detention, which is currently at a 50/50 cost share
This bill takes effect July 1, 2017.
Criminal Justice – SB 280
The Senate Criminal Justice Committee passed SB 280, Sentencing for Capital Felonies, with a 37-0 vote.
SB 280 requires jury unanimity rather than a portion of the jurors for the sentence recommendation of death
penalty.
Rules and Policy – HB 9
The House Rules and Policy Committee passed HB 9, Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, with
an 80-35 vote. HB 9 moves the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation from the supervision of
Enterprise Florida, Inc., to the Department of Economic Opportunity. The bill also updates current law to
provide greater accountability and oversight of Visit Florida.
The bill provides additional accountability for Visit Florida by:
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Requiring Visit Florida to comply with state procurement laws.
Limiting travel and per diem expenses of Visit Florida employees to those of state employees.
Limiting compensation of Visit Florida employees to $130,000, freezing benefits of employees at
current levels and prohibiting bonuses for employees unless authorized by law.
Prohibiting Visit Florida employees or board members from receiving food, beverages, lodging,
entertainment or gifts paid for by Visit Florida funds or funds from a local tourist or economic
development agency.
Requiring Visit Florida contracts to contain performance standards, operating budgets and salaries
of employees of the contracting entity to increase transparency of Visit Florida contracts and
partnership agreements.
Requiring Visit Florida to post all contracts on the Chief Financial Officer’s Transparency website.
Requiring the Governor to approve all out-of-state and international travel.
Requiring the corporation to take all steps necessary to provide all data that is used to develop
tourism estimates and measures, including the source data, to the Office of Economic and
Demographic Research.
Removing the public records exemption for marketing projects and research.
Prohibiting the corporation from creating or establishing any other entity, corporation, or direct
support organization.
Prohibiting expending funds, public or private, that directly or indirectly, benefit only one company,
corporation or business entity.
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Tightening Visit Florida’s current matching requirements.
The bill provides for additional legislative oversight of Visit Florida by:
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Requiring Visit Florida to place proposed contracts worth $750,000 or more on 14-day legislative
consultation. Upon objection by the chair or vice chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Commission
or Speaker or Senate President, Visit Florida would be prohibited from entering into a contract.
Requiring Visit Florida to submit a detailed operating budget to the LBC each year to obtain release
of funds.
Requiring Senate confirmation of the Visit Florida President/CEO.
HB 9 eliminates the State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund, the Tourism Promotional
Trust Fund, and the Florida International Trade and Promotion Trust Fund.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2017.
Rules and Policy – HB 7005
The House Rules and Policy Committee passed HB 7005, Economic Programs, with an 87-28 vote. HB
7005 eliminates the following economic incentives and economic development programs or offices:
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Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI)
Office of Film & Entertainment, and the Entertainment Industry Incentive and Tax Exemption
Programs
The Urban High-Crime Area Job Tax Credit Program
The Capital Investment Tax Credit Program
The Florida Small Business Development Center Network
The Quick Response Training Program
The Qualified Defense Contractor and Space Flight Business Tax Refund Program
The Qualified Target Industry Tax Refund Program
The Brownfield Redevelopment Bonus Tax Refund Program
The High-Impact Business Performance Grant Program
The Economic Gardening Business Loan and Technical Assistance Pilot Programs
The Quick Action Closing Fund Program
The Innovation Incentive Fund Program
The Professional Sports Franchises, Spring Training Franchises, and Sports Development
Programs
The Florida Small Business Technology Growth Program
The Florida Opportunity Fund
The Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research
The Florida Technology Seed Capital Fund
The New Markets Development Program Act
The Microfinance Guarantee Program
The Economic Development Transportation Projects Program
The State Economic Enhancement and Development Trust Fund
The Tourism Promotional Trust Fund
The Florida International Trade and Promotion Trust Fund
HB 7005 allows current certified participants in many of the above programs to continue to participate in the
programs in accordance with current contract provisions. This bill provides that all duties, functions, records,
pending issues, existing contracts, administrative authority, administrative rules, and unexpended balances
of appropriations, allocations, and other public funds relating to the programs in Enterprise Florida, Inc. are
transferred by a type two transfer to the Department of Economic Opportunity. It was determined that for HB
7005 the Fiscal Year 2017-18 the bill will have a positive recurring impact to general revenue of $231.7
million, a positive nonrecurring impact to general revenue of $57.2 million, a net overall positive recurring
revenue impact of $45.1 million and a nonrecurring revenue impact of $75.7 million.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2017.
Community Affairs – SB 464
The Senate Community Affairs Committee passed SB 464, Natural Hazards, with a 7-0 vote. SB 464
creates an agency to address the impacts of natural hazards in Florida. Natural hazards include, but are not
limited to, extreme heat, drought, wildfires, sea-level change, high tides, storm surge, saltwater intrusion,
storm water runoff, flash floods, inland flooding, and coastal flooding.
The natural hazards agency is comprised of a liaison from each agency within the executive branch of state
government, each water management district, and the Florida Public Service Commission. The director of
the Florida Division of Emergency Management will serve as both the liaison and the coordinator of the
workgroup. Under SB 464 the Florida Division of Emergency Management is responsible for preparing an
annual progress report on the implementation of the states enhanced hazard mitigation plan as it relates to
natural hazards.
The annual report is due to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of
Representatives on January 1, 2019, and each year thereafter. Each liaison is responsible for posting the
workgroup’s annual report to their respective agency’s website.
Community Affairs – SB 428
The Senate Community Affairs Committee passed SB 428, Local Government Participation in the Florida
Retirement System, with a 5-2 vote. SB 428 removes the option of enrollment in the Florida Retirement
System pension plan for employees of a governing body of any municipality, metropolitan planning
organization, or special district that applies to participate in the Florida Retirement System on or after
January 1, 2017.
Employees of a municipality, metropolitan planning organization, or special district who applied on or after
January 1, 2017, must be enrolled in the defined contribution program.
Employees of a governing body participating, or that has applied to participate, in the Florida Retirement
Systems before January 1, 2017, may continue or choose enrollment in the pension plan.
This act applies retroactively to January 1, 2017
http://www.gainesville.com/news/20170309/enterprise-florida-on-house-chopping-block
News Service of Florida
House poised to back eliminating Enterprise Florida
Proposals to kill the business-recruitment agency Enterprise Florida and revamp tourism-marketer Visit
Florida are poised to pass the House on Friday. Facing fierce opposition from Gov. Rick Scott, the House
moved forward Thursday with a proposal (HB 7005) that would abolish Enterprise Florida and a number of
other economic development programs, such as the Office of Film & Entertainment and the Quick Action
Closing Fund Program, The House also positioned for a vote Friday a measure (HB 9) that would overhaul
the structure and contract-reporting requirements of Visit Florida.
- "Enterprise Florida bill steers toward final House passage," by POLITICO Florida's Matt Dixon:
Read story here
JAY FANT IS DOWN ON BILL THAT WOULD END ENTERPRISE FLORIDA via Jim Rosica of Florida
Politics – He said he doesn’t “like going against leadership on a vote, and I stick with them on just about
everything, but this just isn’t one of those things.” The Jacksonville Republican had asked critical questions
of bill sponsor Paul Renner, a former political rival, in the floor session. Fant … said killing Enterprise
Florida “will hinder our ability to bring businesses to Florida.” He instead favors heightened scrutiny of the
agency, which is funded mainly with public dollars. The entity is “the right thing at the right time,” he said.
Politico
Corcoran tells Democrats he needs them to override expected Scott veto of Enterprise Florida, Visit
Florida bills
Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran had a message for House Democrats on Wednesday night: My
bills will pass without you, but I still need your help. If Democrats join with his Republican majority, Corcoran
said, the House will be able to override Gov. Rick Scott's expected veto of legislation to abolish Enterprise
Florida, the embattled economic development agency, and another that would place tight restrictions on
Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing entity.
HB 143 - Relating to Firefighters
Firefighters: Defines "firefighter"; establishes presumption as to firefighter's condition or impairment of health
caused by certain types of cancer he or she contracts in line of duty; specifies criteria firefighter must meet
to be entitled to presumption; requires employing agency to provide physical examination for firefighter;
specifies circumstances under which presumption does not apply; provides for applicability; requires
Legislature to review specified cancer research programs by certain date; provides for employer contribution
rate increase to fund changes made by act; provides directive to Division of Law Revision & Information;
provides declaration of important state interest. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
03/09/17 HOUSE On Committee agenda - Oversight, Transparency & Administration Subcommittee,
03/13/17, 1:00 pm, 17 H - Workshop
TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
SB 386 - Relating to High-speed Passenger Rail
High-speed Passenger Rail; Citing this act as the "Florida High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act”; providing
minimum safety standards for high-speed passenger rail; providing certain requirements for railroad
companies before operating a high-speed passenger rail system; requiring a railroad company operating a
high-speed passenger rail system to be solely responsible for all rail corridor improvements or upgrades
relating to its operation and safety, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
03/09/17 SENATE On Committee agenda - Transportation, 03/14/17, 2:00 pm, 401 S
ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION ISSUES TO MONITOR:
APPROPRIATIONS
Additional Newsworthy Articles:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
House looks to clamp down on local taxes
Additional Local Government Proposed Legislation to Monitor
SENATE ADVANCES BILL TO WEAKEN CITIZENS’ LEVERAGE IN PUBLIC RECORDS
DISPUTES via Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald – The bill, SB 80 by Sen. Greg Steube would give
judges more discretion in deciding whether or not to award attorney’s fees in public-records lawsuits. Florida
law allows for citizens to be awarded attorney fees to encourage people to pursue their right to access
government records and prevent public agencies from violating the public records laws. The bill would
remove the requirement that the legal fees be paid by agencies by changing the requirement that judges
“shall” award attorney’s fees to “may award the fees.” The Senate Community Affairs Committee adopted an
amendment … to require attorney’s fees only if a complainant can show by a preponderance of evidence
that “an agency willfully or intentionally violated the public records act.” If the complainant cannot show that,
then the judge would have the discretion to not award the fees … open-government watchdogs and First
Amendment advocates say that even with the changes, the proposal will still have a chilling effect on people
who face obstacles to their efforts to get access to public records.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Civil Citation Program for Juveniles:
SB 196 Relating to Juvenile Civil Citation and Similar Diversion Programs (Flores). Requiring the
establishment of civil citation or similar diversion programs for juveniles, etc.
03/08/17 SENATE - Favorable with CS by Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice; 5
Yeas, 0 Nays
HB 205 - Relating to Juvenile Diversion Programs
Juvenile Diversion Programs: Requires, rather than authorizes, FDLE to adopt rules to provide for
expunction of certain nonjudicial records of arrest of minor upon successful completion of certain diversion
programs; authorizes such expunctions for certain first-time misdemeanor offenses; revises circumstances
under which FDLE must expunge certain nonjudicial arrest records; eliminates processing fee; requires
diversion program to submit certification for expunction of nonjudicial arrest record; requires diversion
program to submit specified data to DJJ; authorizes child to deny or fail to acknowledge participation in
specified diversion program or expungement of certain nonjudicial arrest record unless exception applies.
Effective Date: July 1, 2017
03/08/17 HOUSE Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice Subcommittee; 15 Yeas, 0 Nays
HOUSE Committee Substitute Text (C1) Filed
03/10/17 HOUSE Now in Justice Appropriations Subcommittee
SB 608 - Relating to Decreasing Penalties for Certain Criminal Acts
Decreasing Penalties for Certain Criminal Acts; Decreasing the penalty for a driver of a vehicle involved in a
crash resulting only in damage to a vehicle or other property if such driver does not stop; decreasing the
penalty for selling, giving away, disposing of, exchanging, or bartering certain beverages or articles with a
habitual drunkard after receiving notice from a family member about such person’s condition; decreasing the
penalty for stealing property or a stop sign, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
03/08/17 SENATE Committee Substitute Text (C1) Filed
SENATE Now in Transportation
SB 788 - Relating to Marketing Practices for Substance Abuse Services
Marketing Practices for Substance Abuse Services; Authorizing the Office of Statewide Prosecution in the
Department of Legal Affairs to investigate and prosecute patient brokering offenses; providing that an
application for the disclosure of an individual’s records may be filed as part of an active criminal
investigation; requiring a person or entity to obtain a license from the Department of Business and
Professional Regulation before attempting to generate referrals or leads for the placement of patients with a
service provider or in a recovery residence; providing that it is unlawful for a person to offer or pay, or solicit
or receive, benefits under certain circumstances, etc. Effective Date: 7/1/2017
03/08/17 SENATE Committee Substitute Text (C1) Filed
SENATE Reference to Regulated Industries removed; Reference to Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
added; Remaining references: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Appropriations; Rules
SENATE Now in Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/03/09/senate-backs-unanimous-juries-in-death-sentences/
http://www.wctv.tv/content/news/Florida-lawmakers-looking-to-fix-states-death-penalty-415790273.html
FLORIDA MAKING PROGRESS ON LATEST FIX TO DEATH PENALTY LAW via Brendan Farrington of
The Associated Press – The proposal - the second attempt in two years to address court decisions that
found the state's capital punishment law unconstitutional - is expected to go to Gov. Scott after the House
votes on it. It's a fix that people on both sides of the death penalty issue see as needed, but few on either
side are entirely happy with. Many death penalty proponents were OK with a majority jury vote determining
a death sentence and are frustrated the courts forced them to move to a unanimous decision. Opponents
would prefer to abolish the practice altogether. "I still think there is work to be done on the death penalty,"
said Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy, the bill's sponsor. "One of them is that the death penalty has been
unevenly applied. Depending on where you are in this state - (and) sometimes unfortunately, the color of
your skin - it can determine whether you get the death penalty or not." But he called the measure a good
first step.
HB 9 - Relating to Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation – 2017
Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation: Authorizes Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation
to enter into agreement with DEO for certain purposes & to use certain funds; provides that certain funds
shall be transferred to or deposited in General Revenue Fund; transfers certain responsibilities from
Enterprise Florida, Inc., to DEO; terminates certain trust funds; revises provisions relating to expenses,
funds, duties, & transparency of corporation & requires one-to-one match of private to public contributions to
corporation; terminates Division of Tourism Marketing of Enterprise Florida, Inc. Effective Date: July 1, 2017
03/09/17 HOUSE Read Second Time; Amendments Adopted (544053, 652877); Ordered Engrossed;
Placed on Third Reading, 03/10/17
HOUSE Engrossed Text (E1) Filed
UPDATE: SENATE BILL 10 - SUPPORT
Senate Committee Broadens SB 10, Passes Coast-to-Coast Water Bill (Sunshine State News)
For over a generation, Florida has focused on land acquisition for conservation with historic programs like
Florida Forever and P2000. ... The bill transfers the remaining $3.3 billion of existing bonding authority from
Florida Forever to the Florida Coast-to Coast Water Resources Initiative.
Greens Red Flag Expanded Water Bill (WFSU FM Newsroom)
Senate Democratic Leader Oscar Braynon of Miami Gardens voted against the proposal because flooding
60,000 acres of farmland south of Lake Okeechobee for a massive reservoir would displace workers.
Additional Newsworthy Articles:
WMFE
Proposed reservoir puts Lake Okeechobee at the center of debate
Mary Ann Martin motors the trails carved among the grassy bulrushes rimming Lake Okeechobee, emerging
on a watery expanse that ends where blue meets blue at the horizon. "This is the Big O. Isn't it beautiful?
Blows your mind. You can't see hardly across the lake." She cuts the pontoon boat's engine. In the distance
anglers fish for bass, catfish and crappie. Cormorants and pelicans take flight from a small island, their
wings beating the water's surface.
Times / Herald
Negron's water bill expands to $3.3 billion and clears another committee, as opposition continues
A Senate plan to bond $1.2 billion in state funds to build a water storage reservoir south of Lake
Okeechobee grew to become a $3.3 billion bonding program that would incorporate dozens of water
projects around the state, incentives for job development, and other provisions in an attempt to win wider
approval for top priority of Senate President Joe Negron. Despite the modifications, the 5-1 vote of the
Senate Environment and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee is closer than it appeared...
WLRN
Negron Water Plan Picks Up Other Projects Across The State
A controversial plan to speed construction of a 60,000-acre reservoir on farmland south of Lake
Okeechobee --- to reduce the risk of more "guacamole-thick" water appearing in Treasure Coast
communities --- was expanded Wednesday to include water projects in other parts of the state. And the
measure (SB 10), now called the "Coast-to-Coast Comprehensive Water Resource Program," might not be
done growing, its sponsor said.
Awake the State rally in Stuart part of statewide grass-roots effort on Legislature's 1st day
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION
Newsworthy Articles:
1 more year to keep nasty water out of St. Lucie River (Stuart News/TCPalm)
Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon, a St. ... Lucie River and west to the Caloosahatchee River,
respectively.
Although I’m sure this is already on your radar, I wanted to make you aware that SB 442 (advanced well
stimulation treatment/i.e. the fracking ban) by Sen. Young is up tomorrow at 4pm in Senate Environmental
Preservation and Conservation. While FAC is not in a position to support the bill in committee due to our
current policy statement, we recognize that many FAC members have adopted ordinances or resolutions
supporting a ban on fracking, and therefore we want to pass on the information so your county has the
opportunity to support the bill tomorrow in committee, if desired.
A 'Ray' Of Hope For Fracking Legislation This Year
The House Majority Leader says there's a chance a hydraulic fracturing bill could pass the Florida
Legislature this year. Fracking opponents are closely watching a statewide ban proposed by Sen. Dana
Young, R-Tampa. It's prospects are dim in the House, but Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues says there's a
basis for a compromise. Representative Ray Rodrigues of Fort Myers opposes a statewide ban by
Republican Senator Dana Young of Tampa, but he says it contains the seeds of a compromise.
WFSU
Fracking Ban Passes First Test In Senate
The Senate is moving ahead with a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing, despite industry threats of a
blizzard of lawsuits. But as Jim Ash reports, the House remains a big question mark. Sen. Dana Young, R-
Tampa, is sponsoring a statewide fracking ban that won a unanimous vote on its first committee stop. Once
again, a Senate committee was jammed to the rafters with environmental activists worried about hydraulic
fracturing. But this time, they were there to celebrate the debut of a Republican-sponsored statewide ban.
Legislators propose allowing FPL to charges customers so it can invest in fracking - 3/08/17
After losing a major battle in court last year, Florida Power & Light is now turning to the Florida
Legislature to change the state law and give it the authority to charge customers, and profit off, speculative
natural gas fracking, reports Mary Ellen Klas of The Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau.
The bill, HB 1043 by Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, is titled "Prudent Utility Investments in Natural Gas
Reserves," and the Senate companion is SB 1248 by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach.
"Natural gas is a proven commodity that brings rates down and so we are going to allow FPL to go forward
with a proven technology to have these reserves so that we pay down the road,'' Bean said in an interview.
The bill would essentially overturn a Florida Supreme Court ruling last year that said that Florida regulators
exceeded their authority when they allowed FPL to become the first utility in the nation to be allowed to
charge its customers, not its shareholders, for its speculative investment in fracking operations
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Heroin epidemic needs Gov. Rick Scott, Pam Bondi fix | Editorial
In 2011, Gov. Rick Scott declared a statewide public health emergency to combat the pill-mill crisis that was
killing seven people a day. Six years later, Florida faces an even deadlier killer. This time it's heroin, which is
killing 10 people a day. As he did with Zika last summer, we urge the governor to recognize the heroin
epidemic for what it is - a public health emergency in urgent need of greater funding, increased awareness
and wider distribution of naloxone, a drug used to treat overdoses.
*This report was complied with the help of FAC updates, weekly calls and the Martin County Legislative
Affairs team.