This bill modifies the preexisting Family Empowerment Scholarship (FES) Program (school choice). The FES provides two scholarships one to assist with tuition and fees to attend a private or charter school or to assist in transportation costs to a different public school. The other scholarship provides awards for students with disabilities. Starting in 2024-2025 the maximum number of participants in the program will increase annually by 3%. There is an indirect appropriation, as the funding for this program is funded through previous funds that are automatically increased based on formulas related to student enrollment.

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This bill contains provisions related to hurricane and disaster relief, especially related to Hurricane Idalia. The bill provides sales tax exemptions and fuel tax refunds for certain repair efforts. Provides $3 million for planning of new emergency operation centers in impacted counties. It provides funding for grant programs of over $300 million for various relief efforts related to housing and transportation. Creates two new programs for restoration of aquaculture, agriculture, and timber land.

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This bill adds to existing law regarding scrutinized companies, which are prohibited from doing business with government entities within the state of florida, and prohibits the Florida Retirement System Pension Plan from investing in these companies. The bill redesignates the Iran petroleum List to also be on the Iran Terrrosim list. It redefines what a scrutinized company is to include more than 10% of assets linked to Iran OR an investment of more than $20 million in related Iranian industries.

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This resolution expresses support for the State of Israel as a sovereign and independent nation, and stands in solidarity with Israel after the October 7th, 2023 attack by Hamas which is denoted as a United States Designated terrorist organization. The Resolution affirms that the Florida House of Representatives stands in solidarity with Israel and supports Israel’s right to defend itself. The resolution will be sent to the Governor of the State of Florida, Florida’s Congressional Designation, and the Ambassador of the State of Israel to the United States.

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This bill introduces changes to unions: Requires employees wanting to join an employee organization (union) to sign and date a membership authorization form; prohibits automatic deduction of union dues; imposes a 60% membership threshold on unions or the entity could face decertification; prohibits employee unions from distributing literature during work hours. Not applicable to law enforcement, correctional & probation officers, or firefighter unions.

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This bill creates the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program w/in the Department of Emergency Management which will facilitate the transportation of inspected unauthorized aliens (illegal migrants who were processed and released by the US Government w/o being admitted) anywhere w/in the US. The bill also allows the department to adopt rules and contract services to implement this program. $10,000,000 (from the General Revenue fund) will be appropriated for this program.

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This bill creates the Local Government Emergency Bridge Loan Program w/in the Department of Economic Opportunity which will provide one year (which can be extended) interest-free loans to eligible local governments (who demonstrate financial need) impacted by Hurricane Ian and/or Nicole through the end of fiscal year 2024. The bill will also appropriate $650 million (from the General Revenue fund) to the Governor’s Emergency Response and Preparedness Fund.

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This bill authorizes the Office of Statewide Prosecution to prosecute crimes involving voting (including federal or state office, referendum, initiative, issue, petition, or registration). According to the state constitution, crimes must be committed in more than 1 circuit to be prosecuted by a statewide prosecutor. This bill also specifies that crimes facilitated or connected to the Internet are still open to investigation and prosecutable throughout every judicial circuit w/in the state.

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This bill prohibits businesses, government entities, and educational institutions from requiring a person to take a COVID-19 test, wear a facial covering to gain access, or prove vaccination status.

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This bill exempts sale tax on electrical storage & natural gas equipment, oral hygiene products, firearm safety devices, diapers and incontinence products. Provides a 28 day ‘back to school’ tax holiday in Jan/July for clothing, computers and school supplies; 14 day ‘disaster prep’ holiday in May; 3 month ‘freedom summer’ holiday in May for camping, fishing and outdoor supplies; 7 day ’Tool Time’ holiday in September; 1 year exemption on appliances and gas stoves. Revenue reduced by $1.4 billion.

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Current law states there is a third degree felony when the victim of strangulation and the strangler share a domestic relationship. This bill makes battery by strangulation, regardless of relationship, a third degree felony.

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This bill requires businesses to publish a privacy policy for personal information. Requires businesses with over $1 billion in revenue to give consumers the right to access their collected information, delete or correct information, and opt-out of the sale or sharing of information. Additionally, the bill prohibits online platforms accessed by children to process information or profile children, collect, sell, or share information on children, and estimate the age of children.

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This bill prohibits local governments from controlling the basis of wages for vendors or contractors with the local government. It also removes the ability of local governments from establishing a different minimum wage than the established statewide minimum wage.

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This bill prohibits businesses, government entities, and educational institutions from requiring a person to take a COVID-19 test, wear a facial covering to gain access, or prove vaccination status.

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This bill creates a health care provider’s or health care payor’s right to refuse to participate in or pay for any health care service that violates the provider’s or payor’s religious, moral or ethical beliefs. It also bans a board, or the Department of Health if no board exists, from taking disciplinary action against a health care practitioner for exercising his or her right of free speech.

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This bill authorizes the Department of Education to create a four year pilot program of a year round school schedule. Department will select five school districts to participate. At the conclusion of the program, requires the Commissioner of Education to report on the benefits, barriers, and recommendations for expansion.

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This bill authorizes the guardian of an incapacitated person to petition a court for the authority to consent to withhold or withdraw life prolonging procedures, and requires the court to hold this hearing within 72 hours.

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This bill regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Florida. Prohibits a PBM from penalizing pharmacists for sharing the following information: risks of treatment, alternative treatments, info that would reduce the cost of services, process used to deny benefits, info on financial incentives in pharmacy benefit plans. The bill aims to increase transparency regarding drug prices and the contractual relationship PBMs have, enact consumer protections, and protect small pharmacies.

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This bill prohibits local governments or public housing authorities from implementing restrictions on the weight, size, or breed of domestic dogs. Local authorities may still place restrictions or penalties on owners of dogs that have bitten or attacked people or other animals.

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This bill prohibits gender clinical interventions (sex-reassignment) for minors and birth certificate changes for gender identity. Florida courts can change child custody in cases of gender clinical interventions of Florida minors in another state. Health department must suspend participating healthcare practitioners’ licenses; criminal penalties. Prohibits the use of government funds or insurance coverage. Minors receiving interventions will be discontinued by 12/31/23.

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This bill requires public schools to make social media safety instructional material, and requires this material to be age appropriate. Additionally, the bill requires each school district to prohibit student access to social media platforms through school internet. With exceptions for educational purposes.

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This bill states that any entity needing a license to operate in the State of Florida must provide 2 bathrooms for exclusive use by males and females or a single occupant, unisex bathroom. Additionally, separate treatment for males and females is required in correctional institutions and domestic violence centers. Non-compliance can be punished by a fine of up to $10,000. Individuals who enter restrooms opposite to their sex assigned at birth can be jailed or fined.

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This bill changes the law that previously allowed any individual 14 or over to operate a golf cart. The new bill states that anyone who is under 16 must have a valid learners license and anyone 16 or older must have a valid learner’s license or drivers license.

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This bill states that the Division of Recreation and Parks will allow Florida residents to make reservations at state park cabins, campsites, RV sites, tent, boat, equestrian, and camping sites up to 11 months in advance. Non-residents can do so up to 10 months in advance. Currently residents and non-residents can both make reservations 11 months in advance. This bill prioritizes Florida residents.

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This bill establishes the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative within the Department of Education: To create a 10-year restoration plan to develop and implement tools and technologies to expedite the development of innovative technologies and approaches that are critically needed to restore coastal seagrass ecosystems by building upon research and restoration efforts in the public and private sectors. The bill appropriates $2 million per year for this initiative.

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This bill prohibits federal/state funds for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, unless to comply with federal law. General ED courses: No distorting historical events; no Critical Theory (Queer & Critical Race Theories etc.). Review tenured faculty every 5 years (&for cause) & employees earning $100,000+ yearly. Board of trustees or president hires full-time faculty; not required to consider input. No pledges, except to law & Constitution. No “gender” discrimination category.

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This bill that changes tort law statutes (civil suits): Eliminates one-way attorney fees; applies lodestar (standardized) attorney fees; 4-year statute of limitations; limitations changes from 4 to 2 years for negligence, lost wages, wrongful death, most medical malpractice, libel/slander, etc.; multi-party prorated & arbitrated insurance settlements. Crimes on premises: fault of all parties must be considered. Who is majority (most at) fault determines negligence compensation.

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This bill allows the court to consider adultery, mental condition, disabilities, and the ability for each party to be self sufficient in determining alimony. The party seeking alimony has burden of proof for determining their need. Eliminates permanent alimony. Considers if a parent moves to within 50 miles of child. The court may reduce an award if the payor has reached retirement age. Only applies to all initial petitions for dissolutions of marriage pending or filed after July 1st, 2023.

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This bill bans abortion after six weeks of gestation, except for physical medical emergencies. Abortions up to 15 weeks are allowed in rape or incest cases, providing the victim submits certain proof. Punishable as a 3rd degree felony (2nd degree in death of the mother). Physicians must report rape or incest of a minor. No telehealth abortion services. No government funds for travel to another state to support an abortion; exceptions for physical medical emergencies.

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This bill clarifies that an “athlete agent” will represent intercollegiate athletes that profit for the commercial use of, or protect them from unauthorized use, of their name, image, or likeness (NIL). This bill removes restrictions for the compensation for athletes, as well as certain restrictions placed on the postsecondary educational institutions, while also specifying that institution employees cannot be liable for damages to an athlete’s NIL because of routine actions during that sport.

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