Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation Legislative Report 2017

Christine Shaw Executive Director

Rachel Zara Legislative Delegation Aide Message from the Delegation Chair …………...…….…3

Special Session Summary…..…………….……………..3

Executive Director’s Report…..………….……………..4

Newest Delegation Members…...…………………….…5

State Senators of Palm Beach County……...... 6

State Representatives of Palm Beach County…...…...…7

Palm Beach County Appropriations….…………...…….9

2017 Local Bills….…………………………...... 14

Legislation Sponsored by Delegation Members…….....15 Message from Delegation Chair, Senator Bobby Powell, Jr. It is my pleasure to present the 2017 Palm Beach County Legislative wrap-up report.

Inside, you will find highlights of legislation and appropriations that members of the delegation worked diligently on during the 2017 Legislative Session. Also included in the report are the contact information and committee assignments for each of the thirteen members of our delegation.

During the Session, the Legislature passed an $82.4 billion budget, while cutting taxes by $180 million. Approximately $410 million was vetoed from the budget by Governor Scott, including about $6.2 million that had been appropriated for Palm Beach County. In addition, four local bills were sponsored by members of this delegation, all of which passed the Legislature and were signed by the Governor.

It has been an honor to serve as Chair of the Delegation this past Session. It is a privilege to be one of the thirteen who serve Palm Beach County in the Legislature, and I am very proud to serve with my colleagues on behalf of Palm Beach County’s residents. Special Session Summary

At the call of Governor Rick Scott, Senate President Joe Negron, and House Speaker Richard Corcoran, the Legislature returned to Tallahassee for a special session June 7-9. During the special session, legislators tackled a number of issues left unresolved during regular session.

One of the items addressed during the special session was money for public school education. The Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) is the state funding formula to allocate appropriations to K-12 public school operations. The FEFP was funded at $11.7 billion of which $154 million of that money is nonrecurring. The bill provides $7,296.23 in total funds per student, a $100 increase over total funds per student provided in Fiscal Year 2016-2017. This increase represents the largest base student funding in Florida’s history.

Enterprise Florida, the public-private partnership to help bring businesses to Florida received funding at $16 million and Visit Florida, the state’s tourism marketing agency received $76 million. The bill also creates an $85 million Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to target new businesses and assist in the expansion of existing companies in Florida. A number of provisions were added to the bill to institute limits of pay and employee spending as well as adding increased transparency to the agencies. Lastly, the bill also provides a $50 million nonrecurring appropriation and acceleration plan to rehabilitate the Herbert Hoover Dike.

The final legislation that passed during the special session was an agreement to implement Amendment 2, the constitutional amendment for Medical Marijuana, passed by voters on the November 8, 2016 ballot. The bill requires patients to be certified by a licensed Florida physician with at least one of the qualifying medical conditions for eligibility; it removes the three-month treatment prerequisite for patients; and requires caregivers and patients are issued an ID card from the Department of Health. It also places a ban on the ability to smoke marijuana; however, edibles and “vaping” are allowed as consumption mechanisms.

—— [ 3 ] —— Executive Director’s Report

Completing my first year as Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation, I have enjoyed working closely with the thirteen members of the delegation and their staff this year.

We have composed this report to give you a comprehensive overview of the priority issues that the delegation has worked on during this past legislative session. You will also find a detailed list of the appropriations that the legislature allocated to Palm Beach County, as well as those vetoed by the Governor. Our delegation members worked countless hours to bring these appropriations home.

These hours consisted of individual meetings with constituents and groups, numerous public hearings throughout the County (including joint workshops with the local League of Cities, School Board and Board of County Commissioners), several weeks of committee hearings, the annual 60-day Legislative Session in Tallahassee and a Special Session.

I would like to thank the Palm Beach County legislative team and all our partners in the community for their hard work this Session. I also want to thank the delegation members and especially the delegation staff for their assistance and guidance this Session. They are the hardest working people I have met and the successes this session reflects all their efforts. Kudos on a job well done! Lastly, I want to welcome aboard our new legislative delegation aide, Rachel Zara. She jumped into the role right after Session began and did a great job of keeping the Delegation office running smoothly.

Finally, I want to thank our Delegation Chair, Senator Bobby Powell, for his leadership over the past year. His dedication and efforts this Session proved to be invaluable to its success. It has been an absolute honor and privilege to work with you.

—— [ 4 ] ——

Welcoming Our Newest Delegation Members

Representative Al Jacquet District 88

Representative Rick Roth District 85

Representative David Silvers District 87

Representative Emily Slosberg District 91

Representative Matt Willhite District 86

—— [ 5 ] —— State Senators of Palm Beach County Senator Joe Negron Senator Bobby Powell District 25 District 30

Senate President Delegation Chair 3500 SW Corporate Pkwy. 2715 Australian Avenue, Suite 204 Suite 105 Palm City, FL 34990 West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Phone: 772/219-1665 Phone: 561/650-6880 [email protected] [email protected]

Staff: Holly Demers; Carrie Lira; Kelli Wilson Staff: Delano Allen; Marian Dozier; Ben Durgan

Tallahassee Office: Tallahassee Office: 305 Senate Office Building 214 Senate Office Building Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/487-5025 Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/487-5030

Committee Assignments: Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, Vice Chair; Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining, Alternating Chair; Agriculture; Appropriations; Health Policy; Judiciary; Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Huma Services; Joint Legislative Budget Commission

Senator Kevin Rader Senator Jeff Clemens District 29 District 31

5301 N. Federal Hwy, Suite 135 508-C Lake Avenue Boca Raton, FL 33487 Lake Worth, FL 33460 Phone: 561/443-817 Phone: 561/540-1140 [email protected] [email protected]

Staff: Kathleen Roe; Sharonda Wright-Placide; Staff: Evelyn DuPlecy; Chauncey Graham; Melissa Teresa Hadjipetrou Santoro

Tallahassee Office: Tallahassee Office: 222 Senate Office Building 210 Senate Office Building Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/487-5029 Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/487-5031

Committee Assignments: Committee Assignments: Agriculture, Vice Chair; Appropriations Community Affairs, Vice Chair; Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services; Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education; Tourism, and Economic Development; Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities; Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Criminal Justice; Joint Committee on Public Counsel Transportation; Joint Administrative Procedures Oversight Committee, Alternating Chair

—— [ 6 ] —— State Representatives of Palm Beach County

Representative Joseph Abruzzo Representative MaryLynn Magar District 81 District 82 8177 Glades Road, Suite 209 11700 Southeast Dixie Hwy Boca Raton, FL 33434 Hobe Sound, FL 33455 Phone: 561/470-2086 Phone: 772/ 545-3481 [email protected] [email protected]

Staff: Shawn Hall; Teri Mitze; Van Coppedge Staff: Ann Bolduc; Sheila Fallon; Chelsey Lucas

Tallahassee Office: 1102 The Capitol Tallahassee Office: 214 House Office Building Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/717-5081 Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/717-5082

Committees: Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Committees: Health Innovation Subcommittee, Subcommittee, Ranking Member; PreK-12 Innovation Chair; HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Subcommittee, Ranking Member; WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE; Health Care Appropriations COMMITTEE, Ranking Member; GOVERNMENT Subcommittee; Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE; Justice Subcommittee; Post-Secondary Education Appropriations Subcommittee Subcommittee

Representative Rick Roth Representative Matt Willhite District 85 District 86 100 Village Square Crossing, Suite 104 9200 Belvedere Road, Suite C-107 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 Phone: 561/625-5176 Phone: 561/791-4071 [email protected] [email protected]

Staff: Sheri Healy; Elaine Higgins Staff: Kasey Lewis; Thomas Valeo

Tallahassee Office: 1301 The Capitol Tallahassee Office: 1102 The Capitol Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/717-5085 Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/717-5086

Committees: Agriculture & Natural Resources Committees: Children, Families & Seniors Appropriations Subcommittee; Agriculture & Property Subcommittee; GOVERNMENT Rights Subcommittee; COMMERCE COMMITTEE; ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEE; PreK-12 Quality Oversight, Transparency & Administration Subcommittee; Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee; PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee Subcommittee

Representative David Silvers Representative Al Jacquet District 87 District 88 1850 Forest Hill Boulevard, Suite 200 314 11th Street West Palm Beach, FL 33406 West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Phone: 561/357-4824 Phone: 561/650-6846 [email protected] [email protected]

Staff: Kesnel Theus; Jervonte Edmonds Staff: Victoria Nowlan; Audrey Piedra

Tallahassee Office: 1302 The Capitol Tallahassee Office: 1302 The Capitol Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/717-5088 Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/717-5087

Committees: Careers & Competition Subcommittee; Committees: Careers & Competition Subcommittee; HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE; Health Natural Resources & Public Lands Subcommittee; Quality Subcommittee; Higher Education Appropriations Tourism & Gaming Control Subcommittee; Subcommittee; Post-Secondary Education Subcommittee Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee; WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE

—— [ 7 ] —— State Representatives of Palm Beach County Representative Bill Hager District 89 Delegation Vice-Chair 301 Yamato Road, Suite 1240 Boca Raton, FL 33431 Phone: 561/470-6607 [email protected]

Staff: Beth Lerner; Troy Gras

Tallahassee Office: 222 The Capitol Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/717-5089

Committees: Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, Chair; APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE; COMMERCE COMMITTEE; JOINT LEGISLATIVE BUDGET COMMISSION; JUDICIARY COMMITTEE; PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee

Representative Lori Berman District 90 2300 High Ridge Road, Suite 161 Boynton Beach, FL 33426 Phone: 561/374-7850 [email protected]

Staff: Abby Ross; Christi Fearnley

Tallahassee Office: 212 The Capitol Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/717-5090

Committees: Energy & Utilities Subcommittee, Ranking Member; RULES & POLICY COMMITTEE, Ranking Member; APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE; COMMERCE COMMITTEE; HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

Representative Emily Slosberg District 91 7499 W. Atlantic Blvd., Suite 200 Delray Beach, FL 33446 Phone: 561/496-5940 [email protected]

Staff: Deniz Ozaltin; Ed Sol

Tallahassee Office: 1003 The Capitol Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: 850/717-5091

Committees: Agriculture & Property Rights Subcommittee; Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee; Criminal Justice Subcommittee; JOINT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC COUNSEL OVERSIGHT; PUBLIC INTEGRITY & ETHICS COMMITTEE

—— [ 8 ] —— Palm Beach County Appropriations

EDUCATION Florida Atlantic University Florida Atlantic University – Education Enhancement $18,696,001 Florida Atlantic University – Jupiter STEM/Life Sciences Building $9,850,000 Florida Atlantic University – Cooling Towers Replacement - Utility Infrastructure $3,500,000 Florida Atlantic University – Autism Center $1,056,776 Florida Atlantic University – Operating $118,084,832 Florida Atlantic University – Max Planck Scientific Fellowship Program $889,101 Florida Atlantic University – Secondary Robotics Team Support $250,000 Florida Atlantic University – Honors College $1,000,000 Florida Atlantic University Tech Runway $1,016,115

Palm Beach State College Palm Beach State College – Operating $58,025,165 Palm Beach State College – Dental & Medical Services Technology Building $5,000,000 Palm Beach State College – Institute on Ethics $200,000

Palm Beach County Schools K-12 Public Schools K-12 FEFP (Statewide) $10,815,214,419 Palm Beach County Workforce Education Programs $17,547,983 Palm Beach School Readiness $35,991,310 Palm Beach County Voluntary Prekindergarten $29,060,583

CreationStation Digital Learning Labs $200,000

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES Health & Human Services Palm Beach Habilitation Center $225,000 Place of Hope – Child Welfare Foster Care Regionalization Initiative $2,900,000 Jerome Golden Center for Behavioral Health $500,000 Community Action Treatment for Mental Health/Substance Abuse - Sinfonia $750,000 Community Based Providers of Child Welfare Services $5,000,000 Palm Beach County Rape Crisis Center $282,039 Alzheimer’s Community Care Association $1,500,000 Holocaust Survivors Assistance Program - Boca Raton Jewish Federation $92,946 Federation Transportation Services $143,640 State Housing initiatives Partnership (SHIP) $5,942,410 Affordable Housing Catalyst Program $500,000 Florida Supportive Housing Coalition $75,000 Opioid Abuse Pilot Program - Palm Beach $500,000 Sober Home Task Force $300,000 Boca Raton Habilitation Center $200,000

—— [ 9 ] —— Homelessness $5,000,000 ChildNet SafePlace Assessment Centers (Broward and Palm Beach) $100,000 Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR) Certification and Training $100,000 MACTown - MACFit Wellness Center (Palm Beach) $50,000 Senior Smiles Pilot Program (Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach) $535,250

Projected Net Payments for LIP and DSH Bethesda Hospital East $2,486,991 Boca Raton Regional Hospital $831,350 Delray Medical Center $317,692 Good Samaritan Medical Center $1,040563 JFK Medical Center $892,338 JFK Medical Center - North Campus $420,551 Jupiter Medical Center $316,316 Kindred Hospital the Palm Beaches $49,862 Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center $393,347 Palms West Hospital $312,014 St. Mary’s Medical Center $526,988 Wellington Regional Medical Center $413,019 West Boca Medical Center $440,662

CRIMINAL & CIVIL JUSTICE Criminal & Civil Justice Sago Palm Facility – PILT $142,900 South Bay Correctional Facility – PILT $275,560 Continuum of Care Program (Bay, Glades, Palm Beach, Santa Rosa) $2,962,578 South Bay Correctional Facility $2,035,875 Sago Palm Work Camp $799,875 Justice Administrative Commission for PIP Fraud (Palm Beach and other counties) $1,725,519 Opioid Abuse Pilot Program - Palm Beach $500,000 Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for an Unmanned Aircraft System program $728,378 RESTORE Ex-Offender Reentry Program $500,000

TRANSPORTATION & GROWTH MANAGEMENT Transportation Economic Development Belle Glade: Avenue J Reconstruction $1,028,635 Transportation Disadvantaged $55,856,668

Aviation Development Grants Belle Glade State Municipal Airport Drainage Master Plan $150,000 Belle Glade State Municipal Airport Obstruction Relocation/Removal $400,000 Boca Raton Airport Access Road Development $600,000 Boca Raton Airport Airfield Pavement Rejuvenator $728,000

—— [ 10 ] —— Boca Raton Airport Taxiways P4, C & F Widening $300,000 Boca Raton Airport, Landside Access Pavement Rehabilitation $280,000 N. PB County Airport Construct Additional Tie Down/Transient Apron $1,500,000 Palm Beach County Glades Airport Hangers & Infrastructure $500,000 Palm Beach Int’l Airport Gafis Facilities Improvements $2,250,000 Palm Beach Int’l Airport Golfview Commercial Property Acquisition $4,704,879

Highway Maintenance Palm Beach Guardrail Block Replacement $200,000 I-95 Asset Management Palm Beach County $3,415,000 Landscape Maintenance, Various Roads in Palm Beach County $18,404 Palm Beach County NPDES $15,000 Palm Beach County ATMS Maintenance $12,000 Palm Beach County Desilting – Primary Roads $400,000 Palm Beach County Ditch Cleaning - Primary $75,000 Palm Beach County Drainage Video Inspection $250,000 Palm Beach County Guardrail Repair Primary Roads $200,000

Highway Safety Grants SR-708/Blue Heron From 200ft west of Avenue S to 200ft east of Avenue S $16,612 SR-708/Blue Heron from Military Trail to Congress Ave. $18,070 SR-808/Glades Road from SR-7 to SR-5/US-1 $2,000 SR-809/Military Trail Shiloh Drive to Burns Road $22,000

Intrastate Highway Construction Palm Beach County Pavement Marking and Signing $600,000 Palm Beach County Push Button Contract Traffic Ops Misc. Construction $1,000,000 Beeline Hwy from W. of Australian Ave to Old Dixie Hwy. Landscaping $1,012,053 Southern Blvd Add Lanes and Rehabilitate Pavement $18,779,135 Intersection Improvement at Southern Blvd. and Lyons Rd $802,823 Turn Lanes at Southern Blvd from Pike Road to East of Turnpike $1,324,168 Special Use Lane 1-95 from Broward/PB County Line to Glades $150,000 Resurfacing I-95 from the L30 Canal to North of Gateway Blvd $50,000

Public Transit Development City of Boca Raton Transit Corridor Southwest Planning Area Shuttle $111,000 Palm Beach County Block Grant Operating Assistance $5,337,955 Palm Beach MPO section “5305D” Transit Planning $56,761 Palm Tran Transit Corridor $865,000 SFRTA Layover Maintenance Facility with RTA $5,900,000

Rail Development South Central Florida Express $5,000,000 New Tri-Rail Station at Palm Beach Int’l Airport $250,000 Northwood Connection from CSX mainline to FEC mainline $16,422,016

Resurfacing SR-5/US-1 from South of Beach Road to just North of Countyline Rd $2,661,808

Right of Way Land Acquisition Construction SR-7 from 60th St to North Lake Blvd $1,045,000 Intersection Improvement Blue Heron Blvd and Avenue S $420,000

—— [ 11 ] —— Add Lanes from Beeline Hwy west of Australian to Old Dixie Hwy $500,000 Traffic Signal Update at Boynton Beach Blvd & Winchester Park Blvd. $137,000 Interchange Improvement at I-95 at Linton Boulevard $514,000 Add Lanes at Interchange at I-95 and Atlantic Avenue $3,674,000 New Interchange from North of Glades to South of Congress Ave. $52,000

Traffic Engineering City of Boca Raton Signal Maintenance $218,975 Palm Beach County ITS Facility Operate & Maintain $50,000 Palm Beach County Signal Maintenance & Operations on State Highways $2,354,212

Transportation Economic Development Belle Glade: Avenue J Reconstruction $1,028,635 Transportation Disadvantaged $55,856,668

Economic Development Pahokee Commissioners Park $550,000 South Bay Multi-Purpose Emergency Shelter and Care Center $337,500 Pahokee Marina $1,200,000 Inland Port South Bay $1,000,000 Drug Discovery and Translation Research Partnership with Scripps Florida $2,031,780 Lake Worth Park of Commerce $3,000,000 City of Riviera Beach Summer Youth Employment Program $500,000 JARC Transition Pre-Employment Training Program $204,746

ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES Water Projects City of South Bay Flood Control and Waterway Management $550,000 Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative - Lost Tree Village Septic to Sewer $1,000,000 Loxahatchee River Preservation Initiative $635,000 Pahokee East Lake Village Stormwater Improvements $750,000 Pahokee Glades Citizens Villa Stormwater Improvements $635,000 Palm Beach County Lake Region Water Infrastructure Improvement Project $1,000,000 Riviera Beach Water Treatment Plant Disinfection Project $500,000 Royal Palm Beach Canal System Rehabilitation Project $475,000 West Palm Beach Stormwater Improvements in Historic Pineapple Park $500,000 Herbert Hoover Dike $50,000,000

Beach Restoration North Boca Raton Segment/Palm Beach County Shore Protection Project $52,500 Delray Segment/Palm Beach County Shore Protection Project $26,013 Central Boca Raton Beach Nourishment $58,275

—— [ 12 ] —— Ocean Ridge Segment/Palm Beach County Shore Protection Project $100,000 Jupiter/Carlin Segment – Palm Beach County Shore Protection Project $160,000 Central Boca Raton Beach Nourishment $3,202,180 South Boca Raton Beach Nourishment $824,915 Mid-Town Beach Nourishment, Town of Palm Beach $7,820,000 Coral Reef Disease Water Quality Monitoring Program $1,000,000

PARKS & RECREATION Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society, Safety and Preparedness Program $300,000 South Bay Park of Commerce $1,000,000

CULTURE & FINE ARTS Cultural Facilities Grants (Statewide) $11,895,088 The Zoological Society of the Palm Beaches – Renovation $500,000 Norton Museum of Art – Renovation $500,000 South Florida Science Center and Aquarium – New Construction $400,000 Maltz Jupiter Theatre – Renovation $500,000

Historic Preservation Small Matching Grants $2,687,190 Lake Worth Historic Preservation Design Guidelines $30,000 DuBois Park Historic Preservation Plan $48,000 FEC Train Depot Museum $14,300 Lake Worth Historical Resources Survey Update, Phase II $50,000 Delray Beach Seaboard Airline Railway Station Rehabilitation $50,000 1000 Lake Avenue Preservation and Development Request for Proposals RFP $25,000

African American History Museum at Historic Roosevelt High School $350,000 The Henry Morrison Flagler Museum $150,000 Norton Museum of Art $150,000 Florida Atlantic University $36,550

Culture Builds Florida (Statewide) $2,320,109 Inspirit - Belle Glade Performance Program $5,000 St. Andrew's Episcopal Church - Arts at St. Andrew's 17-18 Season Program $9,500 Palm Beach Poetry Festival $25,000 Street Beat - Reclaiming the City Through Arts for Underserved Teens $25,000 Lake Worth Cultural Renaissance Foundation - Dia De Los Muertos $14,550

Cultural Endowment Program (Statewide) $2,880,000 Norton Museum of Art $2,400,000

Library Grants

State Library State Aid $23,098,834 Public Library Grant Program $3,000,000 Library Cooperatives $2,000,000

—— [ 13 ] —— 2017 Local Bills

HB 531— Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Rep. Lori Berman

This bill allows private companies in a contract with the Solid Waste Authority to depreciate their equipment over seven years, which is the industry standard, rather than five. Seven-year contracts will encourage competition for future franchise awards and haulers can depreciate the cost of equipment over a longer period of time. With the increased competition and reduced costs, lower fees are expected for ratepayers.

Signed by the Governor on June 6, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-196.

HB 737 — Port of Palm Beach District, Palm Beach County Rep. Bill Hagar

This bill codifies the charter of the Port into a single document by codifying, amending, reenacting, and repealing the several special acts currently comprising the charter. The bill also updates and expands definitions, clarifies the Port’s authority to construct related projects and facilities, revises certain provisions pertaining to insurance provided to commissioners and employees, and updates provisions pertaining to issuing bond debt.

Signed by the Governor on June 6, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-199.

HB 1135 — West Palm Beach Police Pension Fund Rep. Matt Willhite

This bill incorporates agreed upon changes to the police pension plan between the City of West Palm Beach and the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association. The new language adds, clarifies and updates certain provisions of the Special Act and is administrative in nature, having no actuarial cost to the pension plan.

Signed by the Governor on June 6, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-207.

HB 1297 — Palm Beach County Building Advisory Board Rep. Joseph Abruzzo

This bill revises the nomination process for appointees to the Building Code Advisory Board of Palm Beach County. The changes to the law will allow the seven industry representatives to be nominated by existing local chapters of national or regional construction industry trade associations.

Signed by the Governor on June 6, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-215.

—— [ 14 ] —— Legislation Sponsored by Delegation Members

SB 10 - Water Resources Sen. Rob Bradley/Rep. Thad Altman

This bill authorizes a significant increase in southern water storage to further the goal of reducing and eventually eliminating harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee, a priority of Senate President Joe Negron. The bill expressly prohibits the use of eminent domain, leveraging land already owned by the State of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), land swaps, and purchases, to minimize impacts on agricultural workers while achieving 240,000 to 360,000 acre feet of storage. Additionally, the legislation establishes the Everglades Restoration Agricultural Community Employment Training Program within the Department of Economic Opportunity. This grant provides training, educational, and information services programs for agricultural workers seeking nonagricultural employment opportunities in the Glades region.

SB 10 also provides funding for the reservoir projects, including an authorization to bond funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF). The total cost is approximately $1.5 billion, half of which could be paid by the federal government. The bill includes an appropriation of $64 million from the LATF for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year. It allows for funds not spent on the reservoir projects to be used for other Everglades Restoration projects as provided in Legacy Florida.

Signed by the Governor on May 10, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-10.

HB 47 - Texting While Driving Rep. Emily Slosberg

This bill would have removed the requirement that texting while driving only be enforced by law enforcement agencies as a secondary action. The bill also would have doubled all fines for texting while driving in a legally posted school zone or a designated school crossing.

Died in House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee.

SB 238 - Instructional Personnel Salaries Sen. Kevin Rader

This bill would have required the Legislature to fund the Florida Education Finance Program at a level that ensures a guaranteed minimum annual starting salary for instructional personnel. Citing the act as the “Florida Teacher Fair Pay Act”, this legislation would have made a significant impact on the salaries of Florida’s teachers, which lag the national average by as much as $10,000. The bill did not receive a Senate hearing and died in its first committee of reference. This bill will be introduced again in 2018.

Died in Senate Education Committee.

HB 267 - Elective Share Rep. Lori Berman

This bill makes changes to portions of the elective share laws dealing with the right of a surviving spouse to take a portion of the decedent’s assets after death. The bill was suggested by the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section of the Florida Bar, as a result of studying this issue and how it affects decedent's estates.

This legislation passed as SB 724 (Passidomo) and was signed by the Governor on June 16, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-121.

HB 319 - Equal Pay for Equal Work Rep. Lori Berman

This bill, named the “Helen Gordon Davis Fair Pay Protection Act” in honor of Helen Gordon Davis for her hard work in the field of equal pay, hoped to strengthen state laws in this arena. The legislation would have determined which factors employers can use to decide to pay employees differently, such as education or experience based on seniority or merit, and would prohibit employers from screening job applicants based on prior wages. It also would ban employers from taking retaliatory action against an employee who discloses their wages to a coworker and prohibit employers from discrimination toward employees based on their sex or gender identity.

Died in House Careers & Competition Subcommittee.

—— [ 15 ] ——

HB 383 - Public Records/Former Firefighters Personal Identifying Information Rep. Matt Willhite

This bill exempts former firefighters’ personal identifying information from a public records request. As it stands currently, only active firefighters’ information is protected. However, due to the nature of the calls they respond to, it is important firefighters’ information remains protected after they retire. Not only do they respond to calls related to homicide and domestic violence, but they also frequently testify in court. This bill ensures that any people who may harbor ill-will towards first responders are not able to access their personal information.

This legislation passed as SB 1108 (Steube) and was signed by the Governor on June 14, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-96.

HJR 391 - Minimum Salaries for Full-time Public School Teachers Rep. Joseph Abruzzo

This joint resolution proposed an amendment to the State Constitution to establish minimum salaries for new and experienced full-time teachers in public schools. By 2019, minimum salaries of new and experienced full-time teachers in public schools must be at least the national average salaries of new and experienced full-time teachers in public schools.

Died in House PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee.

HB 401 - Notaries Public Rep. Joseph Abruzzo

This bill expands the list of forms of identification that a notary public may rely on in notarizing a signature on a document to include a veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Signed by the Governor on May 9, 2017; Chapter 2017-17.

HB 461 - Motor Vehicle Insurance Rep. Bill Hager

This bill would have repealed the Personal Injury Protection program (PIP) effective January 1, 2018 and replaced it with a Bodily Injury system providing coverage amounts consistent with those established in 38 other states. The bill also would have given consumers the ability to purchase coverage that pays medical expenses for their own injuries, as well as those of their family members. A variation of this bill passed the House but not the Senate. A PIP reform bill will be refiled again in 2018.

Died in House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee.

HB 513 - Law Enforcement Body Cameras Rep. Al Jacquet

This bill would have mandated that law enforcement agencies with officers who engage in routine traffic stops require officers engaging in such stops to wear and use body cameras during such stops.

Died in House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

HB 525 - High School Graduation Requirements Rep. David Silvers

This bill would have allowed students to earn credit towards graduation through participation in the Department of Education approved pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs. Although, this bill passed unanimously in the House its Senate companion, SB 978, died in Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre-K - 12 Education.

Died in Senate Education Committee.

—— [ 16 ] ——

HB 545 - Brittany Baxter Act Amendment (Amendment No. 665805) Rep. Emily Slosberg

This amendment would have extended the time range for the accumulation of points on Class E licenses for drivers aged 15-17, from 12 months to 15 months and added a driver’s education component of a 12-hour driver improvement course classroom and 4 hours of behind the wheel training. This amendment would have reverted a 15 to 17-year-old’s license (for a period of 1 year) to business purposes if they received 6 points within a 15 month period. Brittany Baxter was an 18-year-old soon to be high school graduate killed on April 23, 2015 by a 17-year-old who ran a stop sign and crashed into her. This amendment is in memory of Brittany Baxter and to protect others like her.

Died in returning Messages.

HJR 565 - Automatic Restoration of Felons' Voting Rights Rep. Al Jacquet

This joint resolution proposed an amendment to the State Constitution to automatically restore voting rights of convicted felon 3 years after a person completes his or her sentence.

Died in House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.

HB 711/SB 718 - Vessel Registration Rep. MaryLynn Magar/Sen. Bobby Powell

The bill reduces state vessel registration fees for recreational vessels equipped with an emergency position-indicating radio beacon or for recreational vessels where the owner owns a personal locator beacon. A person who owns a personal locator beacon and more than one recreational vessel qualifies to pay the reduced fee for only one of the vessels. The beacon must be registered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to receive the reduced vessel registration fee.

This legislation passed as HB 711and was signed by the Governor on May 23, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-28.

HB 713 - Homeowner’s Freedom Act Rep. Emily Slosberg

This bill would have prevented unfair late fees after a homeowner’s death. This bill would have prevented Homeowner Associations from charging late fees and other penalties on the monthly assessments after a homeowner passes away. It would have also required notice by certified mail prior to charging such penalties.

Died in House Agriculture & Property Rights Subcommittee.

HB 785/SB 1406 - Stroke Centers Rep. MaryLynn Magar/Sen. Bobby Powell

This bill requires the Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) to add acute stroke ready centers to the list of primary stroke centers and comprehensive stroke centers made available to emergency medical service providers. A hospital that meets the certification standards for acute stroke ready centers would receive the acute stroke ready center designation from AHCA in the same manner as primary and comprehensive stroke centers currently do. Currently, there are approximately 60 acute care hospitals that do not have primary or comprehensive stroke center designation and may be eligible for acute stroke ready center designation.

Additionally, the Department of Health (DOH) is instructed to contract with a private entity to establish and maintain a statewide stroke registry to ensure that the stroke performance measures required to be submitted are maintained and available for use to improve or modify the stroke care system, ensure compliance with standards, and monitor stroke patient outcomes.

This legislation passed as HB 785 and was signed by the Governor on June 26, 207; Chapter No. 2017-172.

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HB 807/SB 788 - Practices of Substance Abuse Service Providers Rep. Bill Hager/Sen. Jeff Clemens

This bill is a start at cracking down on fraudulent marketing and wrongful patient brokering practices and sets in place statutory standards applicable to telemarketers. This bill authorizes the Department of Children and Family services (DCF) to determine credentialing standards within the industry. Highlights of the bill include prohibiting service providers and recovery residence operators from engaging in deceptive marketing and enacting criminal penalties for such conduct, establishing a $50,000 fine for patient brokering offenses and expanding the definition of an illegal inducement, creating broader regulatory powers for DCF as it pertains to the treatment, and recovery residence communities and expanding DCF’s authority to take action against service providers.

This legislation passed as HB 807 and was signed by the Governor on June 26, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-173.

HB 863 - Hospice Services Rep. Rick Roth

This bill creates an exemption from the Certificate of Need (CON) program for hospice services provided in a not-for-profit retirement community that shares a controlling interest and is located on the same premises as a teaching nursing home. The bill limits the CON exemption to one hospice program per teaching nursing home and the program may only serve residents and patients of the not-for-profit retirement community. This bill was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate.

Signed by the Governor on June 23, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-144.

HB 869 - Honesty in Higher Education Rep. Bill Hager

This bill would have required state universities and state colleges to inform freshman students what their likely future earnings would be based on their chosen degree of study. The bill would have required colleges and universities to share with incoming students the average salary for the degree at one year, five years, 10 years, and 20 years, and the probability of employment in the degree at each timeframe. This bill will be introduced again in 2018.

Died in House Post-Secondary Education Subcommittee.

SB 886/HB 791 - Public Records/ Substance Abuse Impaired Persons Sen. Bobby Powell/Rep. Joseph Abruzzo

This bill creates a new exemption from public record for petitions for involuntary assessment and stabilization of a substance abuse impaired person filed pursuant to S. 397.6815 F.S. The bill exempts all pleadings and other documents as well as their images in court proceedings. It does however allow for the release of these records under certain circumstances as outlined. This will allow families and friends of individuals that are subject to the Marchman Act an avenue to protect the safety and privacy of the individual.

This legislation passed as SB 886 and was signed by the Governor on May 23, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-25.

HB 1093 - Tobacco Products Rep. Lori Berman

This bill would have sought to limit tobacco and tobacco product sales to those who are 21 years of age and under. It was supported by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Lung Association and the American and Florida Society of Clinical Oncologists but did not receive a hearing.

Died in House Careers & Competition Subcommittee.

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HB 1183 - Admission of Children and Adolescents to Mental Health Facilities Rep. David Silvers

This bill provides an additional safeguard for children who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The bill creates an expedited exam requirement of 12 hours upon admission to a mental health facility, which will allow children to quickly receive the services they need and return home to their families in an expedited manner. It also creates a task force within the Florida Department of Children and Families to review the state’s current use of the Baker Act on minors. The task force will include healthcare providers, law enforcement, school officials, and mental health advocates who will take an in depth look at how children are affected by the sometimes unnecessary use of the Baker Act.

This legislation passed as an amendment on HB 1121 (Stevenson) and was signed by the Governor on June 23, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-151.

HB 1215 - Residential Elevators Rep. Al Jacquet

This bill removes the requirement that the underside of the platform of an elevator car be equipped with a device that interrupts the electric power to the driving machine motor and brake, and stops the elevator car's downward motion, if the platform of the elevator car is obstructed anywhere on its underside in its downward travel. The bill provides that a visual indicator must be visible at all landings until the hoistway door locking device has been returned to the normal operating position and the elevator has been manually reset. The bill also requires the Florida Building Commission to adopt certain provisions relating to residential elevators into Florida Building Code.

This legislation passed as SB 1634 (Steube) and was signed by the Governor on June 15, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-97.

SB 1494 - Write-in Candidate Qualifying Sen. Kevin Rader

This bill would have codified the 2016 Florida Supreme Court decision in Brinkmann v. Francois. As a result of the Florida Supreme Court Ruling, beginning with the 2016 election cycle, any registered voter can now qualify to run as a write-in candidate in any contest in the state and close a primary where the only other qualified candidates are from the same party, regardless of his or her physical residence. The bill would have repealed the statute requiring write-in candidates to reside in the district they seek to represent at the time of qualifying. This bill passed unanimously through all of its referenced committees.

Died on Senate Calendar.

HB 7035 - OGSR/Nonpublished Reports and Data/Department of Citrus Rep. Rick Roth

This bill reenacts the public record exemption. The public record exemption would repeal on October 2, 2017, unless reenacted by the Legislature. Current law provides a public record exemption for any nonpublished report or data related to studies or research conducted or funded by the Department of Citrus.

Signed by the Governor on June 2, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-62.

HB 7113 - Open Government and Sunset Review Act/Donor or Prospective Donor/Publicly Owned Performing Arts Center Rep. Matt Willhite

This bill removes a scheduled repeal of a public records exemption under the Open Government and Sunset Review Act. The bill relates to the public records exemption for information that would identify a donor or prospective donor to a publicly owned performing arts center. This bill was filed to encourage individuals to foster the growth of publicly owned arts centers through the donation of private funds. The measure was approved unanimously in both the House and the Senate.

Signed by the Governor on June 2, 2017; Chapter No. 2017-68.

—— [ 19 ] —— The Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation Office is a non-partisan office that serves all thirteen members of the Florida Senate and House of Representatives representing Palm Beach County in Tallahassee. The delegation office is responsible for: scheduling and coordinating all delegation |meetings in Palm Beach County and Tallahassee; developing the delegation's legislative program including local bills, appropriation requests, and county and municipal legislative priorities; providing legislative assistance and research to the delegation during the legislative session; and serving as a liaison between the delegation and local governments and community organizations. At the end of each legislative session, this comprehensive report is published by the delegation for all county, municipal and federal offices, as well as other parties interested in all local bills and appropriations affecting Palm Beach County, and general bills passed by Palm Beach County Delegation members.

Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation Office

301 North Olive Avenue, Suite 1101 West Palm Beach, FL 33401

(561) 355-2406