I’m having issues with power and internet going in and out so I apologize for the half-composed email, but I wanted to get it out ASAP for anyone close to Tavares for the FACL training this Saturday.
1. FACL Training Opportunity.
Foundation for Applied Conservative Leadership (FACL) is offering its Campaign Management School on May 13 in Tavares
https://facl-training.org/schools/events/tavares-fl-cms-13may2023
2. Daniel’s Action Item.
We should get members to sign letters demanding a special session investigating the effects of this wave on schools and other public services and crafting legislation to limit the problem.
https://www.theblaze.com/op-ed/horowitz-state-legislatures-should-convene-special-sessions-to-repel-border-invasion-bar-education-for-illegal-aliens
This may be moot in Florida after yesterday’s signing of SB1718
https://alachuachronicle.com/governor-ron-desantis-signs-strongest-anti-illegal-immigration-legislation-in-the-country-to-combat-border-crisis/
3. Post Legislative Session Help.
Daniel would like a scorecard of the 10 most transformational votes and a list of the biggest trouble makers blocking good legislation/ideas. We need to build a case for and encourage primary challengers.
4. Legislative Recap
Governor DeSantis called the 2023 legislative session a historic success. He said, ” “We have secured $2.7 billion in tax cuts, and the legislature passed countless legislative priorities that will better the lives of Florida families. Thank you to the Legislature for such a productive session.” Click the link above for his press release. I was hoping for a more detailed analysis to summarize the entire session, but that will have to come later. Here’s the short version.
EDUCATION & PARENTAL RIGHTS
HB1. Passed. Expands school choice, more money and more programs
INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM
SB222/HB305. Never had a vote in committee. It would’ve prevented all vaccines mandates and added vaccination status to Florida civil rights law to prevent discrimination.
SB238. Public Records/Protection from Discrimination Based on Health Care Choices. Passed.
SB252/HB1013. Passed. Prevents COVID-19 testing, making and vaccine mandates for businesses, governments, and educational institutions. Also prohibits mandates for EUA and mRNA vaccines (mRNA prohibition expires 6/1/2025).
HB543. Passed. While politicians are calling this bill Constitutional Carry, it is actually permit-less carry. The bill removes the requirement for a concealed carry permit, but not the standards. Notably missing is the ability to open carry and returning gun ownership rights to all adults (18+), which Senate President Kathleen Passidomo was very vocal in opposing. She’s from the supposedly more conservative part of the state in SW Florida.
HEALTHCARE
HB 1387. Passed. Bans gain of function research.
SB1550. Passed. Requires companies to report any increase of 15% for wholesale cost over 12 months or 30% over 3 years. Requires pharmacy benefit managers to register for certificate of authority and identify ownership affiliations. They must use a pass-through pricing model (no direct or indirect spread pricing) and pass 100% of all manufacturer rebates to the pharmacy benefits plan. They can’t force covered clients to receive drugs by mail, use affiliated health care provider or use affiliated network requirements.
SB1580/HB1403. Physicians’ Freedom of Speech. Passed. Protections for healthcare providers who can opt out of certain services for conscience-based objections; provides whistle-blower protections and prohibits boards from disciplinary action or denying licenses for specified conduct. Supported by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons
SB1618/HB1487. Passed. Updates public health emergency statute (381.00315). First renewal is only for 30-days (not 60) and must have governor approval. Further renewals require 2/ of both chambers of the legislature
CULTURE
SB266/HB999. Passed. Anti-ESG
SB254/HB1421. Passed. No public funds for transition surgery, no change to birth certificates, no transition surgery for minors
SB1320/HB1223. Passed. Can’t require people to use pronouns, can’t teach sexual orientation or gender identity until grade 9
SB300. Passed. Heartbeat Protection Act. Prohibits abortions once the unborn child has a detectible heartbeat, expands pregnancy support network and appropriations. Florida Senate analysis of the bill says the abortion ban cannot go into effect until the Florida Supreme Court overturns In re T.W. or changes its stance on the privacy clause in the Florida Constitution.
CRIME
HB1297. Passed. Death penalty for pedophiles who rape kids under 12.
HB1359. Passed. Additional penalties on fentanyl and other drugs made to look like candy to target kids
HB1627. Passed. Uniform statewide bond schedule (judges can’t go lower). No release prior to first appearance for violent offenders. Revoke pretrial release if defendant violates condition of pretrial release. No nonmonetary pretrial release for defendants arrested for “dangerous crimes”
SB1718. Passed. E-verify for companies with over 25 employees; stronger penalties for employing illegals and for human smuggling; no gov’t ID cards for illegals; funds to transport illegals to sanctuary jurisdictions
https://alachuachronicle.com/governor-ron-desantis-signs-strongest-anti-illegal-immigration-legislation-in-the-country-to-combat-border-crisis/
OTHER (“Anti-CCP Bills”)
SB258. Prohibited Applications on Government-issued Devices (aka Anti-TikTok). Passed. Identifies “foreign country of concern” as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, and Syria. All state agencies must block prohibited applications from public access and restrict them on government-issued devices
SB264. Interests of Foreign Countries (aka No Chinese farms). Passed. Government entities cannot enter into (or renew) contracts with entities owned or controlled by government of foreign country of concern. Defines “critical infrastructure facility” as chemical manufacturing, refinery, electrical power plant, water treatment facility, wastewater treatment, liquid natural gas terminal, telecommunications switching office, gas processing plant, seaport, spaceport, airport. Prohibits purchase of agricultural land or real property on or around military installations or critical infrastructure facilities by foreign principals
SB846. Agreements of Educational Entities with Foreign Entities (aka Keep China out of colleges). Passed. Defines “foreign principal” as government, political party, member of political party, business organized in, or person residing in foreign country of concern. State universities & colleges cannot accept any grant from or participate in any agreement with any college or university based in a foreign country of concern or with a foreign principal. They or their employees cannot accept any gift from a college or university based in a foreign country of concern or from a foreign principal
LOCAL
HB1645. City of Gainesville, Alachua County (waiting for signature). Establishes a governor-appointed board to manage, operate, and control the city-owned utility company. The board “shall be free from direction and control of the Gainesville City Commission.” General fund transfer from GRU to city cannot exceed net revenue. “Board decisions are based only on pecuniary factors and utility industry best practices “which do not include consideration of the furtherance of social, political, or ideological interests.”