Appropriations — Closed Captions

>> Chair: GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME TO THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS. WE WILL NOW COME TO ORDER. ALICIA CALL THE ROLL. >> CHAIR HOOPER. >> Senator Hooper: HERE. >> SENATOR ROUSON. >> Senator Rouson: HERE. >> SENATOR BERMAN. >> Senator Berman: HERE. >> SENATOR BRODEUR. >> Senator Brodeur: HERE. >> SENATOR BURGESS. >> Senator Burgess: HERE. >> SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Senator DiCeglie: HERE. >> SENATOR GARCIA. >> Senator Garcia: HERE. >> SENATOR GRALL. >> Senator Grall: HERE. >> SENATOR HARRELL. >> Senator Harrell: HERE. >> SENATOR MARTIN. >> Senator Martin: HERE. >> SENATOR MASSULLO. >> Senator Massullo: HERE. >> Senator McClain: HERE. >> Senator Pizzo: HERE. >> Senator Polsky: HERE. >> Senator Sharief: HERE. >> SENATOR SMITH. >> Senator Smith: HERE. >> SENATOR TRUMBULL. >> Senator Trumbull: HERE. >> SENATOR WRIGHT. >> Senator Wright: HERE. >> A QUORUM IS PRESENT. >> Chair: THANK YOU. PLEASE REMEMBER TO SILENCE YOUR ELECTRONICS. BEFORE WE BEGIN I WANT TO TAKE A SECOND TO RECOGNIZE A FORMER HOUSE MEMBER AND FRIEND AND NOW A BIG TIME CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER IN BROWARD COUNTY, HONORABLE MARTY KIER. [APPLAUSE]. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK, COMPLETE AN APPEARANCE A CARD AND HAND IT TO A MEMBER OF THE SERGEANTS OFFICE. IF YOU WANT TO WAIVE YOUR SPEAKING TIME YOUR POSITION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RECORDS. WE HAVE FOUR BILLS BEFORE US TODAY. FIRST TAB NUMBER THREE SENATE BILL 434 ASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY USE FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES BY SENATOR LEEK. GOOD MORNING YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Leek: THANK YOU CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THIS BILL IS FROM A TAX COLLECTOR AND PROPERTY APPRAISER WHO INFORMED ME LOCAL COUNTIES ARE RAISING ASSESSED VALUE OF HOMES THAT UNDERTAKE WIND MITIGATION MEASURES. HARDENING YOUR HOMES ARE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN ASKING HOMEOWNERS TO DO AND NOW THEY ARE PENALIZED BY INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES AND THIS MAKES CLEAR THEY MAY NOT INCREASE THE ASSESSMENT OF A PROPERTY BASED ON WIND MITIGATION MEASURES. THAT IS THE BILL. >> Chair: QUESTIONS. APPEARANCE? DEBATE ON THE BILL? WE WILL GET YOU OUT OF HERE QUICKLY. SENATOR LEEK, YOU MAY CLOSE. >> Senator Leek: WAIVE CLOSE. >> Chair: HAVING CLOSED. CALL THE ROLL ON SB 434. >> SENATOR BERMAN. SENATOR BRODEUR. SENATOR BURGESS. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR HARRELL. SENATOR MARTIN. SENATOR MASSULLO. SENATOR MCCLAIN. SENATOR PIZZO. SENATOR POLSKY. SENATOR SHARIEF. SENATOR SMITH. SENATOR TRUMBULL. SENATOR WRIGHT. SENATOR ROUSON. CHAIR HOOPER. >> Chair: BY YOUR VOTE SHOW THIS REPORTS FAVORABLY. AND NEXT UNDER TAB NUMBER TWO CS FOR SB 110 HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION BY SENATOR ARRINGTON. YOU ARE WELCOME AND RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Arrington: GOOD MORNING. CS FOR SB 110 STATES THAT INDIVIDUALS HOLDING A 98 YEAR OR LONGER RESIDENTIAL LEASE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FLORIDA'S HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION EVEN IF THEY HAVE A LEASE THAT TERMINATES UPON THEIR DEATH. THIS CHANGE ALIGNS WITH LONG TERM LEASEHOLDERS WITH LIFE ESTATE HOLDERS AND ENSURES FAMILIES USING THESE LEASES FOR ESTATE PLANNING RETAIN HOMESTEAD BENEFITS. THIS CLARIFICATION IS RECOMMENDED BY THE REAL PROPERTY PROBATE AND TRUST LAW SECTION OF THE FLORIDA BAR. THE BILL STATES THE CHANGES ARE REMEDIAL AND CLARIFYING IN NATURE. CS FOR SB 110 RESOLVES THIS UNCERTAINTY BY EXPLICITLY CONFIRMING THAT A 98 YEAR OR LONGER LEASE THAT TERMINATES AT THE TENANTS DEATH STILL QUALIFIES FOR THE HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION DURING THE RETAINED TENANTS SEAT BUT UPON THE DEATH OF THEIR SHOULD BE A CHANGE OF BENEFICIAL OWNER AND HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION RESETS UNLESS THE EXEMPTION APPLIES LIKE A TRANSFER TO A SPOUSE. THE CLARIFICATION STRENGTHENS THE FLORIDA LAW BY PROMOTING CONSISTENCY FAIRNESS AND PREDICT ABILITY IN THE APPLICATION OF HOMESTEAD BENEFITS TO LONG TERM RESIDENTIAL LEASES. THE ANALYSIS ALSO STATES IT HAS NO IMPACT ON LOCAL AD VALOREM REVENUE. THAT IS THE BILL MR. CHAIR. >> Chair: QUESTIONS ON THE BILL? OKAY WE HAVE NO APPEARANCE CARDS FOR THIS BILL. IS THERE DEBATE? DEBATE ON THE BILL? I SEE NONE. SENATOR ARRINGTON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE THE BILL. >> Senator Arrington: THANK YOU FOR ADDING IT TO TODAY'S AGENDA AND I APPRECIATE YOUR FAVORABLE VOTE. >> Chair: ALICIA PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON CS FOR SB 110. >> SENATOR BERMAN. SENATOR BRODEUR. SENATOR BURGESS. SENATOR DICEGLIE. SENATOR GARCIA. SENATOR GRALL. SENATOR HARRELL. SENATOR MARTIN. SENATOR MASSULLO. SENATOR MCCLAIN. SENATOR PIZZO. SENATOR POLSKY. SENATOR SHARIEF. SENATOR SMITH. SENATOR TRUMBULL. SENATOR WRIGHT. SENATOR ROUSON. CHAIR HOOPER. >> Chair: BY YOUR VOTE SHOW -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT BILL NUMBER IT IS. FAVOR -- CS FOR SB 110. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I FAILED TO ANNOUNCE THAT SENATOR GARCIA IS EXCUSED FROM TODAY'S MEETING. MEETING. NEXT SB 856 THE CLOSURE OF ESTIMATED AD VALOREM TAXES BY SENATOR DICEGLIE. GOOD MORNING, SIR. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator DiCeglie: THIS REQUIRES ONLINE LISTENING PLATFORMS TO INCLUDE ESTIMATED PROPERTY TAXES ON ANY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VISIBLE ON THEIR PLATFORM. ALSO PROVIDES A CURRENT TAX INFORMATION MAY NOT BE USED IN CALC LEADING ESTIMATING PROPERTY TAXES AND REQUIRES LISTING PLATFORMS TO DISPLAY PROPERTY TAXES BY USING ONE OF 22 PRESCRIBED METHODS. ESTIMATE OF PROPERTY TAXES MUST BE CALCULATED USING THE LISTING PRICE OR THE PROPERTY MILLAGE RATE USING A FORMULA DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND IS A COUNTYWIDE AGGREGATE MILLAGE RATE DEVELOPED BY DOR. AS WE KNOW SOMETIMES PROBABLY ONE TIME IS TOO MANY BUT WHEN SOMEONE GOES AND PURCHASES A HOME OBVIOUSLY THEY WANT THAT IMPORTANT INFORMATION OF WHAT THEIR PROPERTY TAX WILL BE. AND IN MANY CASES THE CURRENT PROPERTY TAX ON THAT PROPERTY AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE SEEN KIND OF A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM WHEN THE PROPERTY TAXES INCREASE FOR THAT PROPERTY BECAUSE OF A NEW PURCHASE IN THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THIS CREATES TRANSPARENCY. IT IS CONSUMER FRIENDLY. I HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE PINELLAS COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER MIKE TWITTY WHO I BELIEVE IS OVER THERE. HELLO GOOD MORNING. HE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE. A GREAT LEADER ON THE ISSUE. THAT IS THE BILL MR. CHAIRMAN. >> Chair: QUESTIONS? SENATOR SHARIEF THEN SENATOR PIZZO. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED SENATOR SHARIEF. >> Senator Sharief: I WANT TO ASK YOU, THE PROPERTY TAXES ESTIMATE ARE YOU REQUIRING THAT THIS TO BE ON THE ADVERTISING AREA LIKE PLACES LIKE REALTOR.COM AND ZILLOW AND ALL OF THAT? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS WHERE THEY GET THIS AND THEN IS IT ALSO ON THE PROPERTY APPRAISER WEBSITE? >> Senator DiCeglie: THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. YES. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH ENTITIES LIKE ZILLOW. THEY ARE ON BOARD WITH THIS BILL. THANK YOU. SENATOR HARRELL YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Senator Harrell: I'M SO INTO TRANSPARENCY THIS IS MARVELOUS BUT TO REALTORS NOT HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY CURRENTLY UNDER CURRENT STATUTE TO DIVULGE TO SPECIFICALLY STATE WHAT THE PROPERTY TAX WOULD BE WHEN YOU ARE SHOWING A PIECE OF PROPERTY NEGOTIATING THE SALE OF A PIECE OF PROPERTY IS IN IT ALREADY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REALTOR? >> Senator DiCeglie: THANK YOU. THE ANSWER IS YES AND UNFORTUNATELY MY UNDERSTANDING IS NOT ALL OF THEM YOU KNOW NOT ALL FOLLOW THAT SIMPLE ETHICAL GUIDELINE. >> Senator Pizzo: MIKE TWITTY SEEMS PROFESSIONAL AND I NORMALLY DON'T TRUST A GROWN MAN WITH A 32 INCH WAIST BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT MY PROPERTY APPRAISER THINKS OF THIS IT WHEN WE GET TO APPEARANCE CARDS IF HE HASN'T FILLED ONE OUT. >> Chair: NOW YOU CAN FILL OUT A CARD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? WE HAVE SOME APPEARANCE. >> Senator Rouson: THANK YOU. THOMAS ROGUE SPEAKING FOR -- GOOD MORNING. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I AM THE PROPERTY APPRAISER FROM MIAMI DADE COUNTY SINCE JANUARY 7th OF 2025 BECAME AN INDEPENDENT CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE. I WAS ALL SO THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MIAMI. I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL. AND MIKE TWITTY HAS BEEN FOR SEVERAL YEARS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT. SENATORS, THANK YOU BECAUSE I WILL TELL YOU, IF I MAY, THAT WE DO OUTREACH LIKE EVERY OTHER COLLEAGUE HERE. THE PROPERTY APPRAISAL. I WAS IN MIAMI BEACH ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AGO. JOHN CAME TO ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES WITH A COMPUTER AND THEY WERE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT BUYING A NEW HOUSE FROM SOMEONE, NOT FROM A REALTOR. IT WAS A DIRECT SALE. AND WHEN OUR EMPLOYEE SAID OKAY, YOUR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IS DONE, THEY SAY MAY I ASK ABOUT THE TAXES BECAUSE THE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN LIVING IN THAT HOUSE FOR MANY YEARS. THEY PAID $2000 AND THEY SAID NO, MA'AM, NOW IT RESETS AND YOU WILL BE PAYING $15,000. THE YOUNG WOMAN TURNED TO THE HUSBAND AND SAID HONEY, WE GOT TO GET RID OF THIS. WE CAN'T AFFORD $15,000. SO WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE IS NOT ONLY TRANSPARENCY. AS MIKE SAID, IT'S ABOUT RETURNING THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT >> Chair Hooper: THANK YOU SIR FOR BEING HERE IN YOUR TESTIMONY. MARTY CARE WAIVES SPEAKING IN SUPPORT. MARTY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO FILL OUT ANOTHER CARD NOW. RYAN WAIVES SPEAKING IN SUPPORT REPRESENTING THE LOW. MIKE TWEEDIE PINELLAS COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER WAIVES SPEAKING IN SUPPORT. LAUREN LEAVY IN SUPPORT PROPERTY APPRAISERS ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA. CHARLES CHAPMAN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES. THAT CONCLUDES. >> IS THERE DEBATE ON THE BILL QUICK SENATOR GRALL, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Grall: I HEARD ABOUT THIS BILL YESTERDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME FROM PROPERTY APPRAISERS. I MET WITH THEM AND I THINK IT IS A FANTASTIC BILL, SENATOR DICEGLIE. YES, DO REALTORS HAVE THE OBLIGATION? OF COURSE THEY DO A MOST OF THEM PROBABLY DO A WHOLE DEBT OBLIGATION. I FIND THE ONES I INTERACT WITH TO BE GOOD ACTORS. THE ISSUE IS YOU HAVE THESE WEBSITES THAT HAVE ALL THIS INFORMATION AND YOU ARE NOT ACTING WITH A REALTOR WHEN THE INFORMATION IS ON THE WEBSITE AND JUST PULLED AS THE CURRENT TAX RATE. AND YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IN MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF A MORTGAGE OF $500-$8000 SOMETIMES WITH THE INCREASES IN PROPERTY PRICES WE HAVE SEEN IN THE STATE AND I THINK IT MAKES SENSE. I WOULD THINK IT HELPS REALTORS IN TERMS OF SHOWING PROPERTIES THAT ARE ACTUALLY PROPERTIES PEOPLE CAN AFFORD THE. YOU ARE NOT TAKING A FAMILY, AND INDIVIDUAL INTO A HOME IF THEY KNOW IT IS OUT OF THEIR PRICE RANGE FROM THE GET JUST BECAUSE OF THE TAXES. THINK THIS IS A GREAT BILL AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING IT TODAY I WOULD LOVE TO HELP IN ANY WAY I CAN GET IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR WRIGHT, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I WANT TO ECHO WHAT HAS BEEN SAID SO FAR. THIS IS A GREAT BILL AND I THINK THE PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY BE PROTECTED THE MOST OF THE FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS THAT DON'T REALIZE THIS HAPPENS. SOMETHING YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS BILL FORWARD. >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR MASSULLO, IN DEBATE. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Massullo: THANK YOU CHAIR. SENATOR DICEGLIE, I WILL ECHO THE GOOD COMMENTS PEOPLE ARE MAKING. I MISSED THE FIRST PARTY PRESENTATIONS ON NOT SURE, BUT I'M HOPING IF THERE'S ANY PORTABILITY THE INDIVIDUAL BUYER MIGHT HAVE THAT THAT MIGHT TRANSFER INTO THAT CONVERSATION. SO WHEN A MORE ACCURATE FIGURE AS TO WHAT THE VALLEY WOULD BE WITH THEIR PORTABILITY AND TAXES IS A GETS INCREASED WITH THE SALE. >> Chair Hooper: ADDITIONAL DEBATE. SENATOR SHARIEF, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Sharief: I WANT TO HOP ON THE LOVE TRAIN UNTIL YOU I'M SENDING YOU IN INTRODUCE A REQUEST. THANK YOU. >> Chair Hooper: ANYONE ELSE? I WOULD LIKE TO SAY MIKE, THANK YOU FOR BEING PERSISTENT. I KNOW THIS HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY SUCCESS. WE ARE NOT OVER THE FINISH LINE YET, BUT WE CAN SEE THE FINISH LINE. THREE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMITTEE THAT YOU ARE THE PROPERTY APPRAISER FOR OUR COUNTY, THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS AND NOT HAVING THAT UNKNOWN WHEN SOMEONE TRIES TO BUY A HOUSE. WITH THAT, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN AND THANK YOU SENATORS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND KIND ONES. I WANT TO POINT OUT IS THE NUMBER ONE CONSTITUENT COMPLAINT PROPERTY APPRAISERS RECEIVE ACROSS OUR STATE SO THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO ADDRESS THAT. SENATOR GRALL, YOU CAN HELPED ME OUT TODAY BY VOTING YES. WITH THAT I CLOSE. >> Chair Hooper: OF ENCLOSED, ALICIA, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL:SB 856. >> Sen. Berman: YES. >> Sen. Brodeur: YES. >> Sen. Burgess: YES. >> Sen. DiCeglie: YES. >> Sen. Garcia: YES. >> Sen. Grall: YES. >> Sen. Harrell: YES. >> Sen. Martin: YES. >> Sen. Massullo: YES. >> Sen. McClain: YES. >> Sen. Pizzo: YES. >> Sen. Polsky: YES. >> Sen. Sharief: YES. >> Sen. Smith: YES. >> Sen, Trumbull: YES. >> SENATOR WRIGHT? >> SENATOR ROUSON? >> Vice Chair Rouson: YES. >> Chair Hooper: YES. SHOW HB 856 REPORTED FAVORABLY. SENATOR DICEGLIE, READY FOR THE BIG SHOW? NO ONE IS LEAVING THE ROOM AFTER THOSE THREE. WE WILL TURN TO TAB AT ONE AND WE ARE GOING TO TAKE UP SPV 7040 BY APPROPRIATIONS. RELATED TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE FUND. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO PRESENT THE BILL. >> SBB 7040 RE-CREATES THE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE FUND WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR AND EXTENDS THE TERMINATION DATE TO DECEMBER 31, 2027. MR. CHAIRMAN, THAT THE BILL. >> Chair Hooper: ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE BILL? SENATOR BERMAN, QUESTIONS? >> Sen. Berman: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. SENATOR DICEGLIE, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FUND IF THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T PASS THIS BILL. >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE? >> Sen. DiCeglie: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. THESE FUNDS ARE UTILIZED FOR SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS, PRIMARILY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE. WE HAVE HAD A VERY ACTIVE SEVERAL YEARS WITH HURRICANES IN OUR STATE. THIS FUND HAS HELPED THE DIVISION RESPOND TO THOSE EMERGENCIES. PRIOR TO THIS THE GOVERNOR HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PULL DOWN DOLLARS THAT WERE OBVIOUSLY AT HIS DISCRETION. THE LEGISLATURE BACK IN 2022 CREATED THIS IS A LIMITATION ON THE GOVERNORS AUTHORITY WITH THE SPECIFIC FUNDS. CERTAINLY I DON'T THINK, IT'S MY OPINION THIS FUND HAS SERVED A VERY VALUABLE PURPOSE FOR THE DIVISION. I THINK IT IS GOOD PUBLIC POLICY FOR US TO EXTEND THIS TO DECEMBER 31, 2027. >> Chair Hooper: ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? >> Sen. Berman: FOLLOW-UP. >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Berman: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. IN THE EVENT IT DOESN'T COST, I THINK FEBRUARY 17 IT'S COMING UP RAPIDLY. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO EXISTING UNPAID INVOICES OR OTHER OBLIGATED FUNDS? >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE? >> Sen. DiCeglie: CURRENTLY THERE ARE $210 MILLION IN THE FUND RIGHT NOW. LET'S ASSUME $210 MILLION IS EXPENDED AND THERE ARE EXPENSES THAT ARE OUTSTANDING. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME AND GO BACK TO THE OLD METHOD PRIOR TO THE APPROVAL OF THE FUND BACK IN 2022. >> Sen. Berman: FOLLOW-UP. >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Berman: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. ARE THERE ANY OTHER FUNDS WE HAVE IN THE STATE THAT ALLOW EXPENDITURE FUNDS WITHOUT THE LEGISLATURES DIRECT APPROVAL OF THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURE? >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: I DON'T KNOW THAT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. I WOULD HAVE TO FOLLOW UP AND GET BACK WITH YOU WILL NOT. >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A FOLLOW-UP. >> Sen. Berman: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. IN YOUR VIEW, HOW LONG SHOULD AN EMERGENCY LAST? >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. DEPENDS ON THE EMERGENCY. >> Sen. Berman: FOLLOW-UP. >> Sen. Berman: IF SOMETHING HAS BEEN DECLARED AN EMERGENCY THREE YEARS AGO, ISN'T THAT A POLICY CHOICE WE SHOULD BE HAVING APPROPRIATIONS RESPONSIBILITY OVER? >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. THE GOVERNORS AUTHORITY TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. THE GOVERNOR HAS THE AUTHORIZATION TO EXTEND THAT EMERGENCY ANOTHER 60 DAYS THAT'S HIS OR HER PREROGATIVE AND AUTHORITY. AND AGAIN, EVERY EMERGENCY IS DIFFERENT. >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR POLSKY, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR QUESTION. >> Sen. Polsky: THANK YOU. I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THERE'S A LOT OF EMERGENCIES. ESPECIALLY WITH NATURAL DISASTERS PICK MY RECOLLECTION WHEN WE PASSED THE BILL AS THAT IS WHAT WAS GOING TO BE USED FOR. WHEN THE GOVERNOR DECLARES AND HE IS USED OVER $500 MILLION TOY THAT, WHAT IS OUR OVERSIGHT WAS SOMETHING LIKE THAT? WITH HOW YOU ARE SPENDING PART OF THE MONEY. SHOULDN'T WE HAVE OVERSIGHT INTO SOMETHING THAT IS KIND OF AND MADE UP EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO IMMIGRATION? >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. GIVE SENATOR POLSKY FOR THAT QUESTION. I THINK IT IS SAFE TO SAY I WOULD RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THE ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS EMERGENCY WHEN IT COMES TO IMMIGRATION. I THINK IT HAS BEEN CLEAR ACROSS THIS COUNTRY THAT WE HAVE HAD AN IMMIGRATION PROBLEM. WE HAVE OPEN BORDERS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS HAS CREATED A SIGNIFICANT CRISIS IN OUR STATE AND ACROSS OUR COUNTRY. THE GOVERNOR AND HIS DECISION TO EXTEND EMERGENCY ORDERS ON IMMIGRATION IS CONSISTENT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMPS VERY AGGRESSIVE EFFORT TO REIN IN THE ISSUE. IT IS JUST A DIFFERENCE OF A POLICY OPINION. I RESPECT YOUR OPINION OBVIOUSLY, BUT AGAIN, IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE SIMPLY GOING TO DISAGREE ON. >> Chair Hooper: FOLLOW-UP, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Polsky: LET'S SAY THE 500 MILLION SPENT IN THE SCENE FROM THE REPORT YESTERDAY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT PAID THE MONEY BACK. IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAYS ALL OF THAT MONEY OR SOME OF THAT MONEY BACK, DOES THAT MONEY GO BACK INTO THE FUND AND THEREFORE WE DON'T NEED TO APPROPRIATE MORE MONEY THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE FUND WILL BE 500 MILLION. IS IT MILLION? BUILDING? MILLION DOLLARS LARGER. >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. SO IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS HAS TAKEN PLACE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF THOSE FUNDS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. AND IF YOU LOOK AT WHETHER IT'S AN IMMIGRATION ISSUE FOR YOU LOOK AT WHETHER IT'S REIMBURSEMENT FOR HURRICANE, I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKES WAY TOO LONG TO PROVIDE THOSE REIMBURSEMENTS. AND THAT IS REGARDLESS OF WHO IS OCCUPYING THE WHITE HOUSE. SO I THINK THAT IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, WE HAVE DIRECTOR GUTHRIE WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT IN FURTHER DETAIL. IT IS CERTAINLY MY EXPECTATION THOSE FUNDS WOULD BE REIMBURSED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE QUESTION IS WHEN. I DON'T THINK IT'S GOOD PUBLIC POLICY FOR US TO NOT EXTEND THIS, ANTICIPATING REIMBURSEMENT THAT MIGHT TAKE WHO KNOWS HOW LONG. IN GOD FORBID WE HAVE ANOTHER NATURAL DISASTER OR ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT EMERGENCY THAT NEEDS AN AGGRESSIVE RESPONSE FROM THE DIVISION THAT WOULD REQUIRE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT WOULD COME OUT OF THIS FUND. I BELIEVE THAT'S WHY IT'S A GOOD DECISION TO EXTEND THE FUND TO DECEMBER 31, 2027. >> Chair Hooper: FOLLOW-UP, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Polsky: THANK YOU. HOW TO DEPICT THE DATA DECEMBER 27, 2027? >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: THIS IS A DELETE RECOMMENDED BY THE DIVISION. I THINK IT'S REASONABLE. GOES FURTHER OUT SO WE DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE GOING OUT. LET'S NOT FORGET THIS WILL TAKE CARE OF TO HURRICANE SEASONS IN 26 AND 27. SO AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS A REASONABLE EXTENSION. >> Chair Hooper: FOLLOW-UP. >> Sen. Polsky: SINCE WE ARE IN APPROPRIATIONS, THERE'S AN ASSUMPTION MONEY WILL BE APPROPRIATED. SO DISHABILLE IS JUST CONTINUING THE AVAILABILITY OF THIS FUND. NEEDS MONEY FOR US TO APPROPRIATE. IF WE KNOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AT SOME POINT IS GOING TO PUT A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY BACK INTO THIS FUND IN THE FORM OF REIMBURSEMENT, COULD WE APPROPRIATE MONEY CONTINGENT ON THAT MONEY COMING IN? IN OTHER WORDS, IF THE MONEY DOESN'T COME IN BY X DATE APRIL, MAY, WHATEVER MONEY WE DECIDE TO APPROPRIATE BACK TO THE FUND CAN GO IN. BUT IF THE MONEY DOES COME BACK IN, WE DON'T WANT IT TO BE DOUBLE PAID. IS THERE A WAY WE CAN MANAGE THAT SO A TON OF MONEY IS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WE ALSO DON'T NEED A TON OF MONEY COMING FROM THE STATE RESERVES TO KEEP THE FUND GOING. >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HAVE $210 MILLION IN THE FUND RIGHT NOW. JUST EVEN NUMBERS LET'S SAY THE 600 MOMENT APPROXIMATELY, GIVE OR TAKE, COMES INTO THE FUND AT THE REIMBURSEMENT AND THAT WE HAVE $800 MILLION IN THIS FUND. WE HAVE GONE GOING BACK TO 2022 THERE BEEN LEGISLATIVE TRANSFERS AND THE AMOUNT OF 500, SIX AND 50, 910, 500 MILLION, 850 MILLION. IT ALL IS DEPENDENT ON WHAT'S GOING ON IN RELATION TO THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE RESPONSE. SO IF WE HAVE $800 MILLION SITTING IN THE FUND AND THAT'S OBVIOUSLY GOING TO HELP US PREPARE FOR WHATEVER MIGHT COME IN THE 2026 TO 2027 HURRICANE SEASON. >> Sen. Polsky: OKAY. >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Polsky: LAST QUESTION BUT MAYBE THIS IS JUST SOMETHING TO CONSIDER FOR THE FUTURE. CONDITT WE FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH WE ARE GOING TO APPROPRIATE TO THIS FUND KNOWING THAT THE MONEY, MAYBE MORE MONEY IS COMING IN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. THAT WOULD BE A CONVERSATION I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE WITH THE DIRECTOR AND SEE EXACTLY HIS THOUGHT OF WHAT IS A COMFORTABLE AMOUNT, WHAT HE IS FORCING IT WITH THE BEST PRACTICES WOULD BE. >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR SMITH, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR QUESTION. >> Sen. Smith: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU SENATOR DICEGLIE FOR YOUR INDULGENCE ASKING OUR QUESTIONS. I WANT TO FOLLOW UP WITH SOMETHING SENATOR POLSKY ASKED ABOUT THE DATE OF THE SUNSET, THE NEW DATE FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND. I SEE THAT IT IS DECEMBER 31, 2027. ARE YOU SURE THE REASON THAT YOU DID PICK DECEMBER 21, 2027 IS A SUNSET DATE IS BECAUSE IT IS MY BIRTHDAY AND HE WANTED TO WISH ME HAPPY BIRTHDAY A COUPLE YEARS IN ADVANCE BECAUSE YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND. >> Chair Hooper: I'M PRETTY SURE THAT WAS NOT CONSIDERED BUT WE WILL WISH YOU A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. [LAUGHTER] >> Sen. Smith: THANK YOU CHAIR HOOPER. JUST TRYING TO LIGHTEN THE MOOD BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE VASTLY DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT HOW THIS EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND SHOULD BE SPENT. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER. MY FIRST QUESTION ABOUT THE POLICY IS I'M SURPRISED TO SEE THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO HOW THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND IS ALLOWED TO BE SPENT. NO ADDITIONAL GUARDRAILS, NO ADDITIONAL STRINGS ATTACHED. IS THE SENATE CONSIDERING ADDING ANY GUARDRAILS TO HOW THESE DOLLARS CAN BE SPENT? FOR EXAMPLE, PERHAPS RAINING AND THE FACT THAT CONTRACTS CAN BE ISSUED WITHOUT ANY COMPETITIVE BIDDING REQUIREMENTS AS IS CURRENTLY ALLOW DURING A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY? >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. I HAVE NOT HAD THOSE CONVERSATIONS. AS I THINK ABOUT YOUR QUESTION, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EMERGENCY RESPONSE. EMERGENCY RESPONSE IN GENERAL FOR THAT RESPONSE, IN MANY CASES, HAS TO BE DONE VERY QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY. IN MANY CASES WE ARE TALKING LIFE AND DEATH. WE ARE TALKING PROPERTY. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT COME ALONG WITH EMERGENCY. WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING THE FLEXIBILITY YOU LAID OUT, I DO THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE. >> Sen. Smith: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. I AGREE WITH THE AS IT RELATES TO STATES OF EMERGENCY THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH A NATURAL DISASTER. HURRICANE. PERHAPS SOMETHING THAT IS MORE EMINENT. I KNOW THE GOVERNOR UNDER HIS NEWLY FOUND EMERGENCY AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT ONLY SPENT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON WHAT I CONSIDERED TO BE A SLUSH FUND, BUT HE ALSO EXTENDED THE SO-CALLED IMMIGRATION STATE OF EMERGENCY OR EMERGENCY NEARLY 20 TIMES. IS THAT SOMETHING WE STILL CONSIDERED TO BE IN IMMINENT THREAT? SOMETHING THAT IS IMMEDIATE THAT HAS A SENSE OF URGENCY. IS THERE ANY OPPORTUNITY THERE TO MAYBE LIMIT HOW MANY TIMES THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IS EXTENDED SO IT'S REALLY RESERVED FOR SOMETHING THAT IS TRULY IMMINENT AND TIME SENSITIVE? >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. THAT IS NOT CONTEMPLATED IN THIS BILL. I WILL REITERATE THIS IS A POLICY DECISION I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH. >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Smith: THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. DO YOU BELIEVE GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES SPENT THE NUMBERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN SHARED THAT IN THIS EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND SINCE IT WAS CREATED, THE LEGISLATURE HAS APPROPRIATED 4.7 $7 BILLION, BILLION WITH A B WHICH IS QUITE UNPRECEDENTED. DO THINK THERE SHOULD BE MORE TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS FROM THE LEGISLATURE GIVEN WE DON'T HAVE TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW LINE ITEM EXPENSES UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN EXPENDED. FOR EXAMPLE, DO YOU THINK LAWMAKERS SHOULD TO BE ABLE TO MAKE UNANNOUNCED VISITS TO ANY OF THE VARIOUS FACILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED AND HAVE OPERATING DOLLARS THAT COME FROM THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND SO THAT WE CAN EXERCISE OUR OVERSIGHT AT THE READY. >> NUMBER ONE TALKING ABOUT TRANSPARENCY. IN MY BILL, OUR BILL, THE BILL THAT WENT THROUGH THIS BODY. SENATE BILL 180 REQUIRED THE REPORT FROM THE DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT JUST RELEASED THIS WEEK. WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD SNAPSHOT OF WHAT HAS OCCURRED IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WITHIN THE DIVISION. AS FAR AS TRANSPARENCY TO VISIT A FEDERALLY MANAGED IMMIGRATION DETENTION CENTER, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS AGAIN NOT CONTEMPLATED IN THIS BILL. I HAVE TO DO MORE RESEARCH TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT IS AUTHORIZED. >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION BUT I WANT TO CLARIFY THE SOUTH FLORIDA DETENTION CENTER, ALSO KNOWN AS ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ, HE MENTIONED IT WAS FEDERALLY MANAGED TO GET HIS OWN MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WITH WHICH IS A STATE AGENCY. I WAS JUST WANTING TO CLARIFY THAT FOR THE RECORD. GIVEN OUR INABILITY TO PERSONALLY VISIT SOME OF THE SITES THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOLLARS FOR OVERSIGHT, AT LEAST UNANNOUNCED AS WE ARE ABLE TO DO IN OUR STATE PRISONS ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND MUNICIPAL DETENTION CENTERS. DO YOU THINK GIVEN THE RECENT PRIORITIZATION BY THE CFO ON REVIEWING EXCESSIVE GOVERNMENT SPENDING, THE PHONE THAT'S GOING ON AROUND THE STATE. SHOULD WE PERHAPS BE ASKING THE CFO TO DOJ THE $5 MILLION THAT HAVE BEEN SPENT ON THIS EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND? >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN. I THINK ANY SENATOR, ANY MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE CAN CERTAINLY REQUEST THE CFO TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED. >> Chair Hooper: ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? ANYONE? GOOD MORNING, SIR. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. SENATOR HIS OWN. >> Sen. Pizzo: THE 4.77 BILLION DOLLARS THAT HAVE BEEN FUND TRANSFER, HOW MUCH HAVE WE GOTTEN REIMBURSED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR DICEGLIE. >> Sen. DiCeglie: I DON'T HAVE THAT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, SENATOR PIZZO. I DON'T SEE THAT IN THE STAFF ANALYSIS EITHER. >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Pizzo: AS DIRECTOR GUTHRIE FILLED OUT AN APPEARANCE CARD? >> Chair Hooper: I BELIEVE HE DID. AND CAN'T WITHDRAW HIS APPEARANCE CARD NOW. I'M JOKING. >> Sen. Pizzo: HAVE WE EVER NOT APPROVED? I WAS ON THE LDC FOR A CUP OF COFFEE. DO WE KNOW IF THAT OBESITY IS EVER NOT APPROVED FOR REQUEST FOR THIS FUND? >> Sen. DiCeglie: I AM NOT AWARE. >> Sen. Pizzo: OKAY. >> Chair Hooper: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I BELIEVE WE DO HAVE APPEARANCE CARDS. VICE CHAIR, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Vice Chair Rouson: THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR. CHAIRMAN. KAREN WOODALL SPEAKING AGAINST. FLORIDA CENTER FOR FISCAL AND ECONOMIC POLICY. >> Chair Hooper: GOOD MORNING. YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THERE WE GO. I LEARNED HOW TO WORK THE MICROPHONE. SORRY. I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO VOTE AGAINST THIS EXTENSION. AND THERE ARE MANY, MANY REASONS. I WANT TO BE CLEAR OUR CONCERNS IS NOT RELATED TO NATURAL DISASTERS, OVER WHICH YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OR AUTHORITY. ONLY HOW TO RESPOND TO IT. OUR CONCERN IS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE IMMIGRATION ISSUES. AND HAS ALREADY BEEN RAISED. CONCERN ABOUT OVERSIGHT, THE USE OF HALF A BILLION A CONSIDERATION BY DECISION CENTERS BY ICE. AND I HAVE SIX VERY SPECIFIC REASONS I'M ASKING YOU NOT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS. MARIE 44 YEARS OLD BORN IN HAITI DIED IN APRIL IN ICE DETENTION AT BROWARD CORRECTIONAL CENTER. [NAME] 75 YEARS OLD BORN IN CUBA DIED IN JUNE AT CHROME DETENTION CENTER IN MIAMI. [NAME], AND EXCUSE ME IF I'M BUTCHERING THESE NAMES FOR 29 YEARS OLD BORN IN HONDURAS DIED IN JANUARY AT CHROME DETENTION CENTER. THIS WOULD BE JANUARY OF LAST YEAR. JOHNNY, 49 YEARS OLD BORN IN CANADA DIED IN JUNE AT FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER IN MIAMI. [NAME] 67 YEARS OLD BORN IN JORDAN DIED IN OCTOBER AT CHROME DETENTION CENTER. MAXIMUM 44 BORN IN UKRAINE. DIED IN FEBRUARY AT CHROME. AND SADLY, THERE ARE PROBABLY MORE OF THESE BECAUSE THEY WERE GATHERED AS OF LAST YEAR. FLORIDA HAS HAD THE MOST DEATHS IN ICE DETENTION CENTERS IN ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY. WE ARE SIMPLY ASKING YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN OVERSIGHT HOW WE ARE ADDRESSING IMMIGRATION IN THIS STATE. I WOULD SUBMIT IMMIGRATION IS NOT AN EMERGENCY. THE EMERGENCY LIES IN THIS STATES RESPONSE. THANK YOU. >> Chair Hooper: THANK YOU. >> Vice Chair Rouson: [NAME] AND I CAN'T PRONOUNCE THE LAST NAME. SPEAKING AGAINST. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM THE SENIOR POLICY ASSOCIATE WITH THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER. WE URGE YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS BILL. IN AN IDEAL WORLD ADDRESS ON DEDICATED TO RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES IN FLORIDA SOMETHING WE WOULD SUPPORT AN ESTATE THAT FACES FREQUENT NATURAL DISASTERS FLEXIBILITY TO MEET PEOPLES NEEDS MATTER. BUT THAT'S NOT OF THE TRUST FUND HAS BEEN USED. IT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY REPURPOSED DISC OR NATIONAL POLITICAL POINTS AND DEMONIZE ENTIRE GROUPS OF PEOPLE UNDER THE BANNER OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE. IT HAS BEEN USED TO DETAIN HUMAN BEINGS IN THE PRESS OF LIVING CONDITIONS INCLUDING AT THE EVERGLADES DETENTION FACILITY WHICH AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTED SERIOUS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AT THE SITE. THAT IS A PROFOUND MISUSE OF WHAT THE FUND COULD BE. SINCE ITS CREATION IN 2022 THE LEGISLATURE TRANSFERRED 4.7 7 BILLION DOLLARS INTO THE FUND WHILE THE MAJORITY HAVE BEEN USED IN RESPONSE TO THE MAJOR HURRICANES FLORIDA HAS HAD OVER THE YEARS. IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IS ONE OF THE FUNDS LARGEST EXPENSES BEHIND ONLY HURRICANES IAN AND MILTON ACCORDING TO MIAMI HERALD. THE LEGISLATION THAT AIM TO NARROW THE SCOPE IN WHICH THE TRUST FUND CAN BE USED FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RELIEF THAT WOULD HELP FLORIDIANS AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS WE WOULD SUPPORT IT. HOWEVER, WE CANNOT CONDONE STUDENT OF A BLANK CHECK THAT DIVERSE FUNDING AWAY FROM FLORIDIANS DURING THE MOST VULNERABLE TIME OF NEED AND THAT INSTEAD, USED TO PAY FOR MORE FEDERAL DIRECTIVES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE BODY MUST FOCUS ON THE PROBLEMS EVERYDAY FLORIDIANS ARE FACING. EVERYTHING COSTS MORE RIGHT NOW. THAT INCLUDES THE PROGRAMS FLORIDIANS RELY ON TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE AND SEE A DOCTOR WHEN THEY NEED ONE. THE PROGRAM DOES NOT HELP WITH DOCTOR GIMMICKS THE PROBLEMS WORSE. FOR THOSE REASONS I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO. THANK YOU. >> Vice Chair Rouson: BARBARA WAIVES AGAINST. DENISE ROCK WAIVES SPEAKING AGAINST. LAURETTE PHILLIPSON WAIVES SPEAKING AGAINST. SUZANNE WAIVES AGAINST. KEVIN GUTHRIE WAIVES SPEAKING IN SUPPORT. >> Sen. Pizzo: IS ABOUT THE EXTENT OF THE APPEARANCE FORMS? >> Chair Hooper: I'M ASSUMING THERE WILL BE QUESTIONS FOR DIRECTOR GUTHRIE. LET'S FINISH -- WE WILL ASK HIM TO APPEAR. >> Vice Chair Rouson: [NAME] SPEAKING AGAINST. FLORIDA FOR ALL. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU AND THANK YOU KAREN FOR HUMANIZING THIS ISSUE. EVERYTHING I WROTE DOWN LOST IT IN MY HEAD AFTER SHE LISTED THOSE NAMES OUT. I'M HERE TODAY IN OPPOSITION OF THE EXTENSION AND THE APPROPRIATION. MOST OF YOU SAID IT FOR ME. VALLEY TRANSPARENCY, EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND OF COURSE ONE FLORIDIANS FACE REAL EMERGENCY AND NOT A MANUFACTURED ONE LIKE IMMIGRATION, WE WANT HELP FROM OUR GOVERNMENT. THIS SLUSH FUND HAS BEEN JUST THAT. THERE WERE NO BID EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS TRIGGERED BY EMERGENCY DECLARATION SO THEY SKIPPED ANY COMPETITIVE BIDDING AND WENT TO COMPANIES WHOSE CEOS PROVIDE A POLITICAL SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND ALLIED POLITICAL COMMITTEES. THIS IS ALSO THE THIRD LARGEST EXPENSE AFTER HURRICANES IAN AND MILTON. I THINK THAT IS SUCH A TRAGIC WASTE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS. WHEN WE DO FACE REAL EMERGENCIES LIKE HURRICANES AND PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING, THAT MONEY COULD BE BETTER SPENT. THESE WERE NOT POSTED PUBLICLY AS WELL. THE CONTRACTS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA LAW. THERE IS STILL SOME INFORMATION MISSING. SO THE TRANSPARENCY IS NOT EVEN THERE. -- MIGRANTS FROM THE BORDER TO DEMOCRATIC LED STATES. SOME HAVE CALLED THIS HUMAN TRAFFICKING. IS AN IMMIGRANT THIS IS PARTICULARLY DISTURBING TO ME. IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES ON THE MONEY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE REIMBURSED, WE RECEIVED NONE OF THAT. AND WE MIGHT NOT RECEIVE ANY OF THAT. EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN APPROVED THERE ARE STILL LAWSUITS ONGOING BECAUSE THE DETENTION CENTERS IN THE EVERGLADES WAS A RUSHED JOB. SO THIS FUND IS NO LONGER ABOUT HURRICANES OR EMERGENCIES. IS ABOUT PRESERVING UNCHECKED POWER. IT LOOKS LESS LIKE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND MORE LIKE CORPORATE WELFARE. WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD URGE YOU TO VOTE NO AND FIND ANOTHER WAY TO HELP FLORIDIANS WHEN WE ARE FACING REAL EMERGENCIES. >> Vice Chair Rouson: CARLA PETERSON SPEAKING AGAINST. AND THAT IS THE LAST APPEARANCE FORM. >> Chair Hooper: GOOD MORNING IN YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. GOOD MORNING IN YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND BEFORE ALL OF YOU AND TALK. I'M NOT GOING TO BE AS ORGANIZED. I'M NOT AS PRACTICED IN THIS KIND OF SPEAKING SO PATIENTS ON MAY. BUT IT'S COMING FROM MY HEART AS WELL AS MY INTELLECT. I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO VOTE NO. FIRST OF ALL, THIS IS A REMINDER. WE ALL KNOW IT BUT I WANT TO SAY IT AGAIN. UNLESS WE ARE INDIGENOUS, WE ARE ALL IMMIGRANTS ORIGINALLY. I'M LEARNING SOME THINGS HERE SO I AM HAPPY NOT ONLY TO SPEAK BUT THEY HEAR OTHER PEOPLE TALK. I KNEW OF THE DEATHS BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THE SPECIFIC NAMES. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW WE AS A TAXPAYER CAN LEARN ABOUT WHAT THE CAUSE OF DEATH ARE TO EACH OF THE PEOPLE WHO PASSED IN OUR DETENTION CENTERS. AS A FLORIDIAN IT PAINS ME SO MUCH TO KNOW THAT WE ARE SPENDING SO MUCH MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT SEEMS TO BE NOTHING AT ALL IN EMERGENCY. AS PEOPLE OF SAID BEFORE, HURRICANES. I'VE LIVED HERE FOR 12 YEARS. HURRICANES FEEL LIKE AN EMERGENCY. GETTING FOOD TO PEOPLE, THAT SEEMS VERY IMPORTANT. EDUCATION, THAT SEEMS VERY IMPORTANT. THE WORD OR FIT ABILITY, VERY IMPORTANT. I'M NOT A WEALTHY PERSON. I HAVE NOT EVER SEEN IN MY 12 YEARS HERE IN THE EMERGENCY PEKO WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU, IN THE OF YOU IN THIS BODY, DO YOU NOT THINK YOU'VE NEVER BENEFITED FROM IMMIGRANTS, WHETHER UNDOCUMENTED OR NOT. DO YOU NOT THINK WE ALREADY HAVE A PROCESS HERE BY WHICH PEOPLE COME HERE TO TRY TO REACH SOMETHING I WOULD SAY ALL OF YOU ALREADY HAVE. WHICH IS A GOOD SAFE LIFE. WHY IS THAT SO WRONG PEOPLE WANT TO COME HERE. THE AMERICAN DREAM. IT SEEMS IT IS REALLY FOLDING IN THIS STATE. IT'S DOING IT THE SAME IN OTHERS. BUT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY, THE FACT IT IS NOT TRANSPARENT, THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE DYING IN THIS SYSTEM, THE FACT SOME PEOPLE ARE BENEFITING FINANCIALLY BECAUSE OF THIS HURTS ME AS A TAXPAYER. I DO NOT WANT MY TAX PAYING MONEY EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT VERY BIG BECAUSE I DON'T MAKE THAT MUCH MONEY AND I'M NOW RETIRED. BUT I DON'T WANT IT TO GO FOR THIS. I WANT US TO BE A PROUD CITIZENRY WHO TAKES CARE OF OUR PEOPLE IN THIS STATE. SO I URGE YOU TO VOTE NO. I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT. >> Chair Hooper: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. DO YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL? >> Vice Chair Rouson: KAREN WOULD LIKE IT READ INTO THE RECORD THAT SHE WAIVES SPEAKING AGAINST AND SHE IS REPRESENTING EARTH JUSTICE. >> Chair Hooper: I AM NO MORE ADDITIONAL CARDS. DIRECTOR GUTHRIE? I ASSUME YOU EXPECTED TO HAVE QUESTIONS PRESENTED YOU TO YOU THIS MORNING? >> NOT AT ALL. >> Chair Hooper: WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS IN AN ORDERLY FASHION. THOSE WHO WISH TO QUESTION DIRECTOR GUTHRIE, LET ME KNOW WHO YOU ARE. I KNOW SENATOR PIZZO PROBABLY WANTS TO GO LAST? SENATOR SMITH, SENATOR POLSKY? SENATORS, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A QUESTION. >> Sen. Smith: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN THANK YOU DIRECTOR GUTHRIE FOR YOUR SERVICE FOR THE LAST TIME WE HAD AN EXCHANGE WAS IN A PREVIOUS COMMITTEE WHERE YOU CONFIRM FOR THE SENATORS ON THE COMMITTEE THAT SINCE IT WAS OPEN THUS OFFLOADED DETENTION CENTER KNOWN AS ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ HAS DETAINED APPROXIMATELY 14,000 DETAINEES PICKETED ASK YOU THAT WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO RESEARCH THAT. I WANT TO CONFIRM FIRST THAT IS ACCURATE STILL. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HEAR ME. I'M HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF A HEARING PROBLEM MYSELF. >> Sen. Smith: I CAN HEAR YOU DIRECTOR GUTHRIE. THANK YOU. >> COMING TO THIS MEETING THIS MORNING I DID NOT GET THE ACUMEN LIVE NUMBER, BUT SINCE THE MEETING WE HAD GIVE OR TAKE 10 DAYS AGO, WE ARE STILL IN THE 14 TO 15,000 NUMBER. SOMEWHERE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. >> Sen. Smith: PERMISSION FOR A FOLLOW-UP? >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Smith: THANK YOU. I BELIEVE THERE BEEN 20,000 DETAINEES SO I ASSUME THE BALANCE HAS BEEN AT BAKER. YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. HOWEVER, WHAT CONVERSATIONS IS THE STATE A PART OF OR IS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT A PART OF OPEN NEW DETENTION FACILITIES IN THE STATE WHETHER THEY BE OPERATED BY DEM OR BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND CAN YOU PROVIDE THE GEOGRAPHIC AREAS AVOID THE DETENTION CENTERS MAY BE? AND, AND I AM SORRY IT'S ALL RELATED. AND YOU ALSO CONFIRM OR DENY THAT YOU ARE IN CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE DETENTION CENTER IN MY SENATE DISTRICT 17 IN SOUTH EAST ORLANDO LAKE WINONA? >> Chair Hooper: DIRECTOR GUTHRIE? >> GIVE ME ONE SECOND. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET BOTH THOSE QUESTIONS. PERMISSION TO GO BACK AND FORTH FOR JUST A SECOND TO MAKE SURE I GET THE QUESTION RIGHT? >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> YOU SAID LAKE NONA. >> Sen. Smith: ORLANDO LAKE NONA, WHAT CONVERSATIONS ARE YOU IN FOR WHERE. >> I'M GLAD YOU ARE ASKING CLARIFYING QUESTIONS BECAUSE THIS IS NOT SIMPLE. IT'S COMPLICATED AND COMPLEX. TO DATE THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN TASKED TO DO TWO FACILITIES. A FACILITY KNOWN AS OFFLOADED DETENTION FACILITY IN NORTH FLORIDA DIVISION FACILITY. RIGHT AT BAKER COUNTY COLUMBIA COUNTY LOT. WE IDENTIFIED NUMEROUS OTHER LOCATIONS TO GO TO DEBTOR FACILITIES OWNED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA. FOR EXAMPLE, WE LOOKED AT LAFAYETTE COUNTY, LOOKED AT MAYO COUNTY, WE LOOKED AT DESOTO COUNTY, WE LOOKED AT I BELIEVE IT IS TECHNICALLY HENRY COUNTY. EVERY PLACE WE LOOKED AT GULF COUNTY IS A STATE OWNED FACILITY ON STATE OWNED PROPERTY. TO ANSWER A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR FIRST AND SECOND QUESTION, THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT ON THE GSA WEBSITE AS A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS NATIONWIDE TARGETING SPECIFIC LOCATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY NOT UNJUST THE STATE OF FLORIDA BUT THE COUNTRY. I KNOW AND THE SCOPE OF WORK THEY WERE LOOKING AT GROVELAND, THEY WERE LOOKING AT THE GREATER ORLANDO AREA. THOSE ARE GSA ICE CDP, DHS MOTHERSHIP LED CONTRACTS. >> Sen. Smith: YOU MEAN NOT MANAGED BY DEM? >> NOT MANAGED BY DEM. NOT MANAGED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA AT ALL. IF I COULD DO A LITTLE BIT OF FOLLOW-UP? MAYBE PERHAPS ANOTHER QUESTION IS THIS TERM INTERGOVERNMENTAL SERVICES AGREEMENT. WE HAVE NUMEROUS SHERIFFS OFFICES THAT ARE AROUND THE STATE AND HAVE BEEN FOR IN SOME CASES OVER A DECADE. A DETENTION FACILITY, A HOLDING FACILITY FOR ICE AND CDP. FOR EXAMPLE, BAKER COUNTY. THE BAKER COUNTY STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY BUT THE BAKER COUNTY JAIL, THE WALTON COUNTY JAIL HAS BEEN SPACE WHERE ICE AND CDP CAN TAKE DETAINEES TO WHEN THOSE FACILITIES WILL HOLD THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT IS REFERRED TO AS INTERGOVERNMENTAL SERVICES AGREEMENT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE SHERIFF AND ICE AS APPROPRIATE. >> Sen. Smith: PERMISSION FOR FOLLOW-UP. >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Smith: THANK YOU DIRECTOR GUTHRIE. THAT'S VERY HELPFUL. TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS COMING AS WE DECIDE TO VOTE ON WHETHER WEEK SPENT EXTEND EMERGENCY FUND THAT FUND SOME OF THESE OPERATIONS. THE NEXT QUESTION IS RELATED TO THE USE OF THE STATE GUARD UNDER THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND COORDINATION WITH DEM. PERHAPS TO NOVICES WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY EFFORT OR IS DEM A PART OF ANY CONVERSATIONS RIGHT NOW TO USE THE STATE GUARD SPECIFICALLY THROUGH THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOLLARS TO HELP ICE WITH ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT EITHER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA OR ANYWHERE IN THE STATE? >> SO I THINK CONTEXT IS ALWAYS A GOOD. I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO JANUARY 11 OF 2023. JANUARY 23 AS A PART OF. [NAME] AND I WILL TAKE PRIVILEGE IF YOU WILL GIVE ME A LITTLE LATITUDE. OPERATION VIGILANT CENTURY IS NOT SOUTHERN DETENTION FACILITY, NOR IS THE NORTH DETENTION FACILITY. THEY ARE TWO SEPARATE ENTITIES. OR TWO SEPARATE THINGS. SO OPERATION VIGILANT CENTURY WOULD RESTART OF AUGUST 2022 WHEN THE US COAST GUARD DISTRICT 7, ALONG WITH THE CHIEF OF THE BORDER PATROL IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, MADE THE DECISION TO GO TO SOMETHING CALLED OPERATION VIGILANT CENTURY LEVEL I BRAVO. WHEN WE WENT TO LEVEL I BRAVO, THAT REQUIRES THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO DO CERTAIN THINGS WITH ITS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT HEALTH IN THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. ON A DOCUMENT THAT DATES BACK TO CRAIG FEW GATE IS THE LEAD AGENCY FOR MASS MIGRATION INTO THE UNITED STATES. MORE SPECIFICALLY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA COMING FROM THE CARIBBEAN. AUGUST 21, 2022 DISTRICT 7, THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN CHARGE OF THAT MADE DECISION TO GO TO LEVEL I BRAVO UNDER THE BIKE DEMONSTRATION BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COMING INTO -- MANY OF YOU IN SOUTH FLORIDA HAD INDIVIDUALS COMING IN BOATS, SHIPS, RAFTS, HOWEVER THEY COULD GET HERE THEY WERE COMING. THAT WAS THE DECISION MADE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. ON JANUARY 11, 2023 WE WERE ASKED BY US COAST GUARD DISTRICT 7, SPECIFICALLY THE AIR BOSS AT THAT TIME, TO START FLYING OUR AIRCRAFT IN SUPPORT OUT TO I BELIEVE ABOUT 25 NAUTICAL MILES OFFSHORE. SO THEY COULD GO DEEPER IN THE FLORIDA STRAITS, FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT THAT IS THE AREA COMING FROM THE AREAS LIKE HAITI IN THE SOUTHEAST CARIBBEAN. AT THE TIME WE CHOSE TO DO THAT WITH FLORIDA FISH AND ONE LIFE COMMISSION, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL BECAUSE WE HAD AIRCRAFT TO DO THAT SO WE WERE DOING THOSE THINGS. AT THE SAME TIME THIS LEGISLATURE, LET ME REPHRASE. .LEGISLATURE AT THE TIME HAD SIGNED OFF ON THE FLORIDA STATE GUARD PURCHASING AIRCRAFT. SO THEY NOW HAVE THAT CAPABILITY. FLORIDA STATE GUARD ARE VOLUNTARY MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE IN THE FLORIDA STATE GUARD AT A MUCH LOWER PRICE POINT THAN FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL PILOTS, FISH AND WILDLIFE PILOTS, FLORIDA PILOTS. WE MADE A BENEFIT COST ANALYSIS. WE ASKED FLORIDA STATE GUARD WHAT THEY COULD DO TO HELP OUT WITH THAT MISSION AND IF WE COULD GET A LOWER PRICE POINT UTILIZING THEM VERSUS UTILIZING THE THREE, WHEN I SAY PROFESSIONAL, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE EMPLOYEES OF OUR STATE AGENCIES AND COULD WE DO THAT FOR CHEAPER. THE ANSWER WAS YES, WE COULD DO IT FOR CHEAPER. THE STATE GUARD AVIATION UNIT SAID WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO THAT. AND THEY DO FLY MISSIONS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS IN THE SOUTHERN PENINSULA AND ACROSS THE FLORIDA'S STREET. >> Sen. Smith: I'M GETTING NEAR THE END. PERMISSION FOR A FOLLOW-UP? THANK YOU DIRECTOR GUTHRIE. THANK YOU FOR CONFIRMING IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE IN SERIOUS CONVERSATIONS WITH THE STATE GUARD TO ASSIST WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT WHERE WITHOUT BEGIN? WHERE IS THAT HAPPENING IN THE STATE? ANY DETAILS YOU CAN PROVIDE AROUND THAT? >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> SPECIFICALLY THE AIR SUPPORT MISSION HAS PROBABLY BEEN ONGOING. WE WILL GET YOU AN EXACT DATE, BUT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD I'M GOING TO SAY 3 TO 6 MONTHS. IT WAS A 2025 ISSUE WHERE THEY STARTED PULLING AND. NOT GROUND SUPPORT. ON THE GROUND SUPPORT ISSUE, NOT FOR THE FLORIDA STATE GUARD HAS MINIMUM AND AT EITHER FACILITY PROVIDING PERIMETER SECURITY SUPPORT. I KNOW THE FLORIDA NATIONAL GUARD DOES. I CAN GET BACK TO ADD THE FLORIDA STATE GUARD SPECIFICALLY IS AT OUR FIXED LOCATIONS. WHAT I COULD TELL YOU IS PART OF OPERATION VIGILANT CENTURY. THEY ARE OUT THERE SUPPORTING VIGILANT CENTURY PRETTY MUCH EVERY DAY. >> Sen. Smith: THANK YOU. ENOUGH FINALLY WITH YOUR PERMISSION MR. CHAIR, SO I HAD ASKED SENATOR DICEGLIE ABOUT THIS EARLIER. YOU ARE IN A UNIQUE POSITION BECAUSE IT'S NOT OFTEN WE SEE STATE DIVISIONS OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RUNNING DETENTION FACILITIES. I DON'T THINK THAT IS WHAT WAS IMAGINED WHEN YOUR AGENCY WAS CREATED. THE QUESTION I HAVE IS WE HAVE OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY OVER MANY FACILITIES AND ALL THE FACILITIES. OF YOU KNOW I AM THE VICE CHAIR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE BUT BECAUSE I SEE THE TITLE BUT ALL OF US AS SENATORS AND HOUSE MEMBERS OF THE STATUTORY AUTHORITY TO MAKE UNANNOUNCED VISITS TO OUR STATE DETENTION FACILITIES IN OUR MUNICIPAL DETENTION FACILITIES. YOU WERE GRACIOUS LAST SUMMER WHEN YOU OPENED OUR DOORS FOR LEGISLATED TO HER FOR ALL OF US, MYSELF INCLUDED IN THOSE HERE ON THE COMMITTEE WERE PRESENT FOR THAT TO HER. WE WERE GRATEFUL FOR THAT TO BE ABLE TO SEE IT, BUT ARE YOU ABLE TO COMMIT TO US TODAY YOUR ABILITY TO ALLOW AN ACCOMMODATION FOR UNANNOUNCED VISITS WHILE ALSO APPRECIATING AND ACKNOWLEDGING WHY UNANNOUNCED VISITS ARE IMPORTANT FOR OVERSIGHT. I DO THEM ALL THE TIME NO STATE PRISONS AND FOLKS WELCOMING WITH OPEN ARMS WE ASK AUTHENTIC QUESTIONS. WE WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S HAPPENING SO WE CAN BETTER, WE CAN BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO KNOW HOW OUR DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT. CAN YOU SUBMIT TO US TODAY ALLOWING FOR SENATORS AND LAWMAKERS TO MAKE UNANNOUNCED VISITS AS WE ARE ABLE TO DO CURRENTLY AT OUR STATE DETENTION FACILITIES. >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> CONGRESSMAN, SORRY. I JUST PROMOTED YOU. >> Sen. Smith: TO BE DETERMINED, CHAIR HOOPER SAYS. >> I WILL SAY THE SHORT ANSWER IS ALWAYS WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET YOU ACCESS AS WE ARE ALLOWED TO. AS A PART OF THE, I DON'T WANT TO SAY THE AGREEMENT BUT FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM IS AN AGREEMENT, IT'S A CONTRACT WITH ICE AND CDP. THERE ARE RULES THEY SAY WE HAVE TO FOLLOW. WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THEIR RULES. YOU HEARD ME SAY THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES. WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT STANDARDS WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE. THAT IS THE STATE STANDARD IN THE FEDERAL STANDARD WHICH IS PART OF OUR REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS. IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS I HAD WITH THAT OLD OFFICE DIRECTOR WITH THE BELT WAY THESE THEY NEED THE SET OF RULES, WHICH IS ADVANCE NOTICE, ALL THESE THINGS. I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO GO DOWN THERE ALONGSIDE ALL OF YOU AS LONG AS WE COMPLY WITH RULES AND REGULATIONS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS APPLYING TO DO. BY THE STATE UNDERNEATH STATE RULES AND REGULATIONS. ANYTIME YOU GET A GRANT ARE GOING TO BE LITTLE THINGS YOU HAVE TO COMPLY WITH BUT THOSE ARE THE THINGS I'M DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW. ON MORE THAN HAPPY, AS I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN, BUT THE MINORITY PARTY AS WELL AS THE MAJORITY PARTY. WE WILL WALK YOU THROUGH. WE WILL TAKE YOU AROUND OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE THIS MORNING. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY MAJOR INJURY OR FATALITY AND ANYBODY IN OUR CURRENT CONTROL TO DATE. THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED. I WILL FINISH UP THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION BY SAYING THIS. WHEN IT'S RAINING, IT'S STORMING, IT'S FLOODING, THE STATE IS ON FIRE. THE MINIMUM AND THAT THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DELIVER AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN THE COUNTRY, IF NOT THE WORLD. YOU NEVER HEARD OF AN INDIVIDUAL DYING IN THE SHELTER. YOU NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE AFFECTED BY DISASTER GO HUNGRY, YOU NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE IN A DISASTER IN NEED OF WATER. EVEN RECENTLY AS LAST NIGHT WE HAVE A COUNTY REACHING OUT TO US ABOUT BATHROOM TRAILERS. WE ARE GOING TO HELP THEM. WE ARE GOING TO GIVE PEOPLE THE DIGNITY THEY NEED TO HAVE THE LIFE THAT THEY NEED. THE BEST DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE AND I AM THE LEADER OF THAT TODAY IS MY PAST PERFORMANCE. I THINK ALL YOU BECAUSE I INTERSECTED WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU AROUND THIS DAIS. DELIVERED AT A HIGH LEVEL AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE AT A HIGH LEVEL BECAUSE NO ONE. AS I STAND HERE TODAY, AND FAMILY MEMBERS PICK MY SISTER IN LAW, NIECES ARE HERE ON VISAS. ARE DOING THE RIGHT WAY. THEY ARE DOING IT LEGALLY AND THIS IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO ME THAN SOME PEOPLE MAY IMAGINE. AGAIN, GOING TO GIVE EVERYBODY THE DIGNITY THEY HAVE IN ANYTIME YOU WANT TO GO DOWN THERE WE WILL DO REQUIREMENTS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AND GO IN THERE. >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR POLSKY? >> Sen. Polsky: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND ANSWERING OUR QUESTIONS. YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN APPROACHABLE. WE APPRECIATE THAT. WE KNOW YOU ARE NOT THE CREATOR OF THIS POLICY. OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT POLICY, BUT I WILL TRY TO STICK TO THE FINANCIAL ANGLE ON THIS. IS IT CORRECT THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT HAS BEEN SPENT FROM THIS ON IMMIGRATION EXPENSES IS $573 MILLION? >> THAT WAS A FIGURE PUT INTO AN ARTICLE. ASSUME THAT CAME FROM US. HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THE ACTUAL RUNNING TOTAL AMOUNT. THE ONLY NUMBER I DISPUTE IS A $450 MILLION. I THINK IT'S IMPLIED THAT CAME FROM THE DIVISION. THAT DID NOT COME FROM US. >> Sen. Polsky: FOLLOW-UP. >> Chair Hooper: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Polsky: YOU TALKED ABOUT PATROLLING THE SHORES OF FLORIDA AND CONTROLLING IMMIGRATION TO FLORIDA ITSELF. BUT THE NUMBER ALSO INCLUDES HAVING OUR, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS NATIONAL GUARD OR STATE GUARD THAT WENT TO TEXAS PAYING FOR THAT TO HELP PATROL THE BORDER IN TEXAS. >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> Sen. Polsky: MY LAST QUESTION IS, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE GOVERNOR OR YOUR DEPARTMENT THAT HAS BEEN SUED OVER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OR OTHER THINGS RELATED TO THE SOUTHERN DETENTION FACILITY. IS DEFENDING THE LAWSUITS, IS THAT PAID FOR OUT OF THE EMERGENCY FUND. >> THE LEGISLATURE GIVES US FUNDING FOR LAWSUITS FOR PENDING LITIGATION. THAT SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO GET BACK BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF WE BRING THROUGH THAT MONEY AND PERHAPS THEY ARE DOING THAT. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOU GLOSSED OVER ANSWER BUT THAT SOMETHING WE NEED TO DIG INTO. IF WE ASKED FOR A BUDGET AMENDMENT. I CAN'T GIVE YOU A DEFINITIVE YES OR NO. >> Chair Hooper: SENATOR BERMAN, YOU HAD A QUESTION FOLLOWED BY SENATOR MASSULLO. >> Sen. Berman: THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN AND THANK YOU DIRECTOR BEING WITH US HERE AND ANSWERING OUR QUESTIONS. I DO WANT TO DIVE A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE ARE THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE INTO THE ISSUES WITH THE MONEY. I THINK EVEN NOW THAT WE HAVE THIS FUND, THE GOVERNOR CAN AUTHORIZE FUNDS APPROPRIATE TO STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES FOR DISASTER RELIEF IN RESPONSE. AND THEN IF THE DEMAND IS GREATER THE GOVERNOR CAN GO TO THIS FUND. HOW DO YOU DETERMINE, AND UNDERSTAND WE ALL ARE IN AGREEMENT ON NATURAL DISASTERS ARE CERTAINLY EMERGENCIES. I NOTICED IN YOUR REPORT WE JUST RECEIVED THAT THERE WERE OTHER THINGS LIKE PROVIDING SERVICES FOR NO KINGS DAYS, PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THE SOCCER, HUMANITARIAN AID TO ISRAEL. HOW IS IT DETERMINED THOSE THINGS FALL WITHIN THE FUND AND NOT WITHIN YOUR NORMAL PURVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN THE MONEY WE ARE GIVING TO YOUR AGENCY IS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT? AND THE MONEY WE ARE GIVING YOUR AGENCY -- >> Chair Hooper: TAKE YOUR TIME. >> I HAD THE FEELING THIS CAME UP SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE ACTUAL NUMBERS. I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED FROM. SUMMER COMING FROM A SINGLE ARTICLE THAT PARTICULAR ARTICLE SO WE SPENT 5.8 MILLION FROM THE APR FOR SIX HURRICANES IT IS ACTUALLY EIGHT. THERE ARE TWO MORE IN THEIR HURRICANE IAN, NICOLE, IDALIA, MILTON, DEBBIE, BROWARD NUMBER ONE END TALLAHASSEE TORNADOES. 120 MILLION OF THOSE HAVE BEEN SPENT ON TWO DOZEN OTHER NON-FEDERALLY DECLARED SITUATIONS. MENTIONED ISRAEL TWO TIMES AS A PART OF ISRAEL. ALSO PROVIDED JEWISH DAY SCHOOL AND FACILITY SECURITY THROUGH FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL, THEIR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT INDIVIDUALS. AMERICANS WERE RESCUED FLORIDIANS FROM HAITI IN A VERY TUMULTUOUS TIME. WE DID THE NORTHWEST FLORIDA TORNADOES THAT HIT AROUND WASHINGTON COUNTY. WE DID LIKE IN BREVARD FLOODING. WE DID JAMAICA WE RESCUED 26 INDIVIDUALS IS A PART OF HURRICANE MELISSA. WE DID OUR FLOODING NUMBER TWO WHICH DID NOT GET A FEDERAL DECLARATION. WE DID LAST YEARS WINTER STORM. WE DID CIVIL UNREST. WE WERE CURRENTLY SUPPORTING FIFA. WAS ARE ALL THINGS PART OF THE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PREPARING FIFA CUP, WORLD CUP. ON THE RESPONSE TRUST FUND. I WOULD LOVE TO COME BACK AT SOME POINT IN TIME AND ACTUALLY WALK THROUGH HOW DOES THE FEDERAL DECLARATION WORK ARE GOING TO BE GET MONEY, WHEN DID WE NOT GET MONEY BUT I'M GOING TO DO, I'M GOING TO TRYING TO DO THIS QUICKLY. OUR MINIMUM THRESHOLD TO REQUEST FUNDING BACK FOR A FEDERAL DECLARATION IS $40 MILLION. WE WOULD HAVE TO SPEND AT LEAST $40 MILLION ON A DISASTER TO BROACH THE DOOR TO ASK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR REIMBURSEMENT. EVERYTHING UNDER GOD IS ON STATE AND LOCALS. I'M ON THE FEMA REVIEW COUNCIL. THE PRESIDENT ASKED THE STATES AND COUNTIES TO DO MORE. SOME WOULD ARGUE AGAINST ME THAT $40 MILLION IS BEING OUR THRESHOLD IS A MINIMUM WALK IN THE DOOR AND ASK FOR A FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION AND 75 PERCENT FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT IS PROBABLY ALREADY OFFICIALLY LOW. IN ONE THAT ARE PUBLIC MEETINGS, THE OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR SAID HIS THRESHOLD AND BY EXTENSION ALL OUR THRESHOLD WOULD BE FOUR OR FIVE TIMES WHAT THEY ARE. I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW THAT I AGREE WITH THE COMPLETE STATEMENT, BUT YOU HAVE AN INTERIOR STATE SAYING IT SHOULD TO BE HIGHER. I THINK WE CAN AGREE $40 MILLION FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS PROBABLY A LOW THRESHOLD ASKED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGARDLESS OF WHO IS SITTING IN THE WHITE HOUSE FOR REIMBURSEMENT. AND SO TO THAT END, WHEN WE MEET THAT $40 MILLION THRESHOLD WE CAN MAKE A REQUEST. I LISTED HERE. AND OF COURSE THERE HAS TO BE OTHER QUALIFICATIONS LIKE IT WAS A WEATHER PHENOMENON, IT WAS A MAN-MADE EVENT. THERE ARE THREE BUCKETS OF DISASTERS WE TALKED ABOUT. WE TALKED ABOUT NATURAL DISASTERS, THERE ARE MAN-MADE DISASTERS AND HOUSES ON TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS. YOUR CYBER, NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT ALL FALL UNDER NEATH MYSELF AS WELL. THOSE ARE THINGS WE ARE RESPONDING TO. OF THE BUILDINGS DOLLARS WE TALKED ABOUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS. OF THE 573, WHICH HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE OPERATION VIGILANT CENTURY. BY THE PLAN THAT HAS BEEN HERE FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS THE LEAD AGENCY FOR MASS MIGRATION ALONG WITH OUR COHORT, OUR COUNTERPARTS AT FDLE AND FHP AND FWC AND SO ON. IT DOES INCLUDE THE RESPONSE THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR 3.5 YEARS ON THAT. I KNOW THAT WAS LONG. MANY OF BEEN ASKING ME WITH DETAILS, TELL ME WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION ON THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH. IT IS EIGHT HURRICANES, IT IS TWO DOZEN THINGS WE HAVE DONE OVER THE LAST SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THIS BILL THAT ALLOWED US TO RESPOND TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO INCLUDE ONE VERY CLOSE TO WHERE WE ARE STANDING NOW TO HELP THEM THROUGH A TIME THEY ARE HAVING. ONE MORE THING IF YOU DON'T MIND. MAYBE THIS COMES UP MAYBE IT DOESN'T. BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT. THE QUESTION WAS ASKED BY EITHER SENATOR POLSKY OR YOURSELF TO SENATOR DICEGLIE. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T REAUTHORIZE THIS BILL. IF YOU DON'T REAUTHORIZE THE BILL WE GO BACK TO THE WAY IT WAS. THIS GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE AFTER COVID MADE CONSCIENTIOUS DECISIONS. MET IN THE MIDDLE, NEGOTIATED, AND GOT TO THE POINT WHERE LEGISLATURE NEEDED TO HAVE MORE OVERSIGHT. BEFORE THAT HAPPENED THE GOVERNOR COULD SPEND AT THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. I HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION. I TOOK THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH HURRICANE MICHAEL. WE WERE ALLOWED TO DEFICIT SPEND. TO YOUR POINT, WE CAN GO IN AND GO. THIS BILL AS IT IS NOW REQUIRES US WHEN WE SPEND THE MONEY YOU GIVE US WE HAVE TO COME BACK BEFORE A FORMAL L BC. WE HAVE TO ARTICULATE WHAT IT IS WE NEED. SENATOR DICEGLIE READ INTO THE RECORD EVERY TIME WE HAVE DONE THAT. GRANTED MOST OF THAT WAS FOR HURRICANES, TORNADOES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. BUT I WOULD ARGUE TO RE-AUTHOR THE BILL GIVES THE LEGISLATURE AT LEAST SOME OVERSIGHT THAT IF IT EXPIRES FEBRUARY 16 AT MIDNIGHT, THAT IS GONE. >> Sen. Berman: THAT WAS REALLY HELPFUL. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT. BUT I DO STILL DON'T TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HOW SOMETHING GETS INTO THIS FUND, THE TRUST FUND VERSUS COME OUT OF YOUR BUDGET. SO WHY IS NO KINGS DAY IN THE TRUST FUND AND NONPARTY REGULAR BUDGET. COULD YOU EXPLAIN THAT? >> CIVIL UNREST, CIVIL PROTESTS NOT JUST A SINGLE ONE BECAUSE WE HAD THE LOT OF THEM. OVER THE COURSE OF MY TENURE HERE AND I AM GOING INTO MY EIGHTH YEAR. THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE HAS GIVEN US $500,000 IN A LINE ITEM SAYS NON-DECLARED DISASTERS. WE SPENT $500,000 RESPONDING TO THE LATE COUNTY IN BREVARD COUNTY FLOODING EVENT IN A MATTER OF A WEEK. WHEN IT'S A LOW NUMBER WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THE DOLLARS. I DON'T WANT TO MISTAKE WHAT WE DO. WE'VE HAD TWO DOZEN NON-DECLARED DISASTERS. WE GO THERE THAT MONEY QUICKLY. BY TITLED IT'S EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE FUND. THE ONLY REQUIREMENT FOR US TO GO AND DO AND UTILIZE THE FUND. I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT IT IS NOT A PART OF THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE ACCOUNT. THIS IS IN THE DEVIL WILL THE DETAILS ON PROVISO LANGUAGE ON THE ACTUAL APPROPRIATION. IT ALLOWS US TO HELP BREVARD COUNTY. IT HELPS US HOPE LATE COUNTY WITH THEIR FLOODING. IT ALLOWS US TO GO DOWN AND SPEND A WEEK OR SO RESPONDING TO HIS FLOODING IN HIS AREA. THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT ALLOWS US TO DO. AND AGAIN, WE GET A ROUND OF 500,000 PREPARATION FOR NON-DECLARED INVESTMENT DISASTERS. ON THE GO INTO THE FUNDS WE HAD TO DO A STATE OF EMERGENCY BUT IT DOES OPEN UP THE FUND. I HOPE THAT CLARIFIES IT. >> Chair Hooper: ALL GOOD? SENATOR MASSULLO, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >> Sen. Massullo: I WANT TO COMPLEMENT YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT FOR THE HARD WORK YOU DO ON THE EMERGENCIES IN THE STATE. YOU'VE DONE A STELLAR JOB. WE CAN DEBATE AND ARGUE DIFFERENT POINTS OF POLICY AND CONTENTION, BUT OVERALL YOUR DEPARTMENT DOES A WONDERFUL JOB. FLORIDA STATUTES 252.34 FOREIGN FIND TO FIND AN EMERGENCY. IN EMERGENCY REGARDING WHAT YOUR WORK DOES. WHETHER IT MAGICAL TECH, TECHNOLOGICAL OR MAN-MADE IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR HARM TO THE POPULATION A SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE. AND WHILE THERE ARE MANY THAT MANY OF THE ROOM WOULD AGREE ON, WHO IN OUR GOVERNMENT HAS THE PURVIEW DOESN'T DECIDE WHAT EXACTLY AN EMERGENCY IS. >> AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT'S THE GOVERNOR. IT IS 252. IT'S 35 AND 36. IT CLEARLY DEFINES THE EXECUTIVE POWERS OF THE GOVERNOR, THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THERE IS A SITUATION, IT'S IN THE MAN-MADE SILO. I WILL SAY HI LEVEL. GET INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT TYPE SENSITIVE ISSUES HERE, BUT IF THERE IS SOMETHING SURROUNDING THE CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT. LET'S SAY, I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. POST 9/11 GOVERNOR BUSH. IN 2011 WAS PHYSICALLY MOVED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION AT THE DIRECTION OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AT THE TIME. THEY WERE EFFECTUATING THE CONTINUITY OF THE GOVERNMENT. SO THERE ARE TIMES THAT I AM THE SOLE DISCRETIONARY PROVIDER. VERY FEW TIMES, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAT MAKES THE DETERMINATION OF WHAT EMERGENCY IS WHAT EMERGENCY IS NOT. >> THIS IS MOSTLY ANSWERED I WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO ELABORATE OR ILLUSTRATE THE POINT OF GOING BACK. SOME OF IT IS DATING ME WHEN WE HAD THE LEGISLATION ORIGINALLY. SOME OF THE HISTORY STARTED OFF WITH THE BUILD AND ALL THE TRUST FUND. SENATOR PIZZO HAD INSIGHT TO THIS. WE BROUGHT IT DOWN TO 500 MILLION. IT WAS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED WITH THE UNDERSTANDING. IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYONE IN OFFICE. IT WAS JUST A DIRECTION OF NO MATTER WHO IS THERE WE ARE WITH EMERGENCIES WE ARE GOING TO PUT BELT AND SUSPENDERS AROUND HOW WE DO BUSINESS IN FLORIDA. I BELIEVE WE WALKED INTO UNDERSTANDING THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE THAT THIS IS A GOOD CHECKSUM BALANCE AS OPPOSED TO HOW WE DO THINGS PRIOR TO THE LEGISLATION PASSING. SO THE REAUTHORIZATION IS TO CONTINUE WITH THE PRACTICE. I WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DISCUSS THE DIFFERENCE BEFORE WE HAD THIS MAY BE SINCE WE HAVE HOT IT. HOW IT'S WORKING AND I THANK YOU DID WITH LEADER BERMAN WAS QUESTIONS ELABORATE UPON THE MYRIAD AND SCOPE OF EMERGENCIES YOU HAD TO UTILIZE THE TRUST FUND FOR OUTSIDE OF OBVIOUSLY THE ONES WE MOSTLY DISCUSSED T