2 016 Champions forBusiness otes provide tangible evidence of whether or not a legislator upholds the ability of Florida companies to operate free of overly burdensome state regulation and taxation. VIt is a valuable tool used by AIF and the business community to determine which legislators running for re-election deserve our support. Yet, voting records only tell part of the story. A Champion for Business is a legislator who takes risks for his or her belief in the free-enterprise system, who defies the status quo when it is harmful to our state’s competitive climate, and who faces down oppo- nents to the growing prosperity of Florida’s citizens. The Champion for Business is evidence that, in our efforts to let our members and their legislators know who has been good for business and who has been bad, we leave no stone unturned. This year, AIF selected those legislators who we deem are strong and forceful advocates for the business community. In our collective wisdom, these ten legislators are the epitome of what a Champion for Business should be. Whether they proposed an important bill, authored a key amendment, or toiled behind the scenes, these legislators are the ones who made a difference this session. The Champion for Business award symbolizes our gratitude for extraordinary efforts by legislators on behalf of the business community. AIF Voting Records • 2016 25 2016Champions forBusiness Senator Jack Latvala Senator Dorothy Senator Aaron Bean (R-Clearwater) is Hukill (R-Port (R-Jacksonville) is receiving his fourth Orange) is receiving receiving his third AIF Champion for her fifth AIF AIF Champion for Business Award. Champion for Business Award. Associated Indus- Business Award. Associated Indus- tries of Florida Associated Indus- tries of Florida salutes Senator Latvala for carrying tries of Florida commends Senator applauds Senator Bean for his leader- legislation that aimed to provide Hukill for her advocacy and leader- ship in Tort Reform and protecting incentives for Florida’s business ship in reducing taxes for Florida’s this important legal principle for community in order to bolster our businesses and families year after Floridians. Senator Bean understands state’s economy. Latvala’s Economic year. This year she sponsored legisla- the importance of safeguarding our Development package included a tion that made the tax exemption for legal system from stealth attacks by provision that renamed the “Quick manufacturing equipment perma- the trial bar that undermine our state’s Action Closing Fund” to the “Florida nent. Implementing the manufactur- friendly business climate. He was Enterprise Fund” and instated the ing tax exemption was not only a top successful in identifying and blocking requirement that each new project priority for our AIF Manufacturing, legislation during the committee vying for this incentive must create at Aerospace and Defense Council, but process that would have created least 10 new jobs before being eligible will also make Florida competitive loopholes in our comparative fault to receive the incentive funds. By this with states that already allow for this statutes and permitted the unfair action alone, Senator Latvala’s legis- exemption. We proudly recognize doctrine of joint and several liability lation would help our state become Senator Hukill as a 2016 “Champion to creep back into Florida law. His a premiere location for business and for Business.” action to protect the philosophy that a job creation. We proudly recognize person should only pay for their fair Senator Latvala as a 2016 “Champion Senator Charlie share of damages echoed the warn- for Business.” Dean (R-Inverness) ings and concerns expressed by AIF is receiving his and our colleagues in the business second AIF Cham- community. We proudly recognize pion for Business Senator Bean as a 2016 “Champion for Throughout Award. Business.” Associated In- the 60 days of dustries of Florida hails Senator Dean Senator Garrett for defending our state’s water by suc- Richter (R-Naples) is lawmaking, cessfully carrying SB 552, Environ- receiving his sixth mental Resources, to the finish line AIF Champion for these were the this year. This legislation addresses Business Award. Florida’s impending water shortage Associated In- leaders we turned by implementing a broad-based, dustries of Florida comprehensive water policy that will salutes Senator Richter for champi- to when the protect our state’s precious springs oning the Regulation of Oil and Gas business and water resources. As a top priority Resources legislation aimed at grow- for AIF and our Florida H20 Coali- ing Florida’s on-shore energy industry community tion, we are beyond pleased that SB while providing safeguards for the 552 was the first bill signed into law environment. This legislation sought needed someone by Governor Scott for the 2016 Legis- to revise the Oil and Gas Program lative Session. We proudly recognize under the Department of Environmen- we could Senator Dean as a 2016 “Champion tal Protection’s Mining and Minerals for Business.” Regulation Program in the Division of depend upon. Water Resource Management to estab- 26 AIF Voting Records • 2016 Whether they proposed an important bill, authored a key amendment, or toiled behind the scenes, these legislators are the ones who made a difference this session. lish safer and more effective practices this year’s tax package, HB 7099, will Technology legislation that will bring for oil and gas drilling, production, amount to $129.1 million in cuts for our state’s cyber security measures up and exploration activities within the fiscal year 2016-2017. His sponsor- to date in order to protect Floridians Florida. AIF supported the need to ship and steadfast work on this and Florida’s businesses from a maintain appropriate permitting laws legislation will promote and solidify potential cyber-attack. Getting the to protect the environment, enhance our state’s standing as one of the best Legislature to understand the urgency efficiency between industry and the states to live in and conduct business. for the implementation of a consistent state, and ensure that clear appro- Governor Scott signed HB 7099 into and cohesive process for an IT securi- priate standards are met and clearly law on 4/13/16 and will take effect on ty framework was no easy feat. communicated. We proudly recognize 7/1/2016. We proudly recognize Throughout the 2016 Session, Artiles Senator Richter as a 2016 “Champion Representative Gaetz as a 2016 worked tirelessly to see this measure for Business.” “Champion for Business.” through, and because of that effort, HB 1033 was signed into law by Representative Jim Representative Matt Governor Scott on 3/25/16 and will Boyd (R-Bradenton) Caldwell (R-Lehigh take effect on 7/1/16. We proudly is receiving his Acres) is receiving recognize Representative Artiles as a third AIF Champi- his fourth AIF 2016 “Champion for Business.” on for Business Champion for Award. Associated Business Award. Representative Ray Industries of Associated Indus- Rodrigues (R-Fort Florida commends Representative tries of Florida salutes Representative Myers) is receiving Boyd for sponsoring an Economic Caldwell for his leadership in spon- his second AIF Development package that aimed to soring the Environmental Resources Champion for provide incentives for Florida’s legislation. Caldwell successfully Business Award. business community in order to sponsored, along with Senator Charlie Associated Indus- bolster our state’s economy. Economic Dean, legislation that addresses tries of Florida salutes Representative development involves the state and Florida’s impending water shortage by Rodrigues for successfully champion- local governments working together implementing a broad-based, compre- ing the Regulation of Oil and Gas to improve the state’s business hensive water policy that will protect Resources legislation, identical to environment and competitiveness, to our springs and water resources. Senator Richter’s, aimed at growing create and retain jobs, and to continu- SB 552 was the first bill to be signed Florida’s on-shore energy industry ally increase incomes. Legislation into law by Governor Scott on 1/21/16 while providing safeguards for the such as this would make Florida a and will take effect on 7/1/16, chang- environment. This legislation sought premiere location for business and job ing the future of our state’s most to revise the Oil and Gas Program creation. We proudly recognize precious and valuable resource. We under the Department of Environ- Representative Boyd as a 2016 “Cham- proudly recognize Representative mental Protection’s Mining and pion for Business.” Caldwell as a 2016 “Champion for Minerals Regulation Program in the Business.” Division of Water Resource Manage- Representative Matt ment to establish safer and more Gaetz (R-Shalimar) Representative effective practices for oil and gas is receiving his Frank Artiles drilling, production, and exploration third AIF Champi- (R-Miami) is activities within Florida. We proudly on for Business receiving his recognize Representative Rodrigues Award. Associated second AIF Cham- as a 2016 “Champion for Business.” Industries of pion for Business Florida applauds Representative Gaetz Award. Associated for his commitment to providing tax Industries of Florida commends cuts for Florida’s businesses and Representative Artiles for taking the families. Gaetz’s successful work on lead in sponsoring Information AIF Voting Records • 2016 27 Past AIF Champions for Business Winners