Bill Tracker 2024 – Special Session

Sponsor: Rep. Shoaf/ Sen. Simon 

To view the latest bill actions, please see below:

-HB 1C

-SB 2C

Represents continued recovery efforts following Hurricane Idalia, as well as a follow-up to SB 250 – Natural Emergencies from the 2023 regular legislative session. Following Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022, SB 250 prohibited a county (or any municipality therein) within 100 miles of landfall of either hurricane from adopting stricter land use regulations, comprehensive plan amendments, or development review procedures until October 1, 2024. HB 1C/SB 2C specifically designates Charlotte, Collier, Desoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota as the counties in question, and extends the prohibition in SB 250 until October 1, 2026.  

The bill makes a number of appropriations related to hurricane recovery: 

• $30 million to the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) to cover the local matching requirements of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance grants to local governments in the Hurricane Idalia Disaster Declaration.  
• $50 million to DEM for the Hurricane Recovery Grant Program. This program is intended to provide for continued repair and recovery projects in local governments within the Hurricane Idalia Disaster Declaration. 
• An additional $3 million to DEM to provide planning and design grants for new emergency operations centers in fiscally constrained counties 
• $10 million to the Small County Outreach Program, for transportation projects within the Hurricane Idalia Disaster Declaration. 
• $181.5 million to the Department of Financial Services for the My Safe Florida Home program, which provides home inspections and hurricane-hardening residential improvements.  
• $25 million to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for the Hurricane Housing Recovery Program. 
• $5 million to the Department of Commerce to provide Rural Infrastructure Fund Grants to fiscally constrained counties impacted by Hurricane Idalia. 
• $75 million for low- or zero-interest loans to eligible agriculture and aquaculture operations. 
• $37.5 million in grants for timber operations impacted by Hurricane Idalia. 

The bill also includes a series of tax relief provisions: 

• Requires that tangible personal property in a farming operation, that was rendered unusable for at least 60 days by Hurricane Idalia, be assessed at its salvage value for the 2024 tax rolls.  
• Provides for sales tax refunds for fencing and building materials associated with Hurricane Idalia recovery efforts on agricultural property. 
• Provides for a fuel tax refund for shipments and debris removal related to Hurricane Idalia recovery. 

Lastly, the bill extends the maximum loan term within the Local Government Emergency Revolving Bridge Loan program from two to five years.  

Sponsors: Snyder/Avila 

To view the latest bill actions, see below:  

-HB 5C

-SB 10C

Redesignates the State Board of Administration’s (SBA) statutorily required list of “Scrutinized Companies with Activities in the Iran Petroleum Energy Sector” as “Scrutinized Companies with Activities in the Iran Terrorism Sector” (Iran Terrorism List).  

Companies on the Iran Terrorism list are prohibited from contracting with local governments on projects or services valued at $1 million dollars or greater. Companies submitting a bid for a local government or state agency contract must certify that they do not meet the criteria for a scrutinized company on the Iran Terrorism List. Any such contract entered into after July 1, 2018 must include a provision allowing the awarding local government to terminate the contract of a company that either:  

• Submits a false certification regarding business activity with Iran, or
• Is designated as a scrutinized company on the Iran Terrorism List. 

A local government may, at its limited discretion, allow a company on the Iran Terrorism List to compete for local contracts in the event of certain exceptions including: 

• If the scrutinized business operations were conducted before January 10, 2024, and not renewed; The company must also implement a formal plan to cease their remaining scrutinized business operations. 
• If the local government would otherwise be unable to obtain these services from an alternative source. 

Additionally, the bill requires the SBA, in its administration of the Florida Retirement System Investment Plan, to divest from any scrutinized company on the Iran Terrorism List.  

Sponsor: Calatayud/Fine 

To view the latest bill actions, see below: 

-HB 7C

-SB 6C

Expands the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to include schools and museums, in addition to currently eligible houses of worship and community centers at risk of violent attacks or hate crimes. The grants can be used for security enhancements like infrastructure, personnel, and training. Facilities serving children or students will be given priority in the eligibility criteria. Directs the Division of Emergency Management to adopt rules by December 31, 2023, and provide annual grant reports.  

The bill also provides a series of related appropriations: 

• $10 million for implementation of the NSGP 
• $5 million for capital outlay projects related to hardening infrastructure of Jewish day schools 
• $20 million for non-hardening security measures (i.e. hiring security personnel, training staff in threat awareness, emergency procedures, and first aid) 

Sponsors: Berman/Waldron 

To view the latest bill actions, see below: 

-HB 9C

-SB 8C

A resolution expressing the State of Florida’s support of Israel and recognition of Israeli sovereignty. The bill also condemns the actions of Hamas against the state of Israel, as well as broader threats to the Jewish community.