The Melo Minute

/0 Comments/in /by

The Melo Minute
April 2nd, 2021 — Easter Edition

Team Melo wishes you and your families a wonderful Easter!

The Latest in Tallahassee

Governor DeSantis Signed SB 72 Into Law

Governor DeSantis signed Senate Bill 72 into law on Monday, March 29th. The bill, entitled Civil Liability for Damages Relating to COVID-19, works to ensure that businesses have certain protections from litigation against them as a result of the pandemic.

For instance, SB 72 makes it so that if a plaintiff attempts to argue that a business did not adequately act in good faith — regarding the health and safety of their employees and customers — then the burden of proof is on the plaintiff to show that failure.

SB 72 appeared before the House last week and I voted in favor of its passage. I have filed similar legislation that works to protect businesses during the pandemic — HB 579. We need to ensure the prosperity of our businesses that are still reeling from COVID.


HB 1637 – Immokalee Water and Sewage District

This bill provides clarity on how Immokalee’s District Board of Commissioners is constituted. Historically, Board members have continued to serve past the expiration of their terms until a successor is appointed. HB 1637 amends the charter of the Immokalee Water and Sewer District by clarifying that members of the Board serve until the Governor appoints their successor.

By clarifying this process, HB 1637 will eliminate any confusion going forward when Immokalee attempts to secure federal grant funds to address local water and sewer issues.

When this bill came before the its final committee, the State Affairs Committee, it was unanimously voted on with 21 members in support of its passage.


Local Happenings

Immokalee Community Park is having an extravagant Easter celebration with an egg hunt, various fun activities, and the Easter Bunny appearing as a special guest. It’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Kids should have their own basket for collecting eggs. The address for the event is 321 N. First St., Immokalee. For more information click here!

What We’re Reading…

FGCU, FWC Team up to Restore Lake Trafford Using Eelgrass

WINK News

Collier County Hires a New County Manager
Lynn Alexander

Vaccine Information

Florida Department of Health data reported that Collier County has vaccinated over 119,000 individuals and Hendry County has vaccinated over 5,700. Keep in mind that, according to U.S. census data from 2019, 33% of Collier County’s population are 65 years of age or older and that 14% of Hendry County’s population are 65 years of age or older.

If you or someone you know still needs to get a vaccine, here are some resources you can utilize:
You can pre-register for a vaccine through the State’s system by going to myvaccine.fl.gov, or by calling (866) 201-4885 if you’re in Collier County or (866) 201-6745 if you’re in Hendry County.
CVS website for scheduling an appointment.
Publix website for scheduling a vaccination.
Homebound seniors can get a vaccine by sending an email to HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com

Check Out My Social Media!

Q&A’s

I have a great team here in HD80. We are always ready to help out.
If you have a question you would like for my team and I to address within The Melo Minute feel free to send an email to:

HDIST080@myfloridahouse.gov

Representative Lauren Melo
Florida House District 80

Kathleen C. Passidomo – Legislative Update – April 2, 2021

/0 Comments/in /by

This Thursday marked the halfway point of the 2021 legislative session. This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee met to discuss the proposed 2021-2022 state budget. Chair Kelli Stargel outlined the priorities funded in the budget, including key investments in child welfare, water quality improvements and environmental restoration.
Beginning next Monday, April 5, all individuals aged 18 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Remember, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) has offered a vaccination site locator and vaccine registration platform to help you schedule your appointment. Please continue to take the necessary health measures to ensure your safety.
I hope you all have a most blessed Good Friday and Easter weekend.

Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Update
As of Thursday, April 1, 9,136,036 vaccine doses have been administered in Florida. There are now 5,979,4461 individuals who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Florida.
Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced he would lower eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. Beginning Monday, April 5, all individuals aged 18 and older will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines. You may watch the Governor’s announcement here.
Check the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 website for the latest information.

Reminder: Pre-Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine & Use the DOH Vaccine Locator
Visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) statewide vaccine locator site and preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
Both websites help eligible Floridians preregister for the vaccine and locate nearby vaccination sites.

COVID-19 Update: Florida Case Data
As of April 1, there have been 2,064,525 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida, including 31,421 in Collier County, 4,452 in Hendry County and 60,679 in Lee County.
As of March 31, the state’s positivity rate for new cases is 6.1%.
To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 webpage.
For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.

Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation into Law to Provide COVID-19 Liability Protections
This week, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 72 into Florida statute. This new law will shield businesses and health care providers from fraudulent or opportunistic lawsuits related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
I was grateful to take part in this momentous event. For more than a year now, business owners, employees and health care providers have endured many challenges while serving on the front lines.
When a business makes a good faith effort to adhere to safety guidelines and reopen during a period of extreme uncertainty, our laws should protect them from frivolous and costly litigation.
In addition, amidst continually changing and conflicting guidelines, many health care providers were faced with making difficult judgment calls. This law will ensure that health care providers who do the right thing are not threatened with frivolous lawsuits that hinder their ability to care for their patients.

Legislation to Reduce Fraudulent Property Insurance Claims Moves to Senate Floor
This week, Senate Bill 76: Residential Property Insurance, by Senator Jim Boyd, was presented on the Senate Floor.
With the rising cost of property insurance in Florida, Senate Bill 76 aims to provide fair and reasonable guidelines for both the insurer and the insured during the claims process.
SB 76 also helps prevent the abuse of claims by predatory attorneys and contractors. These reforms seek to reduce fraudulent claims by bad actor attorneys, public adjusters and contractors who take advantage of areas that were affected by hurricanes. The bill discourages frivolous property insurance claims and litigation by accepting the federal standard lodestar approach for calculating attorney’s fees.
This legislation ensures there is a clear understanding between homeowners and their insurance companies regarding when a roof replacement will be covered in full. It also establishes a clear and reasonable two-year time period for filing a claim.

Senate Budget Reflects Strategic Investments and Safeguards Key Government Functions
The Florida Senate’s proposed budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year provides for key investments in child welfare, water quality improvements and environmental restoration. The budget responsibly plans for Florida’s future, despite a decline in revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Kelli Stargel, approved Senate Bill 2500: Appropriations, which proposes a $95 billion balanced state budget and provides $5 billion in state reserves.
The budget proposal fully funds the Medicaid program, which increased by 730,000 enrollees as a result of the pandemic. It also maintains last year’s unprecedented level of per-student funding for K-12 education, including a $500 million allocation to increase teacher salaries.
SB 2500 provides a $50 million increase in the investment of Florida’s child welfare system and increases the minimum wage for state workers to $13 per hour, three years ahead of the timeline outlined by the constitutional amendment that passed last fall.
The budget does not include the approximate $10 billion in anticipated non-recurring federal pandemic relief funds, currently under review. This funding will be addressed later by the Florida Senate once we receive more information on our state’s overall budget outlook.

Measure to Increase Unemployment Benefits Advances
The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on issues within Florida’s unemployment system.
The Florida Senate is taking the necessary steps to address these challenges. Senate Bill 1906: Reemployment Assistance, by Senator Jason Brodeur, passed the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism, chaired by Senator Ed Hooper.
The legislation proposes to increase the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $275 to $375 and increase the minimum weekly benefit from $32 to $100, bringing Florida on par with the national average for state unemployment benefits.
“Representing a Central Florida district, my constituents were among the hardest hit when tourism came to a standstill last spring. This was an unprecedented situation that no one could have planned for, but it has brought to the forefront several important issues that should be discussed. We have a moral obligation to provide enough support to help meet some basic needs for Floridians who are out of work, through no fault of their own, and are looking for employment,” said Senator Brodeur.

Targeted Approach to Improving Lake Okeechobee Water Quality Passes
The Florida Senate is taking a strategic approach to address and improve the water quality in Lake Okeechobee and reduce damaging discharges.
Senate Bill 2516: Water Storage North of Lake Okeechobee gained approval from the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Over the years, the Florida Legislature has appropriated unprecedented funding to address environmental restoration, and through collaborative efforts between the state and federal government, construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee has been expedited.
Water storage north of Lake Okeechobee is essential to accomplish the water quality goals outlined in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Senate Bill 2516 expedites the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project and provides $50 million in annual funding.
Senate Bill 2516 will serve to mitigate toxic algal blooms, protect against droughts, improve water quality and quantity, and preserve Florida’s unique environment for generations to come.

Legislation to Ensure Life-Saving PPE Reserves for Health Care Workers Passes Committee
In the early days and months of the COVID-19 pandemic, in Florida and across the country, there was a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Non-essential” health care procedures were temporarily halted to preserve PPE, while many frontline workers wore garbage bags and reused masks in light of the scarcity of this critical equipment.
The Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability approved Senate Bill 1760: Personal Protective Equipment, by Senator Ben Albritton, to ensure life-saving equipment is available to Florida’s health care providers in the event of a future emergency.
SB 1760 requires the Division of Emergency Management to acquire a stockpile of PPE, such as respirators, gloves, gowns and masks, so that it may be available for doctors, nurses and other health care practitioners to purchase in the event of a declared emergency caused by an infectious or communicable disease. The bill also ensures equipment may not be resold at a higher price than it was procured.
The legislation makes certain our frontline workers have access to the supplies necessary to continue providing the best possible care for Floridians in need.

Education Committee Addresses Impacts of COVID-19 on Florida’s Education System
A year ago, students of all ages and educational institutions at every level were drastically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Florida Senate is addressing the concerns of the students, parents, educators and schools who were forced to adapt to this evolving situation.
Senate Bill 7070: Impact of COVID-19 on Educational Institutions unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Education. SB 7070 provides protections for colleges and universities from lawsuits that decided to close campuses, and alternatively offer virtual learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill also suspends the penalties of K-12 standardized assessment results for this year, including school grades, turnaround status and student retention, and rewards schools that improved or maintained high performance during the pandemic.

Senate Moves to Expand Veterans Preference in Employment
The Florida Senate is making it easier to hire veterans here in Florida.
Senate Bill 922: Veterans’ Preference in Employment, by Senator Danny Burgess, unanimously passed off the Senate Floor.
The legislation gives state and local governments the option to waive educational requirements for veterans applying for certain positions if deemed appropriate by the governmental entity.
By empowering state and local governments to waive educational requirements for veterans — if deemed suitable for the position — more veterans will have the opportunity to find jobs in Florida.
This legislation continues the Florida Senate’s efforts to keep Florida as the most veteran-friendly state in America.

In the News
Hendry, Glades counties send teams to vaccinate rural areas
All Floridians 18+ eligible for COVID-19 vaccine April 5; people 40+ eligible Monday
Five miles of Old Tamiami Trail removed as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan
New programs at Collier County Schools help with students’ post-pandemic mental health, stress

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance.
Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo
Senate Rules Chair
State Senator, District 28

The Melo Minute

/0 Comments/in /by

March 25th, 2021 – Excellence in Education Edition
Bill of the Week:
HB 1279 – Florida Talent Development Council

Preparing Our Students

This week I had the honor of presenting HB 1279 to the Secondary Education & Career Development Subcommittee. I would like to thank the members of this committee for unanimously voting up on this bill. If you click on the image you will be able to watch the entire committee meeting. I present my bill at the 20 minute mark!

HB 1279 requires the Florida Talent Development Council to create a report recommending any potential avenues for implementing the Pathways in Technology Early College Highschool program (P-TECH program) here in Florida.

The P-TECH program is a model that incorporates secondary and post-secondary education with workforce-centered learning and experiences. The program would be a flexible 6-year model for students to work on at their own pace.
Upon completion of the study a thorough report would be presented to the Governor, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, the Board of Governors, and the State Board of Education. Should the implementation of P-TECH be seen as reasonable, feasible, and beneficial for our students, further action may be taken to implement it.

With this valuable information we will be able to appropriately address the global “skills gap” crisis, strengthen our future workforce, and provide underserved youth with an innovative education that creates a direct pathway to college attainment and career readiness.


Bills Making Progress

HB 491 – The Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board

This week I introduced HB 491 which addresses the composition of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board (FREAB). Currently, the FREAB’s composition does not adequately represent the public. This bill would adjust the makeup of the board in an effort to provide a more equitable distribution of industry representation (based on the number of licensees) while still protecting the interests of the public. It does so by decreasing the number of board members who represent the appraisal management industry from two to one and increasing the number of board members who represent the general public from two to three.

I presented HB 491 before the Regulatory Reform Subcommittee on Wednesday, 3/24, at 3:45pm. It passed the committee unanimously with 15 votes in favor of the bill.

HB 1 – Combating Public Disorder

This bill responds to the violent riots and disorderly protests that have been occurring across the nation. The bill’s primary focus is increasing criminal penalties to individuals or groups who cause damage to any person or property while rioting. The bill protects our communities, our businesses, and our police officers while safeguarding the role of peaceful protests in our republic.

HB 1 appeared before the House Floor for it’s final vote today. I voted in favor of the bill’s passage and it passed the House 76-39. If you wish to see how the bill was debated on the floor, click here!

What We’re Reading…

Gov. DeSantis… Commissioner… Initiative for Non-University Education

WINK News

Biden Administration Not Taken Seriously by America’s World Adversaries

David Bossie

Governor Ron DeSantis Shows up… Biden… with Vaccine Distribution

Unbossed Reporting

Vaccine Information

· An exciting announcement from Governor DeSantis! Beginning Monday, March 29th, the Governor will make it so that all individuals age 40 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The following Monday, April 5th, all individuals age 18 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

· If you or someone you know still needs to get a vaccine, here are some resources you can utilize:
· You can pre-register for a vaccine through the State’s system by going to myvaccine.fl.gov, or by calling (866) 201-4885 if you’re in Collier County or (866) 201-6745 if you’re in Hendry County.
· CVS website for scheduling an appointment.
· Publix website for scheduling a vaccination.
· Homebound seniors can get a vaccine by sending an email to HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com


Representative Bob Rommel with this week’s interesting Florida fact.

/0 Comments/in /by

Hello Florida, this is Representative Bob Rommel with this week’s interesting Florida fact.

Joe Biden has been in office for two months, and he’s already pushing for gun control.

In Florida, we’ve issued over two and a half million concealed weapons permits, far more than any other state.

Crime is out of control in big cities like Chicago where gun control is in full force.

But in other places, Americans use a firearm to defend themselves from criminals between five hundred thousand and three million times per year.

No one should take away that right to life.

That’s why tomorrow, I’ll support legislation allowing law-abiding citizens to carry their concealed weapon in a place of worship.

Other than home or school, there’s no place where we should feel safer than where we worship.

Florida. No income tax. Strong on the second amendment.

Let’s keep it that way.

Sincerely,

Bob

Kathleen Passidomo – Legislative Update – March 27, 2021

/0 Comments/in /by

This week, the Florida Senate Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Senator Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), released Senate Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Act, a proposed state budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, as well as the implementing bill and conforming bills associated with a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Due to COVID-19 and the related economic downturn, there is a projected shortfall of state revenue. Therefore, we must do more with less.
“We have a constitutional responsibility to pass a balanced budget in good times, and in difficult times. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, revenues that fund our day-to-day government are down, and we know we have some big expenses on the horizon, which means we had to make difficult choices throughout the budget,” said Senate President Wilton Simpson.
Our top priority is to support our communities to recover and rebuild successfully beyond the pandemic. We must also continue to keep our communities safe and protect our most vulnerable populations.
We welcome input and feedback from stakeholders and constituents. This is a process, and we will make adjustments to reflect the changing needs of our state and new information about revenue projections for the year ahead.
There are 34 days remaining in Florida’s Legislative Session. I will keep you updated as the state budget takes form.

Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Update
As of Thursday, March 25, 8,071,096 vaccine doses have been administered in Florida. There are now 5,346,471 individuals who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Florida.
This week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced he will lower eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine. Starting next Monday, individuals aged 50 and older will be eligible. Beginning, Monday, April 5 all individuals aged 18 and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
You may watch the Governor’s announcement here.
Beginning Monday, March 29, the following populations will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines:
· Long-term care facility residents and staff;
· Persons 40 years of age and older;
· Health care personnel with direct patients;
· K-12 school employees of all ages;
· Sworn law enforcement officers 40 years of ages and older;
· Firefighters 40 years of age and older; and
· People who are “extremely vulnerable” to the virus with a completed state form signed by a physician.
As more vaccines become available, eligibility continues to expand. Check the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 website for the latest information.

Pre-Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine & Use the DOH Vaccine Locator
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) launched a statewide vaccine locator site and preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
Both websites help eligible Floridians preregister for the vaccine and locate nearby vaccination sites.

COVID-19 Update: Florida Case Data
As of March 25, there have been 2,027,429 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida, including 30,820 in Collier County, 4,429 in Hendry County and 59,501 in Lee County.
As of March 24, the state’s positivity rate for new cases is 5.58%.
To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 webpage.
For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.

Florida Senate Takes Aim at Fixing Unemployment System
The Florida Senate recognizes the hardships Florida’s families and businesses have endured during the pandemic and is actively working to provide solutions, beginning with fixing Florida’s unemployment system.
Senate Bill 50, by Senator Joe Gruters, passed the Senate Floor and will prevent unexpected tax hikes on Florida businesses, while replenishing the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund.
Unlike brick and mortar businesses here in Florida, out-of-state retailers or marketplaces that sell products online do not always remit the sales tax for each purchase. Compliance for remitting Florida’s sales tax has historically been extremely low.
This legislation simply ensures marketplaces and out-of-state retailers collect the owed sales tax at the point of sale for remote purchases, and remit these taxes to the state, just like in-state retailers. This measure helps to create a fair climate for our state’s businesses.
Senate Bill 50 directs these funds, approximately $1 billion of uncollected sales tax from out-of-state retailers, to be collected and deposited into Florida’s Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund for the next four years, or until the Trust Fund is replenished to pre-pandemic levels.
Replenishing the trust fund will prevent an unforeseen 700% increase in unemployment taxes facing businesses while ensuring that the fund remains solvent for employees when they need to claim their benefits.
Additionally, next week the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism will consider Senate Bill 1906: Reemployment Assistance, by Senator Jason Brodeur.
SB 1906 will increase the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $275 to $375. These measures will help our state as we continue working towards a full economic recovery.

Legislation Honors Fallen Law Enforcement Officers
A hero remembered is never forgotten. Senate Bill 1716, by Senator Ed Hooper, honors the legacies of Deputy Michael J. Magli, Sergeant Brian LaVigne, and Officer Jesse Madsen, three Florida law enforcement officers who were killed in the line of duty earlier this year.
Deputy Magli served the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office for eight years. Sergeant LaVigne served more than 30 years with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Officer Madsen served 16 years as a Tampa Police officer and served three tours in Afghanistan with the U.S. military.
The legislation renames a portion of County Road 611, East Lake Road, in Pinellas County as “Deputy Michael J. Magli Memorial Road,” a portion of State Road 60 in Hillsborough County as “Sergeant Brian LaVigne Road,” and a portion of Interstate 275 in Hillsborough County as “Officer Jesse Madsen Memorial Highway.”
The Florida Senate unanimously passed this legislation on the Senate Floor.
The Florida Senate is proud to honor Florida’s law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of others.

Comprehensive Higher Education Measure Passes Senate
The Florida Senate approved Senate Bill 52: Postsecondary Education, by Senator Ray Rodrigues, a measure to improve Florida’s postsecondary education structure.
The legislation ensures college tuition exemptions for students in the care of the Department of Children and Families, increases access to dual enrollment, creates a framework to reward exceptional university staff, and enhances professional development options for teachers.
“This comprehensive legislation addresses a broad range of issues related to higher education in Florida. Dual enrollment helps our students make the most of their high school experience with a head start towards earning higher education credits and credentials. We will also increase access to dual enrollment opportunities for students in public, private, or home education settings. Provide more options for teachers to complete their continuing professional development, and give the flexibility needed for the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program to better support students with unique abilities,” said Senator Rodrigues. “Our universities should be able to reward exceptional employees without being required to consider across-the-board bonuses. This legislation also authorizes universities to create individualized bonus structures for their best employees.”

Pro-Consumer Legislation Approved by Senate
Senate Bill 56: Community Association Assessment Notices, by Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, unanimously passed the Florida Senate.
Senate Bill 56 provides additional notice requirements for condominium, cooperative and homeowners’ associations when collecting assessments by these community associations.
This legislation ensures condominium owners are informed of assessment changes enacted by their associations and will help to reduce late-fees caused by the inconsistent delivery of assessments.
These changes will keep unit owners, especially seniors, properly informed if the delivery method of a statement of account transitions to e-mail delivery.
The bill also increases the payment deadline for a condominium or cooperative unit owner from 30 days to 45 days after receiving an association’s Notice of Intent to Record a Claim of Lien in order to avoid the filing of a claim of lien.

Committee Advances Measure to Combat Human Trafficking in Florida
The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice unanimously approved Senate Bill 1826: Human Trafficking, by Senator Manny Diaz, Jr., in an ongoing effort to end human trafficking in Florida.
The legislation expands the definition and scope of “human trafficking,” to better ensure traffickers are brought to justice for this form of modern-day slavery.
SB 1826 also provides that certain communications between a victim and a human trafficking victim advocate or trained volunteer are confidential so individuals may feel comfortable sharing their experiences and receiving these critical services in a private setting.

Bill Proposal to Allow “Cocktails-to-Go” Up on Both Chamber Floors
Senate Bill 148, by Senator Jennifer Bradley, received its second reading on the Senate Floor this week. The legislation would allow restaurants to package alcoholic drinks or bottles as part of to-go meals.
The companion bill, House Bill 329, by Representative Josie Tomkow, has been calendared for a second reading on the House floor.
The bill aims to support restaurants by allowing alcoholic drinks or bottles as part of take-home meals.
The bill limits the “to go” option to licensed restaurants, caps individual container sizes at 32 ounces and requires motorists to place the drinks in locked compartments, vehicle trunks or an area behind the last upright seats in vehicles.

It’s Women’s “HERstory” Month!
February marks Women’s History Month, or as some have labeled it: Women’s HERstory Month. I am proud to be a woman in the Florida Senate and to be part of the amazing women over the years who have played a role in shaping our state.
Women like Edna Giles Fuller, the first female elected to the Florida House, paved the way for the rest of us. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen was later elected to the Florida Legislature, and she is responsible for creating many of the education programs our students benefit from today.
Today, women serve in many leadership roles in the Florida Senate, including Appropriations Chair, Rules Chair and Majority Leader.
Read the recap by the USA Today Network for a tribute to many of these Florida women!

The Melo Minute – March 19th, 2021

/0 Comments/in /by

I Wrote an Op-Ed!

Guest Opinion: Legislative Accountability Leads to Better Environmental Outcomes

I had the pleasure of writing an opinion piece on my Green House Gas Emissions bill with my colleague Chris Hudson, Vice President of Government Affairs at Americans for Prosperity (AFP). The article highlights the need for the State Legislature to have a seat at the table when projects regulating green house gas emissions are put forward by the Executive Branch. Instead of unproductive, one-size-fits-all dictates from Washington that fail to produce better environmental outcomes, we believe a better policy would embrace bottom-up innovation, and empower people in their own communities to be conscientious stewards of the environment.

The Legislature is the people’s voice. Your voice, the citizens of Florida and those of you in my District, should be heard in matters that influence our economy and our environment.


How My Bills Are Progressing

HB 1505 – Workforce Programs and Services

This bill’s progress through the House is looking great. So far this bill has reported favorably in two committees with unanimous votes approving its passage. The bill is now on schedule to appear before the Appropriations Committee this coming Monday, 3/22, at 12:30pm.

HB 1231 – Domestic Violence

Thank you to the members of the Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee for reporting on this bill favorably earlier today. As a result, my Domestic Violence bill has successfully passed through two committees with unanimous support. The bill will next appear before the Health and Human Services Committee for its third — and final — committee stop.

Co-sponsoring Home-based Businesses Bill

HB 403 – Home-based Businesses

This bill, by Representative Mike Giallombardo, works to ensure the prosperity of home-based businesses by providing an appropriate definition for home-based businesses and removing unnecessary regulations & fees.

I chose to co-sponsor this bill because we need to nourish, uplift, and incentivize these businesses. With all of the economic fallout from the pandemic, this kind of legislation is of utmost importance for helping entrepreneurs in our community and fostering economic opportunity for our State.

Other Bills I’m Co-sponsoring: HB 217, HB 219, HB 337, HB 1475

What We’re Reading

U.S. Sugar Helps Dedicate New Benches at Clewiston’s Harlem Community Tree Park

Ryan Nicol

DeSantis: Florida’s COVID Experience Confirms ‘Lockdown Approach is a Failed Approach’

Charles Creitz

Events & Happenings in the District

· The 45th Collier County Fair has just kicked off. If you’re looking to have some fun with your friends and family, you can attend the fair until it ends March 28th. For more information feel free to visit the fair’s website.

· The LaBelle Rotary club is having their annual Ham Shoot this Saturday. The event is from 10am-4pm and is located at SR 80 East of LaBelle on Forrey Drive — South on Forrey to the Sports Park. Bring your shotgun, but there’s no need to bring ammo as it will be provided for you at the event. My District Secretary Kathleen Elrod will be there representing Team Melo!

· The City of Clewiston is currently looking for a citizen to serve as a board member for their Board of Building Commissioners and their Library Advisory Board. If you are interested in serving your community in this capacity click here for more information.

· Need a job? Seminole Casino Hotel in Immokalee is currently hiring! More information about available positions and how to apply can be found by clicking here.


Check Out My Social Media!

I hope you all had a great St. Patrick’s Day! Be sure to keep up with my social media as my dog Moose will certainly be making plenty of appearances.

Q&A’s

Got a question you want The Melo Minute to answer? Feel free to ask it and send an email to:
HDIST080@myfloridahouse.gov

Representative Lauren Melo
Florida House District 80

Legislative Update – March 19, 2021 – Kathleen C. Passidomo

/0 Comments/in /by

This week, the Florida Senate passed COVID-19 liability protections for businesses and health care providers in a 24-15 vote. The Florida Senate also passed legislation seeking to protect farmers from nuisance lawsuits and unlawful claims. Both of these measures are critically important to our state as we recover from COVID-19 and plan for our future.
There are 42 days remaining in the 2021 Legislative Session, and we have a great deal of work to do. Chief among them is the state budget. Due to the economic downturn, our state is facing a decrease in revenue, and we must do more with less.
I will keep you updated as budget allocations are released, and the state budget takes form.

Florida COVID-19 Vaccine Update
As of Thursday, March 18, 6,993,528 vaccine doses have been administered in Florida. There are now 4,570,538 individuals who have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in Florida.
On Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced he will lower eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to age 50 starting next week.
Beginning Monday, the following populations will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines:
· Long-term care facility residents and staff;
· Persons 50 years of age and older;
· Health care personnel with direct patients;
· K-12 school employees of all ages;
· Sworn law enforcement officers 50 years of ages and older;
· Firefighters 50 years of age and older; and
· People who are “extremely vulnerable” to the virus with a completed state form signed by a physician.
As more vaccines become available, eligibility continues to expand. Check the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 website for the latest information.

Pre-Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine & Use the DOH Vaccine Locator
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) launched a statewide vaccine locator site and preregistration system to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments.
Both websites help eligible Floridians preregister for the vaccine and locate nearby vaccination sites.

COVID-19 Update: Florida Case Data
As of March 19, there have been 1,999,257 positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Florida, including 30,468 in Collier County, 4,392 in Hendry County and 58,577 in Lee County.
As of March 18, the state’s positivity rate for new cases is 5.02%.
To find the most up-to-date information and guidance, you can visit the Florida Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 webpage.
For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), please visit the CDC COVID-19 website.

Florida Senate Delivers COVID-19 Liability Protections for Businesses, Health Care Providers
Since day one of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida’s health care providers put their health at risk to serve their fellow Floridians. In addition, Florida’s business owners worked tirelessly to stay open while adhering to changing safety guidelines and regulations.
The Florida Senate passed Senate Bill 72: Civil Liability for Damages Relating to COVID-19, by Senator Jeff Brandes, to shield businesses from fraudulent or opportunistic lawsuits related to the COVID-19 pandemic and offer protection from civil liability for health care providers who have served Floridians during the pandemic.
When a business makes a good faith effort to adhere to changing safety guidelines to reopen during a period of extreme uncertainty, our laws should protect them from frivolous and costly litigation. We must also work to ensure that health care providers are not threatened with unmerited lawsuits that hinder their ability to serve their patients.
As our state continues to fully reopen and recover, Senate Bill 72 works to separate the serious and merited claims from the fraudulent and unfair claims brought against a Florida business or health care provider.

Florida Senate Takes Action to Improve Child Welfare System
Ensuring the safety and stability of children in Florida’s foster care system is imperative. The Florida Senate unanimously voted to approve Senate Bill 80: Child Welfare, by Senator Jason Brodeur. The measure increases protections and consistency for children in out-of-home care by expanding existing laws related to sibling and transition placements.
The Florida Senate recognizes the relationships young children develop with out-of-home caregivers and siblings of the child’s biological family members. The bill works to reduce trauma from abrupt or frequent placement changes that remove children from safe, successful placements.
Senate Bill 80 also requires that a quick reference “FACE sheet” be created to summarize the status of each child’s case and goals moving forward.
“Our goal is to reduce the trauma children face when they are moved, sometimes abruptly, from one out-of-home placement to another,” said Senator Brodeur. “These are vulnerable young children who have been neglected or abused and we want to make sure they have the stability of a safe, permanent living situation as soon as possible.”

Heightened Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence Approved by Florida Senate
The Florida Senate approved two bills, by Senator Ileana Garcia, to heighten protections for victims of domestic violence as well as the advocates working at domestic violence shelters.
Senate Bill 70 provides a new criminal offense to further protect the locations of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) certified domestic violence centers. Senate Bill 68 exempts from public record the personal information and addresses of DCF domestic violence shelters’ current or former staff, domestic violence advocates and their families.
When victims of domestic violence seek refuge, it is imperative that, for their safety, their location remains confidential. With the passage of Senate Bill 68 and Senate Bill 70, survivors will be safer from their abusers.
Florida has 41 DCF certified domestic violence centers that provide crisis intervention and support services to adult victims of domestic violence and their children free of charge.

Legislation Promoting Civic Education Passes Florida Senate
The Florida Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 146: Civic Education, by Senator Jeff Brandes.
This legislation aims to help students gain civic experience both inside and outside of the classroom by requiring the Florida Commissioner of Education to develop criteria for a nonpartisan civic literacy practicum that may be incorporated into Florida high school United States Government courses.
Senate Bill 146 aims to promote civic literacy in Florida, enable students to engage in civil discourse, and provide more opportunities to equip high school graduates with sufficient knowledge of America’s civics.

Vietnam Veterans Honored by Florida Senate
To memorialize the sacrifices and experiences of those captured or missing in combat during the Vietnam War, the Florida Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 416: POW-MIA Veterans Bracelet Memorial, by Senator Danny Burgess.
The legislation establishes the memorial, which will be funded and administered by the Big Bend Chapter 96, Vietnam Veterans of America, and will be placed on or near the Florida Capitol Complex.
The Florida Senate is committed to ensuring Florida remains the number one state in the nation for our military and veteran communities, and their families.

Legislation to Modernize Right to Farm Protections Passes Florida Senate
Florida’s legacy farming communities contribute to our nation’s food supply and billions of dollars to our state’s economy. Senate Bill 88: Farming Operations, by Senator Jason Brodeur, increases protections for our farmers by modernizing Florida’s Right to Farm Act.
Our state has experienced tremendous growth since Florida’s Right to Farm Act was originally passed in 1979. The Florida Senate approved this legislation, which seeks to update this important law so existing farm work and complementary agritourism activities are protected.

New Tax Exemption Bill to Help Elderly Live Independently Passes Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
On Tuesday, Senate Bill 224 by Senator Lori Berman unanimously passed its second committee stop.
SB 224 exempts the purchase of certain items that assist individuals in living and aging independently in their homes from the sales and use tax.
Specifically, the bill exempts the following items from the collection of the sales and use tax:
· Bed transfer handles selling for $60 or less;
· Bed rails selling for $110 or less;
· Grab bars selling for $100 or less; and
· Shower seats selling for $100 or less.
The bill specifies that the exemption only applies to purchases of these items made for personal or noncommercial use.
SB 224 will be heard in the Committee on Finance and Tax next.

Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Up in Final Senate Committee
Senate Bill 598, by Senator Keith Perry, creates the 10-day Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday to help ensure students have the tools and supplies necessary to be successful in the classroom.
From Friday, July 30, 2021, to Sunday, August 8, 2021, the bill would eliminate taxes on items, including:
· clothing and footwear costing $60 or less;
· backpacks costing $50 or less;
· school supplies costing $15 or less; and
· personal computers and accessories costing $1,000 or less.
Next, SB 598 will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Bill to Increase Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Passes Its First Senate Committee
Senate Bill 874, by Senator Jason Brodeur, passed its first committee Wednesday. The legislation requires the DOH, in collaboration with the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) and the Alzheimer’s Association, to use existing, relevant, public health, and community outreach programs to incorporate and disseminate information to health care practitioners on Alzheimer’s disease.
The educational materials must cover:
· The importance of early detection and timely diagnosis of cognitive impairment.
· Utilization of a validated cognitive assessment tool.
· The value of Medicare annual wellness visits for cognitive health.
· The use of the Medicare billing code for care planning for individuals with cognitive impairment.
· Methods to detect early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
· Methods to reduce the risk of cognitive decline, particularly among individuals in diverse communities who are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
The bill will be heard next in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.

From the Desk of Chairman Joe Gruters

/0 Comments/in /by

Chairman’s Message –

Even CNN acknowledges Governor DeSantis’ successes

There is no denying the glaring truth anymore: Governor Ron DeSantis’ policies of protecting Floridians’ personal freedoms, businesses, jobs and health during the pandemic have been an incontrovertible success.

No less of a media opponent than CNN has acknowledged this with an accurate story of the Governor’s successes. Here is their shockingly positive lead:

After a year of criticism by health experts, mockery from comedians and blistering critiques from political rivals, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is standing unabashedly tall among the nation’s governors on the front lines of the coronavirus fight.

“Everyone told me I was wrong,” DeSantis, a Republican, said in a fundraising appeal on Tuesday, drawing attention to his defiance against the pandemic. “I faced continued pressure from radical Democrats and the liberal media, but I refused to back down. It’s clear: Florida got it right.”

As many parts of the country embark on an uneasy march toward normalcy, Florida is not only back in business — it’s been in business for the better part of the past year…”Those lockdowns have not worked. They’ve done great damage to our country,” DeSantis said.

Of course the story includes the normal tut-tutting from political opponents who urge policies that have flatly failed in other states. But when CNN concedes this truth, backing it up with statistics that have been apparent for months, it’s pretty much case closed.

Read it here: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/17/politics/ron-desantis-covid-florida/index.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=news_tab&utm_content=algorithm

––––

While many blue state governors are still keeping people locked down or threatening to do so again, and President Biden talks disconnectedly about maybe having a BBQ in your backyard by the Fourth of July if we all do what we’re told, Governor Ron DeSantis was having a beer during Bike Week in Daytona. Because we’ve been having BBQs for nearly a year, Mr. President.

What a difference a Governor makes!

––––

As Chairman of the Republican National Committee’s Election Integrity Committee, I want to report that the Committee is making rapid progress. We have four Subcommittees meeting weekly and the full Committee also meeting weekly. We are investigating what went right and what went wrong in 2020, creating model legislation for our states, developing best election operations procedures, determining the integrity of various voting machines and more. The RNC has devoted significant staffing in support of our work.

This will not be a long, drawn out process. The Committee is temporary and I hope to have our first recommendations out to our state leaders in a few months. We must ensure that we have a level of integrity in our elections that all Americans can have faith in.

COVID-19 Update

Governor Ron DeSantis outlined how to best use a portion of federal funds the state is expected to receive through the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package, which provides $195.3 billion to the states.

The Governor’s recommendations include providing assistance to Floridians in need, and making major investments in critical areas such as infrastructure, education, and workforce development to continue Florida’s rapid economic recovery.

A top priority of the Governor remains the support of pandemic first responders. The Governor’s recommendations include a one-time $1,000 direct payment to full-time sworn law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians. The Governor also is recommending money to modernize the reemployment assistance system to correct critical design flaws and improve the service.

To bolster Florida’s already strong recovery, the Governor is recommending over $500 million for economic development and recovery initiatives. The Governor’s recommendations also take important steps to invest in Florida’s infrastructure, resilience, and readiness. Finally, the Governor is recommending $185 million for workforce training and research initiatives.

Read more here: https://www.flgov.com/2021/03/16/governor-ron-desantis-announces-federal-stimulus-budget-recommendations/

Florida Update

Governor DeSantis announced the Civic Literacy Excellence Initiative, a $106 million proposal to make Florida a national leader in civics education. The Governor is urging the Florida Legislature to fund this by using the state portion of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund provided through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation (CRRSA) Act.

The Civic Literacy Excellence Initiative emphasizes the development and support of high-quality civics education, rewards Florida teachers who participate and builds on the success of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative.

“A high-quality education begins with a high quality curriculum, which is why I remain laser focused on developing the best possible civics education standards,” said Governor DeSantis.

Governor DeSantis took direct aim at President Joe Biden after the president’s national address, saying forcefully, “I am not going to let him lockdown Florida.”

The Governor was responding to a portion of the speech where the president implied we may need to shut things down again if cases start increasing. But Governor DeSantis has been protecting Floridians’ freedoms, businesses, jobs and health by keeping Florida open for business. He said, “to even contemplate any sort of lockdown…that’s insane.”

The Governor also wondered about the president’s stated goal of holding small gatherings by the Fourth of July. “We’ve been doing that for over a year in Florida,” Governor DeSantis said.

The Mello Minute

/0 Comments/in /by

Bill of the Week:
HB 1231 – Domestic Violence

The Fight Against Violence

This week I had the honor of presenting HB 1231 to the House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee. This is a great bill that’s Co-sponsored by Representative David Borrero. If you click on the image you will be able to watch the entire committee meeting. I present my bill at the 24:40 minute mark!

HB 1231 works to ensure that better funding and fiscal management occurs for our domestic violence centers and reestablishes a standardized batterers’ intervention program in our state.

Under this bill, certified domestic violence centers may carry up to 8 percent of their funding from one fiscal year to the next — whereas current law requires that all of the funds are reabsorbed by the Government. The ability to retain these funds makes it less likely that reckless end of the year spending occurs; thus, increasing the likelihood that funds are used wisely. This type of policy is nothing new, as the Legislature already has this method of funding allocation in place for child welfare community-based agencies.

The bill also makes needed updates to language that brings it to the 21st Century by updating service provision terminology and acknowledging the state’s commitment to addressing the needs of survivors and their dependents. For instance, the bill makes it a point to include that Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy be an available option for survivors, whereas previous language did not have such a specified method of mental health aid.

One of the most integral aspects of the bill is that it reestablishes DCF as the agency that certifies and monitors batterers’ intervention programs statewide. These programs serve as a coordinated response to hold perpetrators of domestic violence accountable, effectuate behavior change, and prevent future domestic violence. Domestic violence advocates, prosecutors, survivors, and BIP providers have raised significant concerns about these programs being localized as the lack of statewide certification and monitoring diminishes the quality of the programs. DCF being the central entity that certifies and monitors BIPs statewide would restore confidence that certified are working to prevent domestic violence.

When I presented the bill to the House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee on March 8th , it passed unanimously 17-0.

Another Great Bill from Great Colleagues

Serena’s Bill

Here is another great piece of Legislation that is working to end abuse from two great colleagues of mine in the House!

Representatives Jenna Persons-Mulicka and Robin Bartleman have put forward a phenomenal bill. HB 1229, Serena’s Law, closes a current loophole in Florida Law by requiring that the names of persons against whom injunctions to protect minors have been issued show up in online court records so that this information may be captured in background checks. The bill is entitled Serena’s Law after a victim who discovered that their abuser was volunteering at a local youth organization.

In an effort to ensure that these individuals are not able to so freely be around children in our communities, this bill makes it so that it is required by Florida Statute for the county’s clerk of courts and/or the county recorders to include this information on their websites.

Thank you Representative Persons-Mulicka and Representative Bartleman for introducing such great legislation to ensure the safety of our children.

New Vaccine Information

· CVS has begun to have appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine here in Florida. Click here to access their site for scheduling an appointment.

· The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has made it’s way to Florida! 175,000 of their vaccine is currently being distributed throughout the state.

· Florida has launched a new way to help homebound seniors get vaccinated. Send a request to this email: HomeboundVaccine@em.myflorida.com

· The Governor plans to set the age required to get a vaccine 55 years-old or older this month. Eligibility will be lowered to 60+ by Monday, March 15th.

· It is anticipated that 3 million seniors will have been vaccinated in Florida by the end of the week!