Representative Bob Rommel Legislative Wrap Up

View this email in your browser 2023 END OF SESSION

 

It’s been an extremely productive Legislative Session and strides have been taken to protect and ensure the freedom of all Floridians.

In the last week of the legislative session, the House passed legislation to blast Florida’s space industry into the future (HB7041); improve disaster recovery (HB7057); promote intellectual freedom (HB931); put public charter school and traditional public school funding on equal footing (HB1259); preserve the natural beauty and resources which make Florida special (HB7047; combat the fentanyl epidemic (HB1359); protect Floridians from title fraud (HB1419), expand fiscal transparency and accountability (SB774/HB37), protect paychecks (SB256/HB1445); put money back in the pockets of hardworking Floridians (HB1091): strengthen election integrity and security (SB7050/HB7067); protect taxpayer dollars and benefit all businesses (HB5); restore constitutional rights (HB1543); and cut $1.8 billion in taxes (HB7063).  Click HERE for further details.  Click HERE to see all bills that the Governor has signed into law thus far.

This week both chambers – the Senate and the House – were busy finalizing the 2023-2024 Budget.  Each Chamber had passed its own budget but still had to reconcile and agree on a single, final budget, which it did on Tuesday at which time it was “laid on the table” for a 72 hour “cooling off”.  Once that time passed, it was submitted to the Governor for final approval.

I want to thank you for allowing me to serve you as your Representative in Tallahassee.  I will continue to do my best for you.

Representative Bob Rommel
District 81
SINE DIE

 

On May 5, 2023, the Florida Legislature adjourned with the dropping of the white hankies signifying “sine die.”
The House ended the 2023 Regular Session with a motion to adjourn “Sine Die” — Latin for “without day.”  Sergeant-at-Arms Russell Hosford joined Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Damien Kelly in the Capitol Rotunda where they ceremoniously dropped handkerchiefs at the same time, a custom that started 100 years ago and, at the time, served a very specific purpose.

In 1923, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate could not physically see each from their respective chambers. In spite of this, they pledged to each other that they would adjourn the Legislative Session simultaneously.  The question then became “how to accomplish this?”  They devised a plan whereby the Sergeant-at-Arms from both chambers would watch their respective bosses as they gaveled the adjournment. At that time, the two Sergeants-at-Arms dropped white hankies – signifying the end of Session, or “sine die.”  

Even though both Chambers are now across from each other, and with the doors open, the Speaker of House and the President of the Senate theoretically can see each other, the tradition of dropping white hankies remains to this day. Governor DeSantis On
2023 Legislative Session  

 

On Friday, May 5, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis, joined by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and House Speaker Paul Renner, marked the end of the 2023 Legislative Session. This Session was a historic success, with the Legislature passing groundbreaking and nation-leading legislation across the Governor’s policy priorities.

 

“After a historic election cycle, we seized the opportunity to follow through on our promises and delivered unprecedented results for Floridians this Legislative Session,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “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.”

The Governor and the Legislature supported families by passing $2.7 billion in historic tax cuts for Floridians, first through the Toll Relief Program which began on January 1, 2023, and now through family-focused tax relief to lower costs. This includes permanent tax exemptions for diapers, wipes, children’s clothing, cribs, and strollers.

Florida had the highest net in-migration in the country in 2022. The Governor joined Senate President Kathleen Passiodmo in championing and signing record-setting housing investments into law to help workers in Florida live in the communities where they work. The Governor also succeeded in securing $4 billion in funding to expedite major interstate and roadway projects over the next four years, easing the daily commute for Floridians.

The Governor has prioritized investments in the environment and renewed that commitment through his Executive Order, Achieving Even More Now for Florida’s Environment. This Legislative Session, the Governor secured more than $1 billion for Everglades restoration and water resource protection.

The Governor joined House speaker Paul Renner to sign legislation establishing universal school choice in Florida, with the Legislature building upon the Governor’s previous school choice initiatives to secure Florida’s position as the education state. The Governor also delivered on more than $1 billion for teacher salary increases and legislation to end shady union practices and protect teacher pay. Additionally, the Governor secured a record $8,648 per student funding, an increase of $405 over last year, while also protecting parents’ rights in education. The Legislature also supported the Governor’s higher education agenda to refocus higher education on preparing students to be contributing members of society and make merit rather than ideology the metrics that students and faculty are judged by.

Florida has protected children by passing legislation to ban mutilating procedures and puberty blockers for all children under the age of 18. Additionally, Florida has now joined many other states across the country in advancing the pro-life movement by passing the Heartbeat Protection Act. Furthermore, this Legislative Session the protections enacted by Governor DeSantis against pandemic-era government overreach seen in other parts of the country have been made permanent.

The Governor built on his law-and-order agenda with his third consecutive anti-crime, pro-public safety legislative package which takes aim at so-called “bail reform” by strengthening Florida’s pre-trial release, increasing penalties for drug dealers who target children, and subjecting child rapists to the death penalty. Florida has enjoyed a 50-year low crime rate, and the Governor’s law-and-order legislative agenda is a blueprint for high-crime areas in other parts of the country.

The Governor promised to sign legislation that would allow Floridians to protect themselves without a permission slip from the government and he delivered, making Florida the 26th state to enact constitutional carry.

Biden’s Border Crisis was tackled head on this Session, with the Legislature making Florida the largest state in the country to require employers with more than 25 employees to verify the immigration status of their employees through E-Verify and increasing penalties for human smuggling. The Governor has also secured additional funds to transport more illegal aliens to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions.

The Legislature stepped up to the plate to take on the corporatist, globalist ESG movement and prohibited the financial sector from considering so-called “Social Credit Scores” in banking and lending practices that aim to prevent Floridians from obtaining loans, lines of credit, and bank accounts based on their political beliefs. The Governor and Legislature also pushed back against central bank digital currencies (CBDC), telling the federal administration that such government intrusion into Floridians’ financial freedom is unacceptable and will not be allowed.

The Legislature addressed the threat of foreign influence this Session, with the Legislature building upon the Governor’s previous legislative victories to counteract Chinese corporate espionage and ideological influence in higher education by passing the strongest legislation in the nation to date to prevent CCP-affiliated persons or entities from buying farmland or land near military bases and critical infrastructure facilities in Florida and prohibiting CCP-affiliated persons or entities from ideologically influencing primary and secondary education institutions.

These are just some of the historic accomplishments achieved during this Legislative Session, so stay tuned.  Click HERE to view the Governor’s closing on Friday.

 

Governor Signs Anti-ESG into Law

 

 

 On Tuesday, May 3, 2023Governor DeSantis Tuesday signed into law a measure barring state investments in any company that promotes, or any financial instrument that has been subject to, environmental, social and governance principals known as ESG. “ESG is DOA in Florida,” said the Governor after signing House Bill 3.

ESG refers to the application of Environmental, Social, and Governance standards used to screen investment, or other financial decisions, in order to encourage ethical and responsible corporate conduct. Many mutual funds, brokerage firms now offer investment products that employ ESG principles.

The Governor however has been critical of ESG calling it “a worldwide effort to inject woke political ideology across the financial sector, placing politics above the fiduciary duty to make the best financial decisions for beneficiaries.”

“Through this legislation, Florida will continue to lead the nation against big banks and corporate activists who’ve colluded to inject woke ideology into the global marketplace, regardless of the financial interests of beneficiaries,” said Governor DeSantis. “In Florida and across the nation, we’ve heard from law-abiding small business owners and consumers who’ve been denied access to financial services because of where they work or what they believe in.”

House Bill 3 :

• Codifies actions taken by the State Board of Administration at Governor DeSantis’ direction to ensure that all investment decisions are driven solely by pecuniary factors and may not sacrifice investment returns to promote factors like ESG and extending these requirements to all state and local funds

• Prohibits the use of ESG factors by state and local governments when issuing bonds, including a contract prohibition on rating agencies whose ESG ratings negatively impact the issuer’s bond ratings

• Prohibits all state and local entities from considering or giving preference to ESG as part of the procurement and contracting process

• Prohibits banks that engage in ESG corporate activism from holding public deposits as a Qualified Public Depository (QPD)

• Prohibits financial institutions from discriminating against customers for their religious, political, or social beliefs — including their support for securing the border, owning a firearm, and increasing our energy independence

• Prohibits the financial sector from considering so-called “Social Credit Scores” in banking and lending practices that aim to prevent Floridians from obtaining loans, lines of credit, and bank accounts

• Directs the Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer, and Commissioner of Financial Regulation to enforce these provisions to the fullest extent of the law.

The new law codifies previous steps taken by the Governor and the State Board of Administration (SBA) to remove any ESG considerations from state investment decisions and ensuring that all investment decisions focus solely on maximizing the highest rate of return.

The full text of the resolution stipulating that state investment managers may not sacrifice investment return or take on additional investment risk to promote any non-pecuniary factors can be found here.

 

2023-2024 Tax Cuts

 

The majority of complaints and consumer issues relating to insurance our office receives fall under the Consumer Services Helpline: (877) My-FL-CFO.  If you have a general insurance related question and do not wish to file an insurance concern, you should email Consumer.Services@myfloridacfo.com.

Homeowners Insurance FAQS:
https://myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/understanding-insurance/faq/home

Download CFO Patronis’ Hurricane Financial Preparedness Toolkit

Consumer Services Helpline: (877) My-FL-CFO
Fraud Tip Hotline: 1-800-378-0445
Arson Tip Hotline: 1-800-662-7766
Public Assistance Fraud Hotline: (866) 762-2237
Unclaimed Property: (888) 258-2253

 

I will present information on the challenges of recycling and disposing of lithium-ion batteries along with the negatives of mining the minerals needed for lithium-ion batteries in a future newsletter.

 

Florida has no income tax and a balanced budget. 
Let’s keep it that way!

2021 Post Legislative Update – Representative Bob Rommel

This week, in order to be prepared for the Special Session, all House Members are attending mandatory online “Legislative University” classes. There have been 2 one-hour sessions daily on topics including the History of Gaming in Florida, the Current Gaming Landscape, 2021 Gaming Compact with the Seminole Tribe, Live Racing and Games Decoupling, Gaming Enforcement & Commissions in the United States & Florida, and Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and Tribal Compacts.

I will provide you with an update of the Special Session when it is completed.

In the meantime, this newsletter includes a summary of the 2021-2022 Budget as well as summaries of the 275 bills that passed the House and the Senate.

As always, thank you for giving me the privilege of representing you in Tallahassee.

Representative Bob Rommel
District 106
Florida’s 2021-2022 Budget
OVERVIEW
PREPARING TODAY FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

The overall budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22 totals $101.5 billion, an increase of 10.1% over the current year. Most of this increase is related to $6.9 billion of additional federal funds the state has received for the federal share of spending for the highest Medicaid caseload in Florida’s history and to help public schools continue to stay open to serve Florida’s children and provide educational services and resources that address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our state’s children and youth.
The increase in state funds is $2.3 billion, an increase of 4% over the current year, including an increase of $1.6 billion (4.6%) in General Revenue.

The budget leaves an historic $6 billion in reserves to ensure that Florida is prepared today for a better tomorrow.

STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS

The budget provides $6.7 billion in the back of the bill, contingent on receipt of the state’s portion of the federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds. These funds will be invested in large-scale environmental and infrastructure programs and will help rebuild state reserves to the highest level in history as Florida continues its economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The contingent appropriations include:
 $3.1 billion for state infrastructure, including the State Highway System; seaports; deferred maintenance for state facilities; education construction projects; a new state Emergency Operations Center; IT systems for reemployment and workforce development; and new armories.
 $1.8 billion for environmental programs, including Resilient Florida Grants, septic-to-sewer grants, Piney Point, beaches, coastal mapping, water quality initiatives, and Everglades restoration.
 $1 billion to fund a new Emergency Preparedness & Response Fund, in addition to the reserve.
 $438 million for education and economic support programs, including the New Worlds Reading Initiative, bonuses for pandemic first responders, job growth grants, African-American Cultural and Historic Grants, and funding for Visit Florida tourism marketing.
 $350 million to increase the Budget Stabilization Fund.
 Remaining funds are directed to the General Revenue Fund as unallocated reserves.
POLICY AREA HIGHLIGHTS
Agriculture & Natural Resources
 $2.1 billion for Everglades restoration and protection of Florida’s water resources including projects for Everglades restoration, springs, storm water and wastewater grants, and the Resilient Florida Grant Program. $1.1 billion is contingent upon receipt of federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds.
 $402 million for Florida Forever for acquisition of conservation lands. $300 million is contingent upon receipt of federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds.
 $150 million for Beach Restoration Projects. $50 million is contingent upon receipt of federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds. This is the highest level of funding for these projects in history.
 $100 million for Piney Point cleanup, contingent upon receipt of federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds.
 $50.7 million for State Park Improvements. This is the highest level of funding for these projects in history.

Health Care
 $4.3 billion ($1.2 billion General Revenue) to fund the Medicaid Price Level and Workload. The funds will serve an anticipated 4.8 million beneficiaries with no reductions to eligibility groups or services. This is the highest caseload in Florida’s history — over 20% of Florida’s population is enrolled in Medicaid.
 $239.8 million ($89.2 million General Revenue) to extend postpartum Medicaid-eligibility of pregnant women from 60 days following birth to 12 months following birth. This will help 97,600 mothers maintain their coverage and ensure a healthy start for their babies.
 $9 million for Minority Health Equity Planning to reduce minority morbidity and mortality in the priority areas of HIV/AIDS, chronic diseases, and infant mortality to combat health disparities.
PreK-12 Education
 $22.8 billion total funds for the Florida Education Finance Program ($12.9 billion state funds and $9.9 billion local funds). This provides an increase in total FEFP funds of $315.2 million (1.4% increase) over current year, including $464.3 million appropriated in a new Student Reserve Allocation.
 $53.42 increase in the base student allocation for total funds of $4,372.91 per student.
 $50 million increase in the Teacher Salary Increase Allocation to support all school districts as they seek to attain a minimum base salary of $47,500 for all full-time classroom teachers.
 $1.8 billion of federal stimulus funds for public schools to continue to stay open, enroll students, and remediate learning loss for students.
 $166.2 million of federal stimulus funds to provide bonuses to early learning instructors.
Higher Education
 $200 million for the New Worlds Reading Initiative administrator to provide books to struggling readers. $125 million is contingent upon receipt of federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds.
 $25 million for Incentives for Programs of Strategic Emphasis and $35 million for Open Door grants.
 $25 million for College Performance Increases.
 Tuition and fees, as well as funding for need-based financial aid, are held constant at current levels to ensure higher education is affordable for Floridians.
Justice
 Proviso authorizes DOC to develop a comprehensive plan for the consolidation of a state-operated correctional institution and a plan for the redirection of any identified cost savings to provide correctional officer salary increases to address vacancy, attrition and turnover concerns.
 $18.2 million for DOC for phase two of a four-year transition for correctional officers to move from 12 hour shifts to 8.5 hour shifts in state-operated institutions, and to provide enhanced delivery of basic recruit training for newly hired correctional officer trainees to also aid in recruitment and retention.
Infrastructure & Tourism
 $9.2 billion for the Transportation Work Program plus an additional $2.0 billion, which is contingent on receipt of federal stimulus funds to backfill lost revenue to keep state infrastructure going.
 $149.2 million to modernize the reemployment system and hire additional staff to address claimant volume. $56.4 million is contingent upon receipt of federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds.
 $102 to implement a consumer-first workforce IT system. $100 million is contingent upon receipt of federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds.
State Administration & Technology
 $185.7 million to continue the Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System.
 $63.8 million for repair and maintenance of state buildings including the Capitol Complex.
 $30 million for cybersecurity initiatives to secure the state’s IT infrastructure, systems, and network.
275 Bills Passed by the House and Senate
For those of you who would like additional details on all of the bills passed in the 2021 Legislative Session, please click HERE for a list of all 275 bills passed.

Then, go to www.myfloridahouse.gov and enter the number of the bill you wish to review. All bill details and history will be available.
Governor Ron DeSantis signing various bills into law for the 2021 Legislative Session.

Florida has no income tax and a balanced budget.
Let’s keep it that way!
Copyright © 2021 State Representative Bob Rommel, All rights reserved.
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Bob Rommel – End of 2021 Legislative Session – April 30, 2021

End of 2021 Legislative Session – April 30, 2021
Personal Message from Bob

This legislative session has flown by! A lot of work was accomplished, but there is always more to do. Below is information about the 2021-2022 Budget, Appropriations allocated specifically to Collier Collier, the Top 6 Bills this session and my Top 3 Bills that passed this Session.

It takes a team to have a successful Legislative Session, especially under the COVID-19 restrictions imposed upon all of us. I want to thank my Legislative Aide, Kim Timm, for her hard work to get bills and amendments filed timely and for keeping me on schedule while I’m in Tallahassee. Thanks also to Priscilla Grannis, District 106 Sr. Secretary, for keeping the home fires burning during this Legislative Session.

Finally, I want to thank all of my constituents for entrusting me with the privilege of serving you. I look forward working for and with you again for the next Legislative Session.

Representative Bob Rommel
District 106

Personal Message from Representative Bob Rommel

Personal Message from Bob

 

The 2021 Legislative Session is heading down the home stretch.  It has been a very busy session – in spite of the limitations impressed upon members and staff due to COVID-19.

Legislators have tackled some very contentious bills including CS/HB1 – Combating Public Disorder; CS/HB305 – Insurance; SB2012/HB1475 Transgender Youth Athletes; HB383/SB590 – Parents’ Bill of Rights and more.

In addition, the Legislature MUST pass a balanced budget as set forth in the Florida Constitution before the Legislative Session can adjourn.  Both the House and the Senate have passed budgets. There is a $2 Billion difference between the two budgets. which must now be negotiated so that both the House and the Senate are in agreement.

Further details about the budget and assorted bills below.

 

Speaking with WINK News about the various bills pending in Committees.

 

Representative Bob Rommel
District 106

 

 

Florida’s 2021-2022 Budget

 

With just two weeks left in the 2021 Legislative Session, House and Senate leaders have formally started budget conferences. The conferencing process allows the two chambers to resolve differences between their initial budget drafts, which were submitted at the beginning of April, ultimately concluding with a single FY21-22 budget they’ll approve at the end of the month and send to the governor for consideration. It’s typical for the House and Senate to offer unique approaches to the state’s spending plan, and this year is no different with the two budgets currently several billion dollars apart.

Very much in play is the question of whether and how to allocate the $10.2 billion the State will receive under the recently adopted $1.9 trillion federal American Rescue Plan. That plan also allocates $6.4 billion directly to local governments, bringing Florida’s total to roughly $17 billion.

The Governor has proposed spending $4.1 billion of the $10.2 billion to boost state ports, augment “resilience” spending and send every Florida first responder a $1,000 payment for their extraordinary service during the pandemic. Of the remaining $6 billion, legislative leaders will have expansive discretion in distributing this one-time federal relief. The House has chosen to include $4.4 billion in federal assistance in its $97.1 billion proposal (APC 21-01), while the Senate’s initial $95 billion spending plan (SB 2500) proposes cuts of $2.5 billion over the next two years.

Remember the Legislative Session cannot adjourn until such time as both chambers agree on a budget and submit it to Governor DeSantis for his review and approval.

 

 

 

CS/HB1 – Combating Public Disorder
Anti-Rioting Act

 

Why is HB1 important

HB 1 protects our communities, our neighborhoods, and the police officers who risk their lives for us. Free speech and the right to peaceably assemble are the foundation of America – HB 1 protects these rights for all people, regardless of reason or viewpoint.

What does HB1 do?

Provides law enforcement officers and prosecutors more tools to prevent violence and property destruction caused by riots.
Who benefits?

• Property Owners
• Peaceful Protesters
• Law Enforcement
• All Floridians because HB 1 will make Florida safer.
Sponsor Amendments
Amendment Bar Code # 175541: • Creates a duty for a municipality to allow law enforcement to respond appropriately during a riot. If it doesn’t, the municipality is civilly liable for personal injury, wrongful death, or property damages caused by the breach.

Amendment Bar Code # 580221:
• Defines “historic property” as any building, structure, site, or object officially designated historic through a designation program.
• Prohibits destroying, demolishing, damaging, or pulling down historic property and requires a person convicted to pay restitution.

Amendment Bar Code # 491535:
• Revises rioting crime to clarify that a person has to willfully participate in a riot to be covered.
• Revises the crime of aggravated rioting to require a person to participate with 25 or more other persons, rather than nine or more other persons to be covered.

Amendment Bar Code # 423835:
• Technical: conforms the offense severity ranking chart to amendments.
FICTION / FACT

FICTION: It will disproportionately impact communities of color.
FACT: HB 1 protects free speech and the right to peaceably assemble for all people, regardless of who they are and their viewpoint. HB 1 will impact mob violence – not peaceful protest. It does not target communities of color and will protect peaceful protesters from bad actors who want to commit violence.

FICTION: It is not fair that local governments have to bear the costs associated with the budget appeal process for reductions to municipal police budgets.
FACT: The budget appeal process is vital to protecting law enforcement. It helps hold local governments accountable. If municipalities want to defund the police, they should have to defend that decision. HB 1 limits who can appeal the municipal police budget reduction to include only the State Attorney of the judicial circuit or a member of the governing body who objected to the funding reduction.

FICTION: HB 1 would criminalize the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.
FACT: Nothing in HB 1 prohibits a local government from issuing a special event permit for a peaceful protest. For people who block a road without a permit, HB 1 clarifies that law enforcement officers are allowed to enforce civil violations. Under HB 1, blocking a street is a civil violation, not a crime, so HB 1 would not have criminalized the 1960s Civil Rights Movement for protesting in the street.

FICTION: HB 1 values monuments over people.
FACT: HB 1 is about protecting Floridians’ lives. Along with protecting people, the bill also includes protections for property. The bill protects all memorials dedicated to preserving U.S. and Florida history and makes no distinction based on the type or viewpoint of the memorial. For property, the focus is on destroying a monument without permission of the owner. If the owner chooses to remove or destroy the memorial, it may do so.

FICTION: HB 1 is dangerous.
FACT: No one has a right to riot. The bill is solely focused on preventing violence and rioting. All Americans have the right to protest, but no American has the right to destroy others’ property; no American has the right to physically endanger others. HB 1 does not target communities of color. This bill actually protects peaceful protesters from bad actors that want to perpetrate violence.

FICTION: HB 1 is unnecessary.
FACT: Thankfully, there wasn’t the kind of violence we saw around the country over the summer and in January in Florida. Government’s first priority is protecting the public. We need to send a message that we intend to keep Florida safe – HB 1 gives the justice system additional tools to keep peaceful protests safe from those trying to abuse a movement.

UPDATE:  Governor DeSantis has signed HB1 into law making it effective as of Monday, April 19, 2021!

 

 

SB 72 – Civil Liability Protections for
COVID-19 Related Claims

 

How is SB 72 different from the House COVID-19 Liability Protection Bills?

SB 72 COVID-19 liability protections for businesses are identical to those in HB 7, which the House passed on March 5th. SB 72 includes many of the same provisions in HB 7005, the House Health Care COVID-19 liability protection bill, and the differences are described below.

What does SB 72 do?

Creates COVID-19 liability protections for businesses (HB 7) and achieves the difficult balance of providing liability protections to health care provides while retaining necessary safeguards for patients and long-term care facility residents (HB 7005).

Who benefits?

• Businesses, nonprofits, schools, religious institutions, health care providers, and long-term care facilities
• All Floridians because SB 72 will help our economy recover
Provisions in SB 72

SB 72 provides liability protections for business claims and non-patient (business) claims against health care providers and long-term care facilities (HB 7 + HB 7005) by:
• Requiring COVID-19 claims to contain a physician’s affidavit
• Providing civil immunity for defendants that make a good-faith effort to comply with applicable government guidance
• Raising the burden of proof to clear and convincing evidence and raising the liability standard to at least grossly negligent for cases that make it to trial

SB 72 provides heightened liability protections to health care entities for civil claims brought by patients or facility residents related to:
• Diagnosis or treatment of, or failure to diagnose or treat COVID-19 (HB 7005)
• Provision of a novel or experimental COVID-19 treatment (HB 7005)
• Treatment of a COVID-19 patient whose injuries were directly related to exacerbation of their pre-existing conditions (SB 72)
• Transmission of COVID-19 (HB 7005)
• Delay or cancellation of a surgery, procedure, test, or appointment (HB 7005)
• Acts or omissions related to an emergency medical condition which were the result of a lack of resources directly caused by the pandemic (HB 7005)

SB 72 provides the same protections for these claims as HB 7005:
• Raising the liability standard from negligence to gross negligence
• Creating affirmative defenses for health care providers that substantially complied with applicable government standards or if it was impossible to comply with those standards because of resource shortages or insufficient time to implement them

SB 72 protections apply retroactively, just like HB 7005.

SB 72 includes three different statutes of limitations:
• For actions relating to transmission, diagnosis, or treatment of COVID: later of one year after the date of death, hospitalization, or diagnosis (SB 72)
• For all other actions accruing after the effective date of the act: one year from the date the cause of action accrues (SB 72)
• For actions accruing before the effective date of the act: one year from the effective date of the act (HB 7005).

 

 

HB1475/SB2012 -Transgender Youth Athletes

 

Why is HB 1475 important?

HB 1475 – the ‘Fairness in Women’s Sports Act’ (Act) – supports women and girls by ensuring they have the same opportunities as men and boys to showcase their skill, strength, and other athletic abilities.
What does HB 1475 do?

• Requires athletic teams at the K-12 and collegiate levels to be designated based on biological sex and reserves female teams for biological women and girls
• Ensures that biological women and girls have the opportunity to play on a level playing field and enjoy the benefits that come with competing in sports
• Protects women and girls from being displaced and deprived of athletic scholarships and other benefits that would enhance their futures
Who benefits?

• Biological women and girls
• Female athletics, because the bill supports fairness in competition and maintains opportunities for women and girls to excel and receive recognition for their athletic accomplishments

Frequently Asked Questions

Does HB 1475 discriminate against transgender athletes?
No. HB 1475 is not anti-trans – it is pro-women and girls. The state’s interest in providing women and girls with an equal opportunity to participate in athletics is legitimate and not intended to discriminate against transgender athletes. In fact, ensuring equal opportunities for women is the essence of Title IX.

Does HB 1475 threaten Florida’s economy?
No. Florida is a destination market for tourism, new business ventures, popular sporting events, and other economic and recreational activities. Our state has so much to offer from our beaches and amusement parks to our championship winning sports teams. In regards to the NCAA statement issued on April 12, HB 1475 does not discriminate – it treats all biological males the same and all biological females the same, and every student athlete has the opportunity to participate on a team or in a sport corresponding to their biological sex.

Is HB 1475 unconstitutional?
No. The Supreme Court of the United States has recognized that there are inherent differences between men and women and these differences remain cause for celebration, but not for denigration of the members of either sex or for artificial constraints on an individual’s opportunity. Additionally, Title IX specifically allows separate sex-specific athletics teams or sports.

 

 

 

At the request of Governor DeSantis, HB 7047 revised the  state of emergency bill to include a ban on vaccine passports. The bill also limits local emergency orders to 42 days.

All adults in US now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine. All adults in the United States are now eligible to register for a coronavirus vaccination, an accomplishment public health experts say represents a major step toward defeating the ongoing pandemic.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided its first public data about breakthrough Covid-19 cases to CNN last week and it shows that vaccines have been highly effective at reducing infections, hospitalizations and death.

As of last week, around 78.5 million Americans had been fully vaccinated and the CDC’s data states that 5,800 cases of Covid-19 occurred among fully vaccinated people, 396 of whom required hospitalization with 74 deaths recorded.

 

12,210,832 Total Vaccine Doses Administered
4,386,973 People Fully Vaccinated

2,155,744
FL Case Count
35,000 DEATHS

 

 

202,282,923 Total Vaccine Doses Administered
80,609,818 People Fully Vaccinated

31,556,889
US Case Count
565,986 DEATHS

 

 

860,450,000 Total Vaccine Doses Administered

139,488,232
Global Case Count
2,991,956 DEATHS

 

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Super Bowl LV Champions!

 

 

I may not be a fan (I’m a long-time Giants supporter), but I was certainly very proud of Florida’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers on winning Super Bowl LV in February 2021.  This is the first time the home team played in their home stadium (Raymond James Stadium) and won! It’s great to have the Lombardi Trophy in Florida, where it belongs!!

 

Florida has no income tax and a balanced budget.
Let’s keep it that way!

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

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

December 11 – State Representative Bob Rommel

December 11, 2020

 

Our office will be sharing Interesting Facts every Friday!  If you know an interesting and fun fact, feel free to submit it to our office at priscilla.grannis@myfloridahouse.gov.

 

The past two weeks have included some geographical, historical and current facts about Florida as well as Florida’s symbols.

This week, we will delve into Florida’s rich history – the good and the not so good.

 

HISTORY OF FLORIDA’S CAPITOL

 

 

The Capitol

 

Florida’s Capitol over the years has reflected the growth of the state. In the early 1820s, legislators transferred government business from St. Augustine to Pensacola for alternating sessions. Travel was hazardous and took almost twenty days – clearly an unsatisfactory arrangement. As a result, Tallahassee was chosen as the capital of American Florida in 1824, primarily because it was the midway point between the two principal cities.

Three log cabins served as Florida’s first Capitol. In 1826, a two-story masonry building, 40′ X 26′, was built. It was to be the wing of a larger sturcture planned for the future. Although this larger portion was started, it was never completed due to financial problems.

As Florida moved toward statehood, the needs of government grew. There arose a demand for a suitable state house or public building for the use of the Territorial Legislature. On March 3, 1839, Congress appropriated $20,000 for the erection of a new Capitol. The old structure was razed immediately, and Florida’s government temporarily moved into rented quarters.

The brick Capitol was completed in 1845, just prior to the installation of the new State government. This structure remains the core of the Old Capitol to the present day.

The capitol remained virtually unchanged during the Civil War years when Tallahassee was the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi to avoid capture by Federal troops.

By the 1880s, Florida suffered growing pains caused by an economic boom and expanding population. By 1891 the Capitol needed thorough repair. The building was repainted, a small cupola was added, and plumbing was installed.

The first major alteration to the Capitol came in 1902 when the addition of two wings provided more room for the growing State government, and the familiar dome was added. This was the last time Florida’s government operated under one roof. By 1911 State government was moving to other buildings. Further additions to the Capitol were made in 1923, 1936, and 1947.

 

Florida’s population continued to grow as did its need for government services. In 1972 the Legislature authorized money for a new Capitol Complex to include House and Senate chambers and offices, along with a twenty-two-story executive office building completed in 1977.

Restoration of the old Capitol became an issue in 1978 with the then Governor Reubin O’D. Askew and House Speaker Donald Tucker favoring outright demolition. Luckily, the old Capitol building was saved and refurbished, being reopened to the public in 1982.

 

Resource:   https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-history/the-capitol/

 

 

Another interesting fact is that Florida has no income tax and a balanced budget.
Let’s keep it that way!

 

Representative Bob Rommel
District 106